What a great way to explore the amazing secrets of the Amazon rainforest in such a comfortable and stunning lodge like Sacha. Surrounded by a lush forest and a fantastic view of the Pilchecocha lagoon, the week flew by and we had a very busy schedule. As soon as we arrived to the lodge, we were immersed in the wonders of the rainforest. After finding our comfortable rooms, we met up with our local guide Oscar Tapui, and helper Donaldo, and immediately went on canoe ride along the lagoon and up along the Anaconda creek. We didn't find an Anaconda, but we were mesmerized by the great camouflage of a Zigzag Heron on a nest. It took a while to see it, until a fluffy chick moved and we managed to see an adult sitting on a nest literally two meters away.
I always mention this, but the highlights of Sacha are the canopy towers and this time they were fantastic. We spotted two very cool raptors from the metal tower on the first visit, the Crested Eagle and Black-faced Hawk were the winners of the morning, but the colorful tanagers were also stunning. Paradise, Masked, Green and gold were superb, followed by the Green Honeycreeper. The Parrot clay licks were busy with several species coming to eat the clay. Even a Boa constrictor was there waiting quietly, trying to catch a meal; luckily for the parrots there were no casualties that morning. The island as usual was a bit hard for birding but there were definitely several island specialties that some people managed to see. If we didn't see them, you could definitely hear them! The best birds on the island for me were the Whistling Herons that are somehow showing up more and more in Ecuador.
Some birds we measured by behavior, and between the Hoatzin and the Zigzag Heron there was big competition; in terms of looks there were far too many. It was hard to choose between the Gilded Barbet, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker and the Black-bellied Cuckoo. The winner for the best sound was the Screaming Piha-- it was incredible.
Even in terms of weather we had a bit of everything, but the rain didn't stop our birding. Even when it rained there were plenty of birds to see just from the porch of the dining room. A Black-throated Mango nesting, a lot of Yellow-rumped Caciques and even a family of Giant Otters showing off. Overall we had a great, fun week at Sacha, so thank you to all of you who came to join us on this fantastic trip. Also I would like to say thank you to Oscar and Donaldo for their hard work.
I hope that I will see you soon; keep birding.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
Seen a few times from the towers.
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
Very common along the lagoon.
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
RUDDY GROUND DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
A bird nesting at Coca airport.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
BLACK-BELLIED CUCKOO (Piaya melanogaster)
We saw this stunning bird a couple of times, but the best time was along the Providencia trail.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Seen a couple of times when we went to the river island.
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
A super well hidden bird that was scoped from the metal tower; it was a joy to watch.
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
A couple of nice males were seen close to the Napo river.
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri)
GREAT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris)
It took a bit of time to find one that was lekking close to the Parrot clay lick.
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis) [N]
It was so great for everyone to enjoy a female nesting near the dining room.
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
OLIVE-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Talaphorus chlorocercus)
Not very colorful, but a specialty of the river island.
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Chionomesa fimbriata)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) [*]
One of the most iconic birds of South America, it was seen every day from the dining room.
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
A very nice bird for Joan.
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) [N]
I have to say that this was the very best bird of the trip. We always suffer to find it and it's also super hard to see, so having them on a nest was a privilege that everyone enjoyed very much.
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) [b]
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) [b]
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
An unusual bird to see, but they are definitely showing more and more in Ecuador.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
Nice looks of an adult bird soaring.
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) [b]
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
A tree with at least 20 of them was seen from the metal tower.
CRESTED EAGLE (Morphnus guianensis)
Scope views of this rare eagle was a hit!
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) [*]
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
A common small raptor that we saw from both towers.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
It was stunning to see the determination and power of a bird carrying branches to build a nest; some of the branches were a real challenge for the bird.
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens)
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
BLACK-FACED HAWK (Leucopternis melanops)
This very handsome hawk showed up nicely when we visited the metal tower.
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii)
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata)
A nice pair roosting was a treat to watch.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Superb views of one at the river island.
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
Male and females were seen few times.
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) [*]
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED PUFFBIRD (Bucco macrodactylus)
It is always great to see a Puffbird but this one was very special and not easy to find.
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis)
We certainly enjoyed this bird, it was even eating a caterpillar.
LANCEOLATED MONKLET (Micromonacha lanceolata)
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax)
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus)
We were looking for Jacamars; we saw only two species but this was a good fun one to watch and also to hear.
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens)
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
One of the most reliable birds that we saw from the towers; males and females were present there all the time.
LEMON-THROATED BARBET (Eubucco richardsoni)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
MANY-BANDED ARACARI (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara)
GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET (Selenidera reinwardtii)
A male of this species gave us a fantastic display of colors when we went to Providencia.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (CUVIER'S) (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
We had incredible close looks of this cheerful Woodpecker; the best ones were from the metal tower.
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Dryobates passerinus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Dryobates affinis)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
We enjoyed watching a group of these unique birds.
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii)
This one was the star of our last day of birding in the garden of the San Jose hotel in Quito.
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis)
It was amazing to see this Forest Falcon just before daylight but the next one was even better.
LINED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur gilvicollis)
I have never seen two Forest Falcons in half an hour, this was impressive to see.
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
SCARLET-SHOULDERED PARROTLET (Touit huetii)
A group of these uncommon Parrots came very quietly when we were in the kapok tower, but they stayed long enough for us to spot them!
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
A lot of them were close to the metal tower eating dead wood from broken trees.
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
Some people saw this bird on the island.
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus)
CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus cryptoleucus)
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius)
PLAIN-THROATED ANTWREN (Isleria hauxwelli)
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura)
Very nice views of this tiny bird from the tower.
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN (SHORT-BILLED) (Myrmotherula ignota obscura) [*]
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii)
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens)
We almost broke our necks to see this species which was very high up in the canopy.
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE ANTBIRD (Myrmochanes hemileucus)
Another island specialty that some people saw.
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes leucostigma) [*]
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD (Akletos melanoceps) [*]
SOOTY ANTBIRD (Hafferia fortis)
SPOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevius naevius)
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus)
We had striking views of this very handsome antbird.
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata) [*]
WHITE-LORED ANTPITTA (Myrmothera fulviventris) [*]
RUSTY-BELTED TAPACULO (Liosceles thoracicus) [*]
SHORT-BILLED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus rufigularis)
We were lucky enough to see this special bird even through the scope.
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
We had a couple of sightings of this bird along the Orquidea creek.
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes) [*]
CHESTNUT-WINGED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Dendroma erythroptera)
PARKER'S SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpecula)
WHITE-BELLIED SPINETAIL (Mazaria propinqua)
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis)
Most of us managed to see this bird when we visited the island.
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae)
The best view of the spinetails was in the gardens of the hotel, where this species comes right to the open.
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata)
ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus aurantiivertex)
Not very colorful, but a very unique Manakin from a flooded forest that we saw during our canoe ride.
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
We were all surprised by its incredible sound.
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus zosterops) [*]
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
We saw this small Flycatcher in Quito.
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Phaeomyias murina)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius chrysops)
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
Nice male and female were seen at the Hotel in Quito.
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda)
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus)
Wonderful views of this very attractive Attila.
CITRON-BELLIED ATTILA (Attila citriniventris)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
The most numerous bird near the lagoon.
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris)
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius)
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus) [a]
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
DUSKY-CAPPED GREENLET (Pachysylvia hypoxantha)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
This handsome widespread bird was seen along the lagoon close to the lodge.
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) [*]
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
It was more impressive to hear these birds than see them; what a sound.
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) [*]
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis) [*]
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanocephala)
We did well with Euphonias; we saw this one in Quito.
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
Males and females were seen from the towers.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
OLIVE OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius bifasciatus)
We saw only one of these big Oropendolas the day that we visited Providencia.
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
Always loud and cheerful, building nests near the lodge.
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD (Gymnomystax mexicanus)
AMAZONIAN GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia rothschildii) [*]
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Loriotus cristatus)
Males and females were always with mixed flocks that came close to the towers.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Rauenia bonariensis)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SCRUB TANAGER (Stilpnia vitriolina)
MASKED TANAGER (Stilpnia nigrocincta)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
There were a lot of nice Tanagers but this was the winner of them all, what a bird....
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia)
OPAL-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara callophrys)
GREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides decorata)
A nice male was seen in the hotel in Quito.
SAFFRON FINCH (SAFFRON) (Sicalis flaveola valida)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
Few were seen on the river island.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis)
CAQUETA SEEDEATER (Sporophila murallae)
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
BLACK-MANTLE TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis)
Always playing near the cabins.
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
SPIX'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus vociferans)
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch)
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
POEPPIG'S WOOLLY MONKEY (Lagothrix poeppiggii)
It was a treat to see these big monkeys in Yasuni national park.
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus)
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis)
There were a family of 5 individuals that came to the lagoon a few days during our lunch time.
BOA CONSTRICTOR (Boa constrictor)
There were two of them at the Parrot clay lick waiting quietly for a Parrot to come nearby.
FIRE SNAKE (Chironius scurrulus)
We also saw these:
Caiman Lizard: Dracaena guianensis
Yellow spotted River Turtle: Podocnemis unifilis
Spectacled Caiman: Caiman crocodilus
Plus many other creatures.
Totals for the tour: 262 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa