We had another amazing run to this Sacha lodge tour; everything worked out well and the overall experience was wonderful. The accommodation, food, service and of course the birds were stunning. We filled up the week with a lot of activities, visiting the canopy towers, walking along the forest and canoeing along the lagoon and the creeks. The weather was pleasant enough, and we managed to spend a lot of time birding and having super encounters with unique birds.
From the towers we had great views of tanagers like Green-and- Gold, Opal-rumped, Opal-crowned, and even the stunning Paradise. Woodpeckers were also really active. Yellow-tufted, Red-stained, Crimson-crested, Cream-colored and Ringed were present. This time, eagles were also friendly and Harpy was possible the best, but people really enjoyed watching the Ornate Hawk-Eagle and the Black-and-White. In terms of colors the Lemon-throated Barbet was impressive, and we had a face to face encounter with one male from the Kapok tower. I am also glad that we didn't give up on the Wire-tailed Manakin, that eventually after many attempts, we saw a male really well. Also the visit to the local house with the Blue-and-Yellow Macaws was a real stand out.
In general the birding was superb, but also we saw a lot of wildlife, including 7 species of monkeys, a friendly sloth and the family of Giant Otters that came almost every lunch time to the lagoon.
It was a fun week with a lot of action, and I hope that you enjoyed the trip, and a big thank you for joining me. Also a big thank you to Oscar and Sergio for their hard work.
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)
One seen by some people
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
Very common on the trip
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
Several seen from the tower
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
Always around the lagoon
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Very common in Quito
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
The biggest of the anis that we saw, close to the water
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Sitting on the roof of the balsa
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Few at the river island along the Napo
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
Seen twice, one during the night but also one roosting from the tower
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
Some people enjoyed watching this night bird
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
FORK-TAILED PALM SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Insect-like bird that we saw, especially from the lagoon
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus)
WHITE-BEARDED HERMIT (Phaethornis hispidus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri)
GREAT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris)
We saw one bird on its lek the day that we went to see the Parakeets
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
Seen at the hotel in Puembo
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
Also from the window of the hotel
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
OLIVE-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Talaphorus chlorocercus)
The hummingbird that we saw at the river island
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (RUFOUS-TAILED) (Amazilia tzacatl jucunda)
Seen in the gardens of the hotel
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Chionomesa fimbriata)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
It was a delight to see this very unique bird from the restaurant at Sacha
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) [*]
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) [*]
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
AGAMI HERON (Agamia agami)
One of the most striking herons of all, that we saw along the Pilchecocha lagoon
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
A couple of birds soaring was a nice sight
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
Some seen in flight but other ones sitting near the towers
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
HARPY EAGLE (Harpia harpyja)
We worked hard for this eagle, but eventually found one perched for a while and we had great scope views
ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus ornatus)
Another stunning eagle that we saw from the Kapok tower
BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens)
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus)
Scope views of this handsome hawk were great
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii)
We saw one, but they were very vocal every night
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata)
Sergio found a roosting one after the big storm, so it was a very wet Crested Owl
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) [*]
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
Fantastic views of this secretive kingfisher that we saw along the creek
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED PUFFBIRD (Bucco macrodactylus)
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis) [*]
LANCEOLATED MONKLET (Micromonacha lanceolata)
We had a close face to face with this tiny puffbird coming down from the metal tower
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
WHITE-EARED JACAMAR (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis)
BROWN JACAMAR (Brachygalba lugubris)
Superb views of this small jacamar that looks more like a hummingbird
WHITE-CHINNED JACAMAR (Galbula tombacea) [*]
PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax)
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus)
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens)
A pair showed up nicely when we went to see the Blue-and-Yellow Macaws
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
LEMON-THROATED BARBET (Eubucco richardsoni)
One the the favorite birds that we saw from the towers
LETTERED ARACARI (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
MANY-BANDED ARACARI (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET (Selenidera reinwardtii)
Nice views of a male from the metal tower
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (CUVIER'S) (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Dryobates passerinus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Dryobates affinis)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus)
I got very excited about this scarce woodpecker in Ecuador
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
RUFOUS-HEADED WOODPECKER (Celeus spectabilis) [*]
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
Great looks of one along the Orquidea creek
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus) [*]
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Daptrius chimachima)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
A pair seen close to the hotel in Puembo
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera)
We had to wait a bit, but a big group came down to the clay lick
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
Several seen along the tour and even a pet one (Buddy) who was very friendly with us
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
RIPARIAN PARROTLET (Forpus crassirostris)
At least 5 of them were seen along the Napo river during our canoe rides
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
We had a very stunning encounter with these beautiful birds that came to eat dead wood
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
A bird we saw when we were coming down from the Kapok tower and it was a male with a zebra color
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus) [*]
CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus cryptoleucus) [*]
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
PLAIN-THROATED ANTWREN (Isleria hauxwelli)
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura) [*]
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)
Nice views of a very responsive bird along the board walk
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens)
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE ANTBIRD (Myrmochanes hemileucus) [*]
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
PLUMBEOUS ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes hyperythrus)
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD (Akletos melanoceps)
SOOTY ANTBIRD (Hafferia fortis)
SPOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevius naevius) [*]
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus)
Great views of one bird along the creek
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata)
WHITE-LORED ANTPITTA (Myrmothera fulviventris) [*]
SHORT-BILLED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus rufigularis)
Briefly seen when a bird landed on the board walk for few seconds
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus) [*]
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris)
We managed to have very decent views of this spectacular woodcreeper along the board walk
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes)
WHITE-BELLIED SPINETAIL (Mazaria propinqua) [*]
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis) [*]
ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus aurantiivertex)
Nice view of this bird, which is restricted to the Igapo forest, that we saw along the creeks
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus) [*]
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda)
Persistence payed off when we saw a nice male
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
We had a full display from a male that came close to us during our visit to the Kapok tower
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus)
PLUM-THROATED COTINGA (Cotinga maynana)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
The male of this species was stunning, very similar color to the previous one but with more black on the wings
PURPLE-THROATED COTINGA (Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema)
Some people managed to see a male of this nice cotinga
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
It was nice that we had the tower, so we were able to see the yellow crown of this bird
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans angustirostris)
At the farm just outside of the San Jose hotel
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
Males and females were seen in the gardens of the hotel San Jose in Puembo
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
Possible the least colorful birds that we saw along the tour, but It gave us a lot to talk about
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda)
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus)
WHITE-RUMPED SIRYSTES (Sirystes albocinereus)
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
LESSER KISKADEE (Philohydor lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius)
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus)
A very drab flycatcher with a very long scientific name
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
Very common in Quito
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
There were a pair at the swimming pool at Sacha
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) [*]
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya)
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
Great views of this secretive bird along the Anaconda creak
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
A pair seen along the gardens of the hotel
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli)
We saw one flying across the board walk
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanocephala)
Males and females seen at the garden of the San Jose hotel
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
The yellow on the male of these species goes all the way up to the base of the bill
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
Some birds nesting near the lodge and they were very vocal, the alpha males were imitating even the river otter's call
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
This colorful bird was seen a couple of times
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD (Gymnomystax mexicanus)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER (Thlypopsis sordida)
We saw a couple of these tanagers on the river island
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Loriotus cristatus)
The males of this species were very striking with a very red crest
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
YELLOW-BELLIED TANAGER (Ixothraupis xanthogastra)
SCRUB TANAGER (Stilpnia vitriolina)
Seen in Quito
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
For sure the favorite tanager for most of the people
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)
SAFFRON FINCH (SAFFRON) (Sicalis flaveola valida)
Seen in Quito
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
BLUISH-GRAY SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus)
BLACK-MANTLE TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis)
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
SPIX'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus vociferans)
We had great views of this monkey roosting inside a hole
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch)
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
It was very impressive to hear them especially early in the morning
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
POEPPIG'S WOOLLY MONKEY (Lagothrix poeppiggii)
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus)
Great sights of one from the metal tower
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis)
It was amazing to see a family of them that came to the lagoon every day
Also we had great encounters with other wildlife.
An Anaconda, that we saw briefly.
Lizard sp
Yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle
Caiman Lizard
Spectacled Caiman
Crested Forest Toad tadpoles
Amazon Leaf Frog (eggs)
Plus the most amazing butterflies, including Blue Morpho.
Totals for the tour: 249 bird taxa and 12 mammal taxa