I have done many tours to Sacha lodge, and I always think what I am going to see or even what I am going to write is different this time, but believe me all the time Sacha impresses me more and more. It is hard to believe that you have breakfast in Quito at 9000 ft and then you are having lunch at Sacha at 950 ft; the contrast in between those two places are so different. We flew from Quito to Coca and took the 2 hour motorized canoe ride along the Napo river, walked for a kilometer, and spent 20 minutes paddling and we got to Sacha for lunch. We stayed the usual week, and Oscar and Gerardo (our local guides) welcomed us. Thanks guys, for such a great adventure!
We kicked off our stay with a nice canoe ride after lunch the first day, just exploring the Pilchecocha lake and the creek. I was excited to visit the towers, and we started early as we usually do in Sacha. Both towers were just fantastic, and two mornings on the metal one and two mornings on the Kapok tower gave us the chance to have wonderful views of species that are hard to see from the ground. It is difficult to describe, but literally, we came face to face with the most colorful tanagers: Masked, Turquoise, Green-and-Gold, and even the stunning Paradise. There was also a nice collection of woodpeckers like Cream-colored, Crimson-crested, Yellow-tufted, Red-stained and the rare Ringed, just to mention some. Also, we saw all the Toucans possible on the tour, but the Golden-collared Toucanet stole the show, and for some people, the Harpy Eagle was the best. I couldn't believe that the Harpy stayed on that tree for so long.....!
We did several canoe rides and we managed to see a lot of birds that are associated with water, like the crazy Hoatzin, Orange-crowned Manakin, Dot-backed and Silver antbirds, and some people loved the Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher. The visits to the parrot clay licks are always a gamble, because weather is a crucial factor, but this time the weather was stunning for our two visits. The cliff along the Napo River had 4 species present, and the one in the Yasuni had Scarlet Macaws, Orange-cheeked Parrot and Cobalt-winged Parakeet. The dead tree at Sani had 3 species of macaws, including Blue-and-yellow that were wonderful.
We also explored some of the trails and we managed to come across some little jewels like Wire-tailed Manakin (especially the one sleeping), and Crested Owls roosting. Just outside the lodge was full of action, with Yellow-rumped Caiques nesting with several of them being foster parents for Giant Cowbirds. It was a bit bizarre to see the interaction between them.
On the mammals front, we saw some nice monkeys and some were almost too friendly with us, especially the Squirrel Monkeys that almost landed on our heads. We had Giant Otters coming to the dining room during lunch time, the most incredible insects and even Poison-dart Frogs. So, the birding and the wildlife were superb, plus the food, the drinks (specially the Piranha Cocktail for Molly), and the service was top notch. Thanks for that to our friends from Sacha Lodge. Plus, I was lucky to have a great group of people who enjoyed being in the most biodiverse place on the planet. Thank you to you all for joining me for the tour.
A big hug from Dorset and just 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
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) [*]
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
Very common voice of the forest.
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
A pair flew a crossed the Napo River.
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
Great looks at a single bird, in the morning on our way to the Yasuni parrot clay lick.
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
BLUE GROUND DOVE (Claravis pretiosa) [*]
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
Many seen whenever we were close to water.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
A nice male was found by Gerardo on the bank of the Napo River.
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
The biggest swifts that we saw from the towers.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
Very distinctive shape, almost like bats.
FORK-TAILED PALM SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Very common, even on the lake bathing.
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
A couple of males were seen from the Kapok tower.
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri)
GREAT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris)
We had to do a bit of hunting for this species, but eventually our patience payed off when we found some males displaying.
BLACK-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis atrimentalis)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
Very common in the gardens of the hotel in Quito.
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
GOULD'S JEWELFRONT (Heliodoxa aurescens)
This was a great surprise for this hard hummingbird at Sacha; a male showed nicely at the Kapok tower for nice views.
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (RUFOUS-TAILED) (Amazilia tzacatl jucunda)
Some people saw this species at the hotel in Quito.
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone)
Nice views of a bird feeding from a bromeliad when we visited the metal tower.
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Chionomesa fimbriata)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
PIED PLOVER (Hoploxypterus cayanus)
This very handsome bird was seen on the shore of the Napo river.
COLLARED PLOVER (Anarhynchus collaris)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b]
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Several individuals were present at the lake in Sacha.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
During our canoe rides, we saw at least a pair hiding inside the vegetation. What a bill!
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) [*]
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
We saw them when we were going in and coming out along the Napo river.
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
The largest of the vultures that we saw on the trip.
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) [b]
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
Stunning views of this majestic species from the towers.
HARPY EAGLE (Harpia harpyja)
We had nice studies through the scope of one individual that stayed perched on a tree the whole morning close to the metal tower.
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus)
Very distinctive kite with short tail and broad wings that we saw mostly flying.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) [*]
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata)
Gerardo found a pair roosting when we were coming back from the metal tower.
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) [*]
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
The biggest of the trogons that we saw with yellow belly.
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
The small yellow belly trogon with yellow eye ring.
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) [*]
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum)
Fantastic scope views of an individual close to the butterfly farm.
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
This tiny kingfisher was seen twice during our canoe rides along the creeks.
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
Not an easy bird to see, but we managed to come across them a couple of times.
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus)
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED PUFFBIRD (Bucco macrodactylus)
Just few people saw this very secretive bird, one day when we were exploring the Anaconda creek.
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis) [*]
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
Very common along the river edge.
WHITE-EARED JACAMAR (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis)
This species that likes open places was seen the day that we visit the Blue-and-yellow Macaw tree.
PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax)
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens)
Barbets were a hit, and a male of this species was stunning.
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
Very common from both towers.
LEMON-THROATED BARBET (Eubucco richardsoni)
LETTERED ARACARI (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
We did very well with all the toucans, but its possible this species was the most unusual one seen from the towers.
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
MANY-BANDED ARACARI (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara)
GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET (Selenidera reinwardtii)
I have to say that this toucanet was simply spectacular to watch.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (CUVIER'S) (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
A pair gave us a show just below the metal tower for fantastic photos.
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Dryobates passerinus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Dryobates affinis)
This small woodpecker is normally hard to see, but one showed nicely for scope views from the Kapok tower.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus)
The hardest of the woodpeckers, but we had one that came close for nice looks at the metal tower.
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
One of the highlights of the trip for several people; we saw males and females from the towers. I have never seen so many of them.
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Daptrius chimachima)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
We saw them in the garden of the hotel.
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera)
We sawn them by the hundreds at the Yasuni Parrot Clay Lick.
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
Many at the Napo cliff, they were eating clay.
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
The ashy-colored Parrot that we saw on the cliff eating clay.
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
They were very active at the Yasuni Parrot Clay Lick.
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus)
Great scope views of some of the from the Kapok tower.
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
Some seen from the towers.
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
It took a while for them to show up but when they did it was incredible. Several came to eat wood from a dead tree, a very unusual sight to see in nature, what a treat!
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
Several seen flying but the best one was inside a nest at Sani Community.
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
At least 18 of them came to drink the water with minerals at the Yasuni Clay Lick.
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN (SHORT-BILLED) (Myrmotherula ignota obscura) [*]
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens) [*]
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
PLUMBEOUS ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes hyperythrus)
A dark bird with white bare eye-ring that we saw form the canoe along the Orquidea creek.
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD (Akletos melanoceps) [*]
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus)
We had a very stunning looks from the canoe along the creek.
WHITE-LORED ANTPITTA (Myrmothera fulviventris fulviventris) [*]
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris)
I have to say that to see this big woodcreeper was just spectacular. What a huge bill!
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni)
ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus aurantiivertex)
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda)
It was stunning to see some colorful males, but the best one was the roosting one that we found very early morning,
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus)
We saw them a couple of times,
PLUM-THROATED COTINGA (Cotinga maynana)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus)
Mostly females came close to sit when we we at the Kapok tower.
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata fortis)
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae)
A pair showed up nice when we were at the metal tower.
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) [*]
YELLOW-MARGINED FLATBILL (Tolmomyias assimilis)
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET (Ornithion inerme)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
It was nice to see the yellow on the crown of this bird. That is the advantage of the towers, where we were above the birds.
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens) [b]
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans angustirostris)
One seen at the hotel in Quito.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
Always close to the river bank and very well camouflaged.
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda) [*]
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus)
One came very close for nice views from the metal tower.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
LESSER KISKADEE (Philohydor lictor)
The small Kiskadee that we saw on the edge of the Pilchecocha lagoon.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
DUSKY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes luteiventris)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris) [b]
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
We saw a pair that were using a Cacique's nest; that is why they are call Piratic.
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) [b]
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis) [b]
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
This is the one that owns the swimming pool at Sacha.
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
Very distinctive dark swallow with white band on the chest that we saw along the Napo river.
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
The sound of this big wren was more impressive than anything.
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) [*]
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) [*]
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanocephala)
Some people saw this beauty in Quito.
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
This is the one that use to be called White-lored.
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)
This very small euphonia was seen from the metal tower.
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
Colorful males were seen from both towers.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
The most common of the group.
GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius viridis)
This nice Oropendola flew by and landed briefly for some people to watch from the Kapok tower.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
Many of them nesting just outside of the dining room; a male displaying and imitating other bird sounds was fascinating to hear.
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
It was fascinating to see some young ones coming out of Yellow-rumped Caciques's nests, definitely the nest were parasitized.
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata) [b]
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) [b]
SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea) [b]
GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
Stunning views of a male at the farm just outside of the hotel in Quito.
AMAZONIAN GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia rothschildii) [*]
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
The largest of the tanagers that we saw when we were waiting for the Blue-and-yellow Macaws to come down to eat the dead wood.
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Loriotus cristatus)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis)
We nailed it with this colorful birds just outside the lodge at Sacha, at least two groups were feeding around the dining room.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Rauenia bonariensis)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SCRUB TANAGER (Stilpnia vitriolina)
This nice tanager was seen at the hotel gardens in Quito; it is a dry valley specialty.
MASKED TANAGER (Stilpnia nigrocincta)
A pair were nesting nest the metal tower so had them super close for great photos.
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
The bird of the trip for some people, and I have to say, those birds were a real treat to watch, especially at eye level!
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)
Males and females were present from the towers.
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (OCHRACEOUS) (Conirostrum cinereum fraseri)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides decorata)
SAFFRON FINCH (SAFFRON) (Sicalis flaveola valida)
Some seen in Quito's hotel.
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
BLACK-MANTLE TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis)
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
They were everywhere, even in our cabins! I have never seen so many of them. It seems that the population of these guys is growing.
SPIX'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus vociferans)
The adorable night monkey that we saw roosting close to the Kapok tower.
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch)
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus)
We saw this lovely animal twice.
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis)
A family of four came several days of the week during lunch time.
Additionally we saw other wildlife that were not birds or mammals, but they were incredible beautiful, here are some of them:
Ecuadorian Poison Dart Frog, Ameerega bilinguis
Spectacled Caiman, Caiman crocodilus
Yellow-spotted River Turtle, Podocnemis unifilis
Caiman Lizard, Dracaena sp
Clelia snake, Owl and Morpho butterflies, and many more stunning insects.
Totals for the tour: 234 bird taxa and 10 mammal taxa