field guides birding tours: peru's magnetic north

Field Guides Tour Report

PERU'S MAGNETIC NORTH: SPATULETAILS, OWLET LODGE & MORE

Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011

John Rowlett

What a thrilling trip to a majestic area of northern Peru! We had a quick start on the banks of the lower Rio Mayo justoutside of Tarapoto before heading on to Moyobamba for the night. Then an early morning at Morro del Calzada beforeheading to lunch at Aguas Verdes, a brief stop at Afluente, and finally on to the ECOAN Owlet Lodge, headquarters for thenext seven fabulous nights. The last full day at the lodge we spent mesmerized at the marvelous Huembo Spatuletail reservebefore recovering from all the excitement by birding up the Rio Chido valley and making a very quick stop at LagoPomacochas, then returning to Tarapoto and a morning of birding the Tunel on the road to Yurimaguas.

En route to Moyobamba our first full day, we made a full-moon-on-the-rise stop at a chasm where Oilbirds hang out andsaw (and heard!) 200+ mulling about the opening before heading out to feed--an extraordinary and haunting event! The nextmorning we were out early for some nightbirding at Morro del Calzada and some early morning birding around the Morro.We had good looks at Spot-tailed Nightjar and, surprisingly, Little Nightjar. After a field breakfast, we saw a pair ofcooperative Striolated Puffbirds, the endemic Mishana Tyrannulet, a female Rufous-crested Coquette, OlivaceousWoodcreeper, a pair of Broad-billed Motmots, Gray-capped Flycatchers, Sooty-headed Tyrannulets, a White-browedPurpletuft, Black-faced Tanagers, Turquoise, Green-and-gold, and Paradise tanagers, etc. Before leaving we had a dozenSaddleback Tamarins troop across in front of us. As the day heated we headed for Puente Verdes where we had lunch. Therewe had a very obliging Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Lafresnaye's Piculets, Small-billed Elaenia,more tanagers, etc. After lunch, Afluente was suffering from a low pulse when we arrived, so we didn't belabor the birding(promising not to forget that we had some unfinished business there); rather, we proceeded on through a great deal of roadconstruction to the lodge.

I chose the night of our first full day at the lodge to try for the Long-whiskered Owlet because it was early on in the tour andall would possess the stamina to do it, because the Owlet Trail was reasonably dry as there had been little rain of late, andbecause the previous night had held a full moon and I knew we’d be able to stay until it rose, if necessary. Two elected tostay back due to trail difficulty, but the rest of us went the 900 mtrs out the trail during the afternoon (we left mid-afternoon), and we did only a little birding along the way. We heard a Rufous-banded Owl yell about 6:25 p.m., as Robertoand Ebert were arriving (they had stayed back and hustled out the trail after us). Then, just as Roberto was telling us wherethe owlet would begin singing and what he hoped it would do in response to my playback, the THING began to sing! Wewere all sworn to viewing it naked-eye first, should it fly in, only later to raise our bins. After about 10 minutes of coaxingand trying three cuts, the owlet flew right over our heads and landed in front of us for fantastic views! We all trudged backup the trail with a delirious spring in each slow step of the climb. What a night!

The next few days we spent birding the knife ridges near Garcia gate (with Royal Sunangel, Bar-winged Wood-Wren, andYellow-scarfed Tanager as primary targets) and the escalera down to Afluente. The sunangel and wood-wren fell into place,although we missed, despite much effort, the tanager. Hooded Tinamous were calling up a storm, but we never caught aglimpse of them on the Mono Trail. Among numerous highlights during our stay: a striking White-rumped Hawk that soaredabove us for a long time up the Rio Chido, a pair of gaudy White-capped Tanagers up the Chido, fine Red-hooded Tanagers,a very accommodating Lanceolated Monklet, Equatorial Graytail, a great Rusty-breasted Antpitta in the scope from theroad, an Ochre-fronted Antpitta for some of us, a demonstrative Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, an immovable, musicalChestnut-breasted Wren (though heard only), a pretty Inca Flycatcher for a full five minutes, Johnson's (Lulu's) Tody-Flycatcher repeatedly, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants, some slippery Green-and-black Fruiteaters, great Andean Cocks, a Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo at eye-level (at Puente Verdes), a big-bird mixed flock with shy White-collared Jays and MountainCaciques, responsive Sharpe's Wrens, Andean and White-eared solitaires, Citrine Warbler, as well as the endemic Yellow-crested and Black-bellied tanagers. The Huembo Place Spatuletail center was dazzling, although we didn’t spend more thanabout three hours there. On our last morning at the Tunel we concluded the tour with Koepcke's Hermit, a flock of Rose-fronted Parakeets, White-throated Woodpeckers, and a Golden-collared Toucanet, among others.

As gratifying to me as it was for you to see the Long-whiskered Owlet, the Marvelous Spatuletail, and the remarkablespecialties of this area, my recurring highlight was meeting new friends and birding with all of you in such a magnetic part

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of the world. I do hope we can repeat the pleasure again somewhere before long. I know I speak for all of you when I thankthe local guides Roberto and Santos, the lodge administrators Antonio and Ciro and their staff, our intrepid ManuExpeditions crew, and, of course, Evelyn for acting as (superb) trip photo historian.

--John

We have more information about this itinerary and future departures on our web page for Peru's Magnetic North.

KEYS FOR THIS LISTOne 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

BIRDSTinamidae (Tinamous)

(Nothocercus nigrocapillus cadwaladeri) – Heard on at least three separate days below the lodge,once down the Mono Trail from no great distance away. Always tough to see. [*]

(Crypturellus soui) – Heard at the Morro. [*]

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) (Merganetta armata) – Good looks at both sexes; a handsome duck!

(Anas bahamensis) – A small group of about six birds huddled on a small island in LagoPomacochas, Florida.

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows) (Ortalis guttata)

(Penelope montagnii) – Only quick looks. (Aburria aburri) [*]

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) (Ardea alba) (Egretta thula) (Bubulcus ibis)

(Butorides striata)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures) (Coragyps atratus)

(Cathartes aura) (Cathartes melambrotus)

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) (Elanoides forficatus) – Striking and graceful. (Harpagus bidentatus) – A quick look at a bird in flight at the Tunel.

(Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – Nice views of an adult up the Rio Chido. (Buteo magnirostris)

(Buteo leucorrhous) – Splendid views of a soaring bird overhead up the Rio Chido. (Buteo brachyurus) – One overhead along the lower Rio Mayo.

(Buteo albigula) – One bird flew over the lodge mid-day for Evelyn and John to see. (Spizaetus melanoleucus) – A beautiful adult soared over the lodge during a rest

break that only Anna, Karen, and John were able to see.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) (Falco sparverius)

(Falco rufigularis) – Nice views of a bird that was hanging around the lodge early and late in the days.

HOODED TINAMOU

LITTLE TINAMOU

TORRENT DUCKWHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL

SPECKLED CHACHALACAANDEAN GUANWATTLED GUAN

GREAT EGRETSNOWY EGRETCATTLE EGRETSTRIATED HERON

BLACK VULTURETURKEY VULTUREGREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE

SWALLOW-TAILED KITEDOUBLE-TOOTHED KITEBLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLEROADSIDE HAWKWHITE-RUMPED HAWKSHORT-TAILED HAWKWHITE-THROATED HAWKBLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE

AMERICAN KESTRELBAT FALCON


Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – Spectacular performance by a responsive bird at Lago Pomacochas.

Nice photos, Evelyn! (Gallinula chloropus)

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) (Vanellus resplendens) – Lydia spotted some 15 birds resting beside Lago Pomacochas.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) (Columba livia) [I]

(Patagioenas cayennensis) – Heard along the lower Rio Mayo near Tarapoto. [*] (Patagioenas speciosa) [*]

(Patagioenas fasciata) – Almost daily. (Patagioenas plumbea)

(Patagioenas subvinacea) – "Hit the foul pole." (Zenaida auriculata)

(Columbina talpacoti) (Claravis pretiosa) – Our best looks came of a bird at the Morro as it came to drink below us.

(Leptotila verreauxi decolor) – Glimpsed several times in the subtropical zone; itwas heard singing daily at the lodge.

(Leptotila verreauxi decipiens) – Seen and heard near Tarapoto. (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]

(Geotrygon frenata) – Heard from the lodge and from the Mono Trail. [*] (Geotrygon montana) – Heard at the Tunel. [*]

Psittacidae (Parrots) (Pyrrhura roseifrons roseifrons) – Delightful studies of some 50

settled birds near the waterfalls and public restrooms before reaching the Tunel. Evelyn got a good shot of one. (Aratinga wagleri) – A flock of 47 (thank you, Amy) seen west of the Florida pass.

(Aratinga leucophthalma) – About 30 seen along the lower Rio Mayo near Tarapoto. (Brotogeris cyanoptera)

(Pionus menstruus) (Pionus sordidus) – Nice views of perched birds at Afluente.

(Pionus tumultuosus seniloides) – A couple of flyovers were all we had. (Amazona mercenaria) – Common in the Abra Patricia area and heard and seen often flying

high over the lodge.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos) (Piaya cayana)

(Crotophaga ani)

Strigidae (Owls) (Megascops choliba) [*]

(Glaucidium brasilianum) [*] (Xenoglaux loweryi) – WOW. Extraordinary views of this legendary little owl for more

than a minute at about four meters away! This was one of the highlights of the tour, and I regret that Linda and Dillonwere unable to be with us. The seven of us who absorbed that moment now belong to a handful of people who have seenXenoglaux so well. It ranks as one of the most electrifying experiences of my birding life. Long may such brief momentslive! [E]

(Ciccaba albitarsis) – Heard on several occasions; Ray was the only one of us to see it (at thebungalows).

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) (Lurocalis rufiventris) – One flew over us as we tried for the Cinnamon Screech-

PLUMBEOUS RAIL

COMMON MOORHEN

ANDEAN LAPWING

ROCK PIGEONPALE-VENTED PIGEONSCALED PIGEONBAND-TAILED PIGEONPLUMBEOUS PIGEONRUDDY PIGEONEARED DOVERUDDY GROUND-DOVEBLUE GROUND-DOVEWHITE-TIPPED DOVE (DECOLOR)

WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (BRASILIENSIS GROUP)GRAY-FRONTED DOVEWHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVERUDDY QUAIL-DOVE

ROSE-FRONTED PARAKEET (ROSE-FRONTED)

SCARLET-FRONTED PARAKEETWHITE-EYED PARAKEETCOBALT-WINGED PARAKEETBLUE-HEADED PARROTRED-BILLED PARROTSPECKLE-FACED PARROTSCALY-NAPED PARROT

SQUIRREL CUCKOOSMOOTH-BILLED ANI

TROPICAL SCREECH-OWLFERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLLONG-WHISKERED OWLET

RUFOUS-BANDED OWL

RUFOUS-BELLIED NIGHTHAWK


Owl (to no avail). (Nyctidromus albicollis) – Heard near the Morro. [*]

(Caprimulgus maculicaudus) – Seen nicely (and heard) near the Morro. (Caprimulgus parvulus) – A real surprise; one seen and perhaps five heard near the Morro. This was

the first time I'm aware of this species' having been recorded there. (Caprimulgus nigrescens) – Near the Morro. [*]

Steatornithidae (Oilbird) (Steatornis caripensis) – Another spectacular show! We saw some 200 of these odd, raucous creatures mulling

about the deep chasm where they had been roosting, some outside the dark shaft already, many still on the walls, manytreading air before exiting into the full-moon night to hunt for oil palms. Haunting!

Apodidae (Swifts) (Chaetura brachyura) (Chaetura cinereiventris) (Aeronautes montivagus) – Seen near Garcia and near the Tunel.

(Tachornis squamata) – Seen near the Morro.

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) (Florisuga mellivora) – A male at the Morro.

(Phaethornis guy) – Glimpsed at a lek above Puente Verdes. (Phaethornis syrmatophorus) – Heard and seen zipping across the road near Afluente.

(Phaethornis koepckeae) – Great looks at a bird visiting the heliconias at the Tunel, thanks toKaren. Evelyn got a good photo.

(Phaethornis griseogularis) – The darn little hermits, easily 50 of them, simply would notshow in response to playback.

(Colibri thalassinus) – Seen at the lodge, but seen best at the Huembo Spatuletail Center. (Colibri coruscans) – Seen well at the Huembo Spat Center.

(Anthracothorax nigricollis) – Two females seen near Tarapoto, one on a nest that,surprisingly, was situated on a utility wire (along the highway to Juan Guerra)! [N]

(Heliangelus amethysticollis) – Seen along the Mono Trail. (Heliangelus regalis) – We were having trouble with this species until we finally got a fine, settled

male at one of the knife ridges up from Garcia. Almost an endemic, this species has now been found just across theborder in Ecuador. One of the specialties of the area.

(Discosura popelairii) – Females seen on two days by part of the group. (Lophornis delattrei) – A female seen at the Morro where we had the puffbirds.

(Phlogophilus hemileucurus) – Heard at Afluente, but we never set eyes on it. [*] (Adelomyia melanogenys) – Suggests a small hermit in aspect.

(Aglaiocercus kingi) – Many wonderful studies of this flashy hummer. Evelyn got some greatshots.

(Eriocnemis alinae) – Seen many times at the lodge feeders and once in the forest. (Loddigesia mirabilis) – WOW. Another highlight of the trip! I suppose it would have

been false advertising not to have "produced" this marvelous hummer, but seeing at our leisure adult males so well and sooften at Huembo was certainly icing on the cake. We also enjoyed young males, adults that had molted their tails andwere regrowing them, and at least two females. Evelyn got some memorable shots, as I'm sure others did with point-and-shoots. Is there a more ornate hummer? ECOAN and ABC are to be congratulated for setting up the center at Huemboand for hiring Santos Montenegro, a pioneering Spatuletail conservationist, as its first director. This Endangered specieswas number 2000 for Amy! That's Loddiges' luck. [E]

(Coeligena coeligena) – Many nice views, especially at Huembo, though a few were regular at the lodgefeeders. Evelyn got excellent photos.

(Coeligena torquata) – Another beauty, the males of which are striking! (Lafresnaya lafresnayi) – One female seen up the Rio Chido, thanks to Linda's spotting.

It's puzzling why this species hasn't become regular at the lodge feeders.

COMMON PAURAQUESPOT-TAILED NIGHTJARLITTLE NIGHTJAR

BLACKISH NIGHTJAR

OILBIRD

SHORT-TAILED SWIFTGRAY-RUMPED SWIFTWHITE-TIPPED SWIFTFORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT

WHITE-NECKED JACOBINGREEN HERMITTAWNY-BELLIED HERMITKOEPCKE'S HERMIT

GRAY-CHINNED HERMIT

GREEN VIOLETEARSPARKLING VIOLETEARBLACK-THROATED MANGO

AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGELROYAL SUNANGEL

WIRE-CRESTED THORNTAILRUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTEECUADORIAN PIEDTAILSPECKLED HUMMINGBIRDLONG-TAILED SYLPH

EMERALD-BELLIED PUFFLEGMARVELOUS SPATULETAIL

BRONZY INCA

COLLARED INCAMOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST


(Boissonneaua matthewsii) – Big, good-looking, and aggressive. The dominanthummer at the lodge feeders.

(Ocreatus underwoodii) – Petite and lovely; this east-slope race has fawn-colored (rather thanwhite) boots.

(Heliodoxa rubinoides) – Some fine studies at the lodge feeders. (Heliodoxa leadbeateri) – A magnificent bird! A dazzling male and a female were

seen at the Huembo feeders. For a look at that head, check out Evelyn's photos. (Chaetocercus mulsant) – At least one seen at the lodge feeder near the Fenwick

bungalow (photo-documented by our Evelyn); best seen at Huembo with the Little Woodstars and Spats. It is unusual atthe lodge insofar as it prefers a drier clime such as that of Huembo.

(Chaetocercus bombus) – Tiny hummers! Good looks at females, Huembo only; no males to beseen.

(Chlorostilbon mellisugus) – One female. (Campylopterus largipennis) – Two seen below the Yurimaguas Tunel.

(Thalurania furcata) – Best seen at Afluente, where we had males and females. (Taphrospilus hypostictus) – Nice views of a bird at Aguas Verdes. (Amazilia chionogaster) – Several seen well at the Huembo feeders; one was also

seen at the lodge feeders that Evelyn documented with a good photo. This species is usually found in drier areas than eastof Abra Patricia.

(Amazilia franciae cyanocollis) – A lovely hummer that surprises an observer with that rich cyancolor on the head.

Trogonidae (Trogons) (Pharomachrus auriceps) [*]

(Pharomachrus antisianus) [*] (Trogon curucui) – Great views along the lower Rio Mayo and again at the Morro; good

shots, Evelyn! (Trogon collaris) – A male seen nicely at Afluente.

(Trogon personatus) – A real beauty!

Momotidae (Motmots) (Electron platyrhynchum) – A pair seen at dawn at the Morro.

Bucconidae (Puffbirds) (Nystalus striolatus) – A lovely, whistling pair seen at the Morro; Evelyn got a fine photo.

(Micromonacha lanceolata) – WOW. Another highlight and one of Linda's most wanted. Iheard it singing, Amy spotted it, and Linda got us all on it. Great views through the scope and a great photo by Evelyn!This is a real prize anywhere and always a possibility in the Afluente area.

(Hapaloptila castanea) – Heard at the lodge; also heard at the lodge were White-collared Jayspossibly imitating this bird. [*]

(Chelidoptera tenebrosa) – Seen at the Morro for breakfast.

Galbulidae (Jacamars) (Galbula cyanescens) – Seen along the lower Rio Mayo out of Tarapoto.

Capitonidae (New World Barbets) (Capito auratus punctatus) – A pair seen at the Morro.

(Eubucco versicolor) – Painfully heard only—several. They just would not respond toplayback by showing. [*]

Ramphastidae (Toucans) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis) – Great studies up the Rio

Chido; nicely captured in two of Evelyn's photos. (Aulacorhynchus derbianus) – One seen but got away at Afluente.

(Pteroglossus castanotis) – Good lucks at these at the Morro; heard and seen at

CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET

BOOTED RACKET-TAIL

FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANTVIOLET-FRONTED BRILLIANT

WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR

LITTLE WOODSTAR

BLUE-TAILED EMERALDGRAY-BREASTED SABREWINGFORK-TAILED WOODNYMPHMANY-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRDWHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD

ANDEAN EMERALD

GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZALCRESTED QUETZALBLUE-CROWNED TROGON

COLLARED TROGONMASKED TROGON

BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT

STRIOLATED PUFFBIRDLANCEOLATED MONKLET

WHITE-FACED NUNBIRD

SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD

BLUISH-FRONTED JACAMAR

GILDED BARBETVERSICOLORED BARBET

EMERALD TOUCANET (BLUE-THROATED)

CHESTNUT-TIPPED TOUCANETCHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI


Afluente. (Selenidera reinwardtii) – A fabulous male seen near the Tunel, thanks to Lydia!

Evelyn scored again here. (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri) – The yelper heard at the Tunel. [*]

(Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus) – The croaker heard at the Morro.

Picidae (Woodpeckers) (Picumnus lafresnayi) – Nice views on several occasions, including young being fed. [N]

(Picumnus steindachneri) – Darn! Heard only, but no cigar. [*] (Melanerpes cruentatus) – Three seen between Moyobamba and Tarapoto.

(Picoides fumigatus) – Ray had a female in the lodge area; then most of us had amale up the Rio Chido.

(Piculus leucolaemus) – A pair at the Tunel; Evelyn got a fine photo of thefemale.

(Colaptes rubiginosus) (Colaptes rivolii) – A striking woodpecker! Seen along the main road in front

of the lodge. (Campephilus haematogaster) – WOW. Another superb woodpecker and a prize

anywhere. Thanks to Ray for detecting it and for leading us back to where it was still working (at Afluente)—"RED onthe breast!" I exclaimed in response to Ray's description.

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers) (Synallaxis azarae) – Seen several times, including a juve with an adult at the lodge. [N]

(Synallaxis albigularis) – Heard by all, seen by some at Afluente. (Synallaxis unirufa) – Seen best along the Mono Trail.

(Xenerpestes singularis) – Seen at Afluente; this was the bird Ray thought looked more likethe Northern Waterthrush on Karen's High Island shirt than its illustration in the Peru field guide. Well, it certainlysounded different!

(Margarornis squamiger) – Nice views; lovely birds. (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii) – Seen probing the bromeliads at the lodge.

(Anabacerthia striaticollis) – Wonderful studies at Afluente. (Philydor rufum) – Seen well at Afluente; one bird was carrying nest material.

[N] (Automolus ochrolaemus) – Heard at the Tunel. [*]

(Xenops rutilans) – One seen at the Morro. (Dendrocincla tyrannina) [*]

(Sittasomus griseicapillus) – Seen very well at the Morro; check out Evelyn's photo. (Dendroplex picus) – Seen very well along the lower Rio Mayo.

(Xiphorhynchus triangularis) – Seen at Afluente. (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger) – Seen along the Mono Trail.

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds) (Thamnophilus ruficapillus) – Heard at the Huembo Center. [*]

(Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus) – Heard several time at Afluente; we never did try for it in earnest. (Thamnophilus punctatus huallagae) – Seen along the lower Rio

Mayo; this may be split in the future. [E] (Thamnophilus caerulescens) – Seen at the lodge.

(Myrmotherula longicauda) – Seen along the lower Rio Mayo. (Herpsilochmus axillaris) [*]

(Drymophila caudata) – Seen along the Mono Trail; heard along the Owlet Trail. (Cercomacra nigrescens aequatorialis) – Heard at Afluente. [*]

(Pyriglena leuconota) – Heard at Afluente near the monklet spot. [*]

GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET

WHITE-THROATED TOUCANCHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN

LAFRESNAYE'S PICULETSPECKLE-CHESTED PICULETYELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKERSMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER

WHITE-THROATED WOODPECKER

GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKERCRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER

CRIMSON-BELLIED WOODPECKER

AZARA'S SPINETAILDARK-BREASTED SPINETAILRUFOUS SPINETAILEQUATORIAL GRAYTAIL

PEARLED TREERUNNERSTREAKED TUFTEDCHEEKMONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANERBUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER

BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANERSTREAKED XENOPSTYRANNINE WOODCREEPEROLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPERSTRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPEROLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPERMONTANE WOODCREEPER

RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKELINED ANTSHRIKENORTHERN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (MARANON)

VARIABLE ANTSHRIKESTRIPE-CHESTED ANTWRENYELLOW-BREASTED ANTWRENLONG-TAILED ANTBIRDBLACKISH ANTBIRD (BLACKISH)WHITE-BACKED FIRE-EYE


Formicariidae (Antthrushes) (Chamaeza mollissima) [*]

Grallariidae (Antpittas) (Grallaria przewalskii) – The Grallaria were tough this trip. [*]

(Grallaria blakei) [*] (Grallaricula flavirostris) – Heard at the gnateater spot. [*]

(Grallaricula ochraceifrons) – Seen by Ray and John (heard by all there) along theOwlet Trail; also seen by Evelyn, Amy, and John across from the lodge on an optional try. [E]

(Grallaricula ferrugineipectus leymebambae) – Seen well by all—and from thehighway! Even in the scope. Extraordinary.

Conopophagidae (Gnateaters) (Conopophaga castaneiceps) – Seen by part of the group along the escalera; at

least three birds were present.

Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos) (Scytalopus parvirostris) – Heard along the Mono Trail. [*]

(Scytalopus femoralis) – Heard many times but not seen once! [E*] (Scytalopus atratus) – Heard at Afluente.

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) (Mecocerculus poecilocercus) – Nice looks up the Rio Chido; Evelyn got a nice photo.

(Tyrannulus elatus) [*] (Elaenia flavogaster) – Seen at the Morro.

(Elaenia albiceps) – Many at the lodge and surrounding area. (Elaenia parvirostris) – One at the Morro. [a]

(Elaenia obscura) – Good study of several birds at Huembo. (Elaenia pallatangae) – Seen at the lodge; good photo, Evelyn.

(Serpophaga cinerea) – Seen along the Rio Chido. (Mionectes striaticollis) – Quite a few seen; sadly, one flew into the dining room

window, breaking its (streaked) neck. (Mionectes oleagineus) – One seen at the Morro.

(Leptopogon superciliaris) – Seen at Afluente. (Leptopogon taczanowskii) – One seen extremely well near Garcia. [E]

(Phylloscartes poecilotis) – Two seen in a mixed-species flock at the gnateater spot. (Phylloscartes ophthalmicus) – Two also seen at the gnateater spot in a mixed-

species flock. (Phylloscartes ventralis) – Two seen along the Mono Trail.

(Phylloscartes gualaquizae) – Fabulous views of a responsive bird at Aguas Verdes (seeEvelyn's excellent photo).

(Phyllomyias griseiceps) – Two fine birds responding at the Morro; again, Evelynnailed them.

(Phyllomyias nigrocapillus) – Two birds in a mixed flock up the Rio Chido got awaybefore everyone could get on them.

(Zimmerius villarejoi) – Two seen nicely at the Morro. [E] (Zimmerius chrysops) – Many views!

(Myiotriccus ornatus) – Ray had several at Afluente. (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) [*]

(Lophotriccus pileatus) [*] (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer) – Seen along the lower Rio Mayo.

(Hemitriccus granadensis) – Seen at the lodge.

BARRED ANTTHRUSH

RUSTY-TINGED ANTPITTACHESTNUT ANTPITTAOCHRE-BREASTED ANTPITTAOCHRE-FRONTED ANTPITTA

RUSTY-BREASTED ANTPITTA

CHESTNUT-CROWNED GNATEATER

TRILLING TAPACULORUFOUS-VENTED TAPACULOWHITE-CROWNED TAPACULO

WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULETYELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULETYELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIAWHITE-CRESTED ELAENIASMALL-BILLED ELAENIAHIGHLAND ELAENIASIERRAN ELAENIATORRENT TYRANNULETSTREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER

OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHERSLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERINCA FLYCATCHERVARIEGATED BRISTLE-TYRANTMARBLE-FACED BRISTLE-TYRANT

MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULETECUADORIAN TYRANNULET

SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET

BLACK-CAPPED TYRANNULET

MISHANA TYRANNULETGOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULETORNATE FLYCATCHERRUFOUS-HEADED PYGMY-TYRANTSCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANTPEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANTBLACK-THROATED TODY-TYRANT


(Hemitriccus cinnamomeipectus) – Grrrrr. Once again, a difficult score; wecould but get it to call back. [*]

(Poecilotriccus luluae) – A little stunner! Seen extremely well on several occasionsand captured exquisitely by our tour photographer.

(Poecilotriccus latirostris) – Heard along the lower Rio Mayo. [*] (Tolmomyias sulphurescens peruvianus) – One seen near the Tunel.

(Tolmomyias flaviventris) – Seen well along the lower Rio Mayo. (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus) – Perfectly charming.

(Hirundinea ferruginea) – Many nice views, including a bird on the nest at the Tunel; another ofEvelyn's scores. [N]

(Myiophobus cryptoxanthus) – Seen popping in and out. (Lathrotriccus euleri) – One glimpsed, but heard often, along the road at Afluente.

(Contopus fumigatus) [*] (Sayornis nigricans) – Along the Rio Nieva.

(Knipolegus poecilurus) – Seen nicely; a pair was nesting across from the llanteria,Afluente. [N]

(Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris angustifasciata) – What abeauty! Seen at Puente San Antonio and again up the Rio Chido (for Lydia).

(Colonia colonus) – Seen near Afluente. (Myiarchus tuberculifer) – Ray had one at the Morro.

(Myiarchus cephalotes) – Seen well at the lodge. (Pitangus sulphuratus)

(Megarynchus pitangua) (Myiozetetes similis)

(Myiozetetes granadensis) – Seen at the Morro. (Myiozetetes luteiventris) – Several at the Tunel. (Conopias cinchoneti) – Seen well above us at the gnateater spot.

(Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) – Seen well at the Tunel; Evelyn got a photo ofour bird disclosing a bit of its golden crown.

(Myiodynastes maculatus) (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Cotingidae (Cotingas) (Pipreola riefferii) – Seen by part of the group on the Mono Trail; Ray had others

below the lodge along the track up from the car park. (Pipreola arcuata arcuata) – Heard up the Rio Chido. [*] (Ampelioides tschudii) – Frustratingly, heard only; we were close to it at Afluente. [*]

(Rupicola peruvianus) – Some striking males and some eye-catching females.

Pipridae (Manakins) (Machaeropterus pyrocephalus) – Its mechanical "tink"s were heard at the Morro. [*]

(Piprites chloris) – Heard at Afluente, but it wouldn't show to playback. [*]

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies) (Iodopleura isabellae) – One nice bird sitting up at the Morro, thanks to Evelyn.

(Pachyramphus viridis xanthogenys) – Seen nesting at the Tunel.[N]

(Pachyramphus versicolor) – Several nice studies of both sexes. (Pachyramphus polychopterus) – One male at the Morro.

Vireonidae (Vireos) (Vireo leucophrys) – Seen at the lodge and on other occasions.

CINNAMON-BREASTED TODY-TYRANT

JOHNSON'S TODY-FLYCATCHER

RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHERYELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (ANDES)YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHERCINNAMON FLYCATCHERCLIFF FLYCATCHER

OLIVE-CHESTED FLYCATCHEREULER'S FLYCATCHERSMOKE-COLORED PEWEEBLACK PHOEBERUFOUS-TAILED TYRANT

SLATY-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (MAROON-BELTED)

LONG-TAILED TYRANTDUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERPALE-EDGED FLYCATCHERGREAT KISKADEEBOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHERSOCIAL FLYCATCHERGRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERDUSKY-CHESTED FLYCATCHERLEMON-BROWED FLYCATCHERGOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER

STREAKED FLYCATCHERTROPICAL KINGBIRD

GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER

BARRED FRUITEATERSCALED FRUITEATERANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK

FIERY-CAPPED MANAKINWING-BARRED PIPRITES

WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFTGREEN-BACKED BECARD (YELLOW-CHEEKED)

BARRED BECARDWHITE-WINGED BECARD

BROWN-CAPPED VIREO


(Vireo olivaceus) – Along the lower Rio Mayo. (Hylophilus olivaceus) [*]

(Vireolanius leucotis) – Seen beautifully at Puente Verdes. (Cyclarhis gujanensis) – One seen; mostly heard.

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) (Cyanolyca viridicyanus) – What a lovely bird; one of the shy jays. Evelyn got a good photo!

(Cyanocorax yncas yncas) – Watch for this jay to be split from Green Jay. (Cyanocorax violaceus) – Two glimpsed and heard scolding along the lower Rio Mayo.

Hirundinidae (Swallows) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – Nesting under the eves at the lodge. [N]

(Atticora fasciata) – A pair perched for us along the lower Rio Mayo; check out Evelyn'sphoto.

(Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) (Progne chalybea) (Progne tapera) – Near the Morro.

Troglodytidae (Wrens) (Campylorhynchus turdinus) – One at the Morro.

(Odontorchilus branickii) – Seen (and photographed) splendidly at Afluente. (Cinnycerthia olivascens) – A pair of birds at the Abra.

(Pheugopedius coraya) – Seen along the lower Rio Mayo. (Pheugopedius sclateri sclateri) – Seen in the vine tangles above the

hummingbird feeders at the Huembo Reserve. (Troglodytes aedon) – Widespread. Fledglings at the lodge. [N]

(Troglodytes solstitialis) – At the lodge, where they were nesting. [N] (Henicorhina leucoptera) – WOW. Another great specialty seen very well at Garcia.

(Henicorhina leucophrys) – Seen but mostly heard. (Microcerculus marginatus marginatus) – Heard at the Morro and the Tunel.

[*] (Cyphorhinus thoracicus thoracicus) – Heard near Alto Nieva and at the gnateater spot.

[*]

Cinclidae (Dippers) (Cinclus leucocephalus) – Splendid!

Donacobiidae (Donacobius) (Donacobius atricapilla) – What antics, what syncopation, what a dance! Observed

near Aguas Verdes.

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) (Myadestes ralloides) – Nice to see; glorious to hear.

(Catharus dryas) [*] (Entomodestes leucotis) – A responsive bird circled us until most of us saw it—along the

Mono Trail. The single-noted song of this northern population is distinct from that more slurred song of the southernpopulations.

(Turdus leucomelas) – Seen near Tarapoto. (Turdus fuscater gigantodes)

(Turdus serranus) – One female along Hwy N5.

Parulidae (New World Warblers) (Parula pitiayumi)

(Myioborus miniatus)

RED-EYED VIREOOLIVACEOUS GREENLETSLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREORUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE

WHITE-COLLARED JAYGREEN JAY (INCA)VIOLACEOUS JAY

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOWWHITE-BANDED SWALLOW

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWGRAY-BREASTED MARTINBROWN-CHESTED MARTIN

THRUSH-LIKE WRENGRAY-MANTLED WRENSHARPE'S WRENCORAYA WRENSPECKLE-BREASTED WREN (MARANON)

HOUSE WRENMOUNTAIN WRENBAR-WINGED WOOD-WRENGRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WRENSCALY-BREASTED WREN (SOUTHERN)

CHESTNUT-BREASTED WREN

WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER

BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS

ANDEAN SOLITAIRESPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSHWHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE

PALE-BREASTED THRUSHGREAT THRUSHGLOSSY-BLACK THRUSH

TROPICAL PARULASLATE-THROATED REDSTART


(Myioborus melanocephalus) – The highland replacement of the preceding species with amarkedly different song.

(Basileuterus luteoviridis) – Great views of a responsive bird at the Abra. (Basileuterus coronatus inaequalis) – A large warbler that duets!

(Basileuterus tristriatus tristriatus) – Ray had one.

Coerebidae (Bananaquit) (Coereba flaveola)

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) (Schistochlamys melanopis) – Seen at the Morro; Evelyn nailed it.

(Cissopis leverianus) – A pleasant surprise every time. (Sericossypha albocristata) – WOW. Another great performance by a pair of birds up the

Rio Chido. The unusual resistance of calling birds to my playback makes me suspect they were breeding; and indeed, themale of the two we saw (this species is seldom encountered as a mere pair) was carrying food (see Evelyn's great shots).It has been suggested that this aberrant tanager belongs with the jays or the blackbirds rather than the tanagers, and wecould see why.

(Hemispingus frontalis) – Seen in two places, including up the Chido, but not properly. (Cnemoscopus rubrirostris) – Nice views at Puente San Antonio.

(Conirostrum albifrons) – A pair up the Rio Chido in a mixed flock.

Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus) – Common indeed at the lodge, where it is vocal each dawn

and dusk. (Chlorospingus flavigularis) – Seen at Aguas Verdes.

(Chlorospingus canigularis) – Seen above Afluente.

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) (Tachyphonus rufiventer) – Seen by some at our lunch stop, Puente Verdes, where we

watched birds come and go from the fruiting tree. [E] (Ramphocelus melanogaster) – Some seen in the same tree as above, others seen closer to

Aguas Verdes where we had the Donacobius. [E] (Ramphocelus carbo) – Seen at the Tunel.

(Thraupis episcopus) (Thraupis palmarum)

(Thraupis cyanocephala) – Seen nicely at and near the lodge/Abra. (Calochaetes coccineus) – Two seen by those who walked ahead of the bus when we were

stalled by construction. Surprising we didn't see more. (Anisognathus somptuosus) – Seen a little above Afluente.

(Chlorornis riefferii) – Seen nicely on several occasions; what a great bird! (Iridosornis analis) – Another sensational tanager! Sadly we missed its congener this

trip. (Pipraeidea melanonota) – One female.

(Chlorochrysa calliparaea bourcieri) – One at Afluente that got away before everyonecould get on it.

(Tangara mexicana) – In the early morning light at the Morro. (Tangara chilensis) – Some good views of this beauty.

(Tangara schrankii) – Same with this species. (Tangara arthus pulchra) – And with this nugget.

(Tangara xanthocephala venusta) – All the Tangaras are something. (Tangara parzudakii) – And this rather large one is really something; nice photo, Evelyn.

(Tangara xanthogastra) – Seen at Afluente. (Tangara gyrola) – One seen at the Tunel.

SPECTACLED REDSTART

CITRINE WARBLERRUSSET-CROWNED WARBLERTHREE-STRIPED WARBLER

BANANAQUIT

BLACK-FACED TANAGERMAGPIE TANAGERWHITE-CAPPED TANAGER

OLEAGINOUS HEMISPINGUSGRAY-HOODED BUSH TANAGERCAPPED CONEBILL

COMMON BUSH-TANAGER

YELLOW-THROATED BUSH-TANAGERASHY-THROATED BUSH-TANAGER

YELLOW-CRESTED TANAGER

BLACK-BELLIED TANAGER

SILVER-BEAKED TANAGERBLUE-GRAY TANAGERPALM TANAGERBLUE-CAPPED TANAGERVERMILION TANAGER

BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGERGRASS-GREEN TANAGERYELLOW-THROATED TANAGER

FAWN-BREASTED TANAGERORANGE-EARED TANAGER

TURQUOISE TANAGERPARADISE TANAGERGREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGERGOLDEN TANAGERSAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGERFLAME-FACED TANAGERYELLOW-BELLIED TANAGERBAY-HEADED TANAGER


(Tangara labradorides) – Some excellent studies of this handsome bird on the west sideof the Abra.

(Tangara cyanicollis caeruleocephala) – Seen at Aguas Verdes; this one has an entirely bluehood!

(Tangara nigrocincta) – Great views at the Tunel. (Tangara nigroviridis) – Nice, repeated views of this one. (Tangara vassorii branickii) – The highest ranging (in elevation) of all the Tangaras.

(Tangara viridicollis) – Some fine looks at both sexes at and around the Abra. (Dacnis lineata) – Quite a few at the Morro.

(Dacnis cayana) – Ditto. (Chlorophanes spiza) – At the Morro and at the Tunel. (Cyanerpes caeruleus) – Seen well at the Morro; Evelyn got a nice photo of a female.

(Tersina viridis) – Showing off at the Morro in early-morning light. (Saltator coerulescens)

(Saltator maximus) (Saltator grossus) [*]

Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) (Sporophila castaneiventris) – Seen at the Tarapoto airport.

(Diglossa albilatera) – Common at the lodge. (Diglossa caerulescens) – Only one bird.

(Diglossa cyanea) – Fairly common around Abra Patricia. (Sicalis flaveola) – Seen at the Tarapoto airport.

(Sicalis luteola) – Seen at Lago Pomacochas, thanks to Lydia. (Atlapetes latinuchus) – Seen at the lodge.

(Ammodramus aurifrons) – Seen at lower elevations; this was the one whose songsuggested a Grasshopper Sparrow to some.

(Zonotrichia capensis) – Almost daily.

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) (Piranga flava lutea) – A pair seen at the Tunel, thanks to Anna's "red bird"; see

Evelyn's photos. (Piranga rubriceps) – A tremendous bird! Great to see it on this tour.

(Chlorothraupis carmioli frenata) – Seen at the Tunel.

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) (Sturnella bellicosa) – Nice views (finally up close) of this Sturnella at Lago Pomacochas.

(Icterus croconotus croconotus) – A couple of brilliant birds between Moyobamba andTarapoto.

(Cacicus chrysonotus peruvianus) – Fine looks at these bigcaciques flocking with some White-collared Jays along the river below Puente San Antonio.

(Cacicus uropygialis uropygialis) – Hard to see their scarlet rumpsuntil they fly; and even then it can be tough.

(Cacicus cela) – The lowland cacique. [N] (Psarocolius angustifrons) – Heard more often than seen.

Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies) (Euphonia chlorotica) – Near Tarapoto and the Tunel.

(Euphonia laniirostris) – Same for this euphonia. (Euphonia mesochrysa) – Seen in the Aguas Verdes-Afluente area.

(Euphonia xanthogaster) – One male at Afluente; one up the Rio Chido. (Chlorophonia cyanea) – Seen at Afluente in the mistletoe.

METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER

BLUE-NECKED TANAGER

MASKED TANAGERBERYL-SPANGLED TANAGERBLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGERSILVERY TANAGERBLACK-FACED DACNISBLUE DACNISGREEN HONEYCREEPERPURPLE HONEYCREEPERSWALLOW TANAGERGRAYISH SALTATORBUFF-THROATED SALTATORSLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK

CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATERWHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCERBLUISH FLOWERPIERCERMASKED FLOWERPIERCERSAFFRON FINCHGRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCHYELLOW-BREASTED BRUSH-FINCHYELLOW-BROWED SPARROW

RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW

HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND)

RED-HOODED TANAGERCARMIOL'S TANAGER (YELLOW-LORED)

PERUVIAN MEADOWLARKORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL

MOUNTAIN CACIQUE (GOLDEN-SHOULDERED)

SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (SUBTROPICAL)

YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUERUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA

PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIATHICK-BILLED EUPHONIABRONZE-GREEN EUPHONIAORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIABLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA


(Spinus magellanicus)

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) (Passer domesticus) [I]

MAMMALS (Saguinus fuscicollis) – A troop of about 12 at the Morro. This was our only monkey of the

trip.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 325 bird taxa and 1 mammal taxa

HOODED SISKIN

HOUSE SPARROW

SADDLEBACK TAMARIN


field guides birding tours: peru's magnetic north

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