Two Go Mad in Ecuador - An Antpitta Odyssey - February 2006

List of species seen

Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia
1 at SRSP.

Andean Gull Larus serranus
2 below Pap.

Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Common at SRSP only.

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
c10 at SRSP.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
1 at SRSP.

Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
c40 in total, usually in small groups over montane forest.

Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis
3 South of Naranjal.

Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea
c5 total, others heard, at Yan., Mindo area, Tap.

Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea
2 PVM road.

CE Dusky Pigeon Columba goodsoni
1 from the tower on the PVM Road, 1/2.

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Common in trash habitat, c50 in total.

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
3 at the Calacali Pass above Mitad del Mundo near Quito.

TE Ecuadorian Ground-Dove Columbina buckleyi
6 over 3 days, MdeC and Buen.

Croaking Ground-Dove Columbina cruziana
Common at SRSP, otherwise max. 4/day.

Blue Ground-Dove Clavaris pretiosa
1 at MdeC, photographed, 3/2. 11 at Upper Buen, 10/2.

White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
c20 in total.

TE [Ochre-bellied Dove Leptotila ochraceiventris]
Heard in the ravine along trail 4 at Jor., but depressingly distant.

White-throated Quail-Dove Geotrygon frenata
5 in total, plus others heard; 2 on Tony Nunnery's trail at TR., 1 Perico de Orces trail, Upper Buen., 1 flew across a landslide on the main road at the bottom of the rocky part of the Mule Trail Abajo, (0.3kms below Casa Simpson at Tap.,) and 1 at Ut., well up the Piura de Hemispingus trail.

TE Red-masked Parakeet Aratinga erythrogenys
4 at Buen., seen from below the main house.

Scarlet-fronted Parakeet Aratinga wagleri
A flock of c15 seen in arid country just S. of El Empalme, 9/2. This distinctively large Aratinga is rarely seen in Ecuador.

Golden-plumed Parakeet Leptosittaca branickii
We jammed in on 7 birds at the car park at the top of the Cajanuma section of Pod., 5/2, which flew in through the mist and perched up allowing a quick photograph. Not seen at Tap., where they are now difficult to catch up with, judging from the comments in the visitors' book. Popn. Estimate 2.5-10,000.

Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura
17 in total over 3 days, all in the Mindo area.

EE, TE El Oro Parakeet Pyrrhura orcesi
Our rare parakeet luck held when we had 3 fly in to a bare tree in the top forest, Upper Buen., 4/2. We also had fly-by views of 10, c200m above the Perico de Orces trail 10/2. An endangered species; only 2-10,000 are estimated to remain in existence, all in a narrow strip approximately 100 km in length and 5-10 km in width of humid montane forest between 600 and 1300 m in the Azuay and El Oro Province (hence its name) of SW Ecuador. (Schaefer & Schmidt Final report El Oro Parakeet project, 2002-3.)

TE Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis
c40 in total; MdeC, Tap., near Catamayo etc.

TE, EN Gray-cheeked Parakeet Brotogeris pyrrhopterus
6 at MdeC, c30 at Jor.

CE Rose-faced Parrot Pionopsitta pulchra
A pair seen in flight from the canopy Tower on the PVM Road were a good find.

Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
4 on the PVM Road, near the tower.

Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
3 in the Mindo area, e.g. Angel Paz's place.

Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus
c100 total over 7 days, Mindo area, Buen.

Scaly-naped Parrot (Amazon) Amazona mercenaria
1 at Tap.

Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
2 on the PVM Road.

[Gray-capped Cuckoo Coccyzus lansbergi]
1 heard on trail 4 at Jor. came in close but did not show.

Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
3 at the PVM Road, and 2 singles heard on 2 other days.

Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
c20 in total, MR, MdeC, S. of Valladolid etc.

Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
c20 in total, all in the SW.

Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia
1 in the grassland section of the shortest loop trail at the MCF reserve MR, 1 PVM Rd.

West Peruvian Screech-Owl Otus roboratus
1 seen after some effort on the main dirt road up into the forest at Jor., c300m West of the Fundacion Jocotoco accomm., 8/2.

[White-throated Screech-Owl Otus albigularis]
Heard just behind Casa Simpson, Tap, 5/2.

[Cloud-Forest Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nubicola]
Heard and searched for on the long trail at Sept Par., but refused to move from its hidden perch in the canopy.

Pacific (Peruvian) Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium peruanum
3+ at Jor., and heard at MdeC. Come in readily to tape, as does almost every passerine in the area

Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata
2 seen on the main road 200m West of the Fund. Jocotoco house at Jor.

[Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata]
1 heard from the car park in front of Sept. Par., 1/2.

Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus
1 flushed from the entrance road at Sept. Par., 31/1,

Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
1 juv. seen on the main dirt road below the accomm. at Buen., and heard from the cabins the next morning.

CE Choco Poorwill Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi
1 seen on the PVM Road, 3.6kms in from the main road, 1/2. Now split from Ocellated Poorwill, N. ocellatus, this is a scarce and local species even in the NW.

Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris
2 seen on the dirt road between Yangana and Casa Simpson, 5/2.

White-collared Swift Streptoprogne zonaris
Fairly common, seen on 9 days, max. 25/day. A pair had built a large oval-shaped nest under the eaves of our cabin at Buen, and could be watched roosting each night.

Chestnut-collared Swift Cypseloides rutilus
c20 in total over 3 days, mostly Mindo area.

Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
The only Chaetura we specifically identified; c30 over 6 days, at e.g. MR, Buen.

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
3 singles; MR, PVM Rd.

Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri
1 on the PVM Road, 1/2. (GR)

CE White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
5 over 3 days, e.g. 1st 300m of the entrance road to Angel Paz's property, MCF reserve at MR.

Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmotophorus
1 at Tony Nunnery's feeders TR, 1 Upper Buen.

Baron's Hermit Phaethornis baroni
4 total over 2 days; only seen at the feeders at the main accomm. building, Lower Buen.

Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludoviciae
Only 1; seen c6kms below Tap. en route to Valladolid, by a stream at the edge of the main road.

White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
1 on the long trail at Sept. Par., 2 on consecutive days at the feeders, Lower Buen.

Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae
3 total over 2 days at the feeders, Lower Buen.

Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus
2 at Tony Nunnery's feeders TR.

Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans
6 at the Calacali Pass above Quito, 2 at Pap.

Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
1 in the rain at the feeders at the Restaurant Mirador Rio Blanco, Los Bancos, 31/1.

Green Thorntail Popelaria conversii
Common at the feeders at Lower Buen, c25 over 3 days

CE Western Emerald (West Andean Emerald) Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
4 at Tony Nunnery's feeders TR, 2 at Sept. Par. A split from Blue-tailed Emerald C. mellisugus, and thus becomes a Choco endemic.

Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
4 along the first stretch of the entrance road to Angel Paz's, plus 2 on his property.

Emerald-bellied Woodnymph Thalurania hypochlora
8 in total over 3 days, all at the feeders at Lower Buen.

Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila julie
Very common at the feeders at Lower Buen.

TE Tumbes Hummingbird Leucippus baeri
1 in a dry valley 2kms S. of El Empalme, 9/2. A Tumbesian endemic squeezed onto our list at the 11th hour.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
50+ total over 8 days.

Amazilia Hummingbird Amazilia amazilia
3 seen in total; 1 just West of Catamayo, and 2 at Jor. Note that some authorities split the highland race, (birds that occur in Loja's cloud forest and open scrub, 1000-2200 m.) If split it becomes 'Loja Hummingbird' Amazilia alticola. See HBW Vol. 5, but see also www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCprop138.html The situation appears relatively complex and remains unresolved. All our birds were below this lower altitude threshold.

Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
c30 in total; fairly common at feeders etc in the Mindo area.

CE Purple-chested Hummingbird Amazilia rosenbergi
2 single males, both on the trails around the tower at the PVM Road, here at the SE extremity of the species' range.

White-vented Plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii
Only 1 seen; a male at the feeders at Lower Buen., 3/2. This is a scarce bird restricted to El Oro and W. Loja, and per BOE may represent a separate species, 'Ecuadorian Plumeleteer', C. intermedia.

Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
c10 in total; TR, Tap. etc.

CE Purple-bibbed Whitetip Urosticte benjamini
c20 total, TR etc.

CE Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa emperatrix
Only 1 seen; a cracking male at Tony Nunnery's feeders TR, 28/1.

Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
c30 total over 6 days; Mindo area, Buen. etc.

Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides
5 at Tony Nunnery's feeders TR, 2 at the feeders at Lower Buen, 2 at Tap.

Shining Sunbeam Aglaeactis cupripennis
3 at Pap.

Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi
3 at Yan.

Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
3 at Yan.

CE Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni
6 in total over 4 days, all Mindo area e.g. Tony Nunnery's feeders at TR, Sept. Par.

Collared Inca Coeligena torquata
15 over 3 days at Pod./Tap.

Buff-winged Starfrontlet Coeligena lutetiae
12 in total over 2 days, 2 at Yan, 8 TR, 2 at Pod.

SCAE Rainbow Starfrontlet Coeligena iris
1 at Pod., 10 at Ut.; (easy at the feeders along the Cachudito Crestinegro trail.)

Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera
1 at the feeders at Yan.

Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
c20 at Tony Nunnery's feeders TR.

Chestnut-breasted Coronet Boissonneaua matthewsii
c25 over 2 days at Tap., where common at Casa Simpson's feeders.

CE Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini
4 over 3 days, all at feeders; 1 Tony Nunnery's TR, 2 at at Angel Paz's, 1 at Lower Buen.

Amethyst-throated Sunangel Heliangelus amethysticollis
12 over 2 days, all at Tap.

CE Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus
4 TR.

Flame-throated Sunangel Heliangelus micraster
12 over 2 days, all at Tap.

SCAE Purple-throated Sunangel Heliangelus viola
12 over 3 days; 1 top forest Upper Buen, 1+10 over 2 days at Ut. (The only bird that we saw at Ut. on our first visit!)

Glowing Puffleg Eriocnemis vestitus
4 at Pod., c500m below the car park.

Sapphire-vented Puffleg Eriocnemis luciani
4 at Yan.

Golden-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis mosquera
1 at Yan., 28/1.

Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii
c50 over 5 days, all Mindo area.

Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia victoriae
1 at the Calacali Pass above Mitad del Mundo nr Quito.

Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
4 in total; 2 at Yan., 1 at Pod., 1 at Tap.

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill Chalcostigma herrani
1 at Yan.

Blue-mantled Thornbill Chalcostigma stanleyi
1 at Pap., 2/2.

Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi
3 over 2 days at Tap.

CE Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
c20 over 5 days; Mindo area, Upper Buen.

Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothrix barroti
1 on the dirt road just before the Perico de Orces Trail, Upper Buen.

Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
5 over 3 days, all at the feeders Lower Buen. A dead one wedged behind a notice on the wall at the Jor. accomm. had seen better days.

Purple-throated Woodstar Philodice mitchellii
5 TR.

TE Short-tailed Woodstar Myrmia micrura
A female at SRSP was the only one seen.

White-bellied Woodstar Acestrura mulsant
3+ at the feeders at Tap.

Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps
6 in the Mindo area; 3 Sept. Par, 1 TR, and a pair along the 1st stretch of Angel Paz's entrance road, (i.e. close to the main road.) 1 heard at Tap., on the Jocotoco Loop.

Ecuadorian Trogon Trogon mesurus
A pair at MdeC by the parking spot, and a male along the main dirt road at Jor.

CE Choco (White-eyed) Trogon Trogon comptus
A female on the shortest trail at the MCF reserve, MR, just before the grassland section of the trail walking anticlockwise. Formerly known as Blue-tailed Trogon, BOE suggested changing to 'Choco' to avoid confusion with the Indonesian Blue-tailed Trogon species. However, a split has been proposed for that species ('Javan Trogon' and 'Sumatran Trogon') so the name for this species may yet revert to Blue-tailed?

Western White-tailed Trogon Trogon chionurus
A male, PVM road, on the trails around the tower. 1 heard there 2 days later. Formerly a single species with Amazonian White-tailed Trogon, T. viridis.

Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
A male along the dirt road just before the Perico de Orces trail, Upper Buen, 4/2.

Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
3 seen; a female at Sept. Par., far end of the long trail, a male along Tony Nunnery's trail TR, 1 at Tap. (GR.)

Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
9 seen over 3 days; SRSP, paddies (and at a gas station) South of Guayaquil.

Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
A pair at SRSP.

Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
1 at the MCF reserve MR, plus 1 heard Lower Buen.

Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
1 Upper Buen., 2 at Jor.

[Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda]
1 heard on the PVM Road.

CE Orange-fronted Barbet Capito squamatus
A male from the canopy tower, PVM Road (CG.)

Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
5 seen in total; two males TR, a pair MR, a lone female 4kms below Valladolid.

CE Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus
2 heard at Tony Nunnery's house TR. 1 seen the following day c300m along the long trail at Sept. Par. Stunning-looking birds, which came in a long way to tape. A Mindo speciality; in Ecuadorian terms it occurs only in a relatively narrow band along the West slope in the NW.

Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhunchus prasinus
4 in isolated trees in the first pasture well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 6/2. Note that Emerald Toucanet was split into multiple species in Aug. '03 by Clements. Following this treatment, this becomes part of the Andean Toucanet Aulacorhynchus albivitta group, race A. a. cyanolaemus (Range: Subtropical Andes of se Ecuador and n Peru.)

Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhunchus haematopygus
1 Perico de Orces trail, Upper Buen., 4/2, and 2, 200m before the start of this trail 10/2.

CE Pale-mandibled Aracari Pteroglossus erythropygius
c20 seen in total, including a group of 15 from the tower PVM Road. Also MR, 1 Lower Buen.

CE Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena laminirostris
1 near the turn-off on the TR, (just on the Sept. Par. side of Bellevista) 31/1, and a 2nd bird heard there.

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan Andigena hypoglauca
3 over 2 days along the upper section of the Mule Trail Abajo, Tap. Replaced at slightly lower elevations further down the same trail (!) by

Black-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena nigrirostris
2 in isolated trees in the first area of pasture well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap. BOE lists as 'scarce and local' and notes that this species occurs below Gray-breasted, which we can confirm!

CE Choco Toucan Ramphastos brevis
5 over 3 days; PVM Road, MCF reserve on the MR, plus 2 heard at Buen.

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii
Seen daily at Upper and Lower Buen; scan the opposite hillside from the cabins if staying on-site.

Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus
1 seen MCF reserve MR (GR) and 1 heard by the cabins, Lower Buen.

TE Ecuadorian Piculet Picumnus sclateri
1 seen very well at Jor., from the main dirt road.

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus rivolii
c8 total over 5 days, below Nono, Mindo area and Tap.

Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
3 plus 1 heard; 2 on the Umbrellabird trail at Lower Buen, 1 somewhere in the SW, location not noted.

Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
1 on the trails around the tower on the PVM Road, 1 below the cabins at Lower Buen.

Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
5 over 3 days; 4 on the PVM Road, 1 MdeC.

Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus
1 on the long trail at Sept. Par, 29/1.

CE Choco Woodpecker Veniliornis chocoensis
1 on the trails around the tower on the PVM Road, 30/1. BOE lists as 'scarce and local.' This individual showed very black-and-white barring underneath suggesting Choco, as opposed to the more common Red-rumped. The distribution volume of Ridgely lists a "recent" sight record from the PVM road.

Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii
2 over 2 days, both near the tower on the PVM Road.

Yellow-vented Woodpecker Veniliornis dignus
1 in the lower elevation forest below the pasture, well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap, 7/2. An uncommon and infrequently encountered species.

Bar-bellied Woodpecker Veniliornis nigriceps
1 at Yan. A 2nd bird just below Casa Simpson at Tap. (GR)

Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Veniliornis callonotus
A pair in arid scrub 5.4kms West of Catamayo, 7/2.

Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus
5+ at Pap. Not hard to find at the roadside etc.

Stout-billed Cinclodes Cinclodes excelsior
1 at the roadside on the Quito side of Pap., c1km short of the pass. Watched feeding alongside the previous species, making the larger size of this species apparent.

Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus
Very common in trashy habitat, seen 9 days in total, commonest in the South.

Andean Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura andicola
8+ at Pap.

Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
5 over 3 days; 2 Perico de Orces trail, Upper Buen., 2 at Ut. etc, plus others heard.

Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura
2 in the open section well up the long trail at Sept. Par, 1 on the PVM Road, others heard.

TE, EN Blackish-headed Spinetail Synallaxis tithys
2 seen very well on trail 4 at Jor., 8/2., plus two more heard. A handsome species, and a Tumbesian speciality.

Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa
2 at Tap., at the end of the 1st section of the Jocotoco Loop, others heard there. Beware confusion with Rufous Wren.

White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis
2 seen well at the start of the curving ridge at Yan., 27/1. (Where you first encounter steep forest above to your left, and an even steeper drop to your right.)

Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
3 over 3 days, Sept. Par., PVM Road.

Line-cheeked Spinetail Cranioleuca antisiensis
4 seen along the main track at Ut., more heard.

White-chinned Thistletail Schizoeaca fuliginosa
3 at Pap.

Mouse-colored Thistletail Schizoeaca griseomurina
1 on the 1st part of the Jocotoco Loop Trail at Tap.

Many-striped Canastero Asthenes flammulata
6+ at Pap.

Rufous-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons
4, c4kms South of Valladolid.

Double-banded Graytail Xenerpestes minlosi
1 in a large mixed flock on the trails around the tower, PVM Road, 30/01. Rare in Ecuador.

Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
1 at Yan, 1 at Ut.

Pacific Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes johnsoni
1 in the 1st section of good forest (walking anticlockwise) on the shortest trail at the MCF reserve, MR, 30/1.

Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
c15 over 4 days, e.g. Pod, Tap. etc. A common constituent of mixed species flocks in montane forest.

Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens
1 on Tony Nunnery's Trail, TR, 31/1.

Rusty-winged Barbtail Premnornis guttuligera
2 on Tony Nunnery's Trail, TR, 31/1. An uncommon species which completed our 'Barbtail slam.'

[Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subularis]
Heard on 3 separate days, Mindo area.

TE Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla ruficollis
2 at Jor., well up trail 2, and 2 at Ut. Ridgely gives the altitudinal range for this species as 1300-2300m, but we saw it, as others have, at Jorupe Forest at approx. c600m.

Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps
c10 over 5 days, mostly Mindo area but also at Upper Buen.

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
1 at the junction of the paved road leading to Mindo town and the entrance road to Sept. Par., 29/1.

TE Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner Hylocryptus erythrocephalus
2 seen very well, well up trail 2 at Jor. A scarce and striking Tumbesian endemic. The call is like a tiny muted starter motor 'te-ter-petty-terrp' etc.

Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps
2 well up the main trail at Sept. Par, and 2 TR.

Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
2 Upper Buen., and 2 at Jor.

Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
1 along the shortest trail at the MCF reserve on the MR.

Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus
1 seen, a third of the way along the long trail at Sept. Par., 29/1. Taped in but remained very elusive allowing only brief looks.

Tyrannine Woodcreeper Dendrocincla tyrannina
1 seen a third of the way along the long trail at Sept. Par., 29/1. A decidedly scarce bird in Ecuador.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
1 on the trails around the tower, PVM Road. A 2nd bird surprisingly seen at Lower Buen., was rather high. (BOE lists as 'mostly below 1100m.')

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
2 along the trail opposite/above the Jardin de Colibries at Upper Buen, and 2 on the El Oro Tap. trail at Upper Buen.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
4 in total over 3 days, e.g. 2 at Jor.

[Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus]
1 heard on the hill, 1st part of the Jocotoco Loop trail at Tap., 7/2.

Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
1 in a mixed flock on the trails around the tower PVM Road 30/1. A scarce bird this far SE in Ecuador.

Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
5 over 4 days, most in the Mindo area, 1 at Upper Buen.

Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
8 over 6 days, scattered sites.

Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
8 over 4 days in higher elevation forest, mostly Yan, TR, plus 1 at Ut.

[Great Antshrike Taraba major]
Heard daily at dawn from the main building at Lower Buen., all very distant.

TE Collared Antshrike Sakesphorus bernardi
A male in a small mangrove patch at SRSP, and two pairs on the trails at Jor.

Lined Antshrike Thamnophilus palliatus
A pair 4kms South of Valladolid.

TE Chapman's Antshrike Thamnophilus zarumae
A male seen well in roadside forest between Sabiango and Sozoranga, 8/2. A range-restricted species, in Ecuador only in Loja and East El Oro, extending South into NW Peru.

Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor
A pair TR, and a pair on the Upper Milpe Road by the waterfall.

[Plain-winged Antshrike Thamnophilus schistaceus]
1 heard Upper Buen.

Western Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
1 male seen below the car park along the PVM Road, 1/2.

Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus
2 at Upper Buen, along the road just above the Perico de Orces Trail, 10/2.

Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
A female on the PVM Road, and 2 males at Upper Buen.

Griscom's Antwren Myrmotherula ignota
1 seen near the tower, PVM Road, 30/1. (GR) Now split from Pygmy Antwren, M. brachyura,
BOE lists as 'uncommon and local (perhaps overlooked.)' See www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCProp45.html for discussion.

Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula pacifica
A female seen 10m North of the car park on the PVM Road.

Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula fulviventris
A male on the Umbrellabird trail Lower Buen., 2 along the trail opposite/above the Jardin de Colibries at Upper Buen., plus another heard at the latter site.

White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
A pair on the trails around the tower on the PVM Road, 30/1.

Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schistocolor
3 singles total on 3 days at Sept. Par and Upper Buen., (El Oro Tapaculo and Jardin de Col. trails.)

Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudata
2 in bamboo on the long trail at Sept. Par. Also 1 heard at Angel Paz's property and 1 heard on the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap.

[Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina]
2 singles heard on 2 days on the PVM Road.

Jet Antbird Cercomacra nigricans
A male seen well in response to tape at MdeC, 3/2.

TE Gray-headed Antbird Myrmeciza griseiceps
Two pairs seen at Ut, all in mature bamboo. One pair c20 mins. walk down the main track from the car park spot towards the warden's house, and the 2nd pair well up the Piura de Hemispingus trail. Very skulking; if you can find a spot to get inside the bamboo it improves your chance of reasonable views. A rare Tumbesian endemic, restricted to montane forest in extreme SW Ecuador, NW Peru.

Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculate
2 seen at Upper Buen; one on the Pico de Orces trail, and one on the main road c200m above. The 2nd bird showed ludicrously well, perching up on logs lying across an open area created by a landslide.

Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
A male along the trails around the tower on the PVM Road.

CE [Stub-tailed Antbird Sipia (Myrmeciza) berlepschi]
Heard alongside the main road c250m below the car park, PVM Road, 1/2.

Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys bicolor
2 in the ravine beneath the precarious wooden bridge on the loop trail near the tower PVM Road, 1/2. If split, this Western race stays as 'Bicolored', with birds East of the Andes becoming 'White-cheeked Antbird', G. leucaspis.

Black-headed Antthrush Formicarius nigricapillus destructus
1 showed extremely well c300m South of the tower car park on the PVM Road, 1/2. The race in Ecuador is F.n. destructus. BOE notes that this species is 'even harder to see' than Rufous-breasted, but once inside the forest we had no problem at all. HBW Vol. 8 p704 notes that this species also occurs at MdeC, though we did not hear it there. Seeing this excellent bird definitely lessened our grief at having to spend more time around Mindo since our route back from San Isidro was blocked!

Rufous-breasted Antthrush Formicarius rufipectus carrikeri
1 showed very well, carrying nesting material, c700m along the long trail at Sept. Par, 29/1. We were fortunate to get such amazing views of this difficult species, a bird I had previously missed in SE Peru. At least 4 or 5 others were heard along the same trail. The race on the Ecuadorian West slope is F.r. carrikeri, which is relatively pale below.

[Barred Antthrush Chamaeza mollissima mollissima]
1 heard distantly from the top of the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap. was way too far off to give us a chance of a view. Birds here are of the nominate race.

SCAE, EN Giant Antpitta Grallaria gigantean hylodroma
1 seen and a 2nd bird heard at Angel Paz's property. The race we saw is the distinctive and range-restricted G.g. hylodroma, which is known only from the Ecuadorian West slope. It shows bright rufous underparts, and a darker chestnut face and throat. The song we heard is very similar to Undulated, but seemed slightly longer and with a more rolling quality, with individual notes less separately distinguishable. Photographed.

[Undulated Antpitta Grallaria squamigera squamigera]
3 heard at Yan., and 2 heard together at Ut. which we came extremely close to seeing. Note that like Scaled Antpitta, the species can go a few metres up into the canopy to sing, although we also heard birds singing from low in bamboo. Birds here are of the nominate race.

Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis regulus
1 glimpsed 10m in along the El Oro Tapaculo trail at Upper Buen. What was probably the same bird had been heard in the first ravine along this trail a few days earlier, singing from a tree-top. Even though we managed to get right underneath this bird we were unable to see it c5m above our heads. Also up to 4 heard daily at dawn and dusk at Sept. Par., 1 heard between Sabiango and Sozoranga in the SW, and 1 heard at Ut. as above, less than 30m from the Undulated Antpitta pair. The variation in song speed, (slowing down just before the end before speeding up again for the final flourish,) seemed consistent amongst all individuals, and at least for this race seems reliable for differentiating from both Undulated and Giant Antpitta?

EN Moustached Antpitta Grallaria alleni andaquiensis
1 seen wonderfully well at Angel Paz's place, at the edge of the small landslide only c200m down the entrance trail. Photographed. Per www.worldtwitch.com/rea.htm : this species, previously only known as a highly localized Colombian endemic, was only first discovered in Ecuador in 1990 (Krabbe & Coopmans 1999, Ibis 142 (2): 183-187), and it is known in the country only from a handful of localities. In the Mindo IBA it is found between 1800 and 2200 m.

Plain-backed Antpitta Grallaria haplonota parambae
1 seen very well just above the Perico de Orces trail at Upper Buen., 4/2, where also heard on 10/2. (Same individual?) 1 also heard along the early part of the El Oro Tapaculo trail, 5/2. As uniform as the name suggests, but buff patches were evident at the side of the neck when the bird was singing. Photographed.

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla ruficapilla
At least 14 heard in total, and a pair finally seen well but briefly in the lower forest below the pasture well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 7/2. We thought our chance had gone having missed this species below Nono, around Mindo and in lower elevation forest during our first day at Tap., making this 11th hour save all the more satisfying. We subsequently heard 3 between Sabiango and Sozoranga and 3 at Ut. The nominate race is involved in SE Ecuador. The song has a distinctive cadence ('it's-your-tou-pee') although it appeared often to be shortened to either 2 or 3 notes, missing off the first or first-plus-second notes.

TE Watkin's Antpitta (Scrub Antpitta) Grallaria watkinsi
Originally lumped with Chestnut-crowned, which it superficially resembles, but with a highly distinctive song (up-sliding whistle finalé!) We heard both species calling together in mid-elevation forest between Sabiango and Sozoranga. A Tumbesian endemic.

EE Jocotoco Antpitta Grallaria ridgelyi
Yessss! One seen unbelievably well c50m East of the mirador on the Jocotoco Loop trail at Tap., 6/2. Contrary to popular opinion, the staff at Tap. advised that February is one of the best months in which to search for the species, confirming that they are highly vocal at this time. (The accepted wisdom (BOE etc) is that calling is at a peak Oct-Dec.) Currently a highly endangered Ecuador endemic, though presumably there are many more pairs to be discovered at suitable elevations in the adjacent S. Podocarpus reserve, and may well also occur in N. Peru? Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip; a big bird in every sense of the word. Photographed.

Chestnut-naped Antpitta Grallaria nuchalis nuchalis
1 seen well but briefly c100m East of the mirador on the 2nd section of the Jocotoco Loop trail at Tap., 6/2. The song of the nominate nuchalis in the SE is subtly different from the recordings of the West slope race obsoleta that I've heard, with the opening monotone piping notes being distinct and clearly defined. A handsome Antpitta.

[White-bellied Antpitta Grallaria hypoleuca castanea]
We were surprised to hear one in the lower forest well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 6/2.

CE Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta
4 or 5 different individuals seen amazingly well at Angel Paz's property. Gorgeous-looking, and not averse to posing for photos at this unique site! We didn't even hear this species anywhere else on the Western slope. Formerly lumped with the previous species. Range restricted to the West slope in Colombia and NW Ecuador. Photographed.

Rufous Antpitta Grallaria rufula rufula
1 seen very well at Yan., (after we had crawled around in moss forest consistently missing two for an hour or so early in the day,) and at least 5 others heard there, often right alongside Tawny Antpitta. Also heard both days at Tap. Photographed. Birds throughout Ecuador are the nominate race.

Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis quitensis
Stupidly easy to see, I personally think this should be expelled from the genus for inappropriate behaviour. 2 seen at Yan. where 6+ others heard, and 3 seen at Pap. where 5+ others heard. Photographed perched right out in the open atop alpine plants at the latter sight, carrying a mouth full of worms. Disgraceful.

Ochre-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula flavirostris
After a lot of fruitless work, one finally seen extremely well and watched singing (if you can call a single downslurred 'psew' a song,) on the ridge, well up the trail 300m above the Jardin de Colibries, Upper Buen., 4/2. A very cute Grallaricula. Photographed.

Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana nana
Relatively easy with tape at Tape. We saw 2 on both days at Tap., and heard 2 other singles on the 2nd day, all on the 1st 500m steeply downhill section of the Mule Trail Abajo. Usually came in silently, but then called once settled. We heard both the full song and a 'psew' note, which sounded identical to the previous species. Nominate race.

TE Elegant Crescentchest Melanopareia elegans zarumae
1 seen by the roadside in scrub, 5kms North of Macara, 9/2. Immaculately dressed but amazingly skulking; we eventually got good views. Birds in Loja thought to be intergrades between the nominate race and the Peruvian race M. e. paucalensis. (HBW Vol. 8 p787.)

Ash-colored Tapaculo Myornis senilis
2 seen at Tap., the first one c700m (?) up the steep climb behind Casa Simpson along the 1st part of the Jocotoco Loop trail, and the other on our descent down the rocky half of the Mule Trail Abajo. One of the few small Ecuadorian tapaculos that is actually identifiable in the field, this species is readily separable from the Scytalopus clan, being noticeably long-tailed.

Unicolored Tapaculo (or Blackish Tapaculo) Scytalopus unicolor
We saw four in total as follows: 3 birds of the race latrans, 2 along the trails below the feeders at Yan., (where 6+ others heard,) and 1 (plus another heard) on the 1st steep section of the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap. 1 bird of the (SW Ecuador-NW Peru) race subcinereus seen and heard along the main track at Ut. Note that HBW Vol. 8 (p782) and others split both these races off from S. unicolor as 'Blackish Tapaculo.'

CE Narino Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior
1 seen at Sept. Par. 29/1/06 was CG's 4000th species worldwide, an achievement that it would have been rude not to celebrate in the evening with an extra beer. 3 others heard here. Also heard the following day, site not noted but I think at Angel Paz's property. Formerly lumped with Panamanian/N. Colombian Pale-throated Tapaculo S. panamensis.

Spillmann's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni
1 seen and 3 heard along the private trail on Tony Nunnery's property. The song is loud, memorable and angry; the thrash metal act of the Scytalopus world. Now split from the Colombian Brown-rumped Tapaculo S. latebricola with which formerly lumped. Replaced further South by the following species.

SCAE Chusquea Tapaculo Scytalopus parkeri
1 seen on the short loop trail above the car park in the Cajanuma section of Pod., 5/2. Singles heard both days at Tap.

Paramo Tapaculo Scytalopus canus
1 seen and 2 heard c30m beyond the large road sign at the top of the pass at Pap., at the base of a small hill set back a few metres from the road off to the left as you drive in from Quito. As the name and our sighting suggest, the highest altitude Scytalopus in Ecuador. Needless to say, in the field they look identical to all the others in the genus, knowing which species occurs at which altitude and the songs of each is vital. Formerly lumped with Chilean Magellanic Tapaculo, S. magellanicus

Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx infuscatus
Woah! We finally connected with the mighty Ocellated c400m down the steep section of the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 6/2, having not even heard one in the Mindo area. Two birds came in to tape, and one crossed the trail a couple of times, even briefly perching at the edge on occasion. On the 2nd occasion the bird landed mid-trail, crouching behind the only cover, a large stone. Truly a mind-boggling alien creature, and even better in the flesh than field guides suggest. Photographed.

Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
2 MR, 1 Upper Buen, plus 1 heard there.

Black-capped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias nigrocapillus
1 at Tap. on the Mule Trail Abajo.

Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias uropygialis
1 c2kms below Nono, 28/1. 1 heard at Ut.

Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius viridiflavus
3 total on the trails near the tower on the PVM Road over 2 visits, 1 MR.

Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion brunneicapillum
2 on the PVM Road, and another heard there.

So. Beardless Tyurannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
9 in total over 5 days.

TE Pacific Elaenia Myiopagis subplacens
6 at Jor.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
4 over 3 days, e.g. South of Valladolid.

Mottle-backed Elaenia Elaenia gigas
1, 4kms South of Valladolid.

Sierran Elaenia Elaenia pallatangae
2 along the entrance road at Sept. Par. and 1 at Ut.

White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys
1 at Yan., 1 at Pap.

White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus sticopterus
4 at Yan., 2 at Upper Buen., 1 at Ut.

White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus poecilocercus
2 at TR, 3 at Sept. Par., 2 at Tap.

Rufous-winged Tyrannulet Mecocerculus calopterus
1 at Sept. Par.

Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea
2 at the entrance road to Angel Paz's property.

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
1 up on the TR.

Black-crested Tit-Tyrant (Marañon Tit-Tyrant) Anairetes nigrocristatus
1 showed very well on the sendero Cachudito Crestinegro at Ut., 9/2. Only known from Utuana in Ecuador, this Marañon speciality just sneaks North over the border.

Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus
1, 5.4kms West of Catamayo.

Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus
4 in total over 3 days, MR (MCF reserve), 1 at Tap., 1 at Upper Buen.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleaginea
3 on the PVM road, from the trails around the tower, and 1 at MdeC.

Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
6 in the Mindo area.

Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveolus
1 Lower Buen, just below the cabins.

Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus pelzelni
1 watched bill-snapping on the Perico de Orces trail at Upper Buen., 4/2.

Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus ruficeps
1 on the first steep downhill section of the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 6/2. Small but perfectly formed.

[Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis atricapillus]
1 heard on the PVM road.

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
8 seen over 5 days, at PVM Road, Upper Buen. etc.

Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus ruficeps
3 over 2 days at Tap., Jocotoco Loop and the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap.

[Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps]
2 heard on the PVM Road.

Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
6 singles in total, scattered sites, often in trash habitat.

Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
2 on the trails at Jor.

Yellow-margined Flycatcher Tolmomyias flavotectus
2 on the PVM Road.

[White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus]
1 heard on the long trail at Sept. Par.

TE Pacific Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus occidentalis
1 seen well at MdeC, between the parking spot and the derelict building, 3/2.

Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus
16 in total over 5 days, seen in the Mindo area and at Upper Buen. Showy and attractive.

Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius
1 on the PVM Road, 1/2. (GR)
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher Myiobius villosus
1 at the start of the long trail at Sept. Par., 29/1.

Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans
1 on Tony Nunnery's trail at TR, 2 on the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap.

Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus
Only one; near the main house at Lower Buen.

SCAE Orange-banded Flycatcher Myiophobus lintoni
Two flocks seen in the canopy at Tap., the first consisting of 5 birds near the Mirador on the 2nd part of the Jocotoco Loop trail, conveniently below the trail, and the 2nd of 6 birds on the Mule Trail Abajo. An attractive, local and range-limited species.

Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
At least 7 at Tap., where a common and conspicuous constituent of mixed flocks.

[Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens]
1 heard 30/1 in the Mindo area, specific location not noted. (GR)

Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus
3 in total over 2 days in the Mindo area.

Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
9 in total over 5 days, all in the Mindo area except for 1 at Upper Buen. and 1 at Tap.

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus borealis
1 along the MR in open habitat.

Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum
1 along the PVM Road.

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
4 singles total over 4 days.

Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
2 at MdeC and 2 just South of El Empalme.

Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor
7 total over 2 days at higher altitudes; 2 at Yan. and 5 at Pap.

Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
10 over 3 days; 2 at Upper Buen., 6 at Tap.

Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
1, 1km below Nono, plus 3 hrd TR.

Jelski's Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca jelskii
1 showed very well at Ut. along the main track. My favourite of the genus, this occurs only in Loja in Ecuador; another 'Marañon endemic' that just makes it North of the border.

Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca didema
1 heard on Tony Nunnery's trail at TR, and 1 seen on the Jocotoco Loop Trail at Tap.

Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes erythropygius
A pair 100m South-East of (beyond) the pass along the old highway at Pap.

Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis
1 on the road up to the top car park in the Cajanuma section of Pod.

Smoky Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes fumigatus
2 on the rocky section of the Mule Trail at Tap.

Paramo Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola alpina
1 on the slopes just below the radar station at Pap.

Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
2, 4kms South of Valladolid.

Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta
6 over 4 days in trashy habitat e.g. non-forested sections of MR.

Ochraceous Attila Attila torridus
1 posing on fence posts on the road down from the top forest below the horse farm at Upper Buen. BOE lists as 'uncommon and local.' Although not strictly speaking a Tumbesian endemic, (its range extends up into SW Colombia) the species is categorized as 'threatened.'

Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
6 at 3 sites, (mostly Mindo area) over 4 days and others heard.

TE Sooty-crowned Flycatcher Myiarchus phaeocephalus
3 total; 1 at MdeC., 2 in the lower elevation woodland at Jor.

Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes
10 total over 5 days.

Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
3 singles in total, all Mindo area.

Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
Only 1, on the MR.

Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
2 at MdeC.

TE Baird's Flycatcher Myiodynastes bairdii
5 in a single dry valley just South of El Empalme.

Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
3 at TR, 1 top forest at Upper Buen.

Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
2 singles at Buen.

Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Yup.

Yellow-cheeked Becard Pachyramphus xanthogenys
A male 4kms South of Valladolid, 6/2.

Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor
3 in total; 2 at Sept. Par., and 1 at Tap.

Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
6 in total over 3 days, all Mindo area.

White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
A male at the MCF reserve on the MR, and a female at Upper Buen.

Black-and-white Becard Pachyramphus albogriseus
A male at Jor. The rare Slaty Becard Pachyramphus spodiurus is also rumoured to occur in the area, but all Becards we saw well enough to check out in detail proved not to be this species

One-colored Becard Pachyramphus homochrous
8 in total over 3 days; 3 on the PVM Road, a female at MdeC, and 2 pairs at Jor.

Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
1 on the PVM Road, (GR.)

Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristatus
1 at Yan, and 3 seen along the old highway at Pap., including a displaying pair.

Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata
3 seen at Yan., and heard both days at Tap. Always a great bird to see.

Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii
A pair on Tony Nunnery's trail on the TR, and a pair at Tap, where another also heard.

Scaled Fruiteater Ampeloides tschudii
No less than 4 seen well on the long trail at Sept. Par. Also heard on the Perico de Orces trail, Upper Buen. A glamorous Fruiteater.

Olivaceous Piha Lipaugus cryptolophus
1 showed extremely well on Angel Paz's property. An unexpected bonus, this can be a difficult bird to connect with.

Dusky Piha Lipaugus fuscocinereus
1 seen in the open pasture well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., and 1 heard from the trail c500m above the following day.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
1 close to the tower on the PVM Road.

CE Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduligera
Stellar views of a male on the Umrellabird trail at Lower Buen. We were able to creep past a confiding male to allow photography. Whilst we watched, the bird lengthened and shortened its wattle, an amazing sight!

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Rupicola peruviana
1 of the blood-red sanguinolenta race on Angel Paz's property, 30/1. We would have paid more attention but were somewhat distracted by the Giant- and Yellow-breasted Anpittas hopping about at the time.

Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus
A female by the waterfall on the Upper Milpe Road, 1/2.

White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
3 males and a female in total, all the males on the PVM Road, the female at MdeC.

CE Club-winged Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus
9 in total over 3 days, seen at Sept. Par, the MCF reserve on the MR, and at Upper Buen. where also heard daily. The raised-wings display is well worth watching at leks, although if you blink you'll miss it. We found leks at the far end of the long trail at Sept. Par, and in the first forested section of the shortest trail of the MCF reserve when walking the trail anticlockwise.

Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa
6 seen in total, others heard, TR and Tap.

CE [Beautiful Jay Cyanolyca pulchra]
1 on the lower part of Tony Nunnery's trail at TR, 31/1. A scarce bird.

TE White-tailed Jay Cyanocorax mystacalis
8 at Jor., where common and conspicuous.

Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
1 at Jor. and 1 at Ut.

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
10 in total over 6 days, scattered everywhere except the Mindo area.

Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
c25 in total over 6 days, there always seem to be 1 or 2 in suitable mixed flocks.

Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
1 on the PVM road in a large mixed flock on the trails near the tower, 2 at Upper Buen etc.

Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides
1 seen very well on the long trail at Sept. Par, 1 at Tap, plus 5 heard.

[Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater]
Heard at Ut. along the main track.

Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryas
1 gave amazing views well up the trail opposite/300m above the Jardin de Colibries (on the right as you drive up at Upper Buen.)

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
4 in total over 3 days, Mindo area, Tap.

Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Very common; c80 total over 9 days; spans a wide altitudinal range.

[Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus]
1 heard from the car park at the Cajanuma section of Pod., and 1 heard at Ut.

TE Plumbeous-backed Thrush Turdus reevei
1, 5.4kms West of Catamayo; 12 at Jor. where common and easy to see along the trails.

Maranon Thrush Turdus maranonicus
12 in an hour 4kms below Valladolid, where easy to see, especially at dusk when birds came to feed at the roadside. This area seems very birdy, although it's hard to fathom why; the habitat is not particularly impressive, (open riverine scrub etc.) The stretch we birded was less than a kilometer after crossing the ford that runs across the main road, (the river is subsequently on your left,) immediately beyond a single small house set back from the road on the right as you drive South. A Marañon endemic.

Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus
1 in the top forest at Upper Buen. (GR) and 1 the next day on the El Oro Tapaculo trail Upper Buen.

TE Ecuadorian Thrush Turdus maculirostris
7 over 5 days, MdeC, Upper Buen. etc, plus others heard.

Long-tailed Mockingbird Mimus longicaudatus
c30 in total. The trashier the habitat the better they like it

White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
1 along the river below the top forest, Upper Buen., 5/2.

Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
c50 total over 5 days.

Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
15 at Yan. and 12 at Pap. A high altitude species.

Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Common; Seen every day bar two.

Pale-footed Swallow Notiochelidon flavipes
12 over 3 days, at Pod. and Tap.

White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
6 over 2 days, MR and Upper MR.

Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Common at Buen. etc.

Sand Martin (Bank Swallow) Riparia riparia
2 at SRSP.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
30 at SRSP and 2 10kms South of Guayaquil.

Chestnut-collared Swallow Petrochelidon rufocollaris
Only seen at a colonial nest-site in the town of Catamayo, one block South of the SW corner of the main square. This is also a stake out for that much-prized species, the House Sparrowcheck each nest to avoid dipping this spectacular species.

Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Four in total; PVM Road and MR.

Fasciated Wren Campylorhynchus fasciatus
Fairly common at e.g. Jor., where max. 6 per day. Entertained us daily at breakfast at the latter site.

Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
3 at Yan., 12 over 2 days at Tap.

Sepia-brown Wren Cinnycerthia peruana
2 on the long trail at Sept. Par.

Grass Wren Cistothorus platensis
3 around the pass at Pap.

Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
Heard on the PVM Road, at Upper Buen. (2), and 1 finally seen at the latter site 10/2.

Plain-tailed Wren Thryothorus euophrys
2, 1km below Nono, 2 at Pod., heard at Tap.

[Whiskered Wren Thryothorus mysticalis]
1 heard at Lower Buen., on the main dirt road just below the cabins.

TE Superciliated Wren Thryothorus superciliaris
1 in a mangrove patch alongside the ponds at SRSP.

Speckle-breasted Wren Thryothorus sclateri
2, 4kms South of Valladolid, 1 at Jor.

House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Seen on 11 days, common in a wide variety of habitats.

Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis
2 on the shortest loop trail just above the car park in the Cajanuma section of Pod., 5/2.

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
8 seen over 4 days; Mindo area, Upper Buen. etc, plus heard on 3 other days.

Song Wren Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus
1 on the 1st 100m stretch of the El Oro Tapaculo trail Upper Buen, 5/2.

Southern Nightingale Wren Microcerculus marginatus
2 heard, 1 seen (GR) at PVM Road, alongside the main road c300m below the car park.

[Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus]
Heard at MdeC.

Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
12 over 3 days in the SW.

Slate-throated Gnatcatcher Polioptila schistaceigula
A single on the trails around the tower, PVM Road 30/1, and a pair there 1/2. Another NW Ecuadorian species that just reaches the PVM Road.

Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Common in mixed flocks; seen on 10 days, max. 6/day.

Mangrove Warbler Dendroica petechia
A pair showed well in a small patch of mangroves after we played Pygmy-Owl tape at SRSP.

Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Common in mixed flocks etc; seen on 8 days, max. 10/day.

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava
1 successfully pished out of tall grasses on the MR.

Black-lored Yellowthroat Geothlypis auricularis
A male showed uncharacteristically well 4kms S. of Valladolid, feeding in the open on the main road.

Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Common in forest in small numbers, seen on 11 days, max. 6/day.

Spectacled Redstart (Whitestart) Myioborus melanocephalus
16 total over 4 days at the higher elevation sites, (Yan., Pap., Tap.)

Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus nigrocristatus
5 seen over 4 days; 2 at Yan., 1 at Pap., 1 at Pod., 1 at Ut.

Citrine Warbler Basileuterus luteoviridis
4 over 3 days; 1 at Pod., 3 at Tap.

CE Choco Warbler Basileuterus chlorophrys
2 on the PVM Road, 30/1.

Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
16 over 3 days; common at Sept. Par., TR.

TE Three-banded Warbler Basileuterus trifasciatus
2 in mid-elevation forest between Sabiango and Sozoranga, 8/2.

Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus
1 on the entrance road at Sept. Par., 1 on the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap.

TE Gray-and-gold Warbler Basileuterus fraseri
5 over 3 days; seen at MdeC, 3 at Jor., 1 at Lower Buen., others heard.

Buff-rumped Warbler Phaeothlypis fulvicauda
2 on the PVM Road; 1 showed well in the small ravine beneath the bridge on the loop trail near the tower.

Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
9 seen over 5 days.

Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Only 3; 1 on the MR, 2 on the PVM Road.

Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
11 over 5 days; PVM Road, Upper Buen. etc.

Yellow-tufted Dacnis Dacnis egregia
A male near the end of the shortest loop trail in the MCF reserve on the MR, and a pair on the Perico de Orces trail at Upper Buen. A strikingly handsome dacnis.

CE Scarlet-breasted Dacnis Dacnis berleschi
A male of this sought-after species was seen in a canopy flock scoped from the tower on the PVM Road. (GR)

Cinereous Conebill Conirostum cinereum
1 at Yan, 2 TR, and 2 at Pap.

Blue-backed Conebill Conirostum sitticolor
6 at Yan, 1 at Pod.

Capped Conebill Conirostum albifrons
2 on the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap.

Giant Conebill Oreomanes fraseri
Having tried a number of patches of Polylepis on the main road beyond the pass at Pap. without success, we finally found 2 in a patch set back 50m upslope from the old road, c1km beyond the pass. The Polylepis patches are still of a significant size at Pap., so having tape here is a definite help.

Bluish Flowerpiercer Diglossa caerulescens
1 at Pod., 4 over 2 days at Tap.

Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossa cyanea
4 at Yan., 2 at Pod., 5 at Tap., 1 at Ut.

Glossy Flowerpiercer Diglossa lafresnayii
c10 at Yan.

Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis
2 at Yan., 1 at Pap., 1 at Ut.

White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera
2 at Yan., 2 TR, 2 at Ut.

Rusty Flowerpiercer Diglossa sittoides
1 along the trail leading SW from the Calacali Pass above Mitad del Mundo, 1/2. (CG)

Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
A male on the MR, 31/1, and a pair on the Umbrellabird trail at Lower Buen, 3/2.

Rufous-chested Tanager Thlypopsis ornate
2 on Tony Nunnery's trail TR, and 1 Ut.

Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
A pair at the Mirador Rio Blanco Restnt. feeders on the Mindo Road, 3 at Lower Buen., a pair at Upper Buen.

Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala
A pair at the Calacali Pass, and a pair at Ut. Stunning little birds.

Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
18 in total; by far the most frequently-encountered Euphonia, especially in the Mindo area.

White-vented Euphonia Euphonia minuta
A male on the trails near the tower on the PVM Road.

Orange-crowned Euphonia Euphonia saturata
3 on the Umbrellabird trail,. Lower Buen, and a male Upper Buen.

CE Rufous-throated Tanager Tangara rufigula
2 pairs total over 2 days on the Perico de Orces trail and the top forest, Upper Buen.

CE Gray-and-gold Tanager Tangara palmeri
8 total on the PVM Road over two visits.

Golden Tanager Tangara arthus
One of the commonest Tangaras; c40 total over 7 days.

Emerald Tanager Tangara florida
3 on the PVM Road over two visits.

Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
11 in total, Mindo area, Upper Buen.

Saffron-crowned Tanager Tangara xanthocephala
1 in a mixed flock on the main road to Valladolid, c6kms below the Tapichalaca reserve, 6/2.

Flame-faced Tanager Tangara parzudakii
1 Tony Nunnery's trail TR, 2 in the top forest, Upper Buen., and 3 at Tap.

Golden-naped Tanager Tangara ruficervix
6 in total over 4 days; 3 TR, 2 at Sept. Par, 1 at Tap.

Metallic-green Tanager Tangara labradorides
3 TR, 28/1.

Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis
23 in total over 5 days, most in the Mindo area, a few at Tap.

Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii
1 Sept. Par., 2 TR, 1 at Ut.

Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
3 in lower elevation forest at TR below Tandayapa village, 31/1.

Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
15 over 4 days; PVM Road etc.

Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
4 on the PVM Road, 30/1. (GR)

CE Blue-whiskered Tanager Tangara johannae
1 seen in a large mixed flock on the trails around the tower on the PVM Road 30/1. (CG) This bird had, we subsequently learned, been present for at least a month. BOSA Vol 1notes 'this species is surprisingly rare, local, and infrequently seen, especially in the Ecuadorian portion of its range (it is also found in southwestern Colombia.')

Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
c16 total over 4 days; PVM Road, Lower Buen. etc.

Rufous-winged Tanager Tangara lavinia
A female near the tower on the PVM Road, 1/2. This was one of the species that we certainly saw as a direct result of cancelling our San Isidro jaunt; it only occurs below 750m and only in the NW of the country.

Golden-crowned Tanager Iridosornis rufivertex
1 in the Cajanuma section of Pod., 5/2 was the only Iridisornis seen.

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisignathus igniventris
6 at Yan. Also heard on two days at Tap.

Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager Anisignathus lacrymosus
4 in the Cajanuma section of Pod., 3 at Tap.

Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisignathus flavinucha
7, Mindo area over 3 days in higher elevation forest, 3 at Tap.

Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis Montana
4 at Yan., c20 over 2 days at Tap.

Black-chested Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis exima
4 at Yan. were amongst the first birds we saw in Ecuador.

CE Moss-backed Tanager Bangsia edwardsi
After a long while searching over two visits, 1 was scoped on an isolated tree-top on the MR, 31/1.

Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata
1 at Yan. was the only bird seen.

Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
6 total at Tap. over 2 days; e.g. on the first section of the Jocotoco Loop, and along the main road just below Casa Simpson.

Rufous-crested Tanager Creurgops verticalis
2 at Tap., in a mixed flock on the road to Valladolid, c6kms below Casa Simpson.

Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
15 in open habitat on the MR.

Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
The commonest tanager, seen on 10 days. Birds of the Amazonian race coelestis, showing white coverts, only seen South of Valladolid.

Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
c25 total over 7 days.

Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
11 total over 4 days; below Nono, on the TR, a pair at Ut. etc.

Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
2, 4kms South of Valladolid.

Lemon-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus icteronotus
Common; seen on 8 days, max. 30/day.

Highland Hepatic Tanager Piranga lutea
1 female at Jor.

Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
6 total over 4 days, mostly Mindo area.

White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera
1 female on the TR.

Red-hooded Tanager Piranga rubiceps
1 in forest above the road below the car park, Cajanuma section of Pod. 1 heard at Tap. A scarce species, largely confined to the East slope.

CE Ochre-breasted Tanager Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
1 MR, 1 Upper Buen.

Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii
4 near a mini-antswarm on the loop trail by the tower on the PVM Road.

White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
A female in grassland habitat at the start of the MR, a 2nd female close by the next day, a male below Tap.

White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
6 in total over 3 days; PVM Road, Lower Buen. etc.

Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii
3 males and 2 females on the PVM Road total in our 2 visits.

CE Scarlet-browed Tanager Heterospingus xanthopygius
2 males and a female on the PVM Road, 30/1. Males especially are stunning.

Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
c20 in total over 6 days; commonest at Tap.

CE Dusky Bush-Tanager (Dusky-bellied Bush-Tanager) Chlorospingus semifuscus
2 TR, 31/1.

Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus flavigularis
8 in total over 4 days; most in the Mindo area.

Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
4 over 2 days at Tap.

Black-backed Bush-Tanager Urothraupis stolzmanni
4 in a small mixed flock with the Giant Conebills etc on the old highway at Pap.

Black-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus atropileus
4 at Tap. over 2 days.

Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris
5, 1km below Nono.

EE, CE Western Hemispingus Hemispingus ochraceus
1 TR, 31/1. Now split from Black-eared H. melanotis, BOE lists as 'rare and local.'

Black-headed Hemispingus Hemispingus verticalis
1 at Tap., 6/2, on the rocky section of the Mule Trail.

Black-and-white Tanager Conothraupis speculigera
We eventually succeeded in enticing 2 males up the bamboo slope directly below the upper cabins at Lower Buen, 3/2. An erratic species that can be hard to catch up with.

Plush-capped Finch (Plushcap) Catamblyrhynchus diadema
2 seen as we climbed up the hill on the first section of the Jocotoco Loop trail at Tap., 6/2. Always a top value species.

Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
12 total over 6 days.

Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis
8 total over 4 days.

TE Black-cowled Saltator Saltator nigriceps
4 in the open habitat to the right as you walk in on the main track at Ut., 9/2.

Streaked Saltator Saltator albicollis
11 total over 4 days in the South.

[Slate-colored Grosbeak Pitylus grossus]
Heard on the PVM Road. (GR)

Southern Yellow Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
c30 total over 5 days, max. count 12 at Ut.

Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Common; seen on 8 days.

Dull-colored Grassquit Tiaris obscura
4 seen in scrub, 5.4kms West of Catamayo.

Lesser Seed-Finch (Thick-billed Seed-Finch) Oryzoborus angolensis
3 seen with the following species, and a pair at Upper Buen.

Large-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus crassirostris
A pair immediately to the West of the main road, in fields 50m South of the police checkpoint between Naranjal and Machala (1.3kms North of the town of Tenguel.) A tough bird to find. Photographed.

Variable Seedeater Sporophila orvine
c50 total over 6 days.

Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Common in open country; seen on 9 days in total.

Parrot-billed Seedeater Sporophila peruviana
8 at SRSP.

TE Drab Seedeater Sporophila simplex
2 with Dull-colored Grassquits, 5.4kms West of Catamayo. A gaudy flock and no mistake

Chestnut-throated Seedeater Sporophila telasco
12 at the checkpoint South of Naranjal.

Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata
1 at Yan., 6 at Pap.

Paramo Seedeater Catamenia homochroa
A pair at the edge of the large Polylepis patch c1km beyond the pass at 4200m at Pap., (BOE list as 'mostly 2500-3500m') and a female in the garden at Casa Simpson, Tap.

Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis
One female along the trail from the top of the Calacali Pass above Mitad del Mundo, 1/2.

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor
15+ at Pap.

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus
c10 along the trail from the top of the Calacali Pass above Mitad del Mundo.

Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Common at Buen, c70 over 4 days.

Slaty Finch Haplospiza rustica
A male of this rarely encountered flowering bamboo nomadic species seen very well at the roadside at TR, 31/1. A 2nd bird seen briefly well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 7/2.

Pale-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pallidinucha
2 with the Giant Conebill mixed flock at Pap. were rather high; (BOE lists as 'mostly 2700-3700m.')

Rufous-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes rufinucha
11 total over 5 days, e.g. below Nono, Pap., Upper Buen.

Tricolored Brush-Finch Atlapetes tricolor
1 just above the Perico de Orces trail at Upper Buen. was the only one seen.

White-winged Brush-Finch Atlapetes leucopterus
2 TR, and 3 between Sabiango and Sozoranga.

[Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes brunneinucha]
1 heard at Sept. Par., 29/1.

TE Black-capped Sparrow Arremon abeillei
4 on the trails at Jor. A Marañon endemic.

Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
2 at the MCF reserve, MR, and one on the MR the following day.

Yellow-browed Sparrow Myospiza aurifrons
1, 4kms South of Valladolid.

TE Tumbes Sparrow Aimophila savannarum
2 seen in scrub 5.4kms West of Catamayo. As the name suggests, a Tumbesian endemic.

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Very common; seen on 12 days total.

Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
2 at MdeC.

(Northern) Mountain Cacique Cacicus leucorhamphus
6 in the pasture well down the Mule Trail Abajo, Tap.

Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus microrhynchus
1 on the PVM Road.

Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
1 well down the Mule Trail Abajo at Tap., 7/2.

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
4 at Angel Paz's property, 30/1.

Scrub Blackbird Dives warszewiczi
1 at KM77 on the Mindo Road. Abundant in the South.

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
13 over 3 days, mostly around Guayaquil.

TE White-edged Oriole Icterus graceannae
3 on the trails at Jor.

Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus mesomelas
3 in the SW over 3 days.

Peruvian (Red-breasted-) Meadowlark Sturnella bellicosa
4 with the seed-finches South of Naranjal, and a flock of c20, 10kms South of Guayaquil.

Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
20 at Pap.

Olivaceous Siskin Carduelis olivacea
2 at Tap., 6/2. (GR)

Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra
c10 in total over 4 days; MR, Upper Buen.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
At least 2 in nests in the Chestnut-collared Swallow colony in Catamayo.

Total: 519 species seen, + 33 heard only; 552 total.

List of animal species seen:

Mountain Coatimundi Nasuella olivacea
1 on the road just below Casa Simpson at Tap.

Brazilian Rabbit Sylvilagus brasiliensis
c5 in total at scattered locations, usually seen whilst driving.

Green Iguana Iguana iguana
1 large individual at SRSP.

Tarantula sp. Pamphobeteus sp.?
1 purple individual, c8 across with an orange and black abdomen, seen crossing the main road between Upper and Lower Buen. Photographed at frighteningly close range! The same species, whatever it is, is depicted on the Jocotoco Foundation website.

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