Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Toucan Barbet |
 Brown Inca |
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From cloud forests to lowlands along the west slope of the Ecuadorian Andes
From 30 May through 5 June 2009 Judy, Tom, David, Trevor and Dušan had a birding trip with Mindo Bird Tours along the west slope of the Andes in Northern Ecuador. The main goals of this trip were: (1) to see a good variety of birds and (2) to relax. We were all in a fanatic birding mood so our second goal was achieved to a minimum. We recorded a total of 223 bird species in six full days of birding. The highlights of the trip are mentioned in the day by day text. A full species list is included at the end of the report. All the species were recorded by all of us unless stated otherwise in the text.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Yanacocha, old Mindo-Nono road and Tandayapa valley
Day 2 – Reserva Las Gralarias
Day 3 – Reserva Las Gralarias
Day 4 – Milpe sanctuary and Milpe road
Day 5 – Paz de las Aves and Oilbird cave at Chontal
Day 6 – Rio Silanche sanctuary
Day 7 – Roundtrip Santa Rosa, Bellavista, Miraflores
Day 1 – 30 May 09
The first day started great with nice weather and some very good birds along the road to Yanacocha. Our first bird of the trip was spotted by Trevor: a White-throated Tyrannulet foraging in the shrubbery along the road. A few minutes later we found a Paramo Pipit singing from the top of a little bush. Then a large colorful bird surprised us and flew in front of the car and perched. It was a female Masked Trogon!, totally unexpected in this habitat (no trees just pastures). On the road a White-browed Ground-tyrant (austral migrant) was showing itself very well. We also had some excellent views from inside the car of a pair of Streak-throated Bush-Tyrants.
Birding was slow along the first part of the main trail (Trocha Inca) at Yanacocha. The only bird we saw was a Buff-winged Star-frontlet. The distinctive call of the Barred Fruiteater was heard well but unfortunately we did not see the bird. Along the rocky part of the trail we had great views of a female Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. The bird was foraging nearby on some little flowers and chased away a Tyrian Metaltail a few times. Our first mixed-species flock consisted of Blue-backed Conebill, Supercillaried Hemispingus and a pair of Spectacled Whitestart. We heard Chestnut-naped Antpitta below us while a Rufous Antpitta was calling just above us. A White-browed Spinetail responded to its call and we saw some glimpses of this skulky bird. Our first hummingbird at a feeder halfway the trail was the spectacular Sword-billed Hummingbird. The feeders at the tunnel were far more active and we saw at least three Sword-billed Hummingbird chasing each other. Other hummers included Golden-breasted Puffleg, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Mountain Velvetbreast and Sparkling Violetear. Glossy and Masked Flowerpiercer showed well at the feeders too. New species in a larger mixed-species flock included Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Streaked Tuftedcheek, White-banded Tyrannulet and Rufous-naped Brush-Finch. Just before heading back we saw our absolute highlight of Yanacocha: a Rufous Antpitta right on the trail! It was first seen by Tom and luckily we all got great views of this secretive bird. On our way back the mist started to get in quickly and we only saw a few birds. During lunch we had Tawny Antpitta calling nearby.
After lunch we birded along the old Nono-Mindo road. At a bamboo patch we heard Chestnut-crowned Antpitta and we enjoyed a pair of duetting Plain-tailed Wren. At the Alambi River we found a White-capped Dipper. The Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant was giving us a hard time. We only got to see glimpses of the bird which was calling continuously from inside the dense vegetation. We saw a flock of at least three Hooded Mountain-Tanager very well through the scope. We ended the day with a very rare bird. We stopped at a nest site of a pair of Black-and-chestnut Eagles near the village of Tandayapa. The pair did a breeding attempt about a year ago but it failed. The adults were seen very irregularly ever since. When we scoped the nest we were surprised to see a huge raptor in the nesting tree! We could clearly see its magnificent crest as it was moving its head. Let’s hope these rare cloud forest eagles stay around for a while!
Day 2 – 31 May 09
We spent all day birding on the trails of Reserva Las Gralarias. The dawn chorus included the beautiful songs of Russet-crowned Warbler, Andean Solitaire and Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush. The Spillman’s Tapaculo with its machinegun song was loudly present in the understory but we never got to see it. Our first big bird surprised us at the Guan Gulch trail. When we got the bird in our bins we glimpsed some spectacular colors of a Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan! Luckily the bird hopped out in the open and turned out not to be shy at all. A few minutes later we found another great bird: an immature Hook-billed Kite was perched in a tree and we all got great looks of it. It was very still in the cloud forest the next half hour. Apart from the song of the Yellow-breasted Antpitta we did not see or hear any birds. We decided to have a stake-out at a more open spot in the forest in the hope birds would come out. Our plan worked and the first bird that appeared was a Toucan Barbet! It showed very well and we all had great looks of this colorful Chocó endemic. A few minutes later we were surprised by a pair of Golden-headed Quetzal which we only saw briefly. The scarce Tyrannine Woodcreeper gave its characteristic song and showed well. A mixed-species flock came by and we saw Beryl-spangled Tanager, Montane Woodcreeper, White-tailed Tyrannulet, Slate-throated Whitestart and Lineated Foliage-gleaner. The Tawny-bellied Hermit visited us one by one, hovering in front of our noses. David was most popular with his colorful jacket. On our way back we had a soaring Barred Hawk and a male Masked Trogon. Tom discovered a perched Gorgeted Sunangel which later had a fight with a male Violet-tailed Sylph. At the guest house we had four Swallow-tailed Kite soaring at close range.
After lunch we watched the hummingbirds at the feeders. We saw a wide range of species including Velvet-purple Coronet, Brown Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird and Green Violet-ear. Of the smaller species the spectacular Booted Racket-tail and bumblebee Purple-throated Woodstar showed up. Masked and White-sided Flowerpiercer were present at the feeders as well.
In the afternoon it started to rain. Nevertheless we went out birding and it turned out to be an excellent choice. Our plan was to look for antpittas on the trails as the weather conditions (dark and rainy) seemed good. We had a long walk down the Santa Rosa River trail and at the start Trevor saw a pair of Dark-backed Wood-Quail. For about half an hour we did not see any bird. We decided to go a bit more down the trail and suddenly there it was: a huge antpitta on the trail! Wow, the bird jumped around the corner as we followed it carefully. When we stuck our heads around the corner we were standing eye-to-eye with a Giant Antpitta!!! Our adrenaline was pumping as we were watching one of the rarest and most secretive birds in Ecuador. Recently, many birders are seeing the species hand-fed at Angel Paz´s place but seeing a fully “wild” bird is a totally different experience!!! Unbelievably, on the way back Trevor discovered a second Giant Antpitta higher up the trail, most probably from another territory. What a great birds to end the day with!
Day 3 – 1 June 09
This day we explored other trails of Reserva Las Gralarias. We started with a mixed-species flock which included Metallic-green Tanager, Montane Woodcreeper, Red-faced Spinetail and Tricolored Brush-Finch. The fluorescent bluish-green color of the tanagers was an amazing sight in the early morning sun. We had good views of a family group of Azara’s Spinetail and a pair of duetting Gray-breasted Wood-Wren. We spent most of the morning along Canyons Trail which goes through spectacular pristine cloud forest. However, we didn’t see many birds as birding can be typically harder in primary forest. Tom and Trevor saw a Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant and a very noisy Streak-capped Treehunter hardly showed itself. On our way back we heard most probably the call of an Orange-breasted Fruiteater but we couldn’t confirm its identification. Along Parrot Hill trail we did get great looks of a Scaled Fruiteater. A few minutes later Judy spotted a larger blackish bird in front of us. It was a Beautiful Jay! As we carefully approached the bird there turned out to be two more. The birds passed us at close range and we got some excellent views of this rare Chocó endemic! In the afternoon it was again dark and rainy. We decided to use our tactic from the day before and went looking for ground birds. A Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant wasn’t shy at all and showed itself at about 5 feet distance. Then we waited at the spot where we had heard Yellow-breasted Antpitta. Surprisingly, the bird came out on the trail after a few minutes and we all saw it very well!
Day 4 – 2 June 09
In the morning we stopped to have a cup of coffee at the entrance of the Milpe reserve as it was raining and we were hoping it would clear up later. While we waited for the rain to stop we studied the hummingbirds at the feeders. We saw males and females of Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Brilliant and Green-crowned Woodnymph. Other new species included Andean Emerald and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. We were lucky and it stopped raining about an hour later. Activity of birds was high and we started off great with a group of four Chocó Toucan. We watched the toucans through the scope and at a sudden moment they were taking a sunbath. It was very funny to see how they were holding their beaks open in different positions forming a surrealistic picture. Our first flock included Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Golden Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager and Blue-necked Tanager. As we walked into the reserve we saw Buff-rumped Warbler and Orange-billed Sparrow. Our main target for the day was the Club-winged Manakin. An exclusive sound that lekking males produce with their wings is an experience you don’t want to miss. As we came closer to the lek we started to hear the computer-like sounds. Soon we located a male above us and we could study in detail the funny movements he made to produce its sound. At the lek another flock came in and we saw a pair of Red-headed Barbet, Spotted Woodcreeper, Ochre-breasted Tanager and Tawny-breasted Flycatcher. The trail came out at an open spot where we enjoyed a pair of Ornate Flycatchers. Then we heard the distinctive calls of the Yellow-collared Chlorophonia in a large tree in front of us. After a while we all got looks of a superb male. We went into the forest again and took a steep trail down to the river. Apart from a preening Chocó Warbler we didn’t see any birds. The tropical forest at the river was breath taking and we decided to take a break. After a snack and a good rest we went back uphill and encountered a large flock. The flock was full of furnariids and we saw Uniform Treehunter, Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner and Plain Xenops. Other birds included Russet Antshrike, Three-striped Warbler and Smokey-brown Woodpecker. Back at the entrance we saw an excited Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant which probably had a nest nearby.
After our picnic lunch we went birding along the Milpe road. Most of the habitat along the road was secondary forest which gave us a different set of bird species. We looked for the Moss-backed Tanager but we could not find it. We did get nice views of a White-whiskered Hermit feeding on the flowers. A group of White-thighed Swallow was perched on the electricity wires and here we also saw a Yellow Tyrannulet. At another spot we run into a small flock of Swallow Tanager together with a female Blue Dacnis and a Squirrel Cuckoo. From inside the car we enjoyed watching two Band-backed Wren who showed well. At a farmhouse we scoped a Masked Water-tyrant. Late afternoon we birded the forest patch at the end of the Milpe road. This spot is known for having very rare birds but when we were there activity was very low. The only bird we got to see was a male Checker-throated Antwren. On our way back we had fantastic views of a Bronze-winged Parrot. The bird was perched in top of a tree and we enjoyed watching its detailed plumage through the scope under excellent light conditions.Day 5 – 3 June 09
We left Las Gralarias Guest House at 4:30am in order to arrive by 5.30 at Angel Paz´ place. It was still dark when we met Angel and his brother. While we walked down the trail Angel tried to attract a Rufescent Sreech- Owl but without success. We did hear a Common Potoo and a Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl on our way down. When we arrived at his hide the Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock were already starting to get active. We enjoyed watching the displaying males for about half an hour. We got good views from the hide of at least two noisy males and they became even noisier when a female came in. As the day became brighter the activity of the Cocks-of-the-Rock dropped and we went to Angel´s new hide where he feeds a variety of different birds. He takes good care of his birds by giving them a luxurious “ensalada de frutas” of fresh fruit every day. As soon as the first bananas were placed a group of Sickle-winged Guans came in. It was amazing to see these relatively shy birds from just a few feet distance away. A few minutes later a pair of Crimson-rumped Toucanet and a pair of Toucan Barbet came in and started feeding within touching distance.
A Green-fronted Lancebill was perched in front of us, a scarce hummingbird which is typically found inside forest along streams. We also spotted an Olivaceous Piha in the same tree. No less than seven Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager enjoyed the fruit salad for a moment. Soon they were replaced by the more aggressive Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager. On our way to the antpittas we all got great looks at a male Powerful Woodpecker.
Angel told us that “Maria” was not feeling well because she recently had a fight. Nevertheless, she (the most famous Giant Antpitta worldwide) came in and took some earthworms in front of our nose. Indeed her plumage did look a bit messed up. We decided to leave her alone and tried to look for “Shakira”. Two Ochre-breasted Antpittas came out and “Shakira (who is recognized by her dance talent) was seen the best. We watched the hummingbird feeders on our way back. The species we saw were the same as the ones at Reserva Las Gralarias. However, the spectacular Empress Brilliant seemed a bit more common at Angel´s feeders at this time of year. We had a late breakfast at Angel Paz´s with delicious “Bolones de Verde” and “Empanadas”. While we were eating we saw a pair of Yellow-bellied Siskins. After we finished our coffee and desert we started our journey to the Oilbirds of Chontal.
The owner of the property was waiting for us on an old tractor as we arrived at the little village. We got a shaky ride on the back of his tractor and it took us about 20 minutes to get to the spot. Normally there are two options to look for the birds. The easiest option is to take a trail around and watch the birds from a distance with a telescope. The other option is to go down into the ravine by using ropes and ladders. The river was very low and according to Sr. Morales to only way to see the birds at this time of year was by taking the second option. We didn’t want to miss the birds so we all decided to take the adventurous climb down. It wasn’t very difficult but we all paid the price and got wet! It took us about 15 minutes before we got to the Oilbirds. We had great looks at a small number of birds at very close range. One of the birds was nesting as we could see two fluffy chicks. We all got wet again on the way back but the birds were certainly worth it. At the village we were invited to have a look at their local museum. They showed us a nice collection of artefacts of which they said all were found in the immediate area. It was interesting to see the different artefacts but we were not sure if all the pieces were authentic...
Day 6 – 4 June 09
On our way to the Rio Silanche reserve we stopped a few times to look for birds. We had good looks at a group of Pacific Parrotlet which were feeding next to the car. At the same spot we enjoyed watching courtship display of males in a group of Shiny Cowbird on the track. When we arrived at the reserve we first walked the short loop around the canopy tower to look for understory birds. Apart from hearing a Chestnut-backed Antbird we did not get many birds. Activity was rather low as it was already getting warm.
The flowers (not the feeders) at the canopy tower attracted a few hummingbirds. We had good looks at both Stripe-throated Hermit and Blue-chested Hummingbird. Tom saw a male Purple-chested Hummingbird but unfortunately we never got a good look at it. A fast moving mid-story flock was the only mixed-species flock we got for the day. The species we saw well included Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Dot-winged Antwren, Checker-throated Antwren, White-shouldered Tanager and Buff-throated Saltator. Trevor discovered a larger bird in the canopy. It was a male Western White-tailed Trogon and we all saw it very well through the scope. A Broad-billed Motmot was perched in front of our nose at a distance too close to be scoped. On our way back to the tower we saw a large dark bird flying by. It turned out to be the rare Crimson-bellied Woodpecker. We all got to see the bird before it flew away again. We had a long rest in the canopy tower. We didn’t see many birds for a while, but we did see a well camouflaged frog.
It was a flat-shaped frog perched on the concrete of the tower. Apart from being a bit whiter it seemed that it had taken over the color of the concrete. A pair of Dusky-capped Flycatcher was building a nest and showed well. We were running up-and-down the stairs many times as we heard a male White-bearded Manakin in the understory below us. After a while we got a bit tired of the bird because it didn’t show itself.
Our waiting got finally rewarded when a White-necked Puffbird popped up at eye level. We watched the bird full-frame in the scope for about five minutes before it flew back into the forest again. Tom was very lucky to see a Gray-mantled Wren. We went back to the car for lunch. Just as we started eating we heard another male White-bearded Manakin. As fanatic as we were we decided to have a short break and tried to look for it. The male cooperated extremely well and we got excellent views of this beautiful bird. Our last noteworthy bird for the day was a well showing male Western Slaty Antshrike.
Day 7 – 5 June 09
On our last morning Tom and Trevor decided to stay at Reserva Las Gralarias. We decided not to walk as much as the previous days and made a roundtrip with the car to do some roadside birding. We had our first mixed-species flock along the road to Santo Rosa. In the flock we saw Smoke-colored Pewee and Capped Conebill which were new species for the trip. Further along the road we saw a Cinnamon Flycatcher and two Blue-capped Tanager. We heard Turquoise Jay and soon after we stopped the car we located the bird. The bird was accompanied by two Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager and a Blue-and-black Tanager. We heard Ocellated Tapaculo at several different locations. At one particular spot we glimpsed some movements of the tapaculo but we never got to see the details of it. Before we got to the Bellavista area we ran into a “monster” flock. It was a very large mixed-species flock which held us busy for at least 15 minutes. Interesting were four Masked Trogons that seemed to follow the flock actively. New species in the flock included Black-capped Tyrannulet, Sepia-brown Wren, Pearled Treerunner and Grass-green Tanager. We had great looks at the tanager which was eating berries at close distance. We looked for the rare Tanager Finch at different known spots near Bellavista but didn’t encounter it. Around noon bird activity started to get low and we had to get back on time to pack the bags. We stopped a few times along the Miraflores road where we finally got to see a White-tipped Dove. This was the first good look we got of the species after having heard and flushed them several times. Tom had seen a Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager in a flock at Reserva Las Gralarias. This remarkable record is one of the very few on the west slope of the Andes in Ecuador.
Species (English) Species (Linneus) * Heard only
Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii
Dark-backed Wood-Quail Odontophorus melanonotus
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Barred Hawk Leucopternis princeps
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Black-and-chestnut Eagle Spizaetus isidori
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea *
Dusky Pigeon Patagioenas goodsoni *
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura *
Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis
Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nubicola *
Oilbird Steatornis caripensis
Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus *
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata
Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae
Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus
Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans
Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus
Green Thorntail Discosura conversii
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill Chalcostigma herrani
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
Sapphire-vented Puffleg Eriocnemis luciani
Golden-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis mosquera
Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni
Collared Inca Coeligena torquata
Buff-winged Starfrontlet Coeligena lutetiae
Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera
Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini
Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia amabilis
Purple-chested Hummingbird Amazilia rosenbergi
Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps
Western White-tailed Trogon Trogon viridis
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
White-necked Puffbird Notharchus hyperrhynchus
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus
Choco Toucan Ramphastos brevis
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena laminirostris
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatus
Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Colaptes rivolii
Powerful Woodpecker Campephilus pollens
Crimson-bellied Woodpecker Campephilus haematogaster
Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus
Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura *
White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
Rusty-winged Barbtail Premnornis guttuligera
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufum
Uniform Treehunter Thripadectes ignobilis
Striped Treehunter Thripadectes holostictus
Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps *
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Tyrannine Woodcreeper Dendrocincla tyrannina
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus
Checker-throated Antwren Epinecrophylla fulviventris
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis
Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudata
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul *
Giant Antpitta Grallaria gigantea
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla *
Chestnut-naped Antpitta Grallaria nuchalis *
Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta
Rufous Antpitta Grallaria rufula
Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis *
Ochre-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula flavirostris
Spillmann's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni *
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx *
Black-capped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias nigrocapillus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus poecilocercus
White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus ruficeps
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus ruficeps *
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher Myiobius villosus
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
White-browed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albilora
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis
Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta
Crowned Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca frontalis
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus *
Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii *
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata *
Scaled Fruiteater Ampelioides tschudii
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruvianus
Olivaceous Piha Snowornis cryptolophus
Club-winged Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa
Beautiful Jay Cyanolyca pulchra
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
White-thighed Swallow Atticora tibialis
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Southern Nightingale Wren Microcerculus marginatus *
Gray-mantled Wren Odontorchilus branickii
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis *
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Plain-tailed Wren Thryothorus euophrys *
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus *
Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sepia-brown Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides *
Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater *
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus
Paramo Pipit Anthus bogotensis
Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus lacrymosus
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus
Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus notabilis
Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
Golden-naped Tanager Tangara ruficervix
Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii
Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis
Metallic-green Tanager Tangara labradorides
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor
Capped Conebill Conirostrum albifrons
Glossy Flowerpiercer Diglossa lafresnayii
Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis
White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera
Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossa cyanea
Dusky Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus semifuscus
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Arremon brunneinucha
Tricolored Brush-Finch Atlapetes tricolor
White-winged Brush-Finch Atlapetes leucopterus
Ochre-breasted Tanager Chlorothraupisstolzmanni
Southern Yellow Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava *
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Spectacled Redstart Myioborus melanocephalus
Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Buff-rumped Warbler Phaeothlypis fulvicauda
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
Yellow-collared Chlorophonia Chlorophonia flavirostris
n = 223 species
Dušan M. Brinkhuizen Mindo Bird Tours