Company: DiLabio Birding (www.DiLabiobirding.ca )
Host: BirdEcuador (www.cabanasanisidro.com)
Leaders: Forrest D. Rowland, Bruce DiLabio
Participants: Bonnie Harnden, Don Jones
As the years go by and more people come to know just how wonderful the birds, birding, food, and lodging in Ecuador is, I find myself more frequently in the company of wonderfully fun and enthusiastic people. Bruce DiLabio organized this exploratory trip for his company’s inaugural foray into the birding ecotourism of Ecuador. It was my pleasure to act as local guide for the duration of the trip, visiting the standard, and a few not-so-standard, birding sites in the Northern Andes.
The area covered by this tour is vast in terms of habitat variety accessed, but a relatively small distance spans between the Easternmost terminus of the route (km 32 on the Loreto Road), and the most Western (Rio Silanche Preserve). The route lies roughly on the equator itself, never being more than about 50 miles North or South of the line.
The Andes in Northern Ecuador are divided by an arid, central valley, into two distinct ranges running North to South. The avifauna of each range share species and habitat types, but also exhibit a large degree of difference. This is especially obvious when regarding what is known as the Choco region in the far Northwest of the country, which is an area of international conservation concern full of regional endemics. Also of concern, the foothill habitat along the Eastern slope of the Andes holds the most biodiversity in terms of bird species per hectare. Two overwhelmingly beautiful and exciting areas that we focused on!
Not to be neglected, the temperate forest and paramo of both slopes received three full days of birding. We had incredible weather and some astonishing luck with species at these elevations! Again, breathtaking scenery and truly unique experiences welcomed us in the thin air.
Below, I have written a succinct itinerary for those who wish to scroll directly to the Bird List, at the end of this account. A daily account of our activities listing some bird species representative of the area visited that day may be more helpful to those planning a future visit to Ecuador, or simply provide (hopefully) a more entertaining read!
For more information regarding tours with DiLabio Birding, visit www.dilabiobirding.ca . For trips solely within the country of Ecuador, and visiting Guango Lodge and San Isidro Lodge, go to www.cabanasanisidro.com . For any questions pertaining specifically to this trip report, the birds, or the route, feel free to e-mail me at rowbird2005@gmail.com
Itinerary
Day 0: Participants in Quito. Overnight Sheraton.
Day 1 (2/8): Antisana Preserve, Papallacta Pass. Overnight Guango Lodge.
Day 2 (2/9): Papallacta Pass and Guango trails. Overnight Cabanas San Isidro.
Day 3 (2/10): San Isidro grounds, trails, and road. Overnight CSI.
Day 4 (2/11): Loreto Road, San Isidro grounds. Overnight CSI
Day 5 (2/12): Guacamayos Ridge. Overnight Quito.
Day 6 (2/13): Yanacocha, Nono-Mindo Road. Overnight Septimo Paraiso.
Day 7 (2/14): Reserva Paz de Las Aves, Mashpi. Overnight Septimo Paraiso.
Day 8 (2/15): Rio Silanche. Milpe. Overnight Septimo Paraiso.
Day 9 (2/16): Rio Silanche. Milpe. Overnight Septimo Paraiso.
Day 10 (2/17): Tandayapa Valley and environs. Overnight Quito.
Day 11 (2/18): Flights out.
Trip Log
Day 1 - Our first day afield was a visit to one of the most pristine, impressive, high-altitude grasslands in the country: Antisana (4093 masl). The name comes from the nearby Volcano, of the same name, that looms over the grassy hillsides and lakes of the preserve. Originally established to protect Micacocha and a few other lakes supplying water to Quito, this private ranch and preserve is one of the last strongholds for several rare paramo species. Birds seen regularly here include Andean Condor, Paramo Pipit, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Carunculated Caracara, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean Lapwing, several species of waterfowl, and the prized Black-faced Ibis, among others.
Recently lumped with another taxon (T. melanopsis branickii), Black-faced Ibis regularly occurs only at Antisana, with small, nomadic, populations present elsewhere in the country. Being recorded on about half the visits to this site, and usually in numbers less than a dozen, we were shocked to encounter an estimated 26 individuals!!! At times, small flocks of these fascinating birds were probing the ground no more than 50 yards from us.
Dinner and late evening was spent at Guango Lodge. Made entirely of Rock and local timber, this interesting structure is unique, offers a fireplace to get warm, spectacular hummingbird watching, and food on par with that of Cabanas San Isidro (some of the best in country). Overnight Guango.
Day 2 – Papallacta Pass is the highest site of the tour. The antennae array, famous for being home to the elusive Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, sits nearly 4300 meters above sea level! Though higher in elevation, Papallacta Pass is more wet, and lush, than Antisana. While species overlap is nearly complete between the two sites, birds easy at Papallacta are all but absent from Antisana. We encountered nearly all of these special birds, including Blue-mantled Thornbill, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Tawny Antpitta, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, and Paramo Seedeater!
We spent the latter part of the morning birding at a slightly lower elevation site, at treeline. The stunted trees, tall grass and forbes, and Polylepis groves, provide for a more varied avifauna, and a good introduction to the forest birding that is to come. Birds seen here included: Tufted and Agile Tit-Tyrant, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Cinereous and Blue-backed Conebills, Black-chested, Buff-breasted, and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-crowned Tanager, Black-backed and Gray-hooded Bush-Tanagers, Viridian Metaltail, Glowing Puffleg, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, and more.
The afternoon was spent birding the area close to Guango Lodge, and traversing a wonderful new trail the preserve staff had recently cut. It was a very successful afternoon, as we encountered the flocks hoped for! Species included Turquoise Jay, Mountain Cacique, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Blue-black Tanager, a flock of White-capped/Speckle-faced Parrots, Powerful Woodpecker, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Rufous and Mountain Wrens, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, even a family group of Plushcap browsed right up to the trail! One of the best birds of the day popped out of the river some 100 yards upstream from the bridge we stood on: a gorgeous pair of Torrent Ducks.
The 2 hour (approximately…varies WIDELY depending on construction and traffic, landslides, bridges out, etc.) drive to San Isidro from Guango offers wonderful views of 150m high waterfalls, raging torrents, and provides a scenic break from intense birding to enjoy the Andean countryside. We birded little along the way, wanting to get settled in at CSI and eat. Overnight Cabanas San Isidro.
Day 3 – Spending one full day around San Isidro (2225masl) nets a lot of great species, close looks, and wonderful feeder watching. Unfortunately, it also serves as a reminder that one could spend several days here enjoying the walks, scenery, hummingbird show, and the food. The food has become as legendary as the birds!
After enjoying the dawn feeding frenzy around the lampposts, and Antpitta feeding, we hit the road to search for fruit-following species, a few skulkers, and flocks. A little time was spent on the trails later in the day, for some understory species. Another 100+ species day!
Some of the goodies enjoyed today included Red-billed Parrot, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, San Isidro Owl, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Crested Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Streak-capped Treehunter, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, White-bellied Antpitta, Blackish Tapaculo, Long-tailed Tapaculo, Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Capped Conebill, some 10 species of Tanagers, and both Oleanginous and Black-eared Hemispingi among the huge day total. Overnight CSI.
Day 4 – No trip to the East Slope of Andes is complete without visiting the lower subtropic/upper foothill zone (1150masl), accessed via the Loreto Road. This elevation and region are the most exploited by agriculture and development for the small, independent, farmer as well as recent larger corporation activities. I relish every chance to get to bird the area, though each trip I can’t help but notice the remarkable changes underway along the road. Loreto Road was recently paved for quicker thru-traffic to Coca and the Amazonian Lowlands in 2009. The paving of a rural road in South America feels something akin to a death in the family for a naturalist familiar with the area. “Progress” inevitably follows…Nevertheless, we were wildly successful, had a great time, and came back impressed at the number and variety of birds still seen here!
Highlights on the Loreto Road were Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon (first for me for the area!), Scaled Pigeon, Military Macaw, White-chested Swift, Wire-crested Thorntail, White-tailed Hillstar, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Golden-collared Toucanet, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Lined Antshrike, Plain-winged Antwren, Blackish Antbird, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Large-headed Flatbill, Cliff Flycatcher, Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Bronze-green Euphonia, 17 species of Tanager(!!!), and Olivaceous Siskin.
A quick stop on the way back to CSI to bird some flocks netted us great birds. Nice views of Montane Foliage-Gleaner, Handsome Flycatcher, Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, and Rufous-crested Tanager were had by all. Overnight CSI.
Day 5 – Today we headed back over the Cosanga bridge to bird the Guacamayos Ridge trail, and the road. The trail, set up for the maintenance of one of Ecuador’s major underground oil pipelines, begins at a scenic overlook some 2700m above sea level atop the Guacamayos (Macaw) ridge. This is the Easternmost high ridge of the Andes in Northern Ecuador, and the slopes plunge down towards the Amazon Basin on an astonishingly steep grade. The surrounding rivers and valleys have created a unique habitat along the upper ridge here, allowing subtropical and temperate species to mix, overlap, and forage up and down the ridge in huge flocks. The birding here, though always good, can be hit or miss. For us, it was a HIT!
The first bird we saw as we exited the van was the scarce White-rumped Hawk, soaring out over the ridge. A very auspicious start! Green-fronted Lancebill and Greenish Puffleg both made appearances at nearby flowering vines, as we worked our way along the ridge. Within 40 minutes, we had our first big flock of the morning! Handsome Flycatcher, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Green-and-Black-Fruiteater, Barred Becard, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Black-billed Peppershrike, and several species of Tanager. I quickly noticed that, while a great flock, this was not the ridge-running flock I was Looking for. I made a quick decision to turn us around and head back towards the pass. 20 minutes later we were in the midst of a family group of 4 Black-billed Mountain-Toucans, the prize of the site! We had the birds foraging no more than 10 meters from us. An amazing experience in itself, we were distracted by the gorgeous Grass-green Tanagers, Hooded and Lacrimose Mountain-Tanagers, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Black-capped Hemispingus, and more Plushcaps in this famous flock!
After regrouping and regaining our wits in the van, we decided to head down the main road, to where the ridge descends towards Volcan Sumaco. This stretch of road (1500masl) can be great for two birds in particular. Though neither of these two rare tanagers made an appearance, I whistled in a male Golden-headed Quetzal. What a consolation! We filled our eyes with this wonderful, cooperative beauty and, with sighs of gratitude, walked back to the van leaving the Quetzal to his perch.
From there, we double-timed it back to Quito for a laundry stop and a free evening. Overnight Sheraton, Quito.
Day 6 – This morning was devoted to birding the temperate and treeline forest at the Yanacocha Preserve. This is one of 13 preserves managed and operated by the Jocotoco Foundation, respected as the most ambitious and accomplished bird conservation entity in the country. The main species of concern at Yanacocha is the Black-breasted Puffleg, a hummingbird known from the Western flank of only 3 volcanoes in the world, and endemic to Ecuador. Very few visiting birders ever see the Puffleg due to an altitudinal migration the species undergoes each Winter/Spring, taking it away from the preserve when most birders visit. Many other species abound here, though, and we were once again very successful in getting great looks at many of the target birds. These included: Andean Guan, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Shining Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, White-browed Spinetail, Rufous Antpitta, Blackish Tapaculo (Scytalopus latrans unicolor), Paramo Tapaculo, White-throated and White-banded Tyrannulets, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga, Barred Fruiteater, Superciliaried Hemispingus, and others.
That afternoon we spent birding along the Nono-Mindo road, down to the Highway. Though a bit degraded in areas, good patches of upper subtropical forest exist along the majority of the road, with a few stretches of middle subtropical forest, as well. Elevation ranged from 2600masl down to about 1800masl, before we met the highway and headed to Septimo Paraiso for some pampering. Flock birding was fantastic, the biggest of three groups encountered while parked on the bridge at Tandayapa village. Highlights included White-capped Dipper (great fun to watch!), Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, Plumbeous Pigeon, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Metallic-green Tanager, White-winged Tanager, and White-winged Brush-Finch.
Septimo Paraiso is a destination for tourists, in and of itself. With a pool, hot tub, game room, several private cabins, and communal dining hall, this getaway makes a perfect home base for several days of…well…anything you could hope to do in the area. We didn’t have the place to ourselves by any means, but given the several acres worth of grounds, and the staff providing us with the cabin complex farthest from the main area, we felt very comfy and private, indeed.
To anyone visiting the area, birding along the trails at this lodge can be great. The hummingbird show is one of the best, with species representative of all the Choco subtropical microclimes coming to feed. Hundreds of hummers! Very cool, zen activity to sit and watch them.
Day 7 – I saw a highlighted link to Reserva Paz de las Aves, just the other day. It was posted on the internet next to a picture of a Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager eating a banana. Nothing new about that, right? In this particular photo, Angel Paz was HOLDING the banana.
A pioneer in his own right, Angel Paz was once a simple farmer, using his land the way most people from the region use theirs – to grow Tomate de Arbol (tree tomato), Mora (Raspberry/Boysenberry), Grenadinas (Passionfruit), and chickens. In fact, as you walk down from the parking area to the first set of hummingbird feeders, you pass every single one of these crops. He still is a farmer at heart. Angel now cultivates something new and different. He cultivates a personal relationship with the birds on his land.
Perhaps no other single activity gracing an itinerary excites the foreign birder more than a visit to Angel Paz’s place. Today, we did just that. And, as it was the time before, and the time before that, spanning back some 6 years I have been visiting his preserve…this time was even better than the last. Branching out from Antpittas and Wood-Quail, which Angel and Rodrigo dig up worms to feed, the industrious brothers have set up a station where fruit-eating species find Grapes, Bananas, and other fruits set out on trays, retractable pulley-carts, and, most recently, Angel’s hand. To boot…How about dawn at an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek for an appetizer?
Birds seen on the Paz farm this morning included the following, among some 65 total: Barred Forest-Falcon (made a pass at birds at the feeders!), Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Sickle-winged Guan, Brown Violetear, Western Emerald, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Red-headed Barbet, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Spotted Barbtail, Uniform Treehunter, Uniform Antshrike, Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Olivaceous Piha, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Golden-winged Manakin, Sharpe’s Wren, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, and Black-winged Saltator.
This afternoon we took a bit of a scouting trip to Mashpi. Just inside the borders of the Pichincha province, this is the best known locale for several very hard-to-find Choco species, much more readily found in Colombia. In the months to come after our visit, the Choco Vireo is discovered here, and Mashpi is recognized as the southernmost locale for this rare and endangered species.
Weather was uncooperative for our visit, limiting the birding time we could spend. We did have some fine looks at some very rare species, including Moss-backed Tanager, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Immaculate Antbird, the extremely rare and enigmatic Yellow-green Bush-Tanager, as well as great looks at Slaty Spinetail and Tricolored Brush-Finch. Overnight Septimo Paraiso.
Days 8 and 9 – Septimo Paraiso is an ideal location to explore the lower elevation Western foothills, and we took full advantage! By birding Rio Silanche (850masl) in the early morning and Milpe (1120masl) late morning and early afternoon, we were able to avoid the scorching heat and humidity of the lower elevations by retreating to higher, milder climes. Birding in Milpe is good at any time of day, while heat can be a factor lower down.
Both preserves were phenomenal and nearly all target species, as well as a surprise or two, were seen! The canopy tower at Silanche is stellar, with nearby fruiting trees attracting flock after flock. Milpe in the afternoon is one big mixed flock, and, this time of the year, cloud cover keeps even the skulkers out later in the day.
The list of birds over the course of these two days added another 80+ species to the trip total. Outstanding species included Gray-headed Kite, Tiny Hawk, Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail, Bronze-winged Parrot, Stripe-throated Hermit, Green Thorntail, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Purple-chested Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Trogon, Snowy-tailed Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Orange-fronted Barbet, Choco Toucan, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Western Woodhaunter, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Black-striped Woodcreeper, Western Slaty-Antshrike, Pacific Antwren, Checker-throated Antwren, Esmeraldas Antbird, Choco Tyrannulet, Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Black-tipped Cotinga, Club-winged Manakin, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Glistening-green Tanager, Gray-and-Gold Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager, Dusky-faced Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Black-striped Sparrow, and Yellow-bellied Siskin. Nights at Septimo Paraiso.
Day 10 – Our Last Day. We didn’t want to rush anything today, as we had been birding pretty continuously , save for a nice afternoon off the day before, complete with a quick swim, drinks, and the Winter Olympics. But…we did have a great schedule today, birding the Upper Tandayapa Road, Research Road, Bellavista Lodge, and paying a visit to the Nunnerys! So, we did our best to fill in a few gaps. White-throated Quail-Dove, great looks at Powerful Woodpecker, Gorgeted Sunangel, Spot-fronted Swift, Striped Treehunter, Spillmann’s Tapaculo (nearly jumped on my HEAD!), Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, the extremely scarce and gorgeous Beautiful Jay, full views of singing Plain-tailed Wrens 6 meters away, Golden-rumped Euphonia, and Western Hemispingus all made the day go by too quickly.
All this, and a fine going away meal at the Sheraton, ended the trip on one of many high notes.
Conclusion
As most guides will tell you, birds are the easy part. The tricky bit is that you never really know what’s going to happen when strangers get in a car and bird their heads off for days on end. While I’ll admit that Bruce, Bonnie, and Don had been previously acquainted, I was new to them and they to me, as is often the case with guiding. We got along great, enjoyed our time in the field together, and I believe the success our trip was met with was a great reflection of that dynamic.
With a trip total of 499 species recorded in just ten days, there was little left to the imagination! But, there is always something to come back for….
TINIMIDAE TINAMOUS
Great Tinamou T. major
Little Tinamou C. soui
PODICIPEDIDAE GREBES
Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis
ANATIDAE DUCKS
Torrent Duck Merganetta armata
Andean Teal Anas andium
Yellow-billed Pintail A. georgica
Blue-winged Teal A. discors
Andean Ruddy-Duck Oxyura ferruginea
ARDEIDAE HERONS AND BITTERNS
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
THRESKIORNITHIDAE IBISES AND SPOONBILLS
Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis
CATHARTIDAE AMERICAN VULTURES
Andean Condor Vultur gryphus
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
ACCIPITRIDAE KITES, EAGLES HAWKS
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis
Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea
Plain-breasted Hawk Accipiter ventralis
Tiny Hawk A. superciliosus
Barred Hawk L. princeps
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus
Roadside Hawk B. magnirostris
White-rumped Hawk B. leucorrhous
Broad-winged Hawk B. platypterus
Puna Hawk B. polyosoma
FALCONIDAE FALCONS CARACARAS
Carunculated Caracara Phalcoboenus carunculatus
Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis
Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon M. mirandollei
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
CRACIDAE CURRASOWS GUANS
Andean Guan P. montagnii
Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii
ODONTOPHORIDAE NEW WORLD QUAILS
Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail O. erythrops
Dark-backed Wood-Quail O. melanonotus
RALLIDAE RAILS COOTS
Andean Coot Fulica ardesiaca
CHARADRIIDAE LAPWINGS AND PLOVERS
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Andean Lapwing V. resplendens
LARIDAE GULLS AND TERNS
Andean Gull L. serranus
COLUMBIDAE PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Band-tailed Pigeon C. fasciata
Scaled Pigeon C. speciosa
Pale-vented Pigeon C. cayennensis
Ruddy Pigeon C. subvinacea
Plumbeous Pigeon C. plumbea
Dusky Pigeon C. goodsoni
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Black-winged Ground-Dove Metriopelia melanoptera
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Pallid Dove L. pallida
White-throated Quail-Dove G. frenata
PSITTACIDAE PARROTS
Military Macaw A. militaris
Chestnut-fronted Macaw A. severa
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura
Pacific Parrotlet F. coelestis
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Red-billed Parrot P. sordidus
White-capped Parrot P. seniloides
Bronze-winged Parrot P. chalcopterus
Scaly-naped Amazon A. mercenaria
CUCULIDAE CUCKOOS AND ANIS
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani C. ani
Groove-billed Ani C. sulcirostris
STRIGIDAE TYPICAL OWLS
Colombian Screech-Owl O. colombianus
Andean Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium jardinii
Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata
Black-banded Owl S. huhula
Mottled Owl S. virgata
CAPRIMULGIDAE NIGHTJARS
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk L. rufiventris
APODIDAE Swifts
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Chestnut-collared Swift Cypseloides rutilus
Spot-fronted Swift C. cherriei
White-chested Swift C. lemosi
Short-tailed Swift C. brachyura
Band-rumped Swift C. spinicauda
Gray-rumped Swift C. cinereiventris
White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
TROCHILIDAE HUMMINGBIRDS
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
Tawny-bellied Hermit P. syrmatophorus
Stripe-throated Hermit P. striigularis
Green-fronted Lancebill D. ludovicae
Napo Sabrewing C. villaviscensio
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae
Green Violetear C. thalassinus
Sparkling Violetear C. coruscans
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
Wire-crested Thorntail Popelairia popelairii
Green Thorntail P. conversii
Western Emerald C. melanorhynchus
Green-crowned Woodnymph T. fannyi
Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila julie
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald A. franciae
Blue-chested Hummingbird A. amabilis
Purple-chested Hummingbird A. rosenbergi
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
Purple-bibbed Whitetip Urosticte benjamini
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
Green-crowned Brilliant H. jacula
Fawn-breasted Brilliant H. rubinoides
Ecuadorian Hillstar Oreotrochilus chimborazo
White-tailed Hillstar Urochroa bougueri
Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas
Shining Sunbeam Aglaeactis cupripennis
Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
Bronzy Inca Coeligena coeligena
Brown Inca C. wilsoni
Collared Inca C. torquata
Buff-winged Starfrontlet C. lutetiae
Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera
Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
Chestnut-breasted Coronet B. matthewsii
Velvet-purple Coronet B. jardini
Gorgeted Sunangel H. strophianus
Tourmaline Sunangel H. exortis
Glowing Puffleg E. vestitus
Sapphire-vented Puffleg E. luciani
Golden-breasted Puffleg E. mosquera
Greenish Puffleg Haplophaedia aureliae
Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii
Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia victoriae
Green-tailed Trainbearer L. nuna
Viridian Metaltail Metallura williami
Tyrian Metaltail M. tyrianthina
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill C. herrani
Blue-mantled Thornbill C. stanleyi
Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi
Violet-tailed Sylph A. coelestis
Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox michellii
White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus mulsant
TROGONIDAE TROGONS AND QUETZALS
Crested Quetzal Pharomachrus antisianus
Golden-headed Quetzal P. auriceps
Chocó Trogon T. comptus
Snowy-tailed Trogon T. chionurus
Masked Trogon T. personatus
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Blue-crowned Motmot Motmotus momota
Highland Motmot M. aequatorialis
Coppery-chested Jacamar G. pastazae
Rufous-tailed Jacamar G. ruficauda
CAPITONIDAE BARBETS
Orange-fronted Barbet C. squamatus
Red-headed Barbet E. bourcierii
Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus
RAMPHASTIDAE TOUCANS
Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Crimson-rumped Toucanet A. haematopygus
Golden-collared Toucanet S. reinwardtii
Pale-mandibled Araçari Pteroglossus erythropygius
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena laminirostris
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan A. nigrirostris
Chocó Toucan R. brevis
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan R. swainsonii
PICIDAE WOODPECKERS
Lafresnaye’s Piculet P. lafresnayi
Olivaceous Piculet P. olivaceus
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus rivolii
Golden-olive Woodpecker P. rubiginosus
Cinnamon Woodpecker C. loricatus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker M. pucherani
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus
Red-rumped Woodpecker V. kirkii
Yellow-vented Woodpecker V. dignus
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker V. callonotus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos
Guayaquil Woodpecker C. gayaquilensis
Powerful Woodpecker C. pollens
FURNARIIDAE OVENBIRDS
Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus
Stout-billed Cinclodes C. excelsior
Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus
Andean Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura andicola
Azara’s Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
Slaty Spinetail S. brachyura
Dark-breasted Spinetail S. albigularis
White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis
Red-faced Spinetail C. erythrops
White-chinned Thistletail Schizoeaca fuliginosa
Streak-backed Canastero Asthenes wyatti
Many-striped Canastero A. flammulata
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens
Rusty-winged Barbtail Premnornis guttuligera
Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Montane Foliage-gleaner A. striaticollis
Western Woodhaunter H. virgatus
Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner P. erythrocercus
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner P. rufus
Striped Treehunter T. holostictus
Streak-capped Treehunter T. virgaticeps
Black-billed Treehunter T. melanorhnychus
Uniform Treehunter T. ignobilis
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
Plain Xenops X. minutus
Scaly-throated Leaftosser S. guatemalensis
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE WOODCREEPERS
Tyrannine Woodcreeper Dendrocincla tyrannina
Plain-brown Woodcreeper D. fuliginosa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Black-striped Woodcreeper X. lachrymosus
Spotted Woodcreeper X. erythropygius
Olive-backed Woodcreeper X. triangularis
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Montane Woodcreeper L. lacrymiger
THAMNOPHILIDAE TYPICAL ANTBIRDS
Lined Antshrike Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
Uniform Antshrike T. unicolor
Western Slaty-Antshrike T. atrinucha
Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus
Griscom’s Antwren Myrmotherula griscomii
Pacific Antwren M. pacifica
Checker-throated Antwren M. fulviventris
White-flanked Antwren M. axillaris
Slaty Antwren M. schisticolor
Plain-winged Antwren M. behni
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis
Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudata
Rufous-rumped Antwren Terenura callinota
Blackish Antbird C. nigrescens
White-backed Fire-eye Pyriglena leuconota
Immaculate Antbird M. immaculata
Chestnut-backed Antbird M. exsul
Esmereldas Antbird M. nigricauda
FORMICARIIDAE GROUND ANTBIRDS
Black-headed Antthrush F. nigricapillus
Rufous-breasted Antthrush F. rufipectus
Giant Antpitta Grallaria gigantea
Scaled Antpitta G. guatimalensis
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta G. ruficapilla
White-bellied Antpitta G. hypoleuca
Yellow-breasted Antpitta G. flavotincta
Rufous Antpitta G. rufula
Tawny Antpitta G. quitensis
Ochre-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula flavirostris
Slate-crowned Antpitta G. nana
RHINOCRYPTIDAE TAPACULOS
Ash-colored Tapaculo Myornis senilis
Blackish Tapaculo Scytalopus latrans
Long-tailed Tapaculo S. micropterus
White-crowned Tapaculo S. atratus
Nariño Tapaculo S. vicinior
Spillman’s Tapaculo S. spillmani
Páramo Tapaculo S. c. canus
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx
TYRANNIDAE TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet P. griseiceps
Black-capped Tyrannulet P. nigrocapillus
Ashy-headed Tyrannulet P. cinereiceps
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Choco Tyrannulet Z. chocoensis
Brown-capped Tyrannulet O. brunneicapillum
Southern Beardless-Tyr. Camptostoma obsoletum
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
White-crested Elaenia E. albiceps
Sierran Elaenia E. pallatangae
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys
White-banded Tyrannulet M. stictopterus
White-tailed Tyrannulet M. poecilocerus
Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet M. minor
Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
Agile Tit-Tyrant Uromyias agilis
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis
Olive-striped Flycatcher M. olivaceus
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher M. oleagineus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Rufous-breasted Flycatcher L. rufipectus
Ecuadorian Tyrannulet Phylloscartes gualaquizae
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus
Variegated Bristle-Tyrant P. poecilotis
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus pelzelni
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant P. ruficeps
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant M. atricapillus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
Black-throated Tody-Tyrant H. granadensis
Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus ruficeps
Common Tody-Flycatcher T. cinereum
Large-headed Flatbill R. megacephala
Yellow-margined Flatbill T. flavotectus
Olive-faced Flatbill T. viridiceps
Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher M. sulphureipygius
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher M. villosus
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans
Olive-chested Flycatcher M. cryptoxanthus
Handsome Flycatcher M. pulcher
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Western Wood-Pewee C. sordidulus
Smoke-colored Pewee C. fumigatus
Olive-sided Flycatcher C. cooperi
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant O. rufipectoralis
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant O. cinnamomeiventris
Crowned Chat-Tyrant O. frontalis
Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant O. diadema
Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant Cnemarchus erythropygius
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis
Smoky Bush-Tyrant M. fumigatus
Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant Agiornis montana
Paramo Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola alpina
Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Pale-edged Flycatcher M. cephalotes
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Rusty-margined Flycatcher M. cayanensis
Gray-capped Flycatcher M. granadensis
Lemon-browed Flycatcher Conopias cinchoneti
White-ringed Flycatcher C. albovittata
Golden-crowned Flycatcher M. chryocephalus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Barred Becard P. versicolor
Cinnamon Becard P. cinnamomeus
White-winged Becard P. polychopterus
One-colored Becard Platypsaris homochrous
Masked Tityra T. semifasciata
COTINGIDAE COTINGAS
Red-crested Cotinga Amphelion rubrocristatus
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata
Green-and-black Fruiteater P. riefferii
Orange-breasted Fruiteater P. jucunda
Olivaceous Piha Snowornis cryptolophus
Black-tipped Cotinga Carpodectes hopkei
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruviana
PIPRIDAE MANAKINS
Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Club-winged Manakin M. deliciosus
CORVIDAE JAYS
Turquoise Jay C. turcosa
Beautiful Jay C. pulchra
Inca Jay C. yncas
VIREONIDAE VIREOS
Black-billed Peppershrike C. nigrirostris
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Brown-capped Vireo V. leucophyrs
Lesser Greenlet H. decurtatus
Olivaceous Greenlet H. olivaceus
TURDIDAE THRUSHES
Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides
Swainson’s Thrush C. ustulatus
Pale-eyed Thrush Platycichla leucops
Great Thrush T. fuscater
Glossy-black Thrush T. serranus
Black-billed Thrush T. ignobilis
Lawrence’s Thrush T. lawrencii
Pale-vented Thrush T. obsoletus
Ecuadorian Thrush T. maculirostris
Dagua Thrush T. daguae
CINCLIDAE DIPPERS
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
HIRUNDINIDAE
Gray-breasted Martin P. chalybea
Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
Blue-and-white Swallow N. cyanoleuca
White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
Southern Rough-winged Sw. Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
TROGLODYTIDAE WRENS
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus
Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sharpe’s Wren C. olivascens
Grass Wren Cistothorus platensis
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
Plain-tailed Wren T. euophrys
Buff-breasted Wren T. leucotis
Superciliated Wren T. superciliaris
Speckle-breasted Wren T. sclateri
Stripe-throated Wren T. leucopogon
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Mountain Wren T. solstitialis
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren H. leucophyrs
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus
Wing-banded Wren M. bambla
POLIOPTILIDAE GNATCATCHERS
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
MOTACILLIDAE PIPITS
Paramó Pipit Anthus bogotensis
PARULIDAE WARBLERS
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Blackburnian Warbler D. fusca
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semifava
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis
Slate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatus
Spectacled Whitestart M. melanocephalus
Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Citrine Warbler B. luteoviridis
Chocó Warbler B. chlorophrys
Three-striped Warbler B. tristriatus
Russet-crowned Warbler B. coronatus
Buff-rumped Warbler B. fulvicauda
THRAUPIDA TANAGERS
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Purple Honeycreeper C. caeruleus
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Golden-collared Honeycper Iridophanes pulcherrima
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Black-faced Dacnis D. lineata
Yellow-tufted Dacnis D. egregia
Yellow-bellied Dacnis D. flaviventer
Scarlet-breasted Dacnis D. berlepschi
Cinerous Conebill C. cinereum
Blue-backed Conebill C. sitticolor
Capped Conebill C. albifrons
Bluish Flowerpiercer Diglossopis caerulescens
Masked Flowerpiercer D. cyanea
Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer D. glauca
Indigo Flowerpiercer D. indigotica
Glossy Flowerpiercer Diglossa lafresnayii
Black Flowerpiercer D. humeralis
White-sided Flowerpiercer D. albilatera
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
Rufous-chested Tanager T. ornata
Fawn-breasted Tanager Pipraeidea melanonota
Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea
Yellow-collared Chlorophonia C. flavirostris
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Golden-rumped Euphonia E. cyanocephala
Orange-bellied Euphonia E. xanthogaster
Orange-crowned Euphonia E. saturata
Bronze-green Euphonia E. mesochrysa
Glistening-green Tanager C. phoenicotis
Gray-and-gold Tanager T. palmeri
Golden Tanager T. arthus
Silver-throated Tanager T. icterocephala
Saffron-crowned Tanager T. xanthocephala
Golden-eared Tanager T. chrysotis
Flame-faced Tanager T. parzudakii
Golden-naped Tanager T. ruficervix
Metallic-green Tanager T. labradorides
Beryl-spangled Tanager T. nigroviridis
Blue-and-black Tanager T. vassorii
Black-capped Tanager T. heinei
Blue-necked Tanager T. cyanicollis
Golden-hooded Tanager T. larvata
Paradise Tanager T. chilensis
Blue-whiskered Tanager T. johannae
Spotted Tanager T. punctata
Yellow-bellied Tanager T. xanthogaster
Bay-headed Tanager T. gyrola
Golden-crowned Tanager I. rufivertex
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager A. lacrymosus
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager A. somptuosus
Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager A. notabilis
Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana
Black-chested Mountain-Tanager B. eximia
Moss-backed Tanager B. edwardsi
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata
Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
Rufous-crested Tanager Creurgops verticalis
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager T. palmarum
Blue-capped Tanager T. cyanocephala
Blue-and-yellow Tanager T. bonariensis
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Lemon-rumped Tanager R. icteronotus
Highland Hepatic-Tanager Pirnaga lutea
Summer Tanager P. rubra
White-winged Tanager P. leucoptera
Ochre-breasted Tanager C. stolzmanni
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
White-shouldered Tanager T. luctuosus
Tawny-crested Tanager T. delatrii
Scarlet-browed Tanager Heterospingus xanthopygius
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager C. canigularis
Dusky Bush-Tanager C. semifuscus
Yellow-green Bush-Tanager C. flavovirens
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager C. flavigularis
Yellow-whiskered Bush-Tanager C. parvirostris
Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
Black-backed Bush-Tanager Urothraupis stolzmanni
Black-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus atropileus
Superciliared Hemispingus H. superciliaris
Oleaginous Hemispingus H. frontalis
Black-eared Hemispingus H. melanotis
Western Hemispingus H. ochraceus
Magpie Tanager Cissopis leveriana
Plushcap Catamblyrhynchus diadema
CARDINALIDAE SALTATORS AND GROSBEAKS
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Black-winged Saltator S. atripennis
Grayish Saltator S. coerulescens
Southern Yellow -Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides
EMBERIZIDAE EMBERIZINE FINCHES
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Dull-colored Grassquit T. obscura
Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis
Variable Seedeater S. corvina
Black-and-white Seedeater S. luctuosa
Yellow-bellied Seedeater S. nigricollis
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater S. castaneiventris
Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata
Paramó Seedeater C. homochroa
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch P. plebejus
Pale-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pallidinucha
Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch A. l. latinuchus
Tricolored Brush-Finch A. tricolor
Slaty Brush-Finch A. schistaceus
White-winged Brush-Finch A. leucopterus
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch B. torquatus
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Yellow-browed Sparrow Ammodramus aurifrons
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
ICTERIDAE ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
Northern Mountain-Cacique C. leucoramphus
Subtropical Cacique C. uropygialis
Russet-backed Oropendola P. angustifrons
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Giant Cowbird M. oryzivorus
Scrub Blackbird Dives warszewiczi
FRINGILLIDAE CARDUELINE FINCHES
Olivaceous Siskin Carduelis olivacaea
Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra
PASSERIDAE OLD WORLD SPARROWS
House Sparrow Passer domesticus