A quick foray into North Peru on a special “clean up trip” searching for certain species - and we had to rush a little bit but we successfully saw some very good species indeed including Scarlet-banded Barbet, Long-whiskered Owlet, Varzea Thrush, Marvelous Spatuletail, Pale-billed Antpitta, Rusty-tinged & Ochre-fronted Antpittas, Roraiman Flyctacher, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Flycatcher, Fiery-throated, Scarlet-breasted and Scaled Fruiteaters, Grey-tailed Piha, Mishana Tyrannulet, Foothill Schiffornis & Bar-winged Wood-Wren . Despite unusual sun for this time of year at Abra Patricia and low flock activity there we managed to see a wide variety of the special birds of this endemic area including 35 species of Hummingbirds most seen very well at feeding stations, record 15 true Peruvian endemic and many other range restricted species including several near endemics.
DAY BY DAY ACTIVITIES
September 2: Arrive in Lima an dinner near the hotel
September 3: Flight to Tarapoto and the Scarlet-banded Barbet Camp.
On arrival we met our drivers & field chef Aurelio. We then drove by bus and then specially modified Toyota 4 x 4 pickups for several hours to the Barbet Camp where we arrived just in time as a huge rainstorm hit the camp – no harm done – a 3 course dinner concluded the day. Night at the Barbet Camp at 1400 meters, Department of San Martin.
September 4: A full day birding the Ridgeline trail out of camp and to the East.
It was a tricky muddy trail but incredibly rewarding and prefect overcast day without rain – we spent all day with a field lunch packed in by Aurelio, seeing multiple Scarlet-banded Barbets and other hard to see species and spent an elated night in camp with no rain ( important for our exit next day). Birding elevations 1400-1700 meters, Department of San Martin. Night in Camp.
September 5: Birding the road our and onto Moyobamba
The weather behaved and our vehicles arrived. As Aurelio and Martin were breaking camp we birded down the road until the vehicles picked us up late morning. Then it was a long drive to our comfortable hotel in Moyobamba. Night Moyobamba, Department of San Martin.
September 6: Morro de Calzada and Abra Patricia
Dawn found us at the municipal reserve of Morro de Calzada where we birded the nutrient poor soil forest and scrub. Varzea Thrush (recently described) showed up after a rain shower and then we headed onto the open country dominated by bracken and Mauritia Palm near Rioja, before continuing to the ECOAN Owlet Lodge at Abra Patrica with some late afternoon birding there at 1900 meters. [ECOAN is a Peruvian NGO working mainly on the conservation of cloud and Polylepis forests http://www.ecoanperu.org/] Night Owlet Lodge. Department of San Martin. Night Owlet Lodge
September 7: San Lorenzo and Huembo. Afternoon Abra Patricia Owlet trail.
A cold but clear dawn found us at the bottom of a steep trail (almost a staircase in parts) that took us up to a small patch of Chusquea bamboo where Pale-billed Antpitta treated us to marvelous views ara round 2900 meters. We then went to the Marvelous Spatuletail interpretation centre at Huembo at 2050 meters where we were treated to – well Spatuletails, amongst others including Little Woodstar. Returning to Abra Patricia the group set off down the Owlet trail to be follows by local guide Roberto. Success with Ochre-fronted Antpitta and the Owlet! Department of San Martin & Amazonas. Night Owlet Lodge
September 8: We spent our time between walking trails and birding the roadside at different elevations between the pass at 2200 meters to 1700 at Alta Nieve. Flocks were scarce but we did manage to winkle out most of the specialties’ of the area, had a marvelous time at the Hummingbird feeders. Unusual sun for this time of year hampered us somewhat. Department of San Martin.
September 9: Abra Patricia to Tarapoto
A morning above Afluente at 1600-1200 meters and then a visit to the Waqanki Hummingbird feeders near Moyobamba. A quick Oilbird stop and then to Tarapoto for flights to Lima and the next section of the trip. Department of San Martin.
MAJOR GPS READINGS
Aguas Verdes Bridge: 05°41’04’’S – 77°39’14’’W – 1037 m
Afluente: 05°40’27’’S – 77°42’09’’ – 1418 m
Abra Patricia: 05°40’49’’S – 77°46’41’’W – 1970 m
ECOAN Huembo feeders: 05°51’26’’S – 77°59’03’’W – 2053 m
Taxonomy:
SACC = South American Classification Committee (Nov 2012)
http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html
IOC = International Ornithologist’s Union http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
* = Heard Only
RR = Restricted-range species
E = Endemic to Peru
Conservation Status: Follows Birdlife International
Family: TINAMIDAE (TINAMOUS)
GRAY TINAMOU Tinamus tao*
Heard at the Barbet Camp. VULNERABLE
HOODED TINAMOU Nothocercus nigrocapillus*
Heard at Abra Patricia
LITTLE TINAMOU Crypturellus soui*
TATAUPA TINAMOU Crypturellus tataupa*
Tataupa means house in Guarani as in those parts it was often around villages and houses.
Family: CRACIDAE (GUANS)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA Ortalis guttata
Family: ODONTOPHORIDAE (WOODQUAIL)
MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus gujanensis*
Family: PHALACROCORIDAE (CORMORANTS)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT Phalacrocorax brasilanus
On the Huallaga River.
Family: ARDEIDAE (HERONS)
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis
Common throughout the trip
GREAT EGRET Ardea alba
Some in the rice paddies near Tarapoto.
LITTLE BLUE HERON Egretta caerulea
One near Tarapoto
SNOWY EGRET Egretta thula
A few here and there
Family: CATHARTIDAE (NEW WORLD VULTURES)
TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura
Common throughout the trip
BLACK VULTURE Coragyps atratus
Common throughout the trip
LESSER-YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE Cathartes burrovianus
Family: ACCIPITRIDAE (HAWKS)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE Elanoides forficatus
One of the most beautiful raptors in South America! Many seen.
HARRIS’S HAWK Parabuteo unicinctus harisi
Two . Named for Edward Harris one of Audubon’s sidekicks.
ROADSIDE HAWK Buteo magnirostris
Six of this common raptor seen
WHITE–RUMPED HAWK Buteo leucorrhous
One seen gliding across a hillslpoe at Abra Patricia
SHORT-TAILED HAWK Buteo brachyurus
1 near Tarapoto
VARIABLE HAWK Buteo polyosoma
Two near San Lorenzo. The taxonomy of this group is confusing, and some authors try to split it as Puna Hawk B. poecilochrous and Red-backed Hawk B. polyosoma. SACC comments: Farquhar (1988) concluded that Buteo poecilochrous and B. polyosoma are conspecific, as they were formerly treated; he was unable to find any way to reliably diagnose the two forms using plumage characters or measurements. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), Jaramillo (2003), and Schulenberg et al. (2007) followed this treatment and suggested “Variable Hawk” be retained for the composite species. Genetic data (Riesing et al. 2003) are consistent with hypothesis that B. polyosoma and B. poecilochrous are conspecific. Cabot & de Vries (2004, in press) and Cabot et al. (in press) present additional data that support their recognition as separate species. SACC proposal to re-elevate poecilochrous to species rank did not pass. The IOC does not split these either as yet.
Family: RECURVIROSTRIDAE (STILTS & AVOCETS)
BLACK-NECKED STILT Himantopus mexicanus
Common in the rice fields. Taxonomy is a bit confusing. The SACC says “Himantopus mexicanus was formerly considered a subspecies of Old World H. himantopus (“Common Stilt”). Some authors have treated southern South American melanurus (White-backed Stilt) as a separate species. The six taxa in the genus Himantopus form a near-globally distributed superspecies and between one to six species-level taxa recognized by various authors. Virtually no data are available relevant to taxon-ranking of allopatric populations. The contact between mexicanus and melanurus in South America, where at least some hybridization occurs, affords one of the best opportunities for such study.
Family: SCOLOPACIDAE (SANDPIPERS)
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
6 near Tarapoto
Family: LARIDAE (GULLS)
LARGE-BILLED TERN Phaetusa simplex
A total of 3 seen n the Huallaga River
Family: COLUMBIDAE (PIGEONS)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON Patagioenas fasciata
Several sightings. Note that recent research has shown that the genus Columba is paraphyletic, with New World taxa being more closely related to Streptopelia than to Old World Columba pigeons. This is consistent with differences between New World and Old World Columba in terms of morphology, serology and ehavior. The suggestion was made to place all New World forms in the genus Patagioenas, and the AOU recently adopted this change in its latest checklist supplement
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON Patagioenas plumbea
Mostly heard but 4 seen at Abra Patricia
EARED DOVE Zenaida auriculata
Very common
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE Columbina talpacoti
Common in the eastern lowlands.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE Leptotila verreauxi
Fairly common throughout the trip. Named for the impressive sounding John Baptiste Edouard Verreaux (1810-1868) French Natural History dealer and collector.
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE Leptotila rufaxilla*
Family: CUCULIDAE (CUCKOOS)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO Piaya cayana
Regular sightings.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI Crotophaga ani
Common in the eastern lowlands
Family: STRIGIDAE (OWLS)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL Megascops choliba*
Near our rooms at the Moyobamba Hotel
(RR) CINNAMON SCREECH-OWL Megascops pertersoni
Well we had them above us, and one flew over against the night. I still find it hard to believe we could not see one well. Named for American pioneer ornithologist and artist Roger Tory Petersen (1908-1996)
VERMICULATED SCREECH-OWL Megascops guatemalae*
At the Barbet camp but always pre-dawn.
BAND-BELLIED OWL Pulsatrix melanota*
At the Barbet camp but always late at night
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL Glaucidium brasilianum*
One heard near Rioja
(E) LONG-WHISKERED OWLET Xenoglaux loweryi
Yes! One attempt was enough at Abra Patricia and one was seen well by all with Roberto. Xenoglaux = Strange Owl. Named for George Hines Lowery US Zoologist ENDANGERED
Family STEATORNITHIDAE (OILBIRD)
OILBIRD Steatornis caripensis
40+ roosting at the usual cave between Tarapoto and Moyobamba. Steatornis = Fatbird. Baron von Humboldt recorded that young Oilbirds were culled each year and rendered into fat, melted down into oil, which was highly prized for cooking.
Family: CAPRIMULGIDAE (NIGHTJARS)
OCELLATED POORWILL Nyctiphrynus ocellatus*
At the Barbet camp.
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR Uropsalis lyra
One female on a rock face at Alta Nieve
Family: APODIDAE (SWIFTS)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT Streptoprocne rutila
Several encounters throughout the trip
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT Streptoprocne zonaris
Seen on two days
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT Chaetura cineireventris
3 at the Barbet Camp
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT Aeronautes montivagus
Excellent views at Abra Patricia
NEOTROPICAL PALM-SWIFT Tachornis squamata
Few sightings at Morro de Calzadas
Family: TROCHILIDAE (HUMMINGBIRDS)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN Florisuga mellivora
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
(RR) BLACK-THROATED HERMIT Phaethornis atrimentalis
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
GREEN HERMIT Phaethornis guy
One at Abra patricia
REDDISH HERMIT Phaethornis ruber
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
GREAT –BILLED HERMIT Phaethornis malaris
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders. This is a split from Long-tailed Hermit which is found not found in Peru.
BROWN VIOLET-EAR Colibri delphinae
Two coming to the Owlet Lodge feeders
GREEN VIOLET-EAR Colibri thalassinus
Seen at the ECOAN feeders and common. Thallasinus = sea-green
SPARKLING VIOLET-EAR Colibri coruscans
Fairly common and seen several places during the trip. The bully of the feeders.
BLACK-THROATED MANGO Anthracothorax nigricollis
A few the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE Lophornis delattrei
One seen in the field at Morro de Calzadas and then 6 at the Waqanki Hummingbird feeders. Named for Adolphe de Lattre, French collector in Mexico and Colombia.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD Adelomyia melanogenys
Excellent views at the feeders at Abra Patricia.
LONG-TAILED SYLPH Aglaiocercus kingi
Common at the Owlet Lodge feeders
EMERALD-BELLIED PUFFLEG Eriocnemis alinae
Common in the forest and at the feeders at the Owlet Lodge
(E) MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL Loddigesia mirabilis
Marvellous! Several males and one female seen repeatedly at Huembo. The genus is named after British taxidermist and natural history dealer G. Loddiges (1784-1846), who specialised in hummingbirds! ENDANGERED
BRONZY INCA Coeligena coeligena
Daily at the Owlet Lodge feeders and some at the Huembo feeders
COLLARED INCA Coeligena torquata
Another star player at the Owlet Lodge feeders
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET Coeligena violifer
2 on the hike up to the Pale-billed Antpitta
RUFOUS-VENTED WHITETIP Urosticte ruficrissa
A nice female in the shrubbery above Afluente
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET Boissonneaua metthewsi
The dominant bully at the Owlet Lodge and Huembo feeders. Named for English botanist and collector in the neotropics Andrew Matthews
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL Ocreatus underwoodii
Great looks at males at Abra Patricia. The Racket tailed Puffleg was unknown in life but specimens existed in various London cabinets, whence a drawing was sent in 1832 by Mr. Underwood on behalf of Charles Stokes, a London stockbroker and collector
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT Heliodoxa rubinoides
One of the stars of the Owlet Lodge feeders
VIOLET-FRONTED BRILLIANT Heliodoxa leadbeateri
Common at the Owlet Lodge feeders
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT Heliomaster longirostris
One at the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR Chaetocercus mulsant
Wonderful views of this insect-bird, at the Owlet Lodge feeders
(RR) LITTLE WOODSTAR Chaetocercus bombus
A rare hummingbird seen at the Huembo feeders. VULNERABLE
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD Chlorostilbon mellisugus
Seen at the Waqanki feeders.
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD Klais guimeti
A few at the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
GREY-BREASTED SABREWING
Common at the Waqanki feeders
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH Thalurania furcata
Common at the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
MANY-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD Taphrospilus hypostictus
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders.
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia chionogaster
Visiting the feeders at the Leymebamba museum and at Huembo.
ANDEAN EMERALD Amazilia franciae
4 seen at the ECOAN feeders at Huembo and at the Owlet Lodge
SAPPHIRE-SPANGLED EMERALD Polyerata lactea
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE Chrysuronia oenone
At the Waqanki Hummingbird Feeders
Family: TROGONIDAE (TROGONS)
CRESTED QUETZAL Pharomachrus antisianus
One behaved really well at the Barbet Camp and heard again next day right on the edge f the village
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL Pharomachrus auriceps*
MASKED TROGON Trogon personatus
One at the Owlet Lodge
Family: BUCCONIDAE (PUFFBIRDS)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD Notharchus hyperrhynchus
One seen by some from the vehicle on the way down from the Barbet Camp.
LANCEOLATED MONKLET Micromonacha lanceolata
Great looks of an individual that allowed views for all
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD Monasa nigrifrons
Common at Morro de Calzadas
SWALLOW-WING Chelidoptera tenebrosa
Common at Morro de Calzadas
Family: CAPITONIDAE (NEW WORLD BARBETS)
(E) SCARLET-BANDED BARBET Capito wallacei VULNERABLE
Our most targeted bird! We saw a total of 7 individuals and we saw them well! Stunning! Years before I had made the arduous climb from the Cushabatay River to the top of the Cordillera Azul. Now you can drive to them. I checked my GPS and where we saw them was 80 km away from the type locality. Doesn’t sound far but it would take you months to walk it! Stunning and satisfying!
GILDED BARBET Capito auratus
4+ seen at Morro de Calzadas
VERSICOLORED BARBET Eubucco versicolor
Common at the Barbet Camp with 9 seen on two days
Family: RAMPHASTIDAE (TOUCANS)
BLACK-THROATED TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus atrogularis
3 seen above Afluente. Aulacorhynchus atrogularis is split from A. prasinus –Emerald Toucanet (Puebla-Olivares et al. 2008, Navarro et al. 2001); AOU needs proposal.
CHESTNUT-TIPPED TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus derbianus
4 seen in a fruiting tree at the Barbet Camp
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI Pteroglossus castanotis
1 seen
Family: PICIDAE (WOODPECKERS)
(E) SPECKLE-CHESTED PICULET Picumnus steindachneri
Nice looks at his Peruvian endemic of two birds. Named for Franz Steindachneri, Austrian herpetologist and ichthyologist (1834-1919) ENDANGERED
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER Melanerpes cruentatus
LITTLE WOODPECKER Veniliornis passerinus
Seen on a couple of occasions near Moyobamba
RED STAINED WOODPECKER Veniliornis affinis
One near Moyobamba
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER Colaptes rubiginosus
One at the Barbet Ridge
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER Colaptes rivolii
One at Abra Patricia
LINEATED WOODPECKER Dryocopus lineatus
One seen
Family: FALCONIDAE (FALCONS)
AMERICAN KESTREL Falco sparverius
Only two along the Huallaga
Family: PSITTACIDAE (PARROTS)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET Aratinga leucophthalma
Many flocks seen around the lower areas of Abra Patricia and Moyobamba
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET Brotogeris cyanoptera
Around 80 seen near Moyobamba. Here the subspecies gustavi with yellow on the wings. SACC comment: The subspecies gustavi was formerly (e.g., Cory 1918, Peters 1937) considered a separate species from Brotogeris cyanoptera, but Traylor (1958) indicated that they probably intergrade in the Huallaga valley.
(RR) SPOT-WINGED PARROTLET Touit stictopterus
All Touit Parrotlets are tricky to see so a small flock of 8 Spot-winged on the Barbet Ridge was a pleasant surprise. VULNERABLE
BLUE-HEADED PARROT Pionus menstruus
Common at Morro de Calzadas
SCALY-NAPED AMAZON Amazonas mercenaria
Common at Abra Patricia
Family: THAMNOPHILIDAE (ANTBIRDS)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus doliatus
AT Morro de Calzadas
LINED ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
Cracking looks 2 pairs at two different locations.
PLAIN ANTVIREO Dysithamnus mentalis
A pair above Aguas Verdes
SLATY ANTWREN Myrmotherula schisticolor
A pair seen above Afluente
YELLOW – BREASTED ANTWREN Herpsilochmus axillaris
A pair above Afluente. VULNERABLE
PERUVIAN WARBLING ANTBIRD Hypocnemis peruviana
A Pair at Morro de Calzadas
BLACKISH ANTBIRD Cercomacra nigrescens
A co-operative pair on the Barbet Ridge and heard elsewhere. Here, the subspecies aequatorialis
Family: GRALLARIIDAE (ANTPITTAS)
(E) PALE-BILLED ANTPITTA Grallaria carrikeri
Great looks at this impressive endemic Antpitta – in my opinion more impressive than Jocotoco Antpitta ( which is not an endemic occurring north of this species in Peru.
(E) RUSTY-TINGED ANTPITTA Grallaria przewalski
Heard several times at Abra Patricia, but in general very silent here. However we got great looks near San Lorenzo of this endemic. VULNERABLE
(E) OCHRE-FRONTED ANTPITTA Grallaricula ochraceifrons
One seen in the afternoon on the Owlet trail responding to playback. Another most wanted species. ENDANGERED
Family: RHINOCRYPTIDAE (TAPACULOS)
(E) RUFOUS-VENTED TAPACULO Scytalopus femoralis*
Several encounters with this sneaky Tapaculo at Abra Patricia
WHITE-CROWNED TAPACULO Scytalopus atratus
One on the Barbet ridge – watch this one as the form in the Cordillera Azul sounds different from others.
Family: FORMICARIIDAE (ANTTHRUSHES)
RUFOUS-BREASTED ANTHRUSH Formicarius rufipectus*
Fairly common on the Barbet Ridge
SHORT-TAILED ANTHRUSH Chamaeza campanisona
One seen well on the way down from the Barbet Ridge
Family: FURNARIIDAE (OVENBIRDS)
AZARA'S SPINETAIL Synallaxis azarae
Seen and mostly heard at Abra Patricia. Pipsqueak! Named for the impressive sounding Brigadier-General Felix Manuel de Azara, Spanish military engineer commanding the Paraguay/Brazilian frontier 1781-1801. He was also a naturalist
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL Synallaxis albigularis
One seen others heard near Rioja
CINEREOUS-BREASTED SPINETAIL Synallaxis hypospodia
One called in on the Grasslands near Rioja. Very local in Peru and indeed everywhere and it’s surprising how often this species is on “want” lists.
(RR) CHESTNUT-THROATED SPINETAIL Synallaxis cherriei
One seen well in roadside cane above Afluente. Spottily distributed and not often seen. Named for US Ornithologist and collector Charles Kruck Cherrie
RUFOUS SPINETIAL Synallaxis unirufa*
At Abra Patricia
[MARAÑON] RUFOUS-FRONTED THORNBIRD Phacellodomus rufifrons peruvianus
Good views at Morro e Calzada, here the subspecies peruvianus, sometimes treated as a distinct species. SACC comment: Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) considered northern inornatus (with castilloi) a separate species from Phacellodomus rufifrons, and this was followed by and Hilty (2003); vocalizations are reported to differ, but no analysis or data have been published. SACC proposal to recognize inornatus as separate species did not pass because of insufficient published data. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) also suggested that the subspecies peruvianus of the Marañon valley deserved recognition as a separate species.
POINT-TAILED PALMCREEPER Berlepschia rikeri
3 birds called in and flying between their homes – the Mauritia Palms near Rioja – great looks were had by all.
PEARLED TREERUNNER Margarornis squamiger
A few seen around Abra Patricia. One of the most beautiful Furnariidae.
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
One at Abra Patricia and at Abra Barro Negro. The species name is a miss-spelling, following naming the species after French ornithologist and author, A. Boissonneau. No wonder they lost the Napoleonic wars – these Frenchies were out birding all the time!
MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER Anabacerthia striaticollis
At Puente Aguas Verdes and above
STRIPED TREEHUNTER
One seen on the Owlet trail
RUFOUS-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Philydor erythrocercum ochrogaster
On the Barbet ridge and at Abra Patricia. This of the foothill ochrogaster sunspecies – watch this one!
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER Sittasomus griseicapillus amazonas
2 at Morro de Calzada. Note where you see these and what subspecies they are –they WILL be split as sure as death and taxes!
“FOOTHILL” LONG-TAILED WOODCREEPER Deconychura longicauda ssp.nov
Several sightings at the Barbet ridge – inexplicably we missed it off the nightly list.
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER Glyphorynchus spirurus
One at Morro de Calzada
STRONG-BILLED WOODECREEPER Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus*
Heard on the Barbet Ridge
OCELLATED WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus ocellatus
One on the Barbet Ridge. IOC splits this form we saw into Tschudi’s Woodcreeper. Xiphorhyncus chunchotambo is split from X. ocellatus (Aleixo 2002, Marantz et al. 2003); SACC needs proposal. If you accept this split, then foothill birds like we saw, are Tschudi’s with Ocellated occupying mostly tierra firma forest of the lowland Amazon.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus guttatus*
Heard at Morro de Calzada
MONTANE WOODCREEPER Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
1 in a mixed-species flock at Abra Patricia
Family: TYRANNIDAE (TYRANT FLYCATCHERS)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET Phyllomyias griseiceps
A splendid pair at Morro de Calzada
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET Tyrannulus elatus
The Free Beer bird seen at the road works at Morro de Calzada
FOREST ELAENIA Myiopagis gaimardii
At the Barbet Camp and Moro de Calzada
SIERRAN ELAENIA Elaenia pallatangae
Common at Abra Patricia.
LESSER ELAENIA Elaenia chiriquensis
Despite its name bigger than Plain-crested. We put these down at Morro de Calzada as Plain-crested and oversight on my part they were Lesser. (Plain-crested is only known for dry areas of Cusco and the Pampas del Heath). A slip of the tongue!
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET Ornithion inerme
One at Morro de Calzada
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET Camptostoma obsoletum
Several sightings during the trip.
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET Phaeomyias murina wagae
2 below the Barbet Ridge of the wagae subspecies
RUFOUS-HEADED PYGMY-TYRANT Pseudotriccus ruficeps*
At Abra Patricia
(E) PERUVIAN TYRANNULET Zimmerius viridiflavus
3 seen in total in the Abra Patricia area. These are vocally identical to those found in Central Peru, but recently there has been considerable debate about whether these are distinct from the Golden-faced Tyrannulet (likewise the species status of Loja Tyrannulet). Probably they should be lumped with Golden-faced.
(E) MISHANA TYRANNULET Zimmerius villarejoi
One at Morro de Calzada. VULNERABLE
MARBLE-FACED BRISTLE-TYRANT Phylloscartes ophthalmicus
3 on the Barbet Ridge
VARIAGATED BRISTLE-TYRANT Phylloscartes poecilotis
On at Abra Patricia
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET Phylloscartes ventralis
One at Abra Patricia
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER Mionectes striaticollis
Common at Abra Patricia.
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER Mionectes olivaceus
1 Near Moyobamba
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Leptopogon superciliaris
One at lower elevations at Abra Patricia
(E) INCA FLYCATCHER Leptopogon taczanowski
Two on different days in a mixed flocks at Abra Patricia
ORNATE FLYCATCHER Myiotriccus ornatus
One at Abra Patricia
BLACK-THROATED TODY-TYRANT Hemitriccus granadensis*
STRIPE-NECKED TODY-TYRANT Hemitriccus striaticollis
Looked for and called in successfully near Rioja
(RR) CINNAMON-BREASTED TODY-TYRANT Hemitriccus cinnamomeipectus
2 seen well at Abra Patricia, whilst exploring the unfriendly new road. A Mega Bird! Just sneaks into an isolated area of Ecuador. VULNERABLE
(E) JOHNSON’S TODY-FLYCATCHER Poecilotrccus luluae
3 seen in total – a cracking looking bird right outside the lodge dining room at Abra Patricia. The scientific name is from the late Lulu May Von Hagen for her support of research in avian genetics. When I found this out it destroyed my theory on who the hell Lulu was. ENDANGERED
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER Todirostrum cinereum
A few here and there.
OLIVE-FACED TOLMOMYIAS Tolmomyias viridiceps
One at Morro de Calzada. Tolmomyias viridiceps is split from T. flaviventris (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001; Hilty 2003); SACC needs proposal
RORAIMAN FLYCATCHER Myiophobus roraimae
A responsive pair interacting with a 3rd bird on the Barbet Ridge – a lifer for Barry and a very pretty bird. Named for Mount Roraima in Guyana/Venezuela
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
Seen many times during the trip
CLIFF FLYCATCHER Hirundinea ferruginea
One at Abra Patricia.
SMOKE-COLORED PEEWEE Contopus fumigatus
Two on the Barbet ridge.
SMOKY BUSH-TYRANT Myiotheretes fumigates*
Above San Lorenzo
TORRENT TYRANNULET Serpophaga cinerea
Along the Utcubama River. A few more along the Chonta River near Cajamarca
BLACK PHOEBE Sayornis nigricans
Seen a few times during the trip.
RUFOUS-TAILED TYRANT Knipolegus poecilurus
Excellent views at Abra Patricia
LONG-TAILED TYRANT Colonia colonia
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER Legatus leucophaius
Several in the lowlands of the east. Piratic because it displaces caciques and others from their nests
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER Myiozetetes similis
Common in the lowlands
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiozetetes granadensis
One at Morro de Calzadas
GREAT KISKADEE Pitangus sulphuratus
Several sightings.
STREAKED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes maculatus
An austral migrant seen at Aguas Verdes
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
One at Abra Patricia.
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER Megarynchus pitangua
Several seen and heard.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD Tyrannus melancholicus
TK! Very common
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tuberculifer
One seen by some
PALE-EDGED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus cephalotes
Heard and then seen well at Abra Patricia
Family: COTINGIDAE (COTINGAS)
GREEN AND BLACK FRUITEATER Pipreola rieferii
Several nice looks at Abra Patricia.
FIERY-THROATED FRUITEATER Pipreola chlrolepidota
Well Barbet ridge was great for Fruiteater’s specifically in one fruiting tree. Parapatric here with the larger below, the male could easily be confused with its orange-red throat
SCARLET-BREASTED FRUITEATER Pipreola frontalis
We saw 4 at least of the squamipectus subspecies where the females are barred below as in the female of the above species. For more information see the excellent “Cotingas and Manakins” by Kirwin and Green
SCALED FRUITEATER Ampelioides tschudii
At least 6 in the Fruiting tree area. Named for Johan Jacob Baron von Tschudi (1818-1889), Swiss explorer and collector in Peru
(RR) GREY-TAILED PIHA Snowornis subalaris
Seems to be a species on outliers of the Andes – heard commonly and one seen well on the Barbet Ridge
ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK Rupicola peruviana
The Peruvian national bird – several sightings above Afluente at Abra Patricia
Family: PIPRIDAE (MANAKINS)
BLUE-RUMPED (MILKY-RUMPED) MANAKIN Lepidothrix isidorei leucopygia
We saw the leucopygia race which occurs south of the Maranon gap and apparently only north of Cerulean-capped Manakin. Rigely and Greenfield 2002 suggested his form might be a separate species but there is no hard evidence. Named after Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hillaire (1805-1861 – French zoologist
YUNGAS MANAKIN Chiroxiphia boliviana
Common and a northernmost range extension at the Barbet ridge not in literature
Family: TITYRIDAE (TITYRAS)
MASKED TITYRA Tityra semifasciata
At the barbet ridge and Morro de Calzada
FOOTHILL SCHIFFORNIS Schiffornis aenea
We played with one on the Barbet Ridge and it was seen by all. SACC says: Schiffornis turdina formerly included the species S. olivacea, S. veraepacis (including subspecies dumicola, rosenbergi, “buckleyi” and acrolophites), S. aenea, and S. stenorhyncha (including subspecies panamensis), although many authors had noted that more than one species was involved (Meyer de Schauensee 1966, Stiles & Skutch 1989, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Ridgway (1907) treated the subspecies amazona (with stenorhyncha), veraepacis, wallacii, furva, rosenbergi, and olivacea each as separate species from S. turdina. Nyári (2007) presented evidence that at least five species should be recognized. SACC proposal to treat as five species did not pass. Donegan et al. (2011) presented additional evidence that at least five species should be recognized, with only the subspecies steinbachi, amazonum, wallacii and intermedia remaining in S. turdina. SACC proposal passed to split S. turdina into multiple species. SACC proposal pending to determine English names. So English names in flux but definately split, and scientific names correct !
1. Thrush–like Schiffornis (Brown-winged) S. turdina (provisionally
including steinbachi, amazonum, wallacii and intermedia) of the Amazon region and Atlantic forest, including the Amazonian region of Colombia.
2. Slender–billed Schiffornis (Rufous-winged) S. stenorhyncha (including panamensis) of the Tacarcuna region of Panama and Colombia, Magdalena valley and East Andes of Colombia and north–western Venezuela.
3. Brown (Northern) Schiffornis S. veraepacis (including dumicola, rosenbergi, “buckleyi” and acrophites) of the Tumbes and Chocó from northernmost Peru through Ecuador to Colombia and Central America from western Panamá northwards.
4. Foothill Schiffornis S. aenea of the western Amazon– Andes foothills of Ecuador and Peru.
5. Olivaceous Schiffornis S. olivacea of the Guyanan shield.
CINEREOUS MOURNER Laniocera hypopyrra*
BARRED BECARD Pachyramphus versicolor
Good views of a male at Abra Patricia.
WHITE-WINGED BECARD Pachyramphus polychopterus*
Genera: INCERTAE SEDIS
WING-BARRED PIPRITES Piprites chloris
Hears at the barbet Ridge and 2 seen elsewhere
Family: VIREONIDAE (VIREOS)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE Cyclarhis gujanensis*
[CHIVI] RED-EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus (Chivi)
Several. Some classifications (e.g., Pinto 1944) have considered the South American chivi group as a separate species ("Chivi Vireo") from V. olivaceus, or as conspecific with V. flavoviridis (Hamilton 1962). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) suggested, however, that more than one species may be involved within the South American chivi group.
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO Vireo leucophrys
One at the Barbet ridge and one at Abra Patricia
Family: CORVIDAE (JAYS)
WHITE-COLLARED JAY Cyanolyca viridicyanus
2 at Abra Patricia
[INCA] GREEN JAY Cyanocorax yncas
Fairly common and several sightings. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) and Hilty (2003) treated Middle American populations as a separate species, C. luxosus ("Green Jay") from South American C. yncas ("Inca Jay"), but no data presented; they were formerly considered separate species.
Family: HIRUNDINIDAE (SWALLOWS)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Very common
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW Tachycineta albiventer
Along the Huallaga River
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW Atticora fasciata
Common near the Huallaga River and at Morro de Calzada
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
A few at Puente Aguas Verdes and other places
Family: TROGLODYTIDAE (WRENS)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN Campylorhynchus turdinus*
GRAY-MANTLED WREN Odontorchilus branickii
One seen nicely in mixed flock above Afluente. Named for Konstanty Grzegorz Graf von Branicki, Polish zoologist who planned to found a museum in Warsaw
HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aedon
Very common Many authors (e.g., Hellmayr 1934, Pinto 1944, Phelps & Phelps 1950a) formerly treated Neotropical mainland populations as a separate species T. musculus; see also Brumfield and Capparella (1996); this treatment was followed by Brewer (2001) and Kroodsma & Brewer (2005). The Falklands population, T. a. cobbi, might also be best treated as a species (Wood 1993), as was done by Brewer (2001), Mazar Barnett & Pearman (2001), Jaramillo (2003), and Kroodsma & Brewer (2005)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN Henicorhina leucophrys
Heard a few times and sen by some
(E) BAR-WINGED WOOD-WREN Henicorhina leucoptera
Wow! In your face views of a pair this wonderful endemic at Abra Patricia NEAR THREATENED
SOUTHERN NIGHTINGALE WREN Microcerculus marginatus*
Family: TURDIDAE (THRUSHES)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE Myadestes ralloides
At least 4 at fruiting trees above Afluente at Abra Patricia.
SLATY –BACKED NIGHTINGALE THRUSH Catharus fuscater
Nice looks at this one at Abra Patricia.
GREAT THRUSH Turdus fuscater
Common AT Abra Patricia
SLATY THRUSH Turdus nigriceps
One seen above Afluente
(RR) VARZEA THRUSH Turdus sanchezorum
One seen after a big rain shower at Morro de Calzada. For many years known as the “Gray-tailed form of Hauxwell’s Thrush – this was Dr John O’Neills first discovery yet it laid in museum drawers for many a year. Extract from the paper “On 29 July 1961, while on his first visit to Peru, JPO collected a Turdus thrush in seasonally flooded “whitewater” riveredge forest (várzea) at Pucallpa, Ucayali (then still Loreto) department. This specimen was deposited at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science (LSUMZ) and identified as Hauxwell’s Thrush (Turdus hauxwelli). As LSUMZ acquired more specimens of Turdus through further field work at nearby sites in the Peruvian Amazon, however, JPO noticed that some specimens of T. hauxwelli, including the one he had collected in 1961, had a distinctly grayish-brown tail, olive bill, and yellow or orange orbital skin, whereas most had a more rufous-brown tail, blackish bill, and a feathered orbital ring. JPO set aside the gray-tailed birds as a curious “color morph” until more information could be uncovered. Indeed, this form has been illustrated in Schulenberg et al. (2007) as the “gray-tailed morph” of T. hauxwelli. In 2003, during field work in San Martín department, northern Peru, B. J. O’Shea and B. Walker made DFL aware of the presence of a “mewing” Turdus, making a vocalization they associated with the Spectacled Thrush (Turdus nudigenis) from northeastern South America. Shortly thereafter, DFL and G. H. Rosenberg found two silent thrushes nearby that fit JPO’s “gray-tailed morph” of T. hauxwelli. Etymology. We take great pleasure in honoring our long-time field companions and friends Manuel Sánchez S. and Marta Chávez de Sánchez. The Sánchezes have worked with JPO, and many other LSU (and non-LSU) researchers, in Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela since the 1960s and were present for many of the bird discoveries that resulted from those field expeditions.
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH Turdus ignobilis
Common in the lowlands.
Family: THRAUPIDAE (TANAGERS)
MAGPIE TANAGER Cissopis leverianus
A few at Aguas Verdes bridge.
WHITE-CAPPED TANAGER Sericossypha albocristata
Eight one afternoon at Abra Patricia then great scope looks at 3 above Yambrasbamba of this noisy Jay-like Tanager. Genus name means “silken blackbird” – a reference to its plumage appearance. VULNERABLE
WHITE-LINED TANAGER Tachyphonus rufus
Several near Puente Aguas Verdes
(E) HUALLAGA TANAGER Ramphocelus melanogaster
Half a dozen near Moyobamba.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER Ramphocelus carbo
4 in the lowlands. This and the above locally overlap – right where we were!
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER Thraupis episcopus
Common. We saw the eastern form with white wing patches. From Episcopal blue.
PALM TANAGER Thraupis palmarum
Seen around Moyobamba and the lowlands.
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN TANAGER Anisognathus somptuosus
Common on the Barbet Ridge and at Abra Patricia
YELLOW-THROATED TANAGER Iridosornis analis
(E) YELLOW-SCARFED TANAGER Iridosornis reinhardti
At least 4 of these endemics on two separate days at Abra Patricia once right in the yard!
ORANGE –EARED TANAGER Chlorochrysa calliparaea
A pretty small Tanager seen on the Barbet Ridge and at above Afluente
SILVERY (SILVER-BACKED) TANAGER Tangara viridicollis
Common at Abra Patricia.
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER Tangara cyanicollis
Common
SPOTTED TANAGER Tangara punctata
10+ above Afluent.s
PARADISE TANAGER Tangara chilensis
Some excellent views on the Barbet Ridhe and at Abra Patricia. Does not occur in Chile!
BAY-HEADED TANAGER Tangara gyrola
Few seen at here and there
FLAME-FACED TANAGER Tangara parzudakii
Splendid looks at Abra Patricia.
METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER Tangara labradorides
At least 4 in the Royal Sunagel area at Abra Patricia. The species name refers to the Labrador stone, and the shining silver and blue reflections in the species’ green plumage.
BLUE-BROWED TANAGER Tangara cyanotis
Good looks on the Barbet Ridge of about 15+
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER Tangara xanthocephala
Common at Abra Patricia and les so on the Barbet Ridge – here they do have a saffron crown!
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER Tangara ruficervix
One above Afluente
BERYL-SPANGLED TANGER Tangara nigroviridis
Common at Abra Patricia
STRAW-BACKED TANAGER Tangara argyofenges
An inexplicably scarce Tanager seen well on the Barbet Ridge – 2. VULNERABLE
GOLDEN TANAGER Tangara arthus
Common.
BLUE DACNIS Dacnis cayana
A few seen.
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER Cyanerpes caeruleus
At least 4 different birds at Puente Waqnquanki and Morrode Calzada
GREEN HONEYCREEPER Chlorophanes spiza
2 on the way down from the Barber Ridge
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa cyanea
Common at Abra Patricia
MUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa mystacalis
An immature at Abra Patricia – kinda low for this species
WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa albilatera
One at Abra Patricia
BLUISH FLOWERPIERCER Diglossopis caerulascens
One at Abra Patricia
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossopis cyanea
Common
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT Volatinia jacarina
A few seen in the rice fields
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEEDEATER Sporophila castaneiventris
A few in the rice fields near Tarapoto
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED FINCH Oryzoborus angolensis
One near Riojo. Not found in Angola ( miss labeled specimen)
BANNAQUIT Coereba flaveola
Watch yur Bannaquits! We saw intermedia but I tchanges to mangnirostris in the Maranon
INCERTAE SEDIS
GOLDEN-BELLIED GROSBEAK Pheucticus chrysogaster
A few scattered records.
GRAYISH SALTATOR Saltator coerulescens
Common
Family: EMBERIZINAE (BUNTINGS & SPARROWS)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW Zonotrichia capensis
Very common
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW Ammodramus aurifrons
Near Tarapoto
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH Arremon brunneinucha
One at Abra Patricia
RUFOUS-NAPED (YELLOW-BRESTED) BRUSH-FINCH Atlapetes latinuchus
Seen several times around Abra Patricia.
COMMON BUSH-TANAGER Chorospingus ophthalmicus
Fairly common at Abra Patricia an commonly heard displaying at dawn
YELLOW-THROATED BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus flavigularis
Several small gangs encountered on the Barbet Ridge
Family CARDINALIDAE (CARDINALS AND ALLIES)
WHITE-WINGED TANAGER Piranga leucoptera
4 on the Barbet Ridge
Family: PARULIDAE (NEW WORLD WARBLERS)
TROPICAL PARULA Parula pitiayumi
Common
SLATE-THROATED WHITESTART Myioborus miniatus
Common
SPECTACLED WHITESTART Myioborus melanocephalus
Common around Abra Patricia.
CITRINE WARBLER Basileuterus luteoviridis
Two at Abra Patricia
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER Basileuterus tristriatus
Several encounters particularly on the Barbet Ridge
Family: ICTERIDAE (BLACKBIRDS)
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN CACIQUE Cacicus leucorampus
At Abra Patricia. Cacicus leucoramphus is split from C.chrysonotus (Jaramillo & Burke 1999; Ridgely & Greenfield 2001; Hilty 2003); SACC needs proposal The form we saw ranges from Venezuela to North Peru where we saw it. The other form ranges from South Peru to Bolivia. They meets somewhere but what happens nobody knows.
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE Cacicus cela
Common in the eastern lowlands
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA Psarocolius angustifrons
At Abra Patricia. Ranges higher in the North with the absence of Dusky-Green Oropendola
CRESTED OROPENDOLA Psarocolius decumanus
Two sightings of singles
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD Gymnomystax mexicanus
Seen in the rice fields.
YELLOW-HOODED BLACKBIRD Chrysomus icterocephalus
Seen in the rice fields.
Family: FRINGILLIDAE (FINCHES)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA Euphonia chlorotica
4 near Moyobamba
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA Euphonia laniirostris
One at Abra Malaga
GOLDEN RUMPED EUPHONIA Euphonia cyanocephala
2 above Afluente
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA Euphonia xanthogaster
Common
WHITE-LORED EUPHONIA Euphonia chrysopasta
2 near Rioja
Family: PASERIDAE (OLD WORLD SPARROWS)
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus
On the coast
MAMMAL LIST
(E) PERUVIAN NIGHT MONKEY Aotus miconax*
Heard at Abra Patricia
VENEZUELAN HOWLER MONKEY Alouatta seniculus
Heard near Rioja
TAYRA Eira barbera
One visiting the fruit feeders in vain at Abra Patricia
AMAZONIAN DWARF SQUIRREL Microsciurus flaviventer
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