ITINERARY
Oct 13th: Arrive Puerto Maldonado airport in south-eastern Peru. The lowland rainforest region of Tambopata. We transferred by road to the Tambopata river port. We continued by boat to Explorer’s Inn along the Rio Tambopata. Overnight at Explorer’s Inn.
Oct 14th & 15th: Early morning starts; Activities included the parrot clay lick, Main Trail to Canopy Tower (terra firme forest), the second growth and floodplain forest and the Tres Chimbadas lake with bamboo forest included. Also, the lodge garden where many common birds concentrate. Overnights at Explorer’s Inn.
Oct 16th: Today we transferred by boat to Collpas Tambopata Inn Lodge, Up along the Rio Tambopata. Overnight at Collpas Tambopata Inn.
Oct 17th & 18 th: Early start by boat to Collpa Chuncho and into the Tambopata National Reserve, with spectacular parrot and macaw activity. We visted the Canopy tower at Chuncho lodge and took a boat ride along the Tambopata river in search of key species such as Orinoco Goose. Overnight at Collpas Tambopata Inn.
Oct 19th: Transfer and back to Explorer’s Inn. On the way a short stop at Refugio Amazonas Lodge in search of the immature Harpy Eagle at the nest. Overnight at Explorer’s Inn.
Oct 20th & 21st: More of the lodge garden, terra firme forest, floodplain forest, canopy tower, parrot clay lick. Overnight at Explorer’s Inn.
Oct 22nd: Early start to Puerto Maldonado, part of the group went to the airport and then to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Oct 23rd to 26th: Cusco, Limatambo and the condor look-out at Chonta community.
SPECIES LIST
TINAMOUS (Tinamidae)
Great Tinamou – Tinamus major. Heard only.
Undulated Tinamou – Crypturellus undulates. Heard only.
Bartlett's Tinamou - Crypturellus bartletti. Two barely seen along the trail to the canopy tower.
DUCKS (Anatidae)
Orinoco Goose – Oressochen jubata. A pair seen on our way to Collpa Chuncho on the Tambopata river.
CHACHALACAS, GUANS & CURASSOWS (Cracidae)
Speckled Chachalaca – Ortalis guttata. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
Spix ́s Guan – Penelope jacquacu. Very common around the lodge garden at Explorer ́s Inn, key species for indicating hunting activity.
Blue-throated Piping-Guan – Pipile cumanensis. About six seen at Explorer’s Inn and a couple more at Chuncho clay lick.
STORKS (Ciconiidae)
Jabiru - Jabiru mycteria. One seen flying over the Rio Tambopata.
CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracidae)
Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Common along the Tambopata river.
DARTERS (Anhingidae)
Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga. Couple seen along the Tambopata river.
HERONS (Ardeidae)
Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrisoma lineatum. An adult very well seen from the catamaran at the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Cocoi Heron - Ardea cocoa. Very common on the Tambopata river.
Great Egret - Casmerodius albus. Common along Rio Tambopata shores and banks.
Snowy Egret - Egretta thula. Common at Rio Tambopata.
Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis. A few seem at Rio Tambopata near the port of the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Striated Heron - Butorides striatus. One seen at Tres Chimbadas lake.
Capped Heron - Pilherodius pileatus. Several individuals seen along Rio Tambopata, probably the most handsome heron in the tropics.
IBISES (Threskiornithidae)
Green Ibis – Mesembrinibis cayennensis. Heard only.
NEW WORLD VULTURES (Cathartidae)
Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus. Common and widespread.
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura. The Amazonian race seems common in the area of Tambopata. Noted the Amazonian race. Jaramillo (2003) suggested that the resident tropical subspecies ruficollis and the southern subspecies group (jota and "falklandica") might merit recognition as separate species from the northern Cathartes aura group.
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture - Cathartes melambrotus. Common along Tambopata river.
King Vulture - Sarcoramphus papa. Several soaring while traveling on boat at the Tambopata river.
OSPREY (Pandionidae)
Osprey - Pandion haliaetus. One seen near the Malinosky ranger station.
HAWKS, EAGLES AND KITES (Accipitridae)
Harpy Eagle - Harpia harpyja. One immature seen at the nest at Refugio Amazonas.
Black Hawk-eagle - Spizaetus tyrannus. Large black hawk seen at Tambopata river.
Ornate Hawk-eagle - Spizaetus ornatus. One adult seen from the Canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn.
Double-toothed Kite - Harpagus bidentatus. Flying over the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Slender-billed Kite - Helicolestes hamatus. One seen at the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Plumbeous Kite - Ictinia plumbea. Common along the Tambopata river.
Crane Hawk - Geranospiza caerulescens. One seen from the canopy tower at Explorers Inn.
Roadside Hawk - Rupornis magnirostris. Common.
Black-faced Hawk - Leucopternis melanops. One seen at the canopy tower at Chuncho Lodge.
Gray-lined Hawk - Buteo nitidus. First day on our way to Explorer’s Inn, seen perched.
FINFOOTS (Heliornithidae)
Sungrebe - Heliornis fulica. Two seen at Tres Chimbadas lake.
TRUMPETERS (Psophiidae)
Pale-winged Trumpeter - Psophia leucoptera. A group of eight seen at main trail at Explorer’s Inn.
PLOVER AND LAPWINGS (Charadriidae)
Collared Plover - Charadrius collaris. One seen at Tambopata river.
Pied Plover - Vanellus cayanus. Two seen at Tambopata river.
Southern Lapwing - Vanellus chilensis. Two seen along the Tambopata river.
JACANAS (Jacanidae)
Wattled Jacana - Jacana jacana. One seen at Tres Chimbadas lake.
GULLS, TERNS AND SKIMMERS (Laridae)
Large-billed Tern - Phaetusa simplex. Two seen along the Tambopata river.
Yellow-billed Tern - Sternula superciliaris. One seen at Tambopata river on the way back to Puerto Maldonado.
Black Skimmer - Rynchops niger. Two seen at Tambopata river on the way back to Puerto Maldonado.
PIGEONS AND DOVES (Columbidae)
Pale-vented Pigeon - Patagioenas cayennensis. Common in the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Gray-fronted Dove - Leptotila rufaxilla. Two seen on the trail to Tres Chimbadas lake.
Ruddy Quail-Dove - Geotrygon montana. One seen very fast along the trail to the canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn.
HOATZIN (Opisthocomidae)
Hoatzin - Opisthocomus hoazin. Common and resident at Tres Chimbadas lake.
CUCKOOS (Cuculidae)
Greater Ani - Crotophaga major. Common in Tambopata area.
Smooth-billed Ani - Crotophaga ani. Common near Puerto Maldonado.
Squirrel Cuckoo - Piaya cayana. Common at the Explorer’s Inn garden.
OWLS (Strigidae)
Tropical Screech-Owl - Megascops choliba. Heard only.
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl - Megascops watsonii. One seen at Collpas Tambopatas Inn and common at the Explorer’s Inn garden. Recent analyses of genetic and vocal differences (König et al. 1999) confirm a major division of the screech-owls into New World Otus (except O. flammulatus) and Old-World groups, as noted by Amadon & Bull (1988). consequently, the AOU (Banks et al. 2003) placed all New World Otus (except O. flammulatus) in the genus Megascops. The SACC says: Sibley & Monroe (1990) and König et al. (1999) treated usta as a separate species from Megascops watsonii based on vocal differences, but this was not followed by Ridgely & Greenfield (2001). SACC proposal to recognize usta as a separate species from M. watsonii was rejected because of inadequate geographic sampling and analysis. Usta was split by Restall 2002. Named after Gavin Watson US writer and ornithologist.
Amazonian Pygmy-Owl - Glaucidium hardyi. One seen at the Canopy Tower of Explorer’s Inn.
NIGHTJARS AND ALLIES (Caprimulgidae)
Common Pauraque - Nyctidromus albicollis. Heard only, at the Explorer’s Inn garden.
Ladder-tailed Nightjar - Hydropsalis climacocerca. Couple seen along the Tambopata river.
POTOOS (Nyctibiidae)
Common Potoo - Nyctibius griseus. Seen at Chuncho claylick.
SWIFTS (Apodidae)
White-collared Swift - Streptoprocne zonaris. A few seen flying over the Chunco Claylick.
Pale-rumped Swift - Chaetura egregia. Two flying over the Collpa Chuncho.
HUMMINGBIRDS (Trochilidae)
White-necked Jacobin - Florisuga mellivora. Couple seen at the garden of Collpas Tambopatas Inn.
Rufous-breasted Hermit - Glaucis hirsutus. One seen on the way to the Tres Chimbadas lake.
White-bearded Hermit - Phaethornis hispidus. Seen one at trail of Chuncho Lodge.
Fork-tailed Woodnymph - Thalurania furcate. Common in the garden of Explorer’s Inn and Collpas Tambopatas Inn.
White-chinned Sapphire - Hylocharis cyanus. One seen at Explorer’s Inn trail.
TROGONS (Trogonidae)
Black-tailed Trogon - Trogon melanurus. A few seen at Explorer’s Inn garden.
Green-backed Trogon - Trogon viridis. Only one seen at Collpas Tambopatas Inn.
Blue-crowned Trogon - Trogon curucui. Couple seen in different locations at Explorer’s Inn.
Collared Trogon – Trogon collaris. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
MOTMOTS (Momotidae)
Amazonian Motmot - Momotus momota. One seen along main trail at Explorer’s Inn.
Rufous Motmot - Baryphthengus martii. Heard only.
Broad-billed Motmot - Electron platyrhynchum. One seen at Collpas Tambopatas Inn.
KINGFISHERS (Alcedinidae)
Amazon Kingfisher - Chloroceryle amazon. One seen along the Tambopata river.
PUFFBIRDS (Bucconidae)
White-necked Puffbird - Notharchus hyperrhynchus. Two seen at Canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
Western Striolated-Puffbird - Nystalus obamai. Two seen at the trail of Tres Chimbadas. Named for the former President of the United States Barrack Obama.
Rufous-capped Nunlet - Nonnula ruficapilla. Two seen at Chuncho lodge.
Black-fronted Nunbird - Monasa nigrifrons. Common at Explorer’s Inn. Monasa is Greek for solitary or a monk a reference to the plain plumage and quiet behavior of the nunbirds.
White-fronted Nunbird - Monasa morphoeus. Common at Explorer’s Inn. Morpheous was the son of sleep and god of dreams a referral to the lethargic behavior of this nunbird.
Swallow-winged Puffbird - Chelidoptera tenebrosa. Common along Rio Tambopata.
JACAMARS (Galbulidae)
Purus Jacamar - Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus. Two seen at Pastora road near Puerto Maldonado. Named for the Purus river that runs from eastern Peru into Brazil. Range Restricted.
White-throated Jacamar - Brachygalba albogularis. Two seen at Pastora road near Puerto Maldonado. Range Restricted.
Bluish-fronted Jacamar - Galbula cyanescens. Common at Explorer’s Inn. Range Restricted.
NEW WORLD BARBETS (Capitonidae)
Gilded Barbet - Capito auratus. One seen at Canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
TOUCANS (Ramphastidae)
Chestnut-eared Aracari - Pteroglossus castanotis. Couple seen around the garden of Explorer’s Inn.
Ivory-billed Aracari - Pteroglossus azara. Couple seen at the Canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn. In Greek Pteroglossus means “feather-tongued” a reference to the slim feather-like tongues of toucans and aracaris.
Curl-crested Aracari - Pteroglossus beauharnaesii. Couple seen at Canopy tower of Explorer’s inn. The cool afro crest feels like plastic to the touch! (on museum specimens).
White-throated Toucan - Ramphastos tucanus. Heard and seen at Tres Chimbadas lake.
Channel-billed Toucan – Ramphastos vitellinus. A few seen at canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
WOODPECKERS (Picidae)
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker - Melanerpes cruentatus. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
Red-necked Woodpecker - Campephilus rubricollis. Seen two at Explorer’s Inn.
FALCONS AND CARACARAS (Falconidae)
Black Caracara - Daptrius ater. Several seen along Rio Tambopata.
Red-throated Caracara - Ibycter americanus. Two seen at Explorer’s Inn.
Slaty-backed Forest-falcon - Micrastur mirandollei. One seen at Canopy tower of Chuncho lodge.
Bat Falcon - Falco rufigularis. Two seen from the boat along Rio Tambopata, near Tres Chimbadas lake.
Orange-breasted Falcon - Falco deiroleucus. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
NEW WORLD PARROTS (Psittacidae)
Cobalt-winged Parakeet - Brotogeris cyanoptera. Common at Collpa Chuncho.
Blue-headed Parrot - Pionus menstruus. Large number on daily visit at Collpa Chuncho.
Yellow-crowned Parrot - Amazona ochrocephala. Several visits Collpa de Loros at Explorer’s Inn, also at Chuncho Collpa.
Mealy Parrot - Amazona farinose. Common at Chuncho Collpa. Farinosa is Latin for “sprinkled with flour” referring to the “dusted” appearance of this Amazon.
Orange-cheeked Parrot - Pyrilia barrabandi. Excellent sights at Collpa de Loros at Explorer’s Inn. The fastest parrot. Named after Jaques Barrand (1767- 1809), French bird and flower illustrator.
White-bellied Parrot - Pionites leucogaster. Excellent sights at Collpa de Loros at Explorer’s Inn.
Black-capped Parakeet - Pyrrhura rupicola. Four seen at canopy tower of Chuncho lodge.
Dusky-headed Parakeet - Aratinga weddellii. Common along Tambopata river.
Blue-headed Macaw - Primolius couloni. Three seen at Collpa Chuncho. VULNERABLE.
Blue-and-yellow Macaw - Ara ararauna. Common and in large number on daily visit at Collpa Chuncho.
Scarlet Macaw - Ara macao. Common on daily visit at Collpa Chuncho.
Red-and-green Macaw - Ara chloropterus. Common on daily visit at Collpa Chuncho.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw - Ara severus. Common at Explorer’s Inn garden and Rio Tambopata, also at Collpa Chunco.
White-eyed Parakeet - Psittacara leucophthalmus. Several seen at Collpa de Loros in Explorer’s Inn and common in most Collpas.
TYPICAL ANTBIRDS (Thamnophilidae).
Great Antshrike - Taraba major. Heard only.
Plain-throated Antwren - Isleria hauxwelli. Two seen at Explorer’s Inn.
White-flanked Antwren - Myrmotherula axillaris. Four seen at different sites at Explorer’s Inn.
Long-winged Antwren - Myrmotherula longipennis. Couple seen at Explorer’s Inn.
Dusky-throated Antshrike - Thamnomanes ardesiacus. Seen with mixed flocks at Explorer’s Inn.
Striated Antbird - Drymophila devillei. One seen at Chuncho lodge. Range Restricted.
Yellow-breasted Warbling-antbird - Hypocnemis subflava. Heard only. Range Restricted.
White-browed Antbird - Myrmoborus leucophrys. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
Silvered Antbird - Sclateria naevia. Heard only, at Tres Chimbadas lake.
Chestnut-tailed Antbird - Sciaphylax hemimelaena. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
White-lined Antbird - Percnostola lophotes. Two seen at Chuncho lodge.
White-throated Antbird - Gymnopithys salvini. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
ANTTHRUSHES (Formicariidae)
Black-faced Antthrush - Formicarius analis. Heard only, at Explorer’s Inn.
OVENBIRDS AND WOODCREEPERS (Furnariidae)
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper - Dendrexetastes rufigula. Two seen at the canopy tower of the Explorer’s Inn.
Buff-throated Woodcreeper - Xiphorhynchus guttatus. Common at Explorer’s Inn. The most common lowland rainforest Woodcreeper; some authorities consider Buff-throated Woodcreeper of SE Brazil as distinct, but some authorities consider the reason for splitting weak.
Straight-billed Woodcreeper - Dendroplex picus. One seen at Pastora road near Puerto Maldonado.
Chestnut-winged Hookbill - Ancistrops strigilatus. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannidae)
Forest Elaenia - Myiopagis gaimardii. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
White-bellied Tody-tyrant - Hemitriccus griseipectus. Heard only. Range Restricted.
Yellow-browed Tody-flycatcher - Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum. Two seen on a nest at Explorer’s Inn.
Ringed Antpipit - Corythopis torquatus. Heard only.
Eastern Wood-pewee - Contopus virens. One seen at Explorer’s Inn.
Drab Water-tyrant - Ochthornis littoralis. Common along the Tambopata river.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher - Myiarchus tuberculifer. Two seen at Collpas Tambopatas Inn.
Swainson's Flycatcher - Myiarchus swainsoni. One seen at canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
Tropical Kingbird - Tyrannus melancholicus. Common.
Crowned Slaty-flycatcher - Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus. One seen in the Explorer’s Inn garden. An Austral migrant and the bird with the longest scientific name in the world.
Streaked Flycatcher - Myiodynastes maculatus. Two seen at the Explorer’s Inn garden.
Variegated Flycatcher - Empidonomus varius. One seen at Collpas Tambopatas Inn.
Social Flycatcher - Myiozetetes similis. Common.
Gray-capped Flycatcher - Myiozetetes granadensis. Two seen at Explorer’s Inn.
Piratic Flycatcher - Legatus leucophaius. One seen at Explorer’s Inn garden.
COTINGAS (Cotingidae)
Screaming Piha - Lipaugus vociferans. Common on most trails at Explorer’s Inn.
Spangled Cotinga - Cotinga cayana. One seen at canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn.
Purple-throated Cotinga - Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema. A group of four at the canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn.
Bare-necked Fruitcrow - Gymnoderus foetidus. Several seen in flight at Explorer’s Inn.
MANAKINS (Pipridae)
Band-tailed Manakin - Pipra fasciicauda. Couple seen in a lek at Explorer’s Inn.
TITYRAS AND ALLIES (Tityridae)
Black-tailed Tityra - Tityra cayana. Common around the garden at Explorer’s Inn.
Masked Tityra - Tityra semifasciata. Two seen at canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
Black-crowned Tityra - Tityra inquisitor. Four seen at the canopy tower of Chuncho lodge.
White-winged Becard - Pachyramphus polychopterus. Two seen from the garden at Explorer’s Inn.
VIREOS (Vireonidae)
Chivi Vireo - Vireo chivi. One seen on the way to Tres Chimbadas lake. For many years Chivi and Red-eyed vireos were considered to be the same species; this is understandable, given that they are very similar in appearance, but phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data reveals that Chivi is more closely related to Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus) than it is to Red-eyed. The general biology of Chivi Vireo probably is very similar to that of Red-eyed Vireo but, despite its abundance, Chivi Vireo is much less well studied.
JAYS (Corvidae)
Purplish Jay - Cyanocorax cyanomelas. Several seen at Collpas Tambopatas Inn. Range Restricted.
Violaceous Jay - Cyanocorax violaceus. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
SWALLOWS (Hirundinidae)
White-winged Swallow - Tachycineta albiventer. Common along Tambopata river.
White-banded Swallow - Atticora fasciata. Common along Rio Tambopata.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. Common along Rio Tambopata.
WRENS (Troglodytidae)
House Wren - Troglodytes aedon. One seen at the garden of Chuncho lodge. 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, is treated as a species (Wood 1993), as was done by Brewer (2001), Mazar Barnett & Pearman (2001), Jaramillo (2003), and Kroodsma & Brewer (2005).
Thrush-like Wren - Campylorhynchus turdinus. Several seen at the garden in Explorer’s Inn and more at the canopy tower of Chuncho lodge.
Moustached Wren - Pheugopedius genibarbis. One seen at Collpa de Loros at Explorer’s Inn. Range Restricted.
Musician Wren - Cyphorhinus arada. One seen on the way to the canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn.
THRUSHES AND ALLIES (Turdidae)
Lawrence's Thrush - Turdus lawrencii. One heard and seen at canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn – a really hard bird to see.
Black-billed Thrush - Turdus ignobilis. Common at the Explorer’s Inn garden.
TANAGERS AND ALLIES (Thraupidae)
Red-capped Cardinal - Paroaria gularis. Two seen at the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Silver-beaked Tanager - Ramphocelus carbo. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
Blue-gray Tanager - Thraupis episcopus. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
Palm Tanager - Thraupis palmarum. Common at Explorer’s Inn.
Turquoise Tanager - Tangara Mexicana. Three seen at the garden of Explorer’s Inn.
Paradise Tanager - Tangara chilensis. A few seen at canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
Green-and-gold Tanager - Tangara schrankii. One seen around the garden at Explorer’s Inn. Tangara: Tupí name, Tangara= dancer, one who turns and skips, originally used for the manakins, but subsequently (Marcgrave 1648) transferred to other bright finch-like birds. schrankii: In honor of Prof. Franz von Paula Schrank (1747-1835) German theologian, botanist, entomologist, collector.
Black-faced Dacnis - Dacnis lineata. One seen at canopy tower of Explorer’s Inn.
NEW WORLD SPARROWS (Passerellidae)
Yellow-browed Sparrow - Ammodramus aurifrons. Common along Rio Tambopata.
BLACKBIRDS AND ALLIES (Icteridae)
Russet-backed Oropendola - Psarocolius angustifrons. Common in most sites in the Tambopata area.
Olive Oropendola - Psarocolius bifasciatus. Four seen at canopy tower and couple more flying over the Tres Chimbadas lake.
Crested Oropendola - Psarocolius decumanus. Several seen at canopy tower of Chuncho lodge.
Yellow-rumped Cacique - Cacicus cela. Common in most sites in the Tambopata area.
Epaulet Oriole - Icterus cayanensis. A few seen at the garden of Vollpas Tambopatas Inn.
Orange-backed Troupial - Icterus croconotus. A pair seen protecting a nest, at the garden of Explorer’s Inn.
Giant Cowbird - Molothrus oryzivorus. Several seen near capybaras, in the Tambopata river.
FINCHES (Fringillidae)
Golden-bellied Euphonia - Euphonia chrysopasta. One seen at canopy tower at Explorer’s Inn.