Introduction
Having visited Northern Ecuador and the Amazon the previous year and seen pictures of Jocotoco Antpitta, I decided to plan a trip to Southern Ecuador, with the prime objective of trying to see this species whilst also attempting to see as many of the other regional specialities as possible. After encountering problems with trying to book much of the accommodation myself I decided to contact Tropical Birding to help with booking the lodges. This arrangement worked very well as it meant I only needed a single point of contact for the three lodges we stayed at and I only had to make a single bank transfer. Tropical Birding arranged the accommodation at the: Umberellabird Lodge (Buenaventura), Tapichalaca Lodge and Copalinga Lodge (Rio Bombuscaro), Mark Gurney, of Tropical Birding, who we had met the previous year, provided advice direction to the lodges.
Transport
We hired a Daihatsu Terios 4x4, through Hertz, which cost $688 USD for the 13 days, booked though the internet several months in advance. This is an ideal vehicle for such a trip, being relatively inexpensive whist having the advantages of a high ground clearance and 4-wheel drive.
Books and CD’s
Birds Of Ecuador – Field Guide by Robert Ridgely & Paul Greenfield. ISBN 97808014872217. An excellent, although rather large & heavy field guide. I have taken the plates out and had them re-bound and use this in the field rather that the whole book.
Where to Watch Birds in South America – Nigel Wheatley. ISBN 9780713639094.
A Guide to Bird watching in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands – Biosphere Publications. A very useful and detailed site guide, but I believe this is out of print.
I used the following CD’s, which were purchased from Wildsounds (wildsounds.co.uk): The Birds of Northwest Ecuador Volume 1 and 2. Birds of The Ecuadorian Highlands. I transferred all the target species on to my i-pod which in conjunction the with small speaker, is an excellent and easy to use method of playing bird call in the field.
Sites
Cerro Blanco
Cerro Blanco is situated 15km West of Guayaquil, along the major road to Salinas and Santa Elena. Most of the birding was done either between the lodge and the trails or along the Loop & Upper Trials themselves. The loop trail can completed in an hour, but can take much longer when birding.
Salinas, Santa Elena
An area of salt pans / lagoons and desert scrub lying just outside the town of Salinas, situated about 140km west of Guayaquil. We day tripped this site from Cerro Blanco.
Buenaventura
This west Andean slope Cloud forest site is situated between Santa Rosa and Loja, near the town of Pinas.
Our time was spent on the track and trails near to the Umbrellabird Lodge and the tracks, which run from behind the shrine, situated at the pass on the road from Saracay to Pinas. There is a hummingbird garden (feeders) situated on the road between the pass, and the entrance road to the lodge. The entrance to which is locked but a access can be arranged at the lodge. The endemic El Oro Parakeet was discovered here in 1980.
Tapichalaca
This reserve was established to protect the endemic Jocotoco Antpitta, is situated a couple of hours drive south of Loja on route 39, just north of Valladolid. The lodge here is excellent, with a good network of trails and excellent hummingbird feeders.
Valladolid Area
The area around, and to the valley to the south of Valladolid, gives access to a number of species not found elsewhere in Ecuador, such as Maranon Thrush. We spent an afternoon birding various patched of woodland and scrub along the road.
Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro
We stayed at the recently opened Copalinga Lodge, which is situated midway along the road from Zamora to the Rio Bombuscaro reserve. We birded around the lodge itself and the section of road between lodge and the park entrance. Within the park itself we birded the main track from he car park to the HQ and from the HQ to the derelict bridge over the river.
Cajas
We birded around Lagunas Toreadora and Illincocha, both of which have small areas of easily accessible patches of polylepis woodland. A permit, to allow access to the area, has obtained at the HQ alongside Laguna Toreadora, where there is also a restaurant, but this was not open when we were there. We also birded large area of roadside Polyepis woodland just outside the park on the road west to Molleturo and back to Guayaquil.
Itinerary
27/06 Arrived in Guayaquil at about 06.15 and collected the hire car from the Hertz office.Drove to Cerro Blanco, where we booked into the Lodge and spent the rest of the day birding around the lodge and the loop trail. Nigh at Cerro Blanco
28/06 Spent the morning on the upper trail returning to the lodge late morning. We then drove to saltpans at Salinas, arriving just after midday. Due to the extreme heat and the fact that we were pretty hungry we decided to head into town for lunch, after a quick look at the salt pans. After lunch we headed back to the saltpans and birded the saltpans and some adjacent scrub until late afternoon, before returning to Cerro Blanco.
29/05 The morning was spent on the loop trail, before heading off to Buenaventura at about 10am. We reached the entrance track to the Umberellabird Lodge mid afternoon, but found the entrance gate, which was about 3km from lodge locked. We left the car at the gate and birded the track up to the lodge, here we picked up the key and where I managed to get a lift back to the car. The rest of the day was spent around the Lodge. Night at the Umberellabird Lodge Buenaventura.
30/05 All morning was spent along the lower Shrine track, before retuning to the lodge in the early afternoon for lunch.The afternoon was spent birding the track from the Lodge to the trails and along the start of the left hand trail until dusk.Night at the Umberellabird Lodge Buenaventura
01/07 Although I was tempted to spend more time on the trails I had still not connected with El Oro Parakeet, so the morning was spent along the higher Shrine Trail, where I knew they had been present a few weeks earlier. By late morning things were looking pretty bleak, but fortunately, a pair were seen just as we I was returning to the car.We had arrange to meet one of the guys form the lodge at mid day, in order to open the gate to the “Humming Bird Garden”, where we spent an hour before returning to the Lodge for lunch.After a spell of rain, the afternoon was spent along the left hand trail near the lodge. Night at the Umberellabird Lodge Buenaventura.
02/07 Early morning was spent on the right hand trail, near the Lodge, before starting the journey to Tapichalaca, at about 10am. We opted for the short route to Loja (Via Pinas & Portovelo), as recommended by the guys at the Lodge. This proved to be a very slow route, mainly on dirt roads, so it is debatable if it was any quicker than taking the longer paved route. We arrived at Tapichalaca at about 16.00 and spent an hour or so watching the feeders. We took a short trail to some nearby palms were a pair of Golden-plumed Parakeets had been roosting on previous evenings, but none appeared. Night at Tapichalaca Lodge.
03/07 Expectation was high today, as we hoped top see the main target species of the trip, Jocotoco Antpitta. After a couple of hours, of birding along the “best section” of the trail a pair of Antpittas were heard dueting near to the trail, but after a few minutes they stopped calling. Fortunately after an agonising couple of minutes Pete noticed a bird in the open along a side trail, which gave excellent views as it bounded along the trail in full view. Seeing this bird on our first morning was not only a huge sigh of relief, but also meant we could concentrate on the other species present. We continued along the loop trail back to the lodge arriving back in the early afternoon. After lunch we birded the trails around the lodge. For me this was the best days birding of the trip. Night at Tapichalaca Lodge.
04/07 This morning we birded the main loop trail, in the opposite direction to the previous morning returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we drove down into the valley and birded various sections of the road beyond Valladolid. Night at Tapichalaca Lodge.
05/07 We left the lodge just after dawn and spent a couple of hours on the new trial, which runs from the pass. We then started the journey to Copalinga Lodge, stopping at the pass between Loa and Zamora to eat our packed lunch.After booking into the lodge, we drove to the park entrance and birded a short way along the trail. Night at Copalinga Lodge Rio Bombuscaro
06/07 The morning was spent in the park, as far as the disused bridge.It rained for most of the afternoon, so the birding was confined to the area around the lodge. Night at Copalinga Lodge Rio Bombuscaro
07/07 The morning was spent birding along the road from the Lodge towards the park.The afternoon was spent driving to Cuenca. Night in a hotel in Cuenca.
08/07 After a pre-dawn start from Cuenca, we headed into the Area Nacional de Recreacon Cajas and birded the area around Lagunas Toreadora and Illincocha. Late afternoon we headed West out of the park and spent an hour or so birding an area of woodland at a slightly lower elevation, situated on the right hand side of the road a couple of KM’s after leaving the park.In the afternoon we drove to Guayaquil. The night was spent in a Hotel near airport.
09/07 Flew back home
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)
C 20 recorded at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
50+ around Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
100+ around Salinas, Santa Elena Peninsula.
Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus [occidentalis])
C 40 recorded at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
100+ around Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Recorded at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Great White Egret (Egretta alba)
Recorded at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Roadside birds recorded at several locations in the lowlands.
Striated Heron (Butorides striatus [striatus])
2 sightings of roadside birds in the lowlands
Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
2 imm birds besides a small pool along the track to Buenaventura.
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis [ruber])
C 40 around on the lagoons at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta)
A single bird in trees in the Manglares-Churute Reserve (c 50 km SE of Guayaquil): East of the
Pan-American Highway, about 2.5 km north of the Funadtion Ecologica Audrade HQ. This is apparently a fairly reliable location to see the species, although not a very pleasant location as you are viewing from a busy major road.
Andean Duck (Oxyura ferruginea)
6 at Las Cajas.
Speckled Teal (Anas flavirostris)
C 10 birds in the Las Cajas NP.
Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica)
C 10 birds in the Las Cajas NP.
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
C 20 at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Common in the lowlands.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Common in the lowlands.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
A single bird flew across the valley about 1 km West of the Western park entrance, along the Cuenca to Molleturo road, at Las Cajas.
American Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
4 birds seen at Rio Bombuscaro and 5 in the valley below Tapichalaca.
Tiny Hawk (Accipiter superciliosus)
1 watched perched for about 5 minutes at the Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro,was the first documented record for the reserve.
Bicoloured Hawk (Accipiter bicolor)
1 Rio Bombuscaro, along the trail from the car park to the HQ
Grey-backed Hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis [albicollis])
3 sighting around Buenaventura, one of which was from the balcony at the lodge.
Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
Several birds in the lowlands, on the journey from Las Cajas to Guayaquil.
Black-chested Buzzard-eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
A single bird on the journey from Loja to Cuenca.
Grey-lined Hawk (Asturina nitida)
A single at Cerro Blanco.
Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
Several sighting around Buenaventura.
White-rumped Hawk (Buteo leucorrhous)
A single at Tapichalaca on 4/7.
White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula [brachyurus])
A single between near the pass on the Loja to Zamora road.
Puna Hawk (Buteo poecilochrous [albicaudatus])
A single between Tapichalaca and Loja on the 5/7.
Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Oroaetus isidori)
A single between near the pass on the Loja to Zamora road.
Carunculated Caracara (Phalcoboenus carunculatus [megalopterus])
3 (2 ad + 2 imm) at Las Cajas.
Crested Caracara (Polyborus plancus)
Several sightings around Cerro Blanco and the Santa Elena Peninsula.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Recorded on several dates.
Rufous-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis erythroptera)
A single at Buenaventura: along the lower track leading from the shrine.
Speckled Chachalaca (Ortalis guttata [motmot])
A party of about 8 birds at Rio Bombuscaro, seen along the road from the Lodge to the reserve.
Rufous-fronted Wood-quail (Odontophorus erythrops)
A party were “called in” along the trail, which runs down from the main track to the stream about 1kn from the lodge. With a single bird being seen well at a range of about 6 feet.
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
A single bird seen in roadside marshes/fields on 8/7.
Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana [spinosa])
Several roadside birds, in the lowlands.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
Recorded at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus [himantopus])
Fairly common around Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)
2 at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Several birds seen at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus)
Several birds seen at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens)
1 Las Cajas, near the “restaurant” at Laguna Toreadora.
Hudsonian Curlew (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)
Circa 10 at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
Circa 40 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
A single at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Grey Gull (Larus modestus)
Circa 30 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Grey-headed Gull (Larus cirrocephalus)
Circa 100at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)
Circa 20 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Royal Tern (Sterna maxima)
6 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
2 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea)
Two singles at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula, both summer plumaged adults.
Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata)
Fairly common around Tapichalaca, often in large parties.
Pale-vented Pigeon (Columba cayennensis)
Small numbers around Cerro Blanco.
West Peruvian / Pacific [White-winged] Dove (Zenaida meloda)
4 At Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Common Ground-dove (Columbina passerina)
A single, on the journey from Tapichalaca to Loja.
Ecuadorian Ground-dove (Columbina buckleyi [talpacoti])
Fairly common around Cerro Blanco and the western lowlands.
Croaking Ground-dove (Columbina cruziana)
Small numbers at Cerro Blanco and on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Maroon-chested Ground-dove (Claravis mondetoura [godefrida])
A single female at Tapichalaca on 3/7.
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)
Fairly common at Cerro Blanco.
Red-masked Parakeet (Aratinga erythrogenys)
Several parties of up to about 10 birds recorded daily at Buenaventura.
Golden-plumed Parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii)
2 birds seen twice (morning & evening) flying over Tapichalaca Lodge. Birds often roost / breed in palms near the Lodge.
El Oro Parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi)
At Buenaventura 2 birds seen on the upper track, leading from behind the shrine.
Barred Parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola)
Several parties of up to 30 birds seen flying over Tapichalaca
Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis)
Regular around Cerro Blanco and several other lowland areas in the West.
Grey-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhopterus)
Regular around Cerro Blanco.
Bronze-winged Parrot (Pionus chalcopterus)
Regular around Buenaventura, with up to 10 in a day.
Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis)
Regular around Cerro Blanco.
Scaly-naped Parrot (Amazona mercenaria)
A single recorded at Tapichalaca.
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
Small numbers at Buenaventura and Rio Bombuscaro.
Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)
Common in the lowlands.
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
Only noted at Cerro Blanco, but could have been overlooked elsewhere.
Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
A single juvenile found perched outside a nesting hole during the day at Cerro Blanco.
Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Regular around the Umbrellabird Lodge, Buenaventura, at dawn & dusk.
Scrub Nightjar (Caprimulgus anthonyi [parvulus])
A bird flew over the car, at about 5.30pm whilst driving back from Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Chestnut-collared Swift (Cypseloides rutilus)
At least 10 around Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro on 6/7.
White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)
c30 around the Lodge at Buenaventura on 2/7.
Grey-rumped Swift (Chaetura cinereiventris)
Recorded at: Buenaventura (c30),in the valley below Tapichalaca near Valladolid (c20) and Rio Bombuscaro (c40).
Tumbes Swift (Chaetura ocypetes)
2 at Buenaventura on 2/7.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila cayennensis)
2 at Buenaventura on 2/7.
White-whiskered Hermit (Phaethornis yaruqui)
2 at the hummingbird garden feeders, Buenaventura.
Baron's Hermit (Phaethornis baroni)
Recorded Cerro Blanco and at the Lodge the feeders, Buenaventura.
White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
Small numbers at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Brown Violet-ear (Colibri delphinae)
A single bird at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Green Thorntail (Popelairia conversii)
Common at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Emerald-bellied Woodnymph (Thalurania hypochlora)
1 at the hummingbird garden feeders, Buenaventura.
Violet-bellied Hummingbird (Damophila julie)
Common at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Glittering-throated Emerald (Amazilia fimbriata)
Circa 3 birds were visiting the Copalinga Lodge feeders, Rio Bombuscaro
Andean Emerald (Amazilia franciae)
Small numbers were regular at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
Small numbers were regular at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Amazilia Hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia)
Small numbers recorded daily at Cerro Blanco.
Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)
A single recorded on the feeders at Tapichalaca.
Ecuadorian Piedtail (Phlogophilus hemileucurus)
A single along the trail, beyond the HQ at Rio Bombuscaro on 6/7.
Black-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa schreibersii)
A single male as visiting the feeders at Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula)
Regular at the lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Violet-fronted Brilliant (Heliodoxa leadbeateri)
Small numbers were regular at the Copalinga Lodge feeders, Rio Bombuscaro.
Ecuadorian Hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo [estella])
A single, at Laguna Toreadora, Las Cajas.
Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)
2 just outside of the Western edge of the park, at Las Cajas.
Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni)
1 at the hummingbird garden feeders, Buenaventura.
Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata)
Regular at the Tapichalaca feeders.
Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)
2 along the new trail which runs from the pass a couple of Kms above Tapichalaca Lodge.
Chestnut-breasted Coronet (Boissonneaua matthewsii)
Regular at the Tapichalaca feeders.
Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis)
Regular at the Tapichalaca feeders.
Flame-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus micraster)
Small numbers regular at the Tapichalaca feeders.
Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni)
1 female just outside of the Western edge of the park, at Las Cajas.
Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps)
Small numbers regular at the Tapichalaca feeders.
Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi)
1 Laguna Toreadora & 1 Laguna Illincocha, Las Cajas.
Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingi)
A regular visitor to the Tapichalaca feeders.
Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis [kingi])
Regular at the Lodge feeders, Buenaventura.
Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti [aurita])
1 along the lower track, running from the shrine, at Buenaventura.
Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris)
Singles at Cerro Blanco and at the Lodge feeders at Buenaventura.
White-bellied Woodstar (Acestrura mulsant)
Regular at Tapichalaca feders.
Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata)
Singles at Buenaventura and Rio Bombuscaro.
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
A roadside bird recorded on the 8/7.
Highland Motmot (Momotus momota aequatorialis)
A single at Rio Bombuscaro, along the trail between the car park & HQ.
Coppery-chested Jacamar (Galbula pastazae)
A single at Rio Bombuscaro, along the trail between the car park & HQ.
Lanceolated Monklet (Micromonacha lanceolata)
A single at Rio Bombuscaro, along the trail between the HQ & the disused bridge.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus)
A single at Buenaventura, along the upper track, running from the shrine.
Pale-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus erythropygius [sanguineus])
A single at Buenaventura, along the lower track, running from the shrine.
Lafresnaye's Piculet (Picumnus lafresnayi)
A single seen at Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cruentatus)
2 Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Smoky-brown Woodpecker (Veniliornis fumigatus)
2 Buenaventura.
Golden-olive Woodpecker (Piculus rubiginosus)
1 at Rio Bombuscaro.
Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
4 Rio Bombuscaro.
Guayaquil Woodpecker (Campephilus gayaquilensis [melanoleucos])
2 at Buenaventura, along the lower track, running from the shrine.
Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
A single Tapichalaca.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
A single Buenaventura.
Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius [triangularis])
A single, Buenaventura.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
Small numbers recorded at Cerro Blanco.
Red-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris)
2 Cerro Blanco on 28/6.
Bar-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscus)
Fairly common around Las Cajas.
Stout-billed Cinclodes (Cinclodes excelsior)
2 at Las Cajas, feeding with Bar-winged, which allowed a good comparison.
Pale-legged Hornero (Furnarius leucopus)
Common in the lowlands.
Andean Tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura andicola)
A party of about 6 birds located just outside of Western edge of the park.
Mouse-coloured Thistletail (Schizoeaca griseomurina [fuliginosa])
A single in Polylepis forest just outside of Western edge of the park.
Azara's Spinetail (Synallaxis azarae)
2 near Valladolid, below Tapichalaca.
Slaty Spinetail (Synallaxis brachyura)
2 Buenaventura.
Rufous Spinetail (Synallaxis unirufa)
Fairly common at Tapichalaca.
Necklaced Spinetail (Synallaxis stictothorax)
4 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
White-browed Spinetail (Hellmayrea gularis)
2 recorded on 2 dates at Tapichalaca.
Line-cheeked Spinetail (Cranioleuca antisiensis)
Seen on both the upper and lower tracks, running from behind the shrine at Buenaventura.
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner (Anabacerthia variegaticeps [striaticollis])
A single at Buenaventura.
Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner (Hylocryptus erythrocephalus)
A single on the upper trail at Cerro Blanco.
Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus)
A single at Tapichalaca.
Streaked Xenops (Xenops rutilans)
2 Rio Bombuscaro, between the lodge and the car park.
Great Antshrike (Taraba major)
1 female on the upper trail at Cerro Blanco.
Collared Antshrike (Sakesphorus bernardi)
At Cerro Blanco, a female on the 28/6 & a pair on the loop trail on 29/6.
White-backed Fire-eye (Pyriglena leuconota [leucoptera])
A female on the loop trail 27/6 and a male on the on upper trail on the 28/6.
Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul)
3 birds at Buenaventura, on the trail situated about 1km from the lodge, along the section running alongside the stream.
Esmeraldas Antbird (Myrmeciza nigricauda [laemosticta])
2 singles seen at Buenaventura.
Chestnut-naped Antpitta (Grallaria nuchalis)
1 bird seen at Tapichalaca, several others heard. By voice, this was the commonest Antpitta here.
Rufous Antpitta (Grallaria rufula)
1 bird seen in at Tapichalaca, with 1 or 2 more heard.
Jocotoco Antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi)
Excellent views on our first morning at Tapichalaca. We had 2 birds dueting close to the trail for several minutes with out showing themselves. Eventually 1 bird came right out on to the trail a few minutes after they had stopped calling.
Ash-coloured Tapaculo (Myornis senilis)
1 bird seen & heard at Tapichalaca. A Tapaculo seen in poor light at dawn around the Antpitta feeder was also probably this species.
Blackish Tapaculo (Scytalopus latrans)
At Tapichalaca, 2 birds were calling close together (possibly a pair), one of which came down to about 3 feet but never showed itself (although I could see the vegetation moving). Eventually, after much persistence the second bird came in and showed quite well, albeit briefly as it crossed the track.
Chusquea Tapaculo (Scytalopus parkeri)
1 seen, with several other heard. By voice, this was the commonest Tapaculo here.
Barred Fruiteater (Pipreola arcuata)
A single at Tapichalaca.
Scaled Fruiteater (Ampelioides tschudii)
A single bird in a feeding party, at the junction of the upper and lower shrine tracks, at Buenaventura.
Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana)
Single male, along the trail beyond the HQ, at Rio Bombuscaro.
White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus)
Common and very vocal along both of the trails situated about 1km form the lodge at Buenaventura. With 10+ see on the 2/7.
Club-winged Manakin (Machaeropterus deliciosus)
Very vocal along both of the trails situated about 1km form the lodge at Buenaventura. With 2 or 3 birds seen on each visit.
Streak-necked Flycatcher (Mionectes striaticollis)
A single at Tapichalaca.
Olive-striped Flycatcher (Mionectes olivaceus)
Singles at Buenaventura and Rio Bombuscaro.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon superciliaris)
A single at Buenaventura.
Rufous-headed Pygmy-tyrant (Pseudotriccus ruficeps)
A single at Tapichalaca.
Black-throated Tody-tyrant (Hemitriccus granadensis)
A single at Tapichalaca.
Common Tody-flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum)
Small numbers seen at Rio Bombuscaro, Buenaventura and Cerro Blanco.
Golden-faced Tyrannulet (Zimmerius chrysops [viridiflavus])
A single, just outside our room at Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma obsoletum [imberbe])
Small numbers seen daily at Cerro Blanco.
Tumbes Tyrannulet (Phaeomyias tumbezana)
A single at Cerro Blanco.
Pacific Elaenia (Myiopagis subplacens)
Small numbers seen daily at Cerro Blanco.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster)
2 seen at Cerro Blanco on 27/6.
Lesser Elaenia (Elaenia chiriquensis)
A single seen at Tapichalaca.
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus calopterus)
A single on the upper shrine track at Buenaventura.
Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus minor)
A single seen at Tapichalaca.
White-banded Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus stictopterus)
A single seen at Tapichalaca.
Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea)
Single birds seen in the valley below Tapichalaca and at Rio Bombuscaro.
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-tyrant (Euscarthmus meloryphus)
2 on the upper trail at Cerro Blanco.
Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus)
2 seen at Buenaventura.
Pacific Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus occidentalis)
At Buenaventura, 2 birds seen on the trail leading from the track down to the stream about 1 km from the lodge.
Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura and at Rio Bombuscaro (different races)
Orange-banded Flycatcher (Myiophobus lintoni)
2 birds seen in a feeding party at Tapichalaca.
Bran-coloured Flycatcher (Myiophobus fasciatus)
A single seen at Buenaventura.
Olive-chested Flycatcher (Myiophobus cryptoxanthus)
2 near Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher [sp] (Myiobius barbatus)
A single Recorded at Buenaventura.
Black-tailed Flycatcher (Myiobius atricaudus)
A single seen at Cerro Blanco.
Cinnamon Flycatcher (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea)
Several sightings at Tapichalaca.
Cliff Flycatcher (Hirundinea ferruginea)
1 on a roadside cliff on the drive from Loja to Zamora (Close to Zamora).
Smoke-coloured Pewee (Contopus fumigatus)
A single on the upper track Shine track at Buenaventura.
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)
Several birds seen around Buenaventura.
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
Recorded at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
Several sightings around Tapichalaca.
Brown-backed Chat-tyrant (Ochthoeca fumicolor)
2 seen at Las Cajas.
Smoky Bush-tyrant (Myiotheretes fumigatus)
A single at Tapichalaca.
Black-billed Shrike-tyrant (Agriornis montana)
Singles on the journey from Loja to Cuenca and at Las Cajas.
Short-tailed Field-tyrant (Muscigralla brevicauda)
2 at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Masked Water-tyrant (Fluvicola nengeta)
2 birds on a roadside pool on the journey from Cajas to Guayaquil.
Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus)
A single bird near Valladolid and several around Copalinga Lodge
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
Recorded at Cerro Blanco and Rio Bombuscaro.
White-throated Kingbird (Tyrannus albogularis)
2 birds seen at Cerro Blanco, between the Lodge and the trails.
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Recorded at Cerro Blanco.
Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura.
Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus)
2 seen at Cerro Blanco.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
A single seen at Buenaventura, on the lower shrine track.
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura.
Black-and-white Becard (Pachyramphus albogriseus)
2 seen at Cerro Blanco and a single at Rio Bombuscaro.
One-coloured Becard (Pachyramphus homochrous)
Recorded at Buenaventura.
Grey-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea [subis])
Common around Cerro Blanco.
Brown-bellied Swallow (Notiochelidon murina)
2 on the journey from Tapichalaca to Loja.
Blue-and-white Swallow (Notiochelidon cyanoleuca)
Common around Buenaventura and Tapichalaca.
Pale-footed Swallow (Notiochelidon flavipes)
c10 birds over the trail near the pass at Tapichalaca.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
Fairly common around Buenaventura.
Fasciated Wren (Campylorhynchus fasciatus)
Small numbers seen daily at Buenaventura and Cerro Blanco.
Rufous Wren (Cinnycerthia unirufa)
Fairly Common at Tapichalaca.
Grass Wren (Cistothorus platensis platensis)
2 by Laguna Illincocha at Las Cajas.
Speckled-breasted Wren (Thryothorus sclateri [rutilus])
Small numbers seen at Cerro Blanco and a single at Tapichalaca.
Bay Wren (Thryothorus nigricapillus)
2 birds on the lower shrine track at Buenaventura.
Superciliated Wren (Thryothorus superciliaris)
3 birds seen at Cerro Blanco.
Southern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon musculus)
Recorded at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Grey-breasted Wood-wren (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Fairly common at Buenaventura.
Song Wren (Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus [aradus])
Surprisingly common at Buenaventura. Several birds recorded on both trails which start c 1km from the lodge and also seen on the lower track behind the shrine.
Long-tailed Mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus)
Common around Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Andean Solitaire (Myadestes ralloides)
Regularly heard at Buenaventura, but no effort was made to see this species as I had seen it on previous trips.
Spotted Nightingale-thrush (Catharus dryas)
A single on the left track which starts c 1km from the lodge at Buenaventura. A real stunner and one of my favourite birds of the trip.
Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater)
Regular in the highlands.
Glossy-black Thrush (Turdus serranus)
Several birds seen at Tapichalaca.
Plumbeous-backed Thrush (Turdus reevei)
A single on the loop rail at Cerro Blanco.
Maranon Thrush (Turdus maranonicus)
4 birds seen in the valley below Tapichalaca, 2 of which were by the river just before you enter the town of Valladolid.
Black-billed Thrush (Turdus ignobilis)
A single along the trail at Rio Bombuscaro.
Ecuadorian Thrush (Turdus maculirostris [nudigenis])
Common at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Tawny-faced Gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris)
A single, very showy bird, seen on each visit to the left hand trail c 1km from the lodge at Buenaventura.
Tropical Gnatcatcher [sp] (Polioptila plumbea)
Recorded at Cerro Blanco and Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Inca Jay (Urraca inca)
Fairly common around Rio Bombuscaro.
Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
2 birds seen at Cerro Blanco, near the lodge.
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Common at Cerro Blanco.
Saffron Siskin (Carduelis siemiradzkii [magellanica])
A pair along the loop trail at Cerro Blanco.
Yellow-bellied Siskin (Carduelis xanthogastra)
One pair and a single on upper Shrine track at Buenaventura.
Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi [americana])
Several birds recorded at Recorded at Cerro Blanco, Buenaventura and Rio Bombuscaro.
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis semiflava)
A single along the lower shrike track at Buenaventura.
Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura.
Spectacled Redstart (Myioborus melanocephalus [ornatus])
Fairly common at Tapichalaca.
Grey-and-gold Warbler (Basileuterus fraseri)
Several birds seen daily at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Black-crested Warbler (Basileuterus nigrocristatus)
A single seen at Tapichalaca.
Russet-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus coronatus)
Several birds seen at Tapichalaca.
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
Regular at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Chestnut-vented Conebill (Conirostrum speciosum)
A pair seen in the valley below Tapichalaca, a couple of kilometres beyond
Valladolid.
Black-faced Tanager (Schistochlamys melanopis)
4 birds seen in valley below Tapichalaca, a couple of kilometres beyond
Valladolid.
Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leveriana)
3 birds around Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Grass-green Tanager (Chlorornis riefferii)
2 seen at Tapichalaca.
Common Bush-tanager (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura.
Yellow-throated Bush-tanager (Chlorospingus flavigularis)
At Rio Bombuscaro 3 birds seen along the track between the lodge and the car park.
Ashy-throated Bush-tanager (Chlorospingus canigularis)
2 birds along the trail beyond the HQ at Rio Bombuscaro.
Black-capped Hemispingus (Hemispingus atropileus)
2 seen in a feeding flock at Tapichalaca.
Guira Tanager (Hemithraupis guira)
A single at Cerro Blanco.
Fulvous Shrike-tanager (Lanio fulvus)
A pair seen in a feeding flock, on the trail beyond the HQ at Rio Bombuscaro.
Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)
Fairly common in the valley below Tapichalaca and at Rio Bombuscaro.
Lemon-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus icteronotus)
Common around Buenaventura.
Blue-grey Tanager (Thraupis episcopus [sayaca])
Fairly common around Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura (race quaesita) and around Rio Bombuscaro (race coelestis)
Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)
Fairly common around Buenaventura.
Hooded Mountain-tanager (Buthraupis montana)
A single seen at Tapichalaca.
Lacrimose Mountain-tanager (Anisognathus lacrymosus)
Small numbers seen daily at Tapichalaca.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager (Anisognathus igniventris)
3 along the trail near the pass at Tapichalaca.
Golden-crowned Tanager (Iridosornis rufivertex)
A single along the trail near the pass at Tapichalaca.
Orange-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia saturata)
Circa 10 birds in fruiting trees at the Funadtion Ecologica Audrade on the 29/7.
Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris)
Small numbers seen at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)
Small numbers seen at Buenaventura.
Orange-eared Tanager (Chlorochrysa calliparaea)
Singles seen in the valley below Tapichalaca and at Rio Bombuscaro.
Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis)
Small numbers seen in the valley below Tapichalaca and at Rio Bombuscaro.
Green-and-gold Tanager (Tangara schrankii)
Small numbers seen in Tanager flocks at Rio Bombuscaro.
Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus)
Small numbers seen in Tanager flocks at Rio Bombuscaro
Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala)
2 seen at Buenaventura.
Golden-eared Tanager (Tangara chrysotis)
Small numbers seen in the valley below Tapichalaca and at Rio Bombuscaro.
Spotted Tanager (Tangara punctata)
Small numbers seen in tanager flocks at Rio Bombuscaro.
Rufous-throated Tanager (Tangara rufigula)
A single seen at Buenaventura.
Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola)
Small numbers seen at Buenaventura and Tapichalaca.
Golden-naped Tanager (Tangara ruficervix)
2 birds seen at Buenaventura.
Blue-necked Tanager (Tangara cyanicollis)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura and Rio Bombuscaro.
Beryl-spangled Tanager (Tangara nigroviridis)
Several birds seen at Buenaventura.
Black-faced Dacnis (Dacnis lineata)
2 seen at Rio Bombuscaro.
Yellow-tufted Dacnis (Dacnis egregia)
1 male see along the entrance road to the lodge at Buenaventura.
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
3+ birds seen around Buenaventura, with birds visiting the feeders.
Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina)
20+ birds see at Las Cajas, present at both Laguna Illincocha and Toreadora.
Plushcap (Catamblyrhynchus diadema)
2 birds see at Tapichalaca.
Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
Seen at Buenaventura.
Yellow-browed Sparrow (Ammodramus aurifrons)
Several birds around Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris)
Regularly seen at Buenaventura and Rio Bombuscaro.
Black-capped Sparrow (Arremon abeillei)
3 birds seen at Cerro Blanco.
Black-striped Sparrow (Arremonops conirostris)
2 birds seen at Buenaventura.
Pale-naped Brush-finch (Atlapetes pallidinucha)
A single bird seen at the start of the trail, near the pass, at Tapichalaca.
Rufous-naped Brush-finch (Atlapetes rufinucha)
4 birds seen at Tapichalaca.
Olive Finch (Lysurus castaneiceps)
A single bird seen at Rio Bombuscaro. Along the trail between the car park and the HQ, where the trail crosses a stream.
Plumbeous Sierra-finch (Phrygilus unicolor)
At least 6 birds seen around at Las Cajas.
Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis)
A single bird on the journey between
Slaty Finch (Haplospiza rustica)
Surprisingly common at Tapichalaca. 10+ birds seen daily, with the males being very vocal
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
Recorded at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
2+ around Coplainga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Parrot-billed Seedeater (Sporophila peruviana)
3 at Salinas, on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
White-sided Flower-piercer (Diglossa albilatera)
2 birds seen at Tapichalaca.
Glossy Flower-piercer (Diglossa lafresnayii)
2 birds seen at Tapichalaca.
Masked Flower-piercer (Diglossopis cyanea)
Several birds seen at Tapichalaca.
Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus)
2 birds at Cerro Blanco.
Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)
Recorded at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura.
Black-winged Saltator (Saltator atripennis)
Singles seen on 2 dates at Buenaventura.
Greyish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens)
3 seen at Copalinga Lodge, Rio Bombuscaro.
Streaked Saltator (Saltator albicollis)
Several birds seen around Cerro Blanco and 5 seen on our visit to the valley below Tapichalaca.
Russet-backed Oropendola (Psarocolius angustifrons)
A single at Rio Bombuscaro.
Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela)
Common around Cerro Blanco.
Scarlet-rumped Cacique [sp] (Cacicus uropygialis)
A single seen at the Lodge at Buenaventura.
Subtropical Cacique (Cacicus uropygialis uropygialis)
A single seen at Rio Bombuscaro.
Yellow-tailed Oriole (Icterus mesomelas)
2 seen on the upper trail at Cerro Blanco.
Peruvian Meadowlark (Sturnella bellicosa [defilippii])
2 at Salinas on the Santa Elena Peninsula.
Scrub Blackbird (Dives warszewiczi [dives])
Common around Cerro Blanco.