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More reports for this regionReport of mammals and birds recorded at
Bilsa Biological Station
and other sites in north-west Ecuador
September - October 2002
Joe Tobias and Nat Seddon
131 Catharine Street, Cambridge CB1 3AP, UK
Itinerary
13-15/09/02: Tinalandia
2-4/10/02: Bellavista
6-13/10/02: Bilsa Biological Station
14-16/10/02: Playa Escondida
17/10/02: Finca 106.5
18-19/10/02: Mindo Lindo
Notes on Sites
Tinalandia (TI): A well-known locality near Alluriquin, on the main road between Quito and Santo Domingo. We stayed in a hotel by the river at Alluriquin: nice food and lodgings, but for the infernal traffic noise. Pre-dawn you can hop onto one of the abundant mini-buses heading towards Santo Domingo, and jump off c.500 m before the actual entrance to Tinalandia. If you enter by the proper route you need to pay a ridiculous US$10 entrance fee, but if you get off just before-hand and walk up the first little side-road towards Quito for c.800 m, it rises uphill, goes round a couple of bends and then passes a little bit of barbed-wire fencing on the right. If you hop over this fence you come to a patch of mown grass and just to the left is an entrance into one of the Tinalandia trails, which you can explore at leisure for free, unless you are unlucky enough to bump into someone (which I haven't been in 6 visits). The patch of forest here is very small, but is a reasonable intro to the foothill Chocó avifauna.
Bellavista (BE): Again, a well-known birding site. You can contact Richard Parsons at his Bellavista numbers and organise taxi to the lodge for US$70 or so from Quito. We took a bus from Terminal Terrestre in Quito to Los Bancos, and jumped off at Nanegalito (2 hours, US$2) then hired a pick-up for US$10 to take us to Bellvista lodge, which proved very easy. The rooms at this lodge are quite expensive, but you can stay in cheaper (but still perfectly adequate) accommodation at the research station uphill (US$5 per night). You get bunks and a mattress and a roof over your head. Meals at the lodge were US$11 during our visit, but you can take your own food and cook in the perfectly adequate kitchen at the research station. Tap-water is drinkable there. About 3 km downhill towards Tandayapa live Tony Nunnery and Barbara Bolz - it's worth visiting their lovely house and paying a small fee to enjoy the spectacle of hummingbirds visiting their feeders. Although close to the feeders at Bellavista, the two sets get remarkably different species. We saw 23 species of hummer in three hours there, which is getting on for the day record. Go and try your luck. Ask directions from Bellavista, as the house is tricky to find from the road, being concealed on a bend with a tiny entrance.
Bilsa Biological Station (BBS): A bit of a mission to get to this station, but worth the hassle. At the time of our visit it was the dry season. This is probably the best season to visit as the trails are slightly less incredibly muddy than at other seasons, and the walk in is much less strenuous (3.5 hours from La Ye to Bilsa, instead of up to 7 hours when the road is a quagmire in March - April). Intensity of bird vocalisation was reasonably high, although this is probably much better in the wetter breeding season. One drawback of the dry season is the almost constant fog in the late mornings and afternoons. This makes it tricky to see parrots and cotingas - we dipped Black-tipped Cotinga as a result. (In the wet season it is apparently clear when not raining). Visits should be arranged through the Jatunsacha Foundation in Quito - accommodation in bunk rooms at the station cost US$20 per night during our stay. It takes five hour on a bus to get to Quininde from Quito (taking TransEsmeraldas); if you get there early enough you can make it to La Ye de la Laguna on the same day, catching a tiny pick-up in mid-afternoon from one of the streets near the centre of Quininde (ask around). Once at La Ye de la Laguna, install yourself at the simple bunk-bed hostel (US$8 per night including food) - you need to arrange this beforehand through Jatunsacha. It is worth staying here rather than Quininde (a dump) if only to have access to the lake and marshes 100 m from the hostel. Just below the hostel there is a boardwalk to the lake with a locked gate, but you can easily step around this gate and get to the shore (we saw Spotted Rail and White-throated Crake in early morning wandering around tamely on a tiny pool in reeds just by the gate). You can organise a vehicle into Bilsa in the dry season, but it's quite pleasant walking in with a horse carrying your stuff. Once at the station, try and work as many trails as possible; we concentrated on the Red Trail (which goes through the best intact humid lower-stratum), Green Trail (which is slightly more trashed but good, and descends to a lovely river) and Orange/Yellow Trails (which pass along drier ridges but are better for certain species, including an awesome umbrellabird "lek" along the Yellow trail while we were there).
Playa Escondida (PE): Not a birding site, but a nice quiet beach to visit and cure the trenchfoot you acquired at Bilsa. Get there by catching a bus from Esmeraldas town to Muisne, and jumping off at the Punta Galera turn-off beyond Tonchigue (ie well after Atacames). The bus-drivers know which turn-off goes to Punta Galera and Playa Escondida; it's the same turn-off and they know which it is whichever name you ask for. Wait at that turn-off for a bus or car to give you a lift; Playa Escondida comes after 13 km or so (Punta Galera is further along). Playa Escondida has a big sign and is only c.100 m off the road. Nice rooms with sea-view cost something like US$12 a night and food is great. The place is extremely safe and secluded in contrast to noisy, crowded, watch-yer-wallet Atacames. There are reasonable scraps of forest on hills behind which must still hold Esmeraldas Woodstar, at least seasonally. They take an hour to get to on foot (ask Canadian owner of Playa Escondida for directions), but on our visit we didn't stick around long enough to get alongside the woods for more than half-an-hour (there were millions of ticks in the grass which made life unpleasant).
Finca 106.5 (FI): A property owned by Filipe Quiroz at, you guessed it, Km 106.5 on the road between Los Bancos and Quito. We got the bus from Atacames and jumped off. It's quite difficult to spot as the sign is tiny and only visible if you're coming from Quito; I suggested he set up a bigger sign, so there might be one, but he didn't seem particularly dynamic. Nice chap though, and he'll gladly take you round his property for a small fee. We gave him extra as he deserves support for being the only landowner around to have kept his forest intact. Visiting this strip of high quality forest definitely goes towards its conservation. You can't really stay here unless you take a tent, but it's easy to get to by car or bus from Mindo, as some groups seem to do.
Mindo Lindo (ML): Continuing towards Quito from Finca 106.5, Mindo Lindo appears about 1 km before "La ye de Mindo", ie the first Mindo turn-off. I think it's at Km 129 on the road, but this might be a bit out. There is a nice little cabin here for US$10 a night, although they appreciate advance warning of your visit. There is only 7 ha or so of forest, but this contains some interesting species, and the hummingbird feeders are very good. From here it is easy to do the forest at the top end of the Mindo road which is still good for a few things, if getting a bit trashed. Off this Mindo road, you can sneak into a posh looking place called "Septimo Paraiso": trundle along their entrance path, and then, just before you enter the hotel grounds take a trail marked to the right which runs through reasonable hillside forest. We'd been to Mindo before, and we didn't have time to explore further.
Highlights
From a total of 363 species, the best birds for us were Oilbird, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Hoary Puffleg, Ocellated Tapaculo, Western Hemispingus and Tanager-Finch (Threatened) at Bellavista; Spotted Rail at La Ye de la Laguna; Brown Wood-rail (Threated), Rufous-fronted Wood-quail, Indigo-crowned Quail-dove, Rose-faced Parrot, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Lita Woodpecker, Scaled Antpitta, Slaty Becard (Threatened), Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Dagua Thrush, Stripe-throated Wren and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis at Bilsa; Rufous-headed Chachalaca (Threatened) and Anthony's Nightjar at Playa Escondida; Cloud-forest Pygmy-owl, Nariño Tapaculo, Empress Brilliant and Club-winged Manakin at Mindo Lindo.
Species lists
For taxonomy and nomenclature of mammals we follow Emmons and Feer (1997); for birds we roughly follow Ridgely and Greenfield (2001). Codes for sites are given in "Notes for sites" above.
Key:
[..] = a note or a provisional record
(T) = tape recorded
Mammals
WHITE-FACED CAPUCHIN MONKEY Cebus albifrons One troop of c.20 seen on the Orange trail at BI
MANTLED HOWLER MONKEY Alouatta palliata Regularly heard and three seen at BI; also two groups heard near La Ye de la Laguna, and another group in a hilltop forest fragment behind PE, proving that they are not much hunted round here (T)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL Sciurus granatensis Fairly common at BBS
WESTERN DWARF SQUIRREL Microsciurus mimulus Several seen at BBS
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI Dasyprocta punctata Several tame individuals around the station buildings at BBS
Birds
GREAT TINAMOU Tinamus major One heard at BBS along the Orange Trail
LITTLE TINAMOU Crypturellus soui Fairly commonly heard at TI, also around La Ye de la Laguna; two seen crossing the trail at FI
PIED-BILLED GREBE c.5 at La Ye de la Laguna
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD Fregata magnificens 2-3 were seen flying along the ridge at BBS on three occasions (700 m altitude and 20 km from the sea over mossy cloud-forest: looked strange); common at PE
BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY Sula nebouxii Three flew past PE
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT Phalacrocorax brasilianus c.30 at La Ya de la Laguna
BROWN PELICAN Pelecanus occidentalis Very common at sea around PE
GREAT EGRET Casmerodius albus few near PE
SNOWY EGRET Egretta thula A few on the beach at PE
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis Common at La Ye de la Laguna
STRIATED HERON Butorides striatus Several around the lake at La Ye de la Laguna
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nyctanassa violacea 1 juvenile bird on tidal rocks at dusk, PE
KING VULTURE Sarcorhamphus papa Several seen at close range flying over the top road at BBS
BLACK VULTURE Coragyps atratus Regular at TI and BBS
TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura A few at BE, common around TI and BBS
OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Singles seen on 2-3 occasions at PE
GREY-HEADED KITE Leptodon cayanensis One seen over Tinalandia
HOOK-BILLED KITE Chondrohierax uncinatus At least two seen soaring from the Mindo road near ML
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE Elanoides forficatus A few soaring over the golf-course near TI
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE Harpagus bidentatus fasciatus One of the rather distinct Chocó race perched in open canopy after rain at BBS
PLUMBEOUS KITE Ictinia plumbea One near the golf-course at TI
PLAIN-BREASTED HAWK Accipiter ventralis One chasing a Great Thrush along the road above BE, another crcling near ML
PLUMBEOUS HAWK Leucopternis plumbea One flushed from a pathside perch along the Red trail at BBS (seen all too briefly)
BARRED HAWK Leucopternis princeps A pair semi-constantly displaying over BBS (T)
SAVANNA HAWK Buteogallus meridionalis One in farmland behind PE
GREY HAWK Asturina nitida A pair circling near BBS and one calling on hillsides behind PE; not mapped for this area by Ridgely and Greenfield 2001 (T)
ROADSIDE HAWK Buteo magnirostris One at La Ye de la Laguna and others on walk to BBS
WHITE-RUMPED HAWK Buteo leucorrhous Good views of one by the roadside just above the lodge at BE
SHORT-TAILED HAWK Buteo brachyurus An initially confusing dark morph bird seen on 3 occasions over BBS
BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE Oroaetus isidori One of these impressive raptors was circling above forest at BE for c.20 minutes one morning
BARRED FOREST-FALCON Micrastur ruficollis Heard daily and two taped in at BBS; need to compare some recordings with Plumbeous Forest-falcon Micrastur plumbeus (T)
RUFOUS-HEADED CHACHALACA Ortalis erythroptera Seemed fairly common around PE, calling in gully next to the chalets at dawn and several seen out in shrubs and forest patches towards the nearby hills
CRESTED GUAN Penelope purpurascens 2-3 heard along the Orange trail at BBS
SICKLE-WINGED GUAN Chamaepetes goudotii Fairly common around BE
RUFOUS-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus speciosus Regularly heard at BBS; two obliging groups called in at dawn near the Green trail (T)
DARK-BACKED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus melanonotus Heard at close range in the grounds of ML, where it is apparently common, but not seen; also heard distantly at BE (T)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE Laterallus albigularis c.10 calling around La Ye de la Laguna (often heard in tall damp grass along roadsides here, and towards Quininde and Bilsa); two seen very well on the path to the Laguna early am; also heard along the road at PE (T)
SPOTTED RAIL Pardirallus maculatus One performing ridiculously well on a small pool at La Ye de la Laguna
BROWN WOOD-RAIL Aramides wolfi One bird seen walking along the Green trail c.400 m from station (still in Heliconia-dominated degraded habitat); a big and bulky brownish wood-rail with pale head, blackish belly, bright pink legs and greeny yellow bill
AMERICAN PURPLE GALLINULE Porphyrula martinica c.10 at La Ye de la Laguna
WILLET Catoptrophorus semipalmatus A few on the beach at PE
SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularia A couple seen around Alluriquin, near TI
LEAST SANDPIPER Calidris minutilla Fairly common on the beach at PE
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus Fairly common along the beach at PE
BAND-TAILED PIGEON Columba fasciata Several small groups at BE and ML
SCALED PIGEON Columba speciosa Small numbers seen and heard in high canopies at BBS (T)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON Columba cayennensis A few around PE
RUDDY PIGEON Columba subvinacea One heard at La Ye de la Laguna, commonly heard in BBS and a few heard at FI (T)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON Columba plumbea A few in cloud-forest at BE (T)
DUSKY PIGEON Columba goodsoni A few heard and seen during the walk to and from BBS; also regularly heard in canopies at BBS where it was roughly as common as C. subvinacea (T)
ECUADORIAN GROUND-DOVE Columbina buckleyi Small flocks noted in bushy farmland inland of PE
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE Columbina cruziana Fairly common close to the beach at PE
BLUE GROUND-DOVE Claravis pretiosa 2-3 seen crossing the road in walks in and out of BBS
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE Leptotila verreauxi Heard quite frequently (usually in fragments and partially cleared areas) around La Ye de la Laguna, BBS and PE
PALLID DOVE Leptotila pallida Several heard at BBS (T)
INDIGO-CROWNED QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon purpurata Seen on c.6 occasions at BBS, mostly along the Green trail (T)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET Pyrrhura melanura c.10 in flight at TI; another small flock perched at FI, and some around Mindo
BARRED PARAKEET Bolborhynchus lineola Several small flocks flying over ML and upper Mindo road, also a flock of c.15 watched perched in a canopy at close range (a rare sight) on the trail at Septimo Paraiso
PACIFIC PARROTLET Forpus coelestis Fairly common in small groups around La Ye de la Laguna and PE
BLUE-FRONTED PARROTLET Touit delictissima One group of three was flushed from trees along the Orange trail; they gave high-pitched tweee notes as they left, but views were poor
ROSE-FACED PARROT Pionopsitta pulchra Only two seen flying over the top road beyond the top end of the Red trail at BBS
BLUE-HEADED PARROT Pionus menstruus Common to very common at all forested sites (T)
RED-BILLED PARROT Pionus sordidus A few flocks of c.10 at BE
BRONZE-WINGED PARROT Pionus chalcopterus Common and noisy around TI and BBS (up to 50 daily) (T)
RED-LORED AMAZON Amazona rhodocorytha Several distantly at La Ye de la Laguna in early morning (distinctive call); a pair flew nicely past the buildings at BBS one morning also (T)
MEALY AMAZON Amazona farinosa Regularly seen and heard at BBBS (T)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO Piaya cayana A few at TI and BBS
LITTLE CUCKOO Piaya minuta One by the road at FI
STRIPED CUCKOO Tapera naevia Heard and seen around La Ye de la Laguna
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI Crotophaga ani c.50 around La Ye de la Laguna and several around BBS
GROOVE-BILLED ANI Crotophaga sulcirostris One group at PE
CLOUD-FOREST PYGMY-OWL Glaucidium nubicola One called in to speculative playback near the river at ML
MOTTLED OWL Ciccaba virgata Heard on one night in fog at BBS
OILBIRD Steatornis caripensis One flushed in broad daylight from pathside bamboo (no cave in sight) and seen very well as it banked round: Ocellated Tapaculo trail at BE
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK Lurocalis semitorquatus One flying high above Alluriquin (near TI) at dusk
PAURAQUE Nyctidromus albicollis Seen once along the road near BBS
ANTHONY'S NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus anthonyi Several heard calling along the road west of PE at dusk; 2 seen at dawn along the cattle track towards the hills that starts c.1 km west of PE entrance (T)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT Streptoprocne zonaris Fairly common near TI and one flock of c.20 flew over BBS
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT Chaetura spinicauda One tight flock of c.70 flying over the lake at La Ya de la Laguna at dawn
GREY-RUMPED SWIFT Chaetura cinereiventris 2-3 small flocks seen over BBS
NEOTROPICAL PALM SWIFT Tachornis squamata c.4 at La Ye de la Laguna
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT Threnetes ruckeri One seen well on the Red trail at BBS
WHITE-WHISKERED HERMIT Phaethornis yaruqui Often heard in flight at TI, a few seen perched; common and vocal at leks at BBS; a few at FI (T)
TAWNY-BELLIED HERMIT Phaethornis syrmatophorus Fairly common around BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML, usually seen coming to feeders
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT Phaethornis striigularis One seen along the road near the beginning of the Orange trail at BBS
WHITE-TIPPED SICKLEBILL Eutoxeres aquila Several at BBS, mostly heard in flight, but some seen at Heliconias and bananas
TOOTH-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Androdon aequatorialis 2-3 individuals permanently at a lek c.100 m before the end of the Green trail; 2-3 leks heard off trails elsewhere, and two singles seen foraging in upper canopy (T)
BROWN VIOLETEAR Colibri delphinae Small numbers visiting feeders at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML
GREEN VIOLETEAR Colibri thalassinus Small numbers visiting feeders around BE and Tony and Barbara's porch
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR Colibri coruscans Regular around feeders at Tony and Barbara's porch
GREEN-THROATED MANGO Anthracothorax (nigricollis) prevostii c.4 in trees beside woodland on hills behind PE
GREEN THORNTAIL Popelairia conversii One female picking insects off cobwebs in the lower-stratum at TI
WESTERN EMERALD Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus Fairly common at feeders on Tony and Barbara's porch; a few also visiting ML
GREEN-CROWNED WOODNYMPH Thalurania fannyi Common in TI, BBS and FI where the most frequently encountered hummer
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia tzacatl Common in secondary habitats and cleared areas around TI, BE, Tony and Barbara's porch, La Ye de la Laguna, PE and FI
AMAZILIA HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia amazilia Fairly common around PE
ANDEAN EMERALD Amazilia franciae c.10 seen or heard daily at BE and ML; also a few individuals in song at BBS (T)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD Adelomyia melanogenys Common at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML
PURPLE-BIBBED WHITE-TIP Urosticte benjamini Scarce (but mouth-watering) at Tony and Barbara's feeders
EMPRESS BRILLIANT Heliodoxa imperatrix This bird should be called the F*cking Brilliant. Males showing down to 1 m at ML were stunning
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT Heliodoxa jacula Fairly common at BBS where c.5 seen in understorey
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT Heliodoxa rubinoides Several visiting feeders at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML
WHITE-TAILED HILLSTAR Urochroa bougueri One male came in at Tony and Barbara's porch near BE
MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST One female came in at Tony and Barbara's porch near BE
BROWN INCA Coeligena wilsoni 2-3 coming into feeders at BE and Tony and Barbara's porch
COLLARED INCA Coeligena torquata Fairly common (and spectacular) at feeders at BE and Tony and Barbara's porch
BUFF-TAILED CORONET Boissonneaua flavescens Very common around feeder at BE and Tony and Barbara's porch; absent from ML
VELVET-PURPLE CORONET Boissonneaua jardini Several visiting feeders at ML
GORGETED SUNANGEL Heliangelus strophianus Fairly common (and gorgeous) around feeders at BE and on Tony and Barbara's porch
HOARY PUFFLEG Haplophaedia lugens 1-2 at Tony and Barbara's feeders and similar numbers at ML
BOOTED RACQUET-TAIL Ocreatus underwoodii Fairly common at feeders around Tony and Barbara's porch and at ML
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER Lesbia nuna One male coming into flowers, but ignoring feeders, at Tony and Barbara's porch
VIOLET-TAILED SYLPH Aglaiocercus coelestis Fairly common around feeders at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch, and ML
WEDGE-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Schistes geoffroyi One male at least coming into feeders at Tony and Barbara's porch near BE
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY Heliothryx barroti One individual in the canopy at FI
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT Heliomaster longirostris One in cleared areas beside TI
PURPLE-THROATED WOODSTAR Calliphlox mitchellii A few coming into feeders at BE and more at Tony and Barbara's porch
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR Chaetocercus mulsant Several coming into feeders at Tony and Barbara's porch (some individuals tricky to distinguish from the above species)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL Pharomachrus auriceps One female at FI
CHOCÓ TROGON Trogon comptus A few heard and one pair seen at TI; a few more encountered at BBS (T)
WESTERN WHITE-TAILED TROGON Trogon chionurus Fairly common (3-6 seen or heard daily) at BBS and FI (T)
COLLARED TROGON Trogon collaris Fairly common in TI, BBS and FI; song much more rapid than in Amazonian birds (T)
MASKED TROGON Trogon personatus One pair at BE
BLACK-THROATED TROGON Trogon rufus One female seen along the Orange trail at BBS
NORTHERN VIOLACEOUS TROGON Trogon caligatus One pair in the grounds of PE and several seen and heard on the walk to woodlands nearby (T)
RINGED KINGFISHER Megaceryle torquata Seen along the rivers at TI, BBS; also at the lake at La Ye de la Laguna, and the seashore at PE
GREEN KINGFISHER Chloroceryle americana One male at La Ye de la Laguna and another at BBS on the stream at the end of the Green trail
RUFOUS MOTMOT Baryphthengus martii Common and vocal at dawn in TI and BBS; one at FI
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR Galbula ruficauda A few at forest edge at TI
BARRED PUFFBIRD Nystalus radiatus A pair seen and heard at BBS, and another heard on two occasions near Septimo Paraiso, upper Mindo road (T)
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD Malacoptila panamensis One on the Green trail at BBS; one at FI
ORANGE-FRONTED BARBET Capito squamatus One male seen in roadside shrubs about midway along the walk into BBS - likes semi-trashed areas
RED-HEADED BARBET Eubucco bourcieri A few seen or heard with mixed-species flocks at TI, BBS and ML (T)
TOUCAN BARBET Semnornis ramphastinus Regularly heard giving the duet call around BE and seen occasionally in mid-stratum (T)
CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus haematopygius A few seen and heard in TI and BBS (T)
PALE-MANDIBLED ARAÇARI Pteroglossus erythropygius Fairly common (up to 20 a day) around TI, BBS and FI
PLATE-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN Andigena laminirostris Commonly heard and regularly seen around BE (T)
CHOCÓ TOUCAN Ramphastos brevis A group of three seen at TI, and fairly common at BBS; also several seen and hear in forest scraps near La Ye de la Laguna and two heard at FI (T)
CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED TOUCAN Ramphastos swainsonii Fairly common, vocal and conspicuous at BBS; one heard at FI (T)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET Picumnus olivaceus Two seen in lower-stratum flock at TI, a few along roadside at BBS, and a pair at PE
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER Piculus rivolii Two at BE
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER Piculus rubiginosus Several seen at TI, BBS and FI
LITA WOODPECKER Piculus litae One individual calling and drumming at the edge of primary forest on the Green trail
LINEATED WOODPECKER Dryocopus lineatus Fairly common around BBS and FI, mostly in slightly trashed habitat (T)
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER Melanerpes pucherani Several seen in degraded habitat near TI and BBS
RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER Veniliornis kirkii Fairly common at TI and BBS
SCARLET-BACKED WOODPECKER Veniliornis callonotus A pair at La Ye de la Laguna; others at PE
GUAYAQUIL WOODPECKER Campephilus gayaquilensis Several encountered at BBS, and seemed common around woodland patches near PE (T)
POWERFUL WOODPECKER Campephilus pollens Heard daily at BE, but not seen
PACIFIC HORNERO Furnarius cinnamomeus Common around TI, BBS, La Ye de la Laguna and PE
SLATY SPINETAIL Synallaxis brachyura Common by voice but inconspicuous in shrubby or grassy areas around TI, BBS and La Ye de la Laguna (T)
RED-FACED SPINETAIL Cranioleuca erythrops Fairly common in disturbed habitats at BBS (T)
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK Pseudocolaptes boisonneautii 2-3 with most canopy flocks at BE
PEARLED TREERUNNER Margarornis squamiger Several at BE
SPOTTED BARBTAIL Premnoplex brunnescens A few seen and heard around ML
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Syndactyla subalaris Three in mid-stratum with one mixed-species flock at BE, another two at ML; distinctive abrupt nasal skyunh call (T)
SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Anabacerthia variegaticeps A few with mixed-species flocks in mid-stratum at TI and BBS
WESTERN WOODHAUNTER Hyloctistes virgatus Two in mid-stratum with mixed-species flock at FI
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Philydor rufus One with a large mid-stratum flock at FI
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Automolus ochrolaemus One at FI in lower-stratum
RUDDY FOLIAGE-GLEANER Automolus rubiginosus Two heard in "song" in lower-growth of dense gullies along the main road beyond the beginning of the Orange trail; one of these was eventually called into view using playback - very skulking (T)
STRIPED TREEHUNTER Thripadectes holostictus Several at BE, and 1-2 probably seen at ML (T)
STREAK-CAPPED TREEHUNTER Thripadectes virgaticeps At least one at ML (T)
PLAIN XENOPS Xenops minutus A few each at TI, BBS and FI
STREAKED XENOPS Xenops rutilans A few seen at TI
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER Sclerurus mexicanus A few heard at BBS and one seen well at dawn on the Green trail
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER Dendrocincla fuliginosa Several seen or heard at BBS; four at FI
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER Glyphorhynchus spirurus A few each at TI, BBS and FI
BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus c.5 seen at BBS, mostly with mixed-species canopy flocks
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus obsoletus Fairly common (up to eight daily) at TI, BBS and FI
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER Lepidocolaptes souleyetii Several at TI and BBS
MONTANE WOODCREEPER Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger Regularly seen with mixed-species flocks at BE (T)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE Cymbilaimus lineatus One with a mid-stratum flock on the Red trail at BBS
GREAT ANTSHRIKE Taraba major One heard near PE
UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus unicolor Two pairs in bamboo along the trail at Septimo Paraiso (T)
WESTERN SLATY ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus atrinucha 2-3 at BBS in more tangled or degraded habitat at beginning of the Green trail, and in land-slides on the Orange trail (T)
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE Thamnistes anabatinus A few in mixed flocks at TI and BBS; four at FI
SPOT-CROWNED ANTVIREO Dysithamnus puncticeps Fairly common with mixed-species flocks in mid-stratum at TI and BBS; c.6 in a short visit to FI (T)
PACIFIC ANTWREN Myrmotherula pacifica Fairly common in edge habitats and gardens at TI; also seen and heard at La Ye de la Laguna and in partially cleared habitat around BBS (T)
CHECKER-THROATED ANTWREN Myrmotherula fulviventris A few most days at TI and BBS; c.6 in short visit to FI where it seemed common with lower-stratum flocks
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN Myrmotherula axillaris Fairly common in mixed-species flocks at BBS
SLATY ANTWREN Myrmotherula schisticolor A few in mixed-species flocks in mid and lower-strata at TI, BBS and FI
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN Microrhopias quixensis A pair seen at BBS on Orange trail
LONG-TAILED ANTBIRD Drymophila caudata Regularly heard, and occasionally seen around BE and ML (Septimo Paraiso): usually in or near bamboo (T)
IMMACULATE ANTBIRD Myrmeciza immaculata Several at BBS in gullies along the road past the Orange trail, and along the beginning of the Orange trail itself; also two in song at FI (T)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD Myrmeciza exsul Fairly common (2-8 seen or heard daily) in low undergrowth at TI, BBS and FI (T)
ESMERALDAS ANTBIRD Mymeciza nigricauda One at TI and 3-4 seen or heard at BBS and two at FI, but in general rather inconspicuous (T)
BICOLOURED ANTBIRD Gymnopithys leacaspis 4-5 seen at BBS, others heard singing but we never tracked down an antswarm despite much effort (T)
OCELLATED ANTBIRD Phaenostictus mcleannani One gave two songs near some Bicoloured Antbirds, but we never saw this bird, nor found the antswarm that was presumably close by (habitat steep and impenetrable)
BLACK-HEADED ANTTHRUSH Formicarius nigricapillus Several heard and two seen at BBS, another singing from scraps of woodland on hills behind PE, and one singing at FI (T)
SCALED ANTPITTA Grallaria guatimalensis Several heard daily at BBS and ML; only seen at BBS where a fine pair were called in to close range on the Red Trail (T)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED ANTPITTA Grallaria ruficapilla Several heard around BE (T)
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTA Grallaria flavotincta One heard most mornings near the research station at BE
ASH-COLOURED TAPACULO Myornis senilis 2-3 regularly heard in bamboo at BE
NARIÑO TAPACULO Scytalopus vicinior 2-3 at ML, where taped in, and others heard along the upper Mindo road (T)
SPILLMANN'S TAPACULO Scytalopus spillmanni Common by voice around BE (T)
OCELLATED TAPACULO Acropternis orthonyx A few heard around BE, usually from the upper road; one pair seen at close range after patient playback on the A trail (T)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET Phyllomyias griseiceps Common in more open woodland and trees along hedgerows near TI and BBS, and especially around La Ye de la Laguna (T)
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET Phyllomyias cinereiceps One seen with a mixed-species flock along the upper Mindo road near ML
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET Zimmerius chrysops Fairly common in more open habitat near TI
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET Ornithion brunneicapillum One heard singing and seen in high canopies from the backroad into TI (T)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS TYRANNULET Camptostoma obsoletum Common around TI, c.5 at La Ye de la Laguna and a few along edges at BBS
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET Tyrannulus elatus Several seen and heard in trees around La Ye de la Laguna, and on the walk from there to BBS (T)
GREENISH ELAENIA Myiopagis viridicata 1-2 accompanying the large mixed-species flock around the station compound at BBS
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA Elaenia flavogaster Common and conspicuous in around PE (T)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA Elaenia albiceps Several in roadside shrubbery around BE
[SIERRAN ELAENIA Elaenia pallatangae] 1-2 birds at BE seemed to have yellowish on belly, but identification inconclusive
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET Mecocerculus stictopterus A few seen at BE
WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULET Mecocerculus poecilocercus Regularly accompanying canopy flocks at BE, where the high-pitched call was commonly heard (T)
RUFOUS-WINGED TYRANNULET Mecocerculus calopterus 1-2 seen with mixed-species flocks on the upper Mindo road near ML
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER Mionectes striaticollis Common (c.10 seen daily) at BE
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER Mionectes olivaceus Several at BBS
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Leptopogon superciliaris Fairly common at TI and FI, usually accompanying lower or mid-strata flocks of insectivores
RUFOUS-HEADED PYGMY-TYRANT Pseudotriccus pelzelni 3-4 seen or heard in lower-stratum at BE, mostly along the A trail (T)
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT Myiornis atricapillus A pair in canopy of low secondary growth opposite the entrance to BBS
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT Lophotriccus pileatus Fairly common, especially by voice, at TI, BBS, FI and around La Ye de la Laguna (T)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER Todirostrum cinereum Fairly common around TI, BBS, La Ye de la Laguna and in the garden of PE
PACIFIC FLATBILL Rhynchocyclus pacificus c.4 seen at TI, another 3 at FI, always with or near mid-stratum flocks (T)
[YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER Tolmomyias sulphurescens] One Tolmomyias seen poorly in scappy woodland behind PE was probably this species, although may have been Yellow-margined Flycatcher
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL Platyrinchus mystaceus Several heard and seen at TI and BBS; one heard at FI (T)
ORNATE FLYCATCHER Myiotriccus ornatus Common and conspicuous at BBS; two at FI (T)
SULPHUR-RUMPED FLYCATCHER Myiobius sulphureipygius A few in lower-stratum at TI and FI; c.8 seen at BBS, mostly along the river at the end of the Green Trail
FLAVESCENT FLYCATCHER Myiophobus flavicans Regularly seen (and heard once) in lower and mid-strata at BE (T)
BRAN-COLOURED FLYCATCHER Myiophobus fasciatus One seen at BBS
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE Contopus sordidulus Several vocal wintering birds in partially cleared areas around BBS (T)
SMOKE-COLOURED PEWEE Contopus fumigatus 1-2 regularly at ML (T)
BLACK PHOEBE Sayornis nigricans Fairly common along rivers at TI, also in Mindo village
YELLOW-BELLIED CHAT-TYRANT Ochthoeca diadema Regularly heard singing in lower-stratum at BE, mostly along the road past the research station where seen occasionally (T)
MASKED WATER-TYRANT Fluvicola nengeta Several around La Ye de la Laguna and PE, and along nearby roads wherever something damp was happening
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA Attila spadiceus 2-3 heard singing at BBS (T)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tuberculifer Several at forest edges in BBS and FI (T)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER Megarhynchus pitangua Fairly common around TI, BBS and PE, especially in partially cleared areas with tall trees (T)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER Myiozetetes cayanensis Common along the backroad into TI, and in cleared areas at BBS (T)
GREY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiozetetes granadensis A few around TI
STREAKED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes maculatus One at BBS, another at PE
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes chrysocephalus 1-2 at BE, 1 at BBS
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER Empidonomus varius One at TI, another at BBS
TROPICAL KINGBIRD Tyrannus melancholicus Very common around TI, BBS, PE
SNOWY-THROATED KINGBIRD Tyrannus niveigularis One seen well foraging in pastures near the main entrance to BBS (presumably a non-breeding visitor); distinctive sharp pik calls, very different from the trills of melancholicus (T)
SLATY BECARD Pachyramphus spodiurus One young male (still with orange patches in wings) accompanying the mixed-species flock roving around the station grounds at BBS; identification confirmed by voice - bird gave both songs types typical of Slaty Becard (T)
CINNAMON BECARD Pachyramphus cinnamomeus Fairly common in partially cleared areas around TI, BBS and La Ye de la Laguna
BLACK-AND-WHITE BECARD Pachyramphus albogriseus A pair at BE; A few around BBS, accompanying mixed-species flocks including the large one roving about the station garden
ONE-COLOURED BECARD Platypsaris homochrous A few in mixed-species flocks at BBS, usually in edge habitats, including the station garden; one seen at FI
MASKED TITYRA Tityra semifasciata Fairly common, especially in partially cleared areas, around TI and BBS
GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER Pipreola riefferii Fairly common (2-5 seen daily) at BE
SCALED FRUITEATER Ampelioides tschudii Several heard (distinctive high-pitched split-tone whistle) and one seen at BBS (T)
RUFOUS PIHA Lipaugus unirufus Several heard and c.4 seen at BBS (T)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW Querula purpurata Two heard at TI, down along the river, and one group encountered at BBS (T)
LONG-WATTLED UMBRELLABIRD Cephalopterus penduliger c.5 individuals seen in mid-stratum while walking trails; one calling area encountered along the Yellow trail - at least three males and a female in attendance, one male responding to playback by approaching, booming and extending wattle to around 40 cm in length. Quite incredible (T)
RED-CAPPED MANAKIN Pipra mentalis Several lekking areas encountered, mainly on ridgetops (e.g. the Green trail) at BBS (T)
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN Lepidothrix coronata Several males attending song-posts along ridges at BBS (T)
GOLDEN-WINGED MANAKIN Masius chrysopterus Fairly common at BBS and FI, where males were regularly seen or heard displaying (T)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN Manacus manacus A few seen in lower-stratum at TI and FI; many males heard lekking on the walk into BBS (less common in the forest itself)
CLUB-WINGED MANAKIN Machaeropterus deliciosus 2-3 males at lek close to the cabaña at ML (T)
GREEN MANAKIN Chloropipo holochroa A few at BBS with lower and mid-strata flocks
THRUSH-LIKE SCHIFFORNIS Schiffornis turdinus A few seen or heard calling at BBS (T)
TURQUOISE JAY Cyanolyca turcosa Fairly common at BE (5-10 seen or heard daily)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE Cyclarhis gujanensis 2-3 around PE
SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO Vireolanius leucotis One seen with mid-stratum flock at FI
RED-EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus Seen at La Ye de la Laguna and FI
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO Vireo leucophrys A few seen around ML and the upper Mindo road
LESSER GREENLET Hylophilus decurtatus Fairly common in mixed-species canopy flocks at TI, BBS and FI
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE Myadestes ralloides One heard at BE
SLATY-BACKED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH Catharus fuscater One watched hopping along the H trail at dusk, BE; others heard in song
SPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH Catharus dryas Several heard at BBS (mostly along Green or Red trails); one seen at dawn hopping along the former; another heard at FI (T)
GREAT THRUSH Turdus fuscater Fairly common at BE
ECUADORIAN THRUSH Turdus maculirostris Several seen, especially in semi-cleared areas, at TI, BBS, La Ye de la Laguna and PE
DAGUA THRUSH Turdus daguae Only one seen by chance in mid-stratum at BBS along the Green Trail (T)
GREY-BREASTED MARTIN Progne chalybea A few around PE
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW Notiochelidon cyanoleuca A few around Mindo and Nanegalito
WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW Niochelidon tibialis Small groups along the road near BBS
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Fairly common and nesting in cleared areas around TI, BBS and La Ye de la Laguna
BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica c.5 at La Ye de la Laguna
BAND-BACKED WREN Campylorhynchus zonatus Heard at La Ye de la Laguna, and also seen and heard in trashed habitat near the station at BBS and FI (T)
[SEPIA-BROWN WREN Cinnycerthia olivascens] A small group of wrens seen briefly at BE was probably this species
PLAIN-TAILED WREN Thryothorus euophrys Occasional loud duets heard from bamboo at BE (T)
BAY WREN Thryothorus nigricapillus Fairly common and vocal around TI, BBS and FI (T)
STRIPE-THROATED WREN Thryothorus leucopogon Brief views of one individual with a mixed-species flock in vine-tangled mid-stratum along Red trail at BBS
HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aedon Seen and heard almost throughout
MOUNTAIN WREN Troglodytes solstitialis A few seen with flocks at BE
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN Henicorhina leucosticta Two of the darker-breasted NW form at FI (T)
GREY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN Henicorhina leucophrys Commonly heard and occasionally seen at BE (T)
SONG WREN Cyphorinus phaeocephalus Fairly common - but not very vocal - at BBS; encountered on c.7 occasions, mostly along the Red or Green trails (T)
SOUTHERN NIGHTINGALE-WREN Microcerculus marginatus Regularly heard and several seen around the trail system at BBS; also heard at TI and FI (T)
TAWNY-FACED GNATWREN Microbates cinereiventris Fairly common (2-6 heard or seen daily) in lower-stratum at BBS (song like Tawny-crowned Greenlet on other side of Andes) (T)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER Polioptila plumbea A few in trees at PE
TROPICAL PARULA Parula pitiayumi Fairly common and vocal in mixed-species flocks at TI, BBS, PE (T)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER Dendroica fusca Several accompanying mixed-species canopy flocks at BE
OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT Geothlypis semiflava 2-3 males in song at La Ye de la Laguna, others in marshy areas along the road at PE
SLATE-THROATED WHITESTART Myioborus miniatus Scarce at BE
SPECTACLED WHITESTART Myioborus miniatus Fairly common at BE (c.5 seen daily) (T)
CHOCÓ WARBLER Basileuterus chlorophrys Common at TI and FI, fairly common at BBS (T)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER Basileuterus tristriatus Common and vocal at BE (T)
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER Basileuterus coronatus Common and vocal in lower-stratum at BE (T)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER Basileuterus fulvicauda A few along the river and backroad at TI, along streams at BBS and two at FI (T)
BANANAQUIT Coereba flaveola Common in gardens, farmland, and forest edge at TI, near La Ye de la Laguna and at PE (T)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER Cyanerpes caeruleus One at FI
GREEN HONEYCREEPER Chlorophanes spiza Seen twice with canopy flocks at BBS
YELLOW-TUFTED DACNIS Dacnis egregia Fairly common around TI
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS Dacnis venusta One exquisite male accompanying Scarlet-browed Tanagers in upper canopies along the road at BBS beyond the beginning of the Orange trail
CAPPED CONEBILL Conirostrum albifrons One female seen in a mixed-species canopy flock at BE
WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa albilatera Fairly common in and around forest at BE
BLACK FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa humeralis A few in cleared areas around BE
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossopis cyanea Regularly with mixed-species flocks at BE
GUIRA TANAGER Hemithraupis guira Small numbers regularly seen in partially cleared areas around TI; also one male seen on the walk between La Ye de la Laguna and BBS
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA Euphonia laniirostris Common, especially in partially cleared areas around TI, BBS and PE
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA Euphonia cyanocephala Several small groups in canopies alongside the upper Mindo road near ML (T)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA Euphonia xanthogaster Fairly common at BBS where several seen singing in mid or lower-strata; also at PE (T)
ORANGE-CROWNED EUPHONIA Euphonia saturata Seen in small numbers most days around TI
GREY-AND-GOLD TANAGER Tangara palmeri One individual seen in canopy of isolated tree near the station at BBS
GOLDEN TANAGER Tangara arthus Fairly common (5-10 daily) with canopy flocks at BE
EMERALD TANAGER Tangara florida c.5 seen with mid-stratum and canopy flocks at BBS, mostly along the Orange trail
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER Tangara icterocephala Regularly observed at BBS, FI and ML
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER Tangara xanthocephala A few seen on the upper Mindo road near ML
FLAME-FACED TANAGER Tangara parzudakii 2-3 with mixed-species flocks at BE
METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER Tangara labradorides Several individuals seen with canopy flocks near ML
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER Tangara vassorii A few with mixed-species flocks at BE
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER Tangara nigroviridis 2-4 daily with mixed-species flocks at BE
BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER Tangara heinei Several at ML
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER Tangara cyanicollis Regularly seen in partially cleared areas around TI and BBS
BAY-HEADED TANAGER Tangara gyrola A few seen at BBS; one at FI
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER Anisognathus somptuosus Fairly common at BE
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER Chlorornis riefferii A few with mixed-speces flocks at BE
BLUE-GREY TANAGER Thraupis episcopus Fairly common in partially cleared areas around TI, BBS and PE
PALM TANAGER Thraupis palmarum Fairly common around TI and BBS
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER Thraupis cyanocephala Several at BE and ML
LEMON-RUMPED TANAGER Ramphocelus icteronotus Very common in degraded forest, cleared areas, gardens etc. near TI, BBS, FI
OCHRE-BREASTED TANAGER Chlorothraupis stolzmanni Common - especially by loud voice at dawn - at BBS (T)
DUSKY-FACED TANAGER Mitrospingus cassini One flew across the road near La Ye de la Laguna, others were seen and heard skulking around in lower-stratum at BBS (T)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER Tachyphonus luctuosus Regularly seen in mid-stratum flocks at TI
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER Tachyphonus delatrii A small noisy group encountered at FI
SCARLET-BROWED TANAGER Heterospingus xanthopygius A group of c.5 individuals perched in canopy near the road beyond the beginning of the Red trail
DUSKY BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus semifuscus Very common and vocal (a major component of mixed-species flocks) at BE (T)
YELLOW-THROATED BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus flavigularis Common at BBS, present in all mixed-species flocks from mid-stratum upwards (T)
WESTERN HEMISPINGUS Hemispingus ochraceus One feeding in bamboo below the lodge at BE, and another pair heard on the A trail
PLUSHCAP Catamblyrhynchus diadema One seen near bamboo with a large mixed-species flock by the research station at BE
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR Saltator maximus A few seen around TI and BBS
BLACK-WINGED SALTATOR Saltator atripennis Regularly seen in partially cleared areas around TI and BBS
SLATE-COLOURED SALTATOR Saltator grossus 1-2 in song at BBS (T)
SOUTHERN YELLOW-GROSBEAK Pheucticus chrysogaster c.3 at BE
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK Cyanocompsa cyanoides 2-3 heard in densely vegetated ravines at BBS
CRIMSON-BREASTED FINCH Rhodospingus cruentus Two males seen at edge of forest fragments behind PE
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT Volatinia jacarina Two at La Ye de la Laguna
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT Tiaris olivacea Two in roadside shrubs just uphill from BE lodge
LESSER SEEDFINCH Oryzoborus angolensis One male seen on the backroad to TI, a few more at La Ye de la Laguna
VARIABLE SEEDEATER Sporophila corvina Seen around TI, BBS and PE
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER Sporophila nigricollis A few around La Ye de la Laguna
RUFOUS-NAPED BRUSH-FINCH Atlapetes latinuchus A few at BE
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH Buarremon brunneinucha One seen hopping along the H trail, and others heard at BE; one seen and heard along the Green trail at BBS (T)
TANAGER FINCH Oreothraupis arremonops Great views of a pair at BE; these were found through speculative playback along the road near the research station, where the top of the R path meets the road. The same pair was heard here on subsequent occasions, and once nearby from the beginning of the A path opposite (T)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW Arremon aurantiirostris Regularly seen and heard around TI, even in gardens; also singles at BBS and FI
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW Arremonops conirostris Two seen along the backroad to TI
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW Zonotrichia capensis A few in upland areas
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE Cacicus microrhynchus Small numbers at TI and BBS, often accompanying oropendolas at the latter site (T)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA Zarhynchus wagleri Fairly common in the canopy of tall forest at BBS (T)
SHINY COWBIRD Molothrus bonariensis A few in farmland round PE
SCRUB BLACKBIRD Dives warszewiczi A few in cleared areas around TI and La Ye de la Laguna
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE Quiscalus mexicanus Fairly common along the coast at PE
YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE Icterus mesomelas A few in song around PE
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK Sturnella bellicosa Fairly common in open areas around PE
YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN Carduelis xanthogastra A few flying around the station at BBS
LESSER GOLDFINCH Carduelis psaltria Small numbers on the upper Mindo road near ML
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Seen in Esmeraldas town centre
131 Catharine Street, Cambridge CB1 3AP, UK
Itinerary
13-15/09/02: Tinalandia
2-4/10/02: Bellavista
6-13/10/02: Bilsa Biological Station
14-16/10/02: Playa Escondida
17/10/02: Finca 106.5
18-19/10/02: Mindo Lindo
Notes on Sites
Tinalandia (TI): A well-known locality near Alluriquin, on the main road between Quito and Santo Domingo. We stayed in a hotel by the river at Alluriquin: nice food and lodgings, but for the infernal traffic noise. Pre-dawn you can hop onto one of the abundant mini-buses heading towards Santo Domingo, and jump off c.500 m before the actual entrance to Tinalandia. If you enter by the proper route you need to pay a ridiculous US$10 entrance fee, but if you get off just before-hand and walk up the first little side-road towards Quito for c.800 m, it rises uphill, goes round a couple of bends and then passes a little bit of barbed-wire fencing on the right. If you hop over this fence you come to a patch of mown grass and just to the left is an entrance into one of the Tinalandia trails, which you can explore at leisure for free, unless you are unlucky enough to bump into someone (which I haven't been in 6 visits). The patch of forest here is very small, but is a reasonable intro to the foothill Chocó avifauna.
Bellavista (BE): Again, a well-known birding site. You can contact Richard Parsons at his Bellavista numbers and organise taxi to the lodge for US$70 or so from Quito. We took a bus from Terminal Terrestre in Quito to Los Bancos, and jumped off at Nanegalito (2 hours, US$2) then hired a pick-up for US$10 to take us to Bellvista lodge, which proved very easy. The rooms at this lodge are quite expensive, but you can stay in cheaper (but still perfectly adequate) accommodation at the research station uphill (US$5 per night). You get bunks and a mattress and a roof over your head. Meals at the lodge were US$11 during our visit, but you can take your own food and cook in the perfectly adequate kitchen at the research station. Tap-water is drinkable there. About 3 km downhill towards Tandayapa live Tony Nunnery and Barbara Bolz - it's worth visiting their lovely house and paying a small fee to enjoy the spectacle of hummingbirds visiting their feeders. Although close to the feeders at Bellavista, the two sets get remarkably different species. We saw 23 species of hummer in three hours there, which is getting on for the day record. Go and try your luck. Ask directions from Bellavista, as the house is tricky to find from the road, being concealed on a bend with a tiny entrance.
Bilsa Biological Station (BBS): A bit of a mission to get to this station, but worth the hassle. At the time of our visit it was the dry season. This is probably the best season to visit as the trails are slightly less incredibly muddy than at other seasons, and the walk in is much less strenuous (3.5 hours from La Ye to Bilsa, instead of up to 7 hours when the road is a quagmire in March - April). Intensity of bird vocalisation was reasonably high, although this is probably much better in the wetter breeding season. One drawback of the dry season is the almost constant fog in the late mornings and afternoons. This makes it tricky to see parrots and cotingas - we dipped Black-tipped Cotinga as a result. (In the wet season it is apparently clear when not raining). Visits should be arranged through the Jatunsacha Foundation in Quito - accommodation in bunk rooms at the station cost US$20 per night during our stay. It takes five hour on a bus to get to Quininde from Quito (taking TransEsmeraldas); if you get there early enough you can make it to La Ye de la Laguna on the same day, catching a tiny pick-up in mid-afternoon from one of the streets near the centre of Quininde (ask around). Once at La Ye de la Laguna, install yourself at the simple bunk-bed hostel (US$8 per night including food) - you need to arrange this beforehand through Jatunsacha. It is worth staying here rather than Quininde (a dump) if only to have access to the lake and marshes 100 m from the hostel. Just below the hostel there is a boardwalk to the lake with a locked gate, but you can easily step around this gate and get to the shore (we saw Spotted Rail and White-throated Crake in early morning wandering around tamely on a tiny pool in reeds just by the gate). You can organise a vehicle into Bilsa in the dry season, but it's quite pleasant walking in with a horse carrying your stuff. Once at the station, try and work as many trails as possible; we concentrated on the Red Trail (which goes through the best intact humid lower-stratum), Green Trail (which is slightly more trashed but good, and descends to a lovely river) and Orange/Yellow Trails (which pass along drier ridges but are better for certain species, including an awesome umbrellabird "lek" along the Yellow trail while we were there).
Playa Escondida (PE): Not a birding site, but a nice quiet beach to visit and cure the trenchfoot you acquired at Bilsa. Get there by catching a bus from Esmeraldas town to Muisne, and jumping off at the Punta Galera turn-off beyond Tonchigue (ie well after Atacames). The bus-drivers know which turn-off goes to Punta Galera and Playa Escondida; it's the same turn-off and they know which it is whichever name you ask for. Wait at that turn-off for a bus or car to give you a lift; Playa Escondida comes after 13 km or so (Punta Galera is further along). Playa Escondida has a big sign and is only c.100 m off the road. Nice rooms with sea-view cost something like US$12 a night and food is great. The place is extremely safe and secluded in contrast to noisy, crowded, watch-yer-wallet Atacames. There are reasonable scraps of forest on hills behind which must still hold Esmeraldas Woodstar, at least seasonally. They take an hour to get to on foot (ask Canadian owner of Playa Escondida for directions), but on our visit we didn't stick around long enough to get alongside the woods for more than half-an-hour (there were millions of ticks in the grass which made life unpleasant).
Finca 106.5 (FI): A property owned by Filipe Quiroz at, you guessed it, Km 106.5 on the road between Los Bancos and Quito. We got the bus from Atacames and jumped off. It's quite difficult to spot as the sign is tiny and only visible if you're coming from Quito; I suggested he set up a bigger sign, so there might be one, but he didn't seem particularly dynamic. Nice chap though, and he'll gladly take you round his property for a small fee. We gave him extra as he deserves support for being the only landowner around to have kept his forest intact. Visiting this strip of high quality forest definitely goes towards its conservation. You can't really stay here unless you take a tent, but it's easy to get to by car or bus from Mindo, as some groups seem to do.
Mindo Lindo (ML): Continuing towards Quito from Finca 106.5, Mindo Lindo appears about 1 km before "La ye de Mindo", ie the first Mindo turn-off. I think it's at Km 129 on the road, but this might be a bit out. There is a nice little cabin here for US$10 a night, although they appreciate advance warning of your visit. There is only 7 ha or so of forest, but this contains some interesting species, and the hummingbird feeders are very good. From here it is easy to do the forest at the top end of the Mindo road which is still good for a few things, if getting a bit trashed. Off this Mindo road, you can sneak into a posh looking place called "Septimo Paraiso": trundle along their entrance path, and then, just before you enter the hotel grounds take a trail marked to the right which runs through reasonable hillside forest. We'd been to Mindo before, and we didn't have time to explore further.
Highlights
From a total of 363 species, the best birds for us were Oilbird, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Hoary Puffleg, Ocellated Tapaculo, Western Hemispingus and Tanager-Finch (Threatened) at Bellavista; Spotted Rail at La Ye de la Laguna; Brown Wood-rail (Threated), Rufous-fronted Wood-quail, Indigo-crowned Quail-dove, Rose-faced Parrot, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Lita Woodpecker, Scaled Antpitta, Slaty Becard (Threatened), Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Dagua Thrush, Stripe-throated Wren and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis at Bilsa; Rufous-headed Chachalaca (Threatened) and Anthony's Nightjar at Playa Escondida; Cloud-forest Pygmy-owl, Nariño Tapaculo, Empress Brilliant and Club-winged Manakin at Mindo Lindo.
Species lists
For taxonomy and nomenclature of mammals we follow Emmons and Feer (1997); for birds we roughly follow Ridgely and Greenfield (2001). Codes for sites are given in "Notes for sites" above.
Key:
[..] = a note or a provisional record
(T) = tape recorded
Mammals
WHITE-FACED CAPUCHIN MONKEY Cebus albifrons One troop of c.20 seen on the Orange trail at BI
MANTLED HOWLER MONKEY Alouatta palliata Regularly heard and three seen at BI; also two groups heard near La Ye de la Laguna, and another group in a hilltop forest fragment behind PE, proving that they are not much hunted round here (T)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL Sciurus granatensis Fairly common at BBS
WESTERN DWARF SQUIRREL Microsciurus mimulus Several seen at BBS
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI Dasyprocta punctata Several tame individuals around the station buildings at BBS
Birds
GREAT TINAMOU Tinamus major One heard at BBS along the Orange Trail
LITTLE TINAMOU Crypturellus soui Fairly commonly heard at TI, also around La Ye de la Laguna; two seen crossing the trail at FI
PIED-BILLED GREBE c.5 at La Ye de la Laguna
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD Fregata magnificens 2-3 were seen flying along the ridge at BBS on three occasions (700 m altitude and 20 km from the sea over mossy cloud-forest: looked strange); common at PE
BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY Sula nebouxii Three flew past PE
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT Phalacrocorax brasilianus c.30 at La Ya de la Laguna
BROWN PELICAN Pelecanus occidentalis Very common at sea around PE
GREAT EGRET Casmerodius albus few near PE
SNOWY EGRET Egretta thula A few on the beach at PE
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis Common at La Ye de la Laguna
STRIATED HERON Butorides striatus Several around the lake at La Ye de la Laguna
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nyctanassa violacea 1 juvenile bird on tidal rocks at dusk, PE
KING VULTURE Sarcorhamphus papa Several seen at close range flying over the top road at BBS
BLACK VULTURE Coragyps atratus Regular at TI and BBS
TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura A few at BE, common around TI and BBS
OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Singles seen on 2-3 occasions at PE
GREY-HEADED KITE Leptodon cayanensis One seen over Tinalandia
HOOK-BILLED KITE Chondrohierax uncinatus At least two seen soaring from the Mindo road near ML
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE Elanoides forficatus A few soaring over the golf-course near TI
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE Harpagus bidentatus fasciatus One of the rather distinct Chocó race perched in open canopy after rain at BBS
PLUMBEOUS KITE Ictinia plumbea One near the golf-course at TI
PLAIN-BREASTED HAWK Accipiter ventralis One chasing a Great Thrush along the road above BE, another crcling near ML
PLUMBEOUS HAWK Leucopternis plumbea One flushed from a pathside perch along the Red trail at BBS (seen all too briefly)
BARRED HAWK Leucopternis princeps A pair semi-constantly displaying over BBS (T)
SAVANNA HAWK Buteogallus meridionalis One in farmland behind PE
GREY HAWK Asturina nitida A pair circling near BBS and one calling on hillsides behind PE; not mapped for this area by Ridgely and Greenfield 2001 (T)
ROADSIDE HAWK Buteo magnirostris One at La Ye de la Laguna and others on walk to BBS
WHITE-RUMPED HAWK Buteo leucorrhous Good views of one by the roadside just above the lodge at BE
SHORT-TAILED HAWK Buteo brachyurus An initially confusing dark morph bird seen on 3 occasions over BBS
BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE Oroaetus isidori One of these impressive raptors was circling above forest at BE for c.20 minutes one morning
BARRED FOREST-FALCON Micrastur ruficollis Heard daily and two taped in at BBS; need to compare some recordings with Plumbeous Forest-falcon Micrastur plumbeus (T)
RUFOUS-HEADED CHACHALACA Ortalis erythroptera Seemed fairly common around PE, calling in gully next to the chalets at dawn and several seen out in shrubs and forest patches towards the nearby hills
CRESTED GUAN Penelope purpurascens 2-3 heard along the Orange trail at BBS
SICKLE-WINGED GUAN Chamaepetes goudotii Fairly common around BE
RUFOUS-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus speciosus Regularly heard at BBS; two obliging groups called in at dawn near the Green trail (T)
DARK-BACKED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus melanonotus Heard at close range in the grounds of ML, where it is apparently common, but not seen; also heard distantly at BE (T)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE Laterallus albigularis c.10 calling around La Ye de la Laguna (often heard in tall damp grass along roadsides here, and towards Quininde and Bilsa); two seen very well on the path to the Laguna early am; also heard along the road at PE (T)
SPOTTED RAIL Pardirallus maculatus One performing ridiculously well on a small pool at La Ye de la Laguna
BROWN WOOD-RAIL Aramides wolfi One bird seen walking along the Green trail c.400 m from station (still in Heliconia-dominated degraded habitat); a big and bulky brownish wood-rail with pale head, blackish belly, bright pink legs and greeny yellow bill
AMERICAN PURPLE GALLINULE Porphyrula martinica c.10 at La Ye de la Laguna
WILLET Catoptrophorus semipalmatus A few on the beach at PE
SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularia A couple seen around Alluriquin, near TI
LEAST SANDPIPER Calidris minutilla Fairly common on the beach at PE
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus Fairly common along the beach at PE
BAND-TAILED PIGEON Columba fasciata Several small groups at BE and ML
SCALED PIGEON Columba speciosa Small numbers seen and heard in high canopies at BBS (T)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON Columba cayennensis A few around PE
RUDDY PIGEON Columba subvinacea One heard at La Ye de la Laguna, commonly heard in BBS and a few heard at FI (T)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON Columba plumbea A few in cloud-forest at BE (T)
DUSKY PIGEON Columba goodsoni A few heard and seen during the walk to and from BBS; also regularly heard in canopies at BBS where it was roughly as common as C. subvinacea (T)
ECUADORIAN GROUND-DOVE Columbina buckleyi Small flocks noted in bushy farmland inland of PE
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE Columbina cruziana Fairly common close to the beach at PE
BLUE GROUND-DOVE Claravis pretiosa 2-3 seen crossing the road in walks in and out of BBS
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE Leptotila verreauxi Heard quite frequently (usually in fragments and partially cleared areas) around La Ye de la Laguna, BBS and PE
PALLID DOVE Leptotila pallida Several heard at BBS (T)
INDIGO-CROWNED QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon purpurata Seen on c.6 occasions at BBS, mostly along the Green trail (T)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET Pyrrhura melanura c.10 in flight at TI; another small flock perched at FI, and some around Mindo
BARRED PARAKEET Bolborhynchus lineola Several small flocks flying over ML and upper Mindo road, also a flock of c.15 watched perched in a canopy at close range (a rare sight) on the trail at Septimo Paraiso
PACIFIC PARROTLET Forpus coelestis Fairly common in small groups around La Ye de la Laguna and PE
BLUE-FRONTED PARROTLET Touit delictissima One group of three was flushed from trees along the Orange trail; they gave high-pitched tweee notes as they left, but views were poor
ROSE-FACED PARROT Pionopsitta pulchra Only two seen flying over the top road beyond the top end of the Red trail at BBS
BLUE-HEADED PARROT Pionus menstruus Common to very common at all forested sites (T)
RED-BILLED PARROT Pionus sordidus A few flocks of c.10 at BE
BRONZE-WINGED PARROT Pionus chalcopterus Common and noisy around TI and BBS (up to 50 daily) (T)
RED-LORED AMAZON Amazona rhodocorytha Several distantly at La Ye de la Laguna in early morning (distinctive call); a pair flew nicely past the buildings at BBS one morning also (T)
MEALY AMAZON Amazona farinosa Regularly seen and heard at BBBS (T)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO Piaya cayana A few at TI and BBS
LITTLE CUCKOO Piaya minuta One by the road at FI
STRIPED CUCKOO Tapera naevia Heard and seen around La Ye de la Laguna
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI Crotophaga ani c.50 around La Ye de la Laguna and several around BBS
GROOVE-BILLED ANI Crotophaga sulcirostris One group at PE
CLOUD-FOREST PYGMY-OWL Glaucidium nubicola One called in to speculative playback near the river at ML
MOTTLED OWL Ciccaba virgata Heard on one night in fog at BBS
OILBIRD Steatornis caripensis One flushed in broad daylight from pathside bamboo (no cave in sight) and seen very well as it banked round: Ocellated Tapaculo trail at BE
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK Lurocalis semitorquatus One flying high above Alluriquin (near TI) at dusk
PAURAQUE Nyctidromus albicollis Seen once along the road near BBS
ANTHONY'S NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus anthonyi Several heard calling along the road west of PE at dusk; 2 seen at dawn along the cattle track towards the hills that starts c.1 km west of PE entrance (T)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT Streptoprocne zonaris Fairly common near TI and one flock of c.20 flew over BBS
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT Chaetura spinicauda One tight flock of c.70 flying over the lake at La Ya de la Laguna at dawn
GREY-RUMPED SWIFT Chaetura cinereiventris 2-3 small flocks seen over BBS
NEOTROPICAL PALM SWIFT Tachornis squamata c.4 at La Ye de la Laguna
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT Threnetes ruckeri One seen well on the Red trail at BBS
WHITE-WHISKERED HERMIT Phaethornis yaruqui Often heard in flight at TI, a few seen perched; common and vocal at leks at BBS; a few at FI (T)
TAWNY-BELLIED HERMIT Phaethornis syrmatophorus Fairly common around BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML, usually seen coming to feeders
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT Phaethornis striigularis One seen along the road near the beginning of the Orange trail at BBS
WHITE-TIPPED SICKLEBILL Eutoxeres aquila Several at BBS, mostly heard in flight, but some seen at Heliconias and bananas
TOOTH-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Androdon aequatorialis 2-3 individuals permanently at a lek c.100 m before the end of the Green trail; 2-3 leks heard off trails elsewhere, and two singles seen foraging in upper canopy (T)
BROWN VIOLETEAR Colibri delphinae Small numbers visiting feeders at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML
GREEN VIOLETEAR Colibri thalassinus Small numbers visiting feeders around BE and Tony and Barbara's porch
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR Colibri coruscans Regular around feeders at Tony and Barbara's porch
GREEN-THROATED MANGO Anthracothorax (nigricollis) prevostii c.4 in trees beside woodland on hills behind PE
GREEN THORNTAIL Popelairia conversii One female picking insects off cobwebs in the lower-stratum at TI
WESTERN EMERALD Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus Fairly common at feeders on Tony and Barbara's porch; a few also visiting ML
GREEN-CROWNED WOODNYMPH Thalurania fannyi Common in TI, BBS and FI where the most frequently encountered hummer
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia tzacatl Common in secondary habitats and cleared areas around TI, BE, Tony and Barbara's porch, La Ye de la Laguna, PE and FI
AMAZILIA HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia amazilia Fairly common around PE
ANDEAN EMERALD Amazilia franciae c.10 seen or heard daily at BE and ML; also a few individuals in song at BBS (T)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD Adelomyia melanogenys Common at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML
PURPLE-BIBBED WHITE-TIP Urosticte benjamini Scarce (but mouth-watering) at Tony and Barbara's feeders
EMPRESS BRILLIANT Heliodoxa imperatrix This bird should be called the F*cking Brilliant. Males showing down to 1 m at ML were stunning
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT Heliodoxa jacula Fairly common at BBS where c.5 seen in understorey
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT Heliodoxa rubinoides Several visiting feeders at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch and ML
WHITE-TAILED HILLSTAR Urochroa bougueri One male came in at Tony and Barbara's porch near BE
MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST One female came in at Tony and Barbara's porch near BE
BROWN INCA Coeligena wilsoni 2-3 coming into feeders at BE and Tony and Barbara's porch
COLLARED INCA Coeligena torquata Fairly common (and spectacular) at feeders at BE and Tony and Barbara's porch
BUFF-TAILED CORONET Boissonneaua flavescens Very common around feeder at BE and Tony and Barbara's porch; absent from ML
VELVET-PURPLE CORONET Boissonneaua jardini Several visiting feeders at ML
GORGETED SUNANGEL Heliangelus strophianus Fairly common (and gorgeous) around feeders at BE and on Tony and Barbara's porch
HOARY PUFFLEG Haplophaedia lugens 1-2 at Tony and Barbara's feeders and similar numbers at ML
BOOTED RACQUET-TAIL Ocreatus underwoodii Fairly common at feeders around Tony and Barbara's porch and at ML
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER Lesbia nuna One male coming into flowers, but ignoring feeders, at Tony and Barbara's porch
VIOLET-TAILED SYLPH Aglaiocercus coelestis Fairly common around feeders at BE, Tony and Barbara's porch, and ML
WEDGE-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Schistes geoffroyi One male at least coming into feeders at Tony and Barbara's porch near BE
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY Heliothryx barroti One individual in the canopy at FI
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT Heliomaster longirostris One in cleared areas beside TI
PURPLE-THROATED WOODSTAR Calliphlox mitchellii A few coming into feeders at BE and more at Tony and Barbara's porch
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR Chaetocercus mulsant Several coming into feeders at Tony and Barbara's porch (some individuals tricky to distinguish from the above species)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL Pharomachrus auriceps One female at FI
CHOCÓ TROGON Trogon comptus A few heard and one pair seen at TI; a few more encountered at BBS (T)
WESTERN WHITE-TAILED TROGON Trogon chionurus Fairly common (3-6 seen or heard daily) at BBS and FI (T)
COLLARED TROGON Trogon collaris Fairly common in TI, BBS and FI; song much more rapid than in Amazonian birds (T)
MASKED TROGON Trogon personatus One pair at BE
BLACK-THROATED TROGON Trogon rufus One female seen along the Orange trail at BBS
NORTHERN VIOLACEOUS TROGON Trogon caligatus One pair in the grounds of PE and several seen and heard on the walk to woodlands nearby (T)
RINGED KINGFISHER Megaceryle torquata Seen along the rivers at TI, BBS; also at the lake at La Ye de la Laguna, and the seashore at PE
GREEN KINGFISHER Chloroceryle americana One male at La Ye de la Laguna and another at BBS on the stream at the end of the Green trail
RUFOUS MOTMOT Baryphthengus martii Common and vocal at dawn in TI and BBS; one at FI
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR Galbula ruficauda A few at forest edge at TI
BARRED PUFFBIRD Nystalus radiatus A pair seen and heard at BBS, and another heard on two occasions near Septimo Paraiso, upper Mindo road (T)
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD Malacoptila panamensis One on the Green trail at BBS; one at FI
ORANGE-FRONTED BARBET Capito squamatus One male seen in roadside shrubs about midway along the walk into BBS - likes semi-trashed areas
RED-HEADED BARBET Eubucco bourcieri A few seen or heard with mixed-species flocks at TI, BBS and ML (T)
TOUCAN BARBET Semnornis ramphastinus Regularly heard giving the duet call around BE and seen occasionally in mid-stratum (T)
CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus haematopygius A few seen and heard in TI and BBS (T)
PALE-MANDIBLED ARAÇARI Pteroglossus erythropygius Fairly common (up to 20 a day) around TI, BBS and FI
PLATE-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN Andigena laminirostris Commonly heard and regularly seen around BE (T)
CHOCÓ TOUCAN Ramphastos brevis A group of three seen at TI, and fairly common at BBS; also several seen and hear in forest scraps near La Ye de la Laguna and two heard at FI (T)
CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED TOUCAN Ramphastos swainsonii Fairly common, vocal and conspicuous at BBS; one heard at FI (T)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET Picumnus olivaceus Two seen in lower-stratum flock at TI, a few along roadside at BBS, and a pair at PE
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER Piculus rivolii Two at BE
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER Piculus rubiginosus Several seen at TI, BBS and FI
LITA WOODPECKER Piculus litae One individual calling and drumming at the edge of primary forest on the Green trail
LINEATED WOODPECKER Dryocopus lineatus Fairly common around BBS and FI, mostly in slightly trashed habitat (T)
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER Melanerpes pucherani Several seen in degraded habitat near TI and BBS
RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER Veniliornis kirkii Fairly common at TI and BBS
SCARLET-BACKED WOODPECKER Veniliornis callonotus A pair at La Ye de la Laguna; others at PE
GUAYAQUIL WOODPECKER Campephilus gayaquilensis Several encountered at BBS, and seemed common around woodland patches near PE (T)
POWERFUL WOODPECKER Campephilus pollens Heard daily at BE, but not seen
PACIFIC HORNERO Furnarius cinnamomeus Common around TI, BBS, La Ye de la Laguna and PE
SLATY SPINETAIL Synallaxis brachyura Common by voice but inconspicuous in shrubby or grassy areas around TI, BBS and La Ye de la Laguna (T)
RED-FACED SPINETAIL Cranioleuca erythrops Fairly common in disturbed habitats at BBS (T)
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK Pseudocolaptes boisonneautii 2-3 with most canopy flocks at BE
PEARLED TREERUNNER Margarornis squamiger Several at BE
SPOTTED BARBTAIL Premnoplex brunnescens A few seen and heard around ML
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Syndactyla subalaris Three in mid-stratum with one mixed-species flock at BE, another two at ML; distinctive abrupt nasal skyunh call (T)
SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Anabacerthia variegaticeps A few with mixed-species flocks in mid-stratum at TI and BBS
WESTERN WOODHAUNTER Hyloctistes virgatus Two in mid-stratum with mixed-species flock at FI
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Philydor rufus One with a large mid-stratum flock at FI
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Automolus ochrolaemus One at FI in lower-stratum
RUDDY FOLIAGE-GLEANER Automolus rubiginosus Two heard in "song" in lower-growth of dense gullies along the main road beyond the beginning of the Orange trail; one of these was eventually called into view using playback - very skulking (T)
STRIPED TREEHUNTER Thripadectes holostictus Several at BE, and 1-2 probably seen at ML (T)
STREAK-CAPPED TREEHUNTER Thripadectes virgaticeps At least one at ML (T)
PLAIN XENOPS Xenops minutus A few each at TI, BBS and FI
STREAKED XENOPS Xenops rutilans A few seen at TI
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER Sclerurus mexicanus A few heard at BBS and one seen well at dawn on the Green trail
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER Dendrocincla fuliginosa Several seen or heard at BBS; four at FI
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER Glyphorhynchus spirurus A few each at TI, BBS and FI
BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus c.5 seen at BBS, mostly with mixed-species canopy flocks
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus obsoletus Fairly common (up to eight daily) at TI, BBS and FI
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER Lepidocolaptes souleyetii Several at TI and BBS
MONTANE WOODCREEPER Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger Regularly seen with mixed-species flocks at BE (T)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE Cymbilaimus lineatus One with a mid-stratum flock on the Red trail at BBS
GREAT ANTSHRIKE Taraba major One heard near PE
UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus unicolor Two pairs in bamboo along the trail at Septimo Paraiso (T)
WESTERN SLATY ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus atrinucha 2-3 at BBS in more tangled or degraded habitat at beginning of the Green trail, and in land-slides on the Orange trail (T)
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE Thamnistes anabatinus A few in mixed flocks at TI and BBS; four at FI
SPOT-CROWNED ANTVIREO Dysithamnus puncticeps Fairly common with mixed-species flocks in mid-stratum at TI and BBS; c.6 in a short visit to FI (T)
PACIFIC ANTWREN Myrmotherula pacifica Fairly common in edge habitats and gardens at TI; also seen and heard at La Ye de la Laguna and in partially cleared habitat around BBS (T)
CHECKER-THROATED ANTWREN Myrmotherula fulviventris A few most days at TI and BBS; c.6 in short visit to FI where it seemed common with lower-stratum flocks
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN Myrmotherula axillaris Fairly common in mixed-species flocks at BBS
SLATY ANTWREN Myrmotherula schisticolor A few in mixed-species flocks in mid and lower-strata at TI, BBS and FI
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN Microrhopias quixensis A pair seen at BBS on Orange trail
LONG-TAILED ANTBIRD Drymophila caudata Regularly heard, and occasionally seen around BE and ML (Septimo Paraiso): usually in or near bamboo (T)
IMMACULATE ANTBIRD Myrmeciza immaculata Several at BBS in gullies along the road past the Orange trail, and along the beginning of the Orange trail itself; also two in song at FI (T)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD Myrmeciza exsul Fairly common (2-8 seen or heard daily) in low undergrowth at TI, BBS and FI (T)
ESMERALDAS ANTBIRD Mymeciza nigricauda One at TI and 3-4 seen or heard at BBS and two at FI, but in general rather inconspicuous (T)
BICOLOURED ANTBIRD Gymnopithys leacaspis 4-5 seen at BBS, others heard singing but we never tracked down an antswarm despite much effort (T)
OCELLATED ANTBIRD Phaenostictus mcleannani One gave two songs near some Bicoloured Antbirds, but we never saw this bird, nor found the antswarm that was presumably close by (habitat steep and impenetrable)
BLACK-HEADED ANTTHRUSH Formicarius nigricapillus Several heard and two seen at BBS, another singing from scraps of woodland on hills behind PE, and one singing at FI (T)
SCALED ANTPITTA Grallaria guatimalensis Several heard daily at BBS and ML; only seen at BBS where a fine pair were called in to close range on the Red Trail (T)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED ANTPITTA Grallaria ruficapilla Several heard around BE (T)
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTA Grallaria flavotincta One heard most mornings near the research station at BE
ASH-COLOURED TAPACULO Myornis senilis 2-3 regularly heard in bamboo at BE
NARIÑO TAPACULO Scytalopus vicinior 2-3 at ML, where taped in, and others heard along the upper Mindo road (T)
SPILLMANN'S TAPACULO Scytalopus spillmanni Common by voice around BE (T)
OCELLATED TAPACULO Acropternis orthonyx A few heard around BE, usually from the upper road; one pair seen at close range after patient playback on the A trail (T)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET Phyllomyias griseiceps Common in more open woodland and trees along hedgerows near TI and BBS, and especially around La Ye de la Laguna (T)
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET Phyllomyias cinereiceps One seen with a mixed-species flock along the upper Mindo road near ML
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET Zimmerius chrysops Fairly common in more open habitat near TI
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET Ornithion brunneicapillum One heard singing and seen in high canopies from the backroad into TI (T)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS TYRANNULET Camptostoma obsoletum Common around TI, c.5 at La Ye de la Laguna and a few along edges at BBS
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET Tyrannulus elatus Several seen and heard in trees around La Ye de la Laguna, and on the walk from there to BBS (T)
GREENISH ELAENIA Myiopagis viridicata 1-2 accompanying the large mixed-species flock around the station compound at BBS
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA Elaenia flavogaster Common and conspicuous in around PE (T)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA Elaenia albiceps Several in roadside shrubbery around BE
[SIERRAN ELAENIA Elaenia pallatangae] 1-2 birds at BE seemed to have yellowish on belly, but identification inconclusive
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET Mecocerculus stictopterus A few seen at BE
WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULET Mecocerculus poecilocercus Regularly accompanying canopy flocks at BE, where the high-pitched call was commonly heard (T)
RUFOUS-WINGED TYRANNULET Mecocerculus calopterus 1-2 seen with mixed-species flocks on the upper Mindo road near ML
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER Mionectes striaticollis Common (c.10 seen daily) at BE
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER Mionectes olivaceus Several at BBS
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Leptopogon superciliaris Fairly common at TI and FI, usually accompanying lower or mid-strata flocks of insectivores
RUFOUS-HEADED PYGMY-TYRANT Pseudotriccus pelzelni 3-4 seen or heard in lower-stratum at BE, mostly along the A trail (T)
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT Myiornis atricapillus A pair in canopy of low secondary growth opposite the entrance to BBS
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT Lophotriccus pileatus Fairly common, especially by voice, at TI, BBS, FI and around La Ye de la Laguna (T)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER Todirostrum cinereum Fairly common around TI, BBS, La Ye de la Laguna and in the garden of PE
PACIFIC FLATBILL Rhynchocyclus pacificus c.4 seen at TI, another 3 at FI, always with or near mid-stratum flocks (T)
[YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER Tolmomyias sulphurescens] One Tolmomyias seen poorly in scappy woodland behind PE was probably this species, although may have been Yellow-margined Flycatcher
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL Platyrinchus mystaceus Several heard and seen at TI and BBS; one heard at FI (T)
ORNATE FLYCATCHER Myiotriccus ornatus Common and conspicuous at BBS; two at FI (T)
SULPHUR-RUMPED FLYCATCHER Myiobius sulphureipygius A few in lower-stratum at TI and FI; c.8 seen at BBS, mostly along the river at the end of the Green Trail
FLAVESCENT FLYCATCHER Myiophobus flavicans Regularly seen (and heard once) in lower and mid-strata at BE (T)
BRAN-COLOURED FLYCATCHER Myiophobus fasciatus One seen at BBS
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE Contopus sordidulus Several vocal wintering birds in partially cleared areas around BBS (T)
SMOKE-COLOURED PEWEE Contopus fumigatus 1-2 regularly at ML (T)
BLACK PHOEBE Sayornis nigricans Fairly common along rivers at TI, also in Mindo village
YELLOW-BELLIED CHAT-TYRANT Ochthoeca diadema Regularly heard singing in lower-stratum at BE, mostly along the road past the research station where seen occasionally (T)
MASKED WATER-TYRANT Fluvicola nengeta Several around La Ye de la Laguna and PE, and along nearby roads wherever something damp was happening
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA Attila spadiceus 2-3 heard singing at BBS (T)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tuberculifer Several at forest edges in BBS and FI (T)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER Megarhynchus pitangua Fairly common around TI, BBS and PE, especially in partially cleared areas with tall trees (T)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER Myiozetetes cayanensis Common along the backroad into TI, and in cleared areas at BBS (T)
GREY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiozetetes granadensis A few around TI
STREAKED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes maculatus One at BBS, another at PE
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes chrysocephalus 1-2 at BE, 1 at BBS
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER Empidonomus varius One at TI, another at BBS
TROPICAL KINGBIRD Tyrannus melancholicus Very common around TI, BBS, PE
SNOWY-THROATED KINGBIRD Tyrannus niveigularis One seen well foraging in pastures near the main entrance to BBS (presumably a non-breeding visitor); distinctive sharp pik calls, very different from the trills of melancholicus (T)
SLATY BECARD Pachyramphus spodiurus One young male (still with orange patches in wings) accompanying the mixed-species flock roving around the station grounds at BBS; identification confirmed by voice - bird gave both songs types typical of Slaty Becard (T)
CINNAMON BECARD Pachyramphus cinnamomeus Fairly common in partially cleared areas around TI, BBS and La Ye de la Laguna
BLACK-AND-WHITE BECARD Pachyramphus albogriseus A pair at BE; A few around BBS, accompanying mixed-species flocks including the large one roving about the station garden
ONE-COLOURED BECARD Platypsaris homochrous A few in mixed-species flocks at BBS, usually in edge habitats, including the station garden; one seen at FI
MASKED TITYRA Tityra semifasciata Fairly common, especially in partially cleared areas, around TI and BBS
GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER Pipreola riefferii Fairly common (2-5 seen daily) at BE
SCALED FRUITEATER Ampelioides tschudii Several heard (distinctive high-pitched split-tone whistle) and one seen at BBS (T)
RUFOUS PIHA Lipaugus unirufus Several heard and c.4 seen at BBS (T)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW Querula purpurata Two heard at TI, down along the river, and one group encountered at BBS (T)
LONG-WATTLED UMBRELLABIRD Cephalopterus penduliger c.5 individuals seen in mid-stratum while walking trails; one calling area encountered along the Yellow trail - at least three males and a female in attendance, one male responding to playback by approaching, booming and extending wattle to around 40 cm in length. Quite incredible (T)
RED-CAPPED MANAKIN Pipra mentalis Several lekking areas encountered, mainly on ridgetops (e.g. the Green trail) at BBS (T)
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN Lepidothrix coronata Several males attending song-posts along ridges at BBS (T)
GOLDEN-WINGED MANAKIN Masius chrysopterus Fairly common at BBS and FI, where males were regularly seen or heard displaying (T)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN Manacus manacus A few seen in lower-stratum at TI and FI; many males heard lekking on the walk into BBS (less common in the forest itself)
CLUB-WINGED MANAKIN Machaeropterus deliciosus 2-3 males at lek close to the cabaña at ML (T)
GREEN MANAKIN Chloropipo holochroa A few at BBS with lower and mid-strata flocks
THRUSH-LIKE SCHIFFORNIS Schiffornis turdinus A few seen or heard calling at BBS (T)
TURQUOISE JAY Cyanolyca turcosa Fairly common at BE (5-10 seen or heard daily)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE Cyclarhis gujanensis 2-3 around PE
SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO Vireolanius leucotis One seen with mid-stratum flock at FI
RED-EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus Seen at La Ye de la Laguna and FI
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO Vireo leucophrys A few seen around ML and the upper Mindo road
LESSER GREENLET Hylophilus decurtatus Fairly common in mixed-species canopy flocks at TI, BBS and FI
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE Myadestes ralloides One heard at BE
SLATY-BACKED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH Catharus fuscater One watched hopping along the H trail at dusk, BE; others heard in song
SPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH Catharus dryas Several heard at BBS (mostly along Green or Red trails); one seen at dawn hopping along the former; another heard at FI (T)
GREAT THRUSH Turdus fuscater Fairly common at BE
ECUADORIAN THRUSH Turdus maculirostris Several seen, especially in semi-cleared areas, at TI, BBS, La Ye de la Laguna and PE
DAGUA THRUSH Turdus daguae Only one seen by chance in mid-stratum at BBS along the Green Trail (T)
GREY-BREASTED MARTIN Progne chalybea A few around PE
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW Notiochelidon cyanoleuca A few around Mindo and Nanegalito
WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW Niochelidon tibialis Small groups along the road near BBS
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Fairly common and nesting in cleared areas around TI, BBS and La Ye de la Laguna
BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica c.5 at La Ye de la Laguna
BAND-BACKED WREN Campylorhynchus zonatus Heard at La Ye de la Laguna, and also seen and heard in trashed habitat near the station at BBS and FI (T)
[SEPIA-BROWN WREN Cinnycerthia olivascens] A small group of wrens seen briefly at BE was probably this species
PLAIN-TAILED WREN Thryothorus euophrys Occasional loud duets heard from bamboo at BE (T)
BAY WREN Thryothorus nigricapillus Fairly common and vocal around TI, BBS and FI (T)
STRIPE-THROATED WREN Thryothorus leucopogon Brief views of one individual with a mixed-species flock in vine-tangled mid-stratum along Red trail at BBS
HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aedon Seen and heard almost throughout
MOUNTAIN WREN Troglodytes solstitialis A few seen with flocks at BE
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN Henicorhina leucosticta Two of the darker-breasted NW form at FI (T)
GREY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN Henicorhina leucophrys Commonly heard and occasionally seen at BE (T)
SONG WREN Cyphorinus phaeocephalus Fairly common - but not very vocal - at BBS; encountered on c.7 occasions, mostly along the Red or Green trails (T)
SOUTHERN NIGHTINGALE-WREN Microcerculus marginatus Regularly heard and several seen around the trail system at BBS; also heard at TI and FI (T)
TAWNY-FACED GNATWREN Microbates cinereiventris Fairly common (2-6 heard or seen daily) in lower-stratum at BBS (song like Tawny-crowned Greenlet on other side of Andes) (T)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER Polioptila plumbea A few in trees at PE
TROPICAL PARULA Parula pitiayumi Fairly common and vocal in mixed-species flocks at TI, BBS, PE (T)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER Dendroica fusca Several accompanying mixed-species canopy flocks at BE
OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT Geothlypis semiflava 2-3 males in song at La Ye de la Laguna, others in marshy areas along the road at PE
SLATE-THROATED WHITESTART Myioborus miniatus Scarce at BE
SPECTACLED WHITESTART Myioborus miniatus Fairly common at BE (c.5 seen daily) (T)
CHOCÓ WARBLER Basileuterus chlorophrys Common at TI and FI, fairly common at BBS (T)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER Basileuterus tristriatus Common and vocal at BE (T)
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER Basileuterus coronatus Common and vocal in lower-stratum at BE (T)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER Basileuterus fulvicauda A few along the river and backroad at TI, along streams at BBS and two at FI (T)
BANANAQUIT Coereba flaveola Common in gardens, farmland, and forest edge at TI, near La Ye de la Laguna and at PE (T)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER Cyanerpes caeruleus One at FI
GREEN HONEYCREEPER Chlorophanes spiza Seen twice with canopy flocks at BBS
YELLOW-TUFTED DACNIS Dacnis egregia Fairly common around TI
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS Dacnis venusta One exquisite male accompanying Scarlet-browed Tanagers in upper canopies along the road at BBS beyond the beginning of the Orange trail
CAPPED CONEBILL Conirostrum albifrons One female seen in a mixed-species canopy flock at BE
WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa albilatera Fairly common in and around forest at BE
BLACK FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa humeralis A few in cleared areas around BE
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossopis cyanea Regularly with mixed-species flocks at BE
GUIRA TANAGER Hemithraupis guira Small numbers regularly seen in partially cleared areas around TI; also one male seen on the walk between La Ye de la Laguna and BBS
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA Euphonia laniirostris Common, especially in partially cleared areas around TI, BBS and PE
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA Euphonia cyanocephala Several small groups in canopies alongside the upper Mindo road near ML (T)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA Euphonia xanthogaster Fairly common at BBS where several seen singing in mid or lower-strata; also at PE (T)
ORANGE-CROWNED EUPHONIA Euphonia saturata Seen in small numbers most days around TI
GREY-AND-GOLD TANAGER Tangara palmeri One individual seen in canopy of isolated tree near the station at BBS
GOLDEN TANAGER Tangara arthus Fairly common (5-10 daily) with canopy flocks at BE
EMERALD TANAGER Tangara florida c.5 seen with mid-stratum and canopy flocks at BBS, mostly along the Orange trail
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER Tangara icterocephala Regularly observed at BBS, FI and ML
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER Tangara xanthocephala A few seen on the upper Mindo road near ML
FLAME-FACED TANAGER Tangara parzudakii 2-3 with mixed-species flocks at BE
METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER Tangara labradorides Several individuals seen with canopy flocks near ML
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER Tangara vassorii A few with mixed-species flocks at BE
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER Tangara nigroviridis 2-4 daily with mixed-species flocks at BE
BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER Tangara heinei Several at ML
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER Tangara cyanicollis Regularly seen in partially cleared areas around TI and BBS
BAY-HEADED TANAGER Tangara gyrola A few seen at BBS; one at FI
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER Anisognathus somptuosus Fairly common at BE
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER Chlorornis riefferii A few with mixed-speces flocks at BE
BLUE-GREY TANAGER Thraupis episcopus Fairly common in partially cleared areas around TI, BBS and PE
PALM TANAGER Thraupis palmarum Fairly common around TI and BBS
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER Thraupis cyanocephala Several at BE and ML
LEMON-RUMPED TANAGER Ramphocelus icteronotus Very common in degraded forest, cleared areas, gardens etc. near TI, BBS, FI
OCHRE-BREASTED TANAGER Chlorothraupis stolzmanni Common - especially by loud voice at dawn - at BBS (T)
DUSKY-FACED TANAGER Mitrospingus cassini One flew across the road near La Ye de la Laguna, others were seen and heard skulking around in lower-stratum at BBS (T)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER Tachyphonus luctuosus Regularly seen in mid-stratum flocks at TI
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER Tachyphonus delatrii A small noisy group encountered at FI
SCARLET-BROWED TANAGER Heterospingus xanthopygius A group of c.5 individuals perched in canopy near the road beyond the beginning of the Red trail
DUSKY BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus semifuscus Very common and vocal (a major component of mixed-species flocks) at BE (T)
YELLOW-THROATED BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus flavigularis Common at BBS, present in all mixed-species flocks from mid-stratum upwards (T)
WESTERN HEMISPINGUS Hemispingus ochraceus One feeding in bamboo below the lodge at BE, and another pair heard on the A trail
PLUSHCAP Catamblyrhynchus diadema One seen near bamboo with a large mixed-species flock by the research station at BE
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR Saltator maximus A few seen around TI and BBS
BLACK-WINGED SALTATOR Saltator atripennis Regularly seen in partially cleared areas around TI and BBS
SLATE-COLOURED SALTATOR Saltator grossus 1-2 in song at BBS (T)
SOUTHERN YELLOW-GROSBEAK Pheucticus chrysogaster c.3 at BE
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK Cyanocompsa cyanoides 2-3 heard in densely vegetated ravines at BBS
CRIMSON-BREASTED FINCH Rhodospingus cruentus Two males seen at edge of forest fragments behind PE
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT Volatinia jacarina Two at La Ye de la Laguna
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT Tiaris olivacea Two in roadside shrubs just uphill from BE lodge
LESSER SEEDFINCH Oryzoborus angolensis One male seen on the backroad to TI, a few more at La Ye de la Laguna
VARIABLE SEEDEATER Sporophila corvina Seen around TI, BBS and PE
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER Sporophila nigricollis A few around La Ye de la Laguna
RUFOUS-NAPED BRUSH-FINCH Atlapetes latinuchus A few at BE
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH Buarremon brunneinucha One seen hopping along the H trail, and others heard at BE; one seen and heard along the Green trail at BBS (T)
TANAGER FINCH Oreothraupis arremonops Great views of a pair at BE; these were found through speculative playback along the road near the research station, where the top of the R path meets the road. The same pair was heard here on subsequent occasions, and once nearby from the beginning of the A path opposite (T)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW Arremon aurantiirostris Regularly seen and heard around TI, even in gardens; also singles at BBS and FI
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW Arremonops conirostris Two seen along the backroad to TI
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW Zonotrichia capensis A few in upland areas
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE Cacicus microrhynchus Small numbers at TI and BBS, often accompanying oropendolas at the latter site (T)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA Zarhynchus wagleri Fairly common in the canopy of tall forest at BBS (T)
SHINY COWBIRD Molothrus bonariensis A few in farmland round PE
SCRUB BLACKBIRD Dives warszewiczi A few in cleared areas around TI and La Ye de la Laguna
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE Quiscalus mexicanus Fairly common along the coast at PE
YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE Icterus mesomelas A few in song around PE
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK Sturnella bellicosa Fairly common in open areas around PE
YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN Carduelis xanthogastra A few flying around the station at BBS
LESSER GOLDFINCH Carduelis psaltria Small numbers on the upper Mindo road near ML
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Seen in Esmeraldas town centre