BIRDING LOCALITIES
Lago Piuray (lake): 13°24'55.3"S 72°01'57.8"W (3690m)
Hotel Pakaritampu: 13°15'44.65"S 72°16'3.28"W (2815m)
Machu Picchu Ruins 13°09'48.98"S 72°32'46.20"W (2950m)
Ferrocarril (Aguas Calientes to Mandor) 13°09'00.6"S 72°32'09.8"W (2050m)
Abra Malaga: Polylepis forest west slope 13° 8'36.72"S 72°18'16.10"W (4435m) Abra Malaga: East slope cloud forest S 13 06 943 W 072 20 433 (2632m)
Carretera 28B--Peñas: 13°10'19.58"S 72°17'9.69"W (3576m)
Laguna Huaypo (lake): 13°24'05.6"S 72°07'42.2"W (3510m)
DAY BY DAY ACTIVITIES
August 8th: Afternoon flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco and right away continue our journey to Ollantytambo with a stop at Lago Piuray. Night at the Pakaritampu Hotel.
August 9th: Ollantaytambo to Machu-Picchu (Aguas Calientes); after we arrived we met our local guide Vilma to do the tour of the Inca Archaeological Site after the tour we had lunch and right after lunch we went birding on the way to the “Sungate” and later along the Urubamba River and all the way back to our Hotel. Overnight at Aguas Caliente bellow Machu-Picchu (El Mapi Hotel).
August 10th: Early breakfast, then we headed along the railway track in direction to Mandor by the Urubamba River where we got some of our missing targets and then back to Aguas Calientes town for lunch and after lunch just a bit of birding on the upper area of Aguas Calientes and finally we just waited for our train to take us back to Ollantaytambo. Overnight at Pakaritampu Hotel.
August 11th: Abra Malaga Polylepis woodlands (west slope). Night at Pakaritampu Hotel.
August 12th: Abra Malaga east slope (cloud forest) and then later in the afternoon a stop at Laguna Huaypo, then continue our trip to Cusco, check-in at the Casa Andina Plaza Hotel; and a good dinner outside of the Hotel and very nice music and dance show at the restaurant.
SPECIES LIST
DUCKS
Andean Goose – Chloephaga melanoptera. Seen at Lago Piuray and at Abra Malaga.
Torrent Duck - Merganetta armata turneri. Fantastic views along the Urubamba River on our way in and out to Machu-Picchu, also seen many times along the Urubamba River when going by train.
Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera. Common.
White-cheeked Pintail – Anas bahamensis. One individual seen at Lago Piuray.
Yellow-billed Pintail - Anas geórgica. Seen at Lago Piuray and Laguna Huaypo.
Puna Teal - Anas puna. Common.
Yellow-billed Teal (oxyptera) - Anas flavirostris. Seen at Lago Piuray, Abra Malaga, and common at Laguna Huaypo.
Ruddy Duck (Andean) – Oxyura jamaicensis. Seen at Laguna Huaypo.
GUANS
Andean Guan – Penelope montagnii. Seen at Machu Picchu on our way to the Sungate and also on our way to Mandor. Penelope was a princess in Greek mythology, daughter if Icarus and wife of Ulysses.
GREBES
White-tufted Grebe – Rollandia rolland. Several seen at Piuray and Huaypo lakes. Nmaed for Master Gunnar Roland of the French corvete L’Uranie which circumnavigated the world 1817-1820
CORMORANTS
Neotropic Cormorant – Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Common.
HERONS
Great Egret – Ardea alba. Seen at Lago Piuray.
IBIS
Puna Ibis – Plegadis ridgwayi. Seen at Lago Piuray and at Abra Malaga.
AMERICAN VULTURES
Andean Condor – Vultur gryphus. A juvenile soaring at Carretera.
HAWKS
Black-and-chestnut Eagle – Spizaetus isidori. Seen at Abra Malaga.
Roadside Hawk – Rupornis magnirostris. Seen on our way to Mandor and at Abra Malaga (east side).
Variable Hawk – Geranoaetus polyosoma. Seen around Lago Piuray and Abra Malaga; the taxonomy of this group is confusing, and some people try to split it as Puna Hawk B. poecilochrous and Red-backed Hawk B. polyosoma. SACC comment: Farquhar (1988) concluded that Buteo poecilochrous and B. polyosoma are conspecific, as they were formerly treated; he was unable to find any way to reliably diagnose the two forms using plumage characters or measurements. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), Jaramillo (2003), and Schulenberg et al. (2007) followed this Treatment and suggested "Variable Hawk" be retained for the composite species. Genetic data (Riesing et al. 2003) are consistent with hypothesis that B. polyosoma and B. poecilochrous are conspecific.
White-throated Hawk – Buteo albigula. Seen at Machu Picchu.
RAILS
Common Gallinule - Gallinula galeata. Common at Huaypo Lake.
STILTS
Black-necked Stilt (White-backed) – Himantopus mexicanus melanurus. Seen at Piuray Lake.
Slate-colored Coot – Fulica ardesiaca. Common.
PLOVERS
Andean Lapwing - Vanellus resplendens. Common around Abra Malaga, also seen at Piuray and Huaypo lakes.
SANDPIPERS
Greater Yellowlegs – Tringa melanoleuca. Seen at Piuray Lake.
Stilt Sanpiper – Calidris himantopus. Seen at Piuray Lake.
GULLS AND TERNS
Andean Gull - Chroicocephalus serranus. Common, seen at Piuray and Huaypo lakes also around Machu Picchu.
PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) - Columba livia. Feral type found throughout Latin America near human habitation, absent only from extensive tracts of primary forest. – John van Dort.
Spot-winged Pigeon - Patagioenas maculosa. Quite common around Piuray Lake.
Band-tailed Pigeon – Patagioenas fasciata. Seen in the humid Montane forest at Abra Malaga.
Bare-faced Ground-Dove – Metriopelia ceciliae. Seen at Piuray Lake.
White-tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi decipiens. Common around Machu Picchu.
SWIFTS
Chestnut-collared Swift – Streptoprocne rutila. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope, Cloud Forest).
White-collared Swift - Streptoprocne zonaris. Seen at Abra Malaga.
White-tipped Swift - Aeronautes montivagus. Very nice view around Machu-Picchu.
HUMMINGBIRDS
Green Violetear – Colibri thalassinus. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope, Cloud Forest).
Sparkling Violet-ear - Colibri coruscans. Common at Machu-Picchu and Abra Malaga.
Long-tailed Sylph – Aglaiocercus kingii. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope, Cloud Forest).
Bearded Mountaineer - Oreonympha nobilis. Seen around the ground of the Pakaritampu Hotel; a Peruvian endemic.
Tyrian Metaltail - Metallura tyrianthina. Seen at Carretera 28B--Peñas. - Named after the color Tyrian purple; Variously known as Royal purple, Tyrian purple, purple of the ancients, this ancient dyestuff, mentioned in texts dating about 1600 BC, was produced from the mucus of the hypobranchial gland of various species of marine mollusks, notably Murex. Although originating in old port of Tyre in modern day Syria (hence the name), man's first large scale chemical industry spread throughout the world. With the decline of the Roman Empire, the use of the dye also declined and large scale production ceased with the fall of Constantinople in 1453. It was replaced by other cheaper dyes like lichen purple and madder.
Shining Sunbeam – Aglaeactis cupripennis. Seen at Abra Malaga.
White-tufted Sunbeam - Aglaeactis castelnaudii. Seen at Carretera 28B--Peñas; a Peruvian endemic. Named for Louis Nompar de Caumont Laporte Comte de Castelnau (1810-1880) French diplomat collector and exporer.
Collared Inca – Coeliegena torquata. Seen around Aguas Calientes.
Great Sapphirewing – Pterophanes cyanopterus. Seen at Carretera
Booted Racket-tail - Ocreatus underwoodii. Seen on our way to Mandor at Machupicchu district.
Giant Hummingbird – Patagona gigas. Very common at the Pakaritampu Hotel in Ollantaytambo.
White-bellied Hummingbird - Amazilia chionogaster. Good views at the Pakaritampu Hotel and on our way to Mandor.
Green and White Hummingbird - Amazilia viridicauda. Nice views on our way to Mandor, Urubamba. ENDEMIC.
MOTMOTS
Andean Motmot - Momotus aequatorialis. Seen around Aguas Calientes town; M. aequatorialis is one of six species in the Momotus momota complex; includes ssp aequatorialis & chlorolaemus (Stiles 2009, SACC); CHANGE English name from Highland Motmot to Andean Motmot following SACC 412.
TOUCANS
Blue-banded Toucanet - Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis. Seen on our way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
WOODPECKERS
Golden-olive Woodpecker - Colaptes rubiginosus. Seen on our way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
Andean Flicker - Colaptes rupicola. Common around Abra Malaga area also seen at Piuray Lake.
FALCONS
Mountain Caracara- Phalcoboenus megalopterus. Common around Abancay and Abra Malaga area.
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius. Common.
PARROTS
Mitred Parakeet - Psittacara mitrata alticola. Nice views also on our way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
ANTBIRDS
Variable Antshrike - Thamnophilus caerulescens. Very nice views around Machupicchu.
ANTPITTAS
Stripe-headed Antpitta - Grallaria andicolus punensis. This one is the EASIEST Antpitta to see among all the Antpittas at least in Peru; one seen really well on the west slope of Abra Malaga here the subspecies punensis which may deserve full species rank from the northern nominate form.
TAPACULOS
Puna Tapaculo - Scytalopus simonsi. Great views in the west slope (polylepis) forest of Abra Malaga. Scytalopus etymologically comes from the Greek language wich literally means “stickfoot”, referred to their strong and thick feet.
OVENBIRDS
Streaked Xenops - Xenops rutilans. Seen on our way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
Cream-winged Cinclodes - Cinclodes albiventris. Common around Abra Malaga.
Tawny Tit-Spinetail - Leptasthenura yanacensis. Very nice views in the polylepis forest of Abra Malaga.
Line-fronted Canastero - Asthenes urubambensis. Great views of the nominate race in the polylepis forest of Abra Malaga.
Streak-throated Canastero - Asthenes humilis. Quite common on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
Rusty-fronted Canastero - Asthenes ottonis. Seen at Abra Malaga.
Creamy-crested Spinetail - Cranioleuca albicapilla albicapilla. Seen at Carretera 28B--Peñas.
Azara’s Spinetail - Synallaxis azarae. Great views at Machu Picchu on our way to the Sungate, also heard at Abra Malaga.
Puna Thistletail - Asthenes helleri. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope).
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
White-banded Tyrannulet - Mecocerculus stictopterus. Seen around Aguas Calientes town.
Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes alpines. Seen at Abra Malaga (polylepis forest).
Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes flavirostris. Seen at Carretera 28B--Peñas.
Tufted Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes parulus. Seen at Abra Malaga--Cloud Forest.
Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant - Uromyias agraphia. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope).
Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes flavirostris. Seen at Carretera 28B--Peñas.
Tufted Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes parulus. Seen at Abra Malaga--Cloud Forest.
Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant - Uromyias agraphia. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope).
White-crested Elaenia - Elaenia albiceps. Seen at Machu Picchu on our way to the Sungate.
Highland Elaenia - Elaenia obscura. Seen around Machu Picchu and on the way to Mandor.
Torrent Tyrannulet - Serpophaga cinerea. Seen along the Urubamba river, at Aguas Calientes and on the way to Mandor.
Streak-necked Flycatcher - Mionectes striaticollis. Seen around Machu Picchu.
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant - Phylloscartes ophthalmicus. Seen on the way to Mandor at Machupicchu district.
Common Tody-Flycatcher - Todirostrum cinereum. Seen by the Machu Picchu Museum.
Sclater's Tyrannulet - Phyllomyias sclateri. Also seen on the way to Mandor at Machupicchu district.
Cinnamon Flycatcher - Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus. Seen on our way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans. Common seen along the Urubamba river.
Andean Negrito - Lessonia oreas. Seen at Piuray Lake.
White-winged Black-Tyrant - Knipolegus aterrimus. Seen around Machu Picchu.
Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola flavinucha. Few individuals seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
Cinereous Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola cinereus. Seen around Abra Malaga (west slope)
Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola rufivertex. A pair seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca rufipectoralis. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope).
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca fumicolor. Seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga (polylepis forest).
d'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca oenanthoides. Also seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga (polylepis forest).
White-browed Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca leucophrys. Seen at Abra Malaga (west slope).
Social Flycatcher - Myiozetetes similis. Seen on the way from Aguas Calientes town to Mandor.
Tropical Kingbird - Tyrannus melancholicus. Seen around Aguas Calientes and on the way to Mandor.
COTINGAS
Masked Fruiteater - Pipreola pulchra. Great views of a male individual on our way to Mandor; a Peruvian endemic.
TITYRAS & BECARDS
Andean Cock-of-the-rock - Rupicola peruvianus. Seen several times on our way to Mandor.
Barred Becard - Pachyramphus versicolor. Seen on the way to Mandor.
VIREOS
Brown-capped Vireo - Vireo leucophrys. Seen on the the way to Mandor.
SWALLOWS AND MARTINS
Blue-and-white Swallow - Pygochelidon cyanoleuca. Common at Machu-picchu.
Brown-bellied Swallow - Orochelidon murina. Common around Abra Malaga.
WRENS
Inca Wren - Pheugopedius eisenmanni. Great views of a cooperative one by Chusquea vegetation, on our way to the Sungate, one of the specialties of Machu Picchu area. Named after Eugene Eisenmann US/Panamenian ornithologist (1906-1981).
DIPPERS
White-capped Dipper - Cinclus leucocephalus. Great views in two consecutive days along the Urubamba River.
THRUSHES AND SOLITAIRES
Andean Solitaire - Myadestes ralloides. Mainly heard but seen on the way to Mandor.
Great Thrush - Turdus fuscater ockenderi. Common.
Chiguanco Thrush - Turdus chiguanco chiguanco. Common.
White-eared Solitaire - Entomodestes leucotis. Seen on the way to Mandor.
NEW WORLD WARBLERS
Tropical Parula - Setophaga pitiayumi. Seen around Aguas Calientes and on the way to Mandor.
Pale-legged Warbler - Myiothlypis signata. Seen around Machu Picchu.
TANAGERS & ALLIES
Oleaginous Hemispingus - Hemispingus frontalis. Seen on the way to Mandor.
Rust-and-Yellow Tanager - Thlypopsis ruficeps. Nice small flock at Machu Picchu.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager - Anisognathus igniventris. Seen at Abra Malaga (east slope).
Fawn-breasted Tanager - Pipraeidea melanonota. Seen on the way to Mandor.
Blue-and-yellow Tanager - Pipraeidea bonariensis. Seen on the way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
Blue-Gray Tanager - Thraupis episcopus. Common around Aguas Calientes.
Palm Tanager - Thraupis palmarum. Seen on the way to Mandor.
Blue-capped Tanager - Thraupis cyanocephala. Seen aroun Machu Picchu and on the way to Mandor.
Golden-naped Tanager - Tangara ruficervix. Seen on the way from Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
Silvery (Silver-backed) Tanager - Tangara viridicollis. Great views on the way to Mandor.
Blue-necked Tanager - Tangara cyanicollis. Common and beautiful.
Russet-crowned Warbler - Myiothlypis coronate. Seen along Aguas Calientes to Mandor.
Slate-throated Redstart - Myioborus miniatus. Common.
White-lined Tanager - Tachyphonus rufus. Seen on the way to Mandor.
Silver-beaked Tanager - Ramophocelus carbo. Seen along the way to Mandor.
Blue-and-black Tanager - Tangara vassorii. Seen around Machu Picchu, on the way to the Sungate.
Beryl Spangled Tanager - Tangara nigroviridis. Quite common on the way to Mandor.
Cinereous Conebill - Conirostrum cinereum cinereum. Seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
Capped Conebill – Conirostrum albifrons. Seen on our way to Mandor.
Saffron-crowned Tanager - Tangara xanthocephala. Seen around Machu Picchu and on the way to Mandor.
White-browed Conebill - Conirostrum ferrugineiventre. Seen on the east slope of Abra Malaga.
Giant Conebill - Oreomanes fraseri. Seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
Tit-like Dacnis - Xenodacnis parina. A male seen on the east slope of Abra Malaga, thanks to the photo taken by Amy, which helped us identify this restless and secretive bird.
Black-throated Flower-piercer - Diglossa brunneiventris. Seen several times throughout the trip.
Rusty Flower-piercer - Diglossa sittoides. Seen at the Pakaritampu Hotel, on the way too Mandor and at Abra Malaga.
Masked Flower-piercer – Diglossopis cyanea. Seen around Machu Picchu and at Carretera 28B--Peñas.
Peruvian Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus punensis. Seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga, and on both lakes Huaypo and Piuray.
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus unicolor. Common on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
White-winged Diuca-Finch - Diuca speculifera. Good views also on the west slope of Abra Malaga.
Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch - Sicalis uropygialis. Seen along the Carretera 28B--Peñas.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater - Sporophila nigricollis. Seen around Machu Picchu on the way to the Sungate.
Band-tailed Seedeater - Catamenia analis. Seen on the way to Mandor and Huaypo Lake.
Golden-billed Saltator - Saltator aurantiirostris. Seen at Abra Malaga (west slope) and at Pakaritampu Hotel.
NEW WORLD SPARROWS
Rufous-collared Sparrow - Zonatrichia capensis. Common.
CARDINAL GROSBEAKS, AND ALLIES
Black-backed Grosbeak - Pheucticus aureoventris. Common at the Pakaritampu Hotel in Ollantaytambo.
BLACKBIRDS
Yellow-winged Blackbird - Agelasticus thilius. Seen at Huaypo Lake.
FINCHES, EUPHONIAS, AND ALLIES
Thick-billed Euphonia - Euphonia laniirostris. Quite common around Machu-Picchu; the genus name comes from 2 greek words “eu=beautiful” and “phōné=sound, voice, song, literally would mean “beautiful-voiced”.
Hooded Siskin – Sporaga magellanica. Seen on the west slope of Abra Malaga.