Itinerary
16th May 2002
Flight BA207 dep. London Heathrow scheduled 09.40 BST (actual dep. 10.00), arr. Miami International 13.55 EST (9 hour flight). At Miami we had to spend hours going through immigration and customs, even though we were in transit! Then took flight AA976 dep. 17.20 EST, arr. Quito 20.45 Ecuador time (3.5 hour flight). Transferred by courtesy bus to very comfortable Dann Carlton Hotel, provided gratis by La Selva Jungle Lodge. Though it was late, and we were tired, we had to repack much of our gear into one bag and leave the rest in the hotel's storeroom, as there was a strict weight limit of 20 lbs per person on the following day's flight to Coca.
17th May 2002
Pre-breakfast birding in Parque La Carolina in Quito, a short walk from the Dann Carlton Hotel, produced the first lifers including the spectacular
Black-tailed Trainbearer. We then took a taxi to the airport and at 09.35 we took a flight with Icaro airlines over the snow-capped Andes to the town of Coca in Oriente province. Then transferred by motorized pirogue down the Rio Napo, at high speed for 2.5 hours, as far as the jetty for La Selva Jungle Lodge.
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture was seen just east of Coca. The lodge itself is reached by hiking along a 1-mile-long slippery boardwalk, passing through dense Varzea palm forest, then via dugout canoe across the piranha-infested Garza Cocha lake.
Hoatzins were easily seen around the lake. After stowing our gear in the comfortable cabin, we were introduced to our native birding guide, the highly recommended Jose Hualinga, who took us into the forest behind the lodge for several hours' birding from the canopy hide. The best birds seen from the hide were
Olive and
Green Oropendolas, and both
White-throated and
Channel-billed Toucans. On the way back Jose located a
Tawny-bellied Screech-owl at roost.
18th May 2002
La Selva all day. Jose took us on an early morning tour of Garza Cocha lake in the dugout, then we walked back to the Rio Napo, before returning to the lodge for lunch. We briefly saw an
Orange-crested Manakin along the boardwalk then by the river Jose got us on to an
Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher, a rare and little known species, though still just an LBJ. In the afternoon we birded forest trails behind the lodge, obtaining cracking views of a
Rusty-belted Tapaculo.
19th May 2002
La Selva all day. We first crossed Garza Cocha lake and slowly birded the boardwalk, then crossed to the south side of the Rio Napo and did a circular walk through terra firme forest. Jose found us a
Brownish Twistwing and
Brown Nunlet among many other forest species. In the late afternoon we were taken by boat to a large river island downstream, where we saw several
Bare-necked Fruitcrows,
White-eared Jacamars and Ann just got on to an
Amazonian Umbrellabird before it flew off. We returned to La Selva shortly before dusk.
20th May 2002
La Selva all day. After breakfast we climbed the canopy tower and birded for hours, seeing many new species including
Lafresnaye's Piculet and
Spangled Cotinga. After lunch we walked through forest to Mandi Cocha lake, which we explored in a dugout canoe, seeing several
Azure Gallinules and pairs of
Black-capped Donacobius. Returning through the forest, Jose called in a
Sapphire Quail-Dove, which amazingly walked in the open along the trail. Late afternoon was spent on La Selva island in the Rio Napo, where we saw
Parker's and
White-bellied Spinetails, and heard
Castelnau's Antshrike, then returned to the lodge at dusk.
21st May 2002
An early start was required to pack our belongings, and then make the return journey by boat back to Coca and the return flight to Quito. Landing in Quito we were met by a La Selva representative, who kindly took us to the Dann Carlton Hotel to pick up our stored luggage. We were then taken back to the airport to obtain a Hertz hire car. Driving in Ecuador is not for the feint-hearted, since there are very few road signs and the maps useless. We were soon completely lost somewhere southeast of Quito, and it was only after several hours and repeated attempts to elicit directions from local villagers that we eventually rejoined the road to Papallacta. Because of the time that had been lost, we decided to keep going until we reached our destination for the night, Guango Lodge, east of Papallacta village. The feeders at the lodge quickly yielded up several gorgeous
Tourmaline Sunangels, here at the only regular stakeout for this species.
22nd May 2002
Early morning at Guango Lodge. Then retraced our steps to Papallacta village and the Hot Springs, in an unsuccessful search for Sword-billed Hummingbird. We then drove to San Isidro Lodge between Baeza and Pena, seeing a female
Torrent Duck a few km east of Baeza. After continuing past it for several miles we eventually figured out that the lodge entrance road is unmarked, so it was just as well that we knew how far the turning was from Baeza, and had kept a note of the distance travelled. We just had time to check the hummingbird feeders and walk the (very wet) Antvireo Trail before dark.
23rd May 2002
San Isidro all day. We mainly birded from the road, judging the forest trails to be too wet for comfort. The best birds were a
White-tailed Hillstar and just after dinner the so-called 'San Isidro Mystery Owl' put on a great performance despite light rain.
24th May 2002
A short pre-breakfast walk along the road at San Isidro turned up a
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta. We then drove back to Papallacta Pass for several hours' birding. Several of the high paramo specialities were seen, including the sandgrouse-like
Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe around the radio station. The rest of the day was spent driving back to Quito, returning the hire car, and getting by taxi to the Hotel Sierra Madre, where we were met by Iain Campbell of Tropical Birding, our guide for the rest of the holiday.
25th May 2002
An early start for the bird reserve on the upper slopes of Yanacocha volcano, north of Quito. The hummingbird feeders here attracted ten species, including several
Shining Sunbeams, Great Sapphirewings, Buff-winged Starfrontlets, and both
Sapphire-vented and
Golden-breasted Pufflegs. However, the star bird was a female
Black-breasted Puffleg, a critically endangered species. We also saw
Andean Guan and heard
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. Leaving Yanacocha, we birded the Old Nono-Mindo Road and finally arrived at Tandayapa Bird Lodge, or base for the next seven nights. The hummingbird feeders on the verandah are outstanding - this has to be one of the great bird spectacles of the world! We quickly saw hundreds of individuals of 17 species, including the exquisite
Booted Racket-tail, a
White-bellied Woodstar, and a female
Empress Brilliant.
26th May 2002
An early breakfast then on to Los Bancos for first light and the best chance of seeing
Ochre-breasted Tanager. Right on cue it was sitting up and singing, sounding just like a Song Thrush, as we got out of the vehicle; too easy! A short walk brought us to a clearing and superb views of
Moss-backed Tanager. We spent several hours birding along this stretch of road enjoying, amongst many new birds,
Ecuadorian and
Chocó Trogons and
Club-winged Manakin until it got too hot and we headed off to Mindo. It was good to sit on the verandah at Los Colibries, Mindo, watching the hummingbirds at the feeders whilst sipping tea and eating chips. Four new species were added, including
White-necked Jacobin and
White-whiskered Hermit. Just outside Mindo a roadside stop yielded a
Little Cuckoo and after a brief stop at the lodge it was back to the Old Nono-Mindo Road for a superb showing of
Andean Cock-of-the-rock, brief flight views of
Crested Quetzal and a magnificent
Lyre-tailed Nightjar.
27th May 2002
First light and we were out on the trails at Tandayapa with good views of
Rufous-breasted Antthrush,
Toucan Barbet, Ochre-breasted Antpitta and displaying
Golden-winged Manakin but frustratingly only hearing
Moustached Antpitta and glimpsing
Immaculate Antbird. After a 3-course lunch and a browse at the feeders we took the Potoo Trail seeing
Scaled Fruiteater, Andean Solitaire and
Nariño Tapaculo.
28th May 2002
A 4 a.m. breakfast then a 2 hour drive to Pedro Vicente Maldonado arriving before the lorries started work at the quarry. We hoped to see
Black-tipped Cotinga but there was no sign. We drove beyond the quarry and birded along the road for several hours where we encountered 5 new species of woodpecker, 3 new species of tyrannulet, ditto tanager, 2 species of tody-flycatcher, 3 new species of hummingbird (including Ann's much desired
Purple-crowned Fairy) along with
Chestnut-backed Ant-bird, White-flanked Antwren, White-throated Spadebill and a good mammal tick - a Tayra. A brief stop at Los Bancos on the way back produced 5 more new birds and on the road to Tandayapa our headlights picked out a Common Possum.
29th May 2002
The rare luxury of a lie-in! We spent from 6-11.30 a.m. birding the Upper Tandayapa Valley and although we heard
Plate-billed Mountain Toucans we could not get views of them. We did see
Beautiful and
Turquoise Jay, Spillmann's Tapaculo and
Gorgeted Sunangel amongst others before heading back to the lodge for a 3-course lunch and a brief rest before setting out to make another attempt on that toucan. But it was not to be and we were merely further tormented hearing them calling. However we did have stunning views of an
Ocellated Tapaculo, while a
Powerful Woodpecker nearly took our heads off when we played the tape. After dark a bonus was seeing a Central American Woolly Opossum eating dead wasps from one of the hummingbird feeders at the lodge.
30th May 2002
An early start for Four Rivers, arriving at first light but to torrential rain. We were reluctant to leave the vehicle but Iain insisted we did - the bully! (Ann was very glad of her Rohan dry-bags!). Eventually the rain eased off and we began to appreciate why we needed to be in the forest when that happened. First up was an
Esmeraldas Antbird then
Broad-billed Motmot,
Black-headed Antthrush and
Chocó Warbler. On then to Mindo Lindo for stunning views of
Velvet-purple Coronet before returning to Tandayapa for a tree-roosting
Oilbird - quite unexpected!
31st May 2002
Out before first light owling on the Tandayapa trails, but without success so back to the Upper Tandayapa Valley for one last shot for the
Plate-billed Mountain Toucan. At last we saw one perched along the road to the forest research station; sighs of relief all round! Later in the afternoon we caught up with the scarce
White-winged Brush-finch in scrub below Tandayapa Lodge.
1st June 2002
Back to Pedro Vicente Maldonado for
Black-tipped Cotinga but no luck. We did see
Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Snowy-throated Kingbird and
Orange-tufted Barbet. On to Puerto Quito and great views of
White-bearded Manakin. A return to Pedro Vicente Maldonado before driving to Santa Domingo's Hotel Zaracay for a two-night stay added
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan.
2nd June 2002
We arrived at Rio Palenque Research Station at 6 a.m. and spent most of the day birding the trails and road. Best birds were
Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Baron's Hermit, a presumed
Slaty-tailed Trogon and
Whiskered Wren, with a surprise find of a
Least Grebe with 2 downy young.
Little Tinamou was heard, yet again, but could not be coaxed out.
3rd June 2002
An early start for Rio Palenque Research Station for some owling; unfortunately the weather was against us and heavy rain prevented birding. We decided to do something entirely different to the planned itinerary and headed west for 100+ km to Chone Marshes, not particularly good for endemics (our main targets) but fantastic for variety and numbers of birds. There were hundreds of
Neotropic Cormorants and
Wood Storks, dozens of
Least Grebes and
Pied-billed Grebes with young,
Glossy Ibis (5),
Laughing Gull (4),
Magnificent Frigatebird, Clapper Rail, seen briefly by Andrew and Ann before disappearing into the reeds at the back of the lagoon near the cemetery, and
Chestnut-throated Seedeater which was even a new bird for Iain! En route we encountered
White-tailed Kite and
Red-masked Parakeet. We arrived at Tinalandia after they had finished serving dinner but the staff were great and quickly rustled up a 3-course meal; cheese soup was new to us and definitely an acquired taste!
4th June 2002
Tinalandia, named after Tina (the Russian founder), and although it has seen better days, still charming and good for birding; also the only place where we saw snakes. Out early on the trails with good views of
Slaty-capped Shrike Vireo, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Great Antshrike, Brown-billed Scythebill and a glimpse of a
Rufous-fronted Woodquail. The feeders around the dining room provided excellent opportunities for photography, especially of tanagers, and a close view of
Chestnut-backed Antbird which flew in as we were eating.
5th June 2002
An early drive to Cotopaxi NR south of Quito to which we were admitted free because it was National Environment Day. Unfortunately every school in the area had decided to do their bit for the environment and by 10 a.m. the car park at the lake had 8 coaches disgorging hundreds of youngsters who were there to collect rubbish. By the time they had finished their picnics they had produced more rubbish than was originally there! Anyway they did not interfere with us and we walked along the edge of the lake in search of
Ecuadorian Rail eventually seen by Andrew and Iain.
Streak-backed Canastero and
Ecuadorian Hillstar rounded off our official tour with Tropical Birding and so back to Quito. However...
6th June 2002
Iain could not bear the thought of Andrew being dragged around the shops for a whole day and neither could Andrew! So we persuaded Iain to take us for the afternoon to Calicali Pass, just north of La Mitad del Mundo, where we added another seven new birds, including
White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Grassland Yellow-Finch and
Giant Hummingbird (our 50th hummer!). We finished the day with a meal and a pint of Guinness at an English pub in Quito, The Queen Victoria. where we were joined by Iain's wife, Cristina, and Dave Siems, Iain's mate from Australia who had been our driver for most of the tour. Spent our last night in Ecuador at the Hotel Sierra Madre.
7th June 2002
Pre-breakfast start to get to Quito airport. Each person leaving Ecuador has to find $25 departure tax, in cash. Flight AA 966 dep. Quito 08.36 arr. Miami International 13.50 EST. Then took flight BA206 dep. Miami 16.50, arr. London Heathrow 06.35 on 8th June.
Contact Information
Guango Lodge and San Isidro Lodge:
www.ecuadorexplorer.com/sanisidro/html/new_reserves_and_lodges.html
La Selva Jungle Lodge:
www.laselvajunglelodge.com
Tandayapa Bird Lodge:
www.tandayapa.com
Tropical Birding:
www.tropicalbirding.com.
A trip report for the Tropical Birding part of our trip (May 25th - June 6th), written by our guide Iain Campbell, can be found at
www.tropicalbirding.com/tripReports/TR_NWEcuador_May2002.html
Bibliography
DUFF, A. & LAWSON, A. 2001. Mammal Data Add-on to Birdbase/BirdArea. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Software Products.
LOPEZ-LANUS, B. & GASTEZZI, P. 2000. An inventory of the birds of Segua Marsh, Manabi, Ecuador. Cotinga 13: 59-64.
RIDGELY, R.S. & GREENFIELD, P.J. 2001. The Birds of Ecuador. 2 vols. London: Helm.
Systematic List - Birds
Nomenclature and sequence follow Ridgely & Greenfield (2001).
Key
Cc = Calicali Pass
CM = Chone Marshes
Cx = Cotopaxi NP
FR = Four Rivers
GL = Guango Lodge
LB = Los Bancos
LS = La Selva
PLC = Parque La Carolina, Quito
PP = Papallacta Pass
PVM = Pedro Vicente Maldonado
RP = Rio Palenque
SI = San Isidro
SM = Segua Marsh
Ta = Tandayapa
Ti = Tinalandia
YA = Yanacocha
Great Tinamou Tinamus major
1 heard LS 17/5. 1 heard RP 2/6.
Cinereous Tinamou Crypturellus cinereus
1 heard LS 19/5
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui
1 heard LS 17/5 & 19/5. 1 heard PVM 28/5 & 1/6. 1 heard RP 2/6. 2 heard Ti 4/6
Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus
2 heard LS 19/5.
Variegated Tinamou Crypturellus variegatus
1 heard LS 17/5.
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
1 + 2 juvs. RP 2/6. 10+ CM 3/6.
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
25+ CM 3/6.
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata maginificens
2 perched in lakeside trees (!) SM 3/6.
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
200+ SM 3/6.
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
3 SM 3/6.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
c10 CM 3/6.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
c10 CM 3/6. 150+ SM 3/6.
Torrent Duck Merganetta armata
1 female between Baeza and SI 22/5. Pair SI 23/5.
Andean Teal Anas andium
c20 Cx 5/6.
Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica
30+ Papallacta Lake 22/5
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Singles on banks of Rio Napo 17/5, 19/5 & 21/5. 5+ SM 3/6.
Great Egret Ardea alba
1 Rio Napo 17/5. Very common SM 3/6.
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
On banks of Rio Napo: 3 17/5, 1 19/5, 7 21/5. Common SM 3/6.
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
3 CM 3/6.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
On banks of Rio Napo: 7 17/5, 1 19/5. 3 PVM 1/6. Common SM 3/6.
Striated Heron Butorides striatus
1 LS 18/5. 1 banks of Rio Napo 21/5. c20 CM 3/6. 50+ SM 3/6.
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
5 CM 3/6.
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
5 SM 3/6. Listed as a 'casual vagrant' to Ecuador in Ridgely & Greenfield, however it has recently been shown to occur regularly at SM (Lopez-Lanus & Gastezzi, 2000).
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
100+ SM 3/6.
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Common in most places. The largest count was 100+ gathered by the river below Ti 4/6.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Common everywhere.
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus
5 along Rio Napo and at LS 17/5.
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
4 LB 26/5.
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
1 near El Carmen, en route to CM, 3/6. A scarce and local species in Ecuador, but probably increasing.
Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus
Seen most days at LS, as a pair were nesting beside the canopy hide.
Plain-breasted Hawk Accipiter ventralis
1 Ta 29/5; 1 Ta 31/5.
Barred Hawk Leucopternis princeps
1 Ta 29/5
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meriodionalis
1 CM 3/6.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus
3 PP 22/5
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
1 LS 19/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 2 Ta 29/5; 1 PVM 1/6; 1 CM 4/6.
White-rumped Hawk Buteo leucorrhous
1 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma
4 PP 24/5; 2 Cx 5/6; 2 Cc 6/6.
Black Caracara Daptrius ater
2 LS 17/5; 5 LS 18/5 & 19/5; 1 LS 21/5.
Carunculated Caracara Phalcoboenus carunculatus
3 PP 24/5; 2 Cx 5/6.
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Up to 4 seen almost daily at LS.
Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis
1 LS 17/5.
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
1 at Puerto Quito near PVM 1/6.
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
1 Quito-GL 21/5; 1 YA 25/5; 1 Cc 6/6.
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
1 seen at dusk Ti 4/6.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
1 PVM 28/5.
Speckled Chachalaca Ortalis guttata
4 in flight LS 18/5.
Andean Guan Penelope montagnii
2 seen perched but through the mist at YA 25/5.
Common Piping-Guan Pipile pipile
1 flying over the canopy hide at LS 20/5.
Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii
2 seen well perched by the road to the research station, Upper Ta Valley, 29/5.
Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail Odontophorus erythrops
Brief flight views of one flushed on the trails at Ti 4/6.
Dark-backed Wood-Quail Odontophorus melanonotus
1 heard Ta 31/5.
White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis
1 seen only by Ann at RP 28/5; 1 heard but wouldn't show at PVM 1/6.
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris
1 seen briefly on two occasions CM 3/6, running in well-vegetated marshland behind the cemetery. A very rare and threatened species in Ecuador, which however is known from the nearby SM (Lopez-Lanus & Gastezzi, 2000).
Ecuadorian Rail Rallus aequatorialis
Several heard and 1 seen briefly by Andrew at Cx 5/6.
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica
c10 CM 3/6.
Azure Gallinule Porphyrula flavirostris
3 from the dugout canoe on Lake Mandacocha, LS 20/5.
Common Gallinule Gallinula chloropus
c20 CM 3/6.
Andean Coot Fulica ardesiaca
c15 on the lake at Cx 5/6.
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
30+ CM 3/6.
Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe Attagis gayi
c9 calling in flight at the radio mast PP 24/5.
Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens
6 Cx 5/6.
Pied Plover Hoploxypterus cayanus
1 on an island in the Rio Napo, LS 19/5.
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
1 Selva Island, Rio Napo, LS 20/5.
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
1 CM 3/6.
Andean Gull Larus serranus
1 Lake Papallacta PP 21/5; 2 Lake Papallacta PP 22/5; 60+ Cx 5/6.
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
3 CM 3/6.
Yellow-billed Tern Sterna superciliaris
2 on Rio Napo LS 20/5 & 21/5.
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Noted in towns en route to GL 22/5.
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
Up to c20 SI 22-24/5; 2 YA 25/5; c20 Ta 31/5.
Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis
10 Selva Island, Rio Napo, LS 20/5; 1 CM 3/5.
Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea
1 Mindo 26/5.
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea
1 from Canopy hide LS 20/5; 1 Ta 26/5.
Dusky Pigeon Columba goodsoni
1 PVM 28/5.
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
c20 PLC 17/5; several others seen at various locations around Quito.
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
5 Cc 6/6.
Ecuadorian Ground-Dove Columbina buckleyi
5 RP 2/6; c20 CM 3/6.
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
3 Ta 31/5
Pallid Dove Leptotila pallida
1 Puerto Quito 1/6; 1 RP 2/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla
1 heard LS 18/5.
Sapphire Quail-Dove Geotrygon saphirina
1 called out and coaxed onto the trail by Jose, and seen well LS 20/5.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw Ara severa
5 in flight LS 19/5; 4 in flight LS 20/5.
Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata
3 in flight LS 17/5.
Red-masked Parakeet Aratinga erythrogenys
c10 seen briefly in flight between CM and Santa Domingo 3/6.
Dusky-headed Parakeet Aratinga weddellii
15 at salt lick LS 19/5.
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura
8 LB, eventually seen well in the scope 26/5; c10 PVM 28/5.
Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis
4 PVM 1/6; c20 en route to CM 3/6.
Cobalt-winged Parakeet Brotogeris cyanoptera
Up to 20 seen daily at LS.
Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
10 Upper Ta Valley, 29/5 & 31/5.
White-capped Parrot Pionus seniloides
10+ SI 23/5 & 24/5.
Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus
c20 LB 26/5.
Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazona ochrocephala
Up to 8 at LS 18-20/5.
Scaly-naped Amazon Amazona mercenaria
4 Upper Ta Valley 29/5; 1 Ta 31/5.
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Singles seen on 19/5 & 20/5 LS; 2 PVM 28/5.
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta
1 carrying food near Mindo 26/5; 1 PVM 2/6.
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Up to 8 seen daily at LS.
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Seen daily at LS; 3 LB 26/5; c10 PVM 28/5.
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
c20 CM 4/6.
Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin
Seen daily at LS, inc. 18 on 18/5.
Tropical Screech-Owl Otus choliba
1 heard LS 19/5.
Rufescent Screech-Owl Otus ingens
1 heard Ta 31/5.
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl Otus watsonii
Roosting birds seen at LS 17/5, 18/5 & 20/5.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
1 heard LS 20/5.
'San Isidro Mystery Owl' Strix sp.
1 spotlighted, seen and heard well SI 23/5. This species has features of both the western Black-and-white Owl S. nigrolineata and the Amazonian lowland Black-banded Owl S. huhula. It is considered by some observers to be an undescribed eastern slope endemic.
Oilbird Steatornis caripensis
Superb views of a tree-roosting bird at Ta 30/5.
Long-tailed Potoo Nyctibius aethereus
Excellent view LS 19/5.
Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus
1 Ti 4/6.
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk Lurocalis rufiventris
1 Ta 29/5; 1 heard Ta 31/5.
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
1 roosting at the edge of Garza Cocha lake LS 20/5; 1 RP 3/6.
Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris
1 evenings 23-25/5 SI.
Ladder-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis climacocerca
1 LS 19/5; 2 LS 20/5.
Lyre-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis lyra
1 male seen well in the spotlight Old Nono-Mindo road 26/5.
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
2 LB 26/5; c10 Ta 29/5; c10 PVM 1/6.
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila
c10 PVM 28/5; 10+ Ta 29/5; 3 Ta 31/5.
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
2 Ti 4/6. The very similar but much rarer Chapman's Swift Chaetura chapmani was not eliminated.
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura
4 LS 17/5.
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
c15 LS 20/5; c20 PVM 28/5; 2 PVM 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
2 LS 17/5; 2 Ti 4/6.
Neotropical Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata
Seen daily at LS.
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
2 Mindo 26/5; 2 FR 30/5; 1 Puerto Quito 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmatophorus
2 Ta 27/5.
Baron's Hermit Phaethornis baroni
1 FR 30/5.
Great-billed Hermit Phaethornis malaris
1 LS 19/5.
White-bearded Hermit Phaethornis hispidus
1 LS 18/5 & 19/5.
Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis
1 PVM 28/5.
Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae
1 Ta 25/5, 26/5 & 29/5.
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
2 Mindo 26/5.
Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae
1 seen daily at Ta.
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus
1 SI; up to 5+ seen daily Ta.
Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans
1 PLC 17/5; 1 seen daily at Ta.
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
1 PVM 28/5.
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisuguss
1 LS 17/5.
Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
5 YA 25/5; up to 5 seen daily at Ta.
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
2 Mindo 26/5; 1 PVM 30/5.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
A feisty hummer; several seen daily at Ta.
Andean Emerald Agyrtria franciae
3 YA 25/5; seen daily at Ta.
Purple-chested Hummingbird Amazilia rosenbergi
1 PVM 28/5.
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
10+ GL 23/5; 1-2 seen most days Ta.
Purple-bibbed Whitetip Urosticte benjamini
Up to c20 seen daily Ta.
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
1 female Ta 25/5. A scarce species in Ecuador.
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
2 Mindo 26/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides
1 SI 22/5;2 SI 23/5; up to 3 seen daily at Ta.
Ecuadorian Hillstar Oreotrochilus chimborazo
1 at high altitude Cx 5/6.
White-tailed Hillstar Urochroa bougueri
1 SI 23/5 & 24/5.
Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas
3 Cc 6/6.
Shining Sunbeam Aglaeactis cupripennis
2 YA 25/5; 1 Cx 5/6.
Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi
1 YA 25/5.
Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
4 YA 25/5.
Bronzy Inca Coeligena coeligena
Up to 5 SI 22-24/5.
Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni
1-2 seen daily at Ta.
Collared Inca Coeligena torquata
2 GL 22/5; up to 10 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 25 & 26/5.
Buff-winged Starfrontlet Coeligena lutetiae
3 YA 25/5.
Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
Up to 5 seen daily at Ta.
Chestnut-breasted Coronet Boissonneaua matthewsii
1 SI 23/5.
Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini
1 Mindo Lindo 30/5 - stunning!
Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus
3 Upper Ta Valley 29/5.
Tourmaline Sunangel Heliangelus exortis
10+ GL 21/5.
Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis
1 female YA 25/5, on the last feeder along the track, and associating with other pufflegs to provide a valuable comparison. The warden saw a male on a different feeder while we were there. Seeing this critically endangered species was one of the highlights of the trip.
Sapphire-vented Puffleg Eriocnemis luciani
5 YA 25/5.
Golden-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis mosquera
1 YA 25/5.
Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii
c20 seen daily at Ta.
Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia victoriae
2 PLC 17/5; 1 Quito 6/6.
Purple-backed Thornbill Ramphomicron microrhynchum
1 YA 25/5.
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
5+ GL 21 & 22/5; 3 YA 25/5; 1 Cx 5/6.
Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi
1 GL 21/5; 3 GL 22/5; 10+ SI 23/5.
Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
Up to 4 seen daily Ta. So beautiful.
Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti
2 PVM 28/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii
20+ seen daily Ta.
White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus mulsant
1 Ta 25/5, 27/5 & 29/5.
Crested Quetzal Pharomachrus antisianus
1 flight views only Old Nono-Mindo road 26/5.
Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps
2 heard Ta 27/5.
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus
1 LS 18/5.
Ecuadorian Trogon Trogon mesurus
1 LB 26/5.
Chocó Trogon Trogon comptus
1 LB 26/5.
Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena
1 showing the characters of this species at RP 2/6. Slaty-tailed Trogon is however rare in Ecuador and confined to Esmeraldas (Ridgely & Greenfield, 2001). Our guide Iain Campbell later considered it to have been an immature Ecuadorian Trogon T. mesurus, even though it responded to a tape of Slaty-tailed Trogon and definitely had dark eyes. We disagree with this identification and provisionally consider that it was a Slaty-tailed Trogon from south of its mapped range, until evidence is forthcoming which shows that immature Ecuadorian Trogons also have dark eyes.
Amazonian White-tailed Trogon Trogon viridis
1 female LS 19/5.
Western White-tailed Trogon Trogon chionurus
1 heard PVM 28/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
1 LS 20/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
1 Ta 26/5, 30/5 & 31/5 - regularly seen in the regeneration area below the lodge.
Northern Violaceous Trogon Trogon caligatus
1 PVM 1/6. 1 RP 2/6.
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
1 LS 18/5; 3 Rio Napo 21/5; 1 Puerto Quito 1/6; 4+ CM 3/6.
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
2 Rio Napo 21/5.
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
1 Puerto Quito 1/6; 2 RP 2/6; 6+ CM 3/6.
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
1 heard Ta 28/5; 3 FR 30/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
2 PVM 1/6; 1 RP 2/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
White-eared Jacamar Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis
2 island on Rio Napo 19/5.
Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
1 PVM 1/6; 3 RP 2/6.
White-necked Puffbird Notharchus macrorhynchos
1 Mandacocha lake LS 20/5.
White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis
2 Puerto Quito 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Brown Nunlet Nonnula brunnea
1 LS, S side of Rio Napo, 19/5.
White-faced Nunbird Hapaloptila castanea
1 heard Ta 27/5.
Black-fronted Nunbird Monasa nigrifrons
4+ LS 18/5.
White-fronted Nunbird Monasa morphoeus
1 LS 19/5; 2 LS 20/5.
Orange-fronted Barbet Capito squamatus
2 PVM 1/6.
Gilded Barbet Capito auratus
2 LS 18/5.
Lemon-throated Barbet Eubucco richardsoni
1 LS 20/5.
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus
2 seen well Ta 27/5; 2 heard Ta 29 & 30/5.
Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus
1 SI 24/5.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
1 Ta 27/5 & 30/5; 2 Ti 4/6.
Golden-collared Toucanet Selenidera reinwardtii
1 LS 19/5; 1 heard LS 20/5.
Pale-mandibled Araçari Pteroglossus erythropygius
1 LB 26/5; 6 PVM 28/5; 2 RP 2/6; 4 Ti 4/6.
Many-banded Araçari Pteroglossus pluricinctus
4 LS 17/5; 1 LS 20/5.
Lettered Araçari Pteroglossus inscriptus
2 LS 20/5.
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena laminirostris
3 heard YA 25/5 - unusual at this site; 2 heard Ta 29/5; 1 Ta 31/5.
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos culminatus
2 LS 17/5.
Chocó Toucan Ramphastos brevis
1 PVM 28/5.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii
1 PVM 1/6.
White-throated Toucan Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri
2 LS 17/5; 3 LS 18/5; 1 LS 19/5.
Lafresnaye's Piculet Picumnus lafresnayi
1 LS 20/5.
Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus
1 PVM 28/5.
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus rivolii
3 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 31/5.
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
1 PVM 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Chestnut Woodpecker Celeus elegans
1 flight views only seen by Ann LS 20/5.
Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus
1 PVM 28/5.
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus
1 LS 18/5.
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
1 LB 28/5.
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus
6+ LS 17/5; 3+ LS 18/5.
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
2 PVM 28/5; 3 PVM 1/6; 3 RP 2/6; 2 Ti 4/6.
Little Woodpecker Veniliornis passerinus
1 LS 19/5.
Chocó Woodpecker Veniliornis chocoensis
1 PVM 28/5.
Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii
2 PVM 28/5.
Yellow-vented Woodpecker Veniliornis dignus
1 Ta 27/5.
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Veniliornis callonotus
1 Mindo 26/5.
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos
4 LS 18/5; 1 LS 19/5; 1 LS 20/5.
Guayaquil Woodpecker Campephilus gayaquilensis
1 PVM 28/5; 1 female RP 2/6.
Powerful Woodpecker Campephilus pollens
1 Ta 29/5 - very aggressive response to tape!
Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus
2 Cx 5/6.
Stout-billed Cinclodes Cinclodes excelsior
4 PP 24/5; 2 Cx 5/6.
Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus
1 Mindo 25/5; 2 PVM 28/5; 2 PVM 1/6; 5+ CM 3/6.
Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
1 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura
1 PVM 28/5; 2 PVM 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Dark-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albigularis
1 heard LS 20/5.
White-bellied Spinetail Synallaxis propinqua
1 LS 20/5.
White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis
1 YA 25/5.
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
1 Ta 25/5.
Parker's Spinetail Cranioleuca vulpecula
3 Selva Island, Rio Napo 20/5.
Streak-backed Canastero Asthenes wyatti
1 Cx 5/6.
Many-striped Canastero Asthenes flammulata
2 PP 24/5.
Orange-fronted Plushcrown Metopothrix aurantiacus
3 LS 20/5.
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
2 Ta 29/5.
Point-tailed Palmcreeper Berlepschia rikeri
1 heard LS 19/5.
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
2 SI 24/5; 1 Ta 31/5.
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens
1 Ta 27/5.
Rusty-winged Barbtail Premnornis guttuligera
1 Ta 30/5.
Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris
1 Ta 27/5.
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps
1 LB 26/5.
Eastern Woodhaunter Hyloctistes subulatus
1 LS 20/5.
Chestnut-winged Hookbill Ancistrops strigilatus
1 LS 19/5 & 20/5.
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
1 LB 26/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Bamboo Foliage-gleaner Anabazenops dorsalis
1 heard LS 19/5.
Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner Automolus infuscatus
1 LS 19/5.
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus
1 PVM 28/5.
Striped Treehunter Thripadectes holostictus
1 Ta 31/5.
Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps
1 Ta 30/5.
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
1 PVM 28/5.
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
1 LS 20/5; 1 PVM 28/5.
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
1 LB 26/5; 1 FR 30/5.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
1 LS 18/5; 2 PVM 28/5.
Long-billed Woodcreeper Nasica longirostris
1 heard LS 18/5.
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper Dendrexetastes rufigula
1 LS 20/5.
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
2 Ta 27/5.
Ocellated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus ocellatus
1 LS 19/5.
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
2 LS 18/5; 1 LS 20/5.
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
1 PVM 1/6.
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
1 Ta 27/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
3 PVM 28/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
3 SI 22/5; 2 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 27/5 & 29/5.
Brown-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus pusillus
1 Ti 4/6.
Great Antshrike Taraba major
1 heard PVM 28/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Castelnau's Antshrike Thamnophilus cryptoleucus
1 heard Selva Island, Rio Nap, 20/5.
Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor
1 heard Ta 27/5; 1 Ta 30/5.
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
2 PVM 28/5; 2 FR 30/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
1 heard Ti 4/6.
Dusky-throated Antshrike Thamnomanes ardesiacus
2 LS 19/5.
Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius
1 LS 19/5.
Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura
1 heard LS 19/5.
Short-billed Antwren Myrmotherula obscura
4 LS 18/5; 1 LS 19/5.
Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula pacifica
1 Ti 4/6.
Plain-throated Antwren Myrmotherula hauxwelli
1 LS 18/5 & 19/5.
Ornate Antwren Myrmotherula ornata
1 LS 19/5 & 20/5.
Rufous-tailed Antwren Myrmotherula erythrura
1 LS 19/5.
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
2 LS 19/5. 1 PVM 28/5.
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
1 Ta 30/5.
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis
2 PVM 28/5.
Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudata
1 Ta 30/5; 2 Ta 31/5.
Gray Antbird Cercomacra cinerascens
1 heard LS 18/5.
Black-faced Antbird Myrmoborus myotherinus
1 LS 20/5.
Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis cantator
1 LS 19/5.
Black-and-white Antbird Myrmochanes hemileucus
1 heard LS 20/5.
Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia
1 heard LS 18/5.
Plumbeous Antbird Myrmeciza hyperythra
1 heard LS 18/5.
White-shouldered Antbird Myrmeciza melanoceps
1 female LS 19/5.
Sooty Antbird Myrmeciza fortis
1 LS 19/5.
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
1 PVM 28/5.
Esmeraldas Antbird Myrmeciza nigricauda
1 FR 30/5.
Black-spotted Bare-eye Phlegopsis nigromaculata
1 heard LS 18/5.
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis
1 heard LS 20/5.
Black-headed Antthrush Formicarius nigricapillus
1 FR 30/5.
Rufous-breasted Antthrush Formicarius rufipectus
1 Ta 27/5.
Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis
1 heard Ta 27/5; 1 heard Ta 31/5.
Moustached Antpitta Grallaria alleni
1 heard then gave very brief views Ta 27/5.
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla
1 SI 24/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis
1 heard PP 24/5; 1 heard Cx 5/6.
Thrush-like Antpitta Myrmothera campanisona
1 heard LS 19/5.
Ochre-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula flavirostris
1 Ta 27/5.
Rusty-belted Tapaculo Liosceles thoracicus
1 heard and seen well LS 18/5.
Unicolored Tapaculo Scytalopus latrans
1 seen + 1 heard YA 25/5.
Nariño Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior
1 heard and seen briefly Ta 27/5.
Spillmann's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni
1 heard YA 25/5; 1 heard and seen Ta 29/5.
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx
3 heard YA 25/5; 1 heard and seen very well Ta 29/5. Superb!
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
1 PVM 28/5 & 1/6; 1 RP 2/6.
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
1 PVM 28/5 & 1/6; 1 RP 2/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Slender-footed Tyrannulet Zimmerius gracilipes
1 LS 18/5 & 20/5.
Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion brunneicapillum
1 PVM 28/5.
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
1 PVM 28/5.
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus
1 LS 18/5.
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps
1 LS 20/5.
Yellow-crowned Elaenia Myiopagis flavivertex
1 LS 20/5.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
1 RP 2/6.
White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps
1 SI 23/5.
Sierran Elaenia Elaenia pallatangae
1 Ta 29/5.
Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus obscurior
1 LS 18/5. A rare and little-known species, best located by its thin 'zweeeeuw' call. This individual was seen (and photographed) in trees at the clearing where the La Selva boardwalk meets the Rio Napo.
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys
2 YA 25/5.
White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus
3 YA 25/5; 1 Cx 5/6.
White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus poecilocercus
2 SI 23/5.
Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea
2 Mindo 26/5.
Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
2 PLC 17/5; 1 PP 22/5.
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis
1 Ta 27/5.
Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus
1 FR 30/5; 1 PVM 1/6.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
1 RP 2/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus
1 LS 19/5.
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
1 Puerto Quito 1/6; 1 RP 2/6.
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus pelzelni
1 Ta 30/5.
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
1 LB 26/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 2 Ta 31/5; c10 Ti 4/6.
White-eyed Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus zosterops
1 heard LS 19/5.
Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus ruficeps
1 seen by Andrew SI 24/5.
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps
2 PVM 28/5.
Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum
1 LS 18/5 & 20/5.
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
1 PVM 28/5.
Brownish Twistwing Cnipodectes subbrunneus
1 seen well at LS on S side of Rio Napo 19/5.
Zimmer's Flatbill Tolmomyias assimilis
1 LS 18/5.
Yellow-margined Flatbill Tolmomyias flavotectus
1 PVM 28/5; 1 Puerto Quito 1/6.
White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus
1 PVM 28/5.
Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus
1 Ti 4/6.
Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus
2 LB 26/5; 1 FR 30/5.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus
1 RP 2/6.
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius
1 FR 30/5.
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans
1 Ta 27/5, 30/5 & 31/5.
Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus
1 Ta 31/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Handsome Flycatcher Myiophobus pulcher
2 SI 23/5.
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
1 SI 22/5; 2 SI 23/5; c5 SI 24/5.
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
2 SI 23/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Gray-breasted Flycatcher Lathrotriccus griseipectus
1 RP 2/6.
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
2 SI 22/5; 1 SI 23/5; 1 Ti 4/6.
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
1 near El Carmen 3/6.
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor
2 Cx 5/6.
Smoky Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes fumigatus
1 SI 23/5.
White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis andicola
2 Cc 6/6. Now very rare and local, Calacali Pass is the only reliable site for this species in Ecuador.
Paramo Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola alpina
3 PP 24/5; 3 Cx 5/6.
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
2 PVM 28/5.
Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta
1 Mindo 26/5; c 20 CM 3/6; 3 Ti 4/6.
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
2 LS 20/5.
Cinnamon Attila Attila cinnamomeus
1 seen briefly by Andrew by Mandacocha Lake LS 18/5.
Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna holerythra
1 FR 30/5.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
1 heard LS 18/5; 2 LB 26/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ta 31/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Pale-edged Flycatcher Myiarchus cephalotes
2 SI 23/5.
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
2 LS 18/5.
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
c10 Rio Napo 17/5; 1 LS 18/5; 1 FR 30/5; 3 RP 2/6.
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Common at LS.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
3 PVM 28/5 & 1/6; c10 Ti. Known to our Tropical Birding guides as "The English Flycatcher" because of its constant whining note.
Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
1 LS 20/5.
Dusky-chested Flycatcher Myiozetetes luteiventris
1 LS 20/5.
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
1 LS 17/5 & 19/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
2 LB 26/5; 2 Ta 27/5; 3 Ta 31/5.
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
1 RP 2/6.
Crowned Slaty Flycatcher Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus
1 LS 17/5 & 19/5.
Sulphury Flycatcher Tyrannopsis sulphurea
1 LS 20/5.
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Common and seen almost daily at most sites.
Snowy-throated Kingbird Tyrannus niveigularis
1 PVM 1/6.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrranus savana
1 on Rio Napo island LS 20/5.
Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor
1 Ta 29/5.
Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
3 PVM 28/5; 3 RP 2/6; 2 Ti 4/6.
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
1 LS 18/5.
Black-capped Becard Pachyramphus marginatus
2 LS 20/5.
One-colored Becard Pachyramphus homochrous
1 PVM 1/6.
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana
c10 LS 20/5.
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
1 PVM 28/5; 2 PVM 2/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor
2 PVM 28/5.
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata
2 YA 25/5.
Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii
1 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Scaled Fruiteater Ampelioides tschudii
1 Ta 27/5.
Olivaceous Piha Lipaugus cryptolophus
7 Ta 27/5. A very unusual number of sightings for what is normally a solitary and inconspicuous bird, and we suspected it may have been a family party.
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans
Heard most days at LS, but impossible to see.
Spangled Cotinga Cotinga cayana
2 from canopy hide LS 20/5.
Bare-necked Fruitcrow Gymnoderus foetidus
1 LS 19/5.
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
5 LS 18/5; 6 PVM 1/6.
Amazonian Umbrellabird Cephalopterus ornatus
1 seen briefly by Ann on roost island in Rio Napo 19/5.
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruviana
c10 lekking in valley Old Nono-Mindo road 26/5.
Blue-crowned Manakin Pipra coronata
1 LS 20/5.
Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus
2 Ta 27/5.
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Heard Ta 26/5 & 28/5; 2 seen well and displaying Puerto Quito 1/6.
Club-winged Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus
1 Ta 26/5.
Green Manakin Chloropipo holochlora
1 FR 30/5. A shy and inconspicuous bird, this species is seen regularly by the first stream crossing at FR provided you walk very quietly and stealthily. It duly performed on cue.
Orange-crested Manakin Heterocercus aurantiivertex
1 LS 18/5. A scarce and local species in Ecuador. Heard and briefly seen along the boardwalk between the Rio Napo and Garza Cocha Lake.
Wing-barred Piprites Piprites chloris
1 LS 20/5.
Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa
2 YA 25/5; 2 Ta 29/5.
Beautiful Jay Cyanolyca pulchra
3 Ta 29/5.
Violaceous Jay Cyanocorax violaceus
2 LS 17/5; 5 LS 18/5; c10 LS 19/5.
Inca Jay Cyanocorax yncas
3 SI 22/5; 4 SI 23.5.
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius leucotis
Heard PVM 28/5; 2 heard and eventually seen Ti 4/6. Best located by its monotonous even-pitched whistle, this is a very difficult species to see well as it generally stays motionless and hidden high in the canopy then suddenly flies a long distance to another hidden song perch.
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
1 Ta 27/5.
Dusky-capped Greenlet Hylophilus hypoxanthus
2 LS 20/5.
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
1 PVM 28/5 & 1/6.
Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides
1 heard 26/5, 1 heard then brief flight views only Ta 27/5.
Pale-eyed Thrush Platycichla leucops
2 Ti 4/6.
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Common at higher elevations.
Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus
1 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 31/5.
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis
2 LS 18/5; 1 LS 20/5.
Ecuadorian Thrush Turdus maculirostris
5+ Santa Domingo; 1 Ti 4/6.
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis
1 LS 18/5.
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
2 in river below GL 22/5; 1 in stream at a bridge along Old Nono-Mindo road 25/5.
Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera
4 Rio Napo 20/5.
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
c20 en route to CM 3/6.
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer
Common along Rio Napo and at LS.
Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
c10 PLC 17/5; c20 SI 22-24/5; c20 Cc 5/6.
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Seen daily except at LS.
White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata
c20 Rio Napo 17/5.
White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
2 LB 26/5; c10 PVM 28/5.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Seen daily except at LS & SI.
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapillus
5 by Mandi Cocha lake LS 20/5.
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus
6 LS 18/5.
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
1 PVM 28/5; 2 Ti 4/6.
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
1 LB 26/5; 2 Ti 4/6.
Plain-tailed Wren Thryothorus euophrys
Heard at Ta 25/5 & 29/5; 2 Ta 31/5.
Whiskered Wren Thryothorus mystacalis
1 RP 2/6.
Coraya Wren Thryothorus coraya
1 LS 19/5.
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ta 31/5; 2 RP 2/6.
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis
1 SI 23/5.
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
1 LS 18/5 & 20/5.
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Often heard. Only birds seen were 1 Ta 27/5 & 31/5.
Southern Nightingale-Wren Microcerculus marginatus
1 LS 19/5 and often heard 17/5-20/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 1 FR 30/5.
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris
1 seen briefly by Andrew RP 2/6.
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
2 LS 19/5.
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
1 LS 20/5; 1 PVM 28/5; 1 Ta 1/6.
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
3 LB 26/5; 1 Ta 27/5; 5+ PVM 28/5.
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava
2 LB 28/5.
Slate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatus
3+ GL 22/5; 5+ SI 23/5; 1 Ta 27/5; 2 PVM 28/5; 2 Ta 31/5.
Spectacled Whitestart Myioborus melanocephalus
2 PP 22/5; 2 Ta 29/5.
Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus nigrocristatus
1 Ta 29/5.
Chocó Warbler Basileuterus chlorophrys
1 FR 30/5.
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
2 Ta 27/5.
Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus
1 Ta 29/5.
Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda
3 PVM 28/5; 2 Puerto Quito 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
1 seen daily at Ta.
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
3 LS 18/5; 1 LS 20/5; 2 PVM 1/6.
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
4 LS 20/5; 1 PVM 28/5 & 1/6; 1 RP 2/6; 2 Ti 4/6.
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
1 PVM 1/6.
Black-faced Dacnis Dacnis lineata
1 LS 18/5.
Yellow-tufted Dacnis Dacnis egregia
2 PVM 28/5; 4 PVM 1/6; 2 RP 2/6; 2 Ti 4/6.
Yellow-bellied Dacnis Dacnis flaviventer
1 LS 17/5; 2 LS 18/5; 1 LS 20/5.
Cinereous Conebill Conirostrum cinereum
5 PLC 17/5; 10+ PP 22/5; 2 Cx 5/6.
Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor
2 YA 25/5.
Capped Conebill Conirostrum albifrons
1 SI 23/5; 1 Ta 29/5.
Bluish Flowerpiercer Diglossopis caerulescens
5+ SI 23/5.
Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossopis cyanea
2 SI 23/5; 3 YA 25/5; 1 Ta 27/5 & 29/5.
Glossy Flowerpiercer Diglossa lafresnayii
2 Ya 25/5.
Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis
3 PP 22/5; 1 Ya 25/5.
White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera
1 SI 23/5; 2 Ta 25/5; 1 Ta 27/5.
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
2 PVM 1/6; 2+ RP 3/6.
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
4 LS 18/5; 1 Ta 31/5; 1 RP 2/6; 2 Ti 4/6.
Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala
1 Cc 6/6.
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
2 LB 26/5; c10 Ta 27/5; 1 PVM 28/5.
White-vented Euphonia Euphonia minuta
1 LS 20/5.
Orange-crowned Euphonia Euphonia saturata
1 Ta 27/5; 1 FR 30/5.
Rufous-bellied Euphonia Euphonia rufiventris
4 LS 17/5; 2 LS 18/5.
Rufous-throated Tanager Tangara rufigula
1 LB 28/5.
Gray-and-gold Tanager Tangara palmeri
4 PVM 28/5; 3 PVM 1/6.
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus
1 Ta 25/5 & 27/5; 3 Ta 30/5.
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
3 Ti 4/6.
Saffron-crowned Tanager Tangara xanthocephala
2+ SI 23/5.
Flame-faced Tanager Tangara parzudakii
2 Ta 29/5.
Golden-naped Tanager Tangara ruficervix
1 Ta 29/5; 3 Ta 31/5.
Metallic-green Tanager Tangara labradorides
1 Ta 27/5.
Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis
2 SI 23/5; up to c.10 seen daily at Ta.
Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii
4 YA 25/5.
Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
1 Ta 31/5.
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
1 SI 23/5; 4 PVM 1/6; 2 RP 2/6.
Masked Tanager Tangara nigrocincta
3 LS 20/5.
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
6+ PVM 1/6.
Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana
1 LS 18/5.
Opal-crowned Tanager Tangara callophrys
1 LS 20/5.
Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis
1 LS 17/5.
Green-and-gold Tanager Tangara schrankii
2 LS 20/5.
Yellow-bellied Tanager Tangara xanthogastra
1 seen by Ann LS 20/5.
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
2 LB 26/5; 2 PVM 28/5; 1 RP 2/6.
Golden-crowned Tanager Iridosornis rufivertex
2 YA 25/5.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
6 YA 25/5.
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus
2 SI 23/5; 6 Ta 27/5.
Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana
10 Old Nono-Mindo road 25/5.
Moss-backed Tanager Bangsia edwardsi
2 LB 26/5; 1 LB 28/5. An endangered species. Quite easy to see at this site as it keeps returning to favoured perches in the open.
Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
2 Old Nono-Mindo road 25/5.
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
1 LB 26/5; 2 LB 28/5.
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
1 LS 17/5; 2 LS 20/5; c10 SI 23/5; 2 PVM 1/6; c10 Ti 4/6.
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
4 LS 20/5; 4+ PVM 1/6; 4+ RP 2/6; 2 Ti 4/6.
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
2 LS 18/5.
Lemon-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus icteronotus
5 LB 26/5; 4+ PVM 28/5; 10+ en route to CM 3/6.
Ochre-breasted Tanager Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
1 heard and seen well LB 26/5; 2 heard FR 30/5. Known to our Tropical Birding guides as "The American Tanager" because of its endless loud cacophony.
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii
3 Puerto Quito 1/6; c10 RP 2/6; 3 Ti 4/6.
Fulvous-crested Tanager Tachyphonus surinamus
1 LS 19/5 & 20/5.
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
c10 PVM 28/5; 2 PVM 1/6; 2 RP 2/6.
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
2 SI 23/5.
Dusky Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus semifuscus
5 Ta 29/5.
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus flavigularis
6 FR 30/5.
Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris
2 YA 25/5; 1 Cx 5/6.
Black-eared Hemispingus Hemispingus melanotis
1 SI 23/5.
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
1 PVM 28/5; 2 PVM 1/6; 3 RP 2/6; 5 Ti 4/6.
Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis
1 Ta 27/5; 2 Ta 31/5; 4 PVM 1/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
1 LS 18/5; 2 LS 20/5.
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus
2 RP 2/6; 1 Ti 4/6.
Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis
2 LS 17/5; 1 LS 18/5 & 19/5.
Southern Yellow-Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
2 Cc 6/6.
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides
1 RP 2/6.
Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak Parkerthraustes humeralis
1 LS 20/5.
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
c10 PVM 28/5; 4 PVM 1/6; 1 RP 2/6; c10 CM 3/6.
Lesser Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis
2 PVM 28/5.
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
2 Mindo 26/5; 2 PVM 28/5; 5+ RP 2/6; 10+ CM 3/6.
Black-and-white Seedeater Sporophila luctuosa
5 island on Rio Napo, LS 20/5.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
2 Mindo 26/5; 1 PVM 28/6; 1 Puerto Quito 1/6.
Chestnut-throated Seedeater Sporophila telasco
5 CM 3/6.
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater Sporophila castaneiventris
10+ island on Rio Napo, LS 20/5.
Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata
3 PP 22/5.
Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis
1 Cc 6/6.
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor
2 PP 24/5; 4 Cx 5/6.
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus
2 PP 24/5; 2 Cc 6/6.
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola
1 Cc 6/6.
Rufous-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes rufinucha
2 YA 25/5.
Tricolored Brush-Finch Atlapetes tricolor
1 LB 28/5.
White-winged Brush-Finch Atlapetes leucopterus
1 in scrub below the lodge at Ta 31/5.
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha
1 Ta 27/5.
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
1 PVM 28/5; 2 FR 30/5.
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Very common, e.g. Quito, towns and villages generally.
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
Common at LS.
Northern Mountain-Cacique Cacicus leucoramphus
20+ SI 23/5.
Subtropial Cacique Cacicus uropygialis
3 SI 22/5; 2 SI 23/5.
Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus microrhynchus
2 PVM 1/6.
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
c10 LS 17/5.
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons
3 LS 18/5; 1 LS 20/5; 3 SI 23/5.
Green Oropendola Psarocolius viridis
1 LS 17/5.
Olive Oropendola Gymnostinops yuracares
2 LS 17/5.
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
c100 CM 3/6.
Giant Cowbird Scaphidura oryzivora
1 Ti 4/6.
Scrub Blackbird Dives warszewiczi
c10 PVM 28/5.
Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus mesomelas
2 Ti 4/6.
Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus
3 LS 19/5; 2 LS 20/5.
Peruvian Meadowlark Sturnella bellicosa
3 CM 3/6.
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
3 Cc 6/6.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
c10 CM 4/6.
Systematic List - Mammals
Nomenclature and sequence follow Duff & Lawson (2001).
Southern Opossum Didelphis marsupialis
1 on road at night near Ta village 28/5.
Central American Woolly Opossum Caluromys derbianus
1 feeding at night on wasps attracted to the hummingbird feeders on the porch at Ta 29/5.
Forest Rabbit (Tapeti) Sylvilagus brasiliensis
c.10 YA 25/5. The form in Ecuador is called Paramo Rabbit.
Black Agouti Dasyprocta fuliginosa
1 LS 18/5.
Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Tracks on island in Rio Napo, LS 20/5.
Tayra Eira barbara
1 PVM 28/5. Gave excellent views as it crossed and recrossed the track.
South American Squirrel Monkey Saimiri sciureus
1 LS 19/5, 3 LS 20/5.
White-fronted Capuchin Cebus albifrons
4+ LS 18/5.
end of report
