Leader: Forrest Rowland
For a little background information on the trip, I can start by telling the reader a bit about the participants and myself. Mr. and Mrs. Dyson were absolute joys to have the pleasure of guiding. Obviously, I wouldn't say anything derogatory as my boss would have me for lunch, of course, but it's true. They are very loyal clients to Tropical Birding and have been to both Australia and Taiwan with the firm, and also did Northwest Ecuador, Sacha Lodge, and the Galapagos, through Tropical Birding, as recently as last year. While their experience is limited in the Western Hemisphere, their birding attitude was perfect for the area: see everything you can and enjoy everything you see. This is a philosophy which some would consider mundane, but I find really rather rare in its purest sense. It's to say that enjoying the aesthetics of birding, not just the numbers aspect, can be, to some, the true heart of what takes us all over the world in search of strange and exotic species. We go to enjoy them, soak up the detail, the color, the behavior. This trip we definitely had the good fortune of having a monstrosity of a list, getting over 400 species visiting areas that afforded few more possibilities, excluding such rarities as seeing things like Red (Grey) Phalarope over-summering in the wrong hemisphere, and South American Tern in a group of Commons.
Aside from getting to see a large number of birds, we were mostly going for quality endemics in the areas we visited. Tumbesia is famous for its range-restricted species, all of which we managed to see, and see quite well. The Pacific extension was fantastic, as well, though it was the wrong season for Esmeraldas Woodstar. I'll let the Trip list speak for itself, but there is something about visiting the Isla de la Plata that a trip list cannot encompass. Only a visit there, or to the Galapagos, can possibly do it justice.
As birders, we spend so much time working through difficult identifcations and having to deal with problems of visibilty, distance, and the like. So, to be able stand one meter from a Nazca Booby hovering over its newborn chick, quite literally less than a day out of the egg, is something that we seldom get to experience. Seeing a pair of Waved Albatross preening eachother, with their bizarre billowy brows shading their huge eyes, and actually getting photos of it, from less than 10 feet away! That's what you go for. That's the allure and mystery of the Islands of the Pacific: to be able to see birds (normally just dots on the horizon, becoming lost, then reappearing, above the Pacific whitecaps), to be able to watch these birds, right at your feet. To be just another animal, on an island full of them, observing nature at a pace that just doesn't fit the norms of birding and what we birders are accustomed to. I think Neil and Julie will agree that this is why we were there.
Two other aspects of the trip that we were always commenting on were the scenery and the feel of the area. It feels like a completely different country to Northern Ecuador. There's not the sheer number of birds in the SouthWest compared to the biodiversity of the North (though our result would stand to bear a different conclusion regarding the area), but there's something about the raw nature of the area. The stark landscapes, wide valleys, steep mountains. The winding roads and the miles and miles between each village. All of this adds up to say, " You are now, officially, out there."
I am always a very enthusiastic person, so at times my words come as little surprise to those who know me. This may be no exception, but I have to say it nonetheless: What a great trip. Loads of birds, great experiences, great company, and we even got to take in a grade A futbol match live, with 50,000 crazed Barcelona fans! Solid.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Guayaquil Arrival, transfer to Umbrellabird Lodge, Buenaventura Reserve, Jocotoco Foundation, El Oro Province
This was out first real day, and I have to applaud Neil and Julie for sticking it out, as they arrived that same morning, from England, after some seriously long overnight travel. We birded the marshy roadsides leaving Guayaquil for Snail Kite, Snowy-throated Kingbird, and a few others.
Manglares-Churute is always a fun stop, because of the bizarre Horned Screamers sitting on top of the trees! A short stop at a shrimp farm on shortly after passing Machala got us some great birds like Lesser Nighthawk and Short-tailed Field-Tyrant. We didn't get in to Buenaventura until around 4pm, got settled, and managed to pick up quite a few good birds, like White-vented Plumeleteer and Blue-chested Hummingbird at the hummingbird feeders, and some of the more common birds that we would encounter over the next few days, save our only Chestnut-backed Antbird, for the trip.
Day 2: Birding Buenaventura Reserve, lower and middle elevations; overnight Umbrellabird Lodge
Our first real full day birding, the target list was, basically, MOST of the checklist still, of course. After having logged an overwhelming 108 species the first day of our trip, we tried to focus on some of the more difficult birds and managed to see: Gorgeted Sunangel, Olivaceous Piculet, 3 species of Foliage-Gleaner, Great Antshrike, Slaty and White-flanked Antwrens, El Oro Tapaculo, Greenish and Pacific Elaenias, Yellow-olive Flatbill, all 3 species of Myiobius Flycatchers, Ochraceous Attila, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, 3 species of Manakin, Pale-vented Thrush, Whiskered and Song Wrens, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Orange-billed Sparrow, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, and Yellow-bellied Siskin. We birded the Umbrellabird trail, "main" road up to around 800m, and the Tapaculo trail.
Day 3: Birding Buenaventura Reserve, upper elevations; overnight Umbrellabird lodge
We started very early this morning, getting to La Virgen, at the valley head, by 6:15am. We slowly worked our way down the upper part of the "main" road down to the Parakeet trail. From there we worked up through the first two patches of wood, toward the peak, before turning back around 10:30am. The morning was incredibly active, as was the day before, with us coming across mixed flocks almost every 300m. Some interesting birds we added included Short-tailed Nighthawk, White-tipped Sicklebill, Brown-billed Scythebill, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Lineated Foliage-Gleaner, Uniform Treehunter, Uniform and Russet Antshrikes, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, Common Bush-Tanager, Slate-colored Grosbeak, Choco and Stripe-headed Brush-Finch. The afternoon found us off the preserve and searching for the El Oro Parakeet, which we weren't to find...until tomorrow, that is. We did see some fantastic birds this afternoon, however, with two Fasciated Tiger-Herons (one adult, one juvenile) were displaying well close enough to take some outstanding photographs. Other great birds found were Bronze-winged, Red-billed, and Rose-faced Parrots, Violet-tailed Sylph, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Purple-crowned Fairy, Masked Trogon, Golden-olive, Red-rumped, Smoky-brown, and Guayaquil Woodpeckers, and Cinnamon Becard. We tried some owling after dinner, but light rain dampened the experience a bit. We heard both Spectacled and Black-and-White Owls, however.
Day 4: Birding Upper Road from La Virgen and Buenaventura Reserve, upper elevations; overnight Umbrellabird Lodge
Our last chance. Our last hope! We had to get the El Oro Parakeet today, or we were going to have to take a dip. An ugly one, at that. Of course, I've given away the ending. We spent all morning walking the road through the patchy forest that starts about 100m past the corral and extends another kilometer, more or less. While we were biding our time we had two great mixed flocks come through, racking up more new trip birds like Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, White-winged and Glistening-green Tanager, and Rufous-rumped Antwren. We also managed to call in two male Scaled Fruiteaters, before the squawking of 4 El Oro Parakeets streaked overhead, allowing just enough of a look to know, that we finally had our birds. I fell down to the ground after having that ton of bricks that was one my back, finally off. One smalle kettle of raptors gave us both Plain-breasted and Tiny Hawks, in with 4 soaring Roadside Hawks, for a beautiful direct comparison. But our best raptor for the day (most likely the entire trip) was a lone Solitary Eagle soaring low overhead just as we passed the feeding station house on the highway. GREAT looks at one of the most difficult raptors in the world. It was relaxed, great, birding the rest of the day, as well, which we spent mostly in the upper elevations, and some just watching hummingbirds at the feeders. By the end of the day, we had seen our Endemics, and had 244 species on the trip list. We reckoned we deserved a little down time.
Day 5: Transfer to Macara, birding along the way; overnight Hostal La Colina
Knowing that it was a long drive, and that Macara is just not the place to have to stay for too long, today I wanted to get some birds. My goal was to get at least 5 of the Endemic target birds from the South, just along the road. I didn't really think we could do it. But, I'm not a pessimist, so we managed 25 trip birds and 13 of the target trip birds from true Tumbesia. The highlights were King Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Variable (Red- backed) Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Tumbes Swift, Loja Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Piculet, Collared (piurae ssp.) and Chapman's Antshrikes, Elegant Crescentchest, TumbesianTyrannulet, Slaty Becard, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Superciliated and Speckle-breasted Wrens, Silver-backed Tanager, Drab Seedeater, Bay-crowned Brush-Finch, Black-capped and Tumbes Sparrows, Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch, and White-edged Oriole.
Day 6: Birding Jorupe Reserve and Utuana Reserve, Jocotoco Foundation, Loja Province; overnight Hostal La Colina
The birding today was spectacular, I'm sure. I just can't remember, and I doubt that either Neil or Julie could, either. Unfortunately, Macara must must have the most....jovial....10 de Agosto festivities in the entire country, because our Hotel was full, brimming full, of people all under the age of 30. And, equally unfortunate, they were given over to party all night long. ALL night long. So, none of us got any sleep, and I nearly got into a fist conversation with some youngsters who refused to either close the door to their room or stop yelling at eachother at 3am. It was somewhat of a disappointment, as this was rated the best accomodation in town by some, but obviously just not the best time of year to have to stay there.
We saw great stuff, though. Got up and went owling before dawn. Got all the endemics for the park, and a few more to boot. We managed to make the most of it. Actually, we did so well that we headed up to Utuana in the afternoon, to attempt a total clean-up job on the area, and get out of there. We, unfortunately, missed two of the four endemics I wanted there, so, were forced one more sleepless night. The day's list included such goodies as the likes of White-throated Hawk, Gray-cheeked Parakeet, West Peruvian Screech-Owl, Pacific Pygmy-Owl, Anthony's Nightjar (H), Shining Sunbeam, Speckled Hummingbird, Amazilia Hummingbird, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Purple-throated Sunangel, Long-billed Starthroat, Blackish-headed Spinetail, Rufous-necked and Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaners, Gray-headed Antbird, Rusty-breasted (poor looks) and Watkin's Antpittas, Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Tumbes Pewee, Red-crested Cotinga, Masked, Glossy, and Black Flowerpiercers, Blue-and-Black, Silver-backed, Blue-capped, and Highland Hepatic Tanagers, Plushcap, Black-cowled Saltator, and Saffron Siskin. The birding to be done from Macara is not only necessary, it's just plain fun. Amazing birds and great scenery. Please, do not let our experience jade it for you. you could sleep on the ground for two nights, and after the two days of birding subsequent, you would still know it was worth just getting there. Highly recommended, despite the lack of consistent facilities.
Day 7: Transfer to Machala, birding El Empalme and via Celica-Alamor; overnight Hotel Gran Americano
After our second night of the week's festival, and second showerless (did I mention no hot water?) morning, we were definitely hoping to be able to: a) leave with no misses, and b) get to Machala to a nice hotel, hot water with pressure, and a good meal. So, our two birds for the morning were Jelski's Chat-Tyrant and Piura Hemispingus. Both of which we got, the prior in the last big bamboo patch onthe main highway, before reaching Utuana. We also picked up a couple other great birds at Utuana preserve, including White-throated Quail-Dove, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Unicolored (subcinereous ssp.) Tapaculo, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, and Hooded Siskin. Little did we know that our the 3-hour drive to Machala would turn some great unexpected high-altitude birds, as well. In the very arid part of the drive, just past El Empalme, bearing to Celica, we picked up our only White-headed Brush-Finches, for the trip, but the two most notable we saw were at about 2700m altitude on the highway between Celica and Alamor. They were the enigmatic Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, and the normally paramo-based Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and Variable (Puna) Hawk. After these good birds, and with rest in sight, we were happy to find the Grand Hotel Americano, in Machala, for a good price. The service and accomodations were great, and the shower was stellar. We got a good night's rest, and felt great the next day. A good decision, for sure.
Day 8: Transfer to Guayaquil, birding a little near Naranjal; overnight Hotel Continental
We slept in. It was sooooo nice, too! Waking up at around 6:30am, we were on the road by 7:30, and only really made one stop along the way, to try for a notoriously difficult bird. In the irrigated fields near an abandoned toll booth, before arriving to Naranjal, there is always a chance to see one of these elusive birds, arguably the most difficult Pan-Tropic family, Rallidae. Our luck held, and we got looks at not only one, but three, White-throated Crakes. One stuck his head up and walked away from us, not 2 meters away! We also scared up the trip's only Limpkin and Large-billed Seed-Finches, to boot. That afternoon we were considering just lying around, resting some more for the second half of the trip. I mean, we did already pass 350 for the trip by now. So, we decided to wander the Malecon, pick up Great-tailed Grackle there, take a butterfly exhibit, and hike up Cerro Santa Ana. We managed an Art Gallery and a few drinks along the way, as well. A very nice afternoon.
Day 9: Birding Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco, see Barcelona-Olmedo Futbol match at Rivera (Barcelona) Stadium; overnight Hotel Continental
This morning was by far the toughest hiking we did. Anything for the Great Green Macaw....our only real dip of the trip. Yes, it was a little bitter to put so much effort in for it. However, we did get some other good birds, and the views and area are beautiful. Good birds included: Pale-browed Tinamou, Red-lored Amazon, Red-billed Scythebill, and Gray-breasted Flycatcher. Good birds and all, but we had to make up the day somehow. So.....when Neil and I heard that there was a huge futbol game LIVE at the stadium we were just driving by?!?!? Yeah, we went. We ditched birding and took an afternoon to see Barcelona hand Olmedo a decisive 2-0 loss. Great goals, crazy atmosphere, cold beer, on a hot afternoon. Sometimes, it just can't be beat!!!
Day 10: Transfer to MantaRaya Lodge, Puerto Lopez, Manabi Province, birding Anconcito, Salinas, and other areas on the way
I think we were all very excited about today...me more than anyone. This is because it's the austral winter. There are migrants and rarities to be found on the Santa Elena Peninsula! I had high hopes and I was not at all disappointed. We got some really bizarre records today and some good quality birds. Road birds were good today, as well, getting us 3 new species of Hawk. Best stops were near Anconcito and along the beach just past La Libertad. Best birds of the day were Least Grebe, Peruvian Booby, Cocoi Heron, Pearl Kite, Crane Hawk, Great Black-Hawk, Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers (among many Least), Short-billed Dowitcher, Red (Grey) Phalarope, Wilson's Plover, Kelp Gull, Common and South American Terns, Parrot-billed Seedeater, and Band-tailed Sierra-Finch.
Day 11: Day trip at Isla de La Plata; overnight MantaRaya Lodge
Isla de la Plata, as I mentioned above, in the Introduction Information, is very unique. I say that, though it is just very similar to a Galapagos experience, but much more accessible to the general public. We had a great trip, getting numerous breaching Humpback Whales, loads of Boobies, and one Sooty Shearwater, on the way. I was hoping for more pelagics, but, oh well. The nesting Boobies (of all 4 species), Red-billed Tropicbirds, and, of course, Waved Albatross, were much more exciting. Especially given the proximity. Amazing photos were to be had of all, including Collared Warbling-Finch. Didn't get a good shot, just gret looks, at Grey-and-White Tyrannulet, as well.
Day 12: Birding Ayampe area, lower road to Canta Piedra with an afternoon rest; overnight MantaRaya Lodge
By now, we were getting close to the 400 mark. Really close, but still thinking that it may be unattainable. We had a few choice target birds left, of course, but very few. This morning, we would get much, much closer, but our most sought after bird....the Pacific Royal-Flycatcher....would elude us. We managed to pick up some real nice looks at great birds, though, including Little Tinamou, Rufous-headed Chachalaca, White- backed Fire-Eye, Jet Antbird, Black-striped Sparrow, and a few others.
Day 13: Birding upper road Canta Piedra morning, P.N. Machalilla in the mid-morning, Ayampe and lower road afternoon; overnight MantaRaya Lodge
Our last real birding day. We're pulling now. We managed 397 species for the trip, but still need to find a few choice birds. We bird the higher road in the morning to try for a few things, and only a few it due to rain. We did manage Plain Xenops, Crimson-breasted Finch (near Canta La Piedra), Red-eyed Vireo, Gray-headed Kite, and a few other trip birds. Nothing outlandish, just some decent birds and ones that we hoped to see on the trip. Moving on towards Agua Blanca, we picked up Black-throated Mango (unexpected), West Peruvian Dove, Hook-billed Kite, and picked up a total of 4 new species for the trip, putting us well over 400, by now. So, we can relax just a bit. BUT, we've still not seen our main target species. So, we make a dash for it, late afternoon. Lo and behold, we find not one, but TWO Pacific Royal-Flycatchers!! Great views of both, and photos. Then, as if providence had not smiled upon us enough as was, we see two Ochre-bellied Dove, not 3 meters off the track. One flushes up, eye-level, for great views. What a day!!!
Day 14: Transfer to Guayaquil; overnight Hotel Continental
Our last morning, we tried to pick up some nightbirds, which the trip was somewhat short on, overall. Due to bad fish the night before, I was not in the best form. I think the Anthony's Nightjars were mocking me, because they didnot respond and were totally silent. I was bummed, and was giving up hope. We decided to make one last, quick stop, just before dawn. I'm glad we did. Trip bird 410 was a pair of Spectacled Owls perched right in the open, atop a snag, 7 meters off the highway, together. Amazing! and a good end to a very fun trip.
Day 15:
End Trip, Departure flights out
Given how many species we saw, I won't go in to too much detail, or at least no more thanI have already. If the reader has a question about a sighting, and if one would like further information, I can be reached by e-mailing rowbird2005@yahoo.com. The birds are listed taxonomically according to Ridgely and Greenfield's Birds of Ecuador, vol. 2. I will list the species using the birds' common names, followed by the number of individuals recorded on the trip ("H" will be substituted here, if the bird was heard only). If the bird was seen, and some individuals heard only, the number seen will be followed by the "+" sign. I will also highlight in bold the species that are difficult and not to be expected, casual or accidental to the area. "Endemic" and high-interest species for the areas visited will be set in italics. Those species found at feeders (hummingbirds mostly) and others too numerous or ubiquitous, worldwide (Rock Pigeon) will be followed by ??? if no rough estimates can be assumed. I hope the reader find this format easy to follow. Without further adieux.....
Little Tinamou 1+
Pale-browed Tinamou 2
Least Grebe 2
Pied-billed Grebe 16
Waved Albatross 4
Sooty Shearwater 1
Red-billed Tropicbird 9
Magnificent Frigatebird ~1500
Blue-footed Booby ~320
Peruvian Booby 6
Nazca Booby ~40
Red-footed Booby 2
Neotropic Cormorant 88
Brown Pelican 211
Peruvian Pelican 26
Horned Screamer 3
White-cheeked Pintail 2
Fasciated Tiger-Heron 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Cocoi Heron 2
Great Egret 115
Snowy Egret 253
Little Blue Heron 13
Tricolored Heron 4
Cattle Egret ~450
Striated Heron 17
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 14
White Ibis 61
Roseate Spoonbill 2
King Vulture 1
BlackVulture ~1016
Turkey Vulture ~430
Osprey 1
Gray-headed Kite 1
Hook-billed Kite 2
Pearl Kite 2
White-tailed Kite 2
Snail Kite 2
Double-toothed Kite 1
Plain-breasted Hawk 1
Tiny Hawk 2
Crane Hawk 1
Gray-backed Hawk 14
Savanna Hawk 15
Great Black-Hawk 3
Solitary Eagle 1
Harris' Hawk 15
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle 1
Gray Hawk 1
Roadside Hawk 14+
Short-tailed Hawk 4
White-throated Hawk 1
Zone-tailed Hawk 1
Red-backed (B. polyosoma polyosoma) Hawk 3
Puna (B. polyosoma poecilochrous) Hawk 1
Black Hawk-Eagle H
Northern Crested-Caracara 22
Barred Forest-Falcon H
Collared Forest-Falcon H
Laughing Falcon H
American Kestrel 7
Peregrine Falcon 1
Rufous-headed Chachalaca 10+
Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail H
White-throated Crake 3
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail H
Purple Gallinule 5
Common Galinule 3
Limpkin 1
Wattled Jacana 40
Greater Yellowlegs ~38
Lesser Yellowlegs ~180
Willet ~15
Spotted Sandpiper 8
Whimbrel 12
Ruddy Turnstone 8
Sanderling ~25
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3
Western Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper ~50
Short-billed Dowitcher 38
Red Phalarope 1
American Oystercatcher 2
Black-necked Stilt 181
Gray Plover 10
Semipalmated Plover ~40
Wilson's Plover ~10
Collared Plover 1
Killdeer 11
Gray Gull 20
Kelp Gull 6
Gray-hooded Gull ~120
Gull-billed Tern 4
Royal Tern ~50
Sandwich Tern 12
Common Tern 8
South American Tern 1
Rock Pigeon ???
Band-tailed Pigeon 7
Pale-vented Pigeon 64
Ruddy Pigeon 2
Plumbeous Pigeon 7
Eared Dove 43
West Peruvian Dove 8
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove 2
Ecuadorian Ground-Dove 51+
Croaking Ground-Dove 454
White-tipped Dove 32
Pallid Dove 1
Ochre-bellied Dove 2+
White-throated Quail-Dove 4+
Red-masked Parakeet 2
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet 5
El Oro Parakeet 4
Pacific Parrotlet ~205
Gray-cheeked Parakeet 40
Rose-faced Parrot 2
Blue-headed Parrot 61
Red-billed Parrot 4
Bronze-winged Parrot 106
Red-lored Amazon 6+
Squirrel Cuckoo 1+
Little Cuckoo 1
Greater Ani 2
Smooth-billed Ani ~180
Groove-billed Ani ~167
West Peruvian Screech-Owl 1
Pacific Pygmy-Owl 3+
Spectacled Owl 2+
Black-and-White Owl H
Short-tailed Nighthawk 2
Lesser Nighthawk 9+
Pauraque 15
Anthony's Nightjar H
White-collared Swift 68
Chestnut-collared Swift ~130
Tumbes Swift ~30
Gray-rumped Swift 11
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift 11
White-whiskered Hermit ???
Tawny-bellied Hermit 1
Baron's Hermit 7
White-tipped Sicklebill 1
White-necked Jacobin 6
Brown Violet-ear ???
Black-throated Mango 1
Green Thorntail ???
Emerald-bellied Woodnymph ???
Violet-bellied Hummingbird ???
Tumbes Hummingbird 2
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird ???
Amazilia Hummingbird 9
Loja Hummingbird 3
Andean Emerald ???
Blue-chested Hummingbird 2
White-vented Plumeleteer 4
Speckled Humingbird ???
Green-crowned Brilliant ???
Shining Sunbeam 2
Brown Inca 1
Rainbow Starfrontlet ???
Velvet-purple Coronet 1
Gorgeted (Little?) Sunangel 2
Purple-throated Sunangel ???
Violet-tailed Sylph 4
Wedge-billed Hummingbird 1
Purple-crowned Fairy 4
Long-billed Starthroat 1
Short-tailed Woodstar 6
Golden-headed Quetzal 2+
Ecuadorian Trogon 2+
Western White-tailed Trogon H
Collared Trogon 2
Masked Trogon 1
Northern Violaceous Trogon 2
Ringed Kingfisher 4
Green Kingfisher 2
Rufous Motmot H
Blue-crowned Motmot 14+
Rufous-tailed Jacamar H
Crimson-rumped Toucanet 4
Pale-mandibled Aracari 10+
Choco Toucan H
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan 4+
Olivaceous Piculet 3
Ecuadorian Piculet 6
Golden-olive Woodpecker 7+
Lineated Woodpecker H
Black-cheeked Woodpecker 14+
Smoky-brown Woodpecker 1+
Red-rumped Woodpecker 5
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker 16
Guayaquil Woodpecker 5
Pacific Hornero 218+
Azara's Spinetail 9+
Slaty Spinetail 4+
Blackish-headed Spinetail 6+
Necklaced Spinetail 19
Line-cheeked Spinetail 12+
Streaked Tuftedcheek H
Pacific Tuftedcheek 1+
Spotted Barbtail H
Lineated Foliage-Gleaner 4
Rufous-necked Foliage-Gleaner 8
Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner 14
Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner 8
Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner 1
Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner 2+
Uniform Treehunter 1
Streaked Xenops 12+
Plain Xenops 1
Plain-brown Woodcreeper 7
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper 2
Olivaceous Woocreeper 12
Spotted Woodcreeper 6
Streak-headed Woodcreeper 15
Montane Woodcreeper 1
Red-billed Scythebill 5+
Brown-billed Scythebill 1
Great Antshrike 3+
Collared Antshrike 27+
Chapman's Antshrike 4+
Uniform Antshrike 2+
Western Slaty-Antshrike 7+
Russet Antshrike 2
Plain Antvireo 59
White-flanked Antwren 2
Slaty Antwren 10
Rufous-rumped Antwren 1+
Jet Antbird 4
White-backed Fire-Eye 5+
Gray-headed Antbird 1+
Immaculate Antbird 2
Chestnut-backed Antbird 1+
Plain-backed Anpitta H
Black-headed Antthrush H
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta 1+
Watkin's Antpitta 3+
Rusty-breasted Antpitta 1/H
Elegant Crescentchest 1+
Unicolored (subcinereous ssp.)Tapaculo 3+
El Oro Tapaculo 2+
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet 1
Ashy-headed Tyrannulet 2+
Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet 1
Loja Tyrannulet ~31
Brown-capped Tyrannulet 3
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet ~40
Tumbesian Tyrannulet 2
Gray-and-White Tyrannulet 2
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet 7
Pacific Elaenia 4
Greenish Elaenia 2
Yellow-bellied Elaenia 6
White-crested Elaenia 6
Sierran Elaenia 2
White-banded Tyrannulet 5+
White-tailed Tyrannulet 1
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet 4+
Torrent Tyrannulet 1
Black-crested Tit-Tyrant 1+
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant 9
Streak-necked Flycatcher 3
Olive-striped Flycatcher 6
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher 1
Slaty-capped Flycatcher 14
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant 1
Yellow Tyrannulet 1
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant 2+
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant 20+
Common Tody-Flycatcher 14
Yellow-olive Flatbill 5
Pacific Royal-Flycatcher 2
Ornate Flycatcher 16
Black-tailed Flycatcher 2
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher 5
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher 1
Bran-colored Flycatcher 10
Tumbes Pewee 4
Smoke-colored Pewee 2
Gray-breasted Flycatcher 5
Black Phoebe 2
Vermilion Flycatcher 83
Jelski's Chat-Tyrant 1
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant 1
Short-tailed Field-Tyrant 4+
Masked Water-Tyrant 11+
Ochraceous Attila 3+
Dusky-capped Flycatcher 16+
Sooty-crowned Flycatcher 9
Boat-billed Flycatcher ~28
Social Flycatcher 38
Rusty-margined Flycatcher 7+
Gray-capped Flycatcher 2
Baird's Flycatcher 7
Tropical Kingbird ~221
Snowy-throated Kingbird 6
Slaty Becard 1
Cinnamon Becard 2
One-colored Becard 10
Masked Tityra 1
Red-crested Cotinga 2
Scaled Fruiteater 3
Long-wattled Umbrellabird 1+
Golden-winged Manakin 4
White-bearded Manakin 3+
Club-winged Manakin 1+
White-tailed Jay 13
Rufous-browed Peppershrike 13+
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Brown-capped Vireo 7
Lesser Greenlet 6
Andean Solitaire 4
Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush H
Spotted Nightingale-thrush 1
Great Thrush 12
Glossy-black Thrush 2
Plumbeous-backed Thrush 32
Pale-vented Thrush 3
Ecuadorian Thrush ~98
Andean Slaty-Thrush 1
Long-tailed Mockingbird 197
Brown-chested Martin 11
Gray-breasted Martin ~754
Blue-and-White Swallow ~180
Southern Rough-winged Swallow 166
Chestnut-collared Swallow 62
Fasciated Wren 64
Bay Wren 19+
Whiskered Wren 2+
Superciliated Wren 11
Speckle-breasted Wren 15+
House Wren 27+
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren 14+
Song Wren 2
Tawny-faced Gnatwren 1
Long-billed Gnatwren 2
Tropical Gnateater 130
Tropical Parula 58
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat 32
Black-lored Yellowthroat 4
Slate-throated Whitestart 21
Black-crested Warbler 7
Three-banded Warbler 32
Gray-and-Gold Warbler 74
Buff-rumped Warbler 1
Bananaquit 78
Purple Honeycreeper 1
Green Honeycreeper ~30
Blue Dacnis 1+
Masked Flowerpiercer 4
Glossy Flowerpiercer 8
Black Flowerpiercer 1
Guira Tanager 5
Rufous-chested Tanager 3
Fawn-breasted Tanager 6
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia H
Thick-billed Euphonia ~58
Orange-bellied Euphonia ~52
Orange-crowned Euphonia 4
Glistening-green Tanager 2
Rufous-throated Tanager 5
Golden Tanager 18
Silver-throated Tanager 12
Flame-faced Tanager 9
Golden-naped Tanager 4
Beryl-spangled Tanager 6
Blue-and-Black Tanager 3
Silver-backed Tanager 21
Blue-necked Tanager 3
Bay-headed Tanager 12
Blue-gray Tanager ~200
Palm Tanager 17
Blue-capped Tanager 8
Lemon-rumped Tanager 141
Highland Hepatic-Tanager 12
White-winged Tanager 2
Ochre-breasted Tanager 4
White-lined Tanager 4
White-shouldered Tanager 18
Common Bush-Tanager 11
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager 10
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager 22
Piura Hemispingus 2
Plushcap 2
Buff-throated Saltator 36
Black-winged Saltator 3
Black-cowled Saltator 4
Streaked Saltator 53
Slate-colored Grosbeak 1
Southern Yellow-Grosbeak 43
Crimson-breasted Finch 4
Blue-black Grassquit 51
Dull-colored Grassquit 6
Lesser Seed-Finch 2
Variable Seedeater 92
Yellow-bellied Seedeater 6
Parrot-billed Seedeater ~40
Drab Seedeater 2
Chestnut-throated Seedeater 18
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch 2
Band-tailed Sierra-Finch 2
Saffron Finch 69
Choco Brush-Finch 3
Bay-crowned Brush-Finch 6
White-headed Brush-Finch 5
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch 1
Orange-billed Sparrow 3
Black-capped Sparrow 10
Black-striped Sparrow 4
Tumbes Sparrow 10
Rufous-collared Sparrow 31
Collared Warbling-Finch ~60
Yellow-rumped Cacique 14
Scarlet-rumped Cacique 4+
Yellow-billed Cacique 8+
Shiny Cowbird ~150
Giant Cowbird 63
Scrub Blackbird 38
Great-tailed Grackle 6
White-edged Oriole 5
Yellow-tailed Oriole 29
Peruvian Meadowlark 20
Hooded Siskin ~20
Saffron Siskin 4
Yellow-bellied Siskin 4
House Sparrow ~100
Total Number of Species Recorded: 429
Total Number of Species Seen: 409
Total Number of Range-restricted Species / Endemics Recorded: 50
Mammal List
Humpback Whale 8
Mantled Howler Monkey 10
Brown Capuchin H
Brown Agouti 2
Red Coatimundi 1
Guayaquil Squirrel 6
Red-tailed Squirrel 4