Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Red-and-green Macaws |
 Inca Tern |
 Plumbeous Rail |
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 Barred Fruiteater |
 Rose-fronted Parakeet |
 Andean Fox |
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In October/November 2017 we customized a shorter version of our Manu Road tour, and for two weeks we explored the famous Manu Road and the Manu lowlands, giving us the chance to find and admire many colorful and spectacular birds and some cryptically-colored understory species as well. We did well and enjoyed the trip very much. Even though the weather in the lowlands was difficult we managed to admire the great display of the Andean Cock-of-the-rock at the lek along the Manu Road and had the opportunity to see large numbers of Red-and-green Macaws displaying at the famous clay lick in the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
We started our trip in the city of Lima, the capital of Peru, and had a day to explore the southern coast of Lima, visiting the fishing village of Pucusana. Here we had incredible, close-up views of Inca Tern roosting at eyelevel, Blackish Oystercatcher, Belcher’s Gull, Red-legged Cormorant, Humboldt Penguin, and the endemic Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes.
A short boat ride on a fishing boat around the Pucusana island gave us great views of Peruvian Pelican, Guanay Cormorant, Blackish Oystercatcher, hundreds of Peruvian Boobies, and a few but good views of Blue-footed Booby roosting on the cliffs of the island. We also saw Ruddy Turnstone.
Later we moved to the Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (Villa Marshes). This protected area provides habitat for resident species and shelter for species during migration. The wetlands provided many aquatic species such as Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Neotropic Cormorant, Cinnamon Teal, White-cheeked Pintail, Andean Coot, Common Gallinule, and Great Grebe.
The lagoon at the shores of Playa Villa provided views of Grey Gull, Grey-headed Gull, Franklin’s Gull, American Oystercatcher, Black-necked Stilt, Whimbrel, Killdeer,Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper, and Sanderling. Other species included the gorgeous Many-colored Rush Tyrant in the reeds, Vermilion Flycatcher, American Kestrel, Harris’s Hawk, and Black Vulture. We returned to Lima to our hotel to rest and get ready for the next day.
We started our day very early, catching the first flight from Lima to Cusco at 5:00 a.m., but our flight was delayed for two hours, causing us to reach Cusco later than expected and miss valuable birding time. We immediately went to visit the Piuray Lake on the way to the Sacred Valley. Here we saw Andean Goose, Puna Ibis, Andean Gull, Andean Duck, Yellow-billed Teal, and Puna Teal. No matter how carefully we scanned the lake with our scopes, however, there was not sign of Silvery Grebe. But a nice surprise indeed was a flock of American Cliff Swallows flying around the lake.
We left Piuray Lake and headed to Huacarpay Lake, where we had fantastic views of Plumbeous Rail and enjoyed Chilean Flamingo, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Andean Lapwing, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Andean Gull, and Wren-like Rushbird.
Then we returned to Cusco to check into our hotel and get ready for the next day. In the evening we had dinner at a nice restaurant in Cusco.
We had another early start, ready to hit the road and explore the famous Manu Road. On the way to the Manu Road we had to pass Huacarpay Lake once more, so we took advantage of the first hours of the morning to look for species we had not seen the previous day, such as the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero, which provided great views in the rocky area near the archaeological site of Pikillaqta. We also had great views of Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Band-tailed Seedeater, Golden-billed Saltator, Eared Dove, Giant Hummingbird, White-crested Elaenia, Chiguanco Thrush, and Rufous-collared Sparrow. We also heard Streak-fronted Thornbird, but too distantly to even try.
We left the lake and drove along the road that passes though high elevation past the village of Huancarani to Paucartambo. During this drive we had views of Aplomado Falcon, Spot-winged Pigeon, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-webbed Bush Tyrant, Creamy-winged Cinclodes, Peruvian Sierra Finch, Hooded Siskin, Andean Flicker, and Cinereous Conebill. We reached Paucartambo, which is the last town before one reaches the Manu Road. We walked along the old colonial bridge looking for Brown-bellied Swallow, which is often seen here, but instead of the swallow we had good views of White-bellied Hummingbird and White-winged Cinclodes.
After a final dusty drive from Paucartambo, crossing through the Andes and admiring fantastic scenery, we arrived at Acjanaco at 3600 meters (11,812 feet), which marks the official entrance to the Manu Road. Here we stopped for our picnic lunch and had great views of Andean Fox.
After lunch we experienced a nice flock with species such as the endemic Creamy-crested Spinetail, White-throated Tyrannulet, White-banded Tyrannulet, Tit-like Dacnis, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, and Moustached Flowerpiercer.
We started driving down the Manu Road until we arrived at the Wayqecha Biological Station. After we left our luggage in our cabins we enjoyed the last hours of light around the clearing, with species such as Masked Flowerpiercer, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Great Thrush, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, and the distinctive omissa subspecies of Collared Inca, considered a different species, Gould’s Inca, by some authorities.
The next day we started birding the surroundings of the lodge and the area below Wayqecha known as Pillahuata (2660 meters/8530 feet).
We had a good day, recording species such as Golden-collared Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Andean Guan, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Hooded Mountain Tanager, White-collared Jay, Masked Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Blue-and-black Tanager, Fulvous Wren, Barred Fruiteater, Superciliaried Hemispingus, Spectacled Whitestart, Blackburnian Warbler, Capped Conebill, Long-tailed Sylph, Grey-eared Brushfinch, and Pale-legged and Citrine Warblers. Unfortunately, the endemic Red-and-white Antpitta did not play for us today.
The next day we left the Pillahuata area and passed through some lush cloudforest on the way to the Cock of the Rock Lodge. We were lucky to see Common Woolly Monkey en route. We arrived at the lodge in time to check the hummingbird feeder from the lodge's veranda. Here we saw Sparkling Violetear, Lesser Violetear, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, and Green Hermit.
The next morning we spent the first hours on the lodge's veranda, enjoying birds such as Golden Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-grey Tanager, Dusky-green Oropendola, and Buff-throated Saltator at the fruit feeder. Around the garden we found the striking Versicolored Barbet, Paradise Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Spotted Tanager, Plumbeous Pigeon, and Blue-naped Chlorophonia. We managed to get good views of Bolivian White-crowned Tapaculo along one of the lodge trails as well as of Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant.
In the afternoon we recorded Dusky-green Oropendola, Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Chestnut-collared Swift, Black-eared Hemispingus, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Montane Foliage-gleaner, and fly-by views of Scaly-naped Amazon. Other creatures such as Bolivian Squirrel, Central American Agouti, and Tufted Capuchin visited the garden, looking for food from the bird feeders. Unfortunately, our plans to look for owls and night birds was spoiled by heavy evening rain.
The following day we drove to the cloudforest of Rocotal (2200 meters/7218 feet), looking for mid-elevation species. We had good views of the classic Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Azara’s Spinetail, the striking White-eared Solitaire, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Andean Motmot, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Streaked Xenops, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Grey-eared Brushfinch, and Blue-banded Toucanet. White-throated Hawk and Solitary Eagle also gave us good views, and we heard White-throated Antpitta, but very distantly. We spent the morning here.
In the afternoon we were hit by rain again, which, however, was not an impediment to visiting the lek of the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, where even in the rain we thoroughly enjoyed quite a few males displaying at eyelevel. Suddenly one of our cameras slid down the lek and fell off the cliff; luckily it stopped at the base of the trunk of a Cecropia tree and was protected from the rain by the big leaves. Our friend, the guard of the lek, was kind enough to walk down the steep hill and get the camera back for us. Somebody was rather happy!
Sadly, the rain got worse, forcing us to return to the lodge and watch birds from the veranda. Only a few new birds were seen, but a highlight was a Brown Tinamou that was sneaking around the garden clearing. The hummingbird feeders provided Violet-fronted Brilliant, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, Speckled Hummingbird, and the wonderful Wire-crested Thorntail.
The following day we left the lodge after breakfast and birded the Manu Road. We managed to record Stripe-chested Antwren, Ornate Antwren, Yellow-breasted Warbling Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, and Moustached Wren. We had more views of Two-banded Warbler, but White-backed Fire-eye remained concealed in the thickest bush. There were good views of Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Magpie Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Swallow-tailed Kite, Blue-headed Parrot, Scaly-naped Amazon, and Fiery-capped Manakin.
After about an hour and a half of driving down from the lodge we left the reserve and crossed the buffer zone, in which there are a few villages and pastures. The first village we passed was Patria, where we had nice views of Violaceous Jay, Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch, and Chestnut-bellied Seedeater.
We arrived at the Villa Carmen Biological Station and Reserve and spent the afternoon birding the lodge clearing and some adjacent trails. We saw our first Hoatzin at a small lagoon near the restaurant, and in the same place we found a single Limpkin. We also enjoyed Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Purplish Jay, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Thrush-like Wren, and nice views of the endemic Fine-barred Piculet. In the evening we found Tropical Screech Owl during a search around the lodge clearing.
The next morning we started exploring Trail 2 at the Villa Carmen Biological Station, which passes through some good bamboo. It did not take long and we found one of our main targets here, the localized Manu Antbird, and we also recorded Bamboo Antshrike, Bamboo Foliage-gleaner, Flammulated Bamboo Tyrant, Dusky-tailed Flatbill, Moustached Wren, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Black Caracara, and White-shouldered Antshrike. In an open pasture area we saw both Plain-crowned and Dark-breasted Spinetails, Black-and-white Seedeater, Lineated Woodpecker, and Orange-backed Troupial.
Suddenly we found a real relic in the middle of the jungle, an old Russian plane from the 50s that was abandoned in the jungle and apparently used to function as an air taxi in the area until the late 80s.
Back in the forest we managed to have great views of Ringed Antpipit, and going back to the lodge an Undulated Tinamou was running in front of us. Then we had a tasty lunch, where we became aware of the fact that while staying at Villa Carmen one has to be careful about two things: first the unfriendly Scarlet Macaw, which is the lodge pet and can be quite vicious talking, and second the red-hot sauce (pure dynamite!).
Later all our plans for birding in the afternoon were spoiled by rain again, which was soon followed by one of the strongest storms I have ever seen in the Amazon. This was a memorable night; it seemed like the wrath of the Gods had been unleashed. Lightning was ferocious, thunder made the lodge building shake, and the energy quit on us. The rain took all night.
In the morning I was worried about the conditions of the road between Villa Carmen and Atalaya, our next destination. Fortunately, the road was OK and the driver managed to defeat a couple of rough spots. Suddenly a pair of Ocelots came from nowhere and crossed the road in front of our vehicle, sadly not to be seen by everybody. We arrived at Atalaya (500 meters/1640 feet) on the Alto Madre de Dios River. Here we had to wait shortly until we could get our boat ready for our next adventure, sailing the Madre de Dios River all the way to the Manu Wildlife Center in the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
On the boat ride we had splendid views of King Vulture sitting on the rocky shores of the river. We made a brief stop at the headquarters of Crees-Manu, an ecotourism, research, and volunteer project that has been active in the area for more than a decade. Here we checked the flowering bushes in search of Rufous-crested Coquette, which, sadly, didn’t show up this morning. But we recorded Golden-tailed Sapphire, Grey-breasted Sabrewing, and White-necked Jacobin here. Then we continued our long boat ride to the Manu Wildlife Center without very much else to see.
We arrived at the Manu Wildlife Center in the afternoon with time to look for birds around the clearing, including the sought-after Festive Coquette, which gave good views in the lodge garden.
The next morning we left very early to visit the famous Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, where every day, if the parrots find the right conditions and if the weather permits, they descend to ingest the clay from the cliffs. This is an amazing natural history and ornithological event worth to be seen.
On the way to the hide we were lucky to see the impressive and secretive Razor-billed Curassow. It was also great to have the hide to ourselves. We did not have to wait too long until the first species of parrots arrived, including Yellow-crowned Amazon, Southern Mealy Amazon, Orange-cheeked Parrot, and White-eyed Parakeet. We admired them for quite a while until the canopy above the clay lick started to turn red with several dozens of colorful Red-and-green Macaws. It was a fabulous show indeed to see these gorgeous birds flying and behaving free, as they should be.
We also saw the tiny Spotted Tody-Flycatcher next to the hide. After the activity ended, we left the hide and returned to the Manu Wildlife Center.
The afternoon was very quiet, and we recorded only a few birds, including Plain-winged Antshrike, Black-tailed Trogon, Blue-crowned Trogon, Swallow-winged Puffbird, and a glimpse of Little Tinamou.
The next two mornings were scheduled to explore by boat both oxbow lakes in the reserve, Cocha Camungo and Cocha Blanco, as well as climbing the canopy tower next to the lake. Sadly, our plans were partially spoiled by rain again. During the boat rides we managed to get good views of species we had expected, such as Hoatzin, Horned Screamer, Muscovy Duck, Pale-vented Pigeon, Wattled Jacana, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Purus Jacamar, White-throated Toucan, all five kingfishers, the most-wanted Sungrebe, Red-bellied Macaw, Purple Gallinule, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Red-capped Cardinal, Western Osprey, Greater Ani, Pale-eyed Blackbird, and Black-billed Seed Finch.
We explored the Manu Wildlife Center trails during the next two afternoons and enjoyed species such as the most-wanted Pale-winged Trumpeter, Ringed Woodpecker, Amazonian Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Slate-colored Hawk, Plumbeous Kite, Double-toothed Kite, Screaming Piha, Lineated Woodpecker, and White-shouldered Antshrike. We spent a morning visiting the mammal clay lick, which attracted some interesting species of parrots, such as Rose-fronted Parakeet, Dusky-billed Parrotlet, and Tui Parakeet. We were also lucky to see the scarce Emperor Tamarin around the clay lick as well. In the afternoon we took a quiet walk, which did not yield any further interesting species; however, we got a glimpse of Giant Anteater, which as soon as it detected us started to move only a couple of meters and then, amazingly, it seemed to have vanished. Well, we had another rainy night.
Our last day of birding had arrived, and it was a transfer day to travel by river from the Manu Wildlife Center to Boca Colorado and from there by land to Puerto Maldonado. Along the river trip we managed to see Black Skimmer, Pied Plover, Large-billed Tern, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Drab Water Tyrant, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Roadside Hawk, and Southern Lapwing. We arrived at Puerto Maldonado late in the afternoon after a long day trip and enjoyed our comfortable hotel.
The next morning we transferred to the airport to connect with our flight to Lima, with a stop in Cusco. Again our flight was delayed in Cusco, causing a late arrival in Lima. This day the whole country was focused on the Peruvian football team, which was to play a game against New Zealand for a place in the 2018 World Cup, and after 35 years Peru finally managed to get a place in the world cup, beating New Zealand two to zero. The celebration resembled an earthquake, so no matter where you stayed that night it was hard to escape from the hubbub. What a perfect end to say goodbye to my friends, thanking them for a wonderful trip and company, and hoping for future adventures together.
SYSTEMATIC LIST IOC 8.1
Tinamidae
Great Tinamou (H) Tinamus major This species was heard at Manu Wildlife Center. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Brief views at Manu Wildlife Center
Brown Tinamou Crypturellus obsoletus Seen at the Cock of the Rock Lodge garden
Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Black-capped Tinamou (H) Crypturellus atrocapillus This species was heard at Villa Carmen Biological Station. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Anhimidae
Horned Screamer Anhima cornuta Great views in the Manu lowlands. There are only three species in the Anhimidae family. The Horned Screamer received its name due to a long spiny structure projecting forward from its crown. This structure is unique among birds and is not derived from a feather but is a cornified structure that is loosely attached to the skull and grows continuously, while often breaking at its tip. The Horned Screamer is the official bird of the Arauca Department and the Municipality of Arauca in Colombia and also the symbol of the Churute Mangroves Ecological Reserve in Ecuador.
Anatidae
Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera Seen at Piuray Lake in Cusco
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata Seen at Cocha Camungo in the Manu lowlands
Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera Seen at Piuray Lake in Cusco
Puna Teal Spatula puna Nice views at Huacarpay Lake
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis Seen at the Villa Marshes
Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris Seen at Piuray Lake and Huacarpay Lake
Andean Duck Oxyura ferruginea Seen at Huacarpay Lake.
Cracidae
Speckled Chachalaca Ortalis guttata Seen around Cock of the Rock Lodge and below the lowest parts of the Manu Road
Andean Guan Penelope montagnii Seen in the upper parts of the Manu Road
Blue-throated Piping Guan Pipile cumanensis Seen at Villa Carmen
Razor-billed Curassow Mitu tuberosum Nice views in the Manu lowlands on the way to the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick.
Odontophoridae
Starred Wood Quail (H) Odontophorus stellatus This species was heard at Manu Wildlife Center before dusk.
Spheniscidae
Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti Nice views at Pucusana. Named after Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (14 September 1769 – 6 May 1859), a Prussian polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and influential proponent of Romantic philosophy and science. Humboldt's quantitative work on botanical geography laid the foundation for the field of biogeography. Humboldt's advocacy of long-term systematic geophysical measurement laid the foundation for modern geomagnetic and meteorological monitoring, and he was the first person to describe the phenomenon and cause of human-induced climate change in 1800 and again in 1831, based on observations generated during his travels. Humboldt Penguin is found in Peru and Chile. The species is classified as Vulnerable.
Podicipedidae
White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland Seen at Huacarpay Lake
Great Grebe Podiceps major Seen at Villa Marshes.
Phoenicopteridae
Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Seen at Huacarpay Lake. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Ciconiidae
Wood Stork Mycteria americana Seen along the Madre de Dios River.
Threskiornithidae
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis Seen at Cocha Camungo in the Manu lowlands
Puna Ibis Plegadis ridgwayi Seen at Villa Marshes and Huacarpay Lake
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja Nice views in the Manu lowlands.
Ardeidae
Rufescent Tiger Heron Tigrisoma lineatum Seen at Cocha Camungo in the Manu lowlands
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Seen at Villa Marshes
Striated Heron Butorides striata Seen at Cocha Blanco in the Manu lowlands and Villa Marshes
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Seen in pastures and fields south of Lima
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Great Egret Ardea alba Seen at Villa Marshes
Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus Nice views in the Manu lowlands
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Seen at Villa Marshes
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Seen at Villa Marshes.
Pelecanidae
Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus Seen along the coast of Lima. Found in Peru and Chile. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Sulidae
Peruvian Booby Sula variegata Hundreds at the Pucusana island during our boat ride. Found in Peru and Chile, very few vagrants in Ecuador
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii Nice views of a few individuals at the Pucusana island.
Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Common along the coast and in the Amazon lowlands
Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi Nice views at the Pucusana island. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Guanay Cormorant Leucocarbo bougainvillii Seen around the Pucusana island. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Anhingidae
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Seen at Cocha Camungo.
Cathartidae
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Seen at the Manu Road
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Common
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus Seen at Villa Carmen
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa Nice views of one individual sitting at the shores of the Alto Madre de Dios River.
Pandionidae
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus Seen at Cocha Blanco.
Accipitridae
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus Seen at the lower parts of the Manu Road
Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus Nice views from the canopy tower at Manu Wildlife Center
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea Seen in the Manu lowlands
Slate-colored Hawk Buteogallus schistaceus Nice views in the Manu lowlands
Great Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Solitary Eagle Buteogallus solitarius Seen from the stakeout above Cock of the Rock Lodge. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris Common in the Manu lowlands
Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus One seen between Villa Marshes and Lima city
White-throated Hawk Buteo albigula Seen above Pillahuata in the upper parts of the Manu Road.
Heliornithidae
Sungrebe Heliornis fulica Seen at Cocha Blanco.
Rallidae
Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus Incredible views at Huacarpay Lake
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica Seen at Cocha Camungo
Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata Seen at Villa Marshes and Huacarpay Lake
Andean Coot Fulica ardesiaca Seen at Villa Marshes.
Psophiidae
Pale-winged Trumpeter Psophia leucoptera A pair was seen well at Manu Wildlife Center.
Aramidae
Limpkin Aramus guarauna Seen at Villa Carmen.
Haematopodidae
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Seen at Villa Marshes
Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater Seen at Pucusana.
Recurvirostridae
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Seen at Villa Marshes.
Charadriidae
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Seen on the way to Puerto Maldonado
Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens Seen at Huacarpay Lake
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Seen at Villa Marshes
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Seen at Villa Marshes
Pied Plover Hoploxypterus cayanus Seen along the Madre de Dios River on the way to Puerto Maldonado on the last day of the tour.
Jacanidae
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana Seen at Cocha Camungo in the Manu lowlands.
Scolopacidae
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Seen at Villa Marshes
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Seen at Pucusana
Surfbird Calidris virgata Seen at Pucusana
Sanderling Calidris alba Seen at Villa Marshes
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Seen at Villa Marshes
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius One encounter on the trip only
Wilson Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Seen at Villa Marshes
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Seen at Huacarpay Lake.
Laridae
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Andean Gull Chroicocephalus serranus Common at high elevation including Huacarpay Lake
Grey Gull Leucophaeus modestus Seen at Villa Marshes
Belcher’s Gull Larus belcheri Common along the coast of Lima including Pucusana. Named after Admiral Sir Edward Belcher (27 February 1799 – 18 March 1877), a British naval officer, hydrographer, and explorer. Found in Peru and Chile
Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Seen at Villa Marshes
Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan A boreal migrant seen by many of us at the Villa Marshes
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus A couple of sightings along the coast of Lima
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Inca Tern Larosterna inca Amazing views at Pucusana. Found in Peru and Chile and restricted to the Humboldt Current. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Columbidae
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Common around towns
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Seen above Pillahuata
Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa Seen along the drive between Cusco and Paucartambo
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis Common in the Manu lowlands
Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge and Villa Carmen
Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti Seen along the fields of Patria on the lower Manu Road
Croaking Ground Dove Columbina cruziana Seen at Villa Marshes
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Seen in the Cock of the Rock Lodge garden
Grey-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla Seen in the Manu Wildlife Center lodge clearing
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata Seen at Huacarpay Lake
West Peruvian Dove Zenaida meloda Seen at Villa Marshes.
Opisthocomidae
Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin Great views at the oxbow lakes in the Manu lowlands.
Cuculidae
Greater Ani Crotophaga major Seen at Cocha Camungo
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani Seen along the fields of Patria in the Manu lowlands
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Seen at Villa Marshes
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge.
Strigidae
Tropical Screech Owl Megascops choliba Great views at Villa Carmen.
Nyctibiidae
Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis Great views of one individual roosting at daytime along the Madre de Dios River.
Caprimulgidae
Sand-colored Nighthawk Chordeiles rupestris At least 300 individuals seen roosting on a huge dead tree at the shores of the Madre de Dios River in front of Manu Wildlife Center
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis Seen at Villa Carmen.
Apodidae
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris Several sightings on the trip
Grey-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris Seen in the Manu lowlands
Neotropical Palm Swift Tachornis squamata Seen in the Manu lowlands between Patria and Pilcopata.
Trochilidae
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy Seen at the Cock of the Rock Lodge feeders
Reddish Hermit Phaethornis ruber Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsutus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Grey-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis Seen at Crees-Manu
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora Seen at Villa Carmen and Manu Wildlife Center
Lesser Violetear Colibri cyanotus Seen at the Cock of the Rock Lodge feeders
Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans Seen around Huacarpay Lake and at the Cock of the Rock Lodge feeders. The bully among hummingbirds
Festive Coquette Lophornis chalybeus Splendid views on the way to the Manu Wildlife Center at Crees-Manu and in the Manu Wildlife Center garden. We saw both male and female.
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus Seen in the Manu lowlands
Wire-crested Thorntail Discosura popelairii Incredible views of a male in the Cock of the Rock Lodge gardens
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata Common at Cock of the Rock Lodge and Manu Wildlife Center
Golden-tailed Sapphire Chrysuronia oenone Seen at Crees-Manu
Many-spotted Hummingbird Taphrospilus hypostictus Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
White-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia chionogaster Seen at Wayqecha
Sapphire-spangled Emerald Amazilia lactea Seen at Villa Carmen
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Violet-fronted Brilliant Heliodoxa leadbeateri Common at the Cock of the Rock Lodge feeders
Chestnut-breasted Coronet Boissonneaua matthewsii Seen at Wayqecha
Shining Sunbeam Aglaeactis cupripennis Seen in the upperparts of the Manu Road
Collared Inca Coeligena torquata Nice views at Wayqecha. Here the distinctive subspecies omissa, which sometimes is treated as a different species, Gould’s Inca
Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas Nice views around Huacarpay Lake
Amethyst-throated Sunangel Heliangelus amethysticollis Several views around Wayqecha
Rufous-booted Racket-tail Ocreatus addae Common at the Cock of the Rock Lodge feeders. Booted Racket-tail has been split into three different species:
White-booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii From N Venezuela to Colombia and W Ecuador
Peruvian Racket-tail Ocreatus peruanus From E Ecuador to NE Peru
Rufous Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus addae From C Peru to Bolivia
Green-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia nuna Seen around Huacarpay Lake
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina Seen around Wayqecha
Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingii Seen around Wayqecha
White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus mulsant Seen below Wayqecha.
Trogonidae
Pavonine Quetzal (H) Pharomachrus pavoninus Unfortunately it did not came to the tape at Manu Wildlife Center.
Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps Good views below Pillahuata
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Blue-crowned Trogon Trogon curucui Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus Good views around Pillahuata.
Alcedinidae
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea Seen at Cocha Camungo
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher Chloroceryle inda Seen at Cocha Camungo
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana Seen at Cocha Blanco
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata Seen along the Madre de Dios River.
Momotidae
Amazonian Motmot Momotus momota Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Andean Motmot Momotus aequatorialis Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum Seen at Manu Wildlife Center.
Galbulidae
Bluish-fronted Jacamar Galbula cyanescens Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge, Villa Carmen, and Manu Wildlife Center
Purus Jacamar Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus Nice views at Cocha Blanco. The Purus River or Rio Purús is a tributary of the Amazon River in South America. Its drainage basin is 63,166 km2 (24,389 sq. mi), and the mean discharge is 8,400 m³/s. The river shares its name with the Alto Purús National Park as well as the Purús Province (and its conformed Purús District), one of the four provinces of Peru in the Ucayali Region.
Bucconidae
Black-fronted Nunbird Monasa nigrifrons Common in the Manu lowlands
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa Seen along the Madre de Dios River.
Capitonidae
Versicolored Barbet Eubucco versicolor Great views of this beautiful bird around Cock of the Rock Lodge. Found in Peru and Bolivia.
Ramphastidae
Chestnut-eared Aracari Pteroglossus castanotis Seen flying across the Madre de Dios River
Blue-banded Toucanet Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis Nice encounter with two birds above Rocotal at the Manu Road. Found in Peru and Bolivia
White-throated Toucan Ramphastos tucanus Seen at Cocha Camungo.
Picidae
Fine-barred Piculet Picumnus subtilis Seen at Villa Carmen
Rufous-breasted Piculet Picumnus rufiventris Brief views at Villa Carmen
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus Common in the Manu lowlands
Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus Seen above Cock of the Rock
Andean Flicker Colaptes rupicola Common along the drive from Cusco to Paucartambo
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus Nice views in the Manu lowlands
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus Seen at Villa Carmen.
Falconidae
Black Caracara Daptrius ater Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus Seen in the high Andes above the Manu Road
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Seen at Villa Marshes
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis Seen on the way to Paucartambo.
Psittacidae
Tui Parakeet Brotogeris sanctithomae Great views in the Manu lowlands
Cobalt-winged Parakeet Brotogeris cyanoptera Common in the lowlands especially on the way to Puerto Maldonado
Orange-cheeked Parrot Pyrilia barrabandi Nice views of this handsome parrot at the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick in the Manu lowlands. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus Seen at the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick in the Manu lowlands
Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazona ochrocephala Seen at the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick in the Manu lowlands
Southern Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa Seen at the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick in the Manu lowlands. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Scaly-naped Amazon Amazona mercenarius Several fly-by views above the Manu Road. Here the nominate subspecies
Dusky-billed Parrotlet Forpus modestus Nice views at the Tapir clay lick at the Manu Wildlife Center
Rose-fronted Parakeet Pyrrhura roseifrons Wonderful views of this handsome parakeet at the Tapir clay lick at the Manu Wildlife Center
Dusky-headed Parakeet Aratinga weddellii Seen in the Manu lowlands including the clay lick
Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilatus Fly-by views at Cocha Camungo in the Manu lowlands
Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna Several encounters with this beautiful species at Manu Wildlife Center
Scarlet Macaw Ara macao Good views in the Manu lowlands without counting the aggressive pet at Villa Carmen
Red-and-green Macaw Ara chloropterus Seen well at Manu Wildlife Center
Chestnut-fronted Macaw Ara severus Seen at Villa Carmen
White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus Seen at the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick in the Manu lowlands.
Furnariidae
Coastal Miner Geositta peruviana Seen south of Lima on the first day of the trip. A country endemic
Cream-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes albiventris Common at high elevation on the way to the Manu Road
White-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes atacamensis Seen from the bridge at Paucartambo
Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes Cinclodes taczanowskii Seen at Pucusana. A country endemic
Rusty-fronted Canastero Asthenes ottonis Great views in the rocky area next to Huacarpay Lake. A country endemic
Streak-fronted Thornbird (H) Phacellodomus striaticeps This species was heard at Huacarpay Lake.
Azara’s Spinetail Synallaxis azarae Seen at Pillahuata. Named after Félix Manuel de Azara (18 May 1746 – 20 October 1821), a Spanish military officer, naturalist, and engineer.
Dark-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albigularis Seen at Villa Carmen
Cabanis’s Spinetail Synallaxis cabanisi Seen at Villa Carmen. Named after Jean Louis Cabanis (8 March 1816 – 20 February 1906), a German ornithologist. A number of birds are named after him, including Cabanis's Bunting Emberiza cabanisi, Cabanis's Spinetail Synallaxis cabanisi,
Cabanis's Tanager Tangara cabanisi, Cabanis's Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi, and Cabanis's Ground Sparrow Melozone (biarcautum) cabanisi. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Plain-crowned Spinetail Synallaxis gujanensis Seen at Villa Carmen
Creamy-crested Spinetail Cranioleuca albicapilla Nice views at Acjanaco, the highest pass at the entrance of the Manu Road. A country endemic. Here the subspecies albigula
Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops Seen at Huacarpay Lake and Villa Marshes
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger Seen below Wayqecha
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii Seen below Wayqecha
Bamboo Foliage-gleaner Anabazenops dorsalis Seen at Villa Carmen
Montane Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia striaticollis Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Black-billed Treehunter (H) Thripadectes melanorhynchus Sadly heard only below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Long-billed Woodcreeper Nasica longirostris Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Elegant Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus elegans Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger Seen below Wayqecha.
Thamnophilidae
Ornate Antwren Epinecrophylla ornata Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Stripe-chested Antwren Myrmotherula longicauda Seen around Cock of the Rock Lodge
Bluish-slate Antshrike Thamnomanes schistogynus Seen at Villa Carmen. A mixed-flock leader
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Seen at Villa Carmen
Bamboo Antshrike Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae Brief views at Villa Carmen.
Great Antshrike (H) Taraba major This species was heard at Villa Carmen.
Chestnut-backed Antshrike Thamnophilus palliatus Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
White-shouldered Antshrike Thamnophilus aethiops Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Plain-winged Antshrike Thamnophilus schistaceus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Black-spotted Bare-eye (H) Phlegopsis nigromaculata This species was heard at Manu Wildlife Center.
Yellow-breasted Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis subflava Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Manu Antbird Cercomacra manu Great views at Villa Carmen. Named after the Manu National Park
White-lined Antbird Myrmoborus lophotes Seen at Villa Carmen. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
White-browed Antbird Myrmoborus leucophrys Seen at Villa Carmen and Manu Wildlife Center
Plumbeous Antbird Myrmelastes hyperythrus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
White-backed Fire-eye Pyriglena leuconota Mostly heard, and only the leader managed to get a brief shadow in the bush.
Formicariidae
Black-faced Antthrush (H) Formicarius analis Mostly heard, it unfortunately did not come to the tape at Manu Wildlife Center.
Barred Antthrush (H) Chamaeza mollissima Heard distantly below Wayqecha
Rufous-breasted Antthrush (H) Formicarius rufipectus Heard distantly in the Cock of the Rock Lodge area.
Grallariidae
Red-and-white Antpitta (H) Grallaria erythroleuca Heard below Pillahuata, but not cigar. A country endemic
White-throated Antpitta (H) Grallaria albigula Heard distantly at Rocotal.
Rhinocryptidae
Bolivian White-crowned Tapaculo Scytalopus bolivianus Good views at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Rusty-belted Tapaculo (H) Liosceles thoracicus Heard at Villa Carmen.
Tyrannidae
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimardii Seen at Villa Carmen
Sierran Elaenia Elaenia pallatangae Seen at Wayqecha
Chilean Elaenia Elaenia chilensis Seen around Huacarpay Lake. Chilean Elaenia is split from White-crested Elaenia T. albiceps (Ridgely & Tudor 1994, Jaramillo 2003, Rheindt et al. 2009)
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys Seen at Acjanaco
White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus Seen in mixed flocks at Acjanaco and below Wayqecha
Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus Seen on the way to Paucartambo
Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea Seen along mid-elevations of the Manu Road
Ringed Antpipit Corythopis torquatus Great views at Villa Carmen
Bolivian Tyrannulet Zimmerius bolivianus Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus Seen at Rocotal
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Many-colored Rush Tyrant Tachuris rubrigastra Seen at Villa Marshes and Huacarpay Lake
Flammulated Bamboo Tyrant Hemitriccus flammulatus Seen at Villa Carmen
Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum maculatum Nice views at Villa Carmen
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum Seen at the lower parts of the Manu Road
Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum Nice views at Manu Wildlife Center
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus Common in the cloudforest of Manu
Euler’s Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri Only one encounter on the trip
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Common along rivers and streams along the Manu Road
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus obscurus Seen at Villa Marshes. According to IOC (Carmi et al. 2016), Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus has been split as follows:
Scarlet Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus SE Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus obscurus SW USA to N Chile
Darwin's Flycatcher Pyrocephalus nanus Galapagos Islands (except San Cristobal Island)
San Cristobal Flycatcher Pyrocephalus dubius San Cristobal Island (Galapagos) [Today extinct]
Drab Water Tyrant Ochthornis littoralis Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Rufous-webbed Bush Tyrant Polioxolmis rufipennis Seen at high elevation on the way to Paucartambo
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca rufipectoralis Seen at Wayqecha
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor Seen at Acjanaco. Here the subspecies berlepschi
White-browed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca leucophrys Seen at high elevation on the way to Paucartambo
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus Seen at the lower parts of the Manu Road
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius Seen at Manu Wildlife Center. It gets its name because it does not build its own nest but appropriates the domed or enclosed nests of other, often far larger, bird species, such as Yellow-rumped Cacique or Crested Oropendola.
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Common in the lowlands
Grey-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis Seen at Villa Carmen
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Common in the lowlands
Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lictor Seen at Cocha Camungo
Lemon-browed Flycatcher Conopias cinchoneti Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge. The species is classified as Vulnerable.
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus Seen at Villa Carmen
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Seen at Villa Carmen
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Common
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Seen on the way to Puerto Maldonado
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Seen above Rocotal
Dusky-tailed Flatbill Ramphotrigon fuscicauda A bamboo specialist, seen well at Villa Carmen.
Cotingidae
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata Seen below Wayqecha
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruvianus Nice views at the lek above Cock of the Rock Lodge. This is the national bird of Peru.
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans Brief views at Manu Wildlife Center.
Pipridae
Fiery-capped Manakin Machaeropterus pyrocephalus Nice views of a male above Pilcopata on the lower Manu Road.
Tityridae
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata Seen at Villa Carmen
Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor Seen below Wayqecha.
Vireonidae
Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis A boreal migrant, seen well at Villa Carmen.
Corvidae
White-collared Jay Cyanolyca viridicyanus Seen below Pillahuata. The species is classified as Near-threatened.
Violaceous Jay Cyanocorax violaceus Common in the Manu lowlands
Purplish Jay Cyanocorax cyanomelas Common at Villa Carmen.
Hirundinidae
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca Common along mid-elevation of the Manu Road
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer Common along the Madre de Dios River
White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa A rare species in Peru with few records in Southern Peru. Seen at Huacarpay Lake
White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge and along the Madre de Dios River
American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota A rare austral migrant, seen at the Piuray Lake in Cusco.
Donacobiidae
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapilla Seen at both Cocha Blanco and Cocha Camungo in the Manu lowlands.
Troglodytidae
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus Common in the Manu lowlands
Fulvous Wren Cinnycerthia fulva Nice views below Wayqecha. Found in Peru and Bolivia
Moustached Wren Pheugopedius genibarbis Seen in the lower Manu Road including Villa Carmen
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Seen around towns
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis Seen below Wayqecha
Grey-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucophrys Seen below Pillahuata
Musician Wren (H) Cyphorhinus arada Two individuals flew around us very quickly and disappeared into the bush.
Turdidae
Andean Solitaire (H) Myadestes ralloides This species was heard in the Manu cloudforest.
White-eared Solitaire Entomodestes leucotis Good views of this handsome species at Rocotal in the Manu Road. Found in Peru and Bolivia
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater Common in the upper parts of the Manu Road, especially between Acjanaco and Wayqecha
Chiguanco Thrush Turdus chiguanco Common around Huacarpay Lake
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis Common in the Manu lowlands
Lawrence’s Thrush (H) Turdus lawrencii This species was heard in the Manu lowlands. One of the best mimics in the Neotropics, it can imitate up to 80 other sounds including birdcalls, mammals, and insects with incredible fidelity. Named after George N. Lawrence, 19th century American businessman, collector and ornithologist
Hauxwell’s Thrush Turdus hauxwelli Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge. Named after J. Hauxwell (1854), collector resident in Peru.
Fringillidae
Olivaceous Siskin Spinus olivaceus Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Hooded Siskin Spinus magellanicus Seen on the drive between Cusco and Paucartambo
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster Seen at the Cock of the Rock Lodge feeders
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris Seen on the lower Manu Road
Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea Splendid views of a pair nesting in the Cock of the Rock Lodge garden.
Passerellidae
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis One of the most widespread species in South America, occupying a large range in Peru from sea level up to 5000 meters on the west slope of the Andes at elevation and on the east slope of the Andes down across the elfin forest and cloudforest. Only absent from the Amazon lowlands
Yellow-browed Sparrow Ammodramus aurifrons Seen at the lower Manu Road and Villa Carmen
Grey-eared Brushfinch Atlapetes melanolaemus Good views between Pillahuata and Cock of the Rock Lodge
Common Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavopectus Seen above Rocotal. Here the subspecies peruvianus.
Icteridae
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons Common in the Manu lowlands
Dusky-green Oropendola Psarocolius atrovirens Common around Cock of the Rock Lodge. Found in Peru and Bolivia
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus A couple of sightings in the Manu lowlands
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela Common in the lowlands
Orange-backed Troupial Icterus croconotus Seen in the Manu lowlands
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelasticus thilius Seen at Huacarpay Lake
Pale-eyed Blackbird Agelasticus xanthophthalmus Nice views at Cocha Blanco. Found in Peru and Ecuador.
Parulidae
Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca Nice views of this austral migrant below Pillahuata
Citrine Warbler Myiothlypis luteoviridis Seen around Wayqecha
Pale-legged Warbler Myiothlypis signata Seen below Pillahuata
Two-banded Warbler Myiothlypis bivittata Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Yungas Warbler Basileuterus punctipectus Seen at Rocotal. Yungas Warbler is split from Three-striped Warbler (Gutiérrez-Pinto et al. 2012, Donegan 2014)
Slate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatus Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Spectacled Whitestart Myioborus melanocephalus Common around Wayqecha and Pillahuata.
Thraupidae
Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis Seen at Cocha Camungo
Magpie Tanager Cissopis leverianus Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Black-eared Hemispingus Hemispingus melanotis Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris Seen at Pillahuata
Rust-and-yellow Tanager Thlypopsis ruficeps Seen above Rocotal
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo Common at Cock of the Rock Lodge and in the Manu lowlands
Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus Common in the lowlands
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum Common in the Manu lowlands
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala Seen between Wayqecha and Pillahuata
Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis Seen around Huacarpay Lake
Hooded Mountain Tanager Buthraupis montana Seen below Wayqecha
Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager Anisognathus igniventris Seen between Acjanaco and Wayqecha
Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii Seen at Wayqecha
Yellow-throated Tanager Iridosornis analis Nice views below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Golden-collared Tanager Iridosornis jelskii Nice views below Wayqecha. Found in Peru and Bolivia
Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana Seen at Villa Carmen and Manu Wildlife Center
Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis Seen around Cock of the Rock Lodge. Here the nominate subspecies
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus Common at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Spotted Tanager Tangara punctata Seen below Cock of the Rock Lodge
Saffron-crowned Tanager Tangara xanthocephala Seen between Pillahuata and Rocotal
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis Common at low elevation along the Manu Road
Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis Several sightings below Rocotal
Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii Seen below Wayqecha
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis Seen in the Manu lowlands
Tit-like Dacnis Xenodacnis parina Seen below Acjanaco. Found in Peru and Ecuador
Cinereous Conebill Conirostrum cinereum Seen on the way to Paucartambo
Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor Nice views below Wayqecha
Capped Conebill Conirostrum albifrons Seen below Pillahuata
Moustached Flowerpiercer Diglossa mystacalis Nice views at Acjanaco. Found in Peru and Bolivia
Black-throated Flowerpiercer Diglossa brunneiventris Seen during our drive from Huacarpay Lake to Paucartambo
Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossa cyanea Common at Wayqecha
Peruvian Sierra Finch Phrygilus punensis Seen at high elevation on the way to Paucartambo. Found in Peru and Bolivia
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus Seen at high elevation on the way to Paucartambo.
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola Seen around Puerto Maldonado
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Seen in the Manu lowlands
Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris Nice views at Huacarpay Lake
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Seen at Villa Carmen and along the Patria fields
Black-and-white Seedeater Sporophila luctuosa Seen at Villa Carmen
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater Sporophila castaneiventris Seen along the fields between Patria and Pilcopata
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis Seen at mid-elevation along the Manu Road
Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch Oryzoborus angolensis Seen at Villa Carmen
Black-billed Seed Finch Oryzoborus atrirostris Seen at Cocha Camungo
Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis Seen at Huacarpay Lake
Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata Seen below Acjanaco
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola Seen in the Cock of the Rock Lodge gardens
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Mammals
Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla Brief views at Manu Wildlife Center
South American Sea Lion Otaria flavescens Seen at the Pucusana island
Marine Otter Lontra felina One of the rarest animals Peru. Brief but good views in Pucusana
Andean Fox Lycalopex culpaeus Seen at Acjanaco
Ocelot Leopardus pardalis Two individuals crossed the road in front of us during our drive to Atalaya. Magical!
Common Woolly Monkey Lagothrix lagothricha Seen above Cock of the Rock Lodge
Tufted Capuchin Sapajus apella Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Humboldt's White-fronted Capuchin Cebus albifrons
Venezuelan Red Howler Alouatta seniculus Seen at Manu Wildlife Center
Saddleback Tamarin Saguinus fuscicollis Seen at Villa Carmen
Emperor Tamarin Saguinus imperator Great views of three individuals at Manu Wildlife Center
Brazilian Guinea Pig Cavia aperea Wild guinea pigs were seen around Huacarpay Lake.
Bolivian Squirrel Sciurus ignitus Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata Seen at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Reptiles
Black Caiman Melanosuchus niger Seen in the Manu oxbow lakes
Common Caiman Caiman crocodilus Seen along the Madre de Dios River
Amazon Racerunner Ameiva ameiva One of the most common lizards in the Amazon lowlands. Seen at Villa Carmen and Manu Wildlife Center
Amphibians
Cane Toad Rhinella marina The fourth-largest frog on earth was seen at Villa Carmen before the storm.