Ecuador
Nov. 3-18, 2007 - Bird/Species Trip List
Peg Abbott and Venicio Ortiz, guides, with five participants.

Birds

Least Grebe – Manglares Churute Reserve
Pied-billed Grebe – Manglares Churute Reserve
Magnificent Frigatebird – Guayaquil harbor
Neotropical Cormorant – Seen on a travel day in wide area of west side Andes river
Horned Screamer – great views of several family groups, Manglares Churute
Black-bellied Whistling Duck – two dozen or so of this colorful species at pond we visited at Manglares Churute
Torrent Duck – Bombuscaro River near Bombuscaro entrance to Podocarpus National Park (PNP). Peg spotted the male and female at a bend in the river; with scope inspection we found them with three striped youngsters – wow!
Andean Teal – lake at Cajas National Park (CNP), two adults, one with small chicks on at its side
Yellow-billed Pintail – Cajas NP at one of the upper lagoons
Andean Ruddy Duck – the bright blue bill led us to this bird as we hiked around a lake at Cajas NP
Fasciated Tiger-Heron – lower Bombuscaro River, great find!
Great Egret – Guayaquil area and Buenaventura
Cattle Egret – Manglares Churute area
Striated Heron – airfield marshy area near Zamora
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron – Peg spotted this juvenile bird off the Malecon, in partial payback for holding the group up with the safe-deposit box mixup at the hotel!
Black Vulture – ubiquitous, seen on most days of the journey
Turkey Vulture – ubiquitous, though not as common as Black Vulture, seen throughout
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture – Bombuscaro ridgelines seen from trail, and also from lodge at Copalinga
Hook-billed Kite – Buenaventura, perched near the dining area then flying
Swallow-tailed Kite – Tapichalaca
Snail Kite – Manglares Churute
Double-toothed Kite – we studied this immature with good scope views from Tapichalaca
Plumbeous Kite – fabulous light on a perched individual at Bombuscaro, also seen en route to Buenaventura
Plain-breasted Hawk – Tapichalaca, perched near the feeders, then at Cajas NP, soaring
Gray-backed Hawk – Cerro Blanco near the stream crossing, the daily from Buenaventura, a striking raptor, often perched high on lone bromeliad clad perches mid valley
Barred Hawk – seen briefly in flight, then an adult flew into an area we were intent on watching a mixed flock. It blew out the mixed flock, but nice views of its secretive perch by part of our group was ample compensation, just prior to our Poison-Dart Frog discovery
Savanna Hawk – Manglares Churute, great views of a perched individual
Black-chested Buzzard Eagle – Linda’s spotting of this magnificent raptor helped us through our roadside breakdown delay outside of Loja
Gray Hawk – Cerro Blanco near Guayaquil
Roadside Hawk – one of our more common raptors, but always excellent looks and some fascinating behavior, always the telltale rufous markings in the wing as it flies away
Broad-winged Hawk – one high flying individual at Buenaventura
Short-tailed Hawk – seen from the garden at Cerro Blanco, just after our Pygmy Owl sighting
Zone-tailed Hawk – spotted by Peg flying over the rugged valley of Buenaventura, nice to see at eye level and from above as the road makes a natural ‘canopy tower’
Variable Hawk – Cajas NP, two adults, spotted by Jhofre, our driver
Northern Crested Caracara – Linda and John found this bid among the bromeliad clad trees of the cloud forest above Buenaventura
Carunculated Caracara – seen in flight at high lagoons, Cajas NP
Mountain Caracara – fantastic views of this regal reptor carrying prey, most likely a frog, as we cross the pasture heading towards cloudforest at Saraguro.
Laughing Falcon – great looks returning from the lagoon at Manglares Churute
American Kestrel – seen on a telephone wire our long day of travel to Villcambamba, then Ralph and Regina found one in a park of Loja,
Aplomado Falcon – seen by John, hunting over open pastures near Uzhupud
Rufous-headed Chachalaca – surprisingly common and at times tame near Buenaventura and Cerro Blanca
Bearded Guan – an excellent opportunity as two crossed the road and landed as we traveled to Copalinga. We then happened on to a flock as we entered the cloudforest at Saraguro. Great views of a rare bird!
Rufous-fronted Wood Quail – heard only, Buenaventura
Rufous-breasted Wood Quail – heard only, Copalinga
White-throated Crake – heard only, Manglares Churute
Ecuadorian Rail – Peg spotted this bird, so much like our Virginia Rail, crossing repeatedly between two small reed islands in the lake at Cajas NP, below our trail. From the boardwalk we all got good looks!
Purple Gallinule – dozens! Manglares Churute
Andean Coot – quite common on the lake, several with young, at Cajas NP
Wattled Jacana – Mudflats off Malecon, Guayaquil
Spotted Sandpiper – mudflats off the Malecon, Guayaquil, Vallolidad River
Black-necked Stilt – mudflats off the Malecon, Guayaquil
Southern Lapwing – quick glimpse by Peg and Linda traveling near Manglares Churute
Andean Gull – another excellent spot by Linda, before treeline driving up to Cajas NP
Rock Pigeon – urban and some agricultural areas
Ruddy Pigeon – perched in the trees of the El Oro Parakeet area above Buenaventura
Ruddy Ground Dove – Cerro Blanco
Eared Dove – Saraguro and Cajas NP
Ecuadorian Ground Dove – Cerro Blanco near entrance, later at Manglares Churute
Croaking Ground Dove – great views on the road returning to Buenaventura
White-tipped Dove – seen daily at the beginning of our journey, western cordillera
Gray-fronted Dove – forest trails, Bombuscaro
Ochre-bellied Dove – Buenaventura, mainly encountered along the roads
White-throated Quail Dove – Linda saw this beauty by the cabins of Buenaventura
Red-masked Parakeet – Buenaventura and Loja town park
White-eyed Parakeet – Vallolodid, just past town
Golden-plumed Parakeet – wonderful sighting of noisy flock of thirteen at Tapichalaca, then a real surprise as a group of 6-7 flew over, calling at Cajas NP at the lower lake
El Oro Parakeet – we searched quite a while for these beautiful parrots to find them perched, but had to be content with a pair that flew over at fairly close range, close to their just vacated nest area
Pacific Parrotlet – great views at Cerro Blanco then Buenaventura
Gray-cheeked Parakeet – Cerro Blanco, gas station stop en route to Buenaventura
Rose-faced Parrot – scope views, upper elevations of Buenaventura by El Oro Parakeet site
Blue-headed Parrot – beautiful scope views of flock from airstrip near Zamora
White-capped Parrot – flock in flight, road from Tapichalaca to Vallolidad
Bronze-winged Parrot – Buenaventura, most common parrot
Orange-winged Amazon – Cerro Blanco, seen with parakeets from the trail
Scaly-naped Amazon – John found a perched individual for us to scope one morning from Casa Simpson, on the ridge above Buenaventura. Fairly common in flocks at that location
Squirrel Cuckoo – Cerro Blanco, Buenaventura, Bombuscaro, always a treat to see
Smooth-billed Ani – fairly common in appropriate habitat throughout the trip
Groove-billed Ani – travel days to and from Buenaventura in agricultural, more arid landscapes
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl – heard only, from the porch at Copalinga
West Peruvian Pygmy Owl – great looks at Cerro Blanco and again in the scope walking into the lagoon at Manglares Churute
Spectacled Owl – an amazing large owl, seen on a night outing from Buenaventura
Band-bellied Owl – heard in the pouring rain as we were doing our bird list at Copalinga, this bird had just finished nesting and not been seen for almost two weeks
Pauraque – Buenaventura, both early morning and evenings on the road
Band-winged Nightjar – Linda found this beautiful nightjar, roosting just above us between two prominent rocks, just off the trail at Cajas NP. We were able to show it to an entire class of school children visiting the park!
Lyre-tailed Nightjar – heard only, pass of Cordillera Sabanilla going to Tapichalaca
White-collared Swift – surprisingly absent, seen in a large low-flying flock just before rain at Buenaventura, then above the botanic garden of Loja
Chestnut-collared Swift – flying with White-collared Swifts at Buenaventura
Gray-rumped Swift – near the cabins at Buenaventura
Pale-tailed Barbthroat – large heliconia flowers near Nancy’s cabin, Copalinga
Band-tailed Barbthroat – canyon near Vilcabamba
White-whiskered Hermit – feeders and flowers of Buenaventura
Baron’s Hermit – a new species for most, seen at several locations on the west slope, including great views at feeders
Buff-tailed Sicklebill – large heliconia flowers near Nancy’s cabin, Copalinga, great views of it feeding and perched – tail is quite flashy
White-necked Jacobin – Buenaventura feeders and grounds
Brown Violetear – Buenaventura feeders, forest trails
Green Violetear – hedgerow of purple flowers at Copalinga, Cajas NP
Sparkling Violetear – numerous and aggressive, Copalinga, also sparring in great skyward battles at Cajas NP
Violet-headed Hummingbird – Copaliinga feeders
Spangled Coquette – a lone female feeding regularly along the hedgerow at Copalinga
Wire-crested Thorntail – spectacular species, both male and female seen in the hedgerow at Copalinga
Green Thorntail – this tiny acrobat had to work at maneuvering the more open feeder at Buenaventura
Western Emerald – seen well in flowers as we returned from lagoon at Manglares Churute
Green-crowned Woodnymph – Buenaventura feeders, large and bold
Violet-bellied Hummingbird – Buenaventura
Golden-tailed Sapphire – hedgerow at Copalinga
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – Buenaventura, one of the more common species away from the feeders, also at feeders
Loja Hummingbird – garden at our hotel in Vilcabamba, canyon walk that day
Amazilia Hummingbird – we studied a female in flowers as we returned from the lagoon at Manglares Churute
Andean Emerald – gorgeous hummingbird with clean white front, quite photogenic and cooperative at feeders, mainly Buenaventura
Glittering-throated Emerald – road below Bombuscaro entrance to Podocarpus NP
Blue-chested Hummingbird – Buenaventura at feeders
Speckled Hummingbird – Tapichalaca at feeders and in garden
Purple-bibbed Whitetip – Buenaventura
Green-crowned Brilliant – Buenaventura
Violet-fronted Brilliant – a gorgeous hummingbird common at feeders at Copalinga
Fawn-breasted Brilliant – Buenaventura and Tapichalaca
Giant Hummingbird – Venicio and Peg scouted out several territories of this impressive hummingbird and were able to give scope views to all at Uzhupud
Shining Sunbeam – Saraguro cloudforest
Mountain Velvetbreast – Seen by John and Vinicio at Saraguro
Great Sapphirewing – Saraguro cloudforest
Brown Inca – road from Tapichalaca to Vallolidad
Collared Inca – Tapichalaca, feeders and trails
Rainbow Starfrontlet – great views of this colorful gem flying and perched at the Loja Botanical Garden, then several seen feeding at Cajas NP
Chestnut-breasted Coronet – the most common and most aggressive hummingbird at Tapichalaca
Velvet-purple Coronet – one male, just arrived on the day of our visit to Buenaventura after several months absence – nice to be there to welcome it back!
Amethyst-throated Sunangel – common at the feeders at Tapichalaca
Flame-throated Sunangel – fairly common at feeders at Tapichalaca, the males throat making it perfectly named
Purple-throated Sunangel – one female, one of the first birds seen at the feeders at Tapichalaca. We had good views, but did not photograph, and it does not appear on the area checklist, so we enter with caution….
Black-tailed Trainbearer – seen around the small pond above Uzhupud
Green-tailed Trainbearer – great views for everyone in the garden at Uzhupud
Violet-throated Metaltail – this lovely endemic bird to Ecuador was seen well, despite its quick speed, at Cajas NP
Tyrian Metaltail – feeders and trails of Tapichalaca
Blue-mantled Thornbill – seen en route to Cajas NP, in a driving cold rain, hopping about on the ground to catch insects, rather amazing!
Long-tailed Sylph – Tapichalaca feeders and trails
Violet-tailed Sylph – Buenaventura
Purple-crowned Fairy – trails of Buenaventura
White-bellied Woodstar – a female braved the lineup of more aggressive Chestnut-breasted Coronets to come into the feeder
Golden-headed Quetzal – wonderful scope views in a canyon near Buenaventura, alerted to its presence by its calling
Ecuadorian Trogon – great views at Cerro Blanca
Western White-tailed Trogon – heard only, Buenaventura
Northern Violaceous Trogon – great views of several birds near Buenaventura cabins
Ringed Kingfisher – Bombuscaro River
Blue-crowned Motmot – Cerro Blanca, Buenaventura near our cabins
Coppery-chested Jacamar – heard only on trail at Bombuscaro
Purplish Jacamar – quick views by John and Peg near the mixed flock explosion at the start of Bombuscaro trail. With its striking color pattern, cuckoo like movement and long tail it could only be this species, how we wished we could have studied it more!
Crimson-rumped Toucanet – several of these beauties in a group near the Golden-headed Quetzal pair
Pale-mandibled Aracari – who will forget these hungry gobblers coming into the feeders, opening up papayas on the trees and posing for photos in the garden of Buenaventura!
Plate-billed Mountain Toucan – heard only at Saraguro cloudforest
Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan – heard only, Saraguro cloudforest, then seen in flight as it went from tree to tree at Cajas NP
Choco Toucan – first seen on the trails, we were amazed when this spectacular bird made visits to the feeder at Buenaventura, wow!
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan – fairly common on roads and trails we walked at Buenaventura
Ecuadorian Piculet – seen while walking the road at Buenaventura, secretive little rascal!
Golden-olive Woodpecker – seen Vilcabamba very well on our morning walk, then again at Bombuscaro
Linneated Woodpecker – Buenaventura, on our morning walk down the road
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker – a pretty jazzy feeder bird, seen on trails and grounds as well near Copalinga and Bombuscaro
Black-cheeked Woodpecker – Buenaventura, lower entrance road
Yellow-vented Woodpecker – close up views as a mixed flock came through Bombuscaro
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker – first seen at Cerro Blanco, then again our first few days aon the west side
Guayaquil Woodpecker – great views in a tall tree where we also watched Rose-crowned Parrot as we waited for the El Oro Parakeets
Bar-winged Cincloides – Cajas NP
Stout Cincloides – Cajas NP
Pacific Hornero – a signature bird of the trip, seen on most days with the exception of high elevation forests
Andean Tit Spinetail – one of our mixed flock the last morning, in native forest en route to Cajas NP
Azara’s Spinetail – good looks at Buenaventura for Peg, then the whole group at Tapichalaca, then heard another dialect near Bombuscaro
Dark-breasted Spinetail – Linda and Venicio got a glimpse of this shy bird at the airstrip near Zamora
Rufous Spinetail – a real treat on two days to get good views of this bird at Tapichalaca, the second day we had an adult feeding a new fledgling
Ash-browed Spinetail – Saraguro cloudforest, a skulker!
Many-striped Canastero – mixed flock en route to Cajas NP our final morning
Spectacled Prickletail – mixed flock on Bombuscaro trail, how can you not be happy to find a bird with a name like this!
Pacific Tuftedcheek – seen in thick bromeliads right near the Golden-headed Quetzal we had in our scope
Pearled Treerunner – seen in a mixed flock on the trail from Tapichalaca, great views of a family group of three, still feeding the begging youngster at Cajas NP
Buff-fronted Foliagegleaner – Buenaventura
Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner – Peg found this beauty on her walk back up the entrance road to Buenaventura
Plain-brown Woodcreeper – Buenaventura
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper – seen at Tapichalaca and Nancy spotted one in the garden at Copalinga
Olivaceous Woodcreeper – spotted by Nancy off the porch at Copalinga
Strong-billed Woodcreeper – this bird was a great reward for a hike done by John, Peg and Venicio in beautiful Polylepis forest at the San Francisco entrance to Podocarpus National Park
Spotted Woodcreeper – Buenaventura
Streak-headed Woodcreeper – Cerro Blanco our first day, and again at Buenaventura
Montane Woodcreeper – posing in the bromeliads close to the porch of Buenaventura, later calling all around the cabins
Great Antshrike – Manglares Churute
Collared Antshrike – great views of male and female our day in Cerro Blanco
Lined Antshrike – great views and vocalizations in the garden at Copalinga, a darker version of Barred Antshrike found to the north
Chapman’s Antshrike – on a roadside stop en route to Vilcabamba, this delightful antshirke posed for us atop some bamboo
Western Slaty Antshrike – another species found on Peg’s walk along the entrance road to Buenaventura
Plain Antvireo – seen at several locations
Checker-throated Antwren – mixed flock at Buenaventura
Slaty Antwren – mixed flock at Buenaventura
Chestnut-backed Antbird – heard only, several of our walks
Black-faced Antthrush – heard only, Bombuscaro
Scaled Antpitta – we heard this secretive bird in dense vegetation at Cajas NP
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta – calling regularly from the cloudforest at Saraguro
Jocotoco Antpitta – remarkable, endearing views of this large Antpitta, father and son, coming in for worms prepared by Franco. We spent quite some time quietly observing this very rare species, a real treasure, and quite a hike to get there!
Chestnut-naped Antpitta – much shyer than the Jocotoco, this beauty came in briefly while we were watching the Jocotocos “Pancho and Panchita”.
Rufous Antpitta – Ralph spotted this dapper curious Antpitta on the trail near Tapichalaca
Tawny Antpitta, heard at high elevations of our drive south, calling from thick paramo vegetation, seen briefly at the Virgin de Cajas monument near Cajas NP
Elegant Crescent-chest – spotted on our canyon walk from Vilcabamba, very close on an exposed patch of soil, then up on shrubs where we all got escellent views, great bird!
Blackish Tapaculo – Venicio skillfully found us this secretive bird of the Saraguro cloudforest that tempted us with calls, then finally gave us views with a little help from playback. Quite a skulker!
Chusquea Tapaculo – heard several times at Tapichalaca, then on a slightly more open steep slope across the road, we had a chance to see it among the grasses, using tall yellow flowers as our clues of where to find it!
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet – Buenaventura, lower entrance road by river crossing
Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet – Tapichalaca
Loja Tyrannulet – canyon walk by Vilcabamba
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet – Manglares Churute day, lower reaches near Buenaventura and our canyon walk at Vilcabamba
Tumbesian Tyrannulet – very good looks at a pair in the canyon near Vilcabamba, posing up on tall shrubs, before we were distracted by the Elegant Crescent-chest!
Foothill Elaenia – heard only by most of the group, Peg got a glimpse of it feeding, trail at Bombuscaro. Responded to tape, but never into clear view.
Pacific Elaenia – lower road leading to Buenaventura
Greenish Elaenia – Manglares Churute, spotted by Vinicio
Mottle-backed Elaenia – this large elaenia was heard at the San Francisco entrance to Podocarpus, then seen well in the garden at Copalinga, where it was feeding a large fledgling
White-throated Tyrannulet – two seen and heard at Cajas NP
White-banded Tyrannulet – one seen in a mixed flock along the lakeshore at Cajas NP
White-tailed Tyrannulet – Tapichalaca
Torrent Tyrannulet – spotted on rocks of the rushing Bombuscaro River
Tufted Tit Tyrant – great views just outside the hotel entrance at Uzhapud
Agile Tit Tyrant – another member of our great last day flock near Cajas NP
Tawny-crowned Pygmy Tyrant – Buenaventura and travel day to Tapichalaca
Streak-necked Flycatcher – seen on the trail returning from the Long-wattled Umbrellabird lek at Buenaventura, just after the Song Wren, quite secretive in dark light
Olive-striped Flycatcher – seen on several days at Buenaventura, Tapichalaca and Copalinga
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher – Buenaventura
Ecuadorian Tyrannulet – garden at Copalinga
Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant – Buenaventura
Short-tailed Pygmy Tryant – seen early one morning in shrubs outside the dining area of Copalinga
Scale-crested Pygmy Tryant – seen by the first cabin at Buenaventura
Black-headed Tody Flycatcher – seen by a river crossing on entrance road to Buenaventura
Common Tody Flycatcher – seen at several locations, but the most memorable was a pair building a nest in the parking lot at Copalinga
Yellow-olive Flatbill – calling and quite tame for inspection in the parking lot at Cerro Blanco, near the picnic area
Ornate Flycatcher – quite a beauty, seen at Tapichalaca, then again in a mixed flock at Bombuscaro entrance to PNP
Sulpher-rumped Flycatcher – Buenaventura, walking back to breakfast after our early morning outing
Bran-colored Flycatcher – Buenaventura and Vilcabamba
Olive-chested Flycatcher – garden at Copalinga
Orange-banded Flycatcher – seen on two days at Buenaventura
Cinnamon Flycatcher – this cutie was a favorite of the group, seen at Tapichalaca, then across from the San Francisco entrance to PNP
Eastern Wood Pewee – seen on the hillside across from the dining area at Copalinga
Western Wood Pewee – Buenaventura
Smoke-colored Pewee – travel day to Tapichalaca, higher elevation forests on exposed perch, lovely views
Olive-sided Flycatcher – Buenaventura
Empidonax, sp. – this silent Alder/Willow type Empid gave us good views, but no clear i.d. in the garden near Uzhupud
Black Phoebe – seen throughout the journey at stream crossings and characteristic habitat
Vermilion Flycatcher – Manglares Churute and travel day to Buenaventura
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant – feeding on the grass near the Virgin de Cajas statue
Rufous-breasted Chat Tyrant – travel day to Vilcambamba, we first found this cutie from an overlook on the road where we could see well into the canopy. Also found on trails at Tapichalaca
Crowned Chat Tyrant – several individuals in a small gully en route to Cajas NP
White-tailed Shrike Tyrant – perching up on paramo vegetation and feeding, below the statue of Jesus at the Virgin de Cajas, making for some odd-sounding directional clues!
Rufous-tailed Tyrant – seen on trail into Jocotoco Antpitta and then again closer to cabins at Tapichalaca, its red eye distiinctive
Long-tailed Tyrant – sallying for insects for a long time as seen from the porch at Copalinga
Masked Water Tyrant – Venicio spotted two on the shore of the lagoon at Manglares Churute
Ochraceous Attila – secretive in dense vegetation on our walk up the road near Buenaventura, seen just after the Barred Hawk, then Poison Dart Frogs and Choco Toucans, wow!
Dusky-capped Flycatcher – Cerro Blanco and travel day to Buenaventura
Short-crested Flycatcher – travel day to Loja
Great Kiskadee – Manglares Churute
Boat-billed Flycatcher – Cerro Blanco
Social Flycatcher – almost all but higher elevation locations
Rusty-margined Flycatcher – seen at lunch picnic after Manglares Churute
Piratic Flycatcher – seen off airstrip near Zamora
Tropical Kingbird – good old ‘TK’, seen daily.
Masked Tityra – lone individual flew into a dead snag near the airstrip at Zamora
Long-wattled Umbrellabird – a highlight for many, such an improbable bird, seen just before a pouring rain, preening and tucking in for the evening at Buenaventura
White-bearded Manakin – male and female seen on walk along road at Buenaventura
Striped Manakin – female spotted in mixed flock at Bombuscaro, Podocarpus NP
Club-winged Manakin – seen feeding in trees at Buenaventura in mixed flock
Varzea Shiffornis – Linda and Venicio got a glimpse of this very vocal bird as we left the Long-wattled Umbrellabird lek area at Buenaventura
Black-collared Jay – Sagaguro and Cajas NP, highly vocal
Turquoise Jay – Tapichalaca
Violaceous Jay – airstrip near Zamora
White-tailed Jay – Peg got a brief glimpse of this colorful bird flying away after tempting our inspection with lots of vocalizations
Inca Jay – an ‘oh my God!’ bird, as our Nancy would say. This gaudy jay was with at Tapichalaca and at Copalinga, great bird!
Rufous-browed Peppershrike – seen very well from our lunch picnic at Manglares Churute, then on our walk near Vilcabamba
Black-billed Peppershrike – great looks at this handsome vireo family member, new for most on our first day at Cerro Blanco
Red-eyed Vireo – mixed flock on a mountain pass en route to Tapichalaca
Lesser Greenlet – Buenaventura and Tapichalaca
Andean Solitaire – heard only, near the El Oro Parakeet site
Swainson’s Thrush – Buenaventura and PNP at Bombuscaro
Great Thrush – very common once in its realm, first seen at Tapichalaca, then daily
Plumbeous-backed Thrush – Buenaventura, seen mainly at the road’s edge
Maranon Thrush – seen in a fruiting tree at the entrance of PNP at Bombuscaro, then again near the river on the trail we walked our full morning there
Ecuadorian Thrush – Buenaventura and in the garden at Copalinga
White-necked Thrush – seen feeding in a fruiting tree near the entrance to PNP at Bombuscaro, with several other species of thrush
Andean Slaty Thrush – seen in the canyon near Vilcabamba
Long-tailed Mockingbird – travel day to Vilcabamba and Nancy spotted a juvenile in a tree of the Malecon at Guayaquil
Gray-breasted Martin – Cerro Blanco, Manglares Churute and Buenaventura
Brown-bellied Swallow – a subtle but pretty swallow, Tapichalaca over the cliffs of the main road investigating holes, and seen again over the pasture below the incredible cloud forest of Saraquro, lots of activity at Cajas NP
Blue and White Swallow – by far our most common swallow anywhere near the mountains
White-banded Swallow – best seen from Copalinga
Southern Rough-winged Swallow – Buenaventura and Copalinga area
Barn Swallow – travel day over fields of dairy cattle near Cuenca
Black-capped Donacobius – airstrip near Zamora
Fasciated Wren – Buenaventura, over a dozen in the canyon near Vilcabamba, and in the botanic gardens at Loja – a bold and noisy, highly patterned wren!
Grass Wren – great looks while singing, at the edge of the lake we walked around at Cajas NP
Bay Wren – heard only, two locations
Plain-tailed Wren – heard on the travel day to Tapichalaca in dense paramo vegetation, then again on our walk through Polylepis forest at the San Francisco entrance to PNP
Whiskered Wren – Seen at Cerro Blanco, Buenaventura
Speckle-breasted Wren – seen our first day at Cerro Blanco, on two occasions
House Wren – a familiar song throughout, seen at several locations
Mountain Wren – garden near feeders at Tapichalaca, and great views in our mixed flock near Cajas the final day
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren – heard and seen at Buenaventura, heard again walking trails at Tapichalaca, and at the forest edge at Saraguro
Song Wren – we were serenaded on the trail into the Long-wattled Bellbird lek by this lovely songster; coming back John and Venicio had a glimpse of the pair. Later we heard a second pair as we walked back to the lodge down the road.
Tawny-faced Gnatwren – Buenaventura
Long-billed Gnatwren – Cerro Blanco in mixed flock seen just after the water crossing on the canyon trail
Tropical Gnatcatcher – Manglares Churute and Cerro Blanco
Paramo Pipit – atop a building as we stopped to watch a flock in a small gully en route to Cajas
Tropical Parula – seen each day our first eight days
Blackburnian Warbler – seen on travel day to Vilcabamba from overlook on the highway, then again at Tapichalaca and Bombuscaro in mixed flock
Canada Warbler – first picked up at Bombuscaro, PNP, then near Loja
Slate-throated Whitestart – a common, widespread and easy to see warbler, nice combination!
Spectacled Whitestart – first seen at the pass of the Corillera de Sabanilla crossing from PNP to Tapichalaca, then fairly common at Tapichalaca, Saraguro and Cajas NP
Three-striped Warbler – spotted by Linda on trail at Tapichalaca, botanic garden at Loja
Three-banded Warbler – spotted in dense shrubbery off the trail at Tapichalaca by Liinda
Russet-crowned Warbler – a pair seen on the road walked near Tapichalaca, seen well at Cajas, a beautiful songster!
Gray-and-gold Warbler – quite common at Buenaventura, first seen near our cabins as we got out of the vans
Buff-rumped Warbler – this jaunty little bird seen and photographed by Peg walking the entrance road to Buenaventura
Bananaquit – quite common throughout
Purple Honeycreeper – Buenaventura and Copalinga
Green Honeycreeper – over a dozen at a time on feeder trays at Buenaventura, also seen on trails and plantings near the lodge
Blue Dacnis – Buenaventura
Black-faced Dacnis – Bombuscaro walk, in with mixed flock, Loja area
Cinereous Conebill – feeder area at Buenaventura, just one visit, then seen at Uzhupud, Cajas NP
Giant Conebill – heard only, on the trail we took around lower lagoon at Cajas NP
Tit-like Dacnis – mixed flock near Cajas, a beautiful blue gem in the rain…
Masked Flowerpiercer – daily at the Tapichalaca feeder, in mixed flock in Saraguro’s protected forest
Black Flowerpiercer – Uzhupud and Cajas NP
White-sided Flowerpiercer – seen very well at Tapichalaca and our travel day to Copalinga, then again actually displaying and raising the white-feathers of the side while in a mixed flock in Saraguro
Rufous-chested Tanager – a lovely tanager, seen in the mixed flock in cloudforest of Saraguro
Thick-billed Euphonia – Cerro Blanco in the small garden, and Copalinga
Golden-rumped Euphonia – lovely bird with its blue cap and lively colors, seen in the scope at the Loja gardens
Orange-bellied Euphonia – Copalinga, often at the feeders
Orange-crowned Euphonia – Buenaventura and again at Copalinga
White-lored Euphonia – Seen on one day at Copalinga, not as common as other euphonias at that location
Orange-eared Tanager – one of our most colorful tanagers, seen across a small valley in with mixed flock on the Bombuscaro trail
Golden Tanager – Buenaventura and trail at Bombuscaro
Silver-throated Tanager – Buenaventura, walking back to breakfast on our early morning outing
Saffron-crowned Tanager – another gorgeous jade colored tanager with a distinctive crown that beams like a flashlight from thick forest leaves – we had them below us on the trail at San Francisco entrance to Bombuscaro
Flame-faced Tanager – one of the gaudiest tanagers imaginable, we saw this heading towards Copalinga, on a break at the entrance to Podocarpus National Park, then on our walk in Bombuscaro and again on our return to San Francisco, just below the ‘lunch’ porch
Golden-naped Tanager – seen on the travel day to Tachipalaca, in a flock where light was difficult across from the roadside overlook; we could see the pattern well, but not truly appreciate its fine colors
Beryl-spangled Tanager – this beauty posed briefly for us as we were watching a perched Cinnamon Flycatcher, across the entrance to PNP at San Francisco
Blue-and-black Tanager – a strking bird, intense blue with highlights of black, seen at the San Francisco entrance to PNP and again in mixed flock at Saraguro
Silver-backed Tanager – seen on travel day to Tapichalaca, in mixed flock across from roadside overlook, then at Tapichalaca and again in flock at San Francisco entrance to PNP
Blue-necked Tanager – seen briefly at Buenaventura and Tapichalaca, and then the most common tanager at Copalinga, quite numerous in the garden and forest surrounding the lodge
Masked Tanager – seen at Copalinga on one day
Paradise Tanager – seen in mixed flocks, including one very close one at the ranger station in PNP at Bombuscaro
Green-and-gold Tanager – mixed flock at Bombuscaro, seen through a window of vegetation on the trail down to the river
Spotted Tanager – seen at Copalinga / Bombuscaro, on the park trail, then again from the lodge porch in a mixed flock across the slope
Bay-headed Tanager – Buenaventura and Copalinga
Golden-crowned Tanager – an extraordinary tanager, viewed well near the bus stop on the main road near Tapichalaca
Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager – in mixed flock at Saraguro, then great views our second day at Cajas, spotted by Ralph
Lacrimose Mountain Tanager – both days at Tapichalaca
Hooded Mountain Tanager – mixed flock at Saraguro
Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager – a beauty in the rain, along with several others en route to Cajas
Grass-green Tanager – heard only, Tapichalaca forest trails
Swallow Tanager – seen on return walk to breakfast on early morning outing from Buenaventura, the male perched high for scope views. Seen again at Bombuscaro
Blue-gray Tanager – our most common tanager, seen every day for our first ten days
Palm Tanager – Cerro Blanco, Manglares Churute and again at the airstrip near Zamora
Blue-capped Tanager – Tapichalaca and San Francisco entrance to PNP
Blue-and-yellow Tanager – fence row on our walk above Uzhupud
Silver-beaked Tanager – Tapichalaca and then very evident at feeders and in the gardens and trails near Copalinga / Bombuscaro
Lemon-rumped Tanager – abundant at Buenaventura
Summer Tanager – spotted our last morning from the porch at Copalinga
Scarlet Tanager – Regina spotted this beauty at the entrance to PNP at San Francisco
White-lined Tanager – Bombuscaro / Copalinga
White-shouldered Tanager – first morning walk at Buenaventura and again at Bombuscaro in a mixed flock near the entrance
Common Bush Tanager – Buenaventura
Yellow-throated Bush Tanager – quite common in the forests of PNP at Bombuscaro
Black-capped Hemispingus – forest trail from the lodge at Tapichalaca
Supercilliated Hemispingus – great looks at Cajas NP
Magpie Tanager – Linda first spotted this beauty at the airstrip at Zamora, then it came with a mixed flock to a prominent perch visible from the porch at Copalinga
Buff-throated Saltator – Buenaventura and Copalinga
Grayish Saltator – Copalinga, owner of the lovely song we woke to each morning
Streaked Saltator – Cerro Blanco, Manglares Churute and San Francisco entrance to PNP
Slate-colored Grosbeak – Regina and Linda spotted this beauty on our walk back to breakfast at Buenaventura, great views
Southern Yellow Grosbeak – first seen at Cerro Blanco, then at Vilcabamba and from the lodge at Saraguro
Black-backed Grosbeak – heard only, a lovely serenade through thick forests
Blue-black Grassquit – Buenaventura and Copalinga, in open areas
Lesser Seed Finch – Bombuscaro along the entrance road, across from the ‘Torrent Duck’ spot
Variable Seedeater – Manglares Churute and Buenaventura
Yellow-bellied Seedeater – Manglares Churute, Vilcabamba and Copalinga
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater – garden at Copalinga
Band-tailed Seedeater – travel day to Tapichalaca, higher elevation
Plain-colored Seedeater – Cajas NP
Paramo Seedeater – Virgin de Cajas memorial
Band-tailed Seedeater – travel day to Tapichalaca
Plumbeous Sierra Finch – Cajas NP and vicinity
Ash-breasted Sierra Finch – great views down on this bird, seen from the road into Cajas, in native vegetation
Saffron Finch – seen regularly in towns and countryside our first six days
Grassland Yellow Finch – singing from the reeds at water’s edge, both days Cajas NP
Slaty Finch – very good looks at this bird along the road that led to the Jocotoco Trail from Tapichalaca
Rufous-naped Brush Finch – mixed flock at Saraguro
Tricolored Brush Finch – Buenaventura, seen along the road above the lodge and Tapichalaca in the garden, then with the Ash-breasted Sierra Finch in Cajas, feeding a fledgling
Orange-billed Sparrow – a beautiful bird, first encountered early morning on the road uphill from Buenaventura’s lodge and then at the feeder at Copalinga
Black-capped Sparrow – seen on our first day at Cerro Blanco
Yellow-browed Sparrow – seen along the entry road to Copalinga and at the airstrip near Zamora
Rufous-collared Sparrow – seen on five days of our journey, as John says “its good to see
‘Rufy’ again…”
Yellow-rumped Cacique – seen at the airstrip at Zamora
Crested Oropendola – Copalinga
Olive Oropendola – seen on the forest trail at Bombuscaro PNP
Shiny Cowbird – seen in open country on five days of our journey
Giant Cowbird – Manglares Churute
Scrub Blackbird – seen early in the trip on three days
Great-tailed Grackle – seen in towns on our first travel day to Buenaventura along the coast
Yellow-tailed Oriole – a gorgeous bird, seen at Cerro Blanco and Buenaventura
Peruvian Meadowlark – seen best on the trail into the lagoon at Manglares Churute, then from one of our gas station stops
Hooded Siskin – travel day to Tapichalaca from a roadside overlook, in a small flock
Olivaceous Siskin – field area just past Vallolidad
Andean Siskin – garden at Uzhupud
Yellow-bellied Siskin – Buenaentura
House Sparrow – Linda spotted this species as we left Zamora

 

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