The South America Introtour
(Northwest Ecuador)

January 5 - 12, 2008

Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead

All photos were taken by the tour leader during the trip.

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager on Jan. 6  -  Scott Olmstead


Western Emerald at Tandayapa Bird Lodge on Jan. 7  -  Scott Olmstead

Itinerary:


Jan. 5  –  Arrival, Night in Quito.

Jan. 6  –  Yanacocha travel to Tandayapa, Night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

Jan. 7  –  Lower Tandayapa Valley & vicinity, Night TBL.

Jan. 8  –  Milpe, Los Bancos, & the old Nono-Mindo road, Night TBL.

Jan. 9  –  Paz de las Aves Refuge, Night TBL.

Jan. 10 – Río Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Night TBL.

Jan. 11 – Upper Tandayapa Valley & Calacalí, Night in Quito.

Jan. 12 – Departure.

 


This short tour is excellent for all types; it is equally well-suited for eager birders traveling to South America for the first time as it is for more experienced veterans of many Neotropical trips. On our January tour we had a couple of birders making their first visit to “The Bird Continent”, another who had already birded Peru and Venezuela but never Ecuador, and another who had been to Ecuador several times before but without doing too much serious birding. It was a good mix of personalities. Based at Tandayapa Bird Lodge for the whole trip, we visited a variety of elevations, ranging from the high temperate cloud forest of Yanacocha through the subtropical and foothill forests of Tandayapa and Milpe down to the lowland tropical forest at Rio Silanche. Despite some wet weather the tour was a huge success, with some amazing and incomparable birds like Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Tanager Finch, Giant Antpitta, Toucan Barbet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, and Velvet-purple Coronet.

Tour Summary

January 6 – We started the tour at the Yanacocha Reserve on the western slope of Volcán Pichincha, at 3500m. Birding was challenging as a result of the thick fog that was present for most of the morning but we still managed to do quite well, with some mixed flock highlights being Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Superciliaried Hemispingus, Grass-green Tanager, and Blue-backed Conebill. The temperate cloud forest here is excellent habitat for the monotypic White-browed Spinetails, and they were very vocal during our visit; we saw several well. A vocalizing Andean Pygmy-Owl enveloped in the fog was giving us a tough time until Linda was able to pick it out for us. Hummingbird standouts included Great Sapphirewing, Golden-breasted Puffleg, and the cartoonish Sword-billed Hummingbird. On the drive toward Tandayapa we had great looks at Red-crested Cotinga, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, and Andean Cock-of-the-rock, putting on a good show at a known lek site. We arrived at our base for the tour, Tandayapa Bird Lodge with enough to time to check out the amazing hummingbird spectacle, picking up a few of the local specialties like Violet-tailed Sylph and Brown Inca, both endemic to the Chocó Bioregion.

Olivaceous Piha at Tandayapa Bird Lodge on Jan. 7  -  Scott Olmstead Little Woodstar at Tandayapa Bird Lodge on Jan. 7  -  Scott Olmstead

January 7 – This morning we started in the forest blind near the lodge at dawn, getting a nice show by the local Immaculate Antbirds, Spotted Barbtails, and Masked Trogon. On the trails after breakfast we picked up Tricolored Brush-Finch, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Olivaceous Piha (well spotted by David), a Wedge-billed Hummingbird singing from a high perch, and the unforgettable Golden-headed Quetzal. At the hummer feeders on the patio, in addition to the regulars like Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, and Western Emerald, we got a female Little Woodstar, a rather unusual visitor to the lodge. For the afternoon we walked the road in the lower Tandayapa Valley, hitting some good mixed flocks that included Beryl-spangled, Metallic-green, and Black-capped Tanagers, Black-winged Saltator, and White-winged Brush-Finch. A family of White-winged Tanagers showed well and we saw our first Crimson-rumped Toucanets of the tour. Around dusk we had great luck with nightbirding, first getting a cooperative male Lyre-tailed Nightjar at a stakeout and then calling in a Colombian (Rufescent) Screech-Owl for incredible close-up views.

January 8 – Today we birded the foothills, starting off in the Milpe area at about 1100m. Many trees in the Milpe Bird Sanctuary were in fruit, providing easy opportunities to see frugivorous species like Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Flame-faced and Rufous-throated Tanagers, Pale-vented Thrush, and Toucan Barbet. The local Club-winged Manakins were displaying with fervor and a Barred Hawk calling and soaring overhead made quite a spectacle. We saw a pair of Pallid Doves amazingly well when they flushed and perched in a tree; this species can be very hard to see. Greenish Elaenia, Slate-colored Grosbeak, Chocó Warbler, and Black-and-white Becard were also seen in mixed flocks. The afternoon was a bit rainy, and we relaxed for a while and had lunch in nearby San Miguel de los Bancos, watching Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Woodnymph, and White-whiskered Hermit visiting the hummer feeders. Another brief visit to the bird sanctuary after lunch produced a few new birds, most notably the Chocó Toucan that Art spotted as it swooped past us at the overlook and then landed in a nearby tree.

Rufous-bellied Nighthawks sitting in the rain at Paz de las Aves, Jan. 9  -  Scott Olmstead Scaled Antpitta incubating eggs, Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Jan. 9  -  Scott Olmstead

January 9 – This morning we headed to the famous Paz de las Aves private reserve to try for some notoriously hard-to-see forest species. It was a rainy morning but that didn’t stop us from getting some mega birds. Two of the undisputed highlights of our visit were “María” the Giant Antpitta and a covey of Dark-backed Wood-Quail (formerly one of the most difficult of all the Chocó endemics to actually see), both species coming to feed on worms put out for them. We also found a pair of impressive Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans feeding in a fruiting tree, looking as if they deserved to be on the cover of a field guide, and a pair of Rufous-bellied Nighthawks roosting on a branch together. (You can watch a short video clip of the nighthawks trying to stay dry here.) After a much-needed snack at the farmhouse we birded the upper part of the property, where we had mind-blowing views of a male Orange-breasted Fruiteater at close range; the orange on the breast of this bird is so bright it is truly startling! We drove back to the lodge along the old Nono-Mindo road and picked up some new species like Plushcap, Long-tailed Antbird, and Flavescent Flycatcher. Arriving back at the lodge, we headed out on the trail to check out a Scaled Antpitta on a staked-out nest.

January 10 – Today was our day to bird the lowlands around the Rio Silanche, and we certainly proved the point that no matter how well you plan your day, it is never guaranteed to go exactly as you expect. We started the day with two hours of steady rain and ended a little early due to a flat tire on the van, but in between we sure saw some good birds! After the rain let up, we got things going with a flock containing Dot-winged and Checker-throated Antwrens, Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, and a pair of Streaked Xenops. Walking down one of the forest trails we began to see more good birds such as Tawny-crested Tanager, Cinnamon and Guayaquil Woodpeckers, Black-striped Woodcreeper. Farther along we picked up Band-tailed Barbthroat, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Band-backed Wren, White-flanked Antwren, and an unexpected Golden-crowned Spadebill, very rare at this site. After lunch we birded along the road and added Guira Tanager, Little Cuckoo, Gray Elaenia, and Pacific Antwren. The last bird of the afternoon was a beautiful Yellow-tailed Oriole.

Anolis sp. in the Upper Tandayapa Valley, Jan. 11  -  Scott Olmstead American Kestrel at Calacalí on Jan. 11  -  Scott Olmstead

January 11 – For our last morning of the tour we headed up to the upper Tandayapa Valley early and were rewarded not long after dawn with great views of the rare and threatened Tanager Finch – not a bad start to any day! Nearby we picked up Blue-capped Tanager, Spillman’s Tapaculo, Rufous-heade Pygmy-Tyrant, and Cinnamon Flycatcher. One of my trip highlights was our great comparative study of a striking Flammulated Treehunter and a slight more subtly patterned pair of Striped Treehunters. Walking on the Bellavista Research Station road we found several new birds including Green-and-black Fruiteater, Turquoise Jay, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, and the incredible Crimson-mantled Woodpecker. Working our way back down the Tandayapa Valley toward the lodge (and lunch) we stopped to see Plain-tailed Wren and Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant, a bird that really embodies the word “cute”. A Yellow-vented Woodpecker seen in a mixed flock was a great record for the valley. Arriving at the lodge, we found that it wasn’t just any other day at the feeders, as a Hoary Puffleg, the first in several years, had joined the regular cast on the patio. After lunch we packed up, said goodbye to the hummingbirds, and headed back toward Quito. A quick stop in the arid scrub near the town of Calacalí produced the hoped-for White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant as well as Band-tailed Seedeater, Hooded Siskin, and a couple birds familiar to North American birders: Common Ground-Dove and American Kestrel. The last bird of the trip was an unwitting Curve-billed Tinamou that idly wandered across the path and then flushed and flew down the hillside when it realized we were on to it! A nice end to an excellent trip.


Bird List

A total of 282 species were seen be at least one member of the group.
An additional 41 species were heard but not seen, and these are marked with an “H”.
There were 4 species seen only by the leader; these are marked with an “L”.  

Chocó endemics are listed in bold red.
Tumbesian endemics are listed in bold black.
Interandean Slopes and Valleys endemics are listed in bold blue.
Additional designations: (NT) near threatened, (VU) vulnerable.

The taxonomy and nomenclature of this list follow: 
Ridgely, Robert and Paul Greenfield. The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. 2001. Ithica, NY: Comstock Publishing.

Additional names and classifications are given as a note where appropriate.

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui H

Curve-billed Tinamou Nothoprocta curvirostris

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea

Barred Hawk Leucopternis princips

Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma L
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans H

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Andean Guan Penelope montagnii

Dark-backed Wood-Quail (VU) Odontophorus melanonotus
White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis H

Brown Wood-Rail (VU) Aramides wolfi

Rock Pigeon Columba livia

Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata

Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea H

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina

Pallid Dove Leptotila pallida
White-throated Quail-Dove Geotrygon frenata
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura
Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus

Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus
Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa H
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Rufescent Screech-Owl Otus ingens colombianus

The west slope race colombianus is often regarded as a separate species, Colombian Screech-Owl.

Andean Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium jardini
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk Lurocalis rufiventris

Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris H

Lyre-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis lyra

White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutilus

Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis

Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus

Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans
Green Thorntail Popelairia conversii
Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus

– Formerly considered a race of Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus. There may still be more rearranging to come in Chlorostilbon.
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila Julie L

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
Purple-bibbed Whitetip Adelomyia melanogenys
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides
Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi

Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni
Collared Inca Coeligena torquata
Buff-winged Starfrontlet Coeligena lutetiae
Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera
Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini
Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus
Sapphire-vented Puffleg Eriocnemis luciani
Golden-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis mosquera

Hoary Puffleg (NT) Haplophaedia lugens

Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii

Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
Wedge-billed Hummingbird Schistes geoffroyi

Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii

Little Woodstar (VU) Chaetocercus bombus
Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps
Chocó Trogon Trogon comptus

– Also known as “White-eyed Trogon” or “Blue-tailed Trogon”.

Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
Toucan Barbet (NT) Semnornis ramphastinus
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Pale-mandibled Araçari Pteroglossus erythropygius

– This taxon, endemic to Ecuador, is sometimes considered a race of the of the Central America species Collared Araçari Pteroglossus torquatus. Taxonomy in Pteroglossus is still rather unsettled.
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (NT) Andigena laminirostris

Chocó Toucan Ramphastos brevis
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii H

– Sometimes considered conspecific with Black-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguous of the eastern Andes.
Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus rivolii
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus

Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus

Yellow-vented Woodpecker Veniliornis dignus
Guayaquil Woodpecker Campephilus guayaquilensis

Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus

– Sometimes considered a race of the wide-ranging Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus.
Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyuran H
Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa

White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis

Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Pacific Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes johnsoni

– Often considered conspecific with the Central American species Buffy Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes lawrencii

Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens

Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus H

Flammulated Treehunter Thripadectes flammulatus

Striped Treehunter Thripadectes holostictus

Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans

Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger

Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor H

Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha H

Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula pacifica
Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula fulviventris
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaries

Slaty Antwren Mymotherula schisticolor

Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis
Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudate

Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculata
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul H
Black-headed Antthrush Formicarius nigricapillus H
Rufous-breasted Antthrush Formicarius rufipectus H
Giant Antpitta (VU) Grallaria gigantea
Undulated Antpitta Grallaria squamigera H

Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatemalensis

Moustached Antpitta (EN) Grallaria alleni H

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla H
Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta H
Rufous Antpitta Grallaria rufula H
Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis
Ash-colored Tapaculo Myornis senilis H

Unicolored Tapaculo Scytalopus unicolor latrans

– The Ecuadorian race latrans is now usually considered part of a separate species: Blackish Tapaculo Scytalopus latrans.
Nariño Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior H
Spillman's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx H
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
Ashy-faced Tyrannulet Phyllomyias cinereiceps

Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion brunneicapillum

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum H
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus H
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps

Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata

Sierran Elaenia Elaenia pallatangae

White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys

White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus
White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus poecilocercus
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet Mecocerculus calopterus

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis
Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus L

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleaginous H

Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus pelzelni H

Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus pelzelni

Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis atricapillus H

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus ruficeps

– The common name is also often written as “Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant”.

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus

Ornate Flycatcher Nyiotriccus ornatus
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus

Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius

Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans
Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus

Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus

Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
Olive-sided Flycatcher (NT) Empidonax virescens

Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens L

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris H

Crowned Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca frontalis

Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant Silvicultrix diadema

Smoky Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes fumigatus H
White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant (VU) Agriornis andicola

Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta

Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua H
Social Flycatcher Myiozetes similis

Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis

Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus H
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor

White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
Black-and-White Becard Pachyramphus albogriseus
One-colored Becard Pachyramphus omochrous
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii

Orange-breasted Fruiteater Pipreola jucunda

Olivaceous Piha Lathria cryptolophus

Purple-throated Fruitcrown Querula purpurata

Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruviana
Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus H
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Club-winged Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus
Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius leucotis H

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater H
Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryas H

Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus

Great Thrush Turdus fuscater

Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus

Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus

Ecuadorian Thrush Turdus maculirostris
Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus

Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa H
Sepia-brown Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens

– Also known as “Sharpe’s Wren”.
Grass Wren Cistothorus platensis H

– Also known as “Sedge Wren”.
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
Plain-tailed Wren Thyrothorus euophrys

House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis H
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Southern Nightingale-Wren Microcerculus marginatus H
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava
Canada Warbler Wilsonia Canadensis

Slate-throated Whitetstart Myioborus miniatus
Spectacled Whitestart Myioborus melanocephalus

Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Chocó Warbler Basileuterus chlorophrys

– Sometimes considered conspecific with Golden-bellied Warbler Basileuterus chrysogaster of Peru.

Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus
Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola

Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Yellow-tufted Dacnis Dacnis egregia
Cinereous Conebill Conirostrum cinereum

Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor
Capped Conebill Conirostrum albifrons
Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossopis cyanea
Glossy Flowerpiercer Diglossa lafresnayii
Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis

White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
Fawn-breasted Tanager Pipraeidea melanonota

Yellow-collared Chlorophonia Chlorophonia flavirostris

Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala H
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
Rufous-throated Tanager Tangara rufigula
Gray-and-gold Tanager Tangara palmeri

Golden Tanager Tangara arthus

Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
Flame-faced Tanager Tangara parzudakii
Golden-naped Tanager Tangara ruficervix
Metallic-green Tanager Tangara labradorides

Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis
Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii

Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Rufous-winged Tanager Tangara lavinia

Golden-crowned Tanager Iridosornis rufivertex

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris

Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus

Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana
Black-chested Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis eximia

Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala

Lemon-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus icteronotus
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra

White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera

Ochre-breasted Tanager Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus

White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii

Scarlet-browed Tanager Heterospingus xanthopygius
Dusky Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus semifuscus
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus flavigularis
Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris
Western Hemisipingus Hermispingus subochraceus

– Sometimes considered a race of Black-eared Hemispingus Hemispingus melanotis of the eastern Andes.

Plushcap Catamblyrhynchus diadema

Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus

Southern Yellow-Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster

– Also often called “Golden-bellied Grosbeak”.
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea

Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata
Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis

Rufous-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes latinuchus

– Northern races including Ecuadorian birds are now split from southern races and usually referred to as “Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch”. This northern group has also been called “Northern Rufous-naped Brush-Finch” and “Cloud-forest Brush-Finch”. Confusing!
Tricolored Brush-Finch Atlapetes tricolor
White-winged Brush-Finch Atlapetes leucopterus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch Buarremon torquatus H

Tanager Finch (VU) Oreothrapis arremonops

Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Scrub Blackbird Dives warszewiczi
Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus mesomelas

Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica

Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra

Back to Tropical Birding home