Ornate Flycatcher at Milpe Bird Sanctuary, Jan. 30

Northwest Ecuador: In Search of Chocó Endemics January 25 - February 6, 2007 Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead All photos were taken by the tour leader during the trip.

Tour Summary:

Jan. 26  Heavy rain and a thick overcast delayed all flights coming into Quito at the start of the tour. Jack and I got a late start this morning, and we headed for the Tandayapa Valley without Linda and Leonard, planning to meet them later in the day after their plane was able to land. Driving up the lower valley, our first mixed flock contained at least six WHITE-WINGED TANAGERS, an significant number of this low-density species. Further up the valley, we encountered more good flocks that included TOUCAN BARBETS, BLUE-CAPPED TANAGERS, and a CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER. The big surprise of the afternoon was the female COMMON NIGHTHAWK that flushed out of roadside scrub, possibly the first record for the valley. After lunch we drove back down to Tandayapa Bird Lodge and met Linda and Leonard at the hummingbird feeders. (where else?) A late afternoon walk to the hide produced a RUFOUS-BREASTED ANTTHRUSH foraging on the trail – great views for all.

Jan. 27  This morning we set out early for the Yanacocha Reserve. RED-CRESTED COTINGA was a good sighting en route, and once at the reserve we concentrated on sifting through the mixed flocks. GRASS-GREEN TANAGER, and SCARLET-BREASTED, HOODED, and BLACK-CHESTEDMOUNTAIN-TANAGERS were among the favorites. BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL, SUPERCILIARIED HEMISPINGUS, and RUFOUS WREN made up the supporting cast. The hummingbird feeders were productive as usual, with GREAT SAPPHIREWING, SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD, and others. On the ride back to the lodge in the afternoon we bumped into a pair of SOUTHERN YELLOW-GROSBEAKS in the more open highlands and tracked down a WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER in the Alambi Valley.

Buff-winged Starfrontlet at Yanacocha Reserve, Jan. 27

Yellow-breasted Antpitta at Paz de las Aves Refuge, Jan. 28

Jan. 28  Today we started off with a visit to the famous Paz de las Aves Refuge near Nanegalito. The charismatic and bold YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTAS amused everyone as they filled their bills with juicy worms, and nearby a vocal OCHRE-BREASTED ANTPITTA was seen well by all, perched almost 25 feet above the ground. Up the hill at the edge of the forest we found an ORANGE-BREASTED FRUITEATER right away, and then enjoyed a passing mixed flock with some brilliant tanagers (METALLIC-GREEN, BLACK-CAPPED, GOLDEN-NAPED, and FLAME-FACED). In the afternoon we drove back to Tendayapa along the old Nono-Mindo road, stopping for flock birding along the way. The BLACK-CHINNED MOUNTAIN-TANAGERS were a little harder to find than usual, but it was worth the effort, as they were accompanied by a pair of PACIFIC TUFTEDCHEEKS. A calling YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER, rare in the northwest, was an excellent record, and a RUFOUS-CRESTED TANAGER put the finishing touches on a productive afternoon.

Jan. 29  This morning started a little slow; at dawn we visited the hide at Tandayapa, where a pair of IMMACULATE ANTBIRDS put on a great show, but there wasn’t much else around. After breakfast we set off up the valley, and before long we had stopped to check out a distant soaring WHITE-RUMPED HAWK. Since it was sunny, the hawk wasn’t the only one cruising the skies, and we had excellent looks at WHITE-TIPPED and CHESTNUT-COLLARED (yes we saw the chestnut) SWIFTS further up. In the upper valley, mixed flocks contained CAPPED CONEBILLS, STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEKS, GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATERS, and DUSKY BUSH-TANAGERS, while a LONG-TAILED ANTBIRD lurked in the bamboo. After a delicious lunch at the lodge we drove back toward Quito; just on the other side of the pass near Calacalí we took a walk out into the arid desert scrub, where we found a very different suite of birds, including SPARKLING VIOLET-EAR, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, and the very rare WHITE-TAILED SHRIKE-TYRANT. At dusk, we stopped off at the orchid reserve on the way back to the lodge, where a WHITE-TAILED HILLSTAR was visiting the feeders.

Violet-tailed Sylph at Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Jan. 26

Crimson-rumped Toucanet at Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Jan. 29

Jan. 30  We set out before dawn this morning on the old road to Mindo, hoping to pick up another cloud forest specialty or two. Driving up over the pass near Bellavista, a singing TANAGER FINCH caught my ear from the car, and we stopped to coax this magnificent endemic into view. We managed to arrive at the Milpe road before it got too hot, and before long we had picked up a couple more difficult endemics, YELLOW-COLLARED CHLOROPHONIA and MOSS-BACKED TANAGER, the latter quarreling with a pair of PALM TANAGERS. A little way down the road Linda picked out a BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT. By late morning we decided to go for a walk on the trails at Milpe Bird Sanctuary. The CLUB-WINGED MANAKINS were actively displaying at their lek, and further down the trail we had ORNATE FLYCATCHER and PALE-VENTED THRUSH. After lunch we went to check into our hotel in nearby Los Bancos, for a relaxing afternoon watching the feeders. LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT joined the usual crew of hummers and tanagers around the restaurant and we spotted a calico LITTLE BLUE HERON by the river far below.

Jan. 31  After a little extra sleep, we started off this morning driving along the Milpe road again. LAUGHING FALCON and CHOCÓ TOUCANS were the early highlights, while a late morning walk on the trails at Milpe Garden yielded a young BARRED FOREST-FALCON. Around midday we began the drive out to the Canandé Reserve in Esmeraldas. At lunchtime, we stopped beside a good-looking chunk of forest, that just happened to hold a PLUMBEOUS KITE nest and a nice mixed flock with SCARLET-BROWED TANAGER and SCARLET-BROWED DACNIS. We made a few more stops to break up the drive, and we came across a DULL-COLORED GRASSQUIT, a few PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVES, a LEAST GREBE, and a pair of gorgeous RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRDS, a recent colonizer of the area. Arriving at the reserve, we spent the end of the afternoon relaxing on the porch, picking up LONG-TAILED TYRANT, CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED TOUCAN, and SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK as the sun went down.

Bronze-winged Parrot, San Miguel de los Bancos, Jan. 30

Laughing Falcon, Milpe Road, Jan. 31

Feb. 1  We spent our first morning at Canandé on the trails. It seemed like almost all the birds we saw were standouts, with WESTERN WHITE-TAILED and CHOCÓ TROGONS, GREEN MANAKIN, PACIFIC FLATBILL, and BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER, BLUE-WHISKERED TANAGER among the headliners. It was a treat to watch a tiny BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT working on its mossy nest, and a BICOLORED ANTBIRD paused to give us an awesome look as it checked out a swarm of Eciton army ants. The birding is always good right around the lodge, and after lunch we picked up OLIVACEOUS PICULET and PURPLE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD. Driving down the road a bit from the lodge we found some distant ORANGE-FRONTED BARBETS, the noisy PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROWS that had eluded us all morning, and three CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLAS perched in their nest tree at dusk.

Feb. 2  Today we birded the forest past the vilage of Hoja Blanca from the road, covering a bit more ground, and we had some outstanding flock birding. Early on we picked up RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER, BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA, ORANGE-CROWNED EUPHONIA, and a RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR. Driving out along one of the logging roads, we found a good mixed flock with a GRAY-AND-GOLD TANAGERS, and a LITA WOODPECKER. A pair of FASCIATED ANTSHRIKES was singing on territory at the same spot, and the female showed nicely. It was hot and very sunny, and by the time we got back to the lodge everyone was pretty wiped out.

Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant at Rio Canandé Reserve, Feb.1

Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant nest, Rio Canandé, Feb.1

Feb. 3  More fantastic birds at Canandé today. SPOT-CROWNED ANTVIREO, WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN, and ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW were seen well in the forest, but a BLACK-HEADED ANTTHRUSH, so close we could hear its tail tapping against a leaf as it sang, remained in the cover of a dense thicket. Outside the forest, a pair of BLACK HAWK-EAGLES soared overhead, and we got to study a BARRED PUFFBIRD bringing delicious caterpillars to its unseen nest. After lunch we had to say goodbye, and we set out for Santo Domingo. Before we even got to the ferry, we were stopped by another mega mixed flock containing SLATE-THROATED GNATCATCHER, YELLOW-MARGINED FLATBILL, and RUFOUS-WINGED and EMERALD TANAGERS. By dusk we checked in to our hotel in Santo Domingo, and went out to look around the grounds for Pacific Pygmy-Owl, with no luck.

Feb. 4  We spent today at the famous Rio Palenque Science Station, where a steady rain dampened our morning. The birding was a bit slow at first, though we did see BARON’S HERMIT, BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK, and BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER. A few striking SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAKS allowed us an exceptionally close study right around the time the rain let up. As the sun tried to burn through the overcast, we emerged from the forest to found a tiny PACIFIC PYGMY-OWL, a handsome YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE, and a small flock of endemic ECUADORIAN GROUND-DOVES. After lunch we managed to see RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL and GRAY-AND-GOLD WARBLER right at the parking lot, and then headed for the riverfront. We didn’t make it far before a singing OCHRACEOUS ATTILA stopped us in our tracks. It took a solid half hour to locate the bird, but in the end we were rewarded with scope views of this beauty. Finally arriving at the river, a pair of PIED PLOVERS made a nice end to the afternoon.

Antirrhaea sp., Canandé, Feb. 2

Barred Puffbird with caterpillar at Rio Canandé, Feb. 3

Feb. 5  For our return to Quito on our final day of birding, we drove up the Chiriboga road, passing from the low foothills up through subtropical cloudforest, into the sparse temperate woodland of the highland. A nice cross section of the habitats, and an excellent mixture of birds. Practically the first birds of the morning were a superb pair of TORRENT DUCKS seen from the first bridge. Just a bit up the road we hit our first good mixed flock, and picked up SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER, and a pair of RUSSET ANTSHRIKES. A flock of Maroon-tailed Parakeets feeding in a fruiting tree provided an interesting study, as at least one of the birds showed bright orange primaries and secondaries, an odd pigment variation. Further up, we had a HOARY PUFFLEG, and a young WHITE-THROATED CRAKE poking around by the side of the road gave us an unusually long study. PLUSHCAP, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, WESTERN HEMISPINGUS, SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE, and TOUCAN BARBET were in the mixed flocks along the lower section of the road, and a pair of SHORT-TAILED HAWKS soared overhead. A normally shy RUFOUS SPINETAIL gave us an awesome view as it foraged in the lush cloud forest before Chiriboga. Higher up, we found a pair of PLAIN-TAILED WRENS flitting around in a roadside stand of Chusqea bamboo. Arriving back at our Quito hotel for the night, we ended the tour with a fine celebratory dinner and counted up the lifers!

"Normal" Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Chiriboga Road, Feb. 5

Melanistic Maroon-tailed Parakeet (with orange remiges), Chiriboga Road, Feb. 5

Bird List: 

A total of 353 species were seen be at least one tour participant, including 32 endemics of the Chocó bioregion. An additional 30 species were heard but not seen, and these are marked with an “H”. A final 7 birds were seen only by the tour leader and are marked "L".  

Chocó endemics are listed in bold red. Tumbesian endemics are listed in bold black.
Inter-Andean Slopes and Valleys endemics are listed in bold blue.

Additional designations: (NT) near threatened, (VU) vulnerable, (EN) endangered.

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

Great Tinamou Tinamus major H

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui H
Least Grebe Tahybaptus dominicanus
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Torrent Duck Merganetta armata - Two pairs seen along the Chiriboga Road.
Snowy Egret Egreta thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus

Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea

Plain-breasted Hawk Accipiter ventralis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
White-rumped Hawk Buteo leucorrhous
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus

Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus - A pair seen and heard overhead on our last morning at Canandé.
Carunculated Caracara Phalcoboenus carunculatus - A wandering immature seen briefly at Yanacocha.
Barred Forest-Falcon Mycrastus ruficolis
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans -This noisy bird would have been hard to miss on the Milpe Road.

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis

Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii L

Rufous-fronted Wood-quail Odontophorus erythrops H

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

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Pied Plover Hoploxypterus cayanus - Rio Palenque is one of few sites west of the Andes where this stunning species can be found regularly.
Rock Pigeon Columba livia

Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis
Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea

Dusky Pigeon Columba goodsoni - We saw this Chocó endemic at least twice around Canandé.

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Columbina minuta - This open-country species seems to be a recent colonizer of Northwest Ecuador.

Ecuadorian Ground-Dove Columbina buckleyi - Small flocks of this Tumbesian endemic at Rio Palenque.
Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Pallid Dove Leptotila pallida H
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
Scaly-naped Amazon Amazona mercenaria
Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris

Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia
Andean Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium jardini H
Pacific Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nubicola - A great look at this little devil at Rio Palenque.
Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus - Hunting over the forest at Canandé at dusk.

Common Nighthwak Chordeiles minor - A female flushed out of roadside scrub in the Upper Tandayapa Valley; seemingly the first record for the valley.
Chocó Poorwill (NT) Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi H
Lyre-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis lyra
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutilus
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris

White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus

Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Baron's Hermit Phaethornis baroni - Other sources include the form baroni in either P. longirostris or P. superciliosus.

Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus
Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis L

Green Thorntail Popelairia conversii
Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
Purple-chested Hummingbird Amazilia rosenbergi - Rather common at the feeders at Canandé.
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
Purple-bibbed Whitetip Adelomyia melanogenys – Another common and easy-to-see Chocó endemic found at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides
Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni
Collared Inca Coeligena torquata
Buff-winged Starfrontlet Coeligena lutetiae
Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera - Visiting the feeders at Yanacocha.
White-tailed Hillstar Urochroa bougueri - Picked this one up by checking the feeders at El Pahuma Orchid Reserve. 
Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini - Seen well at the feeders at Paz de las Aves.
Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus
Sapphire-vented Puffleg Eriocnemis luciani
Golden-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis mosquera - This restricted range species was seen at the Yanacocha feeders.

Hoary Puffleg (NT) Haplophaedia lugens - This rarity was a lifer for even the leader on the Chiriboga Road on the last day!
Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii

Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia victoriae L

Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis - One of many spectacular hummers at the Tandayapa Bird Lodge feeders.
Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti
Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris - Seen at feeders in Los Bancos; a rather high altitude for this species.
Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii
Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps
Chocó Trogon Trogon comptus - Also called White-eyed or Blue-tailed Trogon. Nice looks at a singing male at Canandé.
Western White-tailed Trogon Trogon chionurus
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
Barred Puffbird Nystalus radiatus - An adult delivering food to an unseen nest at Canandé.

White-whiskered Puffbird Melacoptila panamensis
Orange-fronted Barbet (NT) Capito squamatus
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
Toucan Barbet (NT) Semnornis ramphastinus - This crowd pleaser was seen in the Tandayapa Valley and on the Chiriboga Road.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Pale-mandibled Araçari (NT) Pteroglossus erythropygius - Sometimes considered a race of P. torquatus.
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena laminirostris H - Somehow we just never had this one close enough to see.
Chocó Toucan Ramphastos brevis - Easily seen around Canandé.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii
Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus rivolii
Golden-Olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Lita Woodpecker Piculus litae - A great study of this rarity by the road past Hoja Blanca.

Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus
Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii
Yellow-vented Woodpecker Veniliornis dignus - Seen on the old Nono-Mindo Road, this species is much more common on the east slope of the Andes.
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Veniliornis callonotus H
Guayaquil Woodpecker Campephilus gayaquilensis - Seen well at Canandé.
Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus
Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura
Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa - Stellar looks at this skulker as it moved with a mixed flock on the Chiriboga Road.
White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis

Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Pacific Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes johnsoni - Seen on the old Nono-Mindo Road, this endemic form is sometimes treated as part of the Central American P. lawrencei.
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens

Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Western Woodhaunter Hyloctistes virgatus H
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus
Striped Treehunter Thripadectes holostictus

Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fulinosa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus - Great looks on the trails at Canandé.
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger

Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris - A specialty at Rio Palenque, it took a while to catch up with this one.
Fasciated Antshrike  Cymbilaimus lineatus - Seen well after perserverance along the road past Hoja Blanca.
Great Antshrike Taraba major
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha

Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus - A pair see on the Chiriboga Road.
Spot-crowned Antvireo Dysithamnus puncticeps - We watched a female foraging in vine tangles at Canandé.
Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula pacifica
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis
Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudate

Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina
Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculate - Showed well at the hide at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul

Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys leucaspis - Attending an Eciton antswarm at Canandé.
Black-headed Antthrush Formicarius nigricapillus H
Rufous-breasted Anttrush Formicarius rufipectus
Undulated Antpitta Grallaria squamigera H

Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatemalensis H

Moustached Antpitta (EN) Grallaria alleni H

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla H
Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta
Rufous Antpitta Grallaria rufula H
Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis 
Ochre-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula flavirostris - Seen well perched high in a tree at Paz de las Aves.
Blackish (Unicolored) Tapaculo Scytalopus (unicolor) latrans - The form latrans has been split and is now called Blackish Tapaculo.
Nariño Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior H
Spillman's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni H
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx H

Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion brunneicapillum

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys

White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus
White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus poecilocercus
Torrent Tyrannulet Anairetes parulus

Tufted Tit-tyrant Anairetes parulus
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleaginous

Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola

Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis atricapillus - An excellent study of a bird building a nest on the trails at Canandé.

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps H
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Pacific Flatbill Rhynchocyclus pacificus

Yellow-margined Flatbill Tolmomyias flavotectus

Ornate Flycatcher Nyiotriccus ornatus
Black-tailed Flycatcher Myiobius atricaudus
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans L
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus

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

Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans

Crowned Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca frontalis L

Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant Silvicultrix diadema H

White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant (VU) Agriornis andicola - We picked up this rare and localized species in dry scrub near Calacali.

Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus

Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta

Ochraceous Attila (VU) Attila torridus - After some effort, we finally had nice scope views of a singing bird at Rio Palenque.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetes similis

Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis

Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius

Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Snowy-throated Kingbird Tyrannus niveigularis
Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor

Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor

Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristata - Seen on the drive in to Yanacocha.
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata

Green-and-Black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii

Orange-breasted Fruiteater Pipreola jucunda - This beauty was seen at Paz de las Aves.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruviana
Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Club-winged Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus - A highlight of our visit to Milpe Bird Sanctuary.
Green Manakin Chloropipo holochlora - A very tough-to-see bird that we got on the trails at Canandé.

Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis H

Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius leucotis
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus H
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 H

Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus

Ecuadorian Thrush Turdus maculirostris
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalyber

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
Sepia-brown Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens - Also sometimes called Sharpe’s Wren.
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
Plain-tailed Wren Thyrothorus euophrys - After hearing it a few times during the trip, we finally saw this bamboo specialist on the Chiriboga Road on the last day.

Whiskered Wren Thyrothorus mystacalis H

Stripe-throated Wren Thryothorus leucopogon H
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Song Wren Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Southern Nightingale-wren Microcerculus marginatus H
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus H

Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea

Slate-throated Gnatcatcher Polioptila schistaceigula - Great looks at a pair in a mixed flock on our way out of Canandé
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca

Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia - A rather rare boreal migrant spotted by Len and Linda at Tandayapa.

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
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus
Gray-and-gold Warbler Basileuterus fraseri
Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola

Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana

Yellow-tufted Dacnis Dacnis egregia
Scarlet-breasted Dacnis (VU) Dacnis berlepschi - Spotted in mixed flocks first on the drive out to Canandé and then in the forest near Hoja Blanca.

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
Rufous-chested Tanager Thlypopsis ornata

Fawn-breasted Tanager Pipraeidea melanonota

Yellow-collared Chlorophonia Chlorophonia flavirostris - This striking Chocó endemic was seen along the Milpe Road.
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster

Orange-crowned Euphonia Euphonia saturata – A euphonia more typical of open areas, we saw this one by the road near Canandé.
Gray-and-gold Tanager Tangara palmeri - Seen at the Lita Woodpecker spot past Hoja Blanca.

Golden Tanager Tangara arthus

Emerald Tanager Tangara florida - Seen in the big mixed flock with the gnatcatchers on the last day at Canandé.

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
Blue-whiskered Tanager (NT) Tangara johannae - On the trails at Canandé.

Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola

Rufous-winged Tanager Tangara lavinia
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris

Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus

Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus notabilis - Seen near the Mindo end of the old Nono-Mindo Road in a mixed flock.
Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana

Black-chested Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis eximia - A Yanacocha specialty.
Moss-backed Tanager Bangsia edwardsi - Seen on the Milpe Road, this species is becoming scarce and difficult to see.
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

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea - A rare migrant seen near Hoja Blanca.

White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera

Ochre-breasted Tanager Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii
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 L
Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris
Western Hemispingus Hemispingus ochraceus

Plushcap Catamblyrhunchs diadema

Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus - Incredibly close views at Rio Palenque.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus – Another uncommon boreal migrant, this one seen on the Chiriboga Road.

Southern Yellow-Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides

Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea

Dull-colored Grassquit Tiaris obscura
Lesser Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus

Rufous-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes latinuchus - Also called Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch by some.
Tricolored Brush-Finch Atlapetes tricolor
White-winged Brush-Finch Atlapetes leucopterus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha
Tanager Finch (VU) Oreothraupis arremonops - A rare Chocó endemic and my bird of the trip.

Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus microrhynchus
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Zarhynchus wagleri – Seen at a nest colony near Canandé.

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Scrub Blackbird Dives warszewiczi
Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus mesomelas - Excellent looks at Rio Palenque.
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris - Seen in open country on the way out to Canandé. Seems to be a very recent arrival in this part of Ecuador.

Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica L

Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra
House Sparrow Passer domesticus

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