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July 12 - 24, 2008 Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead
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July 12 - 24, 2008 Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead
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Itinerary: |
Overview:
Just another July tour of Northwest Ecuador with great weather and great birding. Again this year we had great success in the lush cloudforest in and around the Tandayapa Valley, finding almost all of the subtropical Chocó specialties like Toucan Barbet, Tanager Finch, Beautiful Jay, and the glorious Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. In the foothills and lowlands we found excellent mixed flocks and had some pleasant surprises as well, coming away with satisfying encounters with true rarities like the secretive Brown Wood-Rail and the outrageous Berlepsch´s Tinamou, birds that have been seen by few other people. Over 50 species from the tanager family and nearly 50 hummingbirds boosted our trip total to 422 species, including 33 Chocó endemics.
Tour Summary:
July
13 – As we drove through the highlands on our way to the Yanacocha
Reserve, it became apparent that we would be in for some surprises. Practically
the first four species we encountered were species not usually recorded on this
tour. A small group of Carunculated
Caracaras was foraging in a newly plowed field where at least 70 migrant White-browed Ground-Tyrants were also coming to rest. Small parties
of Grassland Yellow-Finches flitted
overhead and landed in the shrubs beside the road and a handsome male Ecuadorian
Hillstar made a brief appearance, wandering from higher elevations. By 8:30
or so we had arrived at the reserve and were heading out in search of forest
birds. A confiding White-browed Spinetail
foraging near the track was a nice start. Flocks were a bit thin but we had
great views of Blue-backed Conebill (recording: XC21787), Superciliaried
Hemispingus, Rufous-naped Brush-Finch, Rufous-headed
Pygmy-Tyrant, and others. Some even managed a quick view of a foraging Ocellated
Tapaculo. Stepping off the main track for a moment, and onto a spur that
runs into the forest, Win spotted us our first Rufous
Antpitta running across the bare ground; little did we know this was the
first of three sightings we would have of this normally secretive bird! The
hummingbird activity was good, with plenty of Great
Sapphirewings, Sword-billed
Hummingbirds, Shining Sunbeams,
and higher than usual numbers of Golden-breasted
Pufflegs. By afternoon the fog had settled in for good and we set out for
Tandayapa. En route we lucked into a large group of impressive Hooded
Mountain-Tanagers and a couple of Western
Hemispinguses. We arrived at our base for the next five nights, Tandayapa
Bird Lodge, in time for dinner and a delicious hot soup that was just the ticket
after a day of birding in the high Andes.
July 14 – This morning we birded the upper Tandayapa Valley in search of some of the more spectacular Chocó endemics, with the threatened Tanager Finch surely right at the top of the list of “most wanteds”. Luck was on our side and about an hour after sun-up we had a cooperative individual sitting on an open perch while singing (photo above) – excellent views for all! Nearby a pair of White-capped Parrots sat for scope views. It seemed like almost every mixed flock we found (and we found more than a few) had a pair of gaudy Grass-green Tanagers in it, and bands of Turquoise Jays were also sighted several times. It was a nice sunny morning for raptor-watching and fittingly a Hook-billed Kite put in an appearance, circling low over our heads for a prolonged study. Walking the Research Station Road through the Bellavista Reserve rewarded us with a pair of superb Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans, a bird that always seems to be on everyone’s short list for favorite bird of the tour, and a Masked Trogon sat patiently over the road. We made it back to the lodge with time for some hummingbirds, and enjoyed watching the likes of Booted Racket-tail, Empress Brilliant, and the glowing Western Emerald visiting the feeders. At dusk we went for a quick spin on the forest trails and found a Rufous-breasted Antthrush poking along one of the trails above the lodge.
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July
15 – We began the day with a visit to the forest hide (that’s a
“blind” to the Americans who aren’t fluent in British!) at dawn. The
resident pair of Immaculate Antbirds
did not disappoint, putting on their usual close-up performance of hunting moths
around the lights, and we had a surprise visit from two White-throated
Quail-Doves. After a quick breakfast we headed out to walk the trails
through the lush cloudforest reserve surrounding the lodge. A pair of Dark-backed
Wood-Quail ran across the Potoo Trail a bit too quickly for everyone to see,
but fortunately better views of this endemic awaited us the following day.
Perhaps the highlight of the morning was a very satisfying view of the male Golden-winged Manakin (photo above) perched at a lek. We could hear
a Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl calling
nearby but the bird never revealed itself. A massive Strong-billed Woodcreeper (photo above) showed well and as we were
heading back to the lodge we picked up Wedge-billed
Hummingbird sitting on a song perch. Around midday we drove down the valley
and parked at an overlook where we had a distant view of a Black-and-chestnut Eagle nest. Here we ate our lunch and watched for
signs of the eagles but none were to be found. So we continued on down the
valley toward the main highway, making a stop when our first glorious Golden-headed
Quetzal of the trip flew across the road and settled on a perch. Heading
back toward Quito, we stopped in at the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve for the White-tailed
Hillstar and also lucked into a close-up encounter with a pair of White-capped
Dippers beside the waterfall before being soaked by a surprise rain shower!
Next it was on to the dry scrub habitat around Calacalí, where we picked up the
rare and localized White-tailed
Shrike-Tyrant, a cooperative Giant
Hummingbird that was nectaring on a giant Agave, and a couple of endearing Tufted Tit-Tyrants. At that point it seemed like a pretty full day
but it wasn’t over yet; returning to the lodge we made a stop at dusk at a
stake-out for Lyre-tailed Nightjar
and were treated to the spectacle of a ridiculously-long-tailed male chasing a
female in flight over the road.
July 16 – It was an extra-early start in order to make it to the famous Paz de las Aves Reserve before dawn. We walked down into the forest in the darkness and entered the blind just as the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek was becoming active. Three or four brilliant red males put on a nice display for a short while, making their shrill, rather comical, cat-like calls in the hopes of attracting a female to the lek, before calling it a morning without much success. Checking the fruit feeders we found quite an array of hungry frugivores, including a small party of Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers, 3 Olivaceous Pihas, 3 Sickle-winged Guans, and the standout Toucan Barbet (see photo at top). It was exciting to hear the normally silent Olivaceous Pihas giving a restless chattering call as they flew from perch to perch; very few people have heard the call of this secretive species. It was a good morning for antpittas, the real reason most people visit this forest reserve, and our host Angel managed to produce Giant, Yellow-breasted, and Moustached Antpittas. A covey of Dark-backed Wood-Quails that came to the trail to be fed worms was just icing on the cake. By late morning we headed back up to the house, stopping in at the hummer feeders along the way, where we picked up a couple more Chocó endemics: the subtle Brown Inca and the knock-your-socks-off, must-be-seen-to-be-believed Velvet-purple Coronet. Since we had left the lodge nearly six hours earlier, it seemed like a fitting time for a late-morning snack, and we enjoyed some homemade bolones and empanadas with coffee. Next we headed to the upper section of the property to look for Orange-breasted Fruiteater. Anette managed to spot the striking fruiteater moving with a mixed flock but he got away before all could get a view. The fruiteater was easily overshadowed anyway by a group of dapper Blue-fronted Parrotlets that flew in to perch in a tree right next to us, the males flashing their crimson shoulder patches in flight. The parrotlets of the genus Touit are surely among the most unpredictable and difficult to find of all the Neotropical parrots, and to see these beauties so close was a very rare sighting indeed. Birding our way back to the lodge produced a few new birds, including Streak-capped Treehunter and Sepia-brown Wren, and more than a little fog.
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July
17 – Our top target for the morning was the Chocó endemic Beautiful Jay and we began by searching in the Alambi Valley near
the lodge. The jays appeared right on schedule, and we were indulged with a
breathtaking view of one bird perched in the soft morning light at the edge of
the road on a branch hanging out over the valley. The main event for today was a
trip to a recently-discovered Oilbird
cave about an hour-and-a-half from the Tandayapa Valley. On the way down the
valley, we stopped in at the Black-and-chestnut
Eagle nest again, and to our delight, one of the pair (most likely the
female) flew in to perch in the nest tree as we watched! This magnificent raptor
is impressive even from afar and we all admired her quirky crest that curled up
above her head as she sat and surveyed her territory. Moving on, we made it to
the private ranch that is home to the Oilbird colony by late morning and hiked down a steep trail into a
little patch of forest flanking a rushing stream. The birds’ cave is actually
a tall, narrow grotto formed where the stream pours through a rocky section.
From our vantage point below the mouth of the grotto, we counted more than 30
birds roosting on the walls (photo below). Some of the birds seemed to be
sitting on nests and at least one was brooding a fluffy white nestling. It was
hard to pull ourselves away from these strange birds, a new family for everyone,
but eventually hunger drove us back up the path toward lunch and a pair of Pacific Antwrens. In the afternoon we took out time returning to the
lodge for our final night and spent a couple hours birding the lower Tandayapa
Valley, where Linda spotted us a dazzling White-winged Tanager. We also finally caught up with a Tawny-bellied
Hermit and had a prolonged view of this curious hummingbird as it probed its
long bill into at least 10 different blossoms on a hanging Bomaria.
July 18 – We left Tandayapa and the subtropics behind this morning and headed down to the Milpe area for a change of pace. Our first stop was the Milpe Bird Sanctuary, where the undisputed highlight was a chance to watch the strange Club-winged Manakins displaying fervently at their lek, flicking their wings up over their backs and producing oddly harmonica-like tones in the process. On a long loop trail that took us down into the humid foothill forest, we picked up the smart Rufous-throated Tanager, a specialty of this area, and a pair of diminutive Lanceolated Monklets; this latter species is widespread but generally quite rare throughout its range. A bold Gray-breasted Wood-Wren put on a show, singing loudly and hopping around practically within arm’s reach beside the trail. Mixed flocks held Chocó Warblers, Ochre-breasted Tanagers, and others. We spent the afternoon birding all the way to the end of the road, and saw many new birds for the trip, including Bronze-winged Parrot, Olivaceous Piculet, and Yellow-bellied Siskin. Birding some forest trails at lower elevation we found a whole new set of birds, including Thrushlike Schiffornis, Western Woodhaunter, and an animated group of Tawny-faced Gnatwrens making quite a racket with their musical chatter (recording: XC 22500). When a Spotted Nightingale-Thrush began singing nearby, we had no idea we were in for a truly unforgettable experience with this bird. After a little playback, the shy and secretive thrush approached warily, hopping on the ground and singing from low perches as it came ever closer. In the end we had jaw-dropping point-blank views of this stunner as he sang his otherworldly song (recording: XC 22498) from the understory right in front of us, his black crest raised in counterpoint to the beautiful yellow underparts. But the afternoon wasn’t over yet, and we also managed decent views of a wary Black-headed Antthrush singing from the forest floor, a vocal Pacific Flatbill moving with a flock, and a stoic Broad-billed Motmot (photo below) calling at dusk beside the road. We checked into our charming little hotel in Los Bancos, the Mirador Río Blanco, in time for dinner.
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July
19 – Today was our first taste of the lowlands, and we birded the Río
Silanche area near the town of Pedro Vicente Maldonado. The first couple of
hours of the morning were spent working on some very difficult forest-dwellers,
with the enigmatic Brown Wood-Rail
(recording: XC
22496) being the top target. The incredible close-up views of this skulker more than
justified the effort, and as we worked on the rail, some had the nice bonus of
seeing a couple of Rufous-fronted
Wood-Quail giving their loud, rollicking call. Driving the remainder of the
entrance track to the reserve, we picked up Scarlet-backed
Woodpecker, Dull-colored Grassquit,
and a flock of adorable Pacific
Parrotlets, among the smallest of all the parrots. Our arrival at the Río
Silanche Bird Sanctuary seemed to coincide with the passage of a nice canopy
flock near the observation tower, and we went right up to catch the action. Black-striped
Woodcreeper, Gray Elaenia (recording: XC
22502), Scarlet-browed and Gray-and-gold
Tanagers, and the incomparable Scarlet-breasted
Dacnis were merely the headliners in what turned out to be nearly two hours
of action. Walking the loop trail was productive as well, with Chocó
Trogon and Spot-crowned Antvireo showing well. Anette spotted the prized Blue-whiskered
Tanager (photo below) high in the canopy as we sifted through a canopy flock
and as we watched something compelled this gem to sit still on a high branch
long enough for good views through the scope. The lek of White-bearded
Manakins was very active and we were fortunate to be able to watch one male
bouncing around from perch to perch and snapping his wings at his court. Our
pack lunch was cut short by a stunning Lineated
Woodpecker, showing off his blazing red crest – having your lunch
interrupted by new birds seems to be a common and welcome occurrence at Río
Silanche! In the afternoon we walked a different trail, where we tracked down Orange-billed
Sparrow, Dusky Antbird, and the
absurdly-small Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant.
A rather dingy-looking Blue-chested
Hummingbird provided a good comparison to the Purple-chested
we had seen before lunch. As the sun dropped, we headed back to our hotel,
stopping along the way to try a stake-out for Barred Puffbird. The puffbird quickly announced its presence with
its gentle whistle, but at first it was not easy to find, and as we searched
diligently for the source of the sound, Kevin found us our only Yellow-tailed
Oriole of the trip. Finally the puffbird was found, perched in a rather
far-off tree, but the view through the scope was more than satisfactory. An
after-dinner excursion produced a very handsome Black-and-white
Owl hunting over a field and several Pauraques
along the road. As we worked in vain on a reluctant Chocó Screech-Owl that called from afar but never came in, we found
a Kinkajou in a tree almost overhead. At 1100m, this was an unusually high
record for this long-tailed, nocturnal rainforest mammal.
July 20 – Today we birded a forest patch farther out beyond Pedro Vicente Maldonado. It was a foggy morning and our birding was hampered by a light drizzle until midmorning. Still, we managed several new birds including a handsome Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, an imposing Guayaquil Woodpecker, and a virtuoso Band-backed Wren that sat on top of a clump of palm fruits and demonstrated his vocal prowess during a performance lasting several minutes. Guira and Golden-hooded were among many species of tanagers seen throughout the morning, and Chestnut-mandibled Toucan was our fifth and final toucan of the trip. The Rufous-tailed Jacamar that we found by the roadside was to be our only sighting of this fine Neotropical family during the whole trip. A group of Purple-throated Fruitcrows hung around over the road, giving their mellow whistled calls. By midday we headed back toward Pedro Vicente, making a fortuitous stop on the way back where we picked up the glorious, snow-white Black-tipped Cotinga, and an Orange-fronted Barbet. Raptors included Laughing Falcon (photo below) and Gray and Roadside Hawks. We spent the last couple hours of the afternoon at our hotel in Los Bancos, birding around the dining room where Green Thorntail (photo below) and Green-crowned Woodnymph were coming to the hummer feeders and Silver-throated (photo below) and Golden Tanagers were among the visitors to the fruit feeders. A Black-striped Sparrow (photo below) with fledgling in tow and a couple of electric blue Swallow Tanagers were seen from the back deck.
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July
21 – We returned to the Milpe area in search of more foothill specialties
today, and had a successful morning at the Milpe Garden Reserve. A furtive Crimson-bellied
Woodpecker drumming a loud territorial double-knock was eventually seen well
by all. For such a large woodpecker, this is one timid bird! Chocó
Toucan showed very well from a tree right over our heads, and we finally
caught up with Esmeraldas Antbird,
skulking in the understory. By mid-morning we once again headed for the lower
elevation forest at the end of the road. Russet
Antshrike and Rufous Mourner were
good additions to our list but paled in comparison to the most unexpected bird
of the trip, an astounding Berlepsch’s
Tinamou seen well by all as it walked through the dense understory of old
second-growth foothill forest. The adult, which was heard to give its
characteristic piercing whistled call (recording: XC
22499), was accompanied by a downy black chick,
half-sized and still lacking the tomato-red bill and pale eye of the adult.
Since it had taken about two hours (!) to get everyone fabulous views of this
rarely-seen Chocó endemic, we paused for a well-deserved pack lunch and let it
sink in that we had just discovered a breeding record for Berlepsch’s Tinamou in Pichincha province. Afterward it was time
to head back along the road, and before too long we lucked into a small group of
Rose-faced Parrots. Today’s
surprises weren’t over yet, however. As we drove toward Santo Domingo on the
main highway, some of us taking advantage of the smooth pavement and enjoying a
short snooze, our driver Henry brought the van to a quick stop as we approached
several stopped cars, the occupants standing around gawking at something we
could not yet make out. We prepared ourselves for the worst, expecting a traffic
accident, but were delightfully surprised to find a Brown-throated Three-toed
Sloth slowly making her way across the road! We stuck around long enough to make
sure that this extraordinary animal had made it to safety before continuing on
toward Santo Domingo. We checked in to our hotel just in time to take a stroll
on the grounds at dusk and quickly found a pair of Pacific
Pygmy-Owls.
July 22 – Today we birded the remnant lowland forest patch at the Río Palenque Science Station south of Santo Domingo. A day at Río Palenque is almost always a frantic affair, as we race to see as many new species as we can at this very birdy site. Before long we had gotten good views of the impressive Great Antshrike and the outrageous Red-billed Scythebill at the forest edge and we set off on a trail into the forest interior. A pair of Western Slaty-Antshrikes (recording: XC 22501) cooperated well and gave nice views while nearby a Long-billed Gnatwren lurked in the background. We had a nice study of Stripe-throated Hermits, these tiny hummingbirds giving their squeaky song from low perches in the understory. The Stripe-throated was just one of three hermits we saw today, the others being the larger Band-tailed Barbthroat and Baron’s Hermit. A few flighty Pallid Doves called from the subcanopy. After a good lunch at the station, we headed down to the riverfront for a little waterbirding. A pair of Pied Plovers resting on the gravel bar were joined by a Masked Water-Tyrant and two White-throated Crakes that emerged from the reeds and bathed in the river! We watched Gray-capped Flycatchers plunge-diving for aquatic prey, perhaps in an effort to impress the Green Kingfisher nearby. Pulling ourselves away from the water, we found White-whiskered Puffbird (photo below) in the forest and Ochraceous Attila on territory at the edge of a macadamia plantation. To finish the afternoon we birded along the forest edge, finding Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Ecuadorian Ground-Dove, and a lone Mealy Amazon. A Striped Cuckoo, heard at first, was eventually seen singing from a scrubby field, and as we were watching the cuckoo, Kevin spotted a Streaked Saltator, the second record from the area and after snapping a quick photo, the first with documentation.
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July 23 –The final day of this trip is always a fun one, as we travel back to Quito along the old Chiriboga road, ascending nearly 3000 meters up the west slope of the Andes before dropping down into the central valley. We started off with a stop at the bridge over the Río Toachi at the bottom end of the road, where we found a pair of Torrent Ducks. Along the lower sections of the road we found some good mixed flocks with Ashy-headed Bush-Tanager and Olive-striped and Tawny-breasted Flycatchers. Higher up we stopped when we came across a good flock with Plushcap, Russet-crowned Warbler, Rusty-winged Barbtail, and loads of Dusky Bush-Tanagers. Unfortunately the Plushcap eluded some, a disappointment at first, but one that was rather quickly forgotten when we watched a Hoary Puffleg, a scarce Chocó endemic, alight on a nest almost within arm’s reach of where we were standing! We spent some time watching the puffleg incubating her eggs and making a few brief trips away from the nest, which was attached to the underside of a fern, to nectar at nearby flowers. Farther up we crossed over a pass at around 2000m and passed through some beautiful old-growth cloudforest, which, true to its name, was enveloped in thick clouds. As the mist rolled in and out we managed some good birding, with outstanding views of Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Rufous Spinetail, Green-and-black Fruiteater, and Streaked Tuftedcheek. Long-tailed Antbird and a pair of Plain-tailed Wrens were seen well in the abundant Chusquea bamboo, and we had found Plushcap again here, this time showing well enough for everyone to see. On the higher sections of the road we picked up a family group of Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants, a large party of Black-capped Hemispinguses, and a Barred Fruiteater, whose bars we could barely make out through the mist! Arriving at the top of the road, we rose above the clouds and found nice views of the surrounding high peaks, before dropping down to Quito for a final dinner and the end of the tour.
Bird List
A total of 377
species were seen be at least one member of the group. An additional 39 species
were heard but not seen, and these are marked with an “H”. 5 birds
were seen only by the tour leader and are marked "L".
Chocó endemics are listed in bold
red.
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.
Alternative taxonomy and nomenclature, as
employed by the AOU’s South America Classification Committee, are given in
parentheses.
Tinamous
Berlepsch’s Tinamou Crypturellus berlepschi
Little Tinamou
Crypturellus soui H
Cormorants
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax
brasilianus
Ducks & Geese
Torrent Duck Merganetta
armata
Herons & Egrets
Great Egret Egretta
alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striatus
New World Vultures
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Hawks, Kites, & Eagles
Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides
forficatus
Plain-breasted (Sharp-shinned) Hawk Accipiter
(striatus) ventralis
Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus
Roadside Hawk Buteo
magnirostris
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo
brachyurus
Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma
Black-and-chestnut Eagle Oraetus (Spizaetus) isidori
Falcons & Caracaras
Carunculated Caracara
Phalcoboenus carunculatus
Barred Forest-Falcon Mycrastus
ruficolis H
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres
American Kestrel Falco
sparverius
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
Rufous-headed Chachalaca (VU) Ortalis
erythroptera
Andean Guan Penelope montagnii H
Wattled Guan Aburria aburri H
Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes
goudotii
New World Quail
Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail Odontophorus
erythrops
Dark-backed Wood-Quail (VU)
Odontophorus melanonotus
White-throated Crake Laterallus
albigularis
Rails, Gallinules, etc.
Brown Wood-Rail (VU) Aramides wolfi
Sandpipers
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularia
Plovers & Lapwings
Pied Plover (Lapwing) Hoploxypterus
cayanus.
Pigeons & Doves
Rock Pigeon Columba livia (introduced)
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba (Patagioenas)
fasciata
Scaled Pigeon Columba (Patagioenas)
speciosa
Pale-vented
Pigeon Columba (Patagioenas) cayennensis
Ruddy Pigeon Columba (Patagioenas)
subvinacea
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba
(Patagioenas) plumbea
Dusky Pigeon
Columba (Patagioenas)
goodsoni H
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Ecuadorian Ground-Dove Columbina buckleyi
Blue Ground-Dove Claravis
pretiosa
White-tipped Dove Leptotila
verreauxi
Pallid Dove Leptotila
pallida
White-throated Quail-dove Geotrygon
frenata
Parrots & Macaws
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura
melanura
Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis
Blue-fronted Parrotlet Touit
dilectissima
Rose-faced Parrot Pionopsitta pulchra
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus
menstruus
Red-billed Parrot Pionus
sordidus
White-capped (Speckle-faced) Parrot Pionus
(tumultuosus) seniloides
Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus
chalcopterus
Scaly-naped Amazon Amazona
mercenaria
Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa
Cuckoos & Anis
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia
Typical Owls
Chocó (Vermiculated) Screech-Owl Otus
(Megascops guatamalae) centralis
H
Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl (NT) Glaucidium nubicola
H
Pacific Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium
nubicola
Crested Owl Lophostrix
cristata H
Black-and-white Owl Strix
(Ciccaba) nigrolineata
Oilbird
Oilbird Steatornis
caripensis
Nightjars & Nighthawks
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Lurocalis rufiventris
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
Lyre-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis
lyra
Swifts
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne
zonaris
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne
rutilus
Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicauda
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura
cinereiventris
White-tipped Swift Aeronautes
montivagus
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila
cayennensis
Hummingbirds
Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes
ruckeri
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis
syrmatophorus
Baron's (Long-billed) Hermit Phaethornis
(longirostris)
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
Green Thorntail Popelairia (Discosura)
conversii
Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania
fannyi
Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila
julie
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia
tzacatl
Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia
amabilis
Purple-chested Hummingbird Amazilia
rosenbergi
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia
melanogenys
Purple-bibbed Whitetip Adelomyia melanogenys
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa
jacula
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa
rubinoides
Giant Hummingbird Patagona
gigas
Shining Sunbeam Aglaeactis cupripennis
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
White-tailed Hillstar Urochroa
bougueri.
Ecuadorian Hillstar Oreotrochilus
chimborazo
Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia
victoriae
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura
tyrianthina
Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
Wedge-billed
Hummingbird Schistes
geoffroyi
Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx
barroti L
Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster
longirostris
Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox
mitchellii
White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus
mulsant
Trogons & Quetzals
Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus
auriceps
Ecuadorian (Black-tailed) Trogon
Trogon (melanurus) mesurus
Chocó (Blue-tailed) Trogon Trogon
comptus
Western White-tailed Trogon Trogon
(viridis) chionurus
H
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
Kingfishers
Ringed Kingfisher
Megaceryle torquata
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle
americana
Motmots
Broad-billed Motmot Electron
platyrhynchum
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus
martii
Jacamars
Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula
ruficauda
Puffbirds
Barred Puffbird Nystalus radiatus
White-whiskered Puffbird Melacoptila
panamensis
Lanceolated Monklet Micromonacha
lanceolata
New World Barbets
Orange-fronted Barbet (NT)
Capito squamatus
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco
bourcierii
Toucan Barbet (NT) Semnornis
ramphastinus
Toucans
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus
haematopygus
Pale-mandibled (Collared) Araçari Pteroglossus
(torquatus) erythropygius
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (NT) Andigena
laminirostris
Chocó Toucan Ramphastos
brevis
Chestnut-mandibled (Black-mandibled) Toucan Ramphastos
(ambiguus) swainsonii
Woodpeckers
Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus
olivaceus
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus
rivolii
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus
rubiginosus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus
lineatus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes
pucherani
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis
fumigatus
Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis
kirkii
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Veniliornis
callonotus
Guayaquil Woodpecker Campephilus
gayaquilensis
Crimson-bellied Woodpecker Campephilus
Ovenbirds
Pacific
(Pale-legged) Hornero Furnarius (leocopus) cinnamomeus
Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis
azarae
H
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis
brachyura
Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis
unirufa
White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea
gularis
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca
erythrops
Double-banded Graytail Xenerpestes
minlosi L
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes
boissonneautii
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis
squamiger
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex
brunnescens
Rusty-winged Barbtail Premnornis guttuligera
Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla
subalaris
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia
variegaticeps
Western (Striped) Woodhaunter Hyloctistes
(subulatus) virgatus
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus
ochrolaemus H
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus
rubiginosus
Flammulated Treehunter Thripadectes flammulatus H
Striped Treehunter Thripadectes
holostictus
Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps
Uniform Treehunter Thripadectes ignobilis H
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Scaly-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus
guatemalensis
H
Woodcreepers
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla
fulinosa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus
spirurus
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus
griseicapillus
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes
promeropirhynchus
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus
lachrymosus
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus
erythropygius
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes
souleyetii
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes
lacrymiger
Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus
trochilirostris
Typical Antbirds
Great Antshrike Taraba
major
Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus
atrinucha
Russet Antshrike Thamnistes
anabatinus.
Spot-crowned Antvireo Dysithamnus
puncticeps
Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula
pacifica
Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula
fulviventris
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
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza
exsul
Esmeraldas Antbird Myrmeciza nigricauda
Antthrushes & Antpittas
Black-headed Antthrush Formicarius
nigricapillus
Rufous-breasted Anttrush Formicarius
rufipectus
Giant Antpitta (VU)
Grallaria gigantea
Moustached Antpitta (VU) Grallaria
alleni
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria
ruficapilla H
Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta
Rufous Antpitta Grallaria
rufula
Tawny Antpitta Grallaria
quitensis
Tapaculos
Ash-colored Tapaculo Myornis senilis H
Blackish (Unicolored) Tapaculo Scytalopus
(unicolor) latrans
Nariño Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior H
Spillman's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni H
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx
Tyrant Flycatchers
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias
griseiceps
Ashy-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias
cinereiceps
H
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius
chrysops
Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion
brunneicapillum
H
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma
obsoletum
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus
elatus H
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis
viridicata
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia
flavogaster
Sierran Elaenia Elaenia
pallatangae
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus
leucophrys
White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus
poecilocercus
Tufted Tit-tyrant Anairetes
parulus
Olive-striped Flycatcher
Mionectes olivaceus
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes
striaticollis
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes
oleaginous
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon
superciliaris
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempsis flaveola
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus
pelzelni
H
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus rufceps
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis
atricapillus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus
pileatus
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum
nigriceps
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum
cinereum
Pacific Flatbill Rhynchocyclus
pacificus
Yellow-margined Flatbill (Flycatcher) Tolmomyias
flavotectus
Ornate Flycatcher Nyiotriccus
ornatus
Sulphur-rumped Tyrannulet Myiobius
sulphureipygius
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher Myiobius villosus
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus
flavicans
H
Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus
fasciatus
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias
cinnamomea
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus
fumigatus
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
White-browed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albilora
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca
fumicolor
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
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
Ochraceous Attila (VU) Attila
torridus
Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna holerythra
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus
tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus
pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetes
similes
H
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes
cayanensis
Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes
granadensis
White-ringed Flycatcher Conopias
albovittata H
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes
maculatus
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes
chrysocephalus
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius L
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus
melancholicus
Snowy-throated Kingbird Tyrannus
niveigularis
Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor
Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus
cinnamomeus
One-colored Becard Pachyramphus homochrouous
Masked Tityra Tityra
semifasciata
Black-crowned Tityra Tiryra
inquisitor
Cotingas
Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion
rubrocristata
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola
arcuata
Green-and-Black Fruiteater Pipreola
riefferii
Orange-breasted Fruiteater Pipreola
jucunda
Scaled Fruiteater Ampelioides tschudii
Olivaceous Piha Lathria
(Snowornis) cryptolophus
Black-tipped Cotinga Carpodectes
hopkei
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula
purpurata
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola
peruviana
Manakins
Golden-winged Manakin Masius
chrysopterus
White-bearded Manakin Manacus
manacus
Club-winged
Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus
Crows, Jays, etc.
Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca
turcosa
Beautiful Jay (NT) Cyanolyca
pulchra
Vireos & Allies
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis
gujanensis
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius
leucotis
H
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo
leucophrys
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus
decurtatus
Thrushes
Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides H
Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush Catharus
fuscater H
Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus
dryas
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Glossy-black
Thrush Turdus serranus
L
Ecuadorian (Bare-eyed) Thrush Turdus
(nudigensis) maculirostris
Dippers
White-capped Dipper Cinclus
leucocephalus
Swallows & Martins
Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon
murina
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon
cyanoleuca
White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon
tibialis
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx
ruficollis
Wrens
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus
zonatus
Gray-mantled Wren Odontorchilus branickii
H
Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sepia-brown (Sharpe’s) Wren Cinnycerthia
olivascens
Grass (Sedge) Wren Cistothorus
platensis
Bay Wren Thryothorus
nigricapillus
Plain-tailed Wren Thyrothorus euophrys
Whiskered Wren Thyrothorus
mystacalis
Stripe-throated Wren Thryothors leucopogon
H
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina
leucophrys
Southern Nightingale- (Scaly-breasted) Wren Microcerculus marginatus H
Gnatcatches & gnatwrens
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates
cinereiventris
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus
melanurus
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila
plumbea
New World Warblers
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis
semiflava
Slate-throated Whitetstart (Redstart) Myioborus
miniatus
Spectacled Whitestart (Redstart) Myioborus
melanocephalus
Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus
nigrocristatus
Chocó (Golden-bellied) Warbler Basileuterus
chlorophrys
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus
tristriatus
Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus
coronatus
Gray-and-gold Warbler Basileuterus
fraseri
H
Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus (Phaeothlypis)
fulvicauda
Tanagers & Allies
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes
spiza
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Yellow-tufted (Black-faced) Dacnis Dacnis
(lineata) egregia
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis
venusta
Scarlet-breasted Dacnis (VU) Dacnis
berlepschi
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
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
Blue-whiskered
Tanager (NT) Tangara
johannae
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara
gyrola
Rufous-winged Tanager
Tangara lavinia L
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus
somptuosus
Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus notabilis
Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis
montana
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 (Flame-rumped) Tanager Ramphocelus
(flammigerus) icteronotus
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
Ashy-throated Bush-tanager Chlorospingus
canigularis
Dusky Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus semifuscus
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus
flavigularis
Black-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus
atropileus
Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus
superciliaris
Western (Black-eared) Hemispingus Hemispingus
(melanotis) ochraceus
Plushcap Catamblyrhynchus
diadema
Grosbeaks, Saltators, etc.
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator
maximus
Black-winged Saltator Saltator
atripennis
Streaked Saltator
Saltator striatipectus
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator
grossus H
Southern Yellow- (Golden-bellied) Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa
cyanoides H
Emberezine Finches
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia
jacarina
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris
olivacea
Dull-colored Grassquit Tiaris
obscura
Lesser (Thick-billed) Seed-Finch Oryzoborus
angolensis funereus
H
Variable Seedeater Sporophila
corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila
nigricollis
Band-tailed Seedeater
Catamenia analis
Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia
inornata H
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola
Rufous-naped (Yellow-breasted) Brush-Finch Atlapetes latinuchus
Tricolored Brush-Finch Atlapetes
tricolor
White-winged Brush-Finch Atlapetes
leucopterus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon
(Arremon) brunneinucha
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch Buarremon
(Arremon) torquatus H
Tanager Finch (VU)
Oreothraupis
arremonops
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon
aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops
conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia
capensis
Orioles, Blackbirds, etc.
Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus
microrhynchus
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus
bonariensis
Scrub Blackbird Dives
warszewiczi
Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus
mesomelas
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow Passer domesticus (introduced)
