SOUTH AMERICA: THE INTROTOUR

 

24 – 31 May 2005

 

Rufous Motmot, Milpe (Sam Woods)

 

 

Leader:

Sam Woods

 

Participants:

Alice Deutsch

Harvey King

Arthur Smith

Tom Stevens

Saran Elliston Weiner

 

 

 

Itinerary:

24^th May:        Arrival day, night in Quito.

25^th May:        Yanacocha and the Old Nono-Mindo Road, night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

26^th May:        Lower Tandayapa Valley (around the hummingbird feeders & the lodge trails), and the Old Nono-Mindo Road, night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

27^th May:        Milpe Bird Sanctuary and Mindo Loma, night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

28^th May:        Upper Tandayapa Valley, night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

29^th May:        Río Silanche, Pedro Vicente Maldonado, night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

30^th May:        Tandayapa Bird Lodge (around the lodge trails), and Calacalí en-route back to Quito, night in Quito.  End of tour.

31^st May:        Departure day.

 

 

Tour Summary:

 

25^th May

Yanacocha is a really great forest reserve that, at an elevation of around 3500m (11,550 ft), gives a real chance of seeing some birds that are otherwise not possible at the lower elevations on the tour.  A quick stop before we reached the reserve itself provided some typical forest edge species and got the tour off to a good start with birds such as White-crested Elaenia, the striking Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle and an out-of-place Black-and-Chestnut Eagle cruising right over us was a very welcome surprise.  The tour seemed like it might really be hotting up when we were met by one of the local Yanacocha rangers, who greeted us with the news that the Black-breasted Puffleg had been seen that morning coming into one of the feeders.  The only problem was that the feeders where it had been sighted were at the end of the trail and we were still at the very start!  It was initially very hard to stop ourselves from sprinting straight to the end feeders for the chance of this very rare hummingbird, although seeing some high-altitude specialists along the way such as a Smoky Bush-Tyrant singing in the open, some ridiculously obliging White-browed Spinetails, a responsive Crowned Chat-Tyrant, good, brief views of an Andean Guan and a small flock of Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers provided a welcome distraction from this urge.  There were also some nice flocks along the way, with birds like Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, White-banded Tyrannulets, the oddly named Superciliaried Hemispingus and Blue-backed Conebills in attendance as usual.  The hummingbird feeders were well-checked by all of us in the desperate search for the special one, although we only encountered some of the more regular species such as Shining Sunbeam, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, a few dazzling Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, many enormous Great Sapphirewings, a stunning male Purple-backed Thornbill in the scope for everyone to see, one each of Collared Inca and Mountain Velvetbreast and a few Tyrian Metaltails.  As we reached some of the last feeders, where the Black-breasted Puffleg had been most regularly seen, the tension and excitement was obvious (particularly amongst Harvey and Tom who had been urging me down the trail all the way!)  We decided that Arthur, Harvey, Tom and Alice would stake out these feeders in the hope of the Puffleg re-appearing while I checked out the feeders at the very end in case it had moved there (I assured everyone that they were only a mere 2 minute sprint away if the Puffleg appeared, which seemed to satisfy them!) Unfortunately neither they nor I encountered the Puffleg in this search, although hearing a Barred Fruiteater at the end feeders led me to call them up there anyway.  Unusually only a few of us managed to get a glimpse of the Fruiteater which largely remained hidden, although while we searching for this bird I turned and had a brief tantalising glimpse of a small dumpy Puffleg which I was sure was the grail we were looking for although frustratingly it flew off before anyone else could see it!  I was very relieved when Tom found a stunning male Black-breasted Puffleg perched alongside the path only a few minutes later (see photo below).   The tension and nerves at that time seemed misplaced in hindsight when we were then treated to repeated views of this incredibly rare bird as it fed at the feeders a number of times, at one point only a few inches from Arthur’s face!  We were briefly distracted from this engaging hummer when I saw a close movement on a small trail behind the feeder that proved to be an unusually showy Rufous Antpitta that allowed everyone a good, if brief view.  A little later a distinctive call further up this trail attracted our attention and led to us having atypically great views of a Unicolored Tapaculo at extremely close quarters.

 

Black-breasted Puffleg, Yanacocha (Sam Woods)

 

Later in the afternoon we headed away from Yanacocha towards Tandayapa via the Old Nono-Mindo Road, stopping along the way for some very obliging Red-crested Cotingas, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrants, a few Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants and a pair of White-capped Dippers.  One of the undoubted highlights at the end of the day was seeing several gaudy red male Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks noisily displaying at their lek close to Tandayapa.  We arrived at Tandapaya tired, but elated, from a good days birding, where we had seen some truly special species.

 

26^th May

The extensive trail system around Tanadayapa Bird Lodge, at an elevation of around 1,750m-1,900m (5,775-6,270 ft), provide a good opportunity for seeing some birds typical of the subtropical forest, many of which are interior specialists and therefore difficult away from forest trails.  The regular Streak-capped Treehunter feeding around the lodge lights at dawn opened the batting for the days bird list.  We headed out early to check the blind shortly after day break for birds that might be feeding on insects attracted during the night to the purpose-built light there, and were rewarded with the usual excellent views of a pair of Immaculate Antbirds picking moths from the forest floor a few inches from our faces in front of the hide, in addition to a few Russet-crowned Warblers and a pair of extremely obliging Masked Trogons that seem to have taken up temporary residence there.  The rest of the morning was spent walking the trails around the lodge looking for some of the interior forest species that require some stealth and patience to see!  Although the trails were fairly quiet we still managed to see some difficult species such as Spotted & Rusty-winged Barbtails feeding furtively amongst the moss-laden trees, in addition to a Crimson-rumped Toucanet feeding unobtrusively close to the trail.  A Slaty Antwren proved more elusive and despite calling repeatedly nearby only a few of us managed to get a brief glimpse of the bird.  A few flocks along the Potoo Trail provided some moments of excitement, holding some of the usual colourful species such as aptly named Golden Tanagers, seemingly masses of azure-blue Beryl-spangled Tanagers, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers, Orange-bellied & Golden-rumped Euphonias, Montane Woodcreepers, Red-headed Barbets and the mind-blowing, Blackburnian Warbler-like, Flame-faced Tanager.  We returned from the trails in late morning, with plenty of time to spare to enjoy the frantic hummingbird activity at the famous Tandayapa Bird Lodge feeders.  Despite the fact that it was the low season and there was markedly less hummingbird activity than usual we still managed to see all of the regular species in addition to some of the scarcer visitors to the lodge.  The regular Booted Racketails were appreciated by everyone, as always with such a crazy-looking bird, alongside the usual Andean Emeralds, Fawn-breasted Brilliants, Purple-throated Woodstars, Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, Buff-tailed Coronets and Brown & Green Violetears.  Some of the species seen that are special to the Choco region were Brown Incas, iridescent Western Emeralds, the incredible Violet-tailed Sylph and equally impressive Purple-bibbed Whitetips in addition to the scarce Empress Brilliant which put in several appearances, allowing everyone great views of this easy-to-miss species.  We decided to spend the afternoon cruising along the Old Nono-Mindo Road and soon bumped into some large flocks with some species we had missed around the lodge in the morning, such as Metallic-green Tanagers and electric blue Golden-naped Tanagers, and a Black-capped Tyrannulet all being very welcome additions to the trip list, as well as the strange sight of a male White-bellied Woodstar perched in amongst the ‘melee’ of Tanagers, (particularly welcome as we had missed this species at the lodge feeders earlier).  A short time later we were treated to the aerial displays of a pair of Black-and-Chestnut Eagles overhead allowing us further time to appreciate this distinctive, massive raptor, before we headed back towards Tanadaya with enough time to stop for views of a pair of tape-responsive Long-tailed Antbirds calling by the roadside.  The day ended with a flourish when we checked out an area where we often see the Lyre-tailed Nightjars hawking for insects at dusk.  There were audible gasps, (and perhaps a few expletives!), at the sight of the incredible male with its absurdly long tail flying right over our heads along the forest edge.  Quite simply it is a bird that never fails to impress, so it was a really great close to a good day.

 

27^th May

Today we travelled to the newly established Milpe Bird Reserve, set up only a year or so ago by the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation who were alarmed at the rate of local deforestation, in an area which holds some really special, restricted-range birds.  At an elevation of 1,100m (3630 ft), the reserve gave us a chance to see some very different birds to those we had so far encountered at the higher elevations of Yanacocha and Tandayapa.  The main target for the day was the extremely localised Moss-backed Tanager that can be regular in this area.  It was for this reason we started the day, shortly after daybreak, checking the trees near the reserve entrance in the hope of seeing this Choco endemic perched in the surrounding trees, as it habitually does.  Unfortunately on this day luck was not on our side and the bird did not perform.  However, the time was far from wasted as we enjoyed some hummingbirds at the new feeders in the area, adding the spectacularly flashy Green-crowned Woodnymph, Green-crowned Brilliant and White-whiskered Hermit to our already crowded hummingbird list for the trip.  An additional bonus was the sight of a Chocó Toucan calling from a nearby treetop, the problems of identifying this endemic being made easy by hearing its distinctive frog-like croaking call.  Some more widespread, (although still welcome), species in this area were Gray-rumped Swifts, White-thighed Swallows, Striped & Squirrel Cuckoos, Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Dusky-capped & Ornate Flycatchers and a Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant.  A small flock of Pale-mandibled Aracaris, a bird endemic to western Ecuador, were also a very welcome sight, as was a Red-faced Spinetail and a Wedge-billed Woodcreeper in one of the mixed feeding flocks near the entrance.  We then headed off on the trail towards the forest proper, being startled briefly on the way down by a Pauraque that we had disturbed from its daytime roost (strangely for the fourth tour in a row!)  Soon after entering the forest we were enjoying great views of a statuesque Broad-billed Motmot sitting motionless in the subcanopy, which made a nice pair with the larger Rufous Motmot we found later that day further along the same trail.  Good views of a male Golden-winged Manakin (complete with its absurd golden-yellow ‘head-dress’), were appreciated by all as it is a bird we had only glimpsed at Tandayapa the day before, and Chocó Warblers seemed especially vocal and several of these endemic warblers were enjoyed by all of the group.  Fawn-breasted, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Blue-grey Tanager and Palm Tanager all helped to swell the tanager list for the trip, and finally just before lunch brilliant views of our target, a Moss-backed Tanager (see photo below), in a mixed flock with (among others) the scarce Pale-vented Thrush and a Plain Xenops, on the outskirts of the reserve.  Although there was still enough time before lunch to sneak in views of an Olive-crowned Yellowthroat which flew right in front of our van, although sadly only a few of us managed to get views of an elusive roadside White-throated Crake that briefly emerged to investigate the familiar sound coming from my mini-disc player!

 

Moss-backed Tanager, Milpe (Steve Blain)

 

After a busy morning we enjoyed a lunch by the hummingbird feeders, before heading down the Milpe road to add some further species that included both Chocó & Chestnut-mandibled Toucans calling side-by-side, allowing great comparison of their very different calls and close scrutiny of their subtly different features, a fine Scarlet-backed Woodpecker that took some coaxing to emerge from a roadside feeding flock, excellent views of a perched Laughing Falcon and a good view of a flyby Short-tailed Hawk.  As the day wore on we decided to head to our next scheduled stop, a hummingbird café on the outskirts of the bird-famous town of Mindo.  Unfortunately our plans were thwarted somewhat by an influx of noisy tourists, complete with buses parked in front of some of the key birding areas, that led to a rapid re-think and we quickly headed away from the noise to the peace and quiet of Mindo Loma, where we were soon enjoying the sight of seemingly dozens of Velvet-purple Coronets tucking into to the newly filled feeders.  This absolutely stunning Chocó endemic was a truly welcome sight, as we normally expect to see them at Tandayapa Bird Lodge, although they had been mysteriously absent when we searched the feeders there.  We also enjoyed more views of Empress Brilliants coming into the feeders along with a small group of Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers greedily feasting on the bananas there.  Satisfied with adding such a gem of a hummingbird to the list (which was later mentioned as one of the trip highlights), we headed back to Tandayapa Bird Lodge for more great food and some elusive downtime!

 

28^th May

Today we headed further up the road from the lodge to the Upper Tandayapa Valley, (sometimes referred to as Tandayapa Ridge), home to some of the valley’s most sought-after birds.  The increased elevation-2,300m (7,590 ft)- leads to a very different bird community to that expected in the Lower Valley, and despite a fairly quiet morning in general we soon encountered some species seldom recorded lower down such as Striped Treehunter, Scaly-naped Amazon, Rufous Spinetail and a noisy flock of Turquoise Jays.  Dusky Bush-Tanagers, a dowdy locally common Chocó endemic were also frequently encountered along the road there, and everyone enjoyed a prolonged view of a Strong-billed Woodcreeper foraging amongst the moss there.  We also ran into yet another hummingbird for the trip, Gorgeted Sunangel, a high-altitude Chocó endemic, sitting on its regular perch above the trail. Eventually we also finally caught up with one of the most highly sought-after species in the Chocó region-the mind-blowing technicolor Toucan Barbet that’s unique array of colors have to be seen to be believed.  This was at least a little light relief from the news that Plate-billed Mountain Toucans had been seen in the area earlier that day!  Sarah was the only one lucky enough to glimpse the Spillman’s Tapaculo that came in to check out the tape, while Tom had brief views of an Ocellated Tapaculo that failed to re-appear, (although some more particular listers-i.e. Harvey would claim that he was a little too quick to include it on his list!)  Before lunch with hot sunshine and a distinct lack in bird activity we headed over the ridge and down towards the Mindo Cloudforest Reserve in the hope of encountering some of the interesting mixed flocks in the area, and after some time finally ran into one which held several Streaked Tuftedcheeks, Capped Conebills, some more Flame-faced Tanagers, a few Blue-and-Black Tanagers, a small group of Sepia-brown Wrens and, on the periphery of the flock, two Western Hemispingus, one of the target Chocó endemics for the day.  After a welcome lunch break we took a short period to admire the canopy views from the Lower Deck at the lodge and enjoyed having some good looks at Golden-naped, Beryl-spangled & Golden Tanagers perched in the tree tops and even managed to see a Golden-winged Manakin from there (see photo below). 

 

 

Golden-winged Manakin, Tandayapa Bird Lodge (Steve Blain)

 

We then headed back up to the Upper Valley with one objective firmly in mind, (that Harvey had repeatedly made clear over lunch!), to see the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, a Chocó endemic that is always a firm favourite amongst visitors to Tandayapa.  So with more than a little added pressure we covered some of the ground we had earlier that day initially with seemingly less birds than before, and just at the point of turning back to return to the car, a Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (which had presumably been listening to my ever more desperate prayers), flew up and landed in front of us for all to see and was soon joined by another giving us all really great views of them feeding in the low trees along the road.  As if that was not enough Harvey and Tom then flushed an obliging Toucan Barbet into an even closer tree to add to the one we had seen that morning, where the bird remained for some time as a constant reminder that this was not a time when I should have left my camera back in the van!  We also had some nice views of a Black-crested Warbler, another of the high-altitude specialists we had searched in vain for that morning, a few of the incomparable Grass-Green Tanager (always a popular bird amongst everyone), in addition to some brief but good views of an elusive male Green-and-Black Fruiteater.  We then returned to Tandayapa Bird Lodge for a relaxed night before our early start to head out to the lowlands the following day.

 

29^th May

An early start was required to ensure we arrived at our destination – the rich humid lowland forest (around 400m or 1,320 ft) of Río Silanche - for a dawn start in order to maximise some of the best birding time.  The forest in this area, near to the town of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, has been the focus of the Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation’s recent conservation efforts, as this kind of lowland forest in the bird-rich northwest Chocó region of Ecuador is disappearing at an alarming rate.  This led them to purchase an area of land for a reserve there earlier this year.  It is a really interesting area of forest, as every trip seems very different from the last and there is always the chance of some surprises, so it is a firm favourite amongst guides and tour participants alike.  Immediately after getting out of our van at the start of the day we were stunned to hear some close Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail, which unfortunately proved impossible to coax out of their dense forest-hiding place.  However, our dejection at missing this highly elusive species was soon forgotten as we enjoyed views of another Chocó endemic, Gray-and-Gold Tanager, feeding in the treetops nearby and another scarcely seen bird-the Checker-throated Antwren-in addition to some other widespread species we had yet to encounter on the tour such as Striated Heron, Social & Rusty-margined Flycatchers.  Perhaps though one of the most enjoyed highlights in this area was listening to the bizarre firecracker-like noises of a displaying male White-beared Manakin that we lured into view for the group to see.  A nice view of a Buff-rumped Warbler perched on rocks along the river was another welcome sight in this area.  As we moved back onto the road we soon ran into one of the feeding flocks in the area, moving through the trees at lightning speed, although there was just enough time for Tom and I to catch a glimpse of one of the first surprise birds of the day-a striking male Scarlet-thighed Dacnis that unfortunately did not linger.  The same flock also held both Yellow-tufted & Blue Dacnises, Golden-hooded & Blue-necked Tanagers and we soon wished that the flock had given us more time to search for more of these superb birds.  We then moved along down the road, stopping along the way for nice views of a fine male Green Honeycreeper, before encountering another flock with Lineated, Red-rumped & Golden-Olive Woodpeckers, Spotted Woodcreeper, Dot-winged Antwren, Cinnamon Becard and a Streaked Xenops which posed nicely for everyone in the scope, another Broad-billed Motmot for the trip, and the only Purple-chested Hummingbird of the trip perched up nicely in the scope for all to enjoy.  The entire group also enjoyed an unbelievably obliging Southern Nightingale-Wren as it came in at extremely close range and allowed a rare examination of itself.  Another male White-beared Manakin perched in the same area allowed those who had missed it earlier on to catch up with this impressive looking bird.  Another rapid stop along the way was prompted by a female Dusky Antbird flying directly in front of the car, causing us all to alight in a hurry so that most of us got views of the bird, before yet another flock joined us in the area where we all saw a Rufous-winged Tanager before frustratingly flying out of the back of the trees, never to be seen again.  Black-cheeked Woodpecker and an obliging male Pacific Antwren were also added to the list in this area, and another tree held both Common & Black-headed Tody-Flycatchers that made for a good side-by-side comparison.  Another brief stop for a Buff-rumped Warbler feeding on a roadside stream was in order so that all of the group could enjoy good views of this charismatic bird, before we made our final stop by the forested area that has been recently purchased for the new reserve.  We had a brief lunch in this area before we headed up the road to explore the reserve where we soon saw one of the Rufous-tailed Jacamars that are frequently seen in this area, perched in the open very close to the road, and soon saw both calling Olivaceous Piculet (see photo below) and Sooty-headed Tyrannulet that did not take kindly to the recordings of their songs! 

The day ended well at Río Silanche with a fine Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo in one flock, a pair of stunning Guayaquil Woodpeckers right beside the van and White-shouldered & Tawny-crested Tanagers encountered in the last flock of the day further down the road, before we headed back to Tandayapa Bird Lodge for our last night there.

 

 

Olivaceous Piculet (Sam Woods)

 

 

30^th May

Our last morning of the tour was spent birding the trails around Tandayapa Bird Lodge again to try and see some of the difficult species we had missed before.  We were not disappointed as the morning turned out to be a classic, with some really special birds seen that are very rarely encountered on a tour.  Things were looking good for the day when, just after we had just seen a couple of Chestnut-capped Brush-finches feeding on the trail close to the lodge, a Rufous-breasted Anttrush popped into view just beyond them allowing everyone to have great views of one of Tandayapa’s really special birds, proving once again that the lodge trails really are one of the best places in the world to see this skulking species.  We then moved onto the hide to see if any different species were coming to feed around the insects attracted to the light, and soon saw the usual pair of Immaculate Antbirds, a few more Russet-crowned Warblers and two fine male Masked Trogons, in addition to a male Uniform Antshrike which required some tempting out with the recorder to see.  We hardly had time to catch our breath before a quetzal perched on the top of a tree so that everyone could see it proved to be the much scarcer Crested Quetzal, and a welcome lifer for everyone on the tour.  We then carried on down the Potoo Trail and turned up the Antpitta Trail where some of us had typically tantalising views of another skulking Chocó endemic-Nariño Tapaculo, followed shortly after by views of another skulker, Bronze-Olive Pygmy-Tyrant.  A brief investigation of the start of the lower section of the Potoo Trail produced all too brief views of an Ochre-breasted Antpitta that frustrated us by remaining hidden, although a Black-capped Tanager and an Andean Solitaire feeding at a fruiting tree were eaten up by everyone who had been frustrated by only hearing the Solitaires earlier in the day.  As we carried on the trail and enjoyed views of the impressive waterfall nothing could prepare us for what came next – atypically good views of not one but two Moustached Antpittas feeding together in the open on the mossy banks of the waterfall, unfortunately only for some of the group who were best placed to see them.  This globally threatened bird, (that was only relatively recently re-discovered in Ecuador), is a true denizen of the forest floor, being very rarely seen in the open and particularly during the dry season is a real challenge to see. It is fair to say that it took us all a while to take in what had just happened and to fully appreciate quite how lucky we had just been!  As if that was not enough for the day, as we headed back to the lodge along the Potoo Trail, a shuffling noise and a few quiet calls alerted us to the presence of some birds moving around on the forest floor just off the path and before I had a chance to convey what I thought they were, two Dark-backed Wood-Quails burst out of the forest immediately in front of us, allowing us all good looks at this difficult Chocó speciality.  This was to be our 21^st and last Chocó endemic of the tour.  By this time we were only too happy to head back to the lodge, for a well-deserved last lunch before departing for Quito, safe in the knowledge we had just seen some truly great forest birds.  We decided to take an unscheduled stop at Calacalí en-route to Quito, to add some more high-altitude specialities that had not been possible elsewhere on the tour and especially to look for the highly localised, globally threatened White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant.  This paid of handsomely when we had great views of the Shrike-Tyrant in addition to adding several other species for the trip, including Ash-breasted Sierra-finch, the absurdly cute Tufted Tit-tyrant and Common Ground-dove, although the unfortunate lack of flowering Agave plants at this time left us without the hoped-for Giant Hummingbird. 

We then returned to Quito in time for some whistle-stop souvenir shopping for friends back home, before we all met for a farewell dinner that gave us time to reflect on some of the great birds we had seen. I am sure I will meet some of you again and I hope to enjoy some more special birds with you all again someday.

 

Happy Introtourers after a final morning of Antpittas, Antthrushes

and Wood-Quails at Tandayapa Bird Lodge

(Alice Deutsch´s camera and Maria´s camera skills!)

 

 

BIRD LIST

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow Ridgely, Robert S. and Paul J. Greenfield. The Birds of Ecuador. 2001. Ithica, NY: Comstock Publishing.

Names in bold RED are Chocó Restricted Range Species, (birds found only in northwest Ecuador and southwest Colombia), as listed in The Birds of Ecuador. Although in The Birds of Ecuador they separate lowland and highland endemics, listing them separately, we have just treated them as one endemic group. 21 Chocó endemics were seen on the tour. One species, the Black-breasted Puffleg, is highlighted in bold BLACK, as it is an important endemic of the Central Andean Paramo/Temperate zone.

Species with an _* by them are globally threatened species as listed by Birdlife International.

Species with an H next to them were only heard on the tour.

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui H

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Striated Heron Butorides striatus
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris

Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus

Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma

 Black-and-Chestnut Eagle Oroaetus isidori  NEAR-THREATENED

Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Andean Guan Penelope montagnii

Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail Odontophorus erythrops H

*Dark-backed Wood-Quail Odontophorus melanonotus  VULNERABLE

White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

Common Ground-dove Columbina pasarina
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Pallid Dove Leptotila pallida H
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura

Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis
Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus

Scaly-naped Amazon Amazona mercenaria

Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia

Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
Lyre-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis lyra
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae
Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae

Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus

Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans

Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
Purple-chested Hummingbird Amazilia rosenbergi
Purple-bibbed Whitetip Urosticte benjamini
Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoide

Shining Sunbeam Aglaectis 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

*Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis  CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Sapphire-vented Puffleg Eriocnemis luciani
Golden-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis mosquera
Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii

Purple-backed Thornbill Ramphomicron microrhynchum
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill Chalcostigma herrani
Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
Wedge-billed Hummingbird Schistes geoffroyi H
Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii

White-bellied Woodstar Acestrura bombus
Crested Quetzal Pharomachrus antisianus
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus

Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii

Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus  NEAR-THREATENED
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Pale-mandibled Araçari Pteroglossus erythropygius
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena laminirostris  NEAR-THREATENED
Chocó Toucan Ramphastos brevis

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii
Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani

Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Veniliornis callonotus
Guayaquil Woodpecker Campephilus gayaquilensis  NEAR-THREATENED
Pacific Hornero Furnarius cinnamomeus
Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura
Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa

White-browed Spinetail Hellmayrea gularis
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens

Rusty-winged Barbtail Premnornis guttuligera
Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris

Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
Striped Treehunter Thripadectes holostictus
Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans

Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Tyrannine Woodcreeper Dendrocincla tyrannina H
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger

Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor

Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis H

Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula pacifica

Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula fulviventris
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis

Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudate

Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina
Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculata
Esmeraldas Antbird Myrmeciza nigricauda H
Black-headed Antthrush Formicarius nigricapillus H

Rufous-breasted Antthrush Formicarius rufipectus

*Moustached Antpitta Grallaria alleni           ENDANGERED

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla H

Rufous Antpitta Grallaria rufula

Ochre-breastedAntpitta Grallaricula flavirostris
Unicolored Tapaculo Scytalopus unicolor
Nariño Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior
Spillmann's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni
Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps

Black-capped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias nigricapillus
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum

White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps

White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leaucophrys
White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus
White-tailed Tyrannulet Mecocerculus poecilocercus

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
Streak-necked Flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis

Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris

Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus pelzelni

Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant Pseudotriccus ruficeps H
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps

Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum

Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans

Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
Crowned Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca frontalis
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis

Smoky Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes fumigatus

*White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis andicola VULNERABLE
Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta

Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua

Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristata
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata
Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruviana
Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius leucotis

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

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Entomodestes coracinus  H
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus

Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus

Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sepia-brown Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys

Southern Nightingale-Wren Microcerculus marginatus

Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava
Slate-throated Whitestart 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

Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza

Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Yellow-tufted Dacnis Dacnis egregia
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta
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

Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
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
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus
Black-chested Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis eximia
Moss-backed Tanager Bangsia edwardsi

Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata
Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
Lemon-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus icteronotus
White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera
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 Hemispingus Hemispingus ochraceus
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Southern Yellow-Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata

Ash-breasted Sierra-finch Phrygilus plebejus
Rufous-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes latinuchus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha

Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Scrub Blackbird Dives warszewiczi
Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra

House Sparrow Passer domesticus