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A few gorgeous
Orange-cheeked Parrots peer out from among the cacophonous
crowds of Cobalt-winged Parakeets at the Anangu clay lick.
(Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Well, long story short: we now know why the rainforest is called a rainforest. Yep, there was a fair amount of rain! But it wasn't so great a deterrent. We still managed to get out, see some impressive things, and enjoy the wonders of the Amazon! Even canoeing in the rain was kind of fun (and did prove, if nothing else, that we are water-resistant!).
Indeed, the canoe rides we enjoyed on this tour were among the favorite experiences we had. Others included the visit to the wooden tower (which is always a pleasure!), and watching the Mealy, Yellow-crowned, and Blue-headed parrots (and Dusky-headed Parakeets) push, dangle, and stretch to get to the best clay at the river-side parrot lick. Several mammals figured in the list of favorites, including the howler monkeys draped over limbs as they gave their stomachs time to digest a hearty meal of leaves, the three-toed sloth who spent the week in a single Cecropia tree, and the pair of Kinkajous that JN, the local guides, and I watched staring groggily out of their roost hole at dusk.
Of course, birds also figured in our adventures, with more memorable experiences including the awkward Hoatzins at the edges of the lake, the Scarlet Macaw with its enflamed face (use more skin cream, dude!), the roosting Great Tinamou over the boardwalk, the multicolored Paradise Tanager, the still and unobtrusive Common Potoo on a stick, the large and ragged-crested Ringed Kingfisher, the electric blue Spangled Cotinga, and equally colorful Yellow-tufted Woodpeckers that we enjoyed from the canopy towers. These, and many more, were among the sights we had while in one of the most diverse sites in the world‚ with good food, great company, and a fair amount of fun (and popcorn before dinner!), to boot! I certainly enjoyed the visit, and hope you all did as well! See you again out there with binoculars on.
--Dan
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for
individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I =
introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b =
boreal migrant
BIRDS
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) – The only tinamou we saw, but we saw it
pretty well... particularly its rear. As I mentioned at the
time, the identification was pretty straight forward: only
Tinamus tinamous roost off the ground, and locally, the only
Tinamus is Great Tinamou. 
Good thing Sacha
has some wonderful canopy towers; with its preference for
staying high in the canopy of terra firme forest, the
3-inch long Moustached Antwren is not a bird to be looked
for from the ground! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
LITTLE TINAMOU
(Crypturellus soui) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU
(Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU
(Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and
Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata) Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus gujanensis) – Heard on two days, the evening JN went
out with the three guides, we had a few birds get pretty
close, but they always were just behind something. [*] Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) – Nice! This is a rare, poorly known, and
largely nocturnal heron that we were able to bring in for a
good view! High five! RUFESCENT
TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma
lineatum) – This was the
heron we saw after dark... and which moaned at us.
COCOI HERON
(Ardea cocoi) – Le heron co-coi!
GREAT EGRET
(Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET
(Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET
(Bubulcus ibis) – A small group near an petrol camp was a
bit of a surprise. We don't see this species much on this
tour.
STRIATED HERON
(Butorides striata) – One view of this Green Heron-like bird as
if flew by over the lake.
CAPPED HERON
(Pilherodius pileatus) – A brief view our last morning of this
rather fetching heron as it flew in by the river-side
building, perched for a moment, and departed.
BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax
nycticorax)
BOAT-BILLED HERON
(Cochlearius cochlearius) – Sharing a day roost with a night heron,
this almost slipped by us, but not for Elias' eyes!
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) GREATER
YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes
melambrotus) – Pretty much
all the 'TV'-like vultures I saw were this close relative.
KING VULTURE
(Sarcoramphus papa) – One or two seen in the distance from
wooden tower.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion
haliaetus) – Two birds seen
along the Napo were winterers from 'back home'. [b] Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis) – Not an especially common raptor, and we
even saw a young bird, which mimics the plumage of a
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle! 
A handsome
Slate-colored Hawk hunts for unwary tourists along the
main boardwalk between the river and the lodge. (Photo by
guide Dan Lane)
SLENDER-BILLED
KITE (Helicolestes hamatus)
– Superficially similar to the last,
but the body shape is different.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED
KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
– Seen from the metal tower and again
on the Providencia Trail. Looks a bit like a Sharp-shin.
PLUMBEOUS KITE
(Ictinia plumbea) – A large group over the lodge as we
returned one afternoon may have been a movement of migrants.
SLATE-COLORED HAWK
(Leucopternis schistaceus) – One bird was keeping watch along the
handrail of the boardwalk. Hunting unsuspecting guests?
ROADSIDE HAWK
(Buteo magnirostris) – Despite the lack of roads, we saw a few
of these.
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE
(Spizaetus tyrannus) [*]
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater) – A common river-side raptor. YELLOW-HEADED
CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
– Another river-side raptor. We had a
few mostly up closer to Coca.
LAUGHING FALCON
(Herpetotheres cachinnans) – Pablo managed to spot one that was
several hundred miles away. We heard several as well.
PEREGRINE FALCON
(Falco peregrinus) – Two birds on the return boat ride to Coca
were migrants from North America (looked like a male and
female). [b]
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
CHESTNUT-HEADED CRAKE (Anurolimnas castaneiceps) – Typically a difficult rail to see, we
managed to get most on it. Quite a feat! BLACK-BANDED CRAKE
(Anurolimnas fasciatus) – This rare and local rail performed very
well! I hope it was worth the sore knees!
Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
GRAY-WINGED TRUMPETER (Psophia crepitans) [*] Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus) – This and the next few shorebirds were
mostly seen as they took refuge on driftwood logs that were
all that remained of sand spit islands as the Napo rose.
COLLARED PLOVER
(Charadrius collaris)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b] GREATER YELLOWLEGS
(Tringa melanoleuca) [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris) – We had two of these Least Tern-like terns
along the Napo. LARGE-BILLED TERN
(Phaetusa simplex) – One bird was seen as we headed to the
lodge from Coca.
BLACK SKIMMER
(Rynchops niger) – Mary spotted one of these fine birds as
we headed back up the Napo to Coca.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
Curious, but
still wary, a Long-billed Woodcreeper peeks out from
amidst thick canopy vegetation, checking out the strange
group of primates in the treetops. (Photo by guide Dan
Lane)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON
(Patagioenas cayennensis) – The common pigeon of edge habitats in
Amazonia.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON
(Patagioenas plumbea) – Mostly heard, but one bird allowed us
looks the final morning.
EARED DOVE
(Zenaida auriculata) – In Quito.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
(Columbina talpacoti) – These were near Coca in the cleared
habitats.
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE
(Leptotila rufaxilla) – Mostly heard, but I think one was seen
briefly.
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE
(Geotrygon montana) [*]
Psittacidae (Parrots)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura melanura) – Our very first day, we heard a flock or
two, and one group flew over the lake while we birded there
in the rain. DUSKY-HEADED
PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
– One of the parrots at the first
parrot lick.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED
MACAW (Ara severus) [*]
SCARLET MACAW
(Ara macao) – One bird sat over the parakeet lick.
Sadly, it looked like it had a bad case of poison ivy on its
face.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW
MACAW (Ara ararauna) – A pair of these handsome macaws flew by
the 'museum' at the Providencia Trail.
COBALT-WINGED
PARAKEET (Brotogeris
cyanoptera) – The most
numerous visitor to the parakeet lick.
SCARLET-SHOULDERED
PARROTLET (Touit huetii)
– Rather an attractive little parrot
that we saw well at the parakeet lick.
BLACK-HEADED
PARROT (Pionites
melanocephalus) – We had nice
scope view from near the dining hall.
ORANGE-CHEEKED
PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi)
– The large parrot that was at the
parakeet lick.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT
(Pionus menstruus)
ORANGE-WINGED
PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
– Strangely, this species does not seem
to participate in the parrot lick scene. Perhaps it does not
eat seeds with the toxins that cause the others to partake?
MEALY PARROT
(Amazona farinosa) – I always enjoy watching the antics of the
birds at the parrot lick. Often, they hang at strange
angles, or awkwardly step on one another to get to the clay.
YELLOW-CROWNED
PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus
hoazin) – Chain smokers
anonymous. Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana) GREATER ANI
(Crotophaga major) – Rather common on this visit. That flock
of 200+ birds crossing the Napo was memorable!
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI
(Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) – The bird in the scope at the foot of the
wooden tower was a nice cap to the morning! CRESTED OWL
(Lophostrix cristata) – I'm amazed how 'easily' we see this
species on this tour. The local guides' knowledge of day
roosts is indisposable!
FERRUGINOUS
PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium
brasilianum) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – Eyeshine from the BBQ building's roof.
LADDER-TAILED
NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis
climacocerca) – A female
perched over the Napo was a nice find.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – We had a fair view of one of these large
'stumps' from the metal towers. COMMON POTOO
(Nyctibius griseus) – A marvel of nature, and one we were able
to see well as it sat at the lake edge (presumably on an egg
or chick). [N]
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-CHINNED SWIFT (Cypseloides cryptus) – A very poorly known swift that we saw a
few times (probably driven over Amazonia from the mountains
by the rain). WHITE-COLLARED
SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
– The largest swift in the region.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT
(Chaetura brachyura) – One of the most common swifts here.
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT
(Chaetura cinereiventris)
PALE-RUMPED SWIFT
(Chaetura egregia)
LESSER
SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila
cayennensis) – Seen a few
times over the lake.
FORK-TAILED
PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis
squamata) – Perhaps the most
common swift at Sacha... and we enjoyed watching some
harassing a Pale-vented Pigeon as they tried to snag some
feathers from it!
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora) – A couple at the river-edge gave us nice
views. RUFOUS-BREASTED
HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus)
– Sue spotted one from the BBQ
building.
WHITE-BEARDED
HERMIT (Phaethornis hispidus)
– One investigated us as we waited to
see the Black-banded Crake.
STRAIGHT-BILLED
HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri)
– A singing bird in the forest behind
the lodge allowed good views.
GREAT-BILLED
HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris)
– Great scope views by the parakeet
lick.
BLUE-TAILED
EMERALD (Chlorostilbon
mellisugus) – Glimpses of two
birds on our last day was all.
GOLDEN-TAILED
SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone)
– A male kept vigil near the wooden
tower platform.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) [*] 
They don't call
them sloths for nothing... this guy spent the entire week
of our stay in a single Cecropia tree! What a life! (Photo
by guide Dan Lane)
AMAZONIAN TROGON
(Trogon ramonianus) – Until recently called 'Violaceous
Trogon', that species was split into three (Gartered and
Guianan are the other two). The smaller yellow-bellied
trogon.
COLLARED TROGON
(Trogon collaris) – Another species we saw only our last day,
this was the red-bellied trogon we enjoyed on the boardwalk.
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) – Drat! I think everyone 'saw' this one
through the scope, but didn't realize it until I
demonstrated where to look by taking a photo. Then it flew!
RUFOUS MOTMOT
(Baryphthengus martii) [*]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) – Several seen on the boat ride back to
Coca. GREEN-AND-RUFOUS
KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
– Mostly a green flash as it blew by
us, but most saw it on that rainy canoe ride up Orquidea
creek.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) [*] WHITE-CHESTED
PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila fusca)
– One of the prizes for hiking up the
ridge above the parakeet lick.
BLACK-FRONTED
NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
– The common nunbird along rivers.
WHITE-FRONTED
NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
– The common nunbird in the interior
forest.
SWALLOW-WINGED
PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera
tenebrosa) – Mostly seen
perching high on branches along the river.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
WHITE-EARED JACAMAR (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis) – One perched along the Providencia creek
offered nice views. BROWN JACAMAR
(Brachygalba lugubris) – The two birds we watched from the canoe
as we returned to the river landing at the lodge.
YELLOW-BILLED
JACAMAR (Galbula albirostris)
– Another species we only saw on the
ridge above the parakeet lick.
WHITE-CHINNED
JACAMAR (Galbula tombacea)
– This was the jacamar we spotted as we
canoed along Anaconda creek.
PURPLISH JACAMAR
(Galbula chalcothorax) – One of the first birds we saw upon
arriving at the lodge entrance our first day.
GREAT JACAMAR
(Jacamerops aureus) – Ella's sharp eyes found this large and
colorful jacamar on the ridge above the parakeet lick.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens) – Another species we saw shortly after
arriving from our boat ride in from Coca. 
Formerly treated
as a member of the Cotinga family, the tiny White-browed
Purpletuft has recently been placed in the same family as
the tityras and becards. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis) – The aracari found in second growth and
river edge. MANY-BANDED
ARACARI (Pteroglossus
pluricinctus) – The aracari
in forest interior.
IVORY-BILLED
ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara)
– This rather striking aracari
performed well from the metal towers.
GOLDEN-COLLARED
TOUCANET (Selenidera
reinwardtii) – Fine views of
a pair as we walked trails. Unfortunately, they didn't
entertain with their song and dance.
WHITE-THROATED
TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus
cuvieri) – In some guides the
western Amazonian form is called Cuvier's Toucan. This is
the 'yelping' toucan.
CHANNEL-BILLED
TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus
culminatus) – This one looks
identical to the last, but has a smaller bill. The best
field mark is the croaking voice. Some guides call it
Yellow-ridged Toucan. [*]
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus) – The candy-colored woodpecker that we had
in the Ceiba with the wooden platform. LITTLE WOODPECKER
(Veniliornis passerinus) – A pair came in to playback on the
Cecropia island we visited briefly on the Napo.
CHESTNUT
WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
– We enjoyed several of this handsome
woodpecker, including one in the palm fruits right at the
boat dock.
RED-NECKED
WOODPECKER (Campephilus
rubricollis) – The big 'Woody
Woodpecker' that Pablo spotted for us near the parakeet
lick.
CRIMSON-CRESTED
WOODPECKER (Campephilus
melanoleucos) – Seen on four
different days. A big one with a red crest.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus mexicanus) – This was the drab brown bird we saw in
the dawn light as we hiked out to the metal towers. SHORT-BILLED
LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus
rufigularis) – We saw this
leaftosser on the hike out towards the metal towers on our
second visit there.
BLACK-TAILED
LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus
caudacutus) – A pair was very
responsive on the south bank of the Napo.
CHESTNUT-WINGED
HOOKBILL (Ancistrops
strigilatus) – A bird seen
first thing the final full day.
PLAIN XENOPS
(Xenops minutus) – The 'titmouse' of the Amazon.
PLAIN-BROWN
WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla
fuliginosa) – A well-named
bird; we saw it on two days, but thanks to its plain
brownness, it may not be so memorable.
OLIVACEOUS
WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus
griseicapillus) – A tiny
woodcreeper we saw from the wooden tower.
WEDGE-BILLED
WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus
spirurus) – The smallest of
the woodcreepers, and one we saw in a few flocks.
LONG-BILLED
WOODCREEPER (Nasica
longirostris) – A large,
distinctive woodcreeper that we saw from the metal towers on
our second visit there.
AMAZONIAN
BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes
certhia) [*]
STRAIGHT-BILLED
WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
– The woodcreeper we saw along the edge
of the lake.
If you like
gaudy, and who doesn't, point-blank views of a male
Spangled Cotinga from the canopy tower are pretty hard to
beat! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
ELEGANT
WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus
elegans) – This species has
been split from Spix's Wc (the latter now known only from
Brazil).
BUFF-THROATED
WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus
guttatus) – One of the larger
woodcreepers we saw a few times (and heard many more!).
LINEATED
WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes
albolineatus) – Remember
standing in the creek and looking straight up into that
towering tree at a brown lizard-like bird? Well, that was
this one.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus) [*] MOUSE-COLORED
ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus
murinus) – One seen on the
Providencia trail.
DUSKY-THROATED
ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes
ardesiacus) – This and the
following species are often the leaders of mixed-species
understory flocks. We encountered them regularly inside the
forest.
CINEREOUS
ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes
caesius)
BROWN-BACKED
ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla
fjeldsaai) – All right! This
is a rare species, and one only described to science in 1999
(Bret Whitney of FG's was one of the authors). The Ecuador
field guide calls it Yasuni Antwren (and indeed, we saw it
in Yasuni Nat'l Park). And, it was a new one for yours truly
(as I assume it was for you all, too)!
RUFOUS-TAILED
ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla
erythrura) – A pair in a
flock near the parakeet lick was only somewhat responsive to
playback.
PYGMY ANTWREN
(Myrmotherula brachyura) – Mostly heard, but one was briefly visible
from the wooden tower.
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN
(SHORT-BILLED) (Myrmotherula
ignota obscura) – We saw this
antwren really well from the metal towers on our second
visit there! It's often a very hard one to see, so that was
satisfying.
PLAIN-THROATED
ANTWREN (Myrmotherula
hauxwelli) – After a few
unsuccessful tries, we saw this understory gray antwren well
the day we walked in to the parakeet lick.
WHITE-FLANKED
ANTWREN (Myrmotherula
axillaris)
GRAY ANTWREN
(Myrmotherula menetriesii) – One of the gray antwrens (of all things!)
that we got to see on the Providencia trail.
DUGAND'S ANTWREN
(Herpsilochmus dugandi) – A canopy antwren that we saw briefly from
the wooden tower.
BLACK ANTBIRD
(Cercomacra serva) – A pair was reluctant in coming in while
we were on the Providencia trail.
BLACK-FACED
ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus
myotherinus) – We had a
pretty good look at this understory antbird on the parakeet
lick hike.
PERUVIAN
WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis
peruviana) – Seen the same
day as the last.
YELLOW-BROWED
ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis
hypoxantha) – This one too,
but it was on the ridge over the parakeet lick.
SILVERED ANTBIRD
(Sclateria naevia) – Eventually, we had good looks at this
water-edge antbird on Anaconda creek.
WHITE-SHOULDERED
ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza melanoceps)
– A male showed near where we saw the
Chestnut-headed Crake.
PLUMBEOUS ANTBIRD
(Myrmeciza hyperythra) – After a long rain delay on our first full
day at the lodge, we managed to see this bird right at your
cabins.
SOOTY ANTBIRD
(Myrmeciza fortis) – A pair was seen on the walk out to the
wooden tower.
BICOLORED ANTBIRD
(Gymnopithys leucaspis) [*]
LUNULATED ANTBIRD
(Gymnopithys lunulatus) – JN was the only person to join Pablo and
me as we tried for this rare and local antbird near the
museum at Providencia. Luckily, there was an antswarm there,
and we encountered the bird. Sadly, it didn't really show at
all. [*]
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD
(Hylophylax punctulatus) – A male showed well along Anaconda creek.
SCALE-BACKED
ANTBIRD (Willisornis
poecilinotus) – Strangely, a
pair posed for an extended period in my scope the first full
morning. That doesn't happen often.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis) – Despite this bird walking around us, we
never really saw it! [*] STRIATED ANTTHRUSH
(Chamaeza nobilis) – Just before ascending the wooden tower,
we managed to get everyone a view of this skulky bird.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
OCHRE-STRIPED ANTPITTA (Grallaria dignissima) – A very rare bird that we enjoyed hearing
on the Providencia trail. Unfortunately, it was not an
exhibitionist. [*] WHITE-LORED
ANTPITTA (Hylopezus
fulviventris) [*]
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
CHESTNUT-BELTED GNATEATER (Conopophaga aurita) – A male gave us a few brief views our
first full day. Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) – This one was perched right by the BBQ
building. SLENDER-FOOTED
TYRANNULET (Zimmerius
gracilipes)
GOLDEN-FACED
TYRANNULET (Zimmerius
chrysops) – We had views of a
pair of this usually Andean tyrannulet while we were at the
Providencia museum clearing.
SHORT-TAILED
PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis
ecaudatus) – A teeny-weeny
bird (the smallest passerine in the world!) we saw as we
walked in on the boardwalk the first day of the tour.
WHITE-EYED
TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus
zosterops) – This was that
staggeringly beautiful gray and olive bird we saw once we
got atop the ridge behind the parakeet lick.
YELLOW-BROWED
TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum
chrysocrotaphum) – One is
always in the Ceiba tree with the wooden tower.
YELLOW-MARGINED
FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias
assimilis) – This one also
briefly visited the tower tree.
YELLOW-BREASTED
FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias
flaviventris) [*]
EULER'S FLYCATCHER
(Lathrotriccus euleri) [*]
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE
(Contopus virens) – An old friend from back home! [b]
DRAB WATER TYRANT
(Ochthornis littoralis) – I actually like this bird, despite its
name.
RUFOUS-TAILED
FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon
ruficauda) – This and the
next were seen from the canoe as we paddled Anaconda creek.
CINNAMON ATTILA
(Attila cinnamomeus)
CITRON-BELLIED
ATTILA (Attila citriniventris)
[*]
BRIGHT-RUMPED
ATTILA (Attila spadiceus)
[*]
GRAYISH MOURNER
(Rhytipterna simplex) – A smaller version of a Screaming Piha.
DUSKY-CAPPED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
tuberculifer) – The Myiarchus
flycatcher we saw from the metal tower.
SHORT-CRESTED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
– This was the baby flycatcher we
enjoyed from the BBQ building that rainy day.
LESSER KISKADEE
(Pitangus lictor) – Like the name suggests: like a Kiskadee.
Just smaller.
GREAT KISKADEE
(Pitangus sulphuratus) – This and the next few were seen most
days, particularly around the lake.
BOAT-BILLED
FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus
pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER
(Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED
FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes
granadensis)
DUSKY-CHESTED
FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes
luteiventris) – A forest
canopy flycatcher that we saw well the second visit to the
metal towers.
SULPHUR-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes
luteiventris) – This is the
same species you may know from Cave Creek Canyon in Arizona.
They winter waaaay down here! [b]
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER
(Legatus leucophaius) – One we certainly heard every day, and saw
most days.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus melancholicus) – Daily.
EASTERN KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus tyrannus) – Our last morning, we had a flock of these
'familiar' birds fly by the riverbank. [b]
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata) – A strange bird with that purple throat
patch that it can fan. PLUM-THROATED
COTINGA (Cotinga maynana)
– Striking blue! Why? Nevermind, let's
just enjoy the excessive gaudiness.
SPANGLED COTINGA
(Cotinga cayana) – Another remarkable-looking bird!
SCREAMING PIHA
(Lipaugus vociferans) – We all enjoyed hearing this loud (!)
bird. Those who went to the metal tower the second time saw
it well.
BARE-NECKED
FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus
foetidus)
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) [*] STRIPED MANAKIN
(WESTERN) (Machaeropterus
regulus striolatus) [*]
BLUE-CROWNED
MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata)
– Nice views of this attractive
understory denizen were had.
BLUE-BACKED
MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia pareola)
[*]
ORANGE-CROWNED
MANAKIN (Heterocercus
aurantiivertex) – Seen with
no real effort (other than to keep dry!) on Orquidea creek.
WIRE-TAILED
MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda)
– A male posed well in the telescope
for all to enjoy!
GOLDEN-HEADED
MANAKIN (Pipra erythrocephala)
– Seen within spitting distance of the
last. Happily, they spit relatively seldom.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana) – Strangely, we saw mostly females.
WHITE-BROWED
PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura
isabellae) – Great views on
several days, we even saw the purple tufts!
Vireonidae (Vireos)
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis) – Since we never saw a real Red-eye, I
wonder if the sounds I was identifying as Red-eyed Vireo
were all from this species? It breeds in Middle America and
winters here. [b] SLATY-CAPPED
SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius
leucotis) [*]
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus) Hirundinidae (Swallows)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata) – An attractive swallow that likes water.
GRAY-BREASTED
MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
– A nest in a pipe under the BBQ
building allowed us close looks. [N]
WHITE-WINGED
SWALLOW (Tachycineta
albiventer) – Another
hydrophilic swallow.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus) [*] HOUSE WREN
(Troglodytes aedon) – One of the most adaptable birds in the
Americas: lives from sea level to 14000 ft, from the most
arid desert in the world (the Atacama) to the Amazon (where
we saw it!), and from southern Canada to Tierra del Fuego.
Yo.
WHITE-BREASTED
WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina
leucosticta) – A loud little
feller who doesn't like to show himself. Most saw it
eventually.
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla) – The 'prairie chicken' of the Amazon with
those orange neck sacs. Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) [*] LAWRENCE'S THRUSH
(Turdus lawrencii) – Mostly heard, but one briefly showed for
us on our second visit to the metal towers. This bird is
perhaps the most impressive mimic in the bird world, as his
song is made up of nearly nothing other than mimicry of
other natural sounds in his environment (and, interestingly,
I have noted that he likes to imitate rare birds!).
BLACK-BILLED
THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
– Sounds like our American Robin, but
comes up a bit short in the looks department.
GREAT THRUSH
(Turdus fuscater) – In Quito.
WHITE-NECKED
THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)
– A lazy singer in the forest
understory.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata) – I still find it amazing to think of the
changes this bird goes through in a year. It breeds in
boreal taiga forests (stunted spruce and fir), migrates out
over the Atlantic from New England to northern South America
(or so it's thought, anyway), and spends its winter in the
canopy of Amazonian trees. So what's a 'normal day' to a
Blackpoll? [b] Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus) – Indeed this looks like a magpie. But it's
a tanager. An impressive trick. GRAY-HEADED
TANAGER (Eucometis
penicillata) – A pair of
these skulky tanagers darted around over us as we canoed
along Anaconda creek.
FLAME-CRESTED
TANAGER (Tachyphonus
cristatus) – We had a distant
scope view of this striking tanager on our second visit to
the metal towers.
MASKED CRIMSON
TANAGER (Ramphocelus
nigrogularis) – A very
vibrantly-colored tanager we enjoyed in the flooded forest
along the boardwalk.
SILVER-BEAKED
TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
– This and the next two were a regular
fixture along the lake-edge.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER
(Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER
(Thraupis palmarum)
PARADISE TANAGER
(Tangara chilensis) – One of the finer (or gaudier, if you
will) plumaged birds of Amazonia. We enjoyed views from the
metal towers.
GREEN-AND-GOLD
TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)
– This and the next few tanagers were
seen on our second visit to the metal towers.
MASKED TANAGER
(Tangara nigrocincta)
OPAL-RUMPED
TANAGER (Tangara velia)
OPAL-CROWNED
TANAGER (Tangara callophrys)
YELLOW-BELLIED
DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS
(Dacnis cayana)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER
(Chlorophanes spiza)
PURPLE
HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes
caeruleus) – How can the skin
on the legs of this bird be such an incredibly fluorescent
yellow color? Amazing!
GRAYISH SALTATOR
(Saltator coerulescens) – Ella spotted one of these large
'tanager-grosbeaks' singing from a Cecropia as we drifted up
Providencia creek.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and
Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis) – A regular sight around the edge of the
lake. Ironically, this 'cardinal' is in fact a true tanager,
whereas our North American 'tanagers' are in fact related to
our cardinal! Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD (Sturnella militaris) – Seen along the edges of the runway at
Coca. ORIOLE BLACKBIRD
(Gymnomystax mexicanus) – A fairly large group seen on river
islands in the Napo.
GIANT COWBIRD
(Molothrus oryzivorus) – One youngster hung around the BBQ
building. Maybe it'd been raised by the caciques?
EPAULET ORIOLE
(MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis
chrysocephalus) – There's
been a bit of taxonomic shuffling of South American orioles
of late. This form was long considered a species (Moriche
Oriole), but genetic evidence suggests that it's best
considered a subspecies of the Epaulet Oriole (however, the
southeastern former subspecies of Epaulet is now a separate
species).
YELLOW-RUMPED
CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
– An ever-present force around the
lodge. [N]
RUSSET-BACKED
OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius
angustifrons) – The common
oropendola of the tour.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA
(Psarocolius decumanus) – A few of this darker oropendola were
under the wooden tower.
CASQUED OROPENDOLA
(Clypicterus oseryi) – A rare oropendola, so we were not only
lucky to see them, but exceptionally lucky to see them at a
pure nesting colony! [N]
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris) GOLDEN-BELLIED
EUPHONIA (Euphonia
chrysopasta) – Also called
'White-lored Euphonia', this was the one that was probing
the moss on the branches of our Ceiba tree (where the wooden
tower is).
ORANGE-BELLIED
EUPHONIA (Euphonia
xanthogaster) – This and the
next species were seen over Anaconda creek.
RUFOUS-BELLIED
EUPHONIA (Euphonia
rufiventris)
MAMMALS
BLACK-MANTLE
TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis)
– The small monkeys that were seen
daily around the dining hall.
COMMON SQUIRREL
MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
– Seen on several occasions.
DUSKY TITI MONKEY
(Callicebus moloch) [*]
RED HOWLER MONKEY
(Alouatta seniculus) – Heard and seen well. the largest monkey
in the area.
WHITE-FRONTED
CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
BROWN-THROATED
THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus
variegatus) – The same sloth
was seen the first and last days of the tour in the same
Cecropia tree. Man, they get around!
NORTHERN AMAZON
RED SQUIRREL (Sciurus
igniventris) – We had good
looks at a red squirrel the day we went to the parakeet
lick. The two species of Amazonian Red Squirrel are very
difficult to distinguish, and apparently, both are possible
at that site.... I'm just taking a stab in the dark at this
one's identity.
BLACK AGOUTI
(Dasyprocta fuliginosa) – One or more was seen around the lodge
grounds.
KINKAJOU (Potos flavus) – JN was the lucky winner of a view of two
of these curious arboreal raccoon relatives.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Spectacled (White) Caiman- Caiman crocodilus
River Turtle- Podocnemis sp.
Fer-de-lance- Bothrops atrox
Caiman Lizard- Dracaena guianensis
Guichenot's Dwarf Iguana- Enyaloides laticeps
Totals for the tour: 252 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa