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Many-banded Aracari was one of the many wonderful birds we enjoyed watching from Sacha's towers rising above the rainforest canopy. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
Sacha Lodge is a great place to dip your toe into Amazonia. It's a very civilized lodge with great ambiance, good food and service, and it's pretty quick and easy to get there. It also happens to be in one of the richest parts of the basin with regard to diversity! And boy did we enjoy that! Happily, the rain of the rainforest falls mainly when we weren't trying to bird, which was very lucky.
As you may have noticed, the rainforest isn't all that uniform. You have different forest types: seasonally flooded riverine forest (varzea), like the stuff near the river on our walk to the lodge, the permanently flooded 'blackwater' forest (igapo), like along the creeks we canoed along, transitional forest, much like what we walked through to get to the towers, and true terra firme (forest which never floods) such as the ridge forest on the south bank of the Napo. And that's just what we visited on our tour! Then there are the river islands (young, middle-aged, and old), and the edge habitat around the lake, and human-caused second-growth. These each have specialized bird (and other organism) species that take advantage of their resources, and given how relatively uniform these habitats have remained over the past several million years, you can start to get an idea of why the Amazon has some of the most amazing diversity of any terrestrial bioregion on earth!
But let's focus on what we saw on our tour, shall we? I'm so pleased we all came away with some great memories, be they the elegant Crested Owls, which were trying to mimic dead leaves caught in the branches of the understory, the Gray-breasted (birthday) Crake that ran around our feet on that young river island, the elegant Wire-tailed Manakins that gave us such nice views. Of course, the MONKEYS were a distraction… Other notables were the parakeet explosion at the parakeet lick, the attractive Oriole Blackbirds on the river islands, the diminutive American Pygmy Kingfisher that allowed us close approach in our canoe, the clowning around of the Many-banded Aracaris, the reptilian Long-billed Woodcreeper, the day-roosting Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl, the stately Pied Lapwings as they strutted along the sand bars of the Napo, the sneaky White-lored Antpitta that nevertheless gave us an unforgettable show, the rarely-encountered Large-billed Seed-Finch that nibbled grass seed on the river island for minutes on end, and (of course!) the two flycatcher surprises: the Yellow-olive Flycatchers right at the riverside landing of the lodge and the breeding Swainson's Flycatchers around the lake! What fun! I hope we'll have a chance to enjoy more birding like this again soon! Good birding until then.
--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)
Scarlet Macaws came in to pick up beakfuls of mud (key to their digestion) at the mud lick on the south bank of the Napo. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu) – Fine views of this guan from the canopy walkway our first full day.
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis) – One of these guans was in a distant tree briefly our first full day.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus gujanensis) [*]
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) – One bird along the Napo as we returned to Coca.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) – Unfortunately, this sneaky bird kept in the far distance. [*]
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum) – First an adult, then a few days later, a young bird made our aquaintance along Orquidea Creek.
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi) – The Great Blue Heron-like herons along the Napo.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – One perched in a tree by our hotel near the Quito airport was a surprise! More typical were those along the Napo.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
These Crested Owls on a dayroost were a spectacular delight for our group! (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – One along the Napo the day we headed to the lodge was our only one!
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Heard most evenings and mornings, but we glimpsed it on occasion.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus) – The larger cousin of Turkey Vulture has a flatter flight profile and broader wings with the funny pale-near-the-body secondary pattern.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – We enjoyed seeing these wintering birds nearly every day we were on the river. [b]
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – We saw some fair-sized flocks of these graceful kites. A recent satellite-tracking program is revealing that wintering North American breeders are passing through western Amazonia at this time, so perhaps we were seeing them! [b]
HARPY EAGLE (Harpia harpyja) – Wow! Oscar's sharp eyes proved themselves from the very start! He spotted this perched monster in a bare tree about a mile away from the canopy walkway!
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) – A brief view from the wooden tower was all we had.
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis) – Birds at the airport were our only views.
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus) – Steve got us on one bird on day three, but we had a vew additional views after.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus) – A bird around the metal towers became boring after it sat on the cables there for over an hour.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea) – A couple of views of this probable migrant species from the towers.
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus) – One flew in and landed in the canopy near the metal towers.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris) – No roads here!
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis) – Another great spot by Oscar!
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) [*]
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius) – One very angry bird almost showed... but didn't. [*]
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) – Ali's birthday crake! What a great show!!
UNIFORM CRAKE (Amaurolimnas concolor) – A rare and local crake that I've not heard before at the lodge, but at least three pairs were around, vocalizing at dusk. [*]
CHESTNUT-HEADED CRAKE (Anurolimnas castaneiceps) – Another crake that came in mighty close, but never actually showed. [*]
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna) – We actually had a remarkable number of views of this often very skulky swamp-crane.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus) – A truly striking plover we enjoyed on the bank of the Napo.
Pied Lapwings offered some fine views along the Rio Napo during our boat trips. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b]
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla atricilla) – One of the more impresive records of the tour, gulls on the Amazon are pretty rare! [b]
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Well, try as we may, we still managed to spot this in Coca.
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – The common pigeon along rivers and lakes.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) [*]
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea) – Mostly heard, but we saw a few as we went up the Providencia Creek.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti) – A river island bird in Amazonia unless there are clearings.
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – Common around the hotel at the Quito airport.
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin) – Smoker's cough.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major) – Remarkably common on this visit. The staring white eye and bottle blue plumage are a great way to separate the two anis.
Lunulated Antbird was one of several specialties we saw on the south bank of the Napo. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) – Heard much more than seen, but one bird came in for a brief fly-by one morning as we crossed the lake.
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) – A nice day-roosting bird was pleasing!
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) – A day-roosting pair was a also a crowd-pleaser!
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca) – One seems to roost along the Napo by the parrot licks.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – A bird at the first tower of the canopy walkway was there both mornings we visited.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – Rather a ways from the Andes, where the species roosts, but that flight is nothing for this 'sky-pelagic'.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
PALE-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura egregia) – Several seen from the towers.
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis) – Similar, but chunkier, than the next species.
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata) – The most common swift on the tour.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus) – Steve and others enjoyed this short-tailed hermit by the riveredge at the bodega.
WHITE-BEARDED HERMIT (Phaethornis hispidus) – A brief view on the trail back from the first parrot lick was followed by another seen by Steve a few days later.
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri) – One investigated us in the forest one day.
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans) – Common at the hotel near Quito.
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus) – One came in to scold tape at the bodega.
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae) – Another hummer of the Quito area.
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus) – Also at the hotel near Quito.
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
OLIVE-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucippus chlorocercus) – Kudos to Paula for spotting this island speciality!
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata) – One or two hung around the lodge area.
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone) – A male came in to scold tape at the bodega.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) [*]
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis) – The yellow-bellied one we had.
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris) – The red-bellied trogon we had on Orquidea.
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) – Formerly part of Blue-crowned Motmot, but that has been split up.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
This White-necked Puffbird was another species offering spectacular views to us from the towers. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea) – One obliging male showed well for us on Orquidea.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) – A pair in the tree by the metal towers was nice.
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus) – In the same tree as the previous, as well as on the cables of the towers themselves.
CHESTNUT-CAPPED PUFFBIRD (Bucco macrodactylus) – One by the metal towers was unusually high in the canopy. Another on Orquidea Creek was lower in the growth.
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons) – The nunbird of river-edge.
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus) – The nunbird of interior forest.
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa) – "Swallowing Puffbird"!
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
WHITE-EARED JACAMAR (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis) – I took some work, but we eventually dug one of these handsome kingfisher-like jacamars out.
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR (Galbula albirostris) – Only in the terra firme of Yasuni.
WHITE-CHINNED JACAMAR (Galbula tombacea) – A few nice views along the boardwalk between the lake and the river.
PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax) – Our views were nearly straight up when we walked the Liana Chica trail.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens) – A nice pair along the river edge was a good way to end an outing to the south bank.
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis) – The aracari of open country and second growth.
The very fine and tiny American Pygmy Kingfisher (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara) – Not as common as the last, but seen well from the towers.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri) – This and the next look very similar, but sound worlds apart.
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LAFRESNAYE'S PICULET (Picumnus lafresnayi) – A pair our walk in along the boardwalk the day we arrived at the lodge.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus) – Certainly not the littlest woodpecker, but small for South America (if you don't consider piculets). We had it on the island.
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis affinis) – Not the prettiest woodpecker name (but better than brown-stained, I suppose). This one showed well at the metal towers.
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula) – One high up at the Napo Wildlife Center bodega.
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans) – A handsome crested woodpecker we saw on a few occasions.
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus) – One that John had been eager to see. We had it along Orquidea Creek.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos) – A pair at a probable nesting hole in the same clearing both visits to the metal tower.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) – A nice experience with a single bird at the metal tower.
Gray-breasted Crake hardly ever comes out into the open this nicely! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One bird perched on a snag on a river island was a migrant. [b]
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
SCARLET-SHOULDERED PARROTLET (Touit huetii) – Great views of this handsome little parrot at the parakeet lick, and later some overflying birds at the lodge.
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera) – Most of the birds at the parakeet lick were these. And whey they 'exploded'! Wow!
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi) – Also at the parakeet lick. Quite a looker!
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa) – The most common parrot at the river-edge lick.
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica) – Mostly seen flying over, but some descending to one of the oil company river-edge port may have been exploiting their own 'lick'.
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius) – A pair on the river island.
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus) – Many good views of this canopy parrot.
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura melanura) – A few views of this hard-to see parakeet from the metal tower.
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus) – Mostly flybys in poor light.
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao) – Wow! My first time seeing them on the ground at the parakeet lick! Great experience!
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus) – A nice look at a male on the Providencia trail.
Can't resist including this spectacular shot of one of the Scarlet Macaws... (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) – A male on the river island put on a good show.
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus) – A quick look our first day at the lodge.
CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus cryptoleucus) – A male with white shoulders came in on the river island to show well for us.
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus) [*]
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius) – Heard several times, but seen well at least twice.
PLAIN-THROATED ANTWREN (Isleria hauxwelli) – Seen on a couple of occasions near the forest floor.
RUFOUS-TAILED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla erythrura) – A bird was part of the flock on the ridge above the parakeet lick.
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura) [*]
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN (SHORT-BILLED) (Myrmotherula ignota obscura) – A pair showed well as we descended the metal towers.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis) – A bird on the south side of the Napo was part of a mixed flock above the parakeet lick.
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii) – A pair in the flock along the entrance in to the parakeet lick.
DUGAND'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus dugandi) [*]
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana) – A pair responded well as we returned from the metal towers on our second visit. Formerly part of "Warbling Antbird".
YELLOW-BROWED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis hypoxantha) – The fancy-shmancy antbird we saw on the ridge above the parakeet lick.
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
Our very cooperative Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Schistocichla leucostigma) – A pair showed briefly on the trail in to the parrot lick.
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza melanoceps) – We got to see this one on the boardwalk to the lake on a couple of occasions.
PLUMBEOUS ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza hyperythra) – A male was along Anaconda Creek.
SOOTY ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza fortis) – A male on the Providencia Trail showed well.
LUNULATED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys lunulatus) – A ridiculously extroverted male on Providencia Trail was magnificent!
SPOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevius) – A pair showed well as we walked out to the river our last morning.
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus) – One of the few birds that showed fairly well along Anaconda Creek.
COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus) – Oscar spotted a female on the forest floor and got it in the scope (why it sat so long there is beyond me!).
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata) – A bird flew across Providencia Creek several times... actually a pretty cool behavior, since so many interior forest understory species are loathe to fly across open spaces!
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
OCHRE-STRIPED ANTPITTA (Grallaria dignissima) – Too bad this very seldom-seen antpitta didn't show! [*]
WHITE-LORED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus fulviventris) – Happily, this one sure did!
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
RUSTY-BELTED TAPACULO (Liosceles thoracicus) [*]
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
STRIATED ANTTHRUSH (Chamaeza nobilis) – I think Paula got a quick glimpse of this rail-like antthrush strutting around, but the rest of us just heard it.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
SHORT-BILLED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus rufigularis) – Great views of this understory species on an afternoon walk on the Liana Chica trail.
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris) – A very memorable woodcreeper we saw from the canoe on Orquidea.
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia)
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
OCELLATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus ocellatus) – A brief look at this woodcreeper on the ridge above the parakeet lick was all.
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans) – This one was around our lodge, but I think our best view was by the river.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) – Great looks at this large woodcreeper on the riverside portion of the entrance trail.
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) [*]
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) – A bird high in the trees along the entrance trail was seen by several to have a strongly curved bill. I don't know the status of the scythebills around Sacha, but I suspect this species is what that bird must have been.
LESSER HORNERO (Furnarius minor) – A pair or two on the river island eventually showed well.
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes) – A quick glimpse along Orquidea was not very satisfying.
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis) – A bird on the larger river island eventually showed well.
WHITE-BELLIED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis propinqua) – A pair on the crake island showed well.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum) – Up at the Quito hotel.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
A Laughing Falcon passes by above the canopy. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
RIVER TYRANNULET (Serpophaga hypoleuca) – As the name implies, it is a river island bird, which we saw well there!
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius chrysops) – A brief view on the south bank of the Napo was all we had.
LESSER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura napensis) – Well-named (as Ali and Steve can confirm), we enjoyed this lovely tyrant on the river island.
WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus zosterops) – Seen briefly on the ridge above the parakeet lick.
YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum) – This little bundle of feathers eventually showed well in our tree the day we were on the wooden tower.
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (RIVERINE) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis) – WOW! Not the most eye-catching bird, but one of the big surprises of the tour! First Ecuadorian record of this form (which is probably best considered a separate species)! Cool!
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis) – Seen from the canopy towers.
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris) [*]
EULER'S FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus euleri) – This staggeringly-colored tyrant showed well on the Orquidea Creek. It's glowing grays and olives lit up the understory!
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior) – Another island bird we enjoyed.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii) – At one point, a bird chased a member of the previous species on the river island. [b]
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – At Quito hotel.
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus) – A couple of views along Anaconda, Orquidea creeks and the boardwalk as we returned to the lodge one afternoon.
CITRON-BELLIED ATTILA (Attila citriniventris) – A scope view on the wooden tower was nice.
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
WHITE-RUMPED SIRYSTES (Sirystes albocinereus) – Oscar got one for us from the metal tower.
Yellow-crowned Parrots at one of the licks on the south side of the Napo (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni) – Another rather amazing surprise was discovering this breeding population around the lake where the dining hall was!
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox) – A pair on the river island was nice.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) – Only Amy and I got a look at this rare North American migrant before it disappeared. Too bad! [b]
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) – A couple of pairs around the lake were a nice comparison to their larger cousin.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua) – Adults feeding young right at the lodge!
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris) – A bird at the bodega the day we departed was nice! [b]
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus) – Several on the river islands were a good start, but a big flock at the bodega our last morning was a nice finale! [b]
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata) – A group showed up by the metal towers.
PLUM-THROATED COTINGA (Cotinga maynana) – This and the next were the two electric-blue cotingas we enjoyed from the metal towers.
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans) [*]
PURPLE-THROATED COTINGA (Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema) – This is a rare cotinga that brings to mind a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Oscar (once again) get us on a bird at the metal towers.
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus) – Steve and I got a glimpse of one bird flying away over the lake.
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) [*]
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata)
ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus aurantiivertex) – This fairly drab manakin was nevertheless noteworthy for its close approach as we canoed down Orquidea Creek.
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus) – A couple of quick encounters, mostly with females, once on Anaconda Creek, and another time along the boardwalk in.
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda) – What a lovely creature! We enjoyed good looks at this candy-colored manakin on the return from the metal towers.
STRIPED MANAKIN (WESTERN) (Machaeropterus regulus striolatus) [*]
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) – Another attractive manakin we saw well on the ridge above the parakeet lick.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae) – These little, tailess wonders showed well at both towers.
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
It's not often you get to look down on a Pink-throated Becard, but the towers offered us that opportunity. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor) – Fine views of this black and pink becard from the metal tower.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) – The rarer of the two migrant vireos here! [b]
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis) – This species was remarkably common, with several heavily molting birds seen from the towers. [b]
TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Hylophilus ochraceiceps) – A brief view of a bird that was part of a mixed-species flock on the south bank of the Napo.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – Mostly at Quito and the airport at Coca.
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) – A nice experience with a bird that came in silently to playback on the trail back from the metal towers.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – A pair nesting in the roof of the dining all was entertaining. [N]
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus) – What a great jungle voice!
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) – This and the next species were seen nearly simultaneously along Anaconda Creek.
Red-capped Cardinal, adult and young, paused on a railing for this fine portrait. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta) [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla) – Formerly thought to be a mockingbird, then a wren, we know believe these to be in their own family, but distantly related to Old World warblers.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) [*]
LAWRENCE'S THRUSH (Turdus lawrencii) [*]
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater) – Quito area.
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis) – A very brief view for some, but mostly heard.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus) – A bird along the road as we drove from the airport hotel to the airport on day 1.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis) – A family was often hanging around the dining room.
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus) – Well named!
Ladder-tailed Nightjars perch along river-edge branches during the day, hoping to be passed off as another bit of wood. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata) – Flighty, but a bird showed briefly on Orquidea Creek.
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis) – A smashing bird we saw around the edge of the lake.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – In Quito.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis) – A smart bird that we saw several times from the towers.
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia) – The one with the whitish horseshoe on its crown.
OPAL-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara callophrys) – Not to be confused with the previous, this one has a dark head and chestnut under the tail.
GREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis) – A few at the riveredge our last day.
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata) – This was part of that huge group of birds that responded to scold tape from the metal tower.
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus) – Flashy yellow feet!
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis) – A hard bird in the area, we had a brief look at one on the Providencia trail.
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides decorata) – Quito area.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris) – On the river islands.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis) [*]
LARGE-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila crassirostris) – Great bird! This was the big black finch with a white bill we enjoyed on the island. Hard to find in Amazonia!
CAQUETA SEEDEATER (Sporophila murallae) – Shortly after seeing the last, Steve spotted this rare seedeater.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Quito area.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea) – A bird almost in full breeding plumage at the Napo Wildlife Center bodega.
A female Common Scale-backed Antbird (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa cyanoides) – A bird on the Liana Chica trail responded well to playback.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD (Gymnomystax mexicanus) – The big yellow birds we saw on the river islands.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis) – Quito area. [b]
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus) – Formerly a separate species from Epaulet Oriole, the Moriche Oriole has since been subsumed into that species.
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius) – Along the Providencia Creek.
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris) – A group on our last morning at the riveredge.
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cyanocephala) – This was in the yard of our Quito airport hotel.
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta) – Also called 'White-lored Euphonia'.
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta) – Only a brief view of this tiny euphonia from the metal towers.
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus) – Also in the Quito area.
MAMMALS
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso) – The bats lined up along the pole sticking out of the Napo.
BLACK-MANTLE TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis) – Dan and Linda got to enjoy the antics of these small monkeys.
Spix's Night Monkeys peered at us from a roost hole. (Photo by participants Steve & Ali Wakeham)
SPIX'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus vociferans) – Heard and seen the same day!
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch) [*]
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus) – Heard and seen (several times).
MONK SAKI MONKEY (Pithecia monachus) – Cool! This is a tough animal to encounter! We had a troop of about five individuals along the ridge above the parakeet lick.
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons) – That last canoe ride up Orquidea resulted in a memorable experience with a male that wanted to impress his troop!
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) – Almost daily around the cabins.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Additional creatures we observed:
Sac-winged Bat sp.
Caiman Lizard - Dracaena sp.
Tegu - Tupinambus teguixin
Spectacled Caiman - Caiman crocodilus
Black Caiman - Melanosuchus niger
Yellow-footed Tortoise - Chelonoidis denticulata
Yellow-spotted River Turtle - Podocnemis unifilis
Triangle Tree-frog - Dendropsophus triangulum
Totals for the tour: 298 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa