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See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
Our canoe rides were an excellent way to get close to birds like this Green-and-rufous Kingfisher. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
What I like about birding tours is that every trip is unpredictable and different -- but the Amazon rainforest is even more different and more unpredictable than other places. On this tour, we had many surprises along the way, one of which was that it was very dry, and the water in the rivers and lakes was low. We had rain only once (for an hour) in a whole week! Fortunately, this didn't affect the birding, but it meant very early starts for us, as bird activity slowed down early in the day due to the heat.
The facilities at Sacha are fantastic, with several towers that brought us face to face with birds in the high canopy: Gilded Barbets, Purple-throated Fruitcrows, Many-banded Aracaris, colorful cotingas (Spangled and Plum-throated), and handsome woodpeckers (Cream-colored and Crimson-crested) among them. Paddling along the creeks and the lake got us close to species that like to be near water. There were many good birds seen well in this habitat, including Silvered, Dot-backed and Spot-backed antbirds -- the last one even bathing! We had superb views of Ringed, American Pygmy, and Green-and-rufous kingfishers too. We saw many parrots during the tour, but the day we visited the parrot clay lick was particularly spectacular, with Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlets, Cobalt-winged and Dusky-headed parakeets, Orange-winged Parrots, and Scarlet Macaws, just to mention a few.
The forest birds took more effort, but it was great to see some of the beautiful antbirds, including Peruvian Warbling- and Common Scale-backed, and the incredible Black-spotted Bare-Eye. Another big surprise was a pair of Giant Otters that we saw fishing in the lake every day. They've been there for more than 5 months; nobody knows how long they'll stay, but we hope it's for a long time!
We had the help of some very well-trained local eyes: guides Oscar and Ernesto, who helped us to find some of the secretive birds, and also led us along the trails and paddled our canoes; we owe many thanks to both of them! Also, thanks to each of you who joined me for this tour; your practice of helping each other made for a very successful trip. I hope to see you again. Meanwhile, keep birding!
-- Willy
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
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
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)
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) [*]
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
Smoky Jungle Frog -- NOT the one later eaten by a snake. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) [*] Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND-DOVE (Claravis pretiosa)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii)
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata)
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SAND-COLORED NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles rupestris)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri)
GREAT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris)
BLACK-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis atrimentalis)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
OLIVE-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucippus chlorocercus)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) [*]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
This Purple-throated Fruitcrow was very curious about our presence on the metal tower. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis) [*]
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
WHITE-CHINNED JACAMAR (Galbula tombacea)
PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens)
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
LETTERED ARACARI (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
MANY-BANDED ARACARI (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara)
GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET (Selenidera reinwardtii)
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis affinis)
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula)
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
SCARLET-SHOULDERED PARROTLET (Touit huetii)
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera)
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura melanura)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
UNDULATED ANTSHRIKE (Frederickena unduliger) [*]
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus)
CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus cryptoleucus) [*]
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius)
SPOT-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Pygiptila stellaris)
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN (SHORT-BILLED) (Myrmotherula ignota obscura)
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii)
DUGAND'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus dugandi)
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Schistocichla leucostigma)
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza melanoceps)
PLUMBEOUS ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza hyperythra)
SOOTY ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza fortis)
[SPOT-BACKED] ANTBIRD (NEW SPECIES) (Hylophylax [naevius] sp. nov.?)
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus)
COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus)
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata)
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
RUSTY-BELTED TAPACULO (Liosceles thoracicus)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris)
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
OLIVE-BACKED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Automolus infuscatus)
ORANGE-FRONTED PLUSHCROWN (Metopothrix aurantiaca)
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis) [*]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
LESSER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura napensis)
YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (RIVERINE) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis)
White-necked Puffbird was another visitor to the metal tower. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis) GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus)
WHISKERED FLYCATCHER (WHISKERED) (Myiobius barbatus barbatus)
EULER'S FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus euleri) [*]
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior)
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda)
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus)
CITRON-BELLIED ATTILA (Attila citriniventris)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
DUSKY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes luteiventris)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
PLUM-THROATED COTINGA (Cotinga maynana)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus)
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) [*]
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata)
ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus aurantiivertex)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae)
BLACK-CAPPED BECARD (Pachyramphus marginatus)
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) [*]
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) [*]
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
Giant Otter in the cocha. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis) MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SCRUB TANAGER (Tangara vitriolina)
MASKED TANAGER (Tangara nigrocincta)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia)
OPAL-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara callophrys)
GREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
SHORT-BILLED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes nitidus)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum fraseri)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens) [*]
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD (Gymnomystax mexicanus)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cyanocephala)
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
PYGMY MARMOSET (Cebuella pygmaea)
BLACK-MANTLE TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis)
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
SPIX'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus vociferans)
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
In addition to the many birds and mammals we saw, we also had other fantastic sightings of wildlife in the rainforest. Among our herps were Spectacled Caiman, Dragon Forest Lizards and many Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtles. We also saw that the rainforest is a hard place to live; the rule is eat or be eaten, as we witnessed for ourselves when a Chonta (Clelia) snake caught a Smoky Jungle Frog for its lunch. It was sad to see, but that's nature, right?
Totals for the tour: 252 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa