Highland Rarities and Tumbesian Endemics

Transcription

1 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour SOUTHERN ECUADOR: Highland Rarities and Tumbesian Endemics Main tour: 7 th 23 rd January 2017 Esmeraldas Woodstar Extension: 23 rd 26 th January 2017 Tropical Birding Tour Leader: Jose Illanes INTRODUCTION: This Long-wattled Umbrellabird at Buenaventura was voted as one of the birds of the trip This is often ranked among the Ecuador-based guides as their favorite trip in the country, and it is easy to see why when you view the highlights from this trip, which again produced some of South America s most wanted birds Our tour started in the Pacific lowlands among the mangroves and wetlands of Manglares-Churute Ecological Reserve. That got our tour off to a good start with Horned Screamer nearby, Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, and Jet Antbird. From there we traveled south to Buenaventura, one of a number of Jocotoco Conservation Foundation reserves visited on the 1

2 trip. Arguably, the Long-wattled Umbrellabird was the key bird seen there (as usual), but this was complimented by plenty of other top-notch birds too, like Club-winged Manakin, Gray-backed Hawk, Ochraceous Attila, and El Oro Parakeet (Buenaventura represents the only reliable place to see this very rare and extremely local parakeet). Between Buenaventura and our next Jocotoco Foundation reserve, Jorupe, we added yet more quality to the bird list with specialties like White-headed Brushfinch. Jorupe is a hotspot for endemics of the Tumbesian region, one of the richest mainland areas for endemics in the world, and this tour proved no different; the excellent feeders produced White-tailed Jay and Pale-browed Tinamou, and the reserve and day trips from there produced Watkins s Antpitta, Ecuadorian Piculet, West Peruvian Screech-Owl, Henna-headed Foliage-Gleaner, and Elegant Crescentchest. A little higher in the mountains from Jorupe, we birded Sozoranga and Utuana, with their very different suite of birds; Rainbow Starfrontlet, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, and Black-cowled Saltator were just some of the standouts from these areas. The endangered Jocotoco Antpitta was seen typically well at a feeding station at Tapichalaca Our trajectory higher into the Andes continued with a visit to the temperate cloudforest of Cerro Toledo, where the local Neblina Metaltail, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill featured, before we moved on to another location with similar habitat, Tapichalaca. At this next stop, the Jocotoco Antpitta of course took pride of place on the bird list, but was supported by many other quality birds during our two-night stay; Rufous and Slate-crowned Antpittas were also seen, along with Barred Fruiteater, while Maranon Thrush was seen downslope from there. Our next stop was markedly different, as we descended into the humid foothills of the eastern slope of the Andes, at the simple Yankuam Lodge that sits in close proximity to a number of species hard to find elsewhere in the region White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, Blackish Pewee, Zimmer s Antbird, Purplish Jacamar, and the handsome Black-and-white Tody-tyrant were all seen there, along with the bird that put this place on the map, the stunning Orange-throated Tanager. We remained in the foothills for our next stay, this time at the more upmarket Copalinga Lodge, near the Rio Bombuscaro section of 2

3 Podocarpus National Park. This area produced some goodies too, such as the local White-breasted Parakeet, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Black-streaked Puffbird, Foothill Elaenia, and a bunch of beautiful Tanagers. The grounds of the lodge itself produced some of the highlights of the entire tour, with the scarce Little Woodstar, and Spangled Coquette at the verbena flowers in the garden, and the regular Gray Tinamou coming into a forest feeding station. Just before departing for Cuenca some road birding added Torrent Duck, Andean Cockof-the-rock, and Lanceolated Monklet to the list too. A side trip from Cuenca to the remote Yungilla reserve (another Jocotoco Foundation property) yielded one of the rarest birds in South America, the endemic Pale-headed Brushfinch, along with another antpitta, this time Chestnut-crowned. The last birding spot on the main trip was at the high elevation El Cajas National Park where we found Tit-like Dacnis, Violet-throated Metaltail, Ecuadorian Hillstar, and the often hard-to-find Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant. On the Esmeraldas Woodstar Extension that extremely rare and local hummingbird was found, along with some final specialties Chilean Flamingo, Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Saffron Siskin, and Sulphur-throated Finch, to finish off what had been a really successful trip in one of the great birding regions of South America. We finished up with a total of 650 bird species, of which 603 were seen. The most popular birds of the trip were Jocotoco Antpitta, Orange-throated Tanager, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Esmeraldas Woodstar, Giant Conebill, and Lanceolated Monklet, while these other species also got worthy mentions amongst the group: Pale-headed Brushfinch, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Gray Tinamou, Rufous-necked Wood-rail, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Plushcap, Turquoise Jay, Piura Hemispingus, and Paradise Tanager. Bird-filled wetlands near Santa Rosa 3

4 TOUR SUMMARY: MAIN TOUR Day 1 (of birding): Manglares Churute to Buenaventura We started out from the city of Guayaquil, having met up there the night before, and headed out to Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve. Along the journey there (around 45 minutes), we picked up some common birds of the area, like Savanna Hawk, Snail Kite, and Wattled Jacana. Once we arrived at the reserve, we birded along a dirt road, where we saw Orange-crowned Euphonia, Olivaceous Piculet, Superciliaried Wren, our first Guayaquil and Scarlet-backed Woodpeckers, White-bearded Manakin, Gray-chinned Parakeet, and Jet Antbird, which gave us great looks. Later on, while on a nearby mangrove boardwalk, we managed to see the very scarce and elusive Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, a real bonus bird as it is very rarely seen there. A local park guide, Jairo, then took us to see Horned Screamer at nearby La Lagartera Reservoir, where we also saw White-checked Pintail, White Ibis, multiple Comb Ducks, and Ecuadorian Ground-Dove, Masked Water-Tyrant, and the colorful Peruvian Meadowlark. We took lunch along the road in the village of Puerto Inca. Much of the afternoon was spent driving southwards towards Buenaventura reserve, although we birded near Santa Rosa on the way. Birding a local shrimp farm produced a slew of birds like, Tricolored and Cocoi Herons, Wood Stork, and Roseate Spoonbill (photo page before), while nearby Croaking Ground Dove, and Short-tailed Field Tyrant were found. At the end of the day we pulled into Buenaventura reserve, where we stayed at Umbrellabird Lodge for the next two nights. Violet-bellied Hummingbird at Buenaventura 4

5 Day 2: Buenaventura This reserve is owned by a local NGO, the Jocotoco Foundation, which now has 11 different protected areas in Ecuador, a number of which we visited on this tour. We started our birding right on the doorstep of Umbrellabird Lodge, where we watched a flurry of birds feeding around restaurant/feeders just after dawn, which included Black-crowned Antshrike, Plain-brown, Spotted Streaked-headed, and Olivaceous Woodcreepers, and Gray-and-gold Warbler snatching up moths from the lodge lights. After this appetizer, we went to the traditional display area for the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, after which the lodge was named. Once again, Buenaventura proved itself to be one of the most reliable places on the planet for this species, as a male was easily seen at its usual spot along a forest trail. Continuing birding along the trails, we found other interesting species like, Russet Antshrike, Choco Toucan, Collared (Pale-mandibled) Araçari, Collared Trogon, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Black-winged and Buff-throated Saltators, Yellow-throated and Ashy-throated Chlorospinguses, and Blue-necked and Rufous-throated Tanagers. Beside those species inside the forest, we enjoyed the hummingbird species coming to the lodge feeders too, like Whitenecked Jacobin, Violet-bellied Hummingbird (photo page 4), Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Brilliant, and the local Emerald-bellied form of Crowned Woodnymph. After lunch, we birded within open habitat below the lodge, that produced Gray-backed Hawk, Gray-headed Kite, Black-striped Sparrow, Yellowthroated (Chestnut-mandibled) Toucan, Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Yellow-bellied and Greenish Elaenias, and Red-rumped Woodpecker. Our major target for the afternoon though was a little higher up, where we saw dozens of El Oro Parakeets coming to their purpose-built nest boxes. A nice feeding flock also showed right around the parakeet spot, where we managed to see Silver-throated Tanager, Black-and-white Becard, Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner, and the scare Rufous-winged Tyrannulet. On the way back to the lodge we spotted a Fasciated Tiger-Heron standing along a creek too. That appeared to be the end of the day s birding, but then a Black-and-white Owl was also seen around the lodge lights after darkness fell. Day 3: Buenaventura and El Empalme For our final morning in Buenaventura, we birded near the lodge, and found Choco Toucan, Collared (Palemandibled) Araçari, and even a Long-wattled Umbrellabird in trees by the restaurant. After checking out of the lodge, we carried on birding the entrance road out, finding Gartered Trogon, Olivaceous Piculet, Brownish Twistwing, Rufous-headed Chachalaca, and Ochraceous Attila. Buenaventura comprises of lower areas at 1640ft/500m elevation around the lodge, but also some foothill forests higher than there (3115ft/950m), which was where we spent our final time before departing southwards. This led us to find, Azara s Spinetail, Song, Whiskered and Bay Wrens, Golden-naped, Bay-headed, Ochre-breasted, and Beryl-spangled Tanagers, Andean Solitaire, Yellow Tyrannulet, Tricolored Brushfinch, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, Violet-tailed Sylph, and both Golden-winged and Club-winged Manakins feeding in a fruiting Melastoma. Much of the rest of the afternoon was spent undertaking the long drive to near the border with Peru, although we made a short late afternoon stop at a key birding site en-route, El Empalme. The habitat was very different from the humid forests that we had been birding that morning, as we had now moved into an area of semiarid dry scrub. While this area does not boast the diversity of the forests, it still held some great new birds, like Golden Grosbeak, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch, and two key regional endemics: 5

6 Baird s Flycatcher, and White-headed Brushfinch. We rolled into our next Jocotoco lodge, in Jorupe reserve, just around dusk. Day 4: Jorupe Reserve and Zapotillo The reserve of Jorupe is located in a great spot, within the hilly deciduous forests and scrub close to the border town of Macara. It is home to many of the Tumbesian endemics (a region shared only with northern Peru), which were a particular focus on this leg of the trip. After an early breakfast, we concentrated on birding near the lodge itself, and particularly carefully watched the unique feeders by the lodge, which attract an array of species, most of which cannot found be found at any other feeders in the world. Gaudy White-tailed Jays (photo left) came in to ravage the corn laid out for them, and Red-masked Parakeet, and Plumbeous-backed Thrush also came in. We were particularly pleased to observe a Pale-browed Tinamou coming in for corn too, a bird which is incredibly shy and difficult to see anywhere but at the lodge s unique feeding station. The remainder of the morning was spent birding the wideopen dirt entrance road to the lodge and we found plentiful Tumbesian specialties and other birds, like Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Pacific Elaenia, Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner, Blackish-headed Spinetail, Collared Antshrike, Tumbes Swift, Whooping Motmot, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Red-billed Scythebill, Striped Cuckoo, Slaty Becard, Ecuadorian Piculet, and the noisy though shy Watkins s Antpitta. We were very happy with this outcome from the morning, as we had racked up many of the local specialties quicker than expected. With this in mind, we decided to head closer to the Peruvian border in the afternoon, to a hot, dry area near the town of Zapotillo town. Our good run on Tumbesian birds continued with species like, Tumbes Pewee, Tumbes Hummingbird, Tumbes Sparrow, Snowy-throated Kingbird, West Peruvian Dove, White-egged Oriole, and a handsome Elegant Crescentchest that showed up nicely following a burst of playback. The day closed with two owl species, one in daylight, with Pacific Pygmy-Owl, and then a West Peruvian Screech-Owl near the lodge just before dinner, after dark. Day 5: Sozoranga and Jorupe After the traditional early breakfast, we headed up towards Sozoranga, an Andean town an hour uphill from our lodge. We started out by birding a reserve called El Tundo, just behind the town, in an area of dry temperate forest. Although initially quiet in misty conditions, things soon livened up with patience, and we found Gray-browed, White-winged, and Bay-crowned Brushfinches, Golden-faced (Loja) Tyrannulet, 6

7 Andean Slaty Thrush, and Black-cowled Saltator. Birding an isolated forest patch further down the road from there produced Silvery and Fawn-breasted Tanagers, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Three-banded Warbler, Hooded Siskin, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Booted Racket-tail, and the scarce White-vented Plumeleteer. Other notable finds in this productive area, included soaring Plain-breasted and Whiterumped Hawks, and two more local specialties: Chapman s Antshrike, and Rufous-necked Foliagegleaner. On the way back to the lodge for lunch, we stopped off to watch a number of Chestnut-collared Swallows gliding above the town of Sozoranga. After returning to Jorupe reserve for lunch, we spent the afternoon birding near there, along the El Corral Road, and found White-tailed Jay, Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Pacific Elaenia, Pacific Parrotlet, and Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, all of which we had recorded before. However, we also added some new ones too, like Speckle-breasted Wren, Laughing Falcon, and a colorful Ecuadorian Trogon sat right above our heads. Along the road, on the way back to the lodge, we had superb views of a Spectacled Owl at dusk before returning to Jorupe for dinner and bedtime! Day 6: Utuana, Catamayo, and Vilcabamba On this morning, we visited our third Jocotoco Foundation reserve of the tour, with a visit to Utuana, after checking out of Jorupe before dawn. However, before we reached the reserve itself, we birded the road below Utuana, but considerably upslope from where we d been in Jorupe. Along the main road we had Rufous-chested, and Silvery Tanagers, Black-cowled Saltator again, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Plushcap, and the local Piura form of Black-eared Hemispingus. Later on, in the reserve of Utuana itself, we found a few species we were specifically searching for, such as Red-crested Cotinga, White-crested Elaenia, Glossy-black Thrush, Blackish Tapaculo, Jelski s Chat-Tyrant, and the impossibly cute Black-crested Tit-Tyrant (photo next page), as well as another Chapman s Antshrike. Moving deeper into the reserve, we reached the superb hummingbird feeders, which hosted the usual horde of Purple-throated Sunangels, and dazzlingly colorful Rainbow Starfrontlets (photo right). After this successful morning, drove several hours to Catamayo and took a short time for some birding and to stretch our legs, and found some familiar faces like Pacific Parrotlet, Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Dull-colored Grassquit, and a talkative Peruvian Meadowlark calling from an 7

8 open grassy field. The remainder of the afternoon was spent driving the final stretch to the town of Vilcabamba where we spent the night. Black-crested Tit-Tyrant at Utuana Day 7: Cerro Toledo to Tapichalaca After the night in Vilcabamba we reconvened early in the morning to drive up to Cerro Toledo, a high elevation temperate forest site on the edge of Podocarpus National Park. After taking a field breakfast on the higher sections of the bumpy dirt road, we found our principal target, the very local Neblina Metaltail. In this same area above and near the treeline we also found Many-striped Canastero, Brown-backed and Rufousbreasted Chat-Tyrants, Mouse-colored Thistletail and a very territorial Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. Later on, we hiked down the deserted mountain road, where we were able to observe both the stunning local landscape (due to the fortuitous clear weather), and of course, yet more birds. By fortune we had a good mixed feeding flock at this time that held Black-capped and Black-headed Hemispinguses, Black-crested and Citrine Warblers, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Smoky and Streakthroated Bush-Tyrants, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Pale-naped and Yellow-breasted Brushfinches, and Lacrimose and Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanagers. We also encountered one of the most popular birds of the tour in the form of Golden-crowned Tanager, and ran into several Glowing Pufflegs feeding on some local blossoms. While we had been blessed during the early morning with clear weather this had changed by the afternoon, and rain moved in, leading us to depart for another temperate forest site on the eastern slope of the Andes: Tapichalaca, and another Jocotoco Foundation reserve. There 8

9 was a short time for birding in the afternoon, when we found a mixed feeding flock on the lodge property, with Barred Becard, Pearled Treerunner, Rufous Wren, Masked Flowerpiercer, White-banded Tyrannulet, and both Blue-backed and Capped Conebills held within it. We retired for the night at Tapichalaca for the night, with one of the biggest targets of the entire trip Jocotoco Antpitta at the forefront of our minds, and on the agenda for the next day Golden-plumed Parakeet Tapichalaca Day 8: Tapichalaca Preserve and Valladolid Area Tapichalaca is famed as the place to see the Jocotoco Antpitta, a species that was only discovered (at the site which now forms the reserve) in In spite of multiple subsequent expeditions in search of the species, the antpitta seems to be genuinely rare and local, found only in local areas of southern Ecuador and Peru, but remains only reliably seen at this one site. Therefore, this was rightly our principal target at the reserve. For such a rare and threatened species, it has become remarkably easy to see the species in recent years, due to the establishment of an antpitta feeding station in the forest, where typically a couple of birds continue to visit on most days. In order to reach the station, in the middle of the forest, we needed to hike up a forest trail, finding Tyrannine Woodcreeper, White-browed Spinetail, Russet-crowned Warbler, and Pale- 9

10 footed Swallow on the way up there. On this particular morning, with the considerable aid of one of the Jocotoco staff, Franco (who originally habituated these birds), three individual Jocotoco Antpittas (photo below), were seen, coming in to feed on the freshly caught worms that Franco supplied for them. Incredible views were had at the feeding station, and it is still a marvel, even after all these years, that such a rare species can be seen so well and so regularly there. After the main event was over we took our time walking back down towards the lodge through the forest along the trails, finding plentiful other temperate forest birds along the way, such as Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Lacrimose and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Rufous-chested Tanager, the oddly parrot-like Grass-green Tanager, Barred Fruiteater, Orange-banded Flycatcher, Streaked Tuftedcheek, and Black-throated and Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatchers. Late in the morning, once we had thought that the birds were largely over for that period, we came upon a Goldenplumed Parakeet (photo page 9) coming in and out of a nest hole near the trailhead. We took lunch back at Casa Simpson, the lodge within the reserve, and then allocated some time at the lodge s hummingbird feeders, which attracted Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Long-tailed Sylph, and Amethyst-throated and Flame-throated Sunangels during our time there. After our time at the feeders, we changed tack, and drive downslope from the lodge towards the town of Valladollid. Although not far from the lodge, some 30 minutes drive or so, the habitat changes markedly with the sudden drop in elevation, offering up new birds for us in doing so. As we slowly descended the road from the lodge, we stopped for Green- 10

11 and-black Fruiteater, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Montane Foliage- Gleaner, Pale-edged Flycatcher, and Metallic-green, Saffron-crowned and Flame-faced Tanagers. Further down, near the village itself, we found birds that were not possible higher up, like Blue-necked and Black-faced Tanagers, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, and our main target, the local Marañón Thrush. We arrived back at the lodge right around dusk, and managed to find a Swallowtailed Nightjar just above our lodging before dinner back at Casa Simpson. Day 9: Tapichalaca to Yankuam With another long journey beckoning to Yankuam Lodge in the foothills of the east, we had just a short time in the morning for birding before departing Tapichalaca. We spent this in trails again on the lodge property, finding Plain-tailed and Rufous Wrens, Blue-capped Tanager, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Chusquea Tapaculo, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, and a heady 4 species of antpitta: Jocotoco, Rufous, Slate-crowned, and Chestnut-naped Antpittas (photo right). The afternoon was spent largely in the bus with only a few stops as we traveled to the remote southeastern corner of Ecuador. Most of the habitat along the way was largely open, cleared country, with few birds, although we did find Magpie Tanager, Violaceous Jay, Speckled Chachalaca, Chestnut-eared Araçari, even a Moriche Oriole during the journey. We arrived at Yankuam in the early evening, and retired soon after, ready for a full day in the area the next day Day 10: Yankuam area This is a special place in the furthest corner of the southeast that comprises a rich mixture of lowland and foothill species, some of which can only be found here or in nearby Peru. After breakfast at our simple lodge, we drove towards the village of Miazi, and did some roadside birding in the newly established Maycu Reserve. The first part of the walk brought us Zimmer s and Spot-backed Antbirds, both of which gave us such good looks, as well as Striped Woodhaunter, and Magpie, Paradise, Blue-necked, and Yellow-bellied Tanagers, Whiteeyed Tody-Tyrant, Stripe-chested Antwren, Lined Antshrike, Thrush-like Wren, Lineated Woodpecker, Purplish Jacamar, Green-backed Trogon, Golden-winged and Black -and-white-tody-flycatchers, and we also found our first White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, a species only recently discovered in Ecuador. Lunch was taken back at Yankuam Lodge, when we noted Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, and Glittering-throated Emerald feeding on the verbena flowers in the lodge garden. After a short rest, we returned to the same road we had birded in the morning, and had a nice mixed feeding flock with Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied and Flame-crested Tanagers, Purple Honeycreeper, Lafresnaye s Piculet, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Gilded Barbet, Duida Woodcreeper, Russet Antshrike, White-vented and White-lored Euphonias, and best of all, Orange-throated Tanager the principal bird that the site is famous for, being much easier here than in Peru. The same area also brought us White-breasted 11

12 Wood-Wren, Plain-winged Antshrike, Peruvian Warbling-Antbird, and Rufous-winged Antwren. Later on, we went up to Miazi where we were able to find some common, widespread species along the river, such as Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Grayish Saltator, Short-crested Flycatcher, Amazon Kingfisher, Duskycheeked Foliage-Gleaner, and Mottled-backed Elaenia. The day closed with striking views of a Bandbellied Owl to end another successful day in this incredibly bird rich region of Ecuador. Gray Tinamou Copalinga Lodge Day 11: Yankuam and Zamora For our final time at Yankuam, we birded largely in the area around the village of El Paraiso, a 30-minute drive from the lodge. We found time to make a quick stop along the way for Pygmy Antwren and Blackish Pewee, which had been giving us as hard time until that point. Once we arrived at this small village of the local Shuar tribe, we got the chance to see a few species like, White-lined Tanager, Red Pileated Finch (photo next page), Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, White-winged Becard, Chestnut-bellied Seedfinch, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Little Woodpecker, and Whitebrowed Antbird. Although, the most pleasing sighting for me was the first ever Hoatzin for this tour. Also, just as we setting to leave the area, we spotted a Pied Lapwing standing on the beach along the Nangaritza River, and found a singing Willow Flycatcher in a small patch of forest beside the river. As we returned 12

13 towards the lodge for our bags, we made another short stop and recorded White-shouldered Antshrike, White-throated Woodpecker, and Turquoise, Paradise, and Yellow-bellied Tanagers feeding at fruiting tree along the road, along with White-necked Thrush, and a handsome Lemon-throated Barbet during our final stop in this area. On the way back past Yankuam Lodge we collected our bags and a packed lunch, and headed north to Copalinga Lodge, arriving at around 4pm. We had timed our arrival strategically, to give ourselves enough time to visit a feeding station along a trail above the lodge, where the hoped for Little and Gray Tinamous (photo page before) both came in, as did a Gray-fronted Dove, to provide a great start to our time at this new site. Day 12: Podocarpus National Park (Rio Bombuscaro) After our first night in the wonderful Copalinga Lodge, we birded the nearby section of Podocarpus National Park, Rio Bombuscaro. This protects a wonderful area of forest in the eastern foothills of the Andes. This area is particularly rich in tanagers, and this was seen for ourselves on this walk, when we found Guira, Paradise, Golden, Blue-necked, Spotted and Orange-eared Tanagers. Other birds seen during our time inside the park included Ash-browed Spinetail, Fulvous Shrike Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Orange-bellied and Bronze-green Euphonias, White-necked Thrush, Yellow-throated and Ashy-throated Chlorospinguses, 13

14 and Blue-rumped and Striped Manakins. However, perhaps our best finds were Amazonian Umbrellabird, multiple sightings of the often tricky White-breasted Parakeet, Foothill Elaenia, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, and the secretive Black-striped Puffbird. In the afternoon, we spent time at the lodge, where the feeders and verbena flowers were rich in hummingbirds, with Violet-headed Hummingbird, Spangled Coquette, Little Woodstar, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Glittering-throated Emerald, Violet-fronted Brilliant, and the shy Green Hermit were all seen. In the evening, we made a roadside stop for Blackish Nightjar to cap off the day s birding. Day 13: Old Zamora-Loja Road to Cuenca Early in the morning we checked out of Copalinga Lodge and drove to a nearby birding destination, the Old Loja-Zamora Road. In spite of rain greeting us on this morning, we picked up some quality species, some of which were new for us, and so it was well worth our visit, in spite of the weather: Yellow-throated and Ashythroated Chlorospinguses, and Spotted, Bay-headed, Blue-necked and Paradise Tanagers all featured. Other good pick-ups that morning were Lafresnaye s Piculet, Magpie Tanager, Gray-mantled Wren, Lanceolated Monklet, and Andean cock-of-the-rock. Further down, we noticed a family of Torrent Duck swimming along the Zamora River. After this short, though exciting, it was time to undertake the long journey north to the city of Cuenca. Although this took up the greater part of the afternoon, we did make a short birding stop at Acanamá Reserve south of Cuenca, where we managed to find Turquoise Jay, Scarletbellied Mountain-Tanager, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Agile Tit-Tyrant, and heaps of Glowing Pufflegs. We arrived in Ecuador s third largest city in the evening, where we spent the next two nights in a hotel with hot baths within the grounds. Day 14: Yunguilla This day involved the earliest start of the tour, as we needed to drive first a few hours to the tiny reserve of Yungilla, a remote Jocotoco Foundation property that protects the only remaining population of the critically endangered Pale-headed Brushfinch. Before arriving at Yungilla itself, we were met by the park ranger Enrique, and saw birds like Rufous-chested Tanager, Azara s and Line-checked Spinetails, (Highland) Hepatic Tanager, Scrub Blackbird, Brown-capped Vireo, Groove-billed Ani, Pacific Elaenia, and Hooded Siskin. Once inside the reserve, we went straight to their feeders, where all of the main targets were seen, after some considerable time waiting, including the rare Pale-headed Brushfinch, Gray-browed Brushfinch, and even a Chestnut-crowned Antpitta came in to feed on bread powder. Following these main target birds, we also found soaring Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean Slaty Thrush and a tiny displaying Purple-collared Woodstar. On the return journey to the hotel for lunch, a gas station stop turned up Peruvian Meadowlark, Masked Yellowthroat, and Chiguango Thrush. After our delicious welcome hot lunch, at the hotel we relaxed for the afternoon, some taking a short hike nearby, while others decided to enjoy the hot springs right within our hotel grounds. Day 15: El Cajas National Park to Guayaquil Today was the final birding day of the main tour, where we visited the highest elevation site of the tour, El Cajas National Park, and were assisted by a local park guide, Katherine for our visit. We began in a lower part of the park, below the treeline, where temperate forest surrounds the lake of Llaviucu. Here, we found Bluebacked Conebill, Blue-and-black Tanager, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek, White-banded 14

15 Tyrannulet, Shining Sunbeam, and a vocal Superciliaried Hemispingus right by the car park. Just a few hundred meters walk brought us to the lake, where we observed some classic high Andean waterbirds, like Andean Teal, Andean Gull, (Andean) Ruddy Duck, Slate-colored (Andean) Coot, Yellow-billed Pintail, and Sedge (Grass) Wren at the lake edge. Violet-throated Metaltail El Cajas Leaving there we headed up higher in the park, where the trees give way to high Andean grasslands and shrubbery, known as paramo. Our second stop produced a must-see target bird, in the form of the local endemic Violet-throated Metaltail, in addition to Tufted Tit-Tyrant and Brown-backed Chat-tyrant. Our final stops in El Cajas were around Laguna Toreadora at 12,000 feet (3700m), where we had Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Chestnut-winged and Stout-billed Cinclodes, Plain-capped (Paramo) Ground-Tyrant, Black Flowerpiercer, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Tawny-Antpitta and the main specialty of this area, Tit Like Dacnis. Blue-mantled Thornbill and Ecuadorian Hillstar were also seen working the Chuquiragua flowers. Some of the last birds found on our visit to this park were also two of the major target birds, as we scoured the polylepis woodland for Giant Conebill (photo page 16) a specialty of this habitat, and also eventually found a Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant too. The rest of the afternoon was spent driving back towards Guayaquil, dropping out of high Andean grasslands and down once more into the steamy Pacific lowlands as we did so. That night, we enjoyed a final dinner for the entire group, as some people left before the Esmeraldas Woodstar Extension that continued on west, the next day 15

16 Giant Conebill El Cajas TOUR SUMMARY: ESMERALDAS WOODSTAR EXTENSION Day 16: Santa Elena Peninsula Four fearless participants remained for the extension, after some of the group left at the end of the main tour. After breakfast, we drove west from Guayaquil onto the dry, semi-arid Santa Elena Peninsula, starting in the area around Ancon. We enjoyed some good luck at this site, finding specialties like Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, Necklaced Spinetail, Parrot-billed Seedeater, Short-tailed Field-Tyrant, Collared Warbling- Finch, Burrowing Owl, Baird s Flycatcher, Pacific Parrotlet and, most notably, the rare and erratic Sulphur-throated Finch. After birding the dry scrubby habitat close to Ancon, we carried on along the road where it meets with the Pacific Ocean, birding some coastal areas near Punta Carnero that led us to see Whimbrel, American Oystercatcher, Wandering Tattler, Royal and Sandwich Terns, and Blue-footed Boobies. At Ecuasal Lagoon we found the colorful Chilean Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, Blue-winged Teal, White-cheeked Pintail, and both Brown and Peruvian Pelicans resting on the banks of the lagoon. We drove north from there towards our final destination, a hotel just outside Puerto Lopez, stopping off near San Pablo en-route, where we found Laughing, Kelp and Gray-headed Gulls, Western, Pectoral and Least Sandpipers, and Black-bellied, Semipalmated, and Snowy Plovers. With our lodging near the Pacific Ocean, it was only fitting we settled in with a dinner of local seafood once at our tranquil hotel. 16

17 Day 17: Ayampe area The focus of the extension was to add any Tumbesian birds we may have missed earlier on the tour, and specifically to try and track down the rare endemic Esmeraldas Woodstar, a seasonal visitor to this area. One of the main areas to find it is another Jocotoco Foundation reserve, Ayampe, and so that was where we headed first. The morning s birding in Ayampe produced many good birds, like Pacific Pygmy-Owl, Guira and Bluenecked Tanagers, Tumbes Pewee, Choco Toucan, Collared (Pale-mandibled) Araçari, Speckle-breasted and Superciliaried Wrens, and Black-cheeked, Scarlet-backed, and Guayaquil Woodpeckers. Many of these birds we had seen before, although a White-whiskered Puffbird in the same area was new for the trip. Other sightings included a Green-breasted Mango feeding at a Heliconia flower, Slaty Antwren, and Brancolored Flycatcher. A (Pacific) Royal Flycatcher was also seen well. However, in spite of all this good birding, our main target, Esmeraldas Woodstar (photo above), remained elusive until the last minute, when a female was finally found. With the day by now very humid and hot, we retired back to lodge for lunch. After lunch, and a break during the crippling heat in the middle of the day, we headed out to try and upgrade our views of the woodstar in the afternoon, visiting a private property El Momo, where it was rumored that a 17

18 handful of woodstars were regular at that time. This was quickly proven, when around five birds, including a stunning male Esmeraldas Woodstar were seen soon after arrival, feeding on the blooming verbenas in the garden. It was particularly pleasing to get such good looks at this much wanted and extremely rare hummingbird. For the rest of the afternoon, we returned to Ayampe reserve, but this time walked a trail running along the dried up Ayampe River. Fortunately, right near the start of the trail we found a bird that had been eluding us for nearly a week, Saffron Siskin. The same stretch of trail also yielded Collared Antshrike, Ecuadorian Piculet, Whooping Motmot, Orange-crowned Euphonia, Olivaceous, and Streaked-headed and Plain-brown Woodcreepers. At dusk, we picked up an Anthony s Nightjar and Lesser Nighthawk beside our hotel. Day 18: Ayampe to Guayaquil For the final day of the tour we revisited Ayampe again, with very little pressure at all, as we d gotten all of our main targets by then, but enjoying some great birds all the same. Birds like Gray-backed Hawk, Ecuadorian Piculet, Purple-crowned Fairy, Rufous-headed Chachalaca (photo above), Bronze-winged and Blueheaded Parrots, Collared Antshrike, Slaty Becard, White-whiskered Puffbird, Ecuadorian Trogon, Pacific Elaenia, Masked Yellowthroat, Saffron Siskin, and Crimson-breasted Finch all gave us their final looks, and we also saw a very response Yellow-billed Cacique. For lunch, we returned to our hotel near Puerto Lopez, packing up and checking out after that in order to drive back to Guayaquil for one final night. We made some short stops for more roadside shorebirds along the way, before pulling into our hotel for the final dinner if the tour. 18

19 BIRD LIST: The taxonomy of the bird list follows: Clements, James F., White, Anthony W., and Fitzpatrick, John W. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Cornell, This list is up to date with the major changes published by Cornell up until August (H) indicates a species that was HEARD only. (GO) indicates a species recorded by the GUIDE ONLY. TINAMOUS TINAMIDAE Great Tinamou Tinamus major H Gray Tinamou Tinamus tao Little Tinamou Pale-browed Tinamou SCREAMERS Horned Screamer DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Fulvous Whistling-Duck Comb Duck Torrent Duck Blue-winged Teal White-cheeked Pintail Yellow-billed Pintail Andean Teal (Andean) Ruddy Duck GUAN,CHACHALACAS & CURASSOWS Rufous-headed Chachalaca Crypturellus soui Crypturellus transfasciatus ANHIMIDAE Anhima cornuta ANATIDAE Dendrocygna autumnalis Dendrocygna bicolor Sarkidiornis melanotos Merganetta armata Anas discors Anas bahamensis Anas georgica Anas andium andium Oxyura jamaicensis andina CRACIDAE Ortalis erythroptera Speckled Chachalaca Ortalis guttata Bearded Guan Penelope barbata H Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii NEW WORLD QUAIL ODONTOPHORIDAE Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail Odontophorus erythrops H GREBES Pied-billed Grebe FLAMINGOS Chilean Flamingo STORKS Wood Stork FRIGATEBIRDS Magnificent Frigatebird BOOBIES AND GANNETS Blue-footed Booby PODICIPEDIDAE Podilymbus podiceps PHOENICOPTERIDAE Phoenicopterus chilensis CICONIIDAE Mycteria americana FREGATIDAE Fregata magnificens SULIDAE Sula nebouxii 19

20 CORMORANTS AND SHAGS PHALACROCORACIDAE Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus ANHINGAS ANHINGIDAE Anhinga Anhinga anhinga PELICANS PELECANIDAE Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS ARDEIDAE Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum Fasciated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma fasciatum Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Striated Heron Butorides striata Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea IBIS AND SPOONBILLS THRESKIORNITHIDAE White Ibis Eudocimus albus Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja NEW WORLD VULTURES CATHARTIDAE Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus OSPREY PANDIONIDAE Osprey Pandion haliaetus HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES ACCIPITRIDAE Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus Black-and-chestnut Eagle Spizaetus isidori Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea Sharp-shinned (Plain-breasted) Hawk Accipiter striatus ventralis Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis Barred Hawk Morphnarchus princeps H Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus White-rumped Hawk Parabuteo leucorrhous Variable Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus 20

21 Gray-backed Hawk Pseudastur occidentalis Gray-lined (Gray) Hawk Buteo nitidus Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus RAILS, GALLINULES, COOTS RALLIDAE White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis H Gray-breasted Crake Laterallus exilis Rufous-necked Wood-Rail Aramides axillaris Chestnut-headed Crake Anurolimnas castaneiceps H Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata Slate-colored (Andean) Coot Fulica ardesiaca FINFOOTS HELIORNITHIDAE Sunbittern Heliornis fulica LIMPKIN ARAMIDAE Limpkin Aramus guarauna STILTS AND AVOCETS RECURVIROSTRIDAE Black-necked Stilt OYSTERCATCHERS American Oystercatcher JACANAS Wattled Jacana PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS Black-bellied (Gray) Plover Pied Lapwing (Pied Plover) Snowy Plover Wilson's Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer SANDPIPERS Spotted Sandpiper Wandering Tattler Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Whimbrel Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Least Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper GULLS, TERNS AND SKIMMERS Andean Gull Gray-hooded Gull Laughing Gull Himantopus mexicanus HAEMATOPODIDAE Haematopus palliatus JACANIDAE Jacana jacana CHARADRIIDAE Pluvialis squatarola Vanellus cayanus Charadrius alexandrinus Charadrius wilsonia Charadrius semipalmatus Charadrius vociferus SCOLOPACIDAE Actitis macularius Tringa incana Tringa melanoleuca Tringa semipalmata Tringa flavipes Numenius phaeopus Arenaria interpres Calidris alba Calidris minutilla Calidris pusilla Calidris mauri LARIDAE Chroicocephalus serranus Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Leucophaeus atricilla 21

22 Kelp Gull Royal Tern Sandwich Tern PIGEONS AND DOVES Rock Pigeon Pale-vented Pigeon Band-tailed Pigeon Plumbeous Pigeon Ruddy Pigeon Ecuadorian Ground-Dove Croaking Ground-Dove Blue Ground-Dove White-tipped Dove Ochre-bellied Dove Gray-fronted Dove White-throated Quail-Dove West Peruvian Dove Eared Dove Hoatzin CUCKOOS Larus dominicanus Thalasseus maximus Thalasseus sandvicensis COLUMBIDAE Columba livia Patagioenas cayennensis Patagioenas fasciata Patagioenas plumbea Patagioenas subvinacea Columbina buckleyi Columbina cruziana Claravis pretiosa Leptotila verreauxi Leptotila ochraceiventris Leptotila rufaxilla Zentrygon frenata Zenaida meloda Zenaida auriculata Opisthocomus hoazin CUCULIDAE Little Cuckoo Squirrel Cuckoo Striped Cuckoo Smooth-billed Ani Groove-billed Ani OWLS Peruvian Screech-Owl Spectacled Owl Coccycua minuta Piaya cayana Tapera naevia Crotophaga ani Crotophaga sulcirostris STRIGIDAE Megascops roboratus Pulsatrix perspicillata Band-bellied Owl Pulsatrix melanota Andean Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium jardinii H Peruvian (Pacific) Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium peruanum Burrowing Owl Black-and-white Owl NIGHTJARS Lesser Nighthawk Blackish Nightjar Common Pauraque Scrub (Anthony's) Nightjar Swallow-tailed Nightjar SWIFTS Chestnut-collared Swift White-collared Swift Short-tailed (Tumbes) Swift Gray-rumped Swift Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Athene cunicularia Ciccaba nigrolineata CAPRIMULGIDAE Chordeiles acutipennis Nyctipolus nigrescens Nyctidromus albicollis Nyctidromus anthonyi Uropsalis segmentata APODIDAE Streptoprocne rutila Streptoprocne zonaris Chaetura brachyura ocypetes Chaetura cinereiventris Panyptila cayennensis 22

23 HUMMINGBIRDS TROCHILIDAE White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri H White-whiskered Hermit Phaethornis yaruqui Green Hermit Tawny-bellied Hermit Long-billed (Baron's) Hermit Stripe-throated Hermit Gray-chinned Hermit Brown Violetear Sparkling Violetear Purple-crowned Fairy Green-breasted (Black-throated) Mango Amethyst-throated Sunangel Little (Flame-throated) Sunangel Purple-throated Sunangel Wire-crested Thorntail Green Thorntail Spangled Coquette Ecuadorian Piedtail Speckled Hummingbird Long-tailed Sylph Violet-tailed Sylph Ecuadorian Hillstar Blue-mantled Thornbill Rainbow-bearded Thornbill Tyrian Metaltail Violet-throated Metaltail Neblina Metaltail Glowing Puffleg Shining Sunbeam Collared Inca Rainbow Starfrontlet Phaethornis guy Phaethornis syrmatophorus Phaethornis longirostris baroni Phaethornis striigularis Phaethornis griseogularis Colibri delphinae Colibri coruscans Heliothryx barroti Anthracothorax prevostii iridescens Heliangelus amethysticollis Heliangelus micraster Heliangelus viola Discosura popelairii Discosura conversii Lophornis stictolophus Phlogophilus hemileucurus Adelomyia melanogenys Aglaiocercus kingii Aglaiocercus coelestis Oreotrochilus chimborazo Chalcostigma stanleyi Chalcostigma herrani Metallura tyrianthina Metallura baroni Metallura odomae Eriocnemis vestita Aglaeactis cupripennis Coeligena torquata Coeligena iris Buff-winged Starfrontlet Coeligena lutetiae Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi G Chestnut-breasted Coronet Boissonneaua matthewsii Booted Racket-tail Rufous-vented Whitetip Ocreatus underwoodii Urosticte ruficrissa Black-throated Brilliant Heliodoxa schreibersii H Gould's Jewelfront Heliodoxa aurescens Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides Green-crowned Brilliant Violet-fronted Brilliant Long-billed Starthroat Purple-collared Woodstar Heliodoxa jacula Heliodoxa leadbeateri Heliomaster longirostris Myrtis fanny 23

24 Little Woodstar Esmeraldas Woodstar Violet-headed Hummingbird Gray-breasted Sabrewing White-vented Plumeleteer Crowned (Emerald-bellied) Woodnymph Fork-tailed Woodnymph Many-spotted Hummingbird Tumbes Hummingbird Amazilia Hummingbird Amazilia (Loja) Hummingbird Andean Emerald Glittering-throated Emerald Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Golden-tailed Sapphire Violet-bellied Hummingbird TROGONS Chaetocercus bombus Chaetocercus berlepschi Klais guimeti Campylopterus largipennis Chalybura buffonii intermedia Thalurania colombica hypochlora Thalurania furcata Taphrospilus hypostictus Leucippus baeri Amazilia amazilia Amazilia amazilia alticola Amazilia franciae Amazilia fimbriata Amazilia tzacatl Chrysuronia oenone Damophila julie TROGONIDAE Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps H Ecuadorian Trogon Trogon mesurus Green-backed (Amaz. White-tailed) Trogon Trogon viridis Gartered (N. Violaceous) Trogon Trogon caligatus Blue-crowned Trogon Trogon curucui H Collared Trogon Masked Trogon MOTMOTS Trogon collaris Trogon personatus MOMOTIDAE Whooping (Blue-crowned) Motmot Momotus subrufescens argenticinctus Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii H KINGFISHERS ALCEDINIDAE Ringed Kingfisher Amazon Kingfisher Green Kingfisher PUFFBIRDS White-whiskered Puffbird Black-streaked Puffbird Lanceolated Monklet JACAMARS Purplish Jacamar NEW WORLD BARBETS Gilded Barbet Lemon-throated Barbet Red-headed Barbet Megaceryle torquata Chloroceryle amazona Chloroceryle americana BUCCONIDAE Malacoptila panamensis Malacoptila fulvogularis Micromonacha lanceolata GALBULIDAE Galbula chalcothorax CAPITONIDAE Capito auratus Eubucco richardsoni Eubucco bourcierii TOUCANS RAMPHASTIDAE Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus H Collared (Pale-mandibled) Araçari Pteroglossus torquatus erythropygius Chestnut-eared Araçari Pteroglossus castanotis 24

25 Yellow-throated Toucan (Chest.-mand.) Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii Choco Toucan Ramphastos brevis Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus H WOODPECKERS PICIDAE Lafresnaye's Piculet Ecuadorian Piculet Olivaceous Piculet Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Black-cheeked Woodpecker Picumnus lafresnayi Picumnus sclateri Picumnus olivaceus Melanerpes cruentatus Melanerpes pucherani Smoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatus H Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii Little Woodpecker Veniliornis passerinus Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Bar-bellied Woodpecker Red-stained Woodpecker White-throated Woodpecker Golden-olive Woodpecker Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Spot-breasted Woodpecker Lineated Woodpecker Guayaquil Woodpecker FALCONS AND CARACARAS Black Caracara Crested Caracara Laughing Falcon American Kestrel NEW WORLD AND AFRICAN PARROTS Gray-cheeked Parakeet Cobalt-winged Parakeet Red-faced Parrot Speckle-faced (White-capped) Parrot Blue-headed Parrot Bronze-winged Parrot Scaly-naped Parrot (Amazon) Pacific Parrotlet El Oro Parakeet White-necked Parakeet Chestnut-fronted Macaw Golden-plumed Parakeet Red-masked Parakeet White-eyed Parakeet Veniliornis callonotus Veniliornis nigriceps Veniliornis affinis Piculus leucolaemus Colaptes rubiginosus Colaptes rivolii Colaptes punctigula Dryocopus lineatus Campephilus gayaquilensis FALCONIDAE Daptrius ater Caracara cheriway Herpetotheres cachinnans Falco sparverius PSITTACIDAE Brotogeris pyrrhoptera Brotogeris cyanoptera Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops Pionus tumultuosus seniloides Pionus menstruus Pionus chalcopterus Amazona mercenarius Forpus coelestis Pyrrhura orcesi Pyrrhura albipectus Ara severus Leptosittaca branickii Psittacara erythrogenys Psittacara leucophthalmus TYPICAL ANTBIRDS THAMNOPHILIDAE Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus H Great Antshrike Taraba major Chapman's Antshrike Thamnophilus zarumae 25

26 Lined Antshrike Collared Antshrike Black-crowned (Western Slaty) Antshrike Plain-winged Antshrike Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus Thamnophilus bernardi Thamnophilus atrinucha Thamnophilus schistaceus Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor H White-shouldered Antshrike Thamnophilus aethiops Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis Checker-throated Antwren Epinecrophylla fulviventris H Foothill Antwren Epinecrophylla spodionota Ornate Antwren Epinecrophylla ornata H Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura Stripe-chested Antwren White-flanked Antwren Slaty Antwren Yellow-breasted Antwren Rufous-winged Antwren Myrmotherula longicauda Myrmotherula axillaris Myrmotherula schisticolor Herpsilochmus axillaris Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus Peruvian Warbling-Antbird Hypocnemis peruviana Blackish Antbird Cercomacroides nigrescens H Gray Antbird Cercomacra cinerascens H Jet Antbird White-backed Fire-eye Cercomacra nigricans Pyriglena leuconota White-browed Antbird Myrmoborus leucophrys Black-faced Antbird Myrmoborus myotherinus H Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul Zimmer's (Chestnut-tailed) Antbird Myrmeciza castanea Zeledon's (Immaculate) Antbird Myrmeciza zeledoni macrorhyncha H Gray-headed Antbird Myrmeciza griseiceps H Spot-backed Antbird CRESCENTCHESTS Hylophylax naevius MELANOPAREIIDAE Elegant Crescentchest Melanopareia elegans ANTPITTAS GRALLARIIDAE Undulated Antpitta Grallaria squamigera H Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis H Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla Watkins's Antpitta Grallaria watkinsi Jocotoco Antpitta Chestnut-naped Antpitta Grallaria ridgelyi Grallaria nuchalis White-bellied Antpitta Grallaria hypoleuca H Rufous Antpitta Grallaria rufula Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis Thrush-like Antpitta Myrmothera campanisona H Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana TAPACULOS RHINOCRYPTIDAE Ocellated Tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx G 26