UNDISCOVERED EASTERN COLOMBIA: BIRDING SECRETS OF THE WHITE SANDS OF INÍRIDA
JANUARY 17–24, 2019
White-naped Seedeater ©Steve Hilty
LEADERS: STEVE HILTY & LUIS EDUARDO URUEÑA LIST COMPILED BY: STEVE HILTY
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
UNDISCOVERED EASTERN COLOMBIA: BIRDING SECRETS OF THE WHITE SANDS OF INÍRIDA JANUARY 17–24, 2019
By Steve Hilty
The Pto. Inírida region of extreme northeastern Colombia has, until recently, been largely ignored by professional ornithologists and the birding community. And I have been guilty of similar neglect. Despite conducting research in Colombia since 1971 and guiding trips as early as 1975, I had visited this region only once a long time ago—briefly with a friend in October of 1978. That changed in January of 2019 when I returned with eight eager birders on a VENT trip.
The sleepy little town of Pto. Inírida on the banks of the Río Inírida, is just a short boat ride downriver to the larger Río Guaviare. Upriver from the town, it is a little over an hour to the Cerros de Mavecure. Now, if you haven’t heard of any of these names you’re not alone. It’s a good bet most birders will be scrambling to Google Maps and Wikipedia to find out where they are. And, if you check, you will likely be surprised by what you find.
Pto. Inírida is best known for the phenomenal Cerros de Mavecure, three smoothly-rounded, dome-shaped, quartzite mountains that seem to rise, as if by magic, out of the flat lowland forests that surround them. These cerros are huge and black and stunning. At midday they’re also hot, and so are numerous rock outcrops that dot the surrounding region. It is an otherworldly place. Adventurous visitors with Lonely Planet guides in tow often come to climb one or more of these fantastic peaks. We didn’t. We came for the birds and the experience of simply seeing this remarkable area. We disembarked at an Amerindian village at the base of these cerros, but there were few people around during our visit— no venders or hawkers, and no tourists. There is a small boat dock now, and the village is a little larger than when I visited 41 years ago. Most buildings are improved; there is a small, gleaming white hospital now, and a cell tower and a concrete basketball court, but it seems a village otherwise largely unaffected by time.
Walking beyond the village, it didn’t take long to begin seeing birds—Opal-rumped Tanagers, Fulvous-rumped Tanagers, a White-throated Toucan, then four White-browed Purpletufts in a bare treetop. Not long after, we crossed a large rock outcrop (yes, also black and hot) and spotted a Pompadour Cotinga. Moments later, we saw four more males in another bare treetop. Walking back to the village, five Swallow-tailed Kites swooped and dived overhead, snatching large insects from the canopy leaves.
However, the real draw for birders to the Inírida area may not be these magical (and sacred to the indigenous Amerindians) cerros at all. It is, in fact, the unique juxtaposition of Guianan, Amazonian, and grassland birds that occur in the mix of white sand soil forests and savannas here. White sand soils, because of their nutrient-poor nature, strongly influence the type of vegetation capable of growing in these areas. Forests tend to be scrubby—less luxuriant than in Amazonia, leaves are thick and leathery, and many areas are seasonally flooded. Most rivers are as black as strong tea. A variety of unique microhabitats have evolved here as well—just the sorts of places where interesting and range- restricted birds occur.
We came with the promise of seeing many of the birds that occur in these white sand soil forests but nowhere else. And, we were not disappointed. Green-tailed Goldenthroat, Bronzy Jacamar, Orinoco Piculet, Blackish-gray Antshrike, Cherrie’s Antwren, Yapacana Antbird, Orinoco Softtail, Pale-bellied Mourner, Black Manakin, Yellow-crowned Manakin, Capuchinbird, Rose-breasted Chat, White-naped Seedeater, and Plumbeous Euphonia were among the species we found associated with these white sand soil forests.
Other notables, mostly Amazonian in distribution, included Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, four species of macaws, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Back-throated Trogon (is there a more beautiful trogon anywhere?), Chestnut-backed Antshrike (a recent discovery here), Imeri Warbling-Antbird, Yellow-crowned Elaenia, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Wire-tailed Manakin, Paradise Tanager, three species of oropendolas, and Velvet-fronted Grackles among others.
And then there were two Giant Otters in the river one afternoon. We also had a fascinating close-up encounter with a surprisingly large Electric Eel checking little hiding places in a brandy-colored forest stream.
This was an exploratory trip—not announced in VENT brochures, but it will be announced next year. Great food served family style and quickly, comfortable air-conditioned rooms, and short commutes to birding areas—it doesn’t get much better . . . but it could be a little cooler. Humidity was relatively benign, but middays were hot.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019
Cerros de Mavecure, Guainía, Colombia. Photo: S. Hilty
LOCATIONS: Caño Culebra Matraca Trail Caño Cunuben El Paujil Trail Finca La Rompedi (Río Guaviari) Remanso community [Cerro Mavecure (Mavicure)] Caño Vitina and community
KEY: Red - White Sand Soil species Green - Guianan species possibly associated also with white sands habitats Blue - Boreal Migrants Boldface - Rare, unusual or of interest for varying reasons * heard only sendero = trail caño = creek or small stream várzea = seasonally flooded forest
BIRDS:
Tinamous, Tinamidae Little Tinamou, Crypturellus soui heard Caño Culebra
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl, Anatidae Muscovy Duck, Cairina moschata pair at Sabanitas
Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows, Cracidae Spix's Guan, Penelope jacquacu, 2 briefly at Caño Culebra at onset of rainstorm
Cormorants & Shags, Phalacrocoracidae Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, rivers (small nos.)
Anhingas, Anhingidae Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga. Rivers (3-4)
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns, Ardeidae Cocoi Heron, Ardea cocoi, 1 or 2 Great Egret, Ardea alba, a few along rivers Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, very few Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, 3-4 Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, group in river-edge tree Striated Heron, Butorides striata, one Capped Heron, Pilherodius pileatus, one or two Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax Nycticorax, a couple
Ibises & Spoonbills, Threskiornithidae Bare-faced Ibis, Phimosus infuscatus, little groups
New World Vultures, Cathartidae Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, near human-occupied areas and beaches Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, all resident forms Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, Cathartes melambrotus, over forest
Osprey, Pandionidae Osprey, Pandion haliaetus , surprisingly common; 12-15 seen
Hawks, Eagles & Kites, Accipitridae Double-toothed Kite, Harpagus bidentatus, 1 seen Black-collared Hawk, Busarellus nigricollis, Caño Cunuben Slate-colored Hawk, Buteogallus schistaceus, 2 pairs Caño cunuben Savanna Hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis, 2 along paved road south Great Black Hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga, 1 near end of Sendero El Paujil Roadside Hawk, Rupornis magnirostris, several
Sunbittern, Eurypygidae Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias, pair in muddy creek at El Paujil trail
Rails, Gallinules & Coots, Rallidae Russet-crowned Crake, Anurolimnas viridis, savanna area south of town
Finfoots, Heliornithidae Sungrebe, Heliornis Fulica, Caño Cunuben
Plovers & Lapwings, Charadriidae Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis Collared Plover, Charadrius collaris
Jacanas, Jacanidae Wattled Jacana, Jacana jacana
Sandpipers & Allies, Scolopacidae Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius
Gulls, Terns & Skimmers, Laridae Yellow-billed Tern, Sternula superciliaris (apparently seen along river sand bars by a few people)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Large-billed Tern, Phaetusa simplex, numerous Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger, a few
Pigeons & Doves, Columbidae Pale-vented Pigeon, Patagioenas cayennensis, mostly flying overhead various days Scaled Pigeon, Patagioenas speciosa, 2 at Vitina Ruddy Pigeon, Patagioenas subvinacea, heard frequently; Remanso Common Ground-Dove, Columbina passerine, Remanso Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, Columbina minuta, Remanso Ruddy Ground-Dove, Columbina talpacoti, ranch along Río Guaviari Eared Dove, Zeenaida auriculata [Bogotá) White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi, seen along Caño Cuneben Gray-fronted Dove, Leptotila rufaxilla, heard; several sites
Cuckoos, Cuculidae Smooth-billed Ani, Crotophaga ani, a few (not numerous) Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana, several
Nightjars & Allies, Caprimulgidae Least Nighthawk, Chordeiles pusillus, at dawn; Sabanitas
Swifts, Apodidae White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris Short-tailed Swift, Chaetura brachyura Gray-rumped Swift, Chaetura cinereiventris Fork-tailed Palm-Swift, Tachornis squammata
Hummingbirds, Trochilidae White-necked Jacobin, Florisuga mellivora, Sabanitas Great-billed Hermit, Phaethornis malaris, Sabanitas; El Paujil trail Reddish Hermit, Phaethornis ruber, Sabanitas Green-tailed Goldenthroat, Polytmus theresiae , 3-4 at Sabanitas (Savanna) Black-throated Mango, Anthracothorax nigricollis Amethyst Woodstar, Calliphlox amethystine , male at Sabanitas scrubb savanna Versicolored Emerald, Amazilia versicolor Glittering-throated Emerald, Amazilia fimbriata White-chinned Sapphire, Hylocharis cyanus
Trogons, Trogonidae Black-tailed Trogon, Trogon melanurus Green-backed Trogon, Trogon viridis, boldface because it was just so-o-o beautiful Blue-crowned Trogon, Trogon curucui Black-throated Trogon, Trogon rufus
Kingfishers, Alcedinidae Ringed Kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
Puffbirds, Bucconidae *Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Bucco macrodactylus, heard Sendero El Paujil Black-fronted Nunbird, Monasa nigrifrons Swallow-winged Puffbird, Chelidoptera tenebrosa
Black-throated Trogon, Pto. Inirida, Colombia. Photo: S. Hilty
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Jacamars, Galbulidae White-eared Jacamar, Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis, ranch on Río Guaviari Brown Jacamar, Brachygalba lugubris, Sendero El Paujil Green-tailed Jacamar, Galbula Galbula, Sendero Matraca Bronzy Jacamar, Galbula leucogastra , Vitina Paradise Jacamar, Galbula dea, several places
New World Barbets, Capitonidae Gilded Barbet, Capito auratus, several foreted areas
Toucans, Ramphastidae Lettered Aracari, Pteroglossus inscriptus, 2 (possibly seen only by SH) Many-banded Aracari, Pteroglossus pluricinctus, 1-2 White-throated Toucan, Ramphastos tucanus
Woodpeckers, Picidae Orinoco Piculet, Picumnus pumilus , great study near Sbanitas Golden-spangled Piculet, Picumnus exilis, Caño Culebra Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cruentatus, Remanso Red-stained Woodpecker, Dryobates affinis, várzea forest *Golden-green Woodpecker, Piculus chrysochloros, hd (Sendero El Paujil) Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Colaptes punctigula, north bank of Río Guaviari Scale-breasted Woodpecker, Celeus grammicus, várzea forests Cream-colored Woodpecker, Celeus flavus, várzea forests Chestnut Woodpecker, Celeus elegans, 1 seen in várzea forest Red-necked Woodpecker, Campephilus rubricollis, pair Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Campephilus melanoleucus, 1 female Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus, 1 near Vitina
Falcons & Caracaras, Falconidae Black Caracara, Daptrius ater Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway Yellow-headed Caracara, Milvago chimachima Laughing Falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis
New World and African Parrots, Psittacidae Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, Touit huetii , pairs seen in flight three times; an Amazonian species; scarce Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Brotogeris cyanoptera, daily Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Pyrrhura melanura, 2 in flight; Caño Cunuben Blue-headed Parrot, Pionus menstruus, daily in varying nos. Mealy Parrot, Amazona farinose, common in várzea foresdt Orange-winged Parrot, Amazona amazonica, common Black-headed Parrot, Pionites melanocephalus, grous of 4-5 severa times Brown-throated Parakeet, Eupsittula pertinax Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna, several small groups Scarlet Macaw, Ara macao, close Red-and-green Macaw, Ara chloropterus, pair Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Ara severus, common
Typical Antbirds, Thamnophilidae Fasciated Antshrike, Cymbilaimus lineatus Great Antshrike, Taraba major Black-crested Antshrike, Sakesphorus canadensis Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus palliates [when originally found in 2016 for the first time in Colombia this bird was written up as: A Mysterious Antshrike in Eastern Colombia . Neotropical Birding 20: 21-24, by Pablo Florez. It has recently been confirmed as a range extension for Chestnut-backed Antshrike Thamnophilus palliates, a species previously known from Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.] It is a significant range extension. This is the species we saw (male and female) on the north bank of the Río Guaviare. Blackish-gray Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigrocinereus, male and female Amazonian Antshrike, Thamnophilus amazonicus Plain Antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Cinereous Antshrike, Thamnomanes caesius Spot-winged Antshrike, Pygiptila stellaris *Pygmy Antwren, Myrmotherula brachyura, heard in várzea forests Cherrie's Antwren, Myrmotherula cherriei, white sand scrub Amazonian Streaked-Antwren, Myrmotherula multostriata White-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula axillaris Gray Antwren, Myrmotherula menetriesii *Spot-backed Antwren, Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus , heard at Sabanitas and Matraca Dot-winged Antwren, Microrhopias quixensis Imeri Warbling-Antbird, Hypocnemis flavescens , a Guianan species) Gray Antbird, Cercomacra cinerascens *White-browed Antbird, Myrmoborus leucophrys, heard Matraca Black-chinned Antbird, Hypocnemoides melanopogon Yapacana Antbird, Aprositornis disjuncta , spectacular 30-minute study of this rarely-seen bird Spot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax naevius, not marked on my checklist but I believe this was seen Dot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax punctulatus
Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers, Furnariidae Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla fuliginosa Duida Woodcreeer, Lepidicolaptes duidae, with mixed species flock Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Glyphorynchus spirurus Long-billed Woodcreeper, Nasica longirostris Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus, 1 along Caño Cunuben Ocellated Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus ocellatus [believed this secies and not Elegant Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus elegans but we did not confirm with voice] Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus guttatus Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Dendroplex picus [Curve-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus procurvoides. 1 seen by SH and Camilo] [Rufous-tailed Xenops, Microxenops milleri, or Xenops sp., Sendero El Paujil, I think SH only] Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Philydor pyrrhodes, great studies of this normally difficult-to- see bird Orinoco Softtail, Thripophaga cherriei, 3 pairs encountered; várzea with bamboo; extremely range- restricted Rusty-backed Spinetail, Cranioleuca vulpine, several especially along Río Guaviare Speckled Spinetail, Cranioleuca gutturata, 1 pair building nest 15 m up in small várzea forest clearing Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Certhiaxis cinnamomeus, along Río Guaviari
Orinoco Softtail, Pto. Inírida, Colombia. Photo: S. Hilty
Tyrant Flycatchers, Tyrannidae White-lored Tyrannulet, Ornithion inerme, nice study of this canopy dweller on a rare occasion when it was low; last morning *Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum, singing at dawn; Sabanitas Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Tyrannulus elatus, mostly heard; at least one seen Forest Elaenia, Myiopagis gaimardii, heard only (entrance to Sendero El Paujil) Yellow-crowned Elaenia, Myiopagis flavivertex, a surprise as this bird proved fairly common (by voice) although there are few records for Colombia Plain-crested Elaenia, Elaenia cristata, typical of scrubby areas in sandy soil Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus, mainly heard; one briefly seen by a few people
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Zimmerius gracilipes, common voice; pair diligently building nest ca. 4-5 m up in s mall várzea forest clearing Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, Myiornis ecaudatus, so cute and so high up Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Lophotriccus galeatus, largely a white sand soil bird Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Poecilotriccus latirostris, heard Tolmomyias sp. probably Yellow-margined Flycatcher Gray-crowned Flycatcher, Tolmomyias poliocephalus, 1st afternoon and El Paujil trail *Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus, heard Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Myiobius sulphureipygius, one briefly with mixed spp. flock, Sendero El Paujil *Euler's Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus euleri, perhaps heard (Luis) Amazonian Black-Tyrant, Knipolegus poecilocercus, brief look on north bank of Río Guaviare Drab Water Tyrant, Ochthornis littoralis, muddy river banks Cinnamon Attila, Attila cinnamomeus, 1 seen nicely in scopes Citron-bellied Attila, Attila citriniventris, also seen well in scopes at Sabanitas *Bright-rumped Attila, Attila spadiceus, heard at Sabanitas forest Grayish Mourner, Rhytipterna simplex, 1 with mixed spp. flock Pale-bellied Mourner, Rhytipterna immunda , 1 in scope; never seems very numerous and this one was in a very open site along the Sabanitas road [Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer, seen by SH and Camilo] ?Swainson's Flycatcher, Myiarchus swainsoni, not certain of this record; a couple photos (Luis Urueña) seems to show reddish bill, but mostly lower mandible and basal edge of upper (not the entire upper); further the bill seems too thin; also very much out of season for this austral migrant that would be expected to be breeding in northern Argentina and southern Brasil at this time. List as hypothetical. Short-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus ferox, heard and seen in several places Lesser Kiskadee, Pitangus lector, pair at Sabanitdas; unusually common along Caño Cunuben Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, mostly in Pto. Inírida Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis, Remanso and north bank of Río Guaviari (overall not very common) Social Flycatcher, Myiozetetes similis, Remanso; heard also on north bank of Río Guaviari (surprisingly few) Piratic Flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius, several at Sabanitas; 1 near Vitina Sulphury Flycatcher, Tyrannopsis sulphurea , pair in vicinity of Moriche palms at Caño Vitina Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
Cotingas, Cotingidae Amazonian Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus ornatus , one in várzea forest (although it was not far from a creek) Capuchinbird, Perissocephalus tricolor , 2 seen (scope views repeatedly) Spangled Cotinga, Cotinga cayana, 4 MM and 1 FF at Vitina Screaming Piha, Lipaugus vociferans, a couple seen well in forest near Sabanitas Pompadour Cotinga, Xipholena punicea , 5 at Remanso (including 4 MM in top of one tree); a female at Vitina Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Gymnoderus foetidus, remarkable group of more than half dozen roosting in large bare tree right at the edge of the Sabanitas community aarea
Manakins, Pipridae *Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin, Tyranneutes stolzmanni, 1 heard at Sabanitas
Yellow-crowned Manakin, Pto. Inírida, Colombia. Photo. S. Hilty
Black Manakin, Xenopipo atronitens , several the first p.m.; another in fruiting Ficus last morning Yellow-crowned Manakin, Heterocercus flavivertex , 2 at edge of scrub woodland at Sabanitas; another female in a fruiting Ficus tree the last morning Wire-tailed Manakin, Pipra filicauda, spectacular views (close) of two males
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 White-crowned Manakin, Dixiphia pipra, male briefly by some the first p.m.; a female at fruiting Ficus Golden-headed Manakin, Ceratopipra erythrocephala, one male the last morning
Wire-tailed Manakin, Pto. Inírida, Colobia. Photo: S. Hilty
Tityras & Allies, Tityridae Black-tailed Tityra, Tityra cayana Varzea (Greater) Schiffornis, Schiffornis major White-browed Purpletuft, Iodopleura isabellae White-winged Becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus
Vireos, Shrike-Babblers & Erpornis, Vireonidae Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis, one on north bank of Río Guaviare Lemon-chested Greenlet, Hylophilus thoracicus, several heard; only one seen Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, almost daily [cannot be sure if some of these were of form Chivi Vireo, Vireo chivi ]
Crows, Jays & Magpies, Corvidae Violaceous Jay, Cyanocorax violaceus
Swallows, Hirundinidae Black-collared Swallow, Pygochelidon melanoleuca , river at Cerros Mavecure White-banded Swallow, Atticora fasciata Caño Cunuben Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, I think only the first two days Gray-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea, Pto. Inírida airport and town White-winged Swallow, Tachycineta albiventer, rivers and creeks
Wrens, Troglodytidae House Wren, Troglodytes aedon, Pto. Inírida and around most indigenous villages Thrush-like Wren, Campylorhynchus turdinus, pair Caño Cunuben Buff-breasted Wren, Cantorchilus leucotis, abundant in a few localities
Gnatcatchers, Polioptilidae Tropical Gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea, pair first afternoon
Donacobius, Donacobiidae Black-capped Donacobius, Donacobius atricapilla, north bank of Río Guaviare
Thrushes & Allies, Turdidae Turdus sp. heard (Cocoa Thrush Turdus fumigatus or Hauxwell’s Thrush Turdus hauxwelli ) Black-billed Thrush, Turdus ignobilis
New World Warblers, Parulidae Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata , several in forest canopy
Tanagers & Allies, Thraupidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Masked Cardinal, Paroaria nigrogenis, we saw a few (including a nice adult) on Caño Cunuben; note this is a split from Red-capped Cardinal, a species found further south in Amazonia; not all checklists split this form out yet Black-faced Tanager, Schistochlamys melanopis, most olive colored immature birds Hooded Tanager, Nemosia pileata, north bank of Río Guaviari Gray-headed Tanager, Eucometis penicillata, at least 4 width mixed spp. flocks on Sendero Matraca Fulvous-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus surinamus, striking male and its less colorful female near the village of Remanso Red-shouldered Tanager, Tachyphonus phoenicius , seen in at least two (or 3?) white sand soil areas Silver-beaked Tanager, Ramphocelus carbo, a few Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum Burnished-buff Tanager, Tangara cayana Masked Tanager, Tangara nigrocincta , Caño Culebra Turquoise Tanager, Tangara mexicana, Caño Cunuben Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis, Sabanitas forest Opal-rumped Tanager, Tangara velia, Remanso; Vitina White-Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Dacnis flaviventer Blue Dacnis, Dacnis cayana Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus Green Honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza Blue-black Grassquit, Volatinia jacarina Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila castaneiventris, Sabanitas and north bank of Río Guaviare Large-billed Seed-Finch, Sporophila crassirostris, north bank of Río Guaviare Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch, Sporophila angolensis, Sabanitas and north bank of Río Guaviar (formerly as Lesser Seed-Finch when lumped with all black birds of the Pacific region of Colombia), Gray Seedeater, Sporophila intermedia, only north bank of Guaviare White-naped Seedeater, Sporophila fringilloides , 1 seen close for extended period of time
White-naped Seedeater, Pto. Inírida, Colombia. Photo. S. Hilty
Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis, only north bank of Río Guaviare Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola, only a few (including 1 silhouetted against the moon) Buff-throated Saltator, Saltator maximus, one Grayish Saltator, Saltator coerulescens
Cardinals & Allies, Cardinalidae Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra, 3 seen including a mixed olive/red patchy plumage bird Blue-black Grosbeak, Cyanoloxia cyanoides, male seen
Troupials & Allies, Icteridae Green Oropendola, Psarocolius viridis , one bird flying over some clearings last morning Crested Oropendola, Psarocolius decumanus, common and widespread Olive (Amazonian) Oropendola, Psarocolius bifasciatus, several along Caño Cunuben Yellow-rumped Cacique, Cacicus cela, several groups computing to and from nest sites, roosts etc. Epaulet Oriole, Icterus cayanensis, singles or pairs or 3’s seen on at least half of all days; note that the ones we saw have, until very recently, always been called Moriche Oriole (I. cayanensis chrysocephalus) . The two forms (cayanensis and cayanensis ) have recently been merged based on some interbreeding although physically their plumages are strikingly different. Giant Cowbird, Molothrus oryzivorus first afternoon Velvet-fronted Grackle, Lampropsar tanagrinus, at least two little flocks of ca. 3-4 and 6 respectively
Finches, Euphonias & Allies, Fringillidae Plumbeous Euphonia, Euphonia plumbea , pair first afternoon Thick-billed Euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris, pair with mixed spp flock at Sendero El Paujil)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019 Golden-bellied Euphonia (White-lored Euphonia), Euphonia chrysopasta, one male at Vitina White-vented Euphonia, Euphonia minuta, one with mixed spp. flock in várzea forest
MAMMALS:
Inioidea Pink River Dolphin, Inia geoffrensis (probably humboldtiana )
New World Monkeys, Cebidae Collared Titi Monkey, Callicebus sp.
OTHERS: Electric eel
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Undiscovered Eastern Colombia 2019