CLOUD FORESTS OF NORTHERN PRE-TRIP: OWLETS, SPATULETAILS AND

FEBRUARY 14–22, 2019

The spectacular male Long-tailed Sylph is common at the Owlet Lodge feeders © Andrew Whittaker

LEADER: ANDREW WHITTAKER LIST COMPILED BY: ANDREW WHITTAKER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

CLOUD FORESTS OF NORTHERN PERU PRE-TRIP: OWLETS, SPATULETAILS AND TANAGERS February 14–22, 2019

By Andrew Whittaker

WOW! This fabulous and Foothills tour truly is the mecca of Andean birding, with almost 250 recorded including a staggering 36 dazzling species of seen well, as well as many colorful mind-blowing tanagers, plus several very neat and exciting endemics! Voted the top two of the trip (with outstanding views of both) were the outrageous Marvelous Spatuletail and, of course, the magnificent Golden-headed . Another top was the fiery, well-named Flame-faced feeding at eye level 10 m in front of us. Sadly, due to this year’s unseasonal wet period, we were unable to try for the cute Long-whiskered Owlet after having such good luck in the past. The weather was not good enough, and the trail down was way too slippery after the rains. However, I’m sure none of us will ever forget our drop-dead views around our lodge of two mega endemics—the multicolored recently described Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher and that cute ball of fluff, the Chestnut Antpitta!

The rarely seen Chestnut Antpitta gave us all a wonderful show as our patience at last paid off © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 This tour is always a terrific and tanager bonanza ( if you love them as I do, then this is the trip for you )! Again, this trip produced a non-stop iridescent kaleidoscope of colors at lodge feeders and several other private feeders and hummingbird gardens we visited.

A crippling Paradise Tanager showed off well at Waquanki lodge off the hummingbird feeder platform © Andrew Whittaker

After our short scheduled flight from Lima, our adventure began in Tarapoto, where my trusty driver Valdo picked us up and we drove to a nearby fine regional restaurant. Here we enjoyed delicious tropical fruit juices and freshly grilled Paiche fish steaks (one of the best-tasting Amazon fishes and a true river monster, getting up to 250 kilos, one of the world’s largest fresh water delicacies!

Oilbirds in their roost stretching and allopreening © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Along the way to our lodge we had an unforgettable visit to the Oilbird cleft where we observed these odd birds at roost through the scope and heard their odd calls as they (kindly) flew around below us! Arriving at the lovely family-run Moyobamba Lodge, we headed into the lodge garden where the hummingbird feeders were alive, as usual. Enjoying a great afternoon hummingbird feast from the well-constructed raised observation platform in the shade, we marveled over close hummers affording excellent studies and wonderful photographic opportunities. Highlights included fabulous male and female Rufous-crested Coquette; the stunning Golden-tailed Sapphire; Black-throated Mango; Fork-tailed Woodnymph; Black-throated Hermit (uncommon this year); lots of Gray-breasted Sabrewings; Sapphire-spangled Emerald; Violet-headed Hummingbird; White-chinned Sapphire; and the tiny Amethyst Woodstar in the flower garden by our rooms.

A real gem, the ever-present Rufous-crested Coquette male at the feeders © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

One of my favorites at the feeders is the Golden-tailed Sapphire male perched © Andrew Whittaker

The pleasant forested grounds rewarded us with the newly described species Mishana Tyrannulet, and we enjoyed encounters with the stunning endemic Black-bellied Tanager. Sadly, the local Band-bellied Owls were not up to it this year.

For the botanists and even non-botanists amongst us, our visit to the incredible orchid and bromeliad garden was a great thrill. This is one of the best in the Neotropics (with over 350 species), with every size, shape, and color imaginable, which left us all with an orchid overdose and many cool photographs of these spectacular plants, not to mention the wondrous sweet scents from several of these truly remarkable plants. Finally, after a glorious lunch, we had to say goodbye to the wonderful lodge family and begin our climb up into the cloud forests and exciting mountains to Abra Patricia.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

Amazing hummingbirds at the feeder at Waquanki Lodge © Andrew Whittaker

En route we had a glorious study of a couple of smart male Masked Ducks at a small pond. Climbing up through lush forest, we bumped into a vocal flock of the odd but spectacular White- crowned Tanager, looking almost -like as usual! We arrived late afternoon at the wonderful Owlet Lodge to enjoy the non-stop hummers at the lodge’s feeders.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

Abra Patricia view over the vast steaming cloud forest as far as the eye can see © Andrew Whittaker

Exploring these simply magnificent cloud forests from such a lovely location and in comfort was a great joy. The magnificent Golden-headed Quetzal was a real crowd-pleaser, with its fiery crimson underparts contrasting with its iridescent green plumage and golden hues of the head. We all enjoyed both stunning bino views and prolonged scope views as it showed off its splendid bright colors.

As I have learned to expect on this wonderful trip, we again saw an amazing number of colorful species of tanagers. They covered every spectacular color combination imaginable from a mouthwatering parade that included Paradise, Grass-green, Flame-faced, Golden-naped, Beryl- spangled, Golden, and Saffron-crowned, as well as Hooded and Blue-winged mountain-tanagers to mention a few.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

Stunning Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager was found in several mixed tanager flocks © Andrew Whittaker

For our nocturnal highlights we enjoyed the incredibly ‘’long-tailed’’ male Lyre-tailed Nightjars putting on an unforgettable display chasing females at dusk and, for some, a male Swallow-tailed Nightjar at the lodge catching the abundant moths on the walls.

Other memorable moments came thick and fast, including magical stellar studies of the gem of the , the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, a beautiful flock of White-collared Jays, and the recently described and multicolored Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher. The delightful musical songs of Andean Solitaire echoed around these marvelous forests as we enjoyed birding the very productive road. The star find was a fruiting tree at lower elevation where tanagers rocked; Blue-necked, Golden, Golden-naped, Spotted, Orange-eared, Green-and-gold, Blue-and-black, and a smart pair of poorly-known Golden-collared Honeycreepers added to our excitement.

The ever so cute endemic recently described Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

We enjoyed looks at this smart-looking White-collared Jay © Andrew Whittaker

Daily we marveled over hummingbirds at the lodge feeders, which included the unbelievable and favorite Sword-billed Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Bronzy and Collared incas, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, and, of course, the endearing White-bellied Woodstar.

Sword-billed Hummingbird male was a great success at the lodge feeders © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 The well-kept Cloud Forest trail system at Owlet Lodge (by far the best-kept in all of the Andes and with a new almost flat trail) was brimming with exotic tropical plant life. There is no better way to experience the shades and colors of the cloud forests: countless colorful flowering orchids, amazing bromeliads, mosses, and lichens festooning the trees. Sadly, due to rain and wood rot, we decided for safety reasons not to climb the Owlet Lodge canopy tower this time. Instead we enjoyed the breathtaking view over magnificent unbroken cloud forest ridge after ridge as far as the eye can see from the lodge clearing. Birding these fine trails around the lodge produced mixed-species flocks and wonderful Green-and-black Fruiteater and Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant.

A lovely male Green-and-black Fruiteater © Andrew Whittaker

A morning trip to Huembo rewarded us with the mega male Marvelous Spatuletail—truly one of the South American greats, the lovely Andean Emerald, Silvery Tanager, and wondrous studies of a lovely bright Southern Emerald Toucanet with its blue throat.

Exploration of lower elevation cloud forest along the road was also extremely rewarding, producing many exciting whirling mixed-species flocks with non-stop action, plus great studies of two endemics—the magnificent Royal Sunagel and Inca Flycatcher, and stunning Crimson- mantled , Streaked , and Pearled Treerunner.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

Our exciting visit to a super new hummingbird platform and flower garden was superb so we returned. Highlights included lovely Vermilion and Yellow-throated tanagers, stunning Booted Racket-tail males, Velvet-fronted Brilliant, Olive-chested Flycatcher, Spotted Barbtail, and a smart male Black-and-white Seedeater as well. We even enjoyed a few boreal migrants in the form of Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, and Blackburnian Warbler. For me the highlight, however, was not any bird but an orchid, and not any orchid but the quetzal of the orchid world! I was blown away by the endemic (recently described in 2002) slipper orchid, Phragmipedium kovachii, which is one of the TOP ten most beautiful orchids in the world!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

One of the TOP ten orchids in the world, the recently described endemic slipper Phragmipedium kovachii © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

Another trip favorite was our visit on our last day to the private lowland reserve at Aguas Verdes. Here we sat quietly in the wonderfully constructed blind and were rewarded with close at hand observations of a mythical Little Tinamou, as well as a lovely Orange-billed Sparrow, both coming in to feed on corn! This alone was an incredible experience indeed, but to top that, at feeders we had a splendid Orange-billed Sparrow, and on our visit to the flower garden we had great studies of superb Blue-fronted Lancebill, Many-spotted Hummingbird, and a Rufous-throated Sapphire amongst many other species coming to the hummingbird feeders. Finally, on our way to the airport we enjoyed a well-behaved Burrowing Owl and birded a rich marsh near the airport where we had great scope studies of flocks of localized Comb Ducks, including several larger males with their odd ornamental comb structure on top of their beaks.

Charming Burrowing Owl © Andrew Whittaker What a fantastic group you all were! I truly enjoyed every minute of immersing ourselves in this amazingly rich and exotic Andean Cloud Forest and Foothill avifauna and its magnificent orchids and bromeliads. I hope you will look back on all those countless fantastic, unique, and special

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 birding memories (combined with all the funny tales and multiple jokes) we fondly shared together!

Finally, I would like to thank Roberto and his amazing eyes, as well as the staff at the two excellent lodges who took such good care of us during our stay. I can’t wait to return next year to this birding paradise which is Northern Peru! I hope to see you all again on another exciting VENT trip in , Europe, Israel, or the trip of a lifetime to the White Continent of Antarctica in 2020. As always, happy birding!

ITINERARY FEB 14: ARRIVE FROM US WALK ACROSS FROM THE AIRPORT TO OVERNIGHT IN LIMA AIRPORT AT HOTEL COSTA DEL SOL .

FEB 15: GROUP MET AT BREAKFAST AND AFTER WE WALKED ACROSS TO AIRPORT AND CHECKED INTO OUR EARLY FLIGHT TO TARAPOTO FLIGHT . ON ARRIVAL IN TARAPOTO WE TRANSFERRED TO OUR VAN AND DROVE TO A NEARBY EXCELLENT RESTAURANT FOR OUR WONDERFUL PERUVIAN FISH LUNCH AND FRESH FRUIT JUICE . THEN WE DROVE ONTO BIRD THE OILBIRD CLEFT BEFORE ARRIVING IN MOYOBAMBA AND ONTO THE LOVELY WAQANKI (F RUITEATER ) LODGE . AFTERNOON BIRDING THE EXTENSIVE GARDENS & HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS .

FEB 16: EARLY BIRDING IN THE FORESTED GROUNDS AND ONTO THE AMAZING HUMMINGBIRD PLATFORM FOR A HUMMER BONANZA AT THE FEEDERS FOLLOWED BY A LATE MORNING INCREDIBLE ORCHID TOUR . AFTER A SUPERB LUNCH WE CONTINUED ON THROUGH RICH LOWLANDS BIRDING THE MARSH BEFORE ASCENDING UP THROUGH FORESTED VALLEYS AND ROARING CRYSTAL CLEAR STREAMS UP TO OUR LOVELY HOME BASE THE OWLET LODGE SET INTO THIS PRISTINE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE FOR A WONDERFUL STAY . WE HAD TIME TO QUICKLY BIRD THE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS AND AROUND THE FORESTED CLEARING BEFORE DUSK BEFORE ANOTHER FINE MEAL AND A GREAT SLEEP .

FEB 17-20: BIRDING AROUND THE OWLET LODGE WALKING THE SUPERB FORESTED TRAIL SYSTEM (BY FAR THE BEST TRAILS OF ANY LODGE IN THE ANDES !) INCLUDING THE NEW TRAIL , GRALLARIA THROUGH PRISTINE CLOUD FOREST FULL OF SPECTACULAR ORCHIDS AND AMAZING BROMELIADS AND LICHENS . SEVERAL EXCELLENT SHORT EXCURSIONS ALONG THE ROAD EXPLORING CLOSE BY STUNTED ELFIN FOREST AND ALSO DESCENDING TO BIRD LOWER ELEVATIONS MOUNTAIN FOREST OFF THE ROAD FOR THE INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF TANAGERS AND OTHER MIXED SPECIES FLOCKS AND MUCH MORE . WE ALSO INCLUDED A SPECIAL TRIP TO VISIT THE STUPENDOUS MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL HUEMBO RESERVE , RUN BY ECOAN WITH THEIR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS . THIS YEAR WE HAD THE WONDERFUL CHANCE TO VISIT ANOTHER NEW PRIVATE RESERVE TO SEE THEIR HUMMERS AT FEEDERS AT THE WELL -MADE PLATFORM AS WELL A MEMORABLE VISIT TO THEIR INCREDIBLE ORCHID GARDENS TOO .

FEB 21: AFTER A VERY EARLY MORNING BREAKFAST WE SAID GOODBYE TO THE WONDERFUL OWLET STAFF AND STARTED OUR DESCENT TO ARRIVE EARLY AT A FANTASTIC PRIVATE RESERVE IN THE LOW LANDS . HERE A TREMENDOUS WELL - BUILT BLIND (HIDE ) WE OBSERVED TINAMOU FEEDING BEFORE VISITING THE NEW HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS AND

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 FLOWER GARDEN . WE THEN HAD A PICNIC LUNCH EN ROUTE BACK TO TARAPOTO AIRPORT FOR OUR LIMA FLIGHT . ON OUR ARRIVAL IN LIMA THOSE OF US ON THE CRUISE TRANSFERRED TO OUR PLUSH HOTEL (FOR THE START OF THE AMAZON CRUISE AND OUR DAY BIRDING IN LIMA ON THE 22) WHILE WE SAID GOODBYE TO NANCY AND NORMA .

FEB 22 : ARRIVED HOME IN US THOSE WHO WERE JUST ON THE CLOUD FOREST PRE -TRIP .

TOP 7 Birds (as voted by the group)

1- MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL (ENDEMIC) 2- GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL 3- PARADISE TANAGER 4- FLAME-FACED TANAGER 5- RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE 6- LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR 7- CHESTNUT ANTPITTA

Wow, what must be one of the top hummers in SA, the endemic Marvelous Spatuletail! Here a male showing off his immaculate iridescent tail spatulas, so important to be in perfect shape to show off to the female on his lek © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019

BIRDS

KEY: (E) = Peruvian ENDEMIC NOTE : Trinomials (subspecific names) are provided for distinctive that are endemics or near-endemics of the region. * = indicates the bird was heard but not seen on our tour

FL = Birds seen or heard only at Fruiteater Lodge, Moyobamba

Tinamous (Tinamidae) Great Tinamou ( Tinamus major ) - * Cinereous Tinamou ( C. cinereus ) - * Little Tinamou ( Crypturellus soui nigriceps ) – Marvelous studies at the corn feeder. Tataupa Tinamou (C. tataupa ) - * FL

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae) Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) – Great looks of this superb duck, 2 colorful males.

Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows (Cracidae) Speckled Chachalaca ( Ortalis guttata ) Andean Guan ( Penelope montagnii ) Sickle-winged Guan ( Chamaepetes goudotii tschudi ) – Good views along the roadside of this colorful Cracid.

Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae) Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata albilinea ) – We noted the plumage differences from US birds. Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea ) – leader only. Ruddy Ground-Dove ( Columbina tapacoti ) - FL Blue-ground Dove ( Columbina pretiosa ) - FL Eared Dove ( Zenaida auriculata )

Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Smooth-billed Ani ( Crotophaga ani ) - FL Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana ) - *FL

Nightjars & Allies (Caprimulgidae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Swallow-tailed Nightjar ( Uropsalis segmentata ) – Wonderful male at lodge one night after rain hunting the abundant moths, brief views. Lyre-tailed Nightjar ( Uropsalis lyra ) – Stunning display put on by two males at dusk.

Male Swallow-tailed Nightjar at Owlet Lodge’s moth bonanza © Andrew Whittaker

Oilbird (Steatornithidae) Oilbird (Staetornis caripensis ) – Wow cool looking birds, seen well in the scope both juveniles and adults seen ever so well even in flight below us. Only three species of birds in the World use echo location for navigation in caves and at night. These are the only nocturnal frugivore in the Americas.

Swifts (Apodidae) Chestnut-collared ( Streptoprocne rutila ) – Great views in perfect light we were able to see the bright collar too! White-collared Swift ( Streptoprocne zonaris ) White-tipped Swift ( Aeronautes montivagus )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift ( Panyptila cayennensis ) – Roosting at a nest! Fork-tailed Palm Swift ( Tachornis squamata ) - FL

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) Black-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa schreibersii ) – Brief views White-necked Jacobin ( Florisuga mellivora ) - Simply stunning views of wonderful males and a few females. Green Hermit ( Phaethornis guy ) – Only leader Long-tailed Hermit ( Phaethornis superciliosus moorei ) - FL, many splits to occur within what is known as Long-tailed stay tuned! Black-throated Hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis) – FL, striking cool looking little feller. Blue-fronted Lancebill ( Doryfera johannae ) – Great studies on the feeder at Aguas Verdes. Brown ( Colibri delphinae ) – Leader only. Lesser Violetear ( Colibri cyanotus) – Split from Green Violetear. ( Colibri coruscans ) – Common at Huembo Black-throated Mango ( Anthracothorax nigricollis ) – FL Amethyst-throated Sunagel (Heliangelus amethysticollis ) – Nice male at the feeders for the first time at the lodge. Royal Sunangel ( Heliangelus regalis ) – (ENDEMIC), incredibly good view at feeder at last! Rufous-crested Coquette ( Lophornis delattrei ) – FL, wow what a treat multiple fantastic crippling studies of several males and female on feeders simply spectacular! Speckled Hummingbird ( Adelomyia melanogenys ) – Common Long-tailed Sylph ( Aglaiocercus kingi ) - Wonderful looks of magnificent males and females at lodge feeders. Emerald-bellied Puffleg ( Eriocnemis alinae ) - Wow a real gem at lodge feeders. Marvelous Spatuletail ( Loddigesia mirabilis ) – (ENDEMIC), simply a magnificent bird worth the trip alone just to see this wonder and what an extraordinary tail on the stunning males at the feeders! Bronzy Inca ( Coeligena coeligena ) - Several at lodge feeders. Collared Inca ( Coeligena torquata aurora ) - Regular at lodge feeders, a very smart bird indeed. Sword-billed Hummingbird ( Ensifera ensifera ) – WOW, again regular at the feeders at Owlet lodge. Daily views of this amazingly hummer as a pair graced the feeders! What a bill with the female seeming to have an even longer bill than the male. Chestnut-breasted Coronet ( Boissonneaua matthewsii ) - Commonest hummer at lodge feeders a real favorite of mine. Booted Racket-tail ( Ocreatus underwoodii ) - Males seen nicely at feeders in lower park showing off its buff leg puffs. Fawn-breasted Brilliant ( Heliodoxa rubinoides ) - Common at the lodge feeders. Violet-fronted Brilliant ( Heliodoxa leadbeateri ) - Cool looking stunning males at the lower feeders. Long-billed Starthroat ( Heliomaster longirostris ) White-bellied Woodstar ( Acetura mulsant ) - Great looks at many males and females at lodge with males display flight being spectacular! Amethyst Woodstar ( amethystina )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Blue-tailed Emerald ( Chlorostilbon mellisugus ) - FL Violet-headed Hummingbird ( Klais guimeti ) Gray-breasted Sabrewing ( Campylopterus largipennis ) - FL Fork-tailed Woodnymph ( Thalurania furcata ) – FL common on feeders White-bellied Hummingbird ( Leucippus chionogaster ) - Common at Huembo feeders. Andean Emerald ( Amazilia franciae) – Males very smart looking. Sapphire-spangled Emerald ( Amazilia lactea ) - FL Stunning males on feeders. Golden-tailed Sapphire ( Chrysuroria oenone ) – FL Wonderful studies of many stunning males at the lowland feeders. White-chinned Sapphire ( Hylocharis cyanus ) – FL Also a real beauty! Rufous-throated Sapphire (Hylocharis sapphirina ) – Female briefly at feeders

Male White-necked Jacobin © Andrew Whittaker

Rails, Gallinules & Coots (Rallidae) Purple Gallinule ( Porphyrio martinicus ) Russet-crowned Crake ( Latteralus viridis ) - * FL alas would not respond to tape.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns (Ardeidae) Great Egret ( Ardea alba ) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

New World Vultures (Cathartidae) Black Vulture (Coragyps auratus) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) – Interestingly we had a boreal migrant at Waquanki after discussing the resident rufficollis subspecies.

Hawks, Eagles & Kites (Accipitridae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Swallow-tailed Kite ( Elanoides forficatus ) Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis ) Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris)

Owls (Strigidae) White-throated Screech-Owl ( Megascops albogularis ) - * Tropical Screech-Owl ( Megascops choliba ) - * Band-bellied Owl ( Pulsatrix melanota ) – *FL Sadly would not show Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia ) – Great looks

Trogons (Trogonidae) Golden-headed Quetzal ( auriceps ) – Fantastic studies in the scope looks this year. Crested Quetzal ( Pharomachrus antisianus ) - * Blue-crowned ( Trogon curucui ) ( Trogon personatus ) – FL *

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) Ringed Kingfisher ( Megaceryle torquata )

Toucans (Ramphastidae) Southern Emerald Toucanet ( Aulacorhynchus albivitta ) – Great looker at Huembo! Chestnut-eared Aracari ( Pteroglossus castanotis ) - FL

Woodpeckers (Picidae) Lafresnaye’s Piculet ( Picumnus lafresnayi ) Yellow-tufted Woodpecker ( Melanerpes cruentatus ) Smoky-brown Woodpecker ( Dryobates fumigatus ) - * Red-stained Woodpecker ( Dryobates affinis ) - * Crimson-mantled Woodpecker ( Piculus rivolii ) – WOW lovely studies!

Falcons & Caracaras (Falconidae) Barred Forest-Falcon ( Micrastur ruficollis ) - * Bat Falcon ( Falco rufigularis ) - *

New World and African Parrots (Psittacidae) Cobalt-winged Parakeet ( Brotogeris cyanoptera ) - FL Red-billed Parrot ( Pionus sordidus ) – Blue-headed Parrot ( Pionus menstrus ) Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica ) Scaly-naped Parrot ( Amazona mercenaria ) - common. Blue-winged Parrotlet ( Forpus xanthopterygius ) Scarlet-fronted Parakeet ( Psittacara wagleri ) – * White-eyed Parakeet ( Aratinga leucophthalmus ) – Lowlands.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Typical Antbirds ( Thamnophilidae ) Barred Antshrike ( Thamnophilus doliatus) - FL Rufous-capped Antshrike ( Thamnophilus ruficapilus ) - * Variable Antshrike ( Thamnophilus caerulescens melanochorus ) - Good looks of a close pair. Splits to occur in this species this is the darkest of all male subspecies being almost all black! Yelow-breasted Antwren ( Herpsilochmus axillaris ) Streak-headed Antbird ( Drymophila striaticeps ) – * (Isler et al . (2012) proposed that the broadly defined Drymophila caudata (ex Long-tailed) consists of four species: (1) klagesi , with aristeguietana ; (2) hellmayri ; (3) nominate caudata ; and (4) striaticeps , with occidentalis , peruviana , and boliviana ). White-backed Fire-eye ( Pyriglena leuconota ) – leader only Zimmer’s Antbird ( Myrmeciza castanea ) – *

Antpittas (Grallariidae) Rusty-tinged Antpitta ( Grallaria przewalskii ) – * (ENDEMIC), this very difficult skulker was not responsive and sadly did not come into the worm feeder! Chestnut Antpitta ( Grallaria przewalskii ) – (ENDEMIC) Fantastic looks at the feeder after some tense moments waiting Leymebamba Antpitta ( Grallaricula leymebambae ) – * A ghost that never came in

Tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae) Rufous-vented Tapaculo (Scytalopus femoralis ) – * (ENDEMIC), this ‘’terrestrial mouse’’ was impossible this time. White-crowned Tapaculo (Scytalopus atratus ) – * Not visible sadly. I think this is the true nominate form splits for sure are expected within this species this is Northern.

Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers (Furnariidae) Olivaceous Woodcreeper ( Sittasomus griseicapillus ) - * Tyrannine Woodcreeper ( Dendrocincla tyrannina ) Strong-billed Woodcreeper ( Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus ) - * Montane Woodcreeper ( Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger ) – Nice looks Streaked Xenops ( Xenops rutilans ) Streaked Tuftedcheek ( Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii ) – Good studies in the mixed species flock Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner ( Philydor rufum ) Lineated Foliage-gleaner ( Syndactyla subalaris ) - * Black-billed Treehunter ( Thripadectes melanorhynchus ) - * Spotted Barbtail ( Premnoplex brunnescens ) – A good sighting Pearled Treerunner ( Margarornis squamiger ) – Always one of the top Furnarids Rufous-fronted Thornbird ( Phacellodomus ruffifrons ) - * Azara's (Buff-browed) Spinetail ( Synallaxis azarae ) Rufous Spinetail ( Synallaxis unirufa )

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae) Mouse-colored Tyrannulet ( Phaeomyias murina ) - FL

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus ) - * FL Yellow-bellied Elaenia ( Elaenia flavogastra ) – FL Highland Elaenia ( Elaenia obscura ) - * Sierran Elaenia ( Elaenia pallatangae ) - Commonest flycatcher around Owlet Lodge. Gray Elaenia (Myiopagis caniceps ) * Streak-necked Flycatcher ( Mionectes striaticollis ) - Common. Inca Flycatcher ( Leptopogon taczanowskii ) - (ENDEMIC), nice studies of this distinct noisy bird. Sooty-headed Tyrannulet ( Phyllomyias griseiceps )* Mishana Tyrannulet ( Zimmerius villarejoi ) - (ENDEMIC), a neat tyrannulet newly described as recently as 2001! Seen extremely well by all. Golden-faced Tyrannulet ( Zimmerius chrysops) - Common but not too vocal this year. Ornate Flycatcher ( Myiotriccus ornatus ) – Wonderful looker always very active. Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant ( Pseudotriccus ruficeps ) – Good views for some after some work. Black-throated Tody-Tyrant ( Hemitriccus granadensis ) – Amazingly good studies. Johnson’s (Lula’s) Tody-Flycatcher ( Poecilotriccus luluae ) - (ENDEMIC), simply one of the neatest flycatchers out and what outstanding in our face views had by all! Common Tody-Flycatcher ( Todirostrum cinereum ) – FL Yellow-olive Flycatcher ( Tolmomyias sulphurescens ) - * Yellow-breasted Flycatcher ( Tolmomyias flaviventris ) - * Cinnamon Flycatcher ( Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea ) - * One of the commonest high elevation flycatchers but always a neat looker but not seen amazingly. Cliff Flycatcher ( Hirundinea ferruginea ) – A looker. Olive-chested Flycatcher ( Myiophobus cryptoxanthus ) – Nice find and lovely studies. Olive-sided Flycatcher ( Contopus cooperi ) – Good find of this Boreal migrant Smoke-colored Pewee ( Contopus fumigatus ) Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus ) – Thankfully heard calling to confirm its complex ID. Chestnut-belted Chat-Tyrant ( O. c. angustifasciata ) - * Pale-edged Flycatcher ( Myiarchus cephalotes ) - Seen well by all around Owlet. Boat-billed Flycatcher ( Megarhynchus pitangua ) - FL Social Flycatcher ( Myiozetetes similis ) - FL Lemon-browed Flycatcher ( Conopias cinchoneti ) – Nice looks at this canopy leader. Streaked Flycatcher ( Myiodynastes maculatus ) – FL, stay tuned for splits within this complex too. Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melancholicus )

Cotingas (Cotingidae) Green-and-black Fruiteater ( Pipreola riefferii ) – uncommon this year but several excellent views. Andean Cock-of-the-rock ( Rupicola peruviana ) – Several superb looks at males and females. Amazonian Umbrellabird ( Cephalopterus ornatus ) – One female quickly flew over the road at mid elevation seen by some.

Manakins (Pipridae) Painted Manakin ( Machaeropterus eckelberyyi ) - *

Tityras & Allies (Tityridae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Chestnut-crowned Becard ( Pachyramphus castaneus ) - *

Vireos, Shrike-Babblers & Erpornis (Vireonidae) Rufous-browed Peppershrike ( Cyclarhis gujanensis ) Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo ( Vireolanius leucotis ) – A nice find in the spectacular fruiting tree and nice studies of this canopy dweller. Brown-capped Vireo ( Vireo leucophrys )

Crows, Jays & () White-collared Jay ( viridicyana ) – Always nice a stunner. Green (Inca) Jay ( yncas ) – What colors!

Swallows (Hirundinidae) Blue-and-white Swallow ( Pygochelidon cyanoleuca ) – Common. Gray-breasted Martin ( Progne chalybea )

Wrens (Troglodytidae) Scaly-breasted Wren ( Microcerculus marginatus ) - FL * Not responsive to tape Gray-mantled Wren ( Odontorchilus branickii ) – Distant seen by some House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ) Mountain Wren ( Troglodytes solstitialis ) – * Thrush-like Wren ( Campylorhynchus turdinus ) Speckle-breasted Wren ( Pheugopedius sclateri) - * Always a devil to see! Grey-breasted Wood-Wren ( Henicorhina leucophrys )

Dippers (Cinclidae) White-capped Dipper ( Cinclus leucoephalus ) – Great studies after some searching.

Donacobius (Donacobiidae) Black-capped Donacobius ( Donacobius atricapilla ) – Amazing seen so well at up at 1700m!

Thrushes & Allies Andean Sollitaire (Myadestes ralloides ) - Great voice. Swainson’s Thrush ( Catharus ustulatus) – FL Common boreal migrant. White-eared Solitaire ( Entomodestes leucotis ) - * Black-billed Thrush ( Turdus ignobilis ) Great Thrush ( Turdus fuscater ) - Common around the lodge. Glossy-black Thrush ( Turdus serranus) – Nice to be able to study the birds singing.

Finches, Euphonias & Allies (Fringillidae) Purple-throated Euphonia ( Euphonia chlorotica ) - FL Olivaceous Siskin ( Spinus olivaceus ) – Nice studies.

New World Sparrows (Passerelidae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Common Chlrospingus ( Chlorospingus flavopectus ) Orange-billed Sparrow ( Arremon aurantirostris ) – Wonderful studies of this spectablis sub species. Splits to occur for sure keep tuned! Rufous-colared Sparrow ( Zonotrichia capensis ) Yellow-breasted Brushfinch ( Atlapetes latinuchus ) – good looks

Troupials & Allies (Icteridae) Russet-backed Oropendola (Psarocolius angustifrons alfredi ) – FL, we saw well this yellow billed and fore headed subspecies distinct from nominate lowland darker and black billed birds. Crested Oropendola ( Psarocolius decumanus ) Scarlet-rumped (Subtropical) Cacique ( Cacicus uropygialis ) Yellow-rumped Cacique ( Cacicus cela ) ( Molothrus oryzivorus )

New World Warblers (Parulidae) Blackburnian Warbler ( Setophaga fusca ) - Lovey crippling male in fresh plumage! Russet-crowned Warbler ( Basileuterus coronatus ) - * Slate-throated Redstart ( Myioborus miniatus ) Spectacled Redstart ( Myioborus melanocephalus ) – Common and always attractive. Visiting as usual some of our lodge windows to say hello!

Cardinals & Allies (Cardinalidae) Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) – a male.

Tanagers & Allies (Thraupidae) Tanager ( Cissopis leverianus ) White-capped Tanager ( Sericossypha albocristata ) – Many times seen well off the road. This large odd bird is more Jay like and probably deserves to be in its own family! Rufous-crested Tanager ( Creurgops verticalis ) White-lined Tanager ( Tachyphonus rufus ) -FL Vermilion Tanager ( Calochaetes coccineus ) – Nice seen by all but rather distant Hooded Mountain-Tanager ( Buthraupis montana ) – WOW! Grass-green Tanager ( Chlorornis riefferii ) - So pretty with such a vivid green contrasting with that orange bill and feet. Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager ( Anisognathus somptuosus ) - Great looks of a stunner. Yellow-throated Tanager ( Iridosonis analis) Yellow-scarfed Tanager ( Iridosonis reinhardti ) – (ENDEMIC) sadly leader only. Orange-eared Tanager ( Chlorochrysa calliparaea ) – Amazing sadly seen on a dull damp day! Blue-gray Tanager ( Thraupis episcopus ) Palm Tanager ( Thraupis palmarum ) Blue-capped Tanager ( Thraupis cyanocephala ) – Common. Spotted Tanager ( Ixothrupis punctata ) Golden-naped Tanager ( Tangara ruficervix ) Silvery Tanager ( Tangara viridicollis ) - Cool bird.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 Blue-necked Tanager ( Tangara cyanicollis ) – Poorly named but still a looker! Blue-and-black Tanager ( Tangara vassorii ) – Great repeated studies of this bright subspecies. Beryl-spangled Tanager ( Tangara nigroviridis ) - Common but very striking and distinctly different. Metallic-green Tanager ( Tangara labradorides) - Common Turquoise Tanager ( Tangara mexicana ) - Poorly named Paradise Tanager ( Tangara chilensis ) - Always a crowd pleaser! Such a spectacular blend of vivid colors with lots of great looks! Bay-headed Tanager ( Tangara gyrola ) Saffron-crowned Tanager ( Tangara xanthocephala) – Another dazzler! Flame-faced Tanager ( Tangara parzudakii ) - Has to be my favorite of these wonderful tangara its face truly looks like it’s on fire and what views! Green-and-gold Tanager ( Tangara schrankii ) – Striking! Golden Tanager ( Tangara arthus ) – Exotic looking. Black-faced Dacnis ( Dacnis lineata ) - great looks of several males. Blue Dacnis ( Dacnis cayana ) - FL Purple Honeycreeper ( Cyanerpes caeruleus ) Green Honeycreeper ( Cyanerpes spiza ) Golden-collared Honeycreeper ( Iridophanes pulcherrimus ) – Seen well males and females more than once. A good find for sure! White-sided Flowerpiercer ( Diglossa albilatera ) - Commonest flowerpiercer. Drab Hemispingus ( Pseudospingus xanthophthalmus ) Gray-hooded Bush Tanager ( Cnemoscopus rubrirostris ) Saffron Finch ( Sicalis flaveola ) Blue-black Grassquit ( Volatinia jacarina ) - FL Blue-and-white Seedeater ( Sporophila luctuosa ) – A smart adult male! Yellow-bellied Seedeater ( Sporophila nigricollis ) - FL Dull-colored Grassquit ( Tiaris obscurus ) - FL Grayish Saltator ( Saltator coerulescens )

Black-faced Dacnis male at fruiting tree © Andrew Whittaker

Total bird species: 240

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019 MAMMALS

Marmosets & Tamarins (Callitrichidae) Saddleback Tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis )

New World Monkeys (Cebidae) Rio Mayo Titi Monkey ( Callicebus oenanthe ) – FL* An endangered endemic species we tried hard but no luck locating them!

NOTABLE FLORA

Orchids (Orchidaceae) Kovach's Phragmipedium ( Phragmipedium kovachii )

Female butterfly with two fresh males in pursuit © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Pre-trip, 2019