CLOUD FORESTS OF NORTHERN EXTENSION Owlets, Spatuletails, and Tanagers FEBRUARY 15–23, 2020

The spectacular male Sword-billed is a welcome visitor to the Owlet Lodge hummingbird 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 Extension Owlets, spatuletails, and tanagers February 15–23, 2020

By Andrew Whittaker

WOW! The Northern Peru truly is the real mecca of Andean birding! Wading through a staggering assortment of 37 dazzling hummingbird species, we enjoyed getting to know and learn many well after repeated excellent daily views. The Andean forest gems included many mind-blowing colorful tanagers, as well as several exciting and much desired endemics. Voted top two of the trip (with outstanding views of both) were the outrageous male Marvelous Spatuletails seen at the feeders at Huembo and a wonderful scope study of an endearing Pearl Kite. Who will ever forget the eleventh-hour looks at the endemic Yellow- scarfed Tanager, or those magnificent multiple studies of the fiery, well-named Flame-faced Tanager feeding at eye level so close to us. Sadly, due to this year’s unseasonal very wet period, we were unable to even consider trying 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 multi-colored recently described Johnson’s Tody- Flycatcher and the dynamite endemic Rufous-vented Tapaculo, plus that cute ball of feathers on stilts, the near endemic Leymebamba Antpitta!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

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

This tour is always a terrific hummingbird and tanager bonanza (if you love them as I do, then this is the trip for you)! This trip produced a non-stop iridescent kaleidoscope of colors at both of our lodges’ multiple feeders and several other private hummingbird feeders and hummingbird gardens we visited.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

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

Our exciting adventure began after a short, scheduled flight of an hour from Lima to Tarapoto, where my trusty driver Baldomero picked us up. We drove in our comfortable air-conditioned van to a nearby fine regional restaurant, where we enjoyed delicious tropical fruit juices and a freshly grilled chicken meal.

Later this afternoon we arrived at our lovely family-run Moyobamba Lodge and quickly checked into our rooms before we headed to the lodge’s garden and hummingbird feeders, which were alive, as usual. We enjoyed a great afternoon of hummingbird feasts from the well-constructed raised observation platform. In shade, we marveled over the 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; Long-tailed Hermit (uncommon this year); lots of Gray-breasted Sabrewings; Sapphire-spangled Emerald; Violet-headed Hummingbird; White-chinned Sapphire; and many colorful White-necked Jacobins.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

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

The pleasant forested grounds also rewarded us with the newly described species, Mishana Tyrannulet, and we enjoyed encounters at breakfast with the recently described Varzea Thrush, plus some stunning endemic Black-bellied Tanagers with Gilded Barbet on the fruit feeders with a host of euphonias. The local Band-bellied Owls were not up to it this year, sadly, despite me playing tape after dinner!

Amazing at the feeder at Waquanki Lodge included gorgeous White-necked Jacobins © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 For the botanists and even non-botanists amongst us, our visit to the incredible orchid and bromeliad garden was, as always, a great thrill. This is one of the best in the Neotropics (with over 350 species), with every size, shape, and color imaginable. Our visit left us all with an orchid overdose and many cool photographs and admiration for 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.

The incredible show of Bromeliads this year was amazing © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Next up, amongst the rice paddies we located a wonderful Pearl Kite and a very rare and localized Pale-eyed Blackbird, a species poorly-known that I had seen only once before some 30 years ago! Climbing up through lush forest, we bumped into a vocal flock of the odd but spectacular White-crowned Tanager, looking almost jay-like as usual. We arrived late afternoon at the wonderful Owlet Lodge to enjoy the non-stop hummers at the lodge’s feeders.

Pale-eyed Blackbird was a leader highlight © Andrew Whittaker

Exploring these simply magnificent cloud forests from such a lovely location in comfort was a great joy. As I have learned to expect on this wonderful trip, we again had an amazing number of colorful species of tanagers. They covered every spectacular color combination imaginable. From the mouthwatering parade we enjoyed Paradise, Grass-green, Flame-faced, Golden- eared, Beryl-spangled, Golden, Saffron-crowned, and the incredible Blue-winged Mountain- Tanager to mention a few.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

Stunning Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager was enjoyed © Andrew Whittaker

For our nocturnal highlights we enjoyed the incredibly ‘’long-tailed’’ male Swallow-tailed Nightjar most nights at the lodge, catching the abundant moths attracted to the lodge walls by its lights.

Other memorable moments came thick and fast, including stellar studies of the gem of the , the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and a beautiful look at the recently described and multi- colored 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 mixed species flock at lower elevation with Versicolored Barbet, Masked and Collared trogons, Gray-mantled Wren, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Blue-necked and Blue-and-black tanagers, an endemic Speckle-breasted Piculet, and the poorly-known Ecuadorian Tyrannulet.

The confiding male Swallow-tailed Nightjar was voted 3rd top © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Daily we marveled over hummingbirds at the lodge feeders, including the unbelievable and favorite Sword-billed Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Bronzy and Collared incas, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Amethyst-throated Sunagel, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, and, of course, the endearing White-bellied Woodstar.

One of the snazzy hummers at the lodge feeders is the Emerald-bellied Puffleg © Andrew Whittaker

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 wondrous exotic tropical plant life. There is no better way to experience the shades and colors of the cloud forests, with 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 for ridge after ridge as far as the eye can see from the lodge clearing. We enjoyed birding these fine trails one morning around the lodge out to the canopy tower and along the Grallaria Trail producing a wonderful, close Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, both Green-and-black and Barred fruiteaters, and a wonderful show from a pair of endemic Rufous-vented Tapaculos and a Crimson-mantled Woodpecker. Two vocally incredible songsters were heard well but, sadly, would not come in to tape to be observed: Sharp’s and Chestnut-breasted wrens.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet afforded superb studies © 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, and best of all, a lovely and rarely seen tiny male Little Woodstar!

We were spellbound observing the minute but stunning male Marvelous Spatuletail © Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 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 the stunning Pearled Treerunner. Other wonderful moments were a striking pair of Chestnut- crested Cotingas, rarely seen Scaled Fruiteater, dazzling White-winged Tanager and, of course, we all just loved the enigmatic White-crowned Dippers.

Our exciting visit to a super new hummingbird platform and flower garden was superb and included lovely Wire-crested Thorntail, stunning Booted Racket-tail males and females, Velvet- fronted Brilliant, and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager. We even enjoyed a few Boreal migrants too in the form of a vocal Western Wood-Pewee and stunning Blackburnian Warblers. 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 2001) Phragmipedium kovachii, one of the TOP ten most beautiful orchids in the world!

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

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 a

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 lovely Orange-billed Sparrow coming in to feed on corn; sadly, it was too wet for any tinamou or wood-quail this year. This alone was an incredible experience indeed, but to top that, we visited the flower garden where we got great studies of superb Blue-fronted Lancebill and Many-spotted Hummingbirds among many other species coming to the hummingbird feeders. Finally, on our way to the airport we first visited my Masked Duck hotspot and were lucky to find 13, including 2 stunning adult males! This was followed by our long-awaited visit to the Oilbird cleft where we observed through the scope these odd and unique but super-cool birds at roost and nesting. Excellent scope views confirmed that some were incubating eggs while others were feeding white fluffy young!

Oilbirds in their roost stretching and allopreening © 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 avifauna with its magnificent orchids and bromeliads. I certainly hope you all enjoyed our countless fantastic and unique birding memories, combined with all the funny tales and multiple jokes we fondly shared together!

Finally, I would like to thank my good friend Roberto from Owlet Lodge for his amazing eyes and intimate knowledge of the area’s avifauna, and Baldamero for his great driving and good spotting. My thanks also to the super staff at the two excellent lodges, who took such good care

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 of us during our stay. And thanks to Bob Warren for kindly sharing with us here some of his many excellent photos. 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 South America, Europe, Israel, Nepal, or the trip of a lifetime to the White Continent of Antarctica in 2021. As always, happy birding to you all!

ITINERARY

FEB 15: SEVERAL OF YOU NOT ON THE IQUITOS CRUISE ARRIVE FROM US AND WALK ACROSS FROM THE AIRPORT TO OVERNIGHT IN LIMA AIRPORT AT HOTEL COSTA DEL SOL. THOSE OF US ON THE CRUISE WERE DROPPED OFF BY BUS AT THE HOTEL.

FEB 16: GROUP MET AT BREAKFAST AND AFTER WE WALKED ACROSS TO AIRPORT AND CHECKED INTO OUR EARLY FLIGHT TO TARAPOTO. ON ARRIVAL IN TARAPOTO WE TRANSFERRED TO OUR VAN AND DROVE TO A NEARBY EXCELLENT RESTAURANT FOR THE FIRST OF SEVERAL WONDERFUL PERUVIAN MEALS WITH EXCITING FRESH FRUIT JUICES. THEN WE DROVE THROUGH THE RICH COUNTRYSIDE ARRIVING IN MOYOBAMBA AND ONTO THE LOVELY WAQUANKI (FRUITEATER) LODGE. AFTERNOON BIRDING THE EXTENSIVE GARDENS AND HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS.

FEB 17: 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 AND BROMELIAD 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 FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER FINE MEAL AND A GREAT SLEEP.

FEB 18-21: 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 FROM 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 AS A MEMORABLE VISIT TO THEIR INCREDIBLE ORCHID GARDENS.

FEB 22: 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 LOWLANDS. HERE A TREMENDOUS WELL- BUILT BLIND (HIDE) TO TRY TO OBSERVE SHY TINAMOU FEEDING BEFORE VISITING THEIR ACTIVE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS AND FLOWER GARDEN. WE THEN HAD A PICNIC LUNCH EN ROUTE BEFORE STOPPING OFF AT OUR MASKED

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 DUCK SITE AND THE OILBIRD COLONY. ARRIVING BACK INTO TARAPOTO AIRPORT FOR OUR LIMA FLIGHT. ON OUR ARRIVAL IN LIMA THOSE OF US ON THE CRUISE TRANSFERRED TO OUR PLUSH HOTEL WITH DAY ROOMS. SADLY, TIME TO SAY OUR GOODBYES BEFORE HOMEBOUND FLIGHTS.

FEB 23: ARRIVING HOME IN US.

TOP 7 Birds (as voted by the group)

1- MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL (ENDEMIC) 2- PEARL KITE 3- SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD 4- SWALLOW-TAILED NIGHTJAR 5- BOOTED RACKET-TAIL 6- OILBIRD 7- LITTLE WOODSTAR

Voted second best bird of the trip the tiny very cute Pearl Kite © Bob Warren

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 BIRDS

Key: (E) = Peruvian ENDEMIC NOTE: Trinomials (subspecific names) are provided for distinctive subspecies 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) Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui nigriceps) *

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae) Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) – Great looks of this superb duck, 2 colorful males and 12 females.

Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows (Cracidae) Speckled Chachalaca (Ortalis guttata) Andean Guan (Penelope montagnii) – Leader only. 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 and vocally distinct a god chance for a future split! Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea) Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina tapacoti) - FL Blue-ground Dove (Columbina pretiosa) - * FL Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) White-throated Quail-Dove (Zentrygon frenata) - * Heard on trails non responsive.

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

Nightjars & Allies (Caprimulgidae) Swallow-tailed Nightjar (Uropsalis segmentata) – Wonderful male at lodge several nights after rain hunting the abundant moths, brief views.

Oilbird (Steatornithidae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 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) White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) – Wow within a flock as 200 roared almost through the canopy tower! Very impressive moment indeed. White-tipped Swift (Aeronautes montivagus) Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila cayennensis) – Roosting at a nest! Fork-tailed Palm Swift (Tachornis squamata) - FL

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) - Simply stunning views of wonderful males and a few females. Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy) – Great looks Long-tailed Hermit (Phaethornis superciliosus moorei) - FL, many splits to occur within what is known as Long-tailed stay tuned! Blue-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera johannae) – Great studies on the feeder at Aguas Verdes. Brown (Colibri delphinae) – neat looks. Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus) – Recent 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 at the lodge. Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis) – (ENDEMIC), quick flight views only. Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii) – Lovely studies of females at one of the flower gardens. Rufous-crested Coquette (Lophornis delattrei) – FL, wow what a treat multiple fantastic crippling studies of several males and female on feeders simply spectacular! Ecuadorian Piedtail (Phlogophilus hemileucurus)- Good looks at one of the mid elevation feeders! Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys) – Common Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingi) - Wonderful looks of magnificent males and females at lodge feeders. Greenish Puffleg (Haplophaedia aureliae) 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.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 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. White-bellied Woodstar (Acetura mulsant) - Great looks at many males and females at lodge with males display flight being spectacular! Little Woodstar (Chaetocercus bombus) – Fabulous rarely seen adult male at Huembo. Atrip highlight for me. 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 Many-spotted Hummingbird (Taphrospilus hypostictus) 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!

The fiery colors of the Amethyst-throated Sunangel caught here so well ©Bob Warren

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Rails, Gallinules & Coots (Rallidae) Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) Russet-crowned Crake (Latteralus viridis) - * FL alas would not respond to tape.

Aramidae (Limpkin) Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) – Moved in after rice paddies opened and increasing!

Jacanas (Jacanidae) Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana)

Sandpiper & Allies (Scolopacidae) Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) – Breeding.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns (Ardeidae) Great Egret (Ardea alba) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) – Many this year. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

New World Vultures (Cathartidae) Black Vulture (Coragyps auratus) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) – Interestingly the resident rufficollis subspecies is split by some already calling it Neotropical Turkey Vulture.

Hawks, Eagles & Kites (Accipitridae) Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) – Stunning looks. Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Owls (Strigidae) White-throated Screech-Owl (Megascops albogularis) - * Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) - * Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) – Great looks Rufous-banded Owl (Ciccaba albirarsis) - *

Trogons (Trogonidae) Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) – Nice Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus) – Super studies.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)

Puffbirds (Bucconidae) White-faced Nunbird (Hapaloptila castanea) - *

New World Barbets (Capitonidae) Gilded Barbet (Capito auratus) Versicolored Barbet (Eubucco versicolor)

Toucans (Ramphastidae) Southern Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta) Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus) - * FL

Woodpeckers (Picidae) Speckle-chested Piculet (Picumnus steindachneri) (E) – Neat. Little Woodpecker (Dryobates passerinus) Crimson-mantled Woodpecker (Piculus rivolii) – Difficult not very responsive but okay studies!

Falcons & Caracaras (Falconidae) Black Caracara (Daptrius ater) - FL American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

New World and African Parrots (Psittacidae) Cobalt-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris cyanoptera) - FL Red-billed Parrot (Pionus sordidus) – Nice scope looks. Speckle-faced Parrot (Pionus tumultuosus) - * Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstrus) Scaly-naped Parrot (Amazona mercenaria) – common high daily flybys. Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara wagleri) White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalmus) – Lowlands.

Typical Antbirds (Thamnophilidae) Rufous-rumped Antwren (Euchrepornis callinota) - * Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) - FL Lined Antshrike (Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus) – Nice. 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) – Good studies. 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).

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Blackish Antbird (Cercomacroides nigrescens) - *

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) - * this very difficult skulker was not responsive and sadly did not come into the worm feeder! Leymebamba Antpitta (Grallaricula leymebambae) – A great find and superb looks!

Tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae) Rufous-vented Tapaculo (Scytalopus femoralis) (ENDEMIC) - this ‘’terrestrial mouse’’ was wonderful this time, a pair showed off so well. 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.

Antthrushes (Formicariidae) Barred Antthrush (Chamaeza mollissima) - *

Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers (Furnariidae) Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus) Tyrannine Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla tyrannina) Olive-backed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus triangularis) Streaked Xenops (Xenops rutilans) Montane Foliage-gleaner (Anabacerthia striaticollis) Spotted Barbtail (Premnoplex brunnescens) – A good sighting. Pearled Treerunner (Margarornis squamiger) – Always one of the top Furnarids seen very well. Rufous-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus ruffifrons) - Equatorial Graytail (Xenerpestes singularis) - * Ash-browed Spinetail (Cranioleuca curtata)- Nice close studies. Dark-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis albigularis) – Leader only. Azara's (Buff-browed) Spinetail (Synallaxis azarae) - * Rufous Spinetail (Synallaxis unirufa) –

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae) Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus minor) – Superb off the tower. Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (Phaeomyias murina) - FL Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus) - FL Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogastra) – FL Sierran Elaenia (Elaenia pallatangae) - Commonest flycatcher around Owlet Lodge. Streak-necked Flycatcher (Mionectes striaticollis) - Common. Slaty-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon superciliaris) Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant (Phylloscartes ophthalmicus) – Nice find of this wing lifting tiny flycatcher. Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes ventralis)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Ecuadorian Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes gualaquizae) – Great looks in the flock and vocal. Black-capped Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias nigrocapillus) – Brief looks for some. Mishana Tyrannulet (Zimmerius villarejoi) - (ENDEMIC), a neat tyrannulet newly described as recently as 2001! Seen extremely well by all. Peruvian Tyrannulet (Zimmerius viridiflavus) – Common and seen very well multiple times but not too vocal this year. Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus) – Only leader. Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) – * Tried hard several times but non responsive. Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus) - * 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 peruvianus) – Great looks nest building. Many many splits on the way, keep tuned. 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 Flycatcher (Mitrephanes olivaceus) Smoke-colored Pewee (Contopus fumigatus) Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) – Thankfully heard calling to confirm its complex ID. Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) Andean Tyrant (Knipolegus signatus) Short-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox) - * Pale-edged Flycatcher (Myiarchus cephalotes) - Seen well by all around Owlet. Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua) - * FL Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) - FL Gray-capped Flycatcher (Myiozetetes granadensis) - * Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Cotingas (Cotingidae) Green-and-black Fruiteater (Pipreola riefferii) – uncommon this year but several quick views. Barred Fruiteater (Pipreola arcuata) – A good find and a trip first. Sadly only a few got onto it in time. Scaled Fruiteater (Ampelioides tschudii)- Wonderful scope studies! Chestnut-crested Cotinga (Ampelion rufaxilla)- Great find 2 birds with magnificent scope studies of this rarely seen gem! A trip highlight for sure. Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) – A superb look at one males and a couple of females off the road from within the van.

Manakins (Pipridae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Wing-barred Piprites (Piprites chloris) – Great looks at FL off the hummingbird platform.

Tityras & Allies (Tityridae) Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) Barred Becard (Pachyramphus versicolor) – A well behaved female gave superb scope looks.

Female Barred Becard ©Bob Warren

Vireos, Shrike-Babblers & Erpornis (Vireonidae) Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) - * Olivaceous Greenlet (Hylophilus olivaceus)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

Crows, Jays & Magpies (Corvidae) White-collared Jay (Cyanolyca viridicyana) – * Green (Inca) Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) – What colors, what views! Probably to be split let’s see.

Swallows (Hirundinidae) Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – Common. Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) – Leader only. Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea)

Wrens (Troglodytidae) Scaly-breasted Wren (Microcerculus marginatus) - FL * Not responsive to tape Gray-mantled Wren (Odontorchilus branickii) – Quickly seen in a canopy flock sadly none responsive but seen by some of our sharp shooting group! House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Mountain Wren (Troglodytes solstitialis) – * Thrush-like Wren (Campylorhynchus turdinus) - * Coraya Wren (Pheugopedius coraya) Speckle-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius sclateri) - * Always a devil to see! Sharpe’s (Sepia-brown) Wren (Cinnycerthia olivascens) - * Incredible to hear but too skulky this time. Bar-winged Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucoptera)- Nice looks at this ultra skulker! Grey-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) Chestnut-breasted Wren (Cyphorhinus thoracicus) - * What a voice!

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) - * Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas) Varzea Thrush (Turdus sanchezorum) – Great find and scope looks at breakfast at FL. Recently described! Pale-eyed Thrush (Turdus leucops) Black-billed Thrush (Turdus ignobilis) Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) Glossy-black Thrush (Turdus serranus) – Nice to be able to study the birds singing.

Finches, Euphonias & Allies (Fringillidae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Blue-naped Chlorophonia (Chlrophonia cyanea) - * Purple-throated Euphonia (Euphonia chlorotica) – FL Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) Bronzy-green Euphonia (Euphonia mesochrysa) White-vented Euphonia (Euphonia minuta) Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster) Olivaceous Siskin (Spinus olivaceus) – Nice studies.

New World Sparrows (Passerelidae) Yellow-throated Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus flavigularis) Ash-throated Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus canigularis) Common Chlrospingus (Chlorospingus flavopectus) Yellow-browed Sparrow (Ammodramus aurifrons) Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) Yellow-breasted Brushfinch (Atlapetes latinuchus) – No idea why so hard this year some good but very brief looks. Post breeding?

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) Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) Oriole Blackbird (Gymnomystax mexicanus ) – Good scope studies of this lovely striking bird. Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus) – A fantastic find, for me bird of the trip! A very poorly-known mostly lowland ox bow lake bird! A trip first and a bird I have not seen in 30 years!

New World Warblers (Parulidae) Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi) Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) - Lovey crippling males and females in fresh plumage! Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) – A lucky couple of folks saw. Three-striped Warbler (Basileuterus tristriatus) Buff-rumped Warbler (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – Nice in the FL garden. What an explosive song. Russet-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus coronatus) – Wonderful studies! Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) Spectacled Redstart (Myioborus melanocephalus) – Common and always attractive. Unusual not visiting as usual some of our lodge windows to say hello!

Cardinals & Allies (Cardinalidae) Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) – a male. White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera) – Stunning male.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020 Tanagers & Allies (Thraupidae) Magpie 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) – Nice looks. White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) – FL Black-bellied Tanager (Ramphocelus melanogaster) (ENDEMIC) WOW at FL! Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo) 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)- Another crippler. Yellow-scarfed Tanager (Iridosonis reinhardti) – (ENDEMIC) Phew at the eleventh hour but great looks well worth the wait! Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) Blue-capped Tanager (Thraupis cyanocephala) – Common. Spotted Tanager (Ixothrupis punctata) Silvery Tanager (Tangara viridicollis) - Cool bird. 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! Golden-eared Tanager (Tangara chrysotis) 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! 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) White-sided Flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera) - Commonest flowerpiercer. Bluish Flowerpiercer (Diglossa caerulescens) Gray-hooded Bush Tanager (Cnemoscopus rubrirostris)- Magnificent studies of a flock. Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) - FL Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila castaneiventris) Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch (Sporophila angolensis) Yellow-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) - FL Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) – At the feeders for the first time. Dull-colored Grassquit (Tiaris obscurus) - FL Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020

Total bird species: 273!

MAMMALS

Agoutis (Dasyproctidae) Black Agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)

NOTABLE FLORA

Unknown green racer snake species seen briefly on lodge trail by some.

Orchids (Orchidaceae) Kovach's Phragmipedium (Phragmipedium kovachii) Plus countless other species!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Cloud Forests of Northern Peru Extension, 2020