WOMEN BIRDERS PROGRAM Sponsored by Jacamar Club and Vortex Optics, Camungo Tourist Center - Las Piedras- Madre De Dios – PERU -Jan 09 2021

> A Field Report < Of Birding Excursions and the importance of Empowering Women in the Birding Activities for Enviromental Education in Peru and Bolivia.

WOMEN BIRDERS PROGRAM Sponsored by Jacamar Club and Vortex Optics, Camungo Tourist Center - Las Piedras- Madre de Dios – PERU -Jan 09 2021

Yadhira Cavero1, Ana Amable2, Richard Amable3

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] https://jacamarclub.com/ [email protected] [email protected]

The “Women Birders”, a program created to empower women in the good ecological practices of birding & birdwatching in Peru and Bolivia. Though this program the women in the community will be able to increase their leadership and knowledge in conservation and ecotourism. Also, this will make a difference in their communities as they can represent their communities and will lead the changes in local conservation behavior. Finally, it will benefit directly to the conservation of local birds. The Jacamar Club programs perform a series of activities as a preliminary step to environmental education, ecotourism ideas and conservation of bird habitats in Peru and Bolivia.

Women birders from Madre de Dios Region at Camungo Touristic Center - Photo by Candy Echevarria - 1 -

Main Square of Puerto Maldonado City – Photo by Alvaro Capa

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It is one of the twenty-four departments that, together with the Constitutional Province of Callao, make up the Republic of Peru. Its capital and most populated city is Puerto Maldonado. It is located in the southeast of the country, in the Amazon. It was created on December 26, 1912 from the territories of Puno and Cuzco. The climate is tropical, hot, and humid, with annual rainfall of over 1000 mm. The average annual temperature in the capital is 26 ° C with a maximum of 38 ° C in August and September, on some occasions it can reach 40 ° C and a minimum of 21 ° C, with rains from December to March.

CENTRO RECREACIONAL KAMUNGO – LAS PIEDRAS

Located in the district of Las Piedras, approximately 20 minutes from the city. Along the highway to Brazil km-17. Upon entering the recreation center there is a viewpoint with a panoramic view, from the top you can see several species of flora and fauna.

Tambopata Forest - Photo by Yadhira Cavero

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* = Species heard only Red – IUCN Red List Category IOC = International Ornithological Congress SACC = South American Classification Committee

THE LIST TINAMIDAE 1. Cinereous Tinamou – Cypturellus cinereus – Perdiz Cinerea Common and widespread, locally up to 1000 m, in dense understory of low-lying forest, such as seasonally flooded forest and edges of swampy forest; also seasonally on larger river islands in north. Darkest, most uniformly colored medium-sized tinamou of Amazonia

CRACIDAE 2. Speckled Chachalaca – Ortalis Guttata – Chachalaca Jaspeada Widespread and fairly common in eastern Peru, to 1700 m. Originally a bird of river-edge forest that has successfully colonized second growth and forest edge; often persists close to towns and villages if not hunted heavily. Much smaller than Penelope guans, with drabber plumage, and a reduced dewlap.

ANSERIFORMES ANHIMIDAE 3. Horned Screamer – Anhima cornuta – Gritador Unicornio (Camungo) It is a species of anseriform bird of the Anhimidae family, typical of South America, related to the chajá. Widely extended, its populations occupy a good part of Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, the Guianas and Bolivia. It is the flagship bird of the Colombian department of Arauca.

CUCULIDAE 4. Squirrel Cuckoo – Playa cayana – Cuco Ardilla Most common and widespread Piaya. Found in humid and semihumid forest throughout eastern Peru (up to 2800 m), and in northwest, below 2400 m. Singles or loose pairs forage in mid- and upper-story of forest; frequently joins mixed- species flocks. Note yellow bill, rufous head, and gray belly. Orbital ring greenish yellow west of Andes (nigricrissa); red in Marañón Valley and in east (mesura, boliviana). Despite size, not always conspicuous; often first detected by loud (but infrequent) calls, or gliding from one tree to another.

CATHARTIFORMES CATHARTIDAE 5. Black Vulture – Coragyps atratus – Gallinazo de Cabeza Negra Very common in towns and all kinds of settled, partially cleared and open country. Mainly a carrion feeder and widespread in settled areas; often roosts in trees or on buildings in towns and sometimes becomes assertive and bold around garbage dumps. Roosts and usually soars in groups and the only vulture likely to be abroad at or before dawn.

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Horned Screamer - Photo by Yadhira Cavero

6. Turkey Vulture – Catharte saura– Gallinazo de Cabeza Roja Widespread and common in coastal lowlands, interior valleys, and Amazonia, up to 2200 m; only a vagrant to the high Andes. One of the characteristic vultures of open habitats, such as beaches (along seacoasts and rivers), fields, and pastures; but less common than Black Vulture around cities. Usually seen in flight, singly or in small groups. Flight profile distinctive, with wings held notably above horizontal in a “dihedral”; also often “rocks” from side to side as it soars. Flaps wings infrequently, with rather slow, deep strokes. Bare skin of head and neck of adult red (coast and Andes), or red with contrasting whitish band across the nape (Amazonia; sometimes also on northern and central coast). Head of juvenile dark, gradually lightening during first year. In Amazonia, cf. yellow-headed vultures.

FRINGILLIDAE 7. Golden-bellied Euphonia – Euphonia chrysopasta – Eufonia de Vientre Dorado Fairly common in humid forest and forest edge, especially in floodplain forest, up to 1200 m. Both sexes have large white loral spot and gray nape; male also has narrow white chin. Often switches tail from side to side, especially when singing. Compare male to female Thick-billed Euphonia; compare female to similar females of Rufous-bellied and Orange-bellied euphonias.

PASSERILLIDAE 8. Yellow-browed Sparrow – Ammodramus aurifrons – Gorrión de Ceja Amarilla Common and widespread in Amazonia, up to 1800 m. Found along rivers, in pastures, town squares, and gardens, along road edges, and in other open grassy areas. Hops and runs quickly along the ground but may sing from an open, elevated perch. Note small size, flat-headed look, and relatively short tail; amount of yellow on face variable, but tends to “bleed” outside of superciliary (unlike Grassland Sparrow). Juvenile even drabber, with little or no yellow on the face and a narrowly streaked breast.

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© 2021 Jacamar Club - Perú ALCEDINIDAE CORACIIFORMES 9. Ringed Kingfisher – Magaceryle torquata – Martín Pescador grande Uncommon but widespread over larger rivers, lakes, and marshes in Amazonia and the northwest, locally up to 1000 m; formerly found along coast south to Lima, but no recent reports south of Lambayeque. Large size, blue-gray head and upperparts, and large, ragged crest are distinctive. Underparts of male extensively rufous; female has broad blue and narrow white bands on breast. In flight, note large white patch at base of primaries.

Ringed Kingfisher - Photo by Yadhira Cavero

10. Green-and-rufous Kingfisher – Chloroceryle inda – Martín Pescador Verde y Rufos Rare to uncommon, and difficult to detect, along forest streams with closed canopy, swamps, and at bushy edges of lakes in Amazonia, locally up to 750 m. Rarely perches away from cover; usually seen in flight along watercourses between favored feeding perches. Slightly larger than Green Kingfisher, but underparts mostly rufous (female has green breast band flecked with white), and the neck collar is rufous or buff (not white); smaller American Pygmy Kingfisher has white center to belly and vent.

PSITTACIFORMES PSITACIDAE 11. Red-bellied Macaw – Orthopsittaca manilatus – Guacamayo de Vientre Rojo It lives in South America, in tropical environments, from Colombia and Trinidad to Bolivia and Peru, and to central Brazil. Like most parrots, the red-bellied macaw lays 2 to 3 eggs in the cavity of a tree, mainly palm trees. On average it reaches an adult length of about 46 cm and a weight of 370 g. It has the typical and long tail of macaws. Its plumage is green; has a burgundy red spot on the belly; her forehead and shoulders are blue and her chest has a gray tint; the underside of the wings and tail are dull yellow.

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Red-bellied Macaw - Photo by Candy Echevarria

12. Chesnut-fronted Macaw – Ara severus – Guacamayo de Frente Castaña They can be found over a large part of Northern South America from Panama south into Amazonian Brazil and central Bolivia. A feral population has also been established in Florida. Is mostly green in colour with patches of red and blue on the wings. The head has a chestnut brown patch just above the beak. The beak is black and the patches around the eyes are white with lines of small black feathers.

TITYRIDAE

13. Black-tailed Tityra – Tityra cayana – Titira de Cola Negra Uncommon but widespread in Amazonia, up to 700 m. Orbital skin and base of bill red in both sexes. Male has black crown and sides of head; similar to male Masked Tityra, but black is more extensive on head (reaching rear crown) and tail entirely black. Female readily recognized by narrow dark streaking on gray back and white breast.

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Black-tailed Tityra - Photo by Candy Echevarria

FALCONIDAE 14. Southern Caracara – Caracara plancus – Caracara Carancho Rare in southeastern lowlands, where primarily found on savannas of Pampas del Heath; very rarely wanders farther north. Formerly also a rare resident on southern coast, where perhaps now extirpated; the few recent records may be vagrants from Chile. Very similar in all plumages to Crested Caracara, but more extensively barred, especially in center of back.

CORVIDAE 15. Violaceous Jay –Cyanocorax violaceus – Urraca Violácea Uncommon but widespread in Amazonia, up to 900 m, locally to 1400 m. Primarily in varzea and along margins of rivers, streams and lakes, where found in canopy and midstory; also, in second growth. Very large. Light purplish blue with black face and throat, contrasting with paler nape. Only jay in most of Amazonia; in southeast cf. Purplish Jay.

PSITTACIDAE 16. Cobalt-winged Parakeet – Brotogeris cyanoptera – Perico de Ala Cobalto Rare in southeastern lowlands, where primarily found on savannas of Pampas del Heath; very rarely wanders farther north. Formerly also a rare resident on southern coast, where perhaps now extirpated; the few recent records may be vagrants from Chile. Very similar in all plumages to Crested Caracara, but more extensively barred, especially in center of back.

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© 2021 Jacamar Club - Perú 17. Blue-headed Parrot – Pionus Sordidus – Loro de Cabeza Azul Uncommon, in humid montane forest on east slope of Andes, 1400–3300 m; also found on west slope south to southern Cajamarca. Geographically variable, but in all populations, bill is pale and head and breast are dark. In widespread tumultuosus (Huánuco south), head and breast are strongly washed with rose, and belly is green; northern seniloides (west of the Marañón, and south in eastern Andes at least to La Libertad) has less rose color on the white-speckled head, and belly is more reddish

PICIDAE 18. Yellow-tufted Woodpecker – Melanerpers Cruentatus – Carpintero de Penacho Amarillo Widespread, common, and conspicuous in Amazonia, up to 1200 m. Forages in forest canopy, especially at forest edge and at clearings inside continuous forest. Often perches on exposed snags and trunks. Social; usually encountered in small noisy groups. Omnivorous, regularly consuming small fruit. Gaudy plumage unmistakable; note the white rump (may be visible at great distance).

FURNARIIDAE 19. Buff-throated Woodcreeper – Xiphorhynchus guttatus – Trepador de Garganta Anteada Common and widespread in Amazonia, up to 700 m, locally to 900 m. Forages from understory to canopy, but most often relatively high. Regularly (and noisily) investigates dead leaf clusters and palm fronds; occasionally forages over army ant swarms. Large, rufescent, with buffy throat and strong, relatively long bill.

RALLIDAE 20. Gray-cowled Wood-Rail – Aramides cajaneus – Rascón-Montés de Capucha Gris Widespread and fairly common in eastern lowlands, up to 1400 m; found in flooded and swampy forest and along forest streams. Less timid than most other rails. Easily identified by contrast between gray head and neck (forming a “hood”) and brown lower breast and belly. Immature paler, with buffy brown belly (but retains black undertail coverts and tail).

TROGLODYTIDAE 21. House Wren – Troglodytes aedon – Cucarachero Comun Widespread and common virtually throughout Peru, up to 4600 m, although often very local in Amazonia and on humid slopes of Andes. Found in open habitats with scattered low bushes and shrubs, such as forest edge and young second growth, montane scrub, and agricultural areas; frequently a conspicuous presence in gardens and other areas near human habitation. Usually solitary. Small, brown, with expressive tail that frequently is carried cocked; otherwise rather plain, but note barred wings and tail. Color, especially of underparts, somewhat variable. Birds on the coast from La Libertad south to northern Ica, and in central highlands from Amazonas south to Bolivia, tend to be the deepest buff below; but there is considerable individual variation as well.

ICTERIDAE 22. Yellow-rumped Cacique – Cacicus cela – Cacique de Lomo Amarillo One of most characteristic Amazonian birds (cela); up to 1300 m, in forest, at forest edge, in clearings and towns. Also rare in evergreen forest in Tumbes (flavicrissus; not illustrated) below 750 m; shows less yellow at base of tail and on wing coverts, and bill is darker

23. Russet-backed Oropendola – Psarocolius angustifrons – Oropendola de Dorso Bermejo One of most common, widespread oropendolas. Fairly common throughout Amazonia (although perhaps scarcer on immediate south bank of Amazon) and on east slopes of Andes, up to 2000 m. Mostly dull brown with rufescent rump, and olive tone to head. In northern lowlands is browner overall and bill black (angustifrons). Greener, pale-billed alfredi of Andes also extends into southern Amazonia, north at least to northern Ucayali.

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© 2021 Jacamar Club - Perú TYRANNIDAE 24. Lesser Kiskadee – Pitangus lictor – Bienteveo Menor Small, slender-billed kiskadee intimately associated with water; perches low over oxbow lakes and relatively sluggish rivers throughout Amazonia, up to 750 m. Usually in pairs. Much less conspicuous than larger Great Kiskadee, and more closely associated with water. Also has slimmer proportions and slenderer bill. Bill much longer than in Myiozetetes. Readily identified by distinctive.

Lesser Kiskadee - Photo by Candy Echevarria

25. Rusty-margined Flycatcher – Myiozetetes cayanensis – Mosquero de Ala Castaña Locally fairly common, but restricted to far southeast; also, should be looked for along lower Río Yavarí. Often close to water, such as at margins of oxbow lakes; also, at edges to pastures. Very similar to Social Flycatcher, with which it overlaps. Rusty-margined has more contrasting facial pattern (dark stripes on head blacker; whiter superciliaries; and superciliaries meet over bill); more prominent rufous margins to remiges; and plainer wing coverts (Social has narrow light tips to wing coverts). Juvenile Social has brighter, more rufous edges to remiges but also has more prominent cinnamon tips to wing coverts. Rusty-margined also browner above, less olive, and semiconcealed crown spot is yellower. Also, different

26. Streaked Flycatcher – Myiodynastes maculatus – Mosquero Rayado Fairly common in Amazonia and northwest. Large, blackish, heavily streaked solitarius breeds on east slope of Andes up to 2000 m in southern (and perhaps central) Peru; also a common austral migrant (primarily Mar–Sep) throughout Amazonia, locally up to 1400 m. Juvenile (not illustrated) similar but has narrow rufous edges to wing coverts, remiges, and to crown. Found in canopy of tall humid forest, especially at forest edge, clearings with scattered tall trees (even near houses), and tall second growth. - 10 -

© 2021 Jacamar Club - Perú Very different maculatus resident in northern Amazonia, where primarily on forested river islands and less commonly in adjacent varzea. Both maculatus and similar chapmani (dry forest in northwest, up to 1200 m) are smaller and brown with prominent rufous edges to remiges. Cf. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher.

THRAUPIDAE 27. Saffron Finch – Sicalis citrina – Chirigue Azafranado Fairly common in northwest, on coast and in lower portion of semiarid Marañón Valley, up to 2200 m. Frequent in towns and gardens, otherwise occurs in desert scrub. Often in pairs or small flocks. Commonly kept in captivity. Escaped cage birds can be encountered in towns and cities away from original range; established in Lima and Puerto Maldonado, and reported from other towns as well.

28. Swallow Tanager – Tersina viridis – Azulejo Golondrina Fairly common and widespread in Amazonia, up to 1500 m. Presence and abundance at many sites’ variable, suggesting migration or nomadic movements. Easiest to see (and more common?) at edge of humid forest and of second growth, but also in forest interior. Usually in small groups, apart from other species, that perch in canopy, often at a high exposed site. Largely frugivorous, taking fruit with gleans or sallies. Captures arthropods with short sallies. Nests in a cavity, typically a burrow in a dirt bank. Patterned and colored somewhat like a Tangara tanager, but note the characteristic upright posture and broad bill. Male takes several years to reach definitive plumage; younger males are variably blotched green and blue, and black face mask is duller. Cf. larger cotingas (Cotinga).

Swallow Tanager - Photo by Candy Echevarria

29. Blue Dacnis – Dacnis cayana – Dacnis Azul Fairly common and widespread in Amazonia, up to 1500 m on lower slopes of Andes. Found in canopy of humid forests, at forest edge, and in second growth. Gleans arthropods from leaf surfaces, often focusing on surfaces with obvious leaf damage. Note female’s small size, blue crown and bill shape; cf. female Green Honeycreeper (often found in same flocks)

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30. Silver-beaked Tanager – Ramphocelus nigrogularis – Dacnis Azul Fairly common. Found on both slopes of western Andes in northwestern Peru, and along east slope of Andes, 1200–2600 m, locally down to 800 m and up to 2900 m. Found at edge of forest, in forest fragments and second growth; rarely encountered far inside continuous forest, and seems most common in less humid habitats. Throat color may vary from coppery brown to light bronze (depending upon lighting conditions). Male otherwise largely black, with opalescent bluish green back and flanks; female mostly green with a dusky crown.

31. Red-capped Cardenal – Paroaria gularis – Cardenal de Gorro Rojo A familiar sight at edges of oxbow lakes and rivers in Amazonia, below 600 m. Forages as singles or pairs, almost always perching on snags or shrubs low over water. Immature similar in pattern to adult, but cap is rusty brown.

32. Blue Gray Tanager – Thraupis episcopus – Tangara Azuleja Common and widespread in lowland Peru, locally up to 2000 m. Geographically variable, but all populations are bluish gray; bluer on wings. Usually forages in midstory and canopy. Blue-shouldered quaesita is uncommon in northwest. White-shouldered subspecies are common in Amazonia and Marañón Valley. Juveniles and immatures of all subspecies are much duller and lack white wing markings (so are similar to adult quaesita); also, edges of remiges are greener (more turquoise) blue. A feral population is fairly common in and near the city of Lima, where both blue- and whiteshouldered birds are found.

33. Palm Tanager – Thraupis palmarum – Tangara de Palmeras Widespread and common in Amazonia, up to 1600 m. Often found in or near palms. Color of body can vary from olive to purplish depending upon light; at all times, 2-toned appearance of wings usually is conspicuous.

34. Buff-throated Saltator – Saltator maximus – Saltador de Garganta Anteada Fairly common and widespread in Amazonia and east slope of Andes, up to 1750 m, in subcanopy and canopy of humid forest (especially at forest openings and fruiting trees), forest edge, and taller second growth. Also uncommon in evergreen forest in Tumbes. Singles or pairs may associate with mixed-species flocks.

35. Chestnut-bellied Seed-finch – Sporophila angolensis – Semillero de Vientre Castaño Fairly common and widespread in Amazonia, up to 1500 m. Found at forest edge and in clearings; sometimes in stunted forest on ridges. Remains in or near cover when foraging, but male sings from an exposed, elevated perch. Female superficially similar to female Sporophila, but larger and darker with much heavier bill. Cf. also female Silver- beaked Tanager and female Blue-black Grosbeak (which is a bird of forest interior, not of forest edge).

36. Blue Black Grassquit – Volatinia jacarina – Semillerito Negro Azulado Common and widespread throughout lowlands (up to 2400 m); particularly common on coast and in Marañón Valley, widespread but less common in Amazonia. Often in gardens, also fields, pastures, and other open grassy habitats. Small, with conical bill and slightly rounded tail. Male has white underwing coverts. Coastal peruviensis rarely if ever completely blue-black; remiges dusky brown, body usually narrowly scaled rusty or grayish brown. Female has narrowly streaked breast; also note rather pointed bill.

37. Chestnut-bellied Seedeater – Sporophila castaneiventris – Espiguero de Vientre Castaño The most common and widespread seedeater in Amazonia. A familiar sight in towns, along roads, in grassy clearings, and in other open habitats with grass (including young river islands), up to 1400 m. Male is the only widespread gray and chestnut seedeater in Peru. Female similar to several other species of Amazonian seedeaters; it is buffier, less brown, than female Caqueta Seedeater, and buffier, less olive than female Black-and-white, Yellow-bellied, and Double-collared seedeaters

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© 2021 Jacamar Club - Perú MIMIDAE 38. Tropical Kingbird – Mimus gilvus (V) – Calandria Tropical One of the most widespread, common, and conspicuous open-country birds of Peru, although absent from high Andes and southwest. Regularly up to 2100 m, locally or seasonally to 3500 m, in cities and towns, in dry scrub and forest, in pastures, along rivers, and at edge of humid forest. Resident, although populations in Amazonia also supplemented in austral winter by southern migrants. Readily recognized by gray head, light gray throat, yellow underparts, and long, notched tail. Juvenile (not illustrated) paler below, with whiter throat and narrow rufous tips to wing coverts.

TYRANNIDAE PASSERIFORMES 39. Piratic Flycatcher – Legatus Leucophaius – Mosquetero Pirata Fairly common and widespread in Amazonia (up to 1400 m), in canopy of humid forest edge, tall second growth, and clearings with scattered tall trees. Heard far more often than seen. Primarily frugivorous. Named after “piratic” behavior: usurps nests of other species (often of caciques or oropendolas). Smaller than Variegated Flycatcher, with stubbier bill that lacks pale base to mandible; lacks rufous in wings and tail; upperparts plain (mottled in Variegated); and has less extensive white margins on wings (although wing coverts and secondaries of both species may be edged pale)

RAMPHASTIDAE 40. White-throaed Toucan – Ramphastos tucanus – Tucan de Garganta Blanca Common in forest in lowland Amazonia, locally into foothills (mostly below 800 m, locally up to 1100 m). Cf. nearly identical, but smaller, shorter-billed Channel-billed Toucan. Best distinguished by.

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1. Thanks to Shamus Terry and Vortex Optics for sponsoring with birding gear for the education and training purpose, to help leaders in birding and birdwatching in Perú. 2. Thanks a lot, to our Jacamar Club team and Alvaro Capa for sharing his experience in the amazonian birding. 3. Thanks to Mr. Edson Andres Trujillo Ballesteros, owner of the Camungo Tourist Center for providing us with his area for bird watching. 4. Thanks to the volunteers of Madre De Dios for their enthusiasm, interest, discipline and companionship in the world of birds.

1. Candy Echevarria 2. Meylli Alvarado 3. Maria Gutierrez 4. Cecilia Borda 5. Janet Chavez 6. Junet Maldonado 7. Yadhira Cavero 8. Angela Rafael

FIELD GEAR USED

− Binocular: Vortex Diamondback 8X32mm HD (1) − Binocular: Vortex Diamonback HD 10X42mm (2) − Digital Camera Sony Compact − Bird of Peru, Aves de Peru (Field Books Spanish)

YOU CAN FIND MORE ABOUT JACAMAR CLUB AT

1. The fun Page https://www.facebook.com/JacamarClub/ 2. The website https://www.jacamargroup.com/ 3. Ebird Bio @jacamarclub 4. Instagram Bio @Jacamarclub 5. YouTube Bio https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCszUDj9LXeBb6MGqSnoGD6w 6. If you need contacts us please call us WhatsApp PERU Ana Amable +5174296204 EEUU Richard Amable +1 (513) 575-6064

REFERENCES AND LITERATURES

SCHULEMBERG, T. S.; D .F.STOTZ; D. F. LANE; J. P. O’NEILL & T. A., PARKER III. 2007. Birds of Peru. Princeton Field Guides. Princeton University Press. 304 pp. PLENGE, M. A. Version [November/2020] List of the birds of Peru / Lista de las aves del Perú. Unión de Ornitólogos del Perú.

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Peru Women Birders from Madre de Dios Region – Photo Jacamar Club

Angela scoping the birds - Photo by Candy Echevarria

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Women birders from Madre de Dios Region at Camungo Touristic Center - Photo by Candy Echevarria.

THE END

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