Ecuador: the Northwestern Andean Slopes

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ecuador: the Northwestern Andean Slopes ECUADOR: THE NORTHWESTERN ANDEAN SLOPES NOVEMBER 10–18, 2018 Moss-backed Tanager © Paul J. Greenfield LEADER: PAUL GREENFIELD LIST COMPILED BY: PAUL GREENFIELD VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM ECUADOR: THE NORTHWESTERN ANDEAN SLOPES NOVEMBER 10–18, 2018 By Paul Greenfield Ecuador’s renowned avian treasures are perhaps most easily discovered in this country’s northwestern region, along the high-Andean ridges and throughout the incredibly biodiverse Chocó bioregion. During our week-long sojourn within this fascinating sector, we explored a variety of ecosystems and habitats at varying elevations, but surely one of the most rewarding aspects was experiencing several “home-grown” tourism projects where we were able to witness firsthand how birds and birding have inspired creativity and environmental awareness, have fostered well-being, and are generating crucial economic benefits for rural communities that otherwise had been literally “left by the wayside.” It is thanks to these amazing entrepreneurial efforts that we were able to observe and enjoy so many wonderful bird species. We would like to extend our special thanks to Rolando, Angel & Rodrigo, Sergio & Doris, Luis, and Fabián, who have given so much of themselves to make our journey a great success! We also cannot forget to mention the Jocotoco and Mindo Cloudforest foundations for their tireless work saving bird species and the forests that they inhabit, and last but not least the fabulous staff (and owner) of Séptimo Paraíso, our home-away-from- home throughout this Northwestern Andean Slopes Tour. Our itinerary took us first to the high-Andean Yanacocha refuge, where within a little over an hour’s drive up and over the northwestern ridge of Pichincha volcano, we immediately came upon our first whirl of undescribably mesmerizing hummingbirds: Tyrian Metaltails, Sapphire- vented Pufflegs, Shining Sunbeams, Buff-winged Starfrontlets, the otherworldly Sword-billed Hummingbird, and an onslaught of really huge (for a hummer) Great Sapphirewings, while a group of Andean Guans rummaged about not far away. At nearby plantain feeders, which we had to sacrifice our bananas to, a totally out of range female White-lined Tanager surprised us; and then the spectacle ensued—not knowing how to look away from the hummingbird action to enjoy close-ups of a group of Black-chested and Scarlet-bellied mountain-tanagers, and a pair of Yellow-breasted (Rufous-naped) Brushfinches; a pair of Tufted Tit-Tyrants also entertained us. As Brown-bellied Swallows circled about, we headed off along the reserve’s main trail and ran into a small mixed-species foraging flock with White-banded Tyrannulets, Superciliaried Hemispingus, and Cinereous Conebill among the participants. We advanced to a final set of feeders where we were able to study many of the same hummingbirds we already enjoyed earlier (though with some better views, if that could even be possible) and added the scarce Golden-breasted Puffleg to our cache; we also had excellent looks along the way and at the feeders of many very obliging Glossy and Masked flowerpiercers. As the clouds began to roll in, we continued our journey westward and constantly downslope towards the village of Tandayapa, along the Paseo del Quinde Ecoroute, stopping for views of a di stant lek of Andean Cocks-of-the-rock across the thickly forested valley; we spotted a White-capped Dipper at the Tandayapa bridge and then ascended along the winding Ecoroute to the ridge where we took an excellent coffee/birding break at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge…complete with a feast of Speckled Hummingbirds, dazzling Violet-tailed Sylphs (our first of many), sharply-clad Collared Incas, Buff-tailed Coronets (by the dozens!), Fawn-breasted Brilliants, a female Empress Brilliant, and adorable bee-like Purple-throated Woodstars, Masked Trogons (including one female that hung out right by us), a charming Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Ecuador: Northwestern Andean Slopes, 2018 unabashed Cinnamon Flycatcher, Smoke-colored Pewee, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Russet-crowned and Blackburnian warblers, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers, White-sided Flowerpiercer, and Orange-bellied Euphonia. We then continued on towards our day’s destination and what would be our headquarters for the remainder of the trip—Séptimo Paraíso Lodge—stopping for a Gorgeted Sunangel en route. From the comfort of our lodge, the following five days were jam-packed with visits to a diversity of habitats, ecosystems, and birding destinations, and a veritable rainbow of memorable experiences to come: walks around the Séptimo Paraíso grounds, visits to Milpe Bird Sanctuary, San Tadeo Birding (“Casa Rolando” is my own preferred name), the village of ’23 de Junio’, Amagusa Reserve (in the Mashpi area), Río Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Mirador Río Blanco for coffee and birds, the unforgettable Paz Refugio de las Aves, and Milpe Gardens. Highlights were definitely innumerable—each and every day brought a treasure- trove of regional avian specialties and a constant flow of “Wow” and “OMG”-moments! Our second day brought on a Tiny Hawk fly-by right over our heads (!), 16 hummingbird species (many of them Chocó endemic species), including White-whiskered and Tawny-bellied hermits, more splendid Violet-tailed Sylphs, Brown Inca, the most spectacular Velvet-purple Coronets, those absolutely precious (White) Booted Racket-tails, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, glittering Crowned Woodnymphs, and Andean Emeralds among them. At and around the plantain feeders at Milpe Bird Sanctuary we relished in a pair of Rufous Motmots, a wonderful pair of Red-headed Barbets, and our first of many Chestnut-mandibled (Yellow-throated) and Chocó toucans, all seen up-close-and-personal. Of the 16 species of mind-blowing tanagers seen on this our first day—most of them observed intimately close at plantain feeders set up at Milpe Bird Sanctuary and San Tadeo Birding (Casa Rolando)—Fawn-breasted, the Chocó endemic Rufous-throated, Golden-naped, Black-capped, Blue-necked, Beryl-spangled, the endemic regional race of Flame-faced, Golden, Silver-throated, and Swallow tanagers stand out. We also enjoyed a pair of nest-building Red-faced Spinetails, delightful Ornate Flycatcher, a juvenile male Golden-winged Manakin, the endemic Ecuadorian Thrush, and a snappy pair of Green Honeycreepers. Our following morning was truly amazing (even with our brief bout of car battery trouble). We set out early and drove through thick fog to the small village of 23 de Junio, to meet up with Luís Aguíla, who would lead us on an uphill hike to where we eventually found several Long- wattled Umbrellabirds! But this was just the beginning: Golden-headed Quetzals, Pale- mandibled Araçaris, a male Powerful Woodpecker, a perched female Bat Falcon, a flying band of Rose-faced Parrots, at least 20 Bronze-winged Parrots, Nariño Tapaculo, a Slaty Spinetail sunning itself, a wonderful episode with a displaying male Club-winged Manakin, and our first Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers. But perhaps most unforgettable was a perched, calling Ornate Hawk-Eagle that sat out in plain view, crest flaring…scope views; later we heard and then watched a soaring Black Hawk-Eagle…and that was only the morning! We then spent a very enjoyable morning at the Amagusa Reserve, run by a local couple who are creating a wonderful hands-on conservation project of their own. Their plantain feeders were quite amazing, with many tanagers that included the breathtaking Glistening-green and the regionally special Moss-backed, the definitely uncommon Golden-collared Honeycreeper, and even better looks than we’d enjoyed before of Flame-faced and Rufous-throated tanagers; gasps were uttered as a group of Crimson-rumped Toucanets worked their way to the feeders. It just kept getting better, if it really could, as we came face-to-face with an Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Ecuador: Northwestern Andean Slopes, 2018 exceptionally camouflaged (in plain-sight) female Lyre-tailed Nightjar at its day roost just a few feet away. We then set ourselves up at the steps of what seemed like a rather out-of- place artist’s home, in front of several plantain feeders, and let the show commence— tanagers of course, then a pair of—one of the region’s show-stoppers—Toucan Barbets, and followed by 4 individuals of what must have been a family group of Tayras (a robust member of the weasel family) that slowly worked their way up to us and the feeders. Just sitting there (well, we began moving about to get better looks) we spotted several Chocó endemics, including Pacific Tuftedcheek and Uniform Treehunter, then a Broad-billed Motmot and a Rufous-rumped Antwren . Back along the road we encountered our first Orange-breasted Fruiteater (2 more were seen a bit later on) and the rare endemic Indigo Flowerpiercer; three Black-and-white Becards and later a White-breasted Wood-Wren were seen …again, another super morning! Back at Séptimo Paraíso, we took it easy, picking up a couple of new species; Ann and Andrew encountered a Crested Guan, and we walked over to enjoy scope views of a napping Common Potoo on its day-roost. Our next outing took us to a lowland site, Río Silanche Bird Sanctuary; a pair of Hook-billed Kites presented themselves well before we even arrived at the reserve. Once there, we headed straight for the well-reputed canopy tower, where, from its elevated platform, we scanned the surroundings and waited patiently (or impatiently) for the activity to fire-up, and slowly, perhaps, but surely it did. Chocó Tyrannulet came in close, as did Red-eyed Vireo (resident birds); a perched Purple-crowned Fairy was scoped; the Chocó endemic Purple- chested Hummingbird also showed up at some point; a male White-tailed Trogon perched close-by on some nearby branches; Golden-olive and Black-cheeked woodpeckers were seen, as we secured close views of a male Black-crowned Antshrike and a band of Dot- winged Antwrens; a Black-striped Woodcreeper, 2 male White-shouldered and a pair of Gray- and-gold tanagers were also seen splendidly.
Recommended publications
  • Bird Ecology, Conservation, and Community Responses
    BIRD ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION, AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO LOGGING IN THE NORTHERN PERUVIAN AMAZON by NICO SUZANNE DAUPHINÉ (Under the Direction of Robert J. Cooper) ABSTRACT Understanding the responses of wildlife communities to logging and other human impacts in tropical forests is critical to the conservation of global biodiversity. I examined understory forest bird community responses to different intensities of non-mechanized commercial logging in two areas of the northern Peruvian Amazon: white-sand forest in the Allpahuayo-Mishana Reserve, and humid tropical forest in the Cordillera de Colán. I quantified vegetation structure using a modified circular plot method. I sampled birds using mist nets at a total of 21 lowland forest stands, comparing birds in logged forests 1, 5, and 9 years postharvest with those in unlogged forests using a sample effort of 4439 net-hours. I assumed not all species were detected and used sampling data to generate estimates of bird species richness and local extinction and turnover probabilities. During the course of fieldwork, I also made a preliminary inventory of birds in the northwest Cordillera de Colán and incidental observations of new nest and distributional records as well as threats and conservation measures for birds in the region. In both study areas, canopy cover was significantly higher in unlogged forest stands compared to logged forest stands. In Allpahuayo-Mishana, estimated bird species richness was highest in unlogged forest and lowest in forest regenerating 1-2 years post-logging. An estimated 24-80% of bird species in unlogged forest were absent from logged forest stands between 1 and 10 years postharvest.
    [Show full text]
  • Biolphilately Vol-64 No-3
    BIOPHILATELY OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BIOLOGY UNIT OF ATA MARCH 2020 VOLUME 69, NUMBER 1 Great fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite 'em, And little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum. —Augustus De Morgan Dr. Indraneil Das Pangolins on Stamps More Inside >> IN THIS ISSUE NEW ISSUES: ARTICLES & ILLUSTRATIONS: From the Editor’s Desk ......................... 1 Botany – Christopher E. Dahle ............ 17 Pangolins on Stamps of the President’s Message .............................. 2 Fungi – Paul A. Mistretta .................... 28 World – Dr. Indraneil Das ..................7 Secretary -Treasurer’s Corner ................ 3 Mammalia – Michael Prince ................ 31 Squeaky Curtain – Frank Jacobs .......... 15 New Members ....................................... 3 Ornithology – Glenn G. Mertz ............. 35 New Plants in the Philatelic News of Note ......................................... 3 Ichthyology – J. Dale Shively .............. 57 Herbarium – Christopher Dahle ....... 23 Women’s Suffrage – Dawn Hamman .... 4 Entomology – Donald Wright, Jr. ........ 59 Rats! ..................................................... 34 Event Calendar ...................................... 6 Paleontology – Michael Kogan ........... 65 New Birds in the Philatelic Wedding Set ........................................ 16 Aviary – Charles E. Braun ............... 51 Glossary ............................................... 72 Biology Reference Websites ................ 69 ii Biophilately March 2020 Vol. 69 (1) BIOPHILATELY BIOLOGY UNIT
    [Show full text]
  • Rapid Ecological Assessment Mayflower Bocawina National Park
    Rapid Ecological Assessment Mayflower Bocawina National Park Volume II - Appendix J.C. Meerman B. Holland, A. Howe, H. L. Jones, B. W. Miller This report was prepared for: Friends of Mayflower under a grant provided by PACT. July 31, 2003 J. C. Meerman – REA – Mayflower Bocawina National Park – Appendices – July 2003 – page 1 Appendix 1 Birdlist of Mayflower Bocawina National Park (MBNP) Status: R = Resident, W =Winter visitor, D = Drys season resident, A = Accidental visitor, T = Transient. MBNP: X = Recorded during REA, ? = Species in need of confirmation, MN = Reported by Mamanoots Resort, some may need confirmation English Name Scientific name Local name(s) Status MBNP TINAMOUS - TINAMIDAE Great Tinamou Tinamus major Blue-footed partridge R X Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Bawley R X Slaty-breasted Tinamou Crypturellus boucardi Red-footed partridge R ? HERONS - ARDEIDAE Bare-throated Tiger Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum Barking gaulin R X Great Egret Egretta alba Gaulin, Garza blanca WR MN Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Blue Gaulin, Garza morene W X Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Gaulin, Garza blanca WR X AMERICAN VULTURES - CATHARTIDAE Black Vulture Coragyps atratus John Crow, Sope WR X Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Doctor John Crow, Sope WR X King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa King John Crow, Sope real R X KITES, HAWKS, EAGLES AND ALLIES - ACCIPITRIDAE Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus Scissors-tailed hawk DT X Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea D MN White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis R X Gray Hawk Asturina nitidus R X Great Black-Hawk
    [Show full text]
  • N° English Name Scientific Name Status Day 1
    1 FUNDACIÓN JOCOTOCO CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF YANACOCHA N° English Name Scientific Name Status Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 1 Tawny-breasted Tinamou Nothocercus julius R 2 Curve-billed Tinamou Nothoprocta curvirostris U 3 Torrent Duck Merganetta armata 4 Andean Teal Anas andium 5 Andean Guan Penelope montagnii U 6 Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii 7 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 8 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 9 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 10 Andean Condor Vultur gryphus R Sharp-shinned Hawk (Plain- 11 breasted Hawk) Accipiter striatus U 12 Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus 13 Black-and-chestnut Eagle Spizaetus isidori 14 Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus 15 Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris 16 White-rumped Hawk Parabuteo leucorrhous 17 Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus U 18 White-throated Hawk Buteo albigula R 19 Variable Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma U 20 Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens VR 21 Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe Attagis gayi 22 Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda R 23 Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii VR 24 Andean Snipe Gallinago jamesoni FC 25 Imperial Snipe Gallinago imperialis U 26 Noble Snipe Gallinago nobilis 27 Jameson's Snipe Gallinago jamesoni 28 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 29 Band-tailed Pigeon Patagoienas fasciata FC 30 Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea 31 Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina 32 White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi R 33 White-throated Quail-Dove Zentrygon frenata U 34 Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata U 35 Barn Owl Tyto alba 36 White-throated Screech-Owl Megascops
    [Show full text]
  • On Birds of Santander-Bio Expeditions, Quantifying The
    Facultad de Ciencias ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA Departamento de Biología http://www.revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/actabiol Sede Bogotá ARTÍCULO DE INVESTIGACIÓN / RESEARCH ARTICLE ZOOLOGÍA ON BIRDS OF SANTANDER-BIO EXPEDITIONS, QUANTIFYING THE COST OF COLLECTING VOUCHER SPECIMENS IN COLOMBIA Sobre las aves de las expediciones Santander-Bio, cuantificando el costo de colectar especímenes en Colombia Enrique ARBELÁEZ-CORTÉS1 *, Daniela VILLAMIZAR-ESCALANTE1 , Fernando RONDÓN-GONZÁLEZ2 1Grupo de Estudios en Biodiversidad, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Carrera 27 Calle 9, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia. 2Grupo de Investigación en Microbiología y Genética, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Carrera 27 Calle 9, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia. *For correspondence: [email protected] Received: 23th January 2019, Returned for revision: 26th March 2019, Accepted: 06th May 2019. Associate Editor: Diego Santiago-Alarcón. Citation/Citar este artículo como: Arbeláez-Cortés E, Villamizar-Escalante D, and Rondón-González F. On birds of Santander-Bio Expeditions, quantifying the cost of collecting voucher specimens in Colombia. Acta biol. Colomb. 2020;25(1):37-60. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/abc. v25n1.77442 ABSTRACT Several scientific reasons support continuing bird collection in Colombia, a megadiverse country with modest science financing. Despite the recognized value of biological collections for the rigorous study of biodiversity, there is scarce information on the monetary costs of specimens. We present results for three expeditions conducted in Santander (municipalities of Cimitarra, El Carmen de Chucurí, and Santa Barbara), Colombia, during 2018 to collect bird voucher specimens, quantifying the costs of obtaining such material. After a sampling effort of 1290 mist net hours and occasional collection using an airgun, we collected 300 bird voucher specimens, representing 117 species from 30 families.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecuador: the Andes & Mindo December 1
    Ecuador: The Andes & Mindo December 1 – 9, 2016 Experience Ecuador’s Andean beauty and amazing bird diversity: from the hummingbirds of Yanacocha to the cloud forests of Bella Vista. Explore Antisana Volcano and search for endemics of the Chocó region; this trip is a must for those keen to explore South America. Visit the east and west sides of two branches of the Andes and bird key hotspots at Silanche, Milpe, Mindo, Guango, San Isidro, Papallacta Pass, and Antisana Volcano. Ecuador’s cloud forests host rarities like Highland Tinamou, Greater Scythebill, Bicolored Antbird, and the Sword-billed Hummingbird ― the only bird with a bill longer than its body. Savor delightful eco-lodges in forests lush with orchids, bromeliads, and butterflies, browse colorful markets, and enjoy warm Ecuadorian hospitality. Extend your trip to one of the Amazonia lodges if you choose. Tour Highlights Explore the important Yanacocha Reserve, with hummingbirds — including the amazing Sword-billed — as the star attraction Relax at the lovely Sachatamia Lodge, located on a private reserve; legendary birding is just out your door Bird a private farm, famous for views of the often difficult Giant Antpitta and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Discover the abundant species of the lush cloud forest, 5,000 – 7,000 feet above sea level Trek the tundra-like high paramo and enjoy views of the stunning (and snow-capped) Antisana Volcano; our eyes are peeled for Andean Condor Bird and botanize in the cloud forests of San Isidro; 310 species abound Naturalist Journeys, LLC / Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 / 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667www.naturalistjourneys.com / www.caligo.com [email protected] / [email protected] Tour Summary 9-Day / 8-Night Birding & Natural History Tour with Expert Local Guides $2750 from Quito Airport is Mariscal Sucre International (UIO) Itinerary Thurs., Dec.
    [Show full text]
  • REGUA Bird List July 2020.Xlsx
    Birds of REGUA/Aves da REGUA Updated July 2020. The taxonomy and nomenclature follows the Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee, updated June 2015 - based on the checklist of the South American Classification Committee (SACC). Atualizado julho de 2020. A taxonomia e nomenclatura seguem o Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Lista anotada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos, atualizada em junho de 2015 - fundamentada na lista do Comitê de Classificação da América do Sul (SACC).
    [Show full text]
  • Ornithological Surveys in Serranía De Los Churumbelos, Southern Colombia
    Ornithological surveys in Serranía de los Churumbelos, southern Colombia Paul G. W . Salaman, Thomas M. Donegan and Andrés M. Cuervo Cotinga 12 (1999): 29– 39 En el marco de dos expediciones biológicos y Anglo-Colombian conservation expeditions — ‘Co­ conservacionistas anglo-colombianas multi-taxa, s lombia ‘98’ and the ‘Colombian EBA Project’. Seven llevaron a cabo relevamientos de aves en lo Serranía study sites were investigated using non-systematic de los Churumbelos, Cauca, en julio-agosto 1988, y observations and standardised mist-netting tech­ julio 1999. Se estudiaron siete sitios enter en 350 y niques by the three authors, with Dan Davison and 2500 m, con 421 especes registrados. Presentamos Liliana Dávalos in 1998. Each study site was situ­ un resumen de los especes raros para cada sitio, ated along an altitudinal transect at c. 300- incluyendo los nuevos registros de distribución más m elevational steps, from 350–2500 m on the Ama­ significativos. Los resultados estabilicen firme lo zonian slope of the Serranía. Our principal aim was prioridad conservacionista de lo Serranía de los to allow comparisons to be made between sites and Churumbelos, y aluco nos encontramos trabajando with other biological groups (mammals, herptiles, junto a los autoridades ambientales locales con insects and plants), and, incorporating geographi­ cuiras a lo protección del marcizo. cal and anthropological information, to produce a conservation assessment of the region (full results M e th o d s in Salaman et al.4). A sizeable part of eastern During 14 July–17 August 1998 and 3–22 July 1999, Cauca — the Bota Caucana — including the 80-km- ornithological surveys were undertaken in Serranía long Serranía de los Churumbelos had never been de los Churumbelos, Department of Cauca, by two subject to faunal surveys.
    [Show full text]
  • RIO SILANCHE BIRD SANCTUARY BIRD CHECKLIST Updated April 2008 the Number Codes Give a General Idea of Your Chance to See a Bird on a Short Visit
    RIO SILANCHE BIRD SANCTUARY BIRD CHECKLIST Updated April 2008 The number codes give a general idea of your chance to see a bird on a short visit. Code 1's are common or conspicuous species that you have a good chance to see on any given day. 2 means an uncommon species, or a shy bird that can be difficult to see even if it might be common. Code 3 birds are either rare, very difficult to see, or both. Species marked with an asterisk(*) have only been recorded along the entrance road from the main highway, and not on reserve property. Taxonomy follows Ridgely & Greenfield The Birds of Ecuador , 2001, with some recent updates. Please email any new records (with details) to [email protected]. English name Latin name Notes Tinamous Tinamidae 1 3 Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Herons, Bitterns, and Egrets Ardeidae 2 2 Great Egret Ardea alba 3 2 Snowy Egret Egretta thula 4 1 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 5 3 Striated Heron* Butorides striatus American Vultures Cathartidae 6 1 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 7 1 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Kites, Eagles, and Hawks Accipitridae 8 3 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 9 2 Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis 10 1 Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus 11 2 Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus 12 2 Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea 13 3 Tiny Hawk Accipiter superciliosus 14 3 Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor 15 2 Plumbeous Hawk Leucopternis plumbea 16 3 Semiplumbeous Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbea 17 3 Gray-backed Hawk Leucopternis occidentalis Tumbesian endemic, endangered 18 2 Gray Hawk Buteo nitida
    [Show full text]
  • COLOMBIA 2019 Ned Brinkley Departments of Vaupés, Chocó, Risaralda, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena, Tolima, Atlántico, La Gu
    COLOMBIA 2019 Ned Brinkley Departments of Vaupés, Chocó, Risaralda, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena, Tolima, Atlántico, La Guajira, Boyacá, Distrito Capital de Bogotá, Caldas These comments are provided to help independent birders traveling in Colombia, particularly people who want to drive themselves to birding sites rather than taking public transportation and also want to book reservations directly with lodgings and reserves rather than using a ground agent or tour company. Many trip reports provide GPS waypoints for navigation. I used GoogleEarth/ Maps, which worked fine for most locations (not for El Paujil reserve). I paid $10/day for AT&T to hook me up to Claro, Movistar, or Tigo through their Passport program. Others get a local SIM card so that they have a Colombian number (cheaper, for sure); still others use GooglePhones, which provide connection through other providers with better or worse success, depending on the location in Colombia. For transportation, I used a rental 4x4 SUV to reach places with bad roads but also, in northern Colombia, a subcompact rental car as far as Minca (hiked in higher elevations, with one moto-taxi to reach El Dorado lodge) and for La Guajira. I used regular taxis on few occasions. The only roads to sites for Fuertes’s Parrot and Yellow-eared Parrot could not have been traversed without four-wheel drive and high clearance, and this is important to emphasize: vehicles without these attributes would have been useless, or become damaged or stranded. Note that large cities in Colombia (at least Medellín, Santa Marta, and Cartagena) have restrictions on driving during rush hours with certain license plate numbers (they base restrictions on the plate’s final numeral).
    [Show full text]
  • Costa Rica: the Introtour | July 2017
    Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica: The Introtour | July 2017 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour Costa Rica: The Introtour July 15 – 25, 2017 Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead INTRODUCTION This year’s July departure of the Costa Rica Introtour had great luck with many of the most spectacular, emblematic birds of Central America like Resplendent Quetzal (photo right), Three-wattled Bellbird, Great Green and Scarlet Macaws, and Keel-billed Toucan, as well as some excellent rarities like Black Hawk- Eagle, Ochraceous Pewee and Azure-hooded Jay. We enjoyed great weather for birding, with almost no morning rain throughout the trip, and just a few delightful afternoon and evening showers. Comfortable accommodations, iconic landscapes, abundant, delicious meals, and our charismatic driver Luís enhanced our time in the field. Our group, made up of a mix of first- timers to the tropics and more seasoned tropical birders, got along wonderfully, with some spying their first-ever toucans, motmots, puffbirds, etc. on this trip, and others ticking off regional endemics and hard-to-get species. We were fortunate to have several high-quality mammal sightings, including three monkey species, Derby’s Wooly Opossum, Northern Tamandua, and Tayra. Then there were many www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Page Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica: The Introtour | July 2017 superb reptiles and amphibians, among them Emerald Basilisk, Helmeted Iguana, Green-and- black and Strawberry Poison Frogs, and Red-eyed Leaf Frog. And on a daily basis we saw many other fantastic and odd tropical treasures like glorious Blue Morpho butterflies, enormous tree ferns, and giant stick insects! TOP FIVE BIRDS OF THE TOUR (as voted by the group) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • ECUADOR: the Andes Introtour and High Andes Extension 10Th- 19Th November 2019
    Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador: The Andes Introtour, November 2019 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour ECUADOR: The Andes Introtour and High Andes Extension th th 10 - 19 November 2019 TOUR LEADER: Jose Illanes Report and photos by Jose Illanes Andean Condor from Antisana National Park This is one Tropical Birding’s most popular tours and I have guided it numerous times. It’s always fun and offers so many memorable birds. Ecuador is a wonderful country to visit with beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and many friendly people that you will meet along the way. Some of the highlights picked by the group were Andean Condor, White-throated Screech-Owl, Giant Antpitta, Jameson’s Snipe, Giant Hummingbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Club-winged Manakin, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Lanceolated Monklet, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Undulated Antpitta, Andean Gull, Blue-black Grassquit, and the attractive Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager. Our total species count on the trip (including the extension) was around 368 seen and 31 heard only. www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.1 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador: The Andes Introtour, November 2019 Torrent Duck at Guango Lodge on the extension November 11: After having arrived in Quito the night before, we had our first birding this morning in the Yanacocha Reserve owned by the Jocotoco Foundation, which is not that far from Ecuador’s capital. Our first stop was along the entrance road near a water pumping station, where we started out by seeing Streak- throated Bush-Tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Cinereous Conebill, White-throated Tyrannulet, a very responsive Superciliaried Hemispingus, Black-crested Warbler, and the striking Crimson-mantled Woodpecker.
    [Show full text]