DOCSLIB.ORG

Bolivia Endemic Macaws & More!

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bolivia Endemic Macaws & More! BOLIVIA ENDEMIC MACAWS & MORE! PART I: EASTERN LOWLANDS, BENI GRASSLANDS & INTER-ANDEAN VALLEYS SEPTEMBER 3-18, 2021 PART II: FOOTHILLS, CLOUD FORESTS & THE ALTIPLANO SEPTEMBER 16-27, 2021 ©2020 Red-fronted Macaw © Paul Jones A well-kept birding secret, Bolivia is known for its spectacular array of Andean habitats, from towering snow-capped mountains and volcanoes to the immense panoramic altiplano, and colorful markets and villages. It is one of the least visited Andean countries and a place where birders and naturalists alike have a unique opportunity to explore and share the countries mega avifauna and possibly even make new discoveries. This land-locked nation, half of which is occupied by the Andes and its associated altiplano plains, puna, rich yungas cloud forest and high elevation lakes, boasts nearly 1,450 species of birds! Enhancing the joys of birding here, an exciting new field guide is available: Birds of Bolivia—filled with terrific illustrations and excellent maps all in a convenient and portable format. The addition of this easy-to-use resource allows for quick sorting of the tremendous diversity of birds we will observe and enjoy in this friendly country, and makes birding here even more of a pleasure. Bolivia, Page 2 Much of Bolivia’s mega-diversity is derived from a remarkable array of habitats found within the Andes. Among them are cactus- clad deserts, Yungas cloud forests, puna grasslands, Polylepis forests above “normal” tree line, and high elevation alkaline lakes as well as the famous Lake Titicaca. However, many other exciting avian-rich habitats also exist outside the Andes, including vast Pantanal wetlands in the east of the country to Chaco woodland in the far south. Although Bolivia harbors 21 species of birds that are strictly endemic to the country, at least 100 hundred other species are near endemics, occurring primarily in Bolivia but ranging barely beyond its geo-political boundary (where they are rare and difficult to find). Long regarded as a bastion of backwardness and frequent changes of governments, Bolivia has made great strides in the past two decades. Roads have been improved enormously, accommodations are surprisingly good— excellent in some areas—and the country has The Yungas Cloud Forest © Andrew Whittaker made significant progress socially and economically. Despite changes, however, traditions flourish and may be seen almost everywhere, as evidenced by colorful and often strictly traditional clothes and dress, colorful and diverse markets, and pastoral landscapes. With such a small population of around only 11 million means that there remains an abundance of good untouched habitat, often easily accessible by road, and a park system that struggles, despite shortages, to establish and protect large tracts of undisturbed land both in the Andes and in the rich lowlands. Birders and naturalists have little trouble gaining access to fine birdy habitat at almost any elevation and this remains one of Bolivia’s special appeals! Bolivia can offer travelers a fine palette of wildlife ranging from huge rheas, spectacular Macaws and toucans, and shimmery flamingos on altiplano lakes, to shy antpittas, dazzling hummingbirds and colorful cotingas and mountain tanagers in the cloud forests, to abundant waterfowl. Because our carefully planned two-part trip focuses primarily on covering all major habitats, we will have time for searching for many of the endemic and near-endemic species as well as simply enjoying the exceptional habitats and the diversity of birdlife that the country offers. Bolivia, Page 3 Part I: Eastern Lowlands, Beni Grasslands & Inter-Andean Valleys: This action-packed two-week trip offers visitors an opportunity to see an incredible number of Bolivian birds in wide-open landscapes of Chaco woodlands, dry scrub, semi-desert valleys, Yungas cloud forest, grasslands, gallery forests, palm-islands, vast marshes, and riverine floodplain forests all with an unusually diverse array of birds. We have planned to not just see but be able to enjoy two of the rarest macaws still in the “wilds” of South America, both are endemics and endangered: the Blue-throated and the stunning and most beautiful of them all, the Red-fronted macaws. Among the trip’s many highlights, we will overnight at a nice and new conservation lodge situated at a breeding and roosting area of the endemic Red-fronted Macaw, only found in arid valleys on the eastern slope of the Andes. We also plan to visit the main breeding stronghold of Blue-throated Macaw and the bird rich Bolivian Pantanal wetlands. We should expect to rack up to what was recorded on our 2018 trip, 458 species! Part II: Foothills, Cloud Forest & the Altiplano: This slightly shorter trip focuses on Bolivia’s Andean mountain habitats. Beginning in the city of Cochabamba, this tour encompasses high Polylepis woodland, a wide array of lush Yungas cloud forest habitats, sweeping panoramas of altiplano grassland, brackish lakes and two days along the shores of Lake Titicaca amid high altitude puna habitats. Our well-planned route allows visitors to slowly acclimate, over a period of a week, to the high elevations that we enter at the end of the trip. In our past tours, participants have not experienced any difficulty with the high elevations around La Paz. Snow-capped Andean Peaks near Lake Titicaca © Andrew Whittaker Because most of the habitats of Bolivia are relatively open, and birds easy to see, we certainly expect to encounter a very high number of species. Our last two trips (2016 & 2018) recorded a record of over 450 species on Part I, and almost 350 on Part II, with 12 mammals. Bolivia, Page 4 PART I: EASTERN LOWLANDS, BENI GRASSLANDS & INTER-ANDEAN VALLEYS September 3-4, Days 1-2: Arrival in Santa Cruz, Bolivia with afternoon birding the botanical gardens. Most flights from the United States will depart on Day 1 (September 3), arriving Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (Viru Viru International Airport; airport code VVI) on the morning of Day 2. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by our ground operator and transferred to the group hotel where a room will be reserved in your name. There may be an opportunity for some light birding at or near the airport before continuing on to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll have an early lunch (or late breakfast) and a short rest before venturing out in the mid-afternoon for birding in the famous Botanical Garden of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. A half century ago Santa Cruz was a sleepy village with sandy streets, few conveniences, and an uncertain future. Today it is a modern, bustling city and an economic hub for all of eastern Bolivia. Mining, lumber, agriculture, and gas and oil all feed its booming economy, but there are plenty of areas nearby with good habitat for birds and wildlife. Among these is the botanical garden, where amid the park’s woodland habitats, we’ll receive a nice introduction to the local avifauna. A sampling of species we could see includes Limpkin, Bare-faced Ibis, Speckled Chachalaca, Wattled Jacana, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Ferruginous Pygmy-owl, Southern Lapwing, Picazuro Pigeon, Purplish Jay, Blue-crowned Trogon, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Turquoise-fronted and Scaly-headed arrot, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Guira cuckoo, Campo Flicker, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Rufous Hornero, Yellow- throated Spinetail, Pearly-vented Tody- Tyrant, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Masked Gnatcatcher, Tropical Parula, Hooded, Guira and Sayaca tanagers, Ringed Teal © Andrew Whittaker Grayish Saltator, and lovely Red-crested Finch. Sometimes a roosting spectacle of hundreds of ibis and even snail Kites can be enjoyed. We also have a good chance for Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth as well the endemic White-eared Titi Monkey. NIGHTS: Day 1: In transit Day 2: Hotel Cortez, Santa Cruz September 5, Day 3: Morning departure to the Kaa-Iya National Park of Gran Chaco and rich wetlands on our way to Camiri. After an early breakfast and check-out, we will begin our drive south into the extensive dry low brushlands of Bolivia, known as the Chaco. The word “chaco” has a Quechua origin and means “place for hunting,” referring to the habits and customs of the native cultures of pre-Columbian times who used the clearings in the forest to hunt. This region spreads also into Argentina and Paraguay, and has served as a place of confrontation, a conflict known as “The Chaco War” (1932-1935), where Paraguay and Bolivia fought to control potential oil field territories which later were found to be nonexistent. The main habitats here are thorny woodland, shrubs, cacti, and savannas, which in Bolivia are very well preserved compared to neighboring countries. Bolivia, Page 5 In taller woodlands of the Guanaco National Park we will search for the spectacular Yellow-collared Macaw, Cream- backed or rare Black-bodied woodpecker, White-barred Piculet (odd looking and most probably a distinct species), Chaco Puffbird, Glittering-bellied Emereld, localized Bolivian Slaty-Antshrike, Stripe-backed Antbird, lovely Black-bellied Antwren, Black-banded Woodcreeper and recently described Straneck’s Tyrannulet. Amazingly there is even an isolated form or separate species of Guancao here (Chaco Guanacho) in the Chaco critically endangered with only around 200 individuals. We’ll also visit some brackish lakes and wetlands where we will find an abundance of water birdsincluding Puna Ibis, Ringed Teal, Rosy-billed Pochard, Fulvous and White-faced whistling-ducks, Masked Duck, Brazilian Teal, Roseate Spoonbill, and flocks of migrant shorebirds which should include Baird’s Sandpipers and flocks of cute spinning A striking Chaco Puffbird © Andrew Whittaker Wilson’s Phalarope. NIGHT: Hotel Las Tinajitas, Camiri September 6, Day 4: Birding the avian rich Gran Chaco from Boyuibe. Today we will be looking for the specialties of the Chaco.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Distribution, Natural History and Conservation Status of Two
    Bird Conservation International (2008) 18:331–348. ª BirdLife International 2008 doi:10.1017/S0959270908007491 Printed in the United Kingdom Distribution, natural history and conservation status of two endemics of the Bolivian Yungas, Bolivian Recurvebill Simoxenops striatus and Yungas Antwren Myrmotherula grisea SEBASTIAN K. HERZOG, A. BENNETT HENNESSEY, MICHAEL KESSLER and VI´CTOR H. GARCI´A-SOLI´Z Summary Since their description in the first half of the 20th century by M. A. Carriker, Bolivian Recurvebill Simoxenops striatus and Yungas Antwren Myrmotherula grisea have been regarded as extremely poorly known endemics of the Bolivian Yungas and adjacent humid foothill forests. They are considered ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN criteria of small population, predicted population decline (criterion C2a) and, in the case of Bolivian Recurvebill, small extent of occurrence (criteria B1a+b). Here we summarise the information published to date and present extensive new data on the distribution (including the first records for extreme southeast Peru), natural history, population size and conservation status of both species based on field work in the Bolivian Andes over the past 12 years. Both species primarily inhabit the understorey of primary and mid-aged to older regenerating forest and regularly join mixed-species foraging flocks of insectivorous birds. Bolivian Recurvebill has a strong preference for Guadua bamboo, but it is not an obligate bamboo specialist and persists at often much lower densities in forests without Guadua. Yungas Antwren seems to have a preference for dense, structurally complex under- storey, often with Chusquea bamboo. Both species are distributed much more continuously at altitudes of mostly 600–1,500 m, occupy a greater variety of forest types (wet, humid, semi- deciduous forest) and have a much greater population size than previously thought.
    [Show full text]
  • Bolivia Biodiversity Conservation Projzct (Bcp)
    GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY IOU3-3o Public Disclosure Authorized Bolivia BiodiversityConservation Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized ProjectDocument March 1992 Public Disclosure Authorized THEWORLD BANK CURRENCYAND EOUIVALENTS Currency Unit - Boliviano (Bs) ExchangeRate Effective June 1992 US$1.00 = Bs 3.8992 US$0.2665 = Bs 1.00 WEIGHTSAND MEASURES Metric System GOVERNMENTOF BOLIVIA FISCAL YEAR January 1 - December 31 GLOSSARYOF ABBREVIATIONS BII - Bolivian Indigenous Institute CDC - Centro de Datos para la Conservacion CIDOB - Indigenous Indian Federation SDC - Swiss Development Cooperation DNAPVS - NationalDirectorate for Protected Areas EAP - Environmental Action Plan FAN - Friends of Nature Foundation FONAMA - Fondo NacionalPara El Medio Ambiente (NationalEnvironmental Fund) GEF - Global Environment Facility GET - Global Environment Trust Fund GOB - Government of Bolivia SEDEMAS - DepartmentalEnvironmental Offices SENMA - Secretaria Nacionaldel Medio Ambiente (NationalEnvironmental Secretariat) SNAP - National Systemof Protected Areas UNDP - United NationsDevelopment Program BOLIVIA BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROJZCT (BCP) Grant and Progect Summary Grantor: Global Environment Trust Fund (GET) Grant Recipient: Government of Bolivia Beneficiaries: National Environmental Secretariat (SENMA) National Environmental Fund (FONAMA) Amount: SDR 3.1 million (US$4.5 million equivalent) Terma: Grant Financing Plan: GET US$ 4.5 million Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) USS 3.9 million TOTAL USS 8.4 million Economic Rate of Return: N.A. Map: IBRD 23957R BOLIVIA BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Background 1. Bolivia is one of the most important countries in Latin America for the conservation of biodiversity, not only because the ecosystems in many areas are still pristine, but because it contains about 18,000 species of plants and 1,274 species of birds (very high for a landlocked country). It has a high index of endemism.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Synchronous Fire Activity in the Tropical High Andes: an Indication Of
    Global Change Biology Global Change Biology (2014) 20, 1929–1942, doi: 10.1111/gcb.12538 Synchronous fire activity in the tropical high Andes: an indication of regional climate forcing R. M. ROMAN - C U E S T A 1,2,C.CARMONA-MORENO3 ,G.LIZCANO4 ,M.NEW4,*, M. SILMAN5 ,T.KNOKE2 ,Y.MALHI6 ,I.OLIVERAS6,†,H.ASBJORNSEN7 and M. VUILLE 8 1CREAF. Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications, Facultat de Ciencies. Unitat d’ Ecologia Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain, 2Institute of Forest Management, Technische Universit€at Munchen,€ Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany, 3Global Environmental Monitoring Unit, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, TP. 440 21020, Ispra, Varese 21027, Italy, 4School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13QY, UK, 5Wake Forest University, Box 7325 Reynolda Station, Winston Salem, NC 27109-7325, USA, 6Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13QY, UK, 7College of Life Sciences and Agriculture Durham, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA, 8Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Albany, University of Albany, Albany, NY, USA Abstract Global climate models suggest enhanced warming of the tropical mid and upper troposphere, with larger tempera- ture rise rates at higher elevations. Changes in fire activity are amongst the most significant ecological consequences of rising temperatures and changing hydrological properties in mountainous ecosystems, and there is a global evi- dence of increased fire activity with elevation. Whilst fire research has become popular in the tropical lowlands, much less is known of the tropical high Andean region (>2000masl, from Colombia to Bolivia).
    [Show full text]
  • TOUR REPORT Southwestern Amazonia 2017 Final
    For the first time on a Birdquest tour, the Holy Grail from the Brazilian Amazon, Rondonia Bushbird – male (Eduardo Patrial) BRAZIL’S SOUTHWESTERN AMAZONIA 7 / 11 - 24 JUNE 2017 LEADER: EDUARDO PATRIAL What an impressive and rewarding tour it was this inaugural Brazil’s Southwestern Amazonia. Sixteen days of fine Amazonian birding, exploring some of the most fascinating forests and campina habitats in three different Brazilian states: Rondonia, Amazonas and Acre. We recorded over five hundred species (536) with the exquisite taste of specialties from the Rondonia and Inambari endemism centres, respectively east bank and west bank of Rio Madeira. At least eight Birdquest lifer birds were acquired on this tour: the rare Rondonia Bushbird; Brazilian endemics White-breasted Antbird, Manicore Warbling Antbird, Aripuana Antwren and Chico’s Tyrannulet; also Buff-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, Acre Tody-Tyrant and the amazing Rufous Twistwing. Our itinerary definitely put together one of the finest selections of Amazonian avifauna, though for a next trip there are probably few adjustments to be done. The pre-tour extension campsite brings you to very basic camping conditions, with company of some mosquitoes and relentless heat, but certainly a remarkable site for birding, the Igarapé São João really provided an amazing experience. All other sites 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Brazil’s Southwestern Amazonia 2017 www.birdquest-tours.com visited on main tour provided considerably easy and very good birding. From the rich east part of Rondonia, the fascinating savannas and endless forests around Humaitá in Amazonas, and finally the impressive bamboo forest at Rio Branco in Acre, this tour focused the endemics from both sides of the medium Rio Madeira.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of Chile a Photo Guide
    © Copyright, Princeton University Press. No part of this book may be 88 distributed, posted, or reproduced in any form by digital or mechanical 89 means without prior written permission of the publisher. WALKING WATERBIRDS unmistakable, elegant wader; no similar species in Chile SHOREBIRDS For ID purposes there are 3 basic types of shorebirds: 6 ‘unmistakable’ species (avocet, stilt, oystercatchers, sheathbill; pp. 89–91); 13 plovers (mainly visual feeders with stop- start feeding actions; pp. 92–98); and 22 sandpipers (mainly tactile feeders, probing and pick- ing as they walk along; pp. 99–109). Most favor open habitats, typically near water. Different species readily associate together, which can help with ID—compare size, shape, and behavior of an unfamiliar species with other species you know (see below); voice can also be useful. 2 1 5 3 3 3 4 4 7 6 6 Andean Avocet Recurvirostra andina 45–48cm N Andes. Fairly common s. to Atacama (3700–4600m); rarely wanders to coast. Shallow saline lakes, At first glance, these shorebirds might seem impossible to ID, but it helps when different species as- adjacent bogs. Feeds by wading, sweeping its bill side to side in shallow water. Calls: ringing, slightly sociate together. The unmistakable White-backed Stilt left of center (1) is one reference point, and nasal wiek wiek…, and wehk. Ages/sexes similar, but female bill more strongly recurved. the large brown sandpiper with a decurved bill at far left is a Hudsonian Whimbrel (2), another reference for size. Thus, the 4 stocky, short-billed, standing shorebirds = Black-bellied Plovers (3).
    [Show full text]
  • Ultimate Ecuador Tour Report 2019
    This confiding Peruvian Antpitta at Guacamayos Ridge was one of the many highlights of the tour. (DLV. All photos on the report taken by DLV and Hans Nicolai) ULTIMATE ECUADOR 5 – 21 / 30 September 2019 LEADER: DANI LOPEZ-VELASCO Our Ultimate Ecuador tour concentrates on the northern part of the country and together with the Amazonia extension it offers a big bird list – usually over 800 species! We certainly had an amazing list of special birds with more than 200 Birdquest ‘diamond’ birds. The very best highlights this year included birds like Black, Berlepsch´s and White-throated Tinamous (all seen), Salvin’s and Nocturnal Curassows (both seen), Dark- backed and Rufous-fronted Wood Quails, Agami Heron, Buckley´s Forest Falcon, “San Isidro”, Crested, Colombian Screech, Napo Screech and Choco Screech Owls, Oilbird, Rufous and Andean Potoos, Swallow- tailed and Lyre-tailed Nightjars, Choco Poorwill, White-tipped Sicklebill, Fiery Topaz, Blue-headed Sapphire, Hoary Puffleg, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Choco Trogon, Purplish, Coppery-chested and Great Jacamars, Black- breasted, Chestnut-capped and White-chested Puffbirds, White-faced Nunbird, Five-coloured and Toucan 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Ultimate Ecuador 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com Barbets, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Choco and Lita Woodpeckers, Rose-faced Parrot, Sapayoa, Cocha and Fulvous Antshrikes, White-streaked and Bicolored Antvireos, Black-throated, Stipple-throated (Yasuni), Foothill and Yellow-breasted Antwrens, Yellow-browed, Stub-tailed, Esmeraldas, Spotted, Ocellated and Dot-backed
    [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]
  • Ultimate Bolivia Tour Report 2019
    Titicaca Flightless Grebe. Swimming in what exactly? Not the reed-fringed azure lake, that’s for sure (Eustace Barnes) BOLIVIA 8 – 29 SEPTEMBER / 4 OCTOBER 2019 LEADER: EUSTACE BARNES Bolivia, indeed, THE land of parrots as no other, but Cotingas as well and an astonishing variety of those much-loved subfusc and generally elusive denizens of complex uneven surfaces. Over 700 on this tour now! 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Ultimate Bolivia 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com Blue-throated Macaws hoping we would clear off and leave them alone (Eustace Barnes) Hopefully, now we hear of colourful endemic macaws, raucous prolific birdlife and innumerable elusive endemic denizens of verdant bromeliad festooned cloud-forests, vast expanses of rainforest, endless marshlands and Chaco woodlands, each ringing to the chorus of a diverse endemic avifauna instead of bleak, freezing landscapes occupied by impoverished unhappy peasants. 2 BirdQuest Tour Report: Ultimate Bolivia 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com That is the flowery prose, but Bolivia IS that great destination. The tour is no longer a series of endless dusty journeys punctuated with miserable truck-stop hotels where you are presented with greasy deep-fried chicken and a sticky pile of glutinous rice every day. The roads are generally good, the hotels are either good or at least characterful (in a good way) and the food rather better than you might find in the UK. The latter perhaps not saying very much. Palkachupe Cotinga in the early morning light brooding young near Apolo (Eustace Barnes). That said, Bolivia has work to do too, as its association with that hapless loser, Che Guevara, corruption, dust and drug smuggling still leaves the country struggling to sell itself.
    [Show full text]
  • BIRDS of COLOMBIA - MP3 Sound Collection List of Recordings
    BIRDS OF COLOMBIA - MP3 sound collection List of recordings 0003 1 Tawny-breasted Tinamou 1 Song 0:07 Nothocercus julius (26/12/1993 , Podocarpus Cajanuma, Loja, Ecuador, 04.20S,79.10W) © Peter Boesman 0003 2 Tawny-breasted Tinamou 2 Song 0:23 Nothocercus julius (26/5/1996 06:30h, Páramo El Angel (Pacific slope), Carchi, Ecuador, 00.45N,78.03W) © Niels Krabbe 0003 3 Tawny-breasted Tinamou 3 Song () 0:30 Nothocercus julius (12/8/2006 14:45h, Betania area, Tachira, Venezuela, 07.29N,72.24W) © Nick Athanas. 0004 1 Highland Tinamou 1 Song 0:28 Nothocercus bonapartei (26/3/1995 07:15h, Rancho Grande area, Aragua, Venezuela, 10.21N,67.42W) © Peter Boesman 0004 2 Highland Tinamou 2 Song 0:23 Nothocercus bonapartei (10/3/2006 , Choroni road, Aragua, Venezuela, 10.22N,67.35W) © David Van den Schoor 0004 3 Highland Tinamou 3 Song 0:45 Nothocercus bonapartei (March 2009, Rancho Grande area, Aragua, Venezuela, 10.21N,67.42W) © Hans Matheve. 0004 4 Highland Tinamou 4 Song 0:40 Nothocercus bonapartei bonapartei. RNA Reinita Cielo Azul, San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander, Colombia, 1700m, 06:07h, 02-12-2007, N6.50'47" W73.22'30", song. also: Spotted Barbtail, Andean Emerald, Green Violetear © Nick Athanas. 0006 1 Gray Tinamou 1 Song 0:43 Tinamus tao (15/8/2007 18:30h, Nirgua area, San Felipe, Venezuela, 10.15N,68.30W) © Peter Boesman 0006 2 Gray Tinamou 2 Song 0:32 Tinamus tao (4/6/1995 06:15h, Palmichal area, Carabobo, Venezuela, 10.21N,68.12W) (background: Rufous-and-white Wren). © Peter Boesman 0006 3 Gray Tinamou 3 Song 0:04 Tinamus tao (1/2/2006 , Cerro Humo, Sucre, Venezuela, 10.41N,62.37W) © Mark Van Beirs.
    [Show full text]
  • Bolivia: the Andes and Chaco Lowlands
    BOLIVIA: THE ANDES AND CHACO LOWLANDS TRIP REPORT OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 By Eduardo Ormaeche Blue-throated Macaw www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | T R I P R E P O R T Bolivia, October/November 2017 Bolivia is probably one of the most exciting countries of South America, although one of the less-visited countries by birders due to the remoteness of some birding sites. But with a good birding itinerary and adequate ground logistics it is easy to enjoy the birding and admire the outstanding scenery of this wild country. During our 19-day itinerary we managed to record a list of 505 species, including most of the country and regional endemics expected for this tour. With a list of 22 species of parrots, this is one of the best countries in South America for Psittacidae with species like Blue-throated Macaw and Red-fronted Macaw, both Bolivian endemics. Other interesting species included the flightless Titicaca Grebe, Bolivian Blackbird, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Unicolored Thrush, Red-legged Seriema, Red-faced Guan, Dot-fronted Woodpecker, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Black-hooded Sunbeam, Giant Hummingbird, White-eared Solitaire, Striated Antthrush, Toco Toucan, Greater Rhea, Brown Tinamou, and Cochabamba Mountain Finch, to name just a few. We started our birding holiday as soon as we arrived at the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, birding the grassland habitats around the terminal. Despite the time of the day the airport grasslands provided us with an excellent introduction to Bolivian birds, including Red-winged Tinamou, White-bellied Nothura, Campo Flicker, Chopi Blackbird, Chotoy Spinetail, White Woodpecker, and even Greater Rhea, all during our first afternoon.
    [Show full text]
  • Bolivia 2007 © Birdfinders 2007
    Bolivia 7–25 September 2007 Participants: Didier Godreau Rolf Gräfvert Helge Grastveit Andrew Self Dennis and Margaret Weir Leader: Nick Acheson and Leo Catari (driver) Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Day 1 Overnight flight from London via Miami. Day 2 Having arrived smoothly courtesy of American Airlines, we immediately set to work in the savannahs surrounding the Viru Viru airport. Here we were delighted to see Greater Rhea, Red-winged Tinamou, Campo Flicker and flocks of Blue-crowned Parakeets. After a fine lunch in Santa Cruz we headed for the Piraí River on the west side of the city, and the Urubó savannahs beyond it. Once we found a sheltered spot out of the wind we had great birding, seeing, among many others, Speckled Chachalaca, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Golden-collared and Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Thrush-like Wren, and Greater Thornbird. A pair of Titi Monkeys was also popular here. Day 3 This morning was spent at the Jardín Botánico, ten kilometres east of the city of Santa Cruz. By the roadside we saw White Woodpecker and Red-crested Cardinal and around the pond we found a dozy Brown-throated Three- toed Sloth, Social and Rusty-margined Flycatchers (very thoughtfully perched next to each other for ease of comparison), Blue-crowned Trogon, Blue-crowned Motmot and Narrow-billed Woodcreeper. Highlights in the forest included Rufous Casiornis, White-wedged Piculet, White-crested Tyrannulet, Fawn-breasted Wren, Ferruginous Pygmy-owl and a family of Silvery Marmosets. This afternoon we drove to Los Volcanes where we were greeted by Andean Condor, Military Macaw, Channel-billed Toucan, Red-billed and Turquoise-fronted Parrots and noisy, sky-filling flocks of Mitred Parakeets.
    [Show full text]