15–18 July 2026
Tarapoto – Plataforma – Cordillera Azul – Cordillera Escalera – ACONABIKH
Manakin Expeditions
E bird list: https://ebird.org/tripreport/567141
INTRODUCCION
The forests east and south of Tarapoto hold some of the most exciting foothill birding in northern Peru. In only a few days, the route from Tarapoto to Plataforma and Cordillera Azul, followed by Cordillera Escalera and ACONABIKH, crosses a remarkable variety of open lowland country, riverine habitats and humid foothill forest.
The trip was designed around several highly localized birds, above all Scarlet-banded Barbet, Cordillera Azul Antbird and Koepcke’s Hermit. The supporting cast, however, was equally impressive, with a rich selection of manakins, antbirds, antpittas, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and tanagers.
Starting in Tarapoto on July 15, we travelled through Bellavista to Plataforma, spent a full day exploring the forests of Cordillera Azul, returned toward Tarapoto through the Huallaga Valley and Cordillera Escalera, and finished with a productive morning on the trails of ACONABIKH.
Across the four days, the field records documented 178 bird taxa, including several of the most sought-after specialties of northeastern Peru.
Day 1 – July 15
Tarapoto to Plataforma
We left Tarapoto early in the morning and headed toward Bellavista before beginning the long climb to Plataforma. The lower section of the route passed through open country, agricultural land and wetter habitats, giving us an opportunity to start building the trip list before reaching the forest.
Among the more interesting birds encountered on the journey were Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Chestnut-bellied Seedeater and Mishana Tyrannulet, together with a good selection of more widespread lowland species.
As we gained elevation, open habitats gradually gave way to increasingly extensive foothill forest. We arrived at Plataforma before lunch and soon turned our attention to the principal target of the afternoon: Scarlet-banded Barbet.
Our search was rewarded remarkably quickly. A pair was located during the afternoon, securing one of the most important birds of the trip only a short time after reaching Plataforma. The field record documents two birds together at the site.
With the main target safely behind us, we could explore the forest more broadly. Rose-fronted Parakeets moved through the canopy, while Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, White-throated Toucan, Bluish-fronted Jacamar and Lineated Woodpecker added variety.
Hummingbird activity produced Napo Sabrewing and Peruvian Racket-tail, while the passerine list included Foothill Schiffornis, Blackish Pewee, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Olive-chested Flycatcher and Black-and-white Becard.
The tanagers were particularly enjoyable during the afternoon, with Dotted Tanager, Straw-backed Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager and Blue-necked Tanager among the better species.
We continued birding as the light faded. Foothill Screech-Owl added a nocturnal highlight, while Subtropical Pygmy-Owl and Band-bellied Owl were also detected.
The day ended with 58 species in the field log and, more importantly, our main Plataforma target already secured.
Day 2 – July 16
Full Day at Plataforma
With Scarlet-banded Barbet already found, we could dedicate the entire day to exploring the forest around Plataforma, concentrating particularly on the dense understory and mixed-species flocks.
At the top of the target list was Cordillera Azul Antbird.
We began shortly after dawn and worked the forest carefully. Many of the most interesting species remained low in tangled vegetation, requiring patience and repeated attention to calls and movement within the understory.
The persistence eventually paid off when we located a Cordillera Azul Antbird during the morning. A single bird was recorded, giving us the second of the major specialties around which the Plataforma portion of the trip had been planned.
The same understory produced several other excellent birds. Ochre-breasted Antpitta was particularly memorable; the field notes describe the bird as quiet and perched. Scaled Antpitta was also recorded, together with Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Lined Antshrike, Rufescent Antshrike and Yellow-breasted Antwren.
Manakins were another feature of the day. Blue-rumped Manakin was among the highlights, accompanied by Jet Manakin and Yungas Manakin.
Higher in the forest, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater and Gray-tailed Piha added further quality, while the flycatcher assemblage included Yellow-throated Spadebill, Red-billed Tyrannulet and Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet.
Woodcreepers and foliage-gleaners were well represented, with Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Inambari Woodcreeper, Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner, Ash-browed Spinetail and Dark-breasted Spinetail among the species recorded.
One of the most interesting records of the trip was a Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form, which is treated separately in the eBird report as an undescribed form. Ebird reporte Mikael NOrte
Mixed flocks remained active through the day and brought a colorful selection of tanagers and euphonias, including Bronze-green Euphonia, Green-throated Tanager, Blue-browed Tanager, Golden Tanager and Blue-necked Tanager.
By the end of the day, Plataforma had delivered much more than its two headline species. The field log recorded 64 species for the day, including an impressive variety of specialized foothill forest birds.
Day 3 – July 17
Plataforma to Tarapoto via the Huallaga Valley and Cordillera Escalera
We returned to the Plataforma forest early in the morning for a final birding session before beginning the descent toward Tarapoto.
The first hours gave us another opportunity to enjoy the foothill community, with mixed flocks and forest species remaining active before the road began dropping toward the lowlands.
As we descended, the habitat became increasingly open and the bird community changed accordingly. One of the more interesting birds of the morning was Paint-billed Crake.
Further downslope, stops around rice-growing areas and the Huallaga River produced a completely different group of birds. Limpkin, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Comb Duck, Ringed Kingfisher, White-winged Swallow and Neotropic Cormorant all contributed to the growing list.
The rapid transition from humid foothill forest to agricultural wetlands and a major Amazonian river valley was one of the most interesting features of the day.
After continuing toward Tarapoto, we turned east along the Yurimaguas Road for an afternoon session in Cordillera Escalera.
Humid forest again dominated the landscape, although the bird community differed noticeably from Plataforma. Sickle-winged Guan was one of the stronger afternoon sightings, while an Andean Cock-of-the-rock was heard from the forest.
The roadside vegetation also produced Olive-faced Flatbill, Cliff Flycatcher, Plumbeous Euphonia and several additional mixed-flock species.
By late afternoon we had returned to Tarapoto after a day that had taken us through a remarkable sequence of habitats. The field log recorded 66 species during the day.
Day 4 – July 18
ACONABIKH – Cordillera Escalera
Our final morning was devoted to the forests of ACONABIKH, where a network of trails through humid foothill habitat gave us one last opportunity to explore Cordillera Escalera.
The principal target was Koepcke’s Hermit.
The morning started with steady activity around the forest edge and trails. Hummingbirds included Gray-breasted Sabrewing and Sapphire-spangled Emerald, while Cobalt-winged Parakeets and Blue-headed Parrots moved through the surrounding forest.
The main target was eventually secured when two Koepcke’s Hermits were recorded, completing another of the major objectives of the trip.
The forest continued to produce excellent birds after the hermits had been found.
Manakins were especially enjoyable, with a male Blue-capped Manakin and Golden-headed Manakins providing a strong supporting cast.
The flycatcher assemblage included Dusky-chested Flycatcher, Olive-faced Flatbill, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher and Gray-capped Flycatcher.
In the understory we recorded Black-faced Antbird, Dusky-throated Antshrike, Amazonian Plain-Xenops and White-breasted Wood-Wren, while Thrush-like Antpitta was heard from the forest floor.
A particularly interesting record was Yellow-green Vireo. The field notes specifically identify the bird as an out-of-season migrant.
The tanagers provided a colorful finale to the trip. Black-and-white Tanager, Fulvous Shrike-Tanager, Fulvous-crested Tanager, Masked Crimson Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Green-and-gold Tanager and Yellow-bellied Tanager were among the species recorded.
Other noteworthy birds included Black-billed Seed-Finch, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Green Honeycreeper and Black-faced Dacnis.
By midday our birding at ACONABIKH had come to an end. Finishing the trip with Koepcke’s Hermit, a strong selection of manakins, antbirds and tanagers, and another productive morning in the forests of Cordillera Escalera was an appropriate conclusion to four very successful days.
Trip Summary
In only four days, the Tarapoto–Plataforma–Cordillera Escalera route produced 178 bird taxa and an exceptional concentration of foothill specialties.
The trip began with one of its greatest successes almost immediately: a pair of Scarlet-banded Barbets at Plataforma on the first afternoon. The following day brought Cordillera Azul Antbird, together with an outstanding supporting cast that included Blue-rumped Manakin, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, Gray-tailed Piha and the still-undescribed Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form.
The return toward Tarapoto introduced the very different wetlands and river habitats of the Huallaga Valley before Cordillera Escalera brought us back into rich humid foothill forest.
Our final morning at ACONABIKH completed the trip with Koepcke’s Hermit, Blue-capped Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, Black-and-white Tanager, Dusky-throated Antshrike, Black-faced Antbird and the unusual out-of-season Yellow-green Vireo.
The strength of this short itinerary was not simply the number of species recorded, but the concentration of highly localized birds within a compact route. In just four days we were able to combine three of the region’s principal targets—Scarlet-banded Barbet, Cordillera Azul Antbird and Koepcke’s Hermit—with an exceptionally diverse supporting cast of foothill birds.
From the remote forests of Plataforma and Cordillera Azul to the mixed flocks of ACONABIKH, the trip provided an excellent introduction to one of the most distinctive birding regions of northern Peru.
See the full checklist here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/567141
Species List
178 bird taxa
TINAMOUS, GUANS & WATERFOWL
1. Speckled Chachalaca — Ortalis guttata
2. Sickle-winged Guan — Chamaepetes goudotii
3. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck — Dendrocygna autumnalis
4. Comb Duck — Sarkidiornis sylvicola
PIGEONS & DOVES
5. Scaled Pigeon — Patagioenas speciosa
6. Pale-vented Pigeon — Patagioenas cayennensis
7. Plumbeous Pigeon — Patagioenas plumbea
8. Ruddy Pigeon — Patagioenas subvinacea
9. Plain-breasted Ground-Dove — Columbina minuta
10. Ruddy Ground-Dove — Columbina talpacoti
11. Blue Ground-Dove — Claravis pretiosa
12. White-tipped Dove — Leptotila verreauxi
13. Rock Pigeon — Columba livia
CUCKOOS
14. Smooth-billed Ani — Crotophaga ani
15. Squirrel Cuckoo — Piaya cayana
SWIFTS
16. Gray-rumped Swift — Chaetura cinereiventris
17. White-collared Swift — Streptoprocne zonaris
18. Fork-tailed Palm-Swift — Tachornis squamata
HUMMINGBIRDS
19. Buff-tailed Sicklebill — Eutoxeres condamini
20. Koepcke’s Hermit — Phaethornis koepckeae
21. Napo Sabrewing — Campylopterus villaviscensio
22. Gray-breasted Sabrewing — Campylopterus largipennis
23. Fork-tailed Woodnymph — Thalurania furcata
24. Golden-tailed Sapphire — Chrysuronia oenone
25. Sapphire-spangled Emerald — Chionomesa lactea
26. Peruvian Racket-tail — Ocreatus peruanus
RAILS & LIMPKIN
27. Paint-billed Crake — Mustelirallus erythrops
28. Limpkin — Aramus guarauna
SHOREBIRDS
29. Black-necked Stilt — Himantopus mexicanus
30. Andean Lapwing — Vanellus resplendens
CORMORANTS & HERONS
31. Neotropic Cormorant — Nannopterum brasilianum
32. Great Egret — Ardea alba
33. Western Cattle Egret — Ardea ibis
VULTURES, KITES & HAWKS
34. Black Vulture — Coragyps atratus
35. Turkey Vulture — Cathartes aura
36. Greater Yellow-headed Vulture — Cathartes melambrotus
37. Swallow-tailed Kite — Elanoides forficatus
38. Plumbeous Kite — Ictinia plumbea
39. Roadside Hawk — Rupornis magnirostris
OWLS
40. Band-bellied Owl — Pulsatrix melanota
41. Foothill Screech-Owl — Megascops roraimae
42. Subtropical Pygmy-Owl — Glaucidium parkeri
TROGONS & QUETZALS
43. Collared Trogon — Trogon collaris
44. Crested Quetzal — Pharomachrus antisianus
KINGFISHERS
45. Ringed Kingfisher — Megaceryle torquata
JACAMARS & NUNBIRDS
46. Bluish-fronted Jacamar — Galbula cyanescens
47. White-fronted Nunbird — Monasa morphoeus
BARBETS & TOUCANS
48. Scarlet-banded Barbet — Capito wallacei
49. Gilded Barbet — Capito auratus
50. Chestnut-tipped Toucanet — Aulacorhynchus derbianus
51. White-throated Toucan — Ramphastos tucanus
WOODPECKERS & PICULETS
52. Lafresnaye’s Piculet — Picumnus lafresnayi
53. Smoky-brown Woodpecker — Leuconotopicus fumigatus
54. Lineated Woodpecker — Dryocopus lineatus
PARROTS & PARAKEETS
55. Cobalt-winged Parakeet — Brotogeris cyanoptera
56. Rose-fronted Parakeet — Pyrrhura roseifrons
57. Blue-headed Parrot — Pionus menstruus
58. White-eyed Parakeet — Psittacara leucophthalmus
ANTSHRIKES, ANTWRENS & ANTBIRDS
59. Lined Antshrike — Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
60. Dusky-throated Antshrike — Thamnomanes ardesiacus
61. Rufescent Antshrike — Thamnistes rufescens
62. Yellow-breasted Antwren — Herpsilochmus axillaris
63. Blackish Antbird — Cercomacroides nigrescens
64. Black-faced Antbird — Myrmoborus myotherinus
65. Cordillera Azul Antbird — Myrmoderus eowilsoni
ANTTHRUSHES & ANTPITTAS
66. Rufous-breasted Antthrush — Formicarius rufipectus
67. Short-tailed Antthrush — Chamaeza campanisona
68. Thrush-like Antpitta — Myrmothera campanisona
69. Ochre-breasted Antpitta — Grallaricula flavirostris
70. Scaled Antpitta — Grallaria guatimalensis
OVENBIRDS, FOLIAGE-GLEANERS & WOODCREEPERS
71. Amazonian Plain-Xenops — Xenops genibarbis
72. Streaked Xenops — Xenops rutilans
73. Ash-browed Spinetail — Cranioleuca curtata
74. Dark-breasted Spinetail — Synallaxis albigularis
75. Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner — Syndactyla rufosuperciliata
76. Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner — Dendroma rufa
77. Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner — Neophilydor erythrocercum
78. Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner — Anabacerthia ruficaudata
79. Olivaceous Woodcreeper — Sittasomus griseicapillus
80. Inambari Woodcreeper — Lepidocolaptes fatimalimae
81. Strong-billed Woodcreeper — Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
82. Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper — Deconychura [undescribed form]
MANAKINS
83. Blue-rumped Manakin — Lepidothrix isidorei
84. Blue-capped Manakin — Lepidothrix coronata
85. Golden-headed Manakin — Ceratopipra erythrocephala
86. Jet Manakin — Chloropipo unicolor
87. Yungas Manakin — Chiroxiphia boliviana
COTINGAS & ALLIES
88. Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater — Pipreola frontalis
89. Gray-tailed Piha — Snowornis subalaris
90. Amazonian Umbrellabird — Cephalopterus ornatus
91. Andean Cock-of-the-rock — Rupicola peruvianus
TITYRAS, BECARDS & SCHIFFORNIS
92. Masked Tityra — Tityra semifasciata
93. Green-backed Becard — Pachyramphus viridis
94. Black-and-white Becard — Pachyramphus albogriseus
95. Foothill Schiffornis — Schiffornis aenea
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
96. Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet — Tyrannulus elatus
97. Mishana Tyrannulet — Zimmerius villarejoi
98. Peruvian Tyrannulet — Zimmerius viridiflavus
99. Red-billed Tyrannulet — Zimmerius cinereicapilla
100. Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet — Phyllomyias plumbeiceps
101. Mouse-colored Tyrannulet — Nesotriccus murinus
102. Slaty-capped Flycatcher — Leptopogon superciliaris
103. Olive-striped Flycatcher — Mionectes galbinus
104. Olive-chested Flycatcher — Myiophobus cryptoxanthus
105. Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher — Terenotriccus erythrurus
106. Yellow-throated Spadebill — Platyrinchus flavigularis
107. White-throated Spadebill — Platyrinchus mystaceus
108. Olive-faced Flatbill — Tolmomyias viridiceps
109. Blackish Pewee — Contopus nigrescens
110. Cliff Flycatcher — Hirundinea ferruginea
111. Long-tailed Tyrant — Colonia colonus
112. Dusky-chested Flycatcher — Myiozetetes luteiventris
113. Gray-capped Flycatcher — Myiozetetes granadensis
114. Great Kiskadee — Pitangus sulphuratus
115. Streaked Flycatcher — Myiodynastes maculatus
116. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher — Myiodynastes luteiventris
117. Tropical Kingbird — Tyrannus melancholicus
VIREOS & SHRIKE-VIREOS
118. Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo — Vireolanius leucotis
119. Brown-capped Vireo — Vireo leucophrys
120. Yellow-green Vireo — Vireo flavoviridis
JAYS
121. Violaceous Jay — Cyanocorax violaceus
SWALLOWS
122. White-banded Swallow — Atticora fasciata
123. Blue-and-white Swallow — Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
124. Southern Rough-winged Swallow — Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
125. White-winged Swallow — Tachycineta albiventer
WRENS
126. Southern House Wren — Troglodytes musculus
127. Thrush-like Wren — Campylorhynchus turdinus
128. Gray-mantled Wren — Odontorchilus branickii
129. Scaly-breasted Wren — Microcerculus marginatus
130. White-breasted Wood-Wren — Henicorhina leucosticta
131. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren — Henicorhina leucophrys
OROPENDOLAS & CACIQUES
132. Crested Oropendola — Psarocolius decumanus
133. Russet-backed Oropendola — Psarocolius angustifrons
134. Yellow-rumped Cacique — Cacicus cela
FINCHES & EUPHONIAS
135. Bronze-green Euphonia — Euphonia mesochrysa
136. Orange-bellied Euphonia — Euphonia xanthogaster
137. Rufous-bellied Euphonia — Euphonia rufiventris
138. Thick-billed Euphonia — Euphonia laniirostris
139. Plumbeous Euphonia — Euphonia plumbea
140. Blue-naped Chlorophonia — Chlorophonia cyanea
WARBLERS
141. Tropical Parula — Setophaga pitiayumi
142. Three-striped Warbler — Basileuterus tristriatus
143. Slate-throated Redstart — Myioborus miniatus
GROSBEAKS & TANAGERS
144. Golden Grosbeak — Pheucticus chrysogaster
145. Hepatic Tanager — Piranga flava
146. White-winged Tanager — Piranga leucoptera
147. Red-crowned Ant-Tanager — Habia rubica
148. Black-and-white Tanager — Conothraupis speculigera
149. Fulvous Shrike-Tanager — Lanio fulvus
150. White-winged Shrike-Tanager — Lanio versicolor
151. Fulvous-crested Tanager — Tachyphonus surinamus
152. Magpie Tanager — Cissopis leverianus
153. Silver-beaked Tanager — Ramphocelus carbo
154. Masked Crimson Tanager — Ramphocelus nigrogularis
155. Palm Tanager — Thraupis palmarum
156. Blue-gray Tanager — Thraupis episcopus
157. Turquoise Tanager — Tangara mexicana
158. Paradise Tanager — Tangara chilensis
159. Green-and-gold Tanager — Tangara schrankii
160. Bay-headed Tanager — Tangara gyrola
161. Golden Tanager — Tangara arthus
162. Blue-necked Tanager — Stilpnia cyanicollis
163. Dotted Tanager — Ixothraupis varia
164. Straw-backed Tanager — Stilpnia argyrofenges
165. Blue-browed Tanager — Tangara cyanotis
166. Green-throated Tanager — Stilpnia argyrofenges
167. Yellow-bellied Tanager — Ixothraupis xanthogastra
168. Green Honeycreeper — Chlorophanes spiza
169. Purple Honeycreeper — Cyanerpes caeruleus
170. Black-faced Dacnis — Dacnis lineata
171. Blue Dacnis — Dacnis cayana
172. Golden-collared Honeycreeper — Iridophanes pulcherrimus
173. Buff-throated Saltator — Saltator maximus
174. Chestnut-bellied Seedeater — Sporophila castaneiventris
175. Black-billed Seed-Finch — Sporophila atrirostris
176. Yellow-browed Sparrow — Ammodramus aurifrons
Main Trip Highlights
Scarlet-banded Barbet · Cordillera Azul Antbird · Koepcke’s Hermit · Blue-rumped Manakin · Ochre-breasted Antpitta · Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater · Napo Sabrewing · Rose-fronted Parakeet · Blue-capped Manakin · Golden-headed Manakin · Black-and-white Tanager · Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper (undescribed form)
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