BIRDING IN NORTHERN PERU: The Classic Tour

We begin our Northern Peru birding adventure early in Chiclayo at approximately 6:00 am, picking you up either from your hotel (not included but suggested) or directly from the airport upon arrival. Our first stop takes us to Bosque de Pómac, one of the most important remnants of equatorial dry forest in Peru and a key site along the Northern Birding Route.

Here, we will explore dry forest habitats dominated by ancient algarrobo trees, searching for Tumbesian endemics such as Peruvian Plantcutter (E), Tumbes Tyrannulet (E), Cinereous Finch (E), Rufous Flycatcher (E), Necklaced Spinetail, and Amazilia Hummingbird. This ecosystem supports a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with over 100 species recorded in the area, including several endemics and threatened species.

We then continue towards the Tinajones Reservoir, an important wetland system where we will look for aquatic and open-country species such as Peruvian Thick-knee (NE), Black-necked Stilt, Peruvian Meadowlark, Burrowing Owl, and various herons, shorebirds, and raptors.

After a productive morning and early afternoon of birding, we head inland toward the Chaparrí Private Conservation Area, one of Peru’s most successful conservation projects and home to more than 280 bird species. Upon arrival, we will settle into our lodge and enjoy an afternoon birding session in this rich dry forest reserve.

Target species here include White-winged Guan (E), Elegant Crescentchest, Short-tailed Woodstar, Peruvian Screech-Owl (pacificus race), White-tailed Jay, and Collared Antshrike, with chances for mammals such as Spectacled Bear and Sechuran Fox.

Night at Chaparri Lodge.

After an early breakfast at Chaparrí, we depart the reserve and head back toward the Pacific coast, transitioning from dry forest foothills to rich coastal habitats. Our first stop will be the wetlands and coastal plains around Eten, one of the most productive birding areas along the northern Peruvian coast.

Here, we will focus on a mix of coastal, wetland, and scrub species. Key targets include the endemic Peruvian Thick-knee (NE) and Tumbes Sparrow (E), often well camouflaged in open sandy areas, as well as Collared Warbling-Finch in nearby dry scrub. Wetland areas may produce Peruvian Pipit (E), Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Grassland Yellow-Finch, and a variety of shorebirds depending on seasonal conditions.

We then continue birding along the Pacific coast, scanning beaches, estuaries, and open shoreline at one of the best sites for the rare and elusive Peruvian Tern (E). Other species include Peruvian Pelican, Belcher’s Gull, Gray Gull, and Guanay Cormorant, along with migratory shorebirds and occasional surprises.

After a productive morning on the coast, we begin our drive north toward Motupe, gradually re-entering dry forest habitats. Along the way, we will make strategic birding stops targeting species such as Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Superciliated Wren, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, and Elegant Crescentchest, depending on conditions and time.

We arrive in the Motupe area in the late afternoon, where we settle into our accommodation and prepare for the next phase of our Northern Peru birding route.

Night in a basic but clean and comfortable hotel in Motupe.

Jaén is located in the heart of the Marañón Basin, an area renowned for its exceptionally high endemism and top-tier birding. We’ll spend the morning exploring this hotspot, targeting regional specialties such as Chinchipe Spinetail (E), Marañón Crescentchest (E), Marañón Tyrannulet (E), Peruvian Screech-Owl (roboratus race), Tataupa Tinamou, and the recently split Marañón Antshrike (E)—species that are very rarely found elsewhere.

We will later search for other specialties such as the remarkable Little Inca-Finch (E), Northern Slaty-Antshrike (Peruvian), Red-crested Finch, Ecuadorian Ground Dove, Cordilleran Parakeet, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Fulvous-faced Scrub-Tyrant, Cryptic Becard, and Gray-breasted Crake.

After lunch, we begin our ascent into the eastern Andes, arriving at a hummingbird feeding garden where we’ll search for the iconic and endemic Marvelous Spatuletail (E). This magnificent species often visits alongside other hummingbirds such as Andean Emerald, Lesser Violetear, Bronzy Inca, and Long-tailed Sylph.

Dinner and overnight at the beautiful Gocta Lodge in Cocachimba.

Abra Patricia sits at 2,300 meters elevation and marks the Andean pass toward the Amazon Basin. This area is home to one of the most productive and accessible birding roads in the entire Neotropics.

We spend the morning in Alto Nieva, where feeders attract stunning hummingbirds and tanagers, including Royal Sunangel (E), White-capped Tanager, Peruvian Racket-tail, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Greenish Puffleg, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Collared Inca, Green-fronted Lancebill, and Amethyst-throated Sunangel. Forest trails here may reward us with rarities such as Rufous-vented Tapaculo (E), Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Inca Jay, and Crimson-bellied Woodpecker.

Other possibilities in the area include Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Red-hooded Tanager, the elusive White-faced Nunbird, Variable Antshrike, Flame-faced Tanager, and others.

At night, the forest comes alive with the possibility of seeing several owls. We’ll search for Cinnamon Screech-Owl (E), White-throated Screech-Owl, and possibly Common Potoo.

We begin with a morning visit to Arena Blanca Reserve, a privately managed hotspot famous for its ground-level feeding stations and vibrant hummingbird garden. At the forest-floor hide, we may encounter Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Orange-billed Sparrow, Cinereous Tinamou, and Little Tinamou—a rare opportunity to see these shy species at close range.

Nearby feeders attract a dazzling variety of hummingbirds, including Blue-fronted Lancebill, Wire-crested Thornbill, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Black-throated Brilliant, Golden-tailed Sapphire, and our first chance to see the exquisite Rufous-crested Coquette. Colorful fruit feeders are visited by Black-bellied Tanager (E), Burnished-buff Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Green-throated Tanager, and Paradise Tanager. We may also spot secretive species such as White-browed Purpletuft, Russet-crowned Crake, and Lanceolated Monklet.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Waqanki Lodge in Moyobamba, where we spend two nights immersed in the Amazonian foothill forest—one of the richest regions for birding in northern Peru.

The trails of Waqanki offer excellent chances for Painted Manakin (E), Golden-headed Manakin, Fiery-capped Manakin, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Zimmer’s Antbird, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Riparian Parrotlet, Wing-barred Piprites, Stripe-necked and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrants, Foothill Stipplethroat, Green-backed Trogon, Golden-collared Toucanet, and both Rufous and Broad-billed Motmots.

The lodge gardens add even more specialties, including Mishana Tyrannulet (E), Channel-billed Toucan, Lettered Aracari, Red-shouldered Tanager, Black-faced Tanager, and Pale-breasted Thrush. Feeders here are bustling with hummingbirds such as Rufous-crested Coquette, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Brown Violetear, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Great-billed Hermit, and many more.

Roadside birding may produce Russet-crowned Crake, while a short drive offers the chance to see the elusive Masked Duck at dusk. At night, the forest comes alive with Tropical Screech-Owl, Band-bellied Owl, and the rare Stygian Owl.

Two nights at Waqanki Lodge.

After breakfast, we head to Cordillera Escalera and the ACONABIKH Reserve, a superb birding site located just outside Tarapoto. This area offers lush Amazonian foothill forest and is home to several sought-after species. Targets include:

Koepcke’s Hermit (E), Plumbeous Euphonia, Dotted Tanager, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Pink-throated Brilliant, Hook-billed Kite, Lettered Aracari, White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, Peruvian Tyrannulet (E), Black Antbird, Cliff Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, White-throated Toucan, Black-faced Tanager, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Blue-capped Manakin, and White-throated Manakin.

A special highlight is the active lek of Golden-headed Manakin, offering close views and excellent photographic opportunities.

After lunch, we return to Tarapoto to prepare for our afternoon flight back to Lima.

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We recommend continuing your birding adventure with our SCARLET-BANDED BARBET Tour.