🗓️ Trip Overview of the Expedition

• Regions visited: Tarapoto, Plataforma & Cordillera Azul, Cordillera Escalera & ACONABIKH, Moyobamba, Waqanki, Arena Blanca, Abra Patricia, Alto Nieva, Pomacochas, Jaén & the Marañón Valley, Utcubamba Valley, Gocta & Cocachimba, Huaylla Belén & Cerro de Tilla, Leymebamba & Atuen, Abra Barro Negro, Celendín, Cajamarca & Río Chonta, Abra El Gavilán, Rafán, Chiclayo coast, Chaparrí, Casupe & Peña Los Loros, Lake Tinajones, Bosque de Pómac, Túcume & Lambayeque
• Total species observed:613 bird taxa — 612 described species + 1 undescribed Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form
• Endemics recorded: 46+ Peruvian endemics and highly localized range-restricted species
• Weather: Mostly dry-season conditions, with substantial variation along the route from humid Amazonian foothills and cloud forest to high Andean puna, the dry Marañón Valley and the arid Tumbesian coast
• FULL CHECKLIST:https://ebird.org/tripreport/549771

Day / Date	Main activities	Hotel / Lodge
Day 1 – Jul 14	Cusco logistics. Flight Cusco–Lima–Tarapoto	Tarapoto
Day 2 – Jul 15	Tarapoto–Plataforma. Birding en route and Scarlet-banded Barbet	Plataforma – Capito hotel
Day 3 – Jul 16	Full-day birding at Plataforma; Cordillera Azul Antbird and foothill specialties	Plataforma – Capito hotel
Day 4 – Jul 17	Morning birding at Plataforma; descent to Tarapoto; Yurimaguas Road / Cordillera Escalera	Tarapoto – Cumbaza Hotel
Day 5 – Jul 18	ACONABIKH & Cordillera Escalera; Koepcke’s Hermit; Oilbird stop; transfer to Moyobamba	Moyobamba – Waqanki Lodge
Day 6 – Jul 19	Calzada feeders, Morro de Calzada for Painted Manakin, Waqanki birding	Moyobamba – Waqanki Lodge
Day 7 – Jul 20	Arena Blanca; foothill birding; ascent to Abra Patricia; Long-whiskered Owlet search	Owlet Lodge
Day 8 – Jul 21	Alto Nieva and Abra Patricia; antpittas, Royal Sunangel and cloud-forest birding	Owlet Lodge
Day 9 – Jul 22	Morning birding at Owlet Lodge; afternoon Marvelous Spatuletail at Pomacochas	Pomacochas – Basic Lodging
Day 10 – Jul 23	Pomacochas–Marañón Valley–Jaén; Marañón endemics and evening birding	Jaén – Urqu Hotel
Day 11 – Jul 24	Jaén birding; Utcubamba Valley; Gocta area and hummingbird feeders	Cocachimba – Gocta Lodge
Day 12 – Jul 25	Huaylla Belén & Cerro de Tilla; Pale-billed Antpitta, Chachapoyas Antpitta and montane endemics	Casona Leymebamba
Day 13 – Jul 26	Atuen highlands and Upper Utcubamba Valley; Leymebamba Museum	Casona Leymebamba
Day 14 – Jul 27	Abra Barro Negro, Marañón Valley and Celendín; Yellow-faced Parrotlet and Inca-finches	Celendín
Day 15 – Jul 28	Cruz Conga for Cajamarca Antpitta; Río Chonta for Gray-bellied Comet	Cajamarca – Costa del Sol
Day 16 – Jul 29	Jesús for Great Spinetail; Abra El Gavilán; Rafán for Peruvian Plantcutter	Chiclayo – Costa del Sol
Day 17 – Jul 30	Pacific coast for Peruvian Tern; transfer to Chaparrí; dry-forest birding	Chaparrí Lodge
Day 18 – Jul 31	Full-day Chaparrí birding; White-winged Guan and Tumbesian specialties	Chaparrí Lodge
Day 19 – Aug 1	Casupe & Peña Los Loros; Tumbesian foothill specialties; Lake Tinajones	Chiclayo – Costa del Sol
Day 20 – Aug 2	Bosque de Pómac for Tumbes Swallow; Túcume and Sipán cultural visits	OUT

---

Introduction

This Northern Peru journey formed the second part of a longer birding and cultural tour that had begun in southern Peru. After exploring Cusco, the eastern Andean slopes, Manu Road, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, we shifted north to a very different suite of habitats, landscapes and bird communities.

The extension began in Tarapoto and the Amazonian foothills before reaching the isolated forests of Plataforma and Cordillera Azul. From there we worked through Cordillera Escalera and the Alto Mayo Valley, climbed into the cloud forests of Abra Patricia, crossed the Utcubamba and Marañón valleys, continued through the highlands of Amazonas and Cajamarca, and finally descended into the Tumbesian dry forests and Pacific coast around Chiclayo.

The route had been designed around a particularly strong selection of localized and endemic birds, among them Scarlet-banded Barbet, Cordillera Azul Antbird, Long-whiskered Owlet, Marvelous Spatuletail, Pale-billed Antpitta, Chachapoyas Antpitta, a suite of Marañón specialties, Gray-bellied Comet, Great Spinetail, Peruvian Plantcutter, White-winged Guan, Peruvian Tern and Tumbes Swallow.

Cultural visits were incorporated naturally into the journey, particularly at Leymebamba, Túcume and the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum.

Across the northern extension, the trip records documented 613 bird taxa: 612 formally described species plus one still-undescribed Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form.

---

Day 1 (14 July)

Cusco to Tarapoto

After completing the southern section of the tour, the day was devoted primarily to logistics and repositioning. We spent the morning in Cusco before taking an afternoon flight via Lima to Tarapoto, the gateway to the Amazonian foothills of northern Peru.

There was effectively no organized birding, although a few incidental species were noted during the journey, including Chiguanco Thrush in Cusco and Black Vulture during the Lima transit.

By evening we were settled in Tarapoto and ready for the first full birding day of the northern extension.

Day 2 (15 July)

Tarapoto to Plataforma

We left Tarapoto early and drove eastward toward Bellavista before beginning the long climb toward Plataforma. The first part of the journey passed through open country, agricultural land and wetter lowland habitats, giving us an opportunity to begin building a very different bird list from that of southern Peru.

Among the more interesting birds encountered on the way were Mishana Tyrannulet, Plain-breasted Ground Dove and Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, together with a variety of commoner lowland species.

As we climbed toward Plataforma, the vegetation became progressively more forested and the birding improved markedly. By late morning we had reached the foothill forests where our main objective was one of northern Peru’s most localized birds: Scarlet-banded Barbet.

We began searching soon after arrival and were rewarded remarkably quickly when a pair was found during the afternoon. Securing such an important target on our first visit to the site was a major success and meant that we could devote more time the following day to other specialties.

The surrounding forest continued to produce excellent birds. Napo Sabrewing, Peruvian Racket-tail, Rose-fronted Parakeet, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Blackish Pewee, Dotted Tanager and Straw-backed Tanager were among the better species.

As the light began to fade, the birding continued with nocturnal species, including Foothill Screech-Owl and detections of Subtropical Pygmy-Owl and Band-bellied Owl.

It was an excellent start to the northern section of the tour.

Day 3 (16 July)

Plataforma

With Scarlet-banded Barbet already secured, we could devote the entire day to exploring the forests around Plataforma, concentrating particularly on dense understory and mixed-species flocks.

Our principal target was Cordillera Azul Antbird, a highly localized species associated with this isolated foothill region. After focused searching in suitable habitat, we eventually located the bird, securing one of the most important targets of the entire northern route.

The forest was active throughout the day. Blue-rumped Manakin was one of the standout species, while Jet Manakin, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater and Gray-tailed Piha added further quality.

The understory produced Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Yellow-throated Spadebill, Rufescent Antshrike and Strong-billed Woodcreeper, while mixed flocks contained a wide assortment of foliage-gleaners, antwrens, tanagers and euphonias.

Another particularly interesting observation involved the Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form, treated separately in the eBird records as an undescribed taxon.

This was one of the strongest forest days of the trip, both for diversity and for the quality of the birds encountered.

Day 4 (17 July)

Plataforma to Tarapoto via Cordillera Escalera

We birded briefly around Plataforma at first light before beginning the descent toward Bellavista and Tarapoto.

As we dropped in elevation, the bird community changed noticeably. Stops along the route produced Paint-billed Crake, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, Ringed Kingfisher and White-throated Toucan.

Around wetter agricultural areas and the Huallaga River we added birds such as Limpkin, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Comb Duck and White-winged Swallow.

After lunch we continued to the Yurimaguas Road in Cordillera Escalera, where humid foothill forest again became the dominant habitat.

Here the afternoon produced Sickle-winged Guan, Olive-faced Flatbill, Cliff Flycatcher and Plumbeous Euphonia, while an Andean Cock-of-the-rock was heard from the forest.

By evening we were back in Tarapoto after a productive transition day that had taken us through several different habitats.

Day 5 (18 July)

Cordillera Escalera and ACONABIKH to Moyobamba

The morning was devoted to the forests of Cordillera Escalera, with most of our time spent at ACONABIKH Reserve.

One of our principal targets here was Koepcke’s Hermit, and the morning began very well when two birds were recorded. The reserve also produced an excellent selection of foothill forest species.

Among the highlights were Golden-headed Manakin, Blue-capped Manakin, Dusky-chested Flycatcher and Black-faced Antbird.

A particularly interesting sighting was Yellow-green Vireo, noted in the field records as an unusual out-of-season migrant. Other noteworthy birds included Black-and-white Tanager, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Black-billed Seed-Finch.

After lunch we began the drive toward Moyobamba. Along the way we stopped at a known roost for Oilbird, where approximately fifty birds provided a memorable encounter with one of the most unusual birds of the Neotropics.

We continued into the Alto Mayo Valley and reached the Moyobamba area later in the day, adding Huallaga Tanager and other foothill birds before evening.

Day 6 (19 July)

Calzada, Morro de Calzada and Waqanki

We began before sunrise at a feeding area near Calzada before continuing to the distinctive white-sand forest of Morro de Calzada.

Our principal objective was Painted Manakin, one of the signature birds of the Alto Mayo area. The search was successful, producing a superb adult male.

The same forest also held Green Manakin, Western Striolated Puffbird, Green-backed Trogon and Bluish-fronted Jacamar, while a Red-throated Caracara was heard nearby.

After completing our morning birding at Morro de Calzada, we returned to Waqanki, where the remainder of the day was spent around the lodge grounds, feeders and nearby forest trails.

The afternoon produced Golden-collared Toucanet, Broad-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Huallaga Tanager and a good selection of hummingbirds.

It was a more relaxed afternoon after a highly successful morning, and by evening we had assembled an excellent representation of the Alto Mayo’s foothill avifauna.

Day 7 (20 July)

Arena Blanca to Abra Patricia

We left Moyobamba early and began the morning at Arena Blanca, where we concentrated initially on forest-floor birds, feeders and lowland specialties.

One of the strongest observations was Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, normally a difficult species to see well. Around the feeders we recorded an excellent hummingbird assemblage that included Wire-crested Thorntail, Rufous-crested Coquette, Black-throated Mango and several other species.

As we began gaining elevation toward Abra Patricia, the bird community changed quickly. Stops along the route produced Speckle-chested Piculet, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Ochre-fronted Antpitta and Rufous-vented Tapaculo.

By afternoon we had reached the cooler montane forest around Owlet Lodge.

Our main objective for the evening was Long-whiskered Owlet, where one individual was recorded and photographed. This extraordinarily localized bird was one of the principal reasons for visiting the Abra Patricia region.

The nocturnal session also produced Common Potoo and Cinnamon Screech-Owl, providing an excellent finish to a long day spanning lowland forest through upper montane habitat.

Day 8 (21 July)

Alto Nieva and Abra Patricia

We descended from Owlet Lodge shortly after dawn to bird the lower cloud forest around Alto Nieva, at approximately 1,800 metres.

The change in elevation produced a noticeably different bird community, and the morning was devoted primarily to understory species, antpittas and hummingbirds.

The first major success came with Rusty-tinged Antpitta, followed by Ochre-fronted Antpitta. The same forest also produced Streak-headed Antbird, Uniform Antshrike, Rusty-winged Barbtail and Bar-winged Wood-Wren, while Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren was heard from dense vegetation.

The hummingbird feeding area was particularly productive. Greenish Puffleg, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Peruvian Racket-tail, Violet-fronted Brilliant and Sapphire-spangled Emerald all appeared.

From Alto Nieva we gradually worked our way back upslope toward Abra Patricia. One of the principal objectives of this section was Royal Sunangel, and our search was rewarded at Fundo La Murella Verde with a fine male.

As we continued upward, the montane forest produced Green-and-black Fruiteater, Rufous-crested Tanager, Grass-green Tanager and Blue-and-black Tanager.

We finished the afternoon around Owlet Lodge with White-throated Screech-Owl providing an excellent final bird at dusk.

Day 9 (22 July)

Abra Patricia to Pomacochas

We spent the morning birding around Owlet Lodge, continuing to search the montane forest before leaving Abra Patricia.

The morning produced Golden-plumed Parakeet, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet and a variety of mountain tanagers. Chestnut Antpitta was also detected, although it remained out of view.

After leaving Abra Patricia we continued toward Pomacochas for one of the most anticipated sessions of the entire trip.

Our afternoon was devoted to Marvelous Spatuletail.

The encounter exceeded expectations. No fewer than five males and one female were recorded, giving us repeated opportunities to watch one of the world’s most extraordinary hummingbirds.

The site also produced Purple-throated Sunangel, Black-tailed Trainbearer, White-bellied Hummingbird, Line-cheeked Spinetail and Black-crested Warbler.

Rather than a brief glimpse of a single bird, we were able to spend considerable time observing several male Spatuletails—a clear highlight of the journey.

Day 10 (23 July)

Pomacochas to Jaén through the Marañón Valley

We left Pomacochas well before dawn, beginning a long descent toward one of the most distinctive biogeographic regions of the trip: the Marañón Valley.

As the road dropped in elevation, the cool montane forest gradually gave way to increasingly dry slopes, thorn scrub and open woodland. The bird community changed almost completely.

The day was dedicated to the highly localized species of this dry inter-Andean system.

Our productive stops brought Spot-throated Hummingbird, Marañón Spinetail, Marañón Antshrike, Marañón Gnatcatcher and Little Inca-Finch.

Marañón Pigeon was another particularly important addition, while Ecuadorian Ground-Dove occurred in the more open areas.

Particular attention was given to Marañón Crescentchest, one of the characteristic species of this restricted habitat, and the bird was successfully recorded during the day. Marañón Tyrannulet provided another key specialty.

As the afternoon progressed, we continued toward Jaén, making further stops in the remaining dry forest.

We finished at Bosque Yanahuanca, where evening birding added a pair of Peruvian Screech-Owls (roboratus race) and Scrub Nightjar.

It was one of the strongest endemic-focused days of the trip and marked a complete transition from the humid northern Andes into the dry Marañón basin.

Day 11 (24 July)

Jaén to Cocachimba and the Utcubamba Valley

We began the morning birding near Jaén before a late breakfast, giving ourselves another opportunity to work the dry Marañón habitats.

From Jaén we continued toward the Utcubamba Valley, where the landscape gradually became greener again as we climbed toward Cocachimba and Gocta.

Several roadside stops proved worthwhile. Black-necked Woodpecker was one of the strongest observations, while Marañón Gnatcatcher, Marañón Thrush, Spot-throated Hummingbird and a calling Marañón Crescentchest added further localized birds.

Later in the afternoon we visited a hummingbird feeding station near Cocachimba.

Here we encountered another adult male Marvelous Spatuletail, this individual showing active molt. Little Woodstar, Andean Emerald and Gray-chinned Hermit were also present around the feeders.

We finished the day at Gocta Andes Lodge, where an impressive flock of roughly eighty Speckle-faced Parrots moved toward the waterfall at dusk.

Day 12 (25 July)

Huaylla Belén and Cerro de Tilla

We left Cocachimba very early and climbed into the high-elevation forests around Cerro de Tilla and Huaylla Belén.

This area proved particularly important because it allowed us to recover several montane targets that had originally been associated with the planned San Lorenzo section of the tour.

The morning concentrated on elfin forest and upper montane habitats and quickly developed into one of the most endemic-rich sessions of the entire journey.

Pale-billed Antpitta was a major objective. Two pairs were recorded at Huaylla Belén, with additional birds heard in the area, while another individual was later heard around Cerro de Tilla.

We also found Chachapoyas Antpitta, with two birds recorded and one giving a visual encounter.

The same forest produced Russet-mantled Softtail, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Peruvian Wren, Gray-browed Wren, White-collared Jay, Mountain Velvetbreast and Amethyst-throated Sunangel.

It was an exceptional morning for restricted-range northern Peruvian species.

After a late lunch we descended and continued toward Leymebamba.

Day 13 (26 July)

Atuen and Leymebamba

We headed into the high country above Leymebamba and spent the morning birding the puna and upper Utcubamba Valley around Atuen, at approximately 3,600 metres.

The open landscape was completely different from the dense forest of the previous morning.

High-Andean wetlands and grasslands produced Andean Goose, Yellow-billed Pintail, Yellow-billed Teal, Mountain Caracara and Brown-bellied Swallow.

More localized birds included Many-striped Canastero and Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant.

Both Stripe-headed Antpitta and Atuen Antpitta were detected by voice, adding two important high-elevation species despite neither giving a visual encounter.

After lunch we returned toward Leymebamba and spent the afternoon around the excellent Leymebamba Museum, combining the cultural component of the trip with relaxed birding in the surrounding gardens.

Here we recorded Green-tailed Trainbearer, Chestnut-breasted Coronet and other montane species.

After dark, a Koepcke’s Screech-Owl near the museum provided an excellent conclusion to the day.

Day 14 (27 July)

Abra Barro Negro, Marañón Valley and Celendín

The journey from Leymebamba to Celendín was relatively short in distance but difficult in practice, with poor road conditions turning approximately 140 kilometres into a six-hour drive.

Fortunately, several of the most important birding sites of the route lay directly along the way.

We first concentrated on the high-elevation forest and scrub around Abra Barro Negro.

The area produced Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Neblina Tapaculo, Coppery Metaltail and Buff-bridled Inca-Finch, together with a variety of high-Andean birds.

From there we began the dramatic descent toward the Marañón River.

Near Balsas, the dry valley habitat produced one of the day’s principal targets: a small group of Yellow-faced Parrotlets.

Continuing toward Celendín, we added Chestnut-backed Thornbird, Marañón Thrush, Spot-throated Hummingbird and Black-backed Grosbeak.

Before reaching Celendín we also secured Gray-winged Inca-Finch, another highly localized species associated with the dry inter-Andean valleys of northern Peru.

Despite the difficult road, this was another outstanding day for restricted-range species.

Day 15 (28 July)

Cruz Conga and Río Chonta

We travelled from Celendín toward Cajamarca, with our first major birding stop at Cruz Conga.

The principal objective here was Cajamarca Antpitta, a species restricted to the highlands of this region.

Our search was successful, with three individuals recorded.

The surrounding highland habitat also produced Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Plain-tailed Warbling-Finch, Shining Sunbeam and Tyrian Metaltail, together with several other species typical of the Cajamarca Andes.

After continuing toward Cajamarca, we spent the afternoon in the Río Chonta–Sangal area.

Here our attention shifted to another extremely localized endemic: Gray-bellied Comet.

After working the valley carefully, we located a single bird, completing one of the principal objectives of the Cajamarca section.

The area also produced Black Metaltail, Andean Flicker, Andean Swift and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle.

Obtaining both Cajamarca Antpitta and Gray-bellied Comet made this a particularly successful day.

Day 16 (29 July)

Jesús, Abra El Gavilán and Rafán

We left Cajamarca early and began southeast of Jesús, where one of the principal targets was Great Spinetail.

The morning produced an excellent result with two pairs found.

The surrounding dry Andean scrub also held Marañón Gnatcatcher, Buff-bridled Inca-Finch and Peruvian Meadowlark.

We then climbed toward Abra El Gavilán at around 3,000 metres, where additional high-elevation species included Rufous-backed Inca-Finch, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail and Unicolored Tapaculo.

From there we began the long descent toward the Pacific lowlands.

By mid-afternoon we had reached the dry forest at Rafán, where the habitat and birdlife were once again completely different.

Our principal target was Peruvian Plantcutter, and four birds were located successfully.

Other dry-forest specialties included Peruvian Sheartail, Tumbesian Tyrannulet, Necklaced Spinetail, Superciliated Wren, Pacific Parrotlet and Amazilia Hummingbird.

Few days demonstrated the ecological diversity of northern Peru more clearly: high Andean scrub in the morning and Tumbesian dry forest before sunset.

Day 17 (30 July)

Pacific Coast to Chaparrí

After several days in the Andes and Marañón interior, the morning brought another major ecological shift as we reached the Pacific coast near Chiclayo.

Our principal objective was Peruvian Tern, and we concentrated first on the coastal habitats around Playa La Cruz del Faro where this very rare Tern was successfully located.

The shoreline and nearshore waters also produced Peruvian Booby, Black Skimmer, Gray Gull, Belcher’s Gull, Kelp Gull and Willet.

In the more open coastal desert we recorded Peruvian Pipit, Peruvian Thick-knee and Coastal Miner, giving us an entirely different set of species from those seen in the Andes.

From the coast we turned inland toward Chaparrí.

By the time we reached the reserve, the barren shoreline had given way to dry Tumbesian forest.

The afternoon was devoted to birding around the lodge, where our main target was White-winged Guan. Two birds were encountered, providing one of the most important conservation highlights of the trip.

Other specialties included Tumbes Tyrant, Baird’s Flycatcher, Tumbes Sparrow, Pacific Hornero, White-tailed Jay, Short-tailed Woodstar and Plumbeous-backed Thrush.

As darkness fell, a great view of West Peruvian Screech-Owl (pacificus race) rounded off an exceptionally varied day.

Day 18 – 31 July

Chaparrí

We devoted the full day to the forests and entrance road around Chaparrí, allowing us to work the Tumbesian habitat carefully without the pressure of a long transfer.

White-winged Guan was seen again, providing further opportunities with one of the most important birds of northwestern Peru.

The dry forest produced a strong selection of regional specialties.

Among the highlights were Tumbes Hummingbird, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Tumbes Pewee, Elegant Crescentchest, Rufous Flycatcher, White-headed Brushfinch, Black-capped Sparrow, White-edged Oriole and Plumbeous-backed Thrush.

Compared with the humid forests around Plataforma and Abra Patricia, Chaparrí supported an almost completely different bird community.

Spending a full day in this habitat allowed us not only to add new species but also to appreciate the distinctiveness of the Tumbesian region.

Day 19 – 1 August

Casupe, Peña Los Loros and Lake Tinajones

We left Chaparrí very early.

Even before sunrise the birding was memorable, with numerous Tschudi’s Nightjars visible along the reserve road together with Lesser Nighthawks.

We then climbed toward Casupe and Peña Los Loros, where the vegetation became noticeably greener and more montane.

At Casupe one of our main targets was Ochre-bellied Dove. Two birds were recorded, with one seen inside the forest and another heard from the road.

The same area produced Chapman’s Antshrike, Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, White-winged Brushfinch, Gray-and-gold Warbler, Three-banded Warbler and Black-cowled Saltator.

At Peña Los Loros, Ecuadorian Piculet provided another valuable regional specialty.

After descending toward Chiclayo we stopped at Lake Tinajones, where the habitat changed once again to open wetland.

The lake produced Roseate Spoonbill, Little Blue Heron, Pectoral Sandpiper, Comb Duck, White-cheeked Pintail and numerous other waterbirds.

One small flycatcher provided the day’s most personal moment: Short-tailed Field Tyrant became Mikael’s 5,000th world lifer.

Day 20 – 2 August

Bosque de Pómac, Túcume and Sipán

Our final birding morning was spent at Bosque de Pómac, one of the most important remaining tracts of dry Prosopis forest in coastal northern Peru.

The principal objective was Tumbes Swallow.

The search was successful, with approximately twenty birds recorded, giving us an excellent final major target for the trip.

The dry forest also produced Coastal Miner, Cinereous Finch, Pacific Pygmy-Owl, Pacific Hornero, Pacific Parrotlet, White-tailed Jay and Tumbesian Tyrannulet.

Large numbers of West Peruvian Dove were also present throughout the area.

With the main birding objectives completed, the remainder of the day returned to the cultural side of the journey.

We visited the archaeological complex at Túcume and later the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in Lambayeque, bringing the tour to an appropriate conclusion: an exceptional birding journey combined with some of the most important cultural heritage of northern Peru.

Trip Summary

The Northern Peru extension ultimately documented 613 bird taxa, including 612 described species plus one still-undescribed Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form.

The value of the journey, however, was not simply numerical.

The route linked several of Peru’s most distinctive centers of endemism and produced an exceptional concentration of localized species.

Among the defining encounters were Scarlet-banded Barbet, Cordillera Azul Antbird, Koepcke’s Hermit, Painted Manakin, Long-whiskered Owlet, Royal Sunangel, Marvelous Spatuletail, Pale-billed Antpitta, Chachapoyas Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softtail, Marañón Spinetail, Marañón Crescentchest, Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Gray-winged Inca-Finch, Cajamarca Antpitta, Gray-bellied Comet, Great Spinetail, Peruvian Plantcutter, Peruvian Tern, White-winged Guan, Ochre-bellied Dove and Tumbes Swallow.

Just as important was the progression of the journey itself. Bird communities changed constantly as we crossed major ecological boundaries—from Amazonian foothills and cloud forest to high Andean puna, dry inter-Andean valleys, Tumbesian woodland and the Pacific coast.

Some of the strongest days were not necessarily those with the highest species totals, but those in which a small area held several birds found almost nowhere else.

The trip also reflected the reality of intensive field birding. Some targets required considerable persistence, some were detected only briefly, and route changes occasionally required adapting the plan and recovering key species elsewhere. The highly successful morning at Huaylla Belén after bypassing San Lorenzo was an excellent example of that flexibility.

From Scarlet-banded Barbet in the Cordillera Azul foothills on our first full birding day to Tumbes Swallow at Bosque de Pómac on the final morning, the northern extension provided an extraordinary cross-section of the specialized birdlife of northern Peru.

Unified Annotated Species Checklist

Checklist basis: 613 reconciled taxa

Tinamous

1. Andean Tinamou — Nothoprocta pentlandii — Cajamarca highlands — one bird feeding in a ploughed field.
2. Hooded Tinamou — Nothocercus nigrocapillus HEARD ONLY — Owlet Lodge
3. Cinereous Tinamou — Crypturellus cinereus
4. Tataupa Tinamou — Crypturellus tataupa HEARD ONLY
5. Little Tinamou — Crypturellus soui

Ducks & Geese

6. Black-bellied Whistling Duck — Dendrocygna autumnalis
7. Comb Duck — Sarkidiornis sylvicola
8. White-cheeked Pintail — Anas bahamensis
9. Sickle-winged Guan — Chamaepetes goudotii
10. Andean Goose — Chloephaga melanoptera
11. Yellow-billed Pintail — Anas georgica
12. Yellow-billed Teal — Anas flavirostris

Guans & New World Quail

13. White-winged Guan — Penelope albipennis ENDEMIC TARGET — Chaparrí — two birds, with further views the following day.
14. Andean Guan — Penelope montagnii
15. Speckled Chachalaca — Ortalis guttata
16. Rufous-breasted Wood Quail — Odontophorus speciosus — Arena Blanca
17. Rock Dove — Columba livia

Pigeons & Doves

18. Scaled Pigeon — Patagioenas speciosa
19. Band-tailed Pigeon — Patagioenas fasciata
20. Peruvian Pigeon — Patagioenas oenops NEAR ENDEMIC — Bosque Yanahuanca — good numbers in the Marañón dry forest.
21. Plumbeous Pigeon — Patagioenas plumbea
22. Ruddy Pigeon — Patagioenas subvinacea HEARD ONLY
23. Plain-breasted Ground Dove — Columbina minuta
24. Ruddy Ground Dove — Columbina talpacoti
25. Ecuadorian Ground Dove — Columbina buckleyi — Bosque Yanahuanca
26. Croaking Ground Dove — Columbina cruziana
27. Blue Ground Dove — Claravis pretiosa
28. White-tipped Dove — Leptotila verreauxi
29. Ochre-bellied Dove — Leptotila ochraceiventris NEAR ENDEMIC TARGET — Casupe — one seen inside the forest and another heard from the road.
30. Grey-fronted Dove — Leptotila rufaxilla
31. West Peruvian Dove — Zenaida meloda
32. Eared Dove — Zenaida auriculata
33. Smooth-billed Ani — Crotophaga ani
34. Pale-vented Pigeon — Patagioenas cayennensis

Cuckoos

35. Groove-billed Ani — Crotophaga sulcirostris
36. Striped Cuckoo — Tapera naevia
37. Common Squirrel Cuckoo — Piaya cayana
38. Lesser Nighthawk — Chordeiles acutipennis

Nightjars & Potoos

39. Rufous-bellied Nighthawk — Lurocalis rufiventris
40. Pauraque — Nyctidromus albicollis
41. Scrub Nightjar — Nyctidromus anthonyi
42. Tschudi’s Nightjar — Quechuavis decussata — Chaparrí — numerous birds along the road before sunrise.
43. Common Potoo — Nyctibius griseus
44. Oilbird — Steatornis caripensis TARGET — El Triunfo — approximately fifty birds at the roost.

Swifts

45. Chestnut-collared Swift — Streptoprocne rutila
46. White-collared Swift — Streptoprocne zonaris
47. Grey-rumped Swift — Chaetura cinereiventris
48. Short-tailed Swift — Chaetura brachyura
49. White-tipped Swift — Aeronautes montivagus
50. Andean Swift — Aeronautes andecolus
51. Fork-tailed Palm Swift — Tachornis squamata
52. White-necked Jacobin — Florisuga mellivora
53. Buff-tailed Sicklebill — Eutoxeres condamini
54. White-bearded Hermit — Phaethornis hispidus

Hummingbirds

55. Green Hermit — Phaethornis guy
56. Koepcke’s Hermit — Phaethornis koepckeae ENDEMIC TARGET — ACONABIKH — two birds.
57. Great-billed Hermit — Phaethornis malaris
58. Black-throated Hermit — Phaethornis atrimentalis
59. Grey-chinned Hermit (Porculla) — Phaethornis griseogularis ENDEMIC — Seen at Casupe
60. Reddish Hermit — Phaethornis ruber
61. Blue-fronted Lancebill — Doryfera johannae
62. Sparkling Violetear — Colibri coruscans
63. Brown Violetear — Colibri delphinae
64. Lesser Violetear — Colibri cyanotus
65. Black-throated Mango — Anthracothorax nigricollis
66. Amethyst-throated Sunangel — Heliangelus amethysticollis — Huaylla Belen
67. Purple-throated Sunangel — Heliangelus viola
68. Royal Sunangel — Heliangelus regalis ENDEMIC TARGET — Fundo La Murella Verde — adult male.
69. Wire-crested Thorntail — Discosura popelairii
70. Rufous-crested Coquette — Lophornis delattrei
71. Speckled Hummingbird — Adelomyia melanogenys
72. Long-tailed Sylph — Aglaiocercus kingii
73. Grey-bellied Comet — Taphrolesbia griseiventris ENDEMIC TARGET — Río Chonta (Sangal) — one bird after a dedicated afternoon search.
74. Mountain Avocetbill — Opisthoprora euryptera
75. Tyrian Metaltail — Metallura tyrianthina — Owlet Lodge; Atuen
76. Coppery Metaltail — Metallura theresiae ENDEMIC — Cero de Tilla; Road to Abra Barro Negro
77. Black Metaltail — Metallura phoebe ENDEMIC — Rio Chonta (Sangal); Abra El Gavilan
78. Greenish Puffleg — Haplophaedia aureliae
79. Emerald-bellied Puffleg — Eriocnemis aline — Owlet Lodge
80. Marvelous Spatuletail — Loddigesia mirabilis ENDEMIC TARGET — Laguna Pomacochas — five males and one female; another adult male near Cocachimba was in active molt.
81. Shining Sunbeam — Aglaeactis cupripennis
82. Bronzy Inca — Coeligena coeligena
83. Collared Inca — Coeligena torquata — Owlet Lodge; Huaylla Belen
84. Rainbow Starfrontlet — Coeligena iris NEAR ENDEMIC — Atuen
85. Mountain Velvetbreast — Lafresnaya lafresnayi — Cero de Tilla; Huaylla Belen
86. Sword-billed Hummingbird — Ensifera ensifera
87. Chestnut-breasted Coronet — Boissonneaua matthewsii
88. Peruvian Racket-tail — Ocreatus peruanus
89. Rufous-vented Whitetip — Urosticte ruficrissa
90. Gould’s Jewelfront — Heliodoxa aurescens
91. Fawn-breasted Brilliant — Heliodoxa rubinoides
92. Violet-fronted Brilliant — Heliodoxa leadbeateri
93. Giant Hummingbird — Patagona gigas
94. Long-billed Starthroat — Heliomaster longirostris
95. Amethyst Woodstar — Calliphlox amethystina
96. Peruvian Sheartail — Thaumastura cora
97. Short-tailed Woodstar — Myrmia micrura
98. Purple-collared Woodstar — Myrtis fanny
99. White-bellied Woodstar — Chaetocercus mulsant
100. Little Woodstar — Chaetocercus bombus
101. Violet-headed Hummingbird — Klais guimeti
102. Grey-breasted Sabrewing — Campylopterus largipennis
103. Napo Sabrewing — Campylopterus villaviscensio
104. Fork-tailed Woodnymph — Thalurania furcata
105. Tumbes Hummingbird — Thaumasius baeri NEAR ENDEMIC TARGET — Chaparrí — an important Tumbesian hummingbird.
106. Spot-throated Hummingbird — Thaumasius taczanowskii NEAR ENDEMIC TARGET — Marañón Valley — encountered repeatedly in the dry inter-Andean section.
107. Many-spotted Hummingbird — Taphrospilus hypostictus
108. Amazilia Hummingbird — Amazilis amazilia — Rafan; Reserva Ecologica Chaparri
109. Andean Emerald — Uranomitra franciae
110. Golden-tailed Sapphire — Chrysuronia oenone
111. Sapphire-spangled Emerald — Chionomesa lactea
112. White-bellied Hummingbird — Elliotomyia chionogaster — Laguna Pomacochas
113. White-chinned Sapphire — Chlorestes cyanus
114. Black-tailed Trainbearer — Lesbia victoriae
115. Great Sapphirewing — Pterophanes cyanopterus
116. Green-fronted Lancebill — Doryfera ludovicae
117. Green-tailed Trainbearer — Lesbia nuna — Leymebamba Museum

Rails & Limpkin

118. Paint-billed Crake — Mustelirallus erythrops
119. Common Gallinule — Gallinula galeata
120. Purple Gallinule — Porphyrio martinica
121. Russet-crowned Crake — Rufirallus viridis
122. Limpkin — Aramus guarauna

Shorebirds

123. Peruvian Thick-knee — Hesperoburhinus superciliaris
124. Black-necked Stilt — Himantopus mexicanus
125. American Oystercatcher — Haematopus palliatus
126. Killdeer — Charadrius vociferus
127. Andean Lapwing — Vanellus resplendens
128. Collared Plover — Anarhynchus collaris
129. Hudsonian Whimbrel — Numenius hudsonicus
130. Pectoral Sandpiper — Calidris melanotos
131. Grey Plover — Pluvialis squatarola
132. Lesser Yellowlegs — Tringa flavipes
133. Willet — Tringa semipalmata

Gulls, Skimmers & Terns

134. Andean Gull — Chroicocephalus serranus
135. Grey-headed Gull — Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
136. Grey Gull — Leucophaeus modestus
137. Belcher’s Gull — Larus belcheri
138. Kelp Gull — Larus dominicanus
139. Black Skimmer — Rynchops niger
140. Peruvian Tern — Sternula lorata TARGET — Playa La Cruz del Faro — single bird.
141. Gull-billed Tern — Gelochelidon nilotica

Grebes

142. Pied-billed Grebe — Podilymbus podiceps

Seabirds, Cormorants, Ibises & Herons

143. Peruvian Booby — Sula variegata
144. Neotropic Cormorant — Nannopterum brasilianum
145. Puna Ibis — Plegadis ridgwayi
146. Black-crowned Night Heron — Nycticorax nycticorax
147. Little Blue Heron — Egretta caerulea
148. Snowy Egret — Egretta thula
149. Striated Heron — Butorides striata
150. Western Cattle Egret — Ardea ibis
151. Great Egret — Ardea alba
152. Cocoi Heron — Ardea cocoi
153. Peruvian Pelican — Pelecanus thagus
154. Fasciated Tiger Heron — Tigrisoma fasciatum
155. Roseate Spoonbill — Platalea ajaja

Vultures, Kites & Hawks

156. Black Vulture — Coragyps atratus
157. Turkey Vulture — Cathartes aura
158. Pearl Kite — Gampsonyx swainsonii
159. Hook-billed Kite — Chondrohierax uncinatus
160. Swallow-tailed Kite — Elanoides forficatus
161. Plumbeous Kite — Ictinia plumbea
162. Snail Kite — Rostrhamus sociabilis — Lake Tinajones area — a long-staying vagrant noted during the trip.
163. Savanna Hawk — Buteogallus meridionalis
164. Roadside Hawk — Rupornis magnirostris
165. Harris’s Hawk — Parabuteo unicinctus
166. Variable Hawk — Geranoaetus polyosoma
167. Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle — Geranoaetus melanoleucus
168. Greater Yellow-headed Vulture — Cathartes melambrotus

Owls

169. White-throated Screech Owl — Megascops albogularis
170. Koepcke’s Screech Owl — Megascops koepckeae
171. Cinnamon Screech Owl — Megascops petersoni HEARD ONLY — Progreso vicinity — heard despite considerable effort to obtain views.
172. Foothill Screech Owl — Megascops roraimae
173. West Peruvian Screech Owl — Megascops roboratus NEAR ENDEMIC – both races were seen, roboratus near Jaen and pacificus in Chaparri lodge
174. Band-bellied Owl — Pulsatrix melanota
175. Subtropical Pygmy Owl — Glaucidium parkeri
176. Pacific Pygmy Owl — Glaucidium peruanum
177. Long-whiskered Owlet — Xenoglaux loweryi ENDEMIC TARGET — Progreso vicinity — one individual during the evening search.
178. Rufous-banded Owl — Strix albitarsis
179. Burrowing Owl — Athene cunicularia

Trogons & Quetzals

180. Crested Quetzal — Pharomachrus antisianus HEARD ONLY
181. Ecuadorian Trogon — Trogon mesurus
182. Green-backed Trogon — Trogon viridis
183. Blue-crowned Trogon — Trogon curucui HEARD ONLY
184. Collared Trogon — Trogon collaris
185. Masked Trogon — Trogon personatus — Llanteria; Owlet Lodge

Motmots

186. Rufous Motmot — Baryphthengus martii HEARD ONLY
187. Broad-billed Motmot — Electron platyrhynchum

Puffbirds, Nunbirds, Jacamars, Barbets & Toucans

188. Western Striolated Puffbird — Nystalus obamai
189. White-fronted Nunbird — Monasa morphoeus
190. Bluish-fronted Jacamar — Galbula cyanescens
191. Scarlet-banded Barbet — Capito wallacei ENDEMIC TARGET — Plataforma — a pair on our first afternoon.
192. Gilded Barbet — Capito auratus
193. Versicolored Barbet — Eubucco versicolor
194. Southern Emerald-Toucanet — Aulacorhynchus albivitta
195. Chestnut-tipped Toucanet — Aulacorhynchus derbianus
196. Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan — Andigena hypoglauca
197. Chestnut-eared Aracari — Pteroglossus castanotis
198. Golden-collared Toucanet — Selenidera reinwardtii
199. Ringed Kingfisher — Megaceryle torquata
200. White-throated Toucan — Ramphastos tucanus

Woodpeckers

201. Lafresnaye’s Piculet — Picumnus lafresnayi
202. Ecuadorian Piculet — Picumnus sclateri — Peña los loros pass
203. Speckle-chested Piculet — Picumnus steindachneri ENDEMIC — Venceremos
204. Yellow-tufted Woodpecker — Melanerpes cruentatus
205. Smoky-brown Woodpecker — Leuconotopicus fumigatus
206. Little Woodpecker — Veniliornis passerinus
207. Scarlet-backed Woodpecker — Veniliornis callonotus
208. Red-necked Woodpecker — Campephilus rubricollis
209. Lineated Woodpecker — Dryocopus lineatus
210. White-throated Woodpecker — Piculus leucolaemus
211. Golden-olive Woodpecker — Colaptes rubiginosus
212. Crimson-mantled Woodpecker — Colaptes rivolii
213. Black-necked Woodpecker — Colaptes atricollis ENDEMIC — Utcubamba valley – Gocta entrance road; Hornopampa
214. Andean Flicker — Colaptes rupicola

Falcons & Caracaras

215. Crested Caracara — Caracara plancus
216. Mountain Caracara — Daptrius megalopterus
217. American Kestrel — Falco sparverius
218. Red-throated Caracara — Ibycter americanus HEARD ONLY

Parrots & Parakeets

219. Cobalt-winged Parakeet — Brotogeris cyanoptera — Plataforma; Aconabikh
220. Speckle-faced Parrot — Pionus tumultuosus — Gocta Andes Lodge — about eighty birds moving toward the waterfall at dusk.
221. Blue-headed Parrot — Pionus menstruus
222. Scaly-naped Amazon — Amazona mercenarius
223. Pacific Parrotlet — Forpus coelestis
224. Yellow-faced Parrotlet — Forpus xanthops ENDEMIC TARGET — Balsas area — a small group in the dry Marañón Valley.
225. Rose-fronted Parakeet — Pyrrhura roseifrons — Plataforma
226. Dusky-headed Parakeet — Aratinga weddellii
227. Cordilleran Parakeet — Psittacara frontatus — Yerbabuena; Balsas
228. Mitred Parakeet — Psittacara mitratus
229. Red-masked Parakeet — Psittacara erythrogenys
230. White-eyed Parakeet — Psittacara leucophthalmus
231. Golden-plumed Parakeet — Leptosittaca branickii

Antshrikes, Antwrens & Antbirds

232. Fasciated Antshrike — Cymbilaimus lineatus
233. Rufous-capped Antshrike (Huallaga) — Thamnophilus ruficapillus ENDEMIC — Laguna Pomacochas
234. Chapman’s Antshrike — Thamnophilus zarumae ENDEMIC — Casupe
235. Lined Antshrike — Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
236. Collared Antshrike — Thamnophilus bernardi
237. Maranon Antshrike — Thamnophilus shumbae ENDEMIC — Bagua
238. Plain-winged Antshrike — Thamnophilus schistaceus HEARD ONLY
239. Mouse-colored Antshrike — Thamnophilus murinus
240. Northern Slaty Antshrike (Marañon) — Thamnophilus punctatus ENDEMIC
241. Variable Antshrike — Thamnophilus caerulescens
242. Uniform Antshrike — Thamnophilus unicolor
243. Rufescent Antshrike — Thamnistes rufescens
244. Plain Antvireo — Dysithamnus mentalis
245. Pygmy Antwren — Myrmotherula brachyura
246. Yellow-breasted Antwren — Herpsilochmus axillaris — Plataforma
247. Streak-headed Antbird — Drymophila striaticeps
248. Peruvian Warbling Antbird — Hypocnemis peruviana
249. Black Antbird — Cercomacroides serva
250. Blackish Antbird — Cercomacroides nigrescens
251. Riparian Antbird — Cercomacroides fuscicauda
252. Black-faced Antbird — Myrmoborus myotherinus
253. Cordillera Azul Antbird — Myrmoderus eowilsoni ENDEMIC TARGET — Plataforma — one bird in the forest understory.
254. Maranon Crescentchest — Melanopareia maranonica ENDEMIC TARGET — Marañón Valley and Utcubamba corridor — one of the signature dry-valley specialties.
255. Elegant Crescentchest — Melanopareia elegans — Reserva Ecologica Chaparri; Casupe
256. Dusky-throated Antshrike — Thamnomanes ardesiacus. Nuclear species of lowland mixed flocks

Antpittas

257. Scaled Antpitta — Grallaria guatimalensis — Plataforma — one seen and heard; another heard.
258. Chestnut-crowned Antpitta — Grallaria ruficapilla — Huaylla Belén/Cerro de Tilla — one seen; another individual was on the road at dawn later in the route.
259. Pale-billed Antpitta — Grallaria carrikeri ENDEMIC TARGET — Huaylla Belén — two pairs, with additional birds heard; another bird at Cerro de Tilla.
260. Rusty-tinged Antpitta — Grallaria przewalskii ENDEMIC — Fundo Alto Nieva
261. Cajamarca Antpitta — Grallaria cajamarcae ENDEMIC TARGET — Cruz Conga — three birds.
262. Chestnut Antpitta — Grallaria blakei ENDEMIC HEARD ONLY — Owlet Lodge
263. Chachapoyas Antpitta — Grallaria gravesi ENDEMIC TARGET — Huaylla Belén — two birds, one seen.
264. Atuen Antpitta — Grallaria atuensis ENDEMIC HEARD ONLY — Atuen
265. Thrush-like Antpitta — Myrmothera campanisona HEARD ONLY
266. Ochre-breasted Antpitta — Grallaricula flavirostris ENDEMIC — Plataforma — a quiet bird perched in the understory.
267. Ochre-fronted Antpitta — Grallaricula ochraceifrons ENDEMIC — Abra Patricia region — seen and heard.
268. Stripe-headed Antpitta — Grallaria andicolus HEARD ONLY — Atuen

Tapaculos

269. White-crowned Tapaculo — Scytalopus atratus — One seen and another heard during the cloud-forest section.
270. Rufous-vented Tapaculo — Scytalopus femoralis ENDEMIC — Owlet Lodge
271. Utcubamba Tapaculo — Scytalopus intermedius ENDEMIC — Huaylla Belen
272. Large-footed Tapaculo — Scytalopus macropus ENDEMIC — Road to Abra Barro Negro
273. Unicolored Tapaculo — Scytalopus unicolor ENDEMIC — Abra El Gavilan
274. Neblina Tapaculo — Scytalopus altirostris ENDEMIC — Road to Abra Barro Negro

Antthrushes

275. Rufous-breasted Antthrush — Formicarius rufipectus — Plataforma — brief views in dense forest while calling.
276. Short-tailed Antthrush — Chamaeza campanisona HEARD ONLY

Woodcreepers, Ovenbirds & Allies

277. Coastal Miner — Geositta peruviana ENDEMIC — Puerto Eten; Bosque de Pomac
278. Olivaceous Woodcreeper — Sittasomus griseicapillus
279. Strong-billed Woodcreeper — Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus — Plataforma — the birds here were noted as vocally distinctive in the field.
280. Olive-backed Woodcreeper — Xiphorhynchus triangularis
281. Red-billed Scythebill — Campylorhamphus trochilirostris
282. Streak-headed Woodcreeper — Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
283. Montane Woodcreeper — Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
284. Inambari Woodcreeper — Lepidocolaptes fatimalimae HEARD ONLY
285. Amazonian Plain Xenops — Xenops genibarbis
286. Streaked Xenops — Xenops rutilans
287. Streaked Tuftedcheek — Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii — Owlet Lodge; Huaylla Belen
288. Pacific Hornero — Furnarius cinnamomeus
289. Wren-like Rushbird — Phleocryptes melanops
290. Cream-winged Cinclodes — Cinclodes albiventris
291. Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner — Neophilydor erythrocercum
292. Montane Foliage-gleaner — Anabacerthia striaticollis
293. Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner — Syndactyla rufosuperciliata
294. Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner — Syndactyla ruficollis
295. Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner — Dendroma rufa
296. Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner — Clibanornis erythrocephalus
297. Ochre-throated Foliage-gleaner — Automolus ochrolaemus
298. Spotted Barbtail — Premnoplex brunnescens
299. Pearled Treerunner — Margarornis squamiger
300. Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail — Leptasthenura pileata ENDEMIC — Abra El Gavilan
301. Rufous-fronted Thornbird — Phacellodomus rufifrons
302. Chestnut-backed Thornbird — Phacellodomus dorsalis ENDEMIC — Marañón Valley — two birds seen at separate roadside sites.
303. Speckled Spinetail — Thripophaga gutturata
304. Russet-mantled Softtail — Cranioleuca berlepschi ENDEMIC TARGET — Huaylla Belén — two birds.
305. Ash-browed Spinetail — Cranioleuca curtata
306. Line-cheeked Spinetail — Cranioleuca antisiensis NEAR ENDEMIC — Laguna Pomacochas; Leymebamba Museum
307. Maranon Spinetail — Synallaxis maranonica ENDEMIC
308. Great Spinetail — Synallaxis hypochondriaca ENDEMIC TARGET — Southeast of Jesús — two pairs.
309. Necklaced Spinetail — Synallaxis stictothorax
310. Dark-breasted Spinetail — Synallaxis albigularis
311. Azara’s Spinetail — Synallaxis azarae ENDEMIC — Cruz Conga
312. Rufous Spinetail — Synallaxis unirufa ENDEMIC — Owlet Lodge
313. Many-striped Canastero — Asthenes flammulata ENDEMIC — Atuen
314. Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner — Anabacerthia ruficaudata
315. Rusty-winged Barbtail — Premnornis guttuliger
316. Striped Treehunter — Thripadectes holostictus

Manakins

317. Jet Manakin — Chloropipo unicolor
318. Yungas Manakin — Chiroxiphia boliviana
319. Blue-capped Manakin — Lepidothrix coronata
320. Blue-rumped Manakin — Lepidothrix isidorei ENDEMIC — Plataforma
321. Painted Manakin — Machaeropterus eckelberryi ENDEMIC TARGET — Morro de Calzada — superb adult male.
322. Golden-headed Manakin — Ceratopipra erythrocephala
323. Fiery-capped Manakin — Machaeropterus pyrocephalus
324. Green Manakin — Cryptopipo holochlora

Cotingas & Allies

325. Green-and-black Fruiteater — Pipreola riefferii
326. Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater — Pipreola frontalis
327. Peruvian Plantcutter — Phytotoma raimondii ENDEMIC TARGET — Rafán — four birds in the coastal dry forest.
328. Red-crested Cotinga — Ampelion rubrocristatus
329. Andean Cock-of-the-rock — Rupicola peruvianus HEARD ONLY — Yurimaguas Road
330. Grey-tailed Piha — Snowornis subalaris
331. Amazonian Umbrellabird — Cephalopterus ornatus HEARD ONLY

Tityras, Schiffornis & Becards

332. Masked Tityra — Tityra semifasciata
333. Foothill Schiffornis — Schiffornis aenea
334. White-browed Purpletuft — Iodopleura isabellae
335. Green-backed Becard — Pachyramphus viridis
336. Barred Becard — Pachyramphus versicolor
337. White-winged Becard — Pachyramphus polychopterus
338. Black-and-white Becard — Pachyramphus albogriseus

Tyrant Flycatchers & Allies

339. Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher — Terenotriccus erythrurus
340. Wing-barred Piprites — Piprites chloris
341. White-throated Spadebill — Platyrinchus mystaceus
342. Yellow-throated Spadebill — Platyrinchus flavigularis
343. Streak-necked Flycatcher — Mionectes striaticollis — Fundo La Murella Verde
344. Olive-striped Flycatcher — Mionectes galbinus — Eastern foothills — Olive-striped Flycatcher; treated here as a single taxon despite differing nomenclature in the source lists.
345. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher — Mionectes oleagineus
346. Slaty-capped Flycatcher — Leptopogon superciliaris
347. Inca Flycatcher — Leptopogon taczanowskii ENDEMIC — Fundo La Murella Verde
348. Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant — Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus
349. Variegated Bristle Tyrant — Pogonotriccus poecilotis
350. Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet — Phylloscartes ventralis
351. Ecuadorian Tyrannulet — Phylloscartes gualaquizae
352. Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant — Pseudotriccus ruficeps
353. Double-banded Pygmy-Tyrant — Lophotriccus vitiosus
354. Black-throated Tody-Tyrant — Hemitriccus granadensis
355. Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant — Hemitriccus cinnamomeipectus
356. Buff-throated Tody-Tyrant — Hemitriccus rufigularis
357. Johnson´s Tody-Flycatcher — Poecilotriccus luluae ENDEMIC — Abra Patricia region — also known in older trip literature as Lulu’s Tody-Flycatcher.
358. Common Tody-Flycatcher — Todirostrum cinereum
359. Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher — Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum
360. Fulvous-breasted Flatbill — Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus
361. Yellow-olive Flatbill — Tolmomyias sulphurescens
362. Yellow-margined Flatbill — Tolmomyias assimilis — Arena Blanca
363. Olive-faced Flatbill — Tolmomyias viridiceps — Yurimaguas Road; Aconabikh
364. Cinnamon Flycatcher — Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
365. Cliff Flycatcher — Hirundinea ferruginea
366. Ornate Flycatcher — Myiotriccus ornatus
367. White-lored Tyrannulet — Ornithion inerme
368. Southern Beardless Tyrannulet — Camptostoma obsoletum — Laguna Pomacochas; La Cascada, NW Pedro Ruiz Gallo
369. White-tailed Tyrannulet — Mecocerculus poecilocercus
370. White-banded Tyrannulet — Mecocerculus stictopterus
371. White-throated Tyrannulet — Mecocerculus leucophrys
372. Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet — Mecocerculus minor
373. Black-crested Tit-Tyrant — Anairetes nigrocristatus NEAR ENDEMIC
374. Tufted Tit-Tyrant — Anairetes parulus
375. Tumbesian Tyrannulet — Nesotriccus tumbezanus ENDEMIC — Rafan; Tierras Blancas
376. Maranon Tyrannulet — Nesotriccus maranonicus ENDEMIC
377. Mouse-colored Tyrannulet — Nesotriccus murinus
378. Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet — Tyrannulus elatus
379. Forest Elaenia — Myiopagis gaimardii
380. Pacific Elaenia — Myiopagis subplacens
381. Yellow-bellied Elaenia — Elaenia flavogaster
382. Small-billed Elaenia — Elaenia parvirostris
383. Sierran Elaenia — Elaenia pallatangae ENDEMIC — Casupe
384. Torrent Tyrannulet — Serpophaga cinerea
385. Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet — Phyllomyias plumbeiceps
386. Black-capped Tyrannulet — Tyranniscus nigrocapillus
387. Red-billed Tyrannulet — Zimmerius cinereicapilla
388. Mishana Tyrannulet — Zimmerius villarejoi ENDEMIC — En route to Plataforma
389. Peruvian Tyrannulet — Zimmerius viridiflavus — Amazonas — the local form was noted in the field as taxonomically distinctive.
390. Fulvous-faced Scrub Tyrant — Euscarthmus fulviceps
391. Grey-and-white Tyrannulet — Pseudelaenia leucospodia
392. Olive-chested Flycatcher — Myiophobus cryptoxanthus
393. Mouse-grey Flycatcher — Myiophobus crypterythrus
394. Grey-breasted Flycatcher — Lathrotriccus griseipectus
395. Smoke-colored Pewee — Contopus fumigatus
396. Tumbes Pewee — Contopus punensis NEAR ENDEMIC
397. Blackish Pewee — Contopus nigrescens
398. Black Phoebe — Sayornis nigricans
399. Vermilion Flycatcher — Pyrocephalus rubinus — Bagua; Bosque Yanahuanca
400. Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant — Myiotheretes striaticollis
401. Tumbes Tyrant — Ochthoeca salvini NEAR ENDEMIC
402. Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant — Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
403. Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant — Ochthoeca fumicolor
404. Long-tailed Tyrant — Colonia colonus
405. Short-tailed Field Tyrant — Muscigralla brevicauda TARGET — Lake Tinajones — Mikael’s 5,000th world lifer.
406. Rufous Flycatcher — Myiarchus semirufus ENDEMIC — Chaparrí — near a dry river bed.
407. Dusky-capped Flycatcher — Myiarchus tuberculifer
408. Short-crested Flycatcher — Myiarchus ferox
409. Pale-edged Flycatcher — Myiarchus cephalotes
410. Brown-crested Flycatcher — Myiarchus tyrannulus
411. Great Kiskadee — Pitangus sulphuratus
412. Boat-billed Flycatcher — Megarynchus pitangua
413. Social Flycatcher — Myiozetetes similis
414. Grey-capped Flycatcher — Myiozetetes granadensis
415. Lemon-browed Flycatcher — Conopias cinchoneti
416. Baird’s Flycatcher — Myiodynastes bairdii NEAR ENDEMIC
417. Streaked Flycatcher — Myiodynastes maculatus
418. Piratic Flycatcher — Legatus leucophaius
419. Variegated Flycatcher — Empidonomus varius
420. Tropical Kingbird — Tyrannus melancholicus
421. Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher — Poecilotriccus capitalis — Morro de Calzada/Waqanki section — one male and two female/immature birds.
422. Dusky-chested Flycatcher — Myiozetetes luteiventris
423. Rufous-webbed Bush Tyrant — Cnemarchus rufipennis
424. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher — Myiodynastes luteiventris

Vireos & Jays

425. Rufous-browed Peppershrike — Cyclarhis gujanensis — Owlet Lodge; Bosque Yanahuanca
426. Olivaceous Greenlet — Hylophilus olivaceus
427. Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo — Vireolanius leucotis
428. Brown-capped Vireo — Vireo leucophrys
429. Chivi Vireo — Vireo chivi
430. White-collared Jay — Cyanolyca viridicyanus — Huaylla Belen
431. Violaceous Jay — Cyanocorax violaceus
432. Green Jay — Cyanocorax yncas
433. White-tailed Jay — Cyanocorax mystacalis
434. Tumbes Swallow — Tachycineta stolzmanni NEAR ENDEMIC TARGET — Bosque de Pómac — around twenty birds on the final morning.
435. Yellow-green Vireo — Vireo flavoviridis — ACONABIKH — an unusual out-of-season migrant.

Swallows

436. White-winged Swallow — Tachycineta albiventer
437. Gray-breasted Martin — Progne chalybea
438. Southern Rough-winged Swallow — Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
439. Blue-and-white Swallow — Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
440. Brown-bellied Swallow — Orochelidon murina
441. Chestnut-collared Swallow — Petrochelidon rufocollaris NEAR ENDEMIC — Punters Tulipe
442. White-banded Swallow — Atticora fasciata

Wrens & Gnatcatchers

443. Maranon Gnatcatcher — Polioptila maior ENDEMIC — Marañón and Utcubamba valleys — seen at several dry-forest stops.
444. White-browed Gnatcatcher — Polioptila bilineata
445. Southern Nightingale-Wren — Microcerculus marginatus HEARD ONLY
446. Grey-mantled Wren — Odontorchilus branickii
447. Southern House Wren — Troglodytes musculus
448. Mountain Wren — Troglodytes solstitialis — Upper Utcumbamba Valley
449. Fasciated Wren — Campylorhynchus fasciatus — Bosque Yanahuanca; Celendin-Balzas
450. Thrush-like Wren — Campylorhynchus turdinus
451. Grey-browed Wren — Pheugopedius schulenbergi ENDEMIC — Cero de Tilla; Huaylla Belen
452. Coraya Wren — Pheugopedius coraya NEAR ENDEMIC — Waqanki Lodge
453. Speckle-breasted Wren — Pheugopedius sclateri
454. Superciliated Wren — Cantorchilus superciliaris
455. Peruvian Wren — Cinnycerthia peruana ENDEMIC — Huaylla Belen
456. White-breasted Wood Wren — Henicorhina leucosticta
457. Bar-winged Wood Wren — Henicorhina leucoptera
458. Grey-breasted Wood Wren — Henicorhina leucophrys HEARD ONLY
459. Southern Chestnut-breasted Wren — Cyphorhinus thoracicus
460. Long-tailed Mockingbird — Mimus longicaudatus — Bagua Grande area (to W); Bagua
461. Andean Solitaire — Myadestes ralloides
462. Plumbeous-backed Thrush — Turdus reevei NEAR ENDEMIC
463. Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren — Cyphorhinus dichrous HEARD ONLY

Thrushes & Dippers

464. Glossy-black Thrush — Turdus serranus
465. Great Thrush — Turdus fuscater
466. Chiguanco Thrush — Turdus chiguanco
467. Black-billed Thrush — Turdus ignobilis
468. Maranon Thrush — Turdus maranonicus
469. Varzea Thrush — Turdus sanchezorum
470. House Sparrow — Passer domesticus
471. Peruvian Pipit — Anthus peruvianus
472. Blue-naped Chlorophonia — Chlorophonia cyanea
473. Plumbeous Euphonia — Euphonia plumbea
474. White-capped Dipper — Cinclus leucocephalus

Finches & Euphonias

475. Purple-throated Euphonia — Euphonia chlorotica
476. White-lored Euphonia — Euphonia chrysopasta
477. Thick-billed Euphonia — Euphonia laniirostris
478. Orange-bellied Euphonia — Euphonia xanthogaster
479. Bronze-green Euphonia — Euphonia mesochrysa — Plataforma
480. Rufous-bellied Euphonia — Euphonia rufiventris
481. Hooded Siskin — Spinus magellanicus
482. Yellow-throated Chlorospingus — Chlorospingus flavigularis
483. Ashy-throated Chlorospingus — Chlorospingus canigularis
484. Common Chlorospingus — Chlorospingus flavopectus
485. Lesser Goldfinch — Spinus psaltria

Sparrows & Brushfinches

486. Tumbes Sparrow — Rhynchospiza stolzmanni NEAR ENDEMIC
487. Yellow-browed Sparrow — Ammodramus aurifrons
488. Gray-browed Brushfinch — Arremon assimilis
489. Orange-billed Sparrow — Arremon aurantiirostris
490. Black-capped Sparrow — Arremon abeillei
491. Maranon Sparrow — Arremon nigriceps ENDEMIC — La Cascada, NW Pedro Ruiz Gallo
492. Chestnut-capped Brushfinch — Arremon brunneinucha
493. Rufous-collared Sparrow — Zonotrichia capensis — Mayobamba; Arena Blanca
494. White-headed Brushfinch — Atlapetes albiceps NEAR ENDEMIC
495. Yellow-breasted Brushfinch — Atlapetes latinuchus — Owlet Lodge; Huaylla Belen
496. White-winged Brushfinch — Atlapetes leucopterus
497. Peruvian Meadowlark — Leistes bellicosus
498. Russet-backed Oropendola — Psarocolius angustifrons
499. Crested Oropendola — Psarocolius decumanus
500. Scarlet-rumped Cacique — Cacicus uropygialis
501. Black-backed Grosbeak — Pheucticus aureoventris — Celendin-Balzas
502. Red-crowned Ant Tanager — Habia rubica

Blackbirds & Oropendolas

503. Yellow-rumped Cacique — Cacicus cela
504. Mountain Cacique — Cacicus chrysonotus — Huaylla Belen
505. White-edged Oriole — Icterus graceannae
506. Yellow-tailed Oriole — Icterus mesomelas
507. Shiny Cowbird — Molothrus bonariensis
508. Scrub Blackbird — Dives warczewiczi — Bosque Yanahuanca; Chiclayo
509. Black-lored Yellowthroat — Geothlypis auricularis
510. Tropical Parula — Setophaga pitiayumi
511. Three-striped Warbler — Basileuterus tristriatus
512. Three-banded Warbler — Basileuterus trifasciatus — Casupe; Peña los loros pass

Warblers & Redstarts

513. Citrine Warbler — Myiothlypis luteoviridis — Huaylla Belen; Road to Abra Barro Negro
514. Black-crested Warbler — Myiothlypis nigrocristata
515. Grey-and-gold Warbler — Myiothlypis fraseri NEAR ENDEMIC
516. Russet-crowned Warbler — Myiothlypis coronata — Owlet Lodge; Upper Utcumbamba Valley
517. Slate-throated Whitestart — Myioborus miniatus
518. Spectacled Whitestart — Myioborus melanocephalus — Huaylla Belen; Upper Utcumbamba Valley
519. Hepatic Tanager — Piranga flava
520. White-winged Tanager — Piranga leucoptera
521. Yellow-lored Tanager — Chlorothraupis frenata
522. Golden Grosbeak — Pheucticus chrysogaster

Tanagers, Seedeaters & Allies

523. Magpie Tanager — Cissopis leverianus
524. White-capped Tanager — Sericossypha albocristata
525. Rufous-crested Tanager — Creurgops verticalis
526. Black-capped Hemispingus — Kleinothraupis atropileus — Cero de Tilla
527. Buff-bellied Tanager — Thlypopsis inornata
528. Superciliaried Hemispingus — Thlypopsis superciliaris — Huaylla Belen; Road to Abra Barro Negro
529. Rufous-chested Tanager — Thlypopsis ornata
530. Plain-tailed Warbling Finch — Microspingus alticola ENDEMIC — Cruz Conga
531. Fulvous-crested Tanager — Tachyphonus surinamus
532. White-lined Tanager — Tachyphonus rufus
533. Fulvous Shrike-Tanager — Lanio fulvus
534. White-winged Shrike-Tanager — Lanio versicolor
535. Black-bellied Tanager — Ramphocelus melanogaster ENDEMIC — Waqanki Lodge; Calzada
536. Silver-beaked Tanager — Ramphocelus carbo
537. Masked Crimson Tanager — Ramphocelus nigrogularis
538. Hooded Mountain Tanager — Buthraupis montana — Owlet Lodge; Cero de Tilla
539. Blue-capped Tanager — Sporathraupis cyanocephala
540. Grass-green Tanager — Chlorornis riefferii — Owlet Lodge
541. Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager — Anisognathus igniventris — Huaylla Belen; Road to Abra Barro Negro
542. Blue-winged Mountain Tanager — Anisognathus somptuosus
543. Yellow-throated Tanager — Iridosornis analis
544. Blue-and-yellow Tanager — Rauenia bonariensis
545. Orange-eared Tanager — Chlorochrysa calliparaea
546. Blue-grey Tanager — Thraupis episcopus
547. Palm Tanager — Thraupis palmarum
548. Dotted Tanager — Ixothraupis varia
549. Yellow-bellied Tanager — Ixothraupis xanthogastra
550. Spotted Tanager — Ixothraupis punctata
551. Silver-backed Tanager — Stilpnia viridicollis
552. Straw-backed Tanager — Stilpnia argyrofenges
553. Burnished-buff Tanager — Stilpnia cayana
554. Masked Tanager — Stilpnia nigrocincta
555. Blue-necked Tanager — Stilpnia cyanicollis
556. Blue-and-black Tanager — Tangara vassorii — Owlet Lodge
557. Beryl-spangled Tanager — Tangara nigroviridis
558. Metallic-green Tanager — Tangara labradorides
559. Blue-browed Tanager — Tangara cyanotis
560. Turquoise Tanager — Tangara mexicana
561. Paradise Tanager — Tangara chilensis — Aconabikh; Arena Blanca
562. Bay-headed Tanager — Tangara gyrola
563. Saffron-crowned Tanager — Tangara xanthocephala
564. Flame-faced Tanager — Tangara parzudakii
565. Green-and-gold Tanager — Tangara schrankii
566. Golden Tanager — Tangara arthus
567. Black-faced Dacnis — Dacnis lineata
568. Blue Dacnis — Dacnis cayana
569. Purple Honeycreeper — Cyanerpes caeruleus
570. Green Honeycreeper — Chlorophanes spiza
571. Golden-collared Honeycreeper — Iridophanes pulcherrimus
572. Blue-backed Conebill — Conirostrum sitticolor
573. Capped Conebill — Conirostrum albifrons
574. Cinereous Conebill — Conirostrum cinereum
575. Moustached Flowerpiercer — Diglossa mystacalis — Huaylla Belen
576. Black-throated Flowerpiercer — Diglossa brunneiventris
577. White-sided Flowerpiercer — Diglossa albilatera
578. Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer — Diglossa glauca
579. Bluish Flowerpiercer — Diglossa caerulescens
580. Masked Flowerpiercer — Diglossa cyanea
581. Peruvian Sierra Finch — Phrygilus punensis
582. Ash-breasted Sierra Finch — Geospizopsis plebejus
583. Cinereous Finch — Piezorina cinerea ENDEMIC — Entrance track to Chappari; Bosque de Pomac
584. Rufous-backed Inca Finch — Incaspiza personata ENDEMIC — Abra El Gavilan
585. Grey-winged Inca Finch — Incaspiza ortizi ENDEMIC TARGET — Near Celendín — one of the key dry-valley targets.
586. Buff-bridled Inca Finch — Incaspiza laeta ENDEMIC — Hornopampa; SE of Jesús
587. Little Inca Finch — Incaspiza watkinsi ENDEMIC TARGET — Bagua
588. Drab Hemispingus — Pseudospingus xanthophthalmus
589. Black-billed Cnemoscopus — Cnemoscopus chrysogaster
590. Collared Warbling Finch — Poospiza hispaniolensis
591. Saffron Finch — Sicalis flaveola
592. Sulphur-throated Finch — Sicalis taczanowskii
593. Blue-black Grassquit — Volatinia jacarina
594. Parrot-billed Seedeater — Sporophila peruviana — Tierras Blancas; Entrance track to Chappari
595. Chestnut-throated Seedeater — Sporophila telasco
596. Drab Seedeater — Sporophila simplex
597. Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch — Sporophila angolensis
598. Yellow-bellied Seedeater — Sporophila nigricollis — Laguna Pomacochas
599. Band-tailed Seedeater — Catamenia analis — Abra El Gavilan
600. Red Pileated Finch — Coryphospingus cucullatus
601. Bananaquit — Coereba flaveola — Arena Blanca; Bosque Yanahuanca
602. Dull-colored Grassquit — Asemospiza obscura
603. Buff-throated Saltator — Saltator maximus
604. Bluish-grey Saltator — Saltator coerulescens
605. Streaked Saltator — Saltator striatipectus
606. Golden-billed Saltator — Saltator aurantiirostris — Abra El Gavilan
607. Yungas Woodcreeper — Deconychura [undescribed form] UNDESCRIBED FORM — Plataforma — undescribed Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form.
608. Black-and-white Tanager — Conothraupis speculigera
609. Black-billed Seed Finch — Sporophila atrirostris
610. Black-cowled Saltator — Saltator nigriceps NEAR ENDEMIC
611. Chestnut-bellied Seedeater — Sporophila castaneiventris
612. Plain-colored Seedeater — Catamenia inornata
613. Yellow-scarfed Tanager — Iridosornis reinhardti ENDEMIC TARGET — Abra Barro Negro — one of the standout high-elevation birds of the crossing.

Checklist Total

613 taxa

Final Note

This report follows the actual field route and daily observations rather than simply reproducing the pre-trip itinerary. Where the route changed—most notably the decision to bypass San Lorenzo and continue toward Jaén—the account follows what was actually done in the field. Huaylla Belén was subsequently used to recover several of the important montane targets originally associated with that part of the itinerary.

The final checklist combines both trip datasets into a single reconciled list. Obvious taxonomic duplicates are counted once, resulting in a combined total of 613 bird taxa: 612 described species and one undescribed Yungas Long-tailed Woodcreeper form.

See the full checklist here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/549771

If you want to know some basic tipping guideliness during Birding and Photography Tours, see here.

If you are more interested in a Birding and Cultural Trip see here.