Mindo Bird Tours and IGO
Northwest Ecuador Birding Tour 29th June – 7th July, 2007

Tour leader: Tim Krynak
Guide: Charles Hesse
Assistant: Mynor Chacón
Driver: Jorge Ledesma
Participants: Mary Bartos, Ann Bugeda, Linda Fehling, Raymond Hannikman, Robert Hopp, Sarah Reding, Cathy Shambaugh, Sheila Thorpe

Itinerary
29th June Arrival Quito
30th June Yanacocha and Nono-Mindo road to Reserva las Gralarias (RLG).
1st July RLG Santa Rosa Sector
2nd July RLG Mindo Sector
3rd July Milpe Reserve
4th July Silanche Reserve
5th July Reserva Paz de las Aves (RPA) to Bellavista
6th July RLG Santa Rosa Sector. Leave for Otavalo.
7th July Otavalo
8th July Depart Quito

30th June - Yanacocha and Nono-Mindo road
After a filling breakfast and a fantastic view from the 7th floor of the Hotel Quito, we took our bus to Yanacocha Reserve. It was a beautiful sunny day as we set off and we soon we saw had our first raptor: a Variable Hawk, which everyone got good looks at through the scope. Further on we had a rare treat. A juvenile Black-and-chestnut Eagle soaring up ahead. It was being mobbed by 2 juvenile Variable Hawks and it dwarfed them in comparison. Even before the first hummingbird feeders we saw many beautiful, orange Shining Sunbeams feeding on pink flowers on the trees. We also had Rufous-naped Brush-Finches hopping in the bushes as we passed. At the first feeders we saw Glossy Flowerpiercers, Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewings and after a while, the incredible sight of Sword-billed Hummingbird, balancing its absurdly long bill way up in the air. One of the group felt a little light-headed so she stayed at the
bus with Mynor to watch more hummingbirds. He was lucky enough to spot 3 Carunculated Caracara while we were gone.
At the farther feeders we added Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Golden-breasted Puffleg and Mountain Velvetbreast. It wasn’t all hummingbirds though. We also had some Blue-backed Conebills, stunning Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers and tongue-twistingly-named Superciliaried Hemispingus moving through the Polylepis trees. We passed a small gorge where Tim said he caught a glimpse of a rufous-colored bird. We waited for a few minutes until a few of us spotted a beautiful Rufous Antpitta which jumped into view for just a second. In the same spot we had some attractive Crowned Chat-Tyrants with their white brows and yellow frontal spot.
In the forest at the end of the trail we heard a Blackish Tapaculo but only 1 other group member was lucky enough to catch a glimpse. We started heading back and were lucky enough to all have fantastic views of an Andean Guan sitting very calmly in full view. We made it back to the bus for a well-deserved lunch as we watched many Brown-bellied Swallows and White-collared Swifts flying overhead.
The bus set off back down the road and we had an occasional stop for some new birds like Cinereous Conebills and Plain-coloured Seedeaters in the roadside bushes. We turned onto the old, cobbled Nono-Mindo Road and passed some beautiful scenery. A few more stops in the lush subtropical vegetation further down got us some nice birds, like Rufous-chested Tanager and 2 stunning male Masked Trogons. We arrived tired after a good birding day with 45 species
1st July - RLG Santa Rosa Sector
Our second day of birding we spent in the upper part of Reserva Las Gralarias. After breakfast we headed out onto the trails. Even before arriving at Parrot Hill, a small flock of Red-billed Parrots flew into a nearby tree and gave us great views. One bird was even hanging upside down at one point. We entered the forest and started to see a few flocks with typical species such as Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Montane Woodcreeper, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and Dusky Bush-Tanager. Some of us even got glimpses of difficult to see birds like Yellow-breasted Antpitta and Narino & Spillmann’s Tapaculo. After our long walk, we relaxed with some juice by the feeders and started working our way through the wide variety of hummingbirds present.
Fawn-breasted Brilliants, Buff-tailed & Velvet-purple Coronets and Violet-tailed Sylphs were common, but with patience we picked up rarer species like Collared Inca, Empress Brilliant and Gorgeted Sunangel.
One of the favorites was the Booted Racket-tail with its long tail with racket-shaped tips and big white puffs on its legs. White-sided & Masked Flowerpiercers were also common at the feeders.
After a delicious lunch and a brief rest a few die-hards headed out again to try and pick up a few more species. We saw some good flocks with Streaked Tuftedcheek and Strong-billed Woodcreeper and on the way back, one of the star birds in the reserve, the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. It started to rain but the Toucans must have followed us back and the people who had stayed behind managed to see it in front of their rooms! We had had an excellent day of birding and totalled 63 species.
2nd July - RLG Mindo Sector, Mindo Loma & Mindo Valley
We started our 3rd day’s birding in the lower end of the reserve. To get there nice and early, we drove down. From the car park, we walked up the trail towards the lower entrance of the reserve. On the way we passed through an open area with scattered trees that was alive with birds. Here we saw Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Black-capped Tanager and Black-and-white Becards. We also got great views of Crimson-rumped Toucanets and Plumbeous Pigeons through the scope. We even had a pair of Hook-billed Kites flying past. Once into the forest we heard Moustached Antpitta and Andean Solitaire, but seeing these elusive birds was a different matter. Along the first trail, only some of us saw the small Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrants with their weird clicks and calls, but all of us saw the little Ornate Flycatchers. Through the gaps in the canopy we caught the unmistakeable shapes of Swallow-tailed Kites and when we
passed into a clearing we were treated to an incredible aerial display. Walking and birding were both slower inside the forest but were got some really spectacular birds like the Golden-headed Quetzal and Scaled Fruiteater. A final treat before we left the forest was the rare Pacific Tuftedcheek which we all had great views of through the scope.
We ate our lunch at Mindo Loma where we sat on the 2nd floor and watched the hummingbirds and tanagers come in to the feeders. We added Brown Violetear to our tally but also got great views of Brown Inca and Purple-throated Woodstar perched in the trees. Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers, Orange-bellied Euphonia and Golden-naped Tanager came in to feed on the bananas. Before getting back in the bus, we got nice views of the attractive Red-faced Spinetail searching for insects in a nearby tree.
In the afternoon, we drove down to the town of Mindo to explore the lower elevations. We followed the gravel road which passes over the Mindo and Nambillo Rivers. It was hot in the early afternoon but we managed to see a nice White-shouldered Tanager from the first bridge. We carried on walking slowly along the road and heard the unmistakeable ‘tone-deaf’ song of the Southern Nightingale-Wren. A lucky few also caught glimpses of the Purple-crowned Fairy.
At the last bridge we scanned the river and found a Torrent Tyrannulet that hopped onto a rock and a huge Ringed Kingfisher flew right over our heads. We took the bus back to Mindo and stopped to buy some refreshments and souvenirs. Even in the middle of town, we could watch birds and we saw Bronze-winged Parrots and Chestnut-collared Swifts flying over head. All in all a fantastic day’s birding with 91 species.
3rd July - Milpe Reserve and Mirador Rio Blanco
We continued our birding with a trip to the Milpe reserve at 1,000m elevation. Again we used self-restraint to avoid feeders to get out into the forest nice and early. By the car park, we had a Ruddy Pigeon with its distinctive ‘Hit the foul pole!’ call. The trail fell steeply through stunning forest. There were few birds to begin with until we hit a huge mixed flock and we were overwhelmed with species. There were several birds in the ovenbird family including the little Spotted Barbtail and Chocó endemic Uniform Treehunter. We also had some other excellent birds like Russet Antshrike, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher (with its yellow rump and whiskers), Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager and the Chocó endemic Chocó Warbler.
The flock passed and we took a break at a Mirador where we saw a Barred Hawk soaring together with Black Vulture. We walked all the way down to the Pachijal River with its clear, rushing water bordered by beautiful forest. Walking back we spotted the interesting Barred Puffbird and we all had good looks through the scope. It was a tough trail and it required real team-work and cooperation but we all made it back in one piece. Just before the car park, I spotted a beautiful Broad-billed Motmot sitting just a few meters away from the trail. Most people had walked on ahead and were relaxing by the feeders but they wouldn’t want to miss this bird so I dragged them all back to see it.
We had another well-deserved lunch before starting on the hummingbirds. At the feeders Green-crowned Woodnymph and Green-crowned Brilliant were common but other species came in too, including the long-billed, long-tailed White-whiskered Hermit and the little Purple-bibbed Whitetip with a bright-white spot on its tail. The little Green Thorntail seemed to like the little purple flowers planted in the garden.
Before leaving Milpe we took a walk along the road through more open habitat and picked up some new species like Green Honeycreeper, Blue-necked Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager and Olivaceous Piculet, a tiny species of woodpecker.
Before heading back upslope we called in at Mirador Rio Blanco where we enojoyed a fantastic view over the valley below, but, even better, where we had great views of many birds coming to feed on the plantains put out for them. There were Silver-throated, Flame-faced and Rufous-throated Tanagers to name but a few but also Red-headed Barbet, Black-cheeked Woodpecker and Ecuadorian Thrush. Most of the hummingbirds we had already seen, but we did get a new one, the Long-billed Starthroat.
We arrived back early at and most people wanted to relax, but the hard-core birders went out again on what was to become known as ‘the boy’s walk’ and were rewarded with Yellow-vented & Powerful Woodpeckers, Rusty-winged Barbtail and Fawn-breasted & White-winged Tanagers. Birding at Milpe and at Las Gralarias meant that we had quite a list for the day. 103 species.
4th July - Silanche Reserve
We continued our descent towards the lowlands with a visit to the Silanche Reserve at 500m elevation. We turned off the highway and started birding our way along the road. We found a particularly good spot with a view over a grassy area with some water where we saw Striated Heron, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and Masked Water-Tyrant. Further on we stopped to look at to look at some tiny Pacific Parrotlets and heard a strange call which we found to be Black-striped Sparrows. Before arriving at the entrance we saw Blue-headed Parrots and Pale-mandibled Aracari perched on palm trees in the open country that in the not too distant past was all forested.
We parked the bus and climbed the nearby canopy tower before heading into the forest. Birding in this habitat was more challenging. We saw a tiny Stripe-throated Hermit briefly feeding at some flowers by the trail before it disappeared into the forest. A flock of Maroon-tailed Parakeet
flew quickly by. We found a mixed flock with White-flanked & Slaty Antwrens and heard the distinctive call of the Chestnut-backed Antbird before the forest became quiet again. Further on we saw some ‘neck-breaking’ birds up in the canopy like Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Tawny-crested & Guira Tanagers and Purple Honeycreepers.
We met another American birder with his guide and they helpfully pointed out a Guayaquil Woodpecker perched out in clearing by a hole in a palm tree. Two Chestnut-mandibled Toucans flew by with their distinctive yelping calls. Before heading back for lunch, we followed another trail which led to the forest edge where birding was easier and we picked up Dot-winged Antwren, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Common & Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher and heard the haunting call of the Little Tinamou.
After lunch we birded a trail on the other side of the road which lead through nice forest. White-bearded Manakins were still making their wing snaps and other odd noises. There were fewer birds around but we had good views of Streak-headed Woodcreeper and the Chocó endemic Dusky Pigeon through the scope. We all boarded the bus but didn’t get far as we found a very active spot just 100m down from the entrance where we had Squirrel Cuckoo, Chocó Toucan, Purple-throated Fruitcrows and Scarlet-rumped Caciques all in the same spot. On the way out, we picked up a few common species, the Golden-olive Woodpecker and Roadside Hawk. We had a good day’s birding and tallied up 91 species
5th July - Reserva Paz de las Aves to Bellavista
We were up very early and set off in the bus at 4am. We had a very special treat in store for us this morning. We arrived at Reserva Paz de las Aves in the dark and finally the owner, Angel Paz, arrived and guided us down to a hide from where we would be able to see the incredible Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. While we were waiting for them to show, I spotted the silhouette of a Sickle-winged Guan by the side of the hide. The cock-of-the-rocks showed up one by one and started giving their loud calls. As it got light we had excellent views of their incredible lekking behaviour, and Sheila got some superb video footage of their antics.
As if that wasn’t enough, we saw Toucan Barbet and Crimson-rumped Toucanet close in where Angel was putting out grapes and bananas. Maria the Giant Antpitta was already waiting nearby to be fed with worms. We continued along the trail as Angel did some incredible bird call imitations. He was unable to find the Dark-backed Wood-Quails which he said had 2 small chicks and so we only heard them. As he was searching for
Richard, a Yellow-breasted Antpitta, a Tawny-bellied Hermit danced around a large orange flower on the ground, giving us great views. We had had an unforgettable morning. After eating some delicious empanadas we said goodbye and headed up the Miraflores-Bellavista Road, an area of beautiful forest at 2,300m.
On the way up, an eagle-eyed member of our group spotted a bird perched in the trees by the side of the road. We got out to check it and were delighted to find it was a White-faced Nunbird. It posed for our cameras, seemingly unperturbed by our presence. We got out of the bus again a bit farther up the road and started to walk. We had fly-overs of Plain-breasted Hawk and a small flock of Scaly-naped Amazons. We
continued and had a great view through the scope of a pair of Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans feeding on a fruiting tree. We found some good mixed flocks with Pearled Treerunner, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Spectacled Whitestart and the stunning Grass-green Tanagers. An Azara’s Spinetail flew into the bus and we had views of it in the hand before it recuperated and flew off with a severe headache. We reached a spot with a nice view over the forest and saw a few attractive Cinnamon Flycatchers.
We had a fantastic day’s birding with the emphasis on quality rather than quality. We finished the day by hearing Barred & Collared Forest-Falcons and Mottled Owl calling near the guest houses but we didn’t manage to see them. We had a total of 70 species for the day.
6th July - RLG Santa Rosa Sector
It was our last morning of birding and we walked some of the trails again in the upper area of Las Gralarias. It was a beautiful day and birding was a little slow and we only got one more addition to our list. The Metallic-green Tanager. We probably got our best view of the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans though which was a nice species to finish on. We also saw Puma tracks which may explain why the dogs were barking so much the night before.
This was the first trip to South America for many trip participants and most of the 258 species we got (including 18sp only heard) were lifers. We even managed to get some 30 new birds for Ray who has been to South America over 20 times.
After lunch, we said a sad goodbye and the group left for some shopping at the Otavalo Indian market and then onto Quito.
Bird list
Little Tinamou

1 heard at Silanche.

Great Egret

1 seen along a river near Mindo.

Cattle Egret Common at Milpe and

1 seen on the way up to RLG.

Striated Heron

1 seen at Silanche.

Black Vulture

Seen at most sites.

Turkey Vulture

Seen at most sites.
Hook-billed Kite A pair seen from lower trails at RLG.
Swallow-tailed Kite Fantastic views of several birds from lower trails at RLG.
Plain-breasted Hawk 1 seen in flight at Bellavista.
Tiny Hawk 1 possibly seen flying across the road at dusk on the road down to Mindo.
Barred Hawk 2 seen soaring at Milpe.
Roadside Hawk 2 seen perched at Silanche. 1 seen in flight at RPA.
Variable Hawk Several seen at Yanacocha. Normal and dark morph adults plus juveniles.
Black-and-chestnut Eagle 1 juvenile seen soaring at Yanacocha. Mobbed by 2 Variable Hawks.
Carunculated Caracara 3 seen in flight by 1 person at Yanacocha.
Barred Forest-Falcon 1 heard calling on NRT at RLG.
Plumbeus Forest-Falcon 1 possibly heard calling on NRT at RLG
Collared Forest-Falcon 1 heard calling on NRT at RLG.
American Kestrel 1 seen on the way down from Yanacocha.
Andean Guan 1 seen well at Yanacocha.
Sickle-winged Guan 1 seen at dawn from Cock-of-the-rock blind at RPA.
Dark-backed Wood-Quail Heard at RPA and RLG.
White-throated Crake 1 heard in grass at Silanche.
Rock Pigeon Seen in Quito and Mindo.
Band-tailed Pigeon Seen on the way back from Yanacocha, at Bellavista and RLG.
Ruddy Pigeon Heard at Milpe.
Plumbeous Pigeon Several seen from the lower entry trail at RLG.
Dusky Pigeon Several seen at Silanche.
Eared Dove Seen in Quito and on the Nono-Mindo road coming back from Yanacocha.
White-tipped Dove A few seen near Mindo heard at RLG.
White-throated Quail-Dove 1 heard at RLG.
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Small flocks seen in flight several times at Silanche.
Pacific Parrotlet A few seen at Silanche.
Blue-headed Parrot 1 adult and 1 juvenile seen perched at Silanche.
Red-billed Parrot 4 birds seen perched at RLG. A flock seen at Bellavista.
Bronze-winged Parrot Small flocks seen in flight in Mindo and Milpe. 1 seen perched at Silanche.
Scaly-naped Amazon A few seen in flight at RLG and Bellavista.
Squirrel Cuckoo 1 seen at RLG and several at Silanche. Heard at Milpe.
Smooth-billed Ani Pairs or small groups seen at Silanche, Milpe and Mindo.
Mottled Owl 1 heard at RLG.
Oilbird 1 heard at RLG.
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk 1 seen at RLG.
Band-winged Nightjar 1 possible flushed from the road up to RLG at night.
White-collared Swift Commonly seen at RLG, Yanacocha, Mindo and Bellavista.
Chestnut-collared Swift Several seen in Mindo.
Spot-fronted Swift A few possibly seen at Bellavista.
Grey-rumped Swift A few possibly seen at Silanche.
White-whiskered Hermit Fairly commonly seen at the feeders at Milpe and Rio Blanco.
Tawny-bellied Hermit A few seen at RLG, RPA and Bellavista.
Stripe-throated Hermit 1 seen at Silanche.
Brown Violetear 1 seen at at Mindo Loma.
Green Violetear Several seen at RLG and RPA.
Sparkling Violetear Seen in Quito, Yanacocha and 1 seen at RPA.
Green-crowned Woodnymph Common at Milpe and Rio Blanco.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Commonly seen at Silanche, Mindo, Milpe, Rio Blanco, and Mindo Loma.
Andean Emerald A few seen at RLG, RPA, Mindo, Rio Blanco and Milpe.
Speckled Hummingbird A few seen seen at RLG and RPA.
Purple-bibbed Whitetip A few seen at Milpe and RPA.
Empress Brilliant A few seen at RLG and Mindo Loma.
Green-crowned Brilliant Fairly commonly seen at Rio Blanco and Milpe.
Fawn-breasted Brilliant Seen at RLG, RPA and Mindo.
Shining Sunbeam Fairly commonly seen at Yanacocha.
Mountain Velvetbreast 1 female seen at Yanacocha and a male along the Nono-Mindo road.
Great Sapphirewing Fairly commonly seen at Yanacocha.
Brown Inca Several seen at RLG and Mindo Loma
Collared Inca A few seen at RLG.
Buff-winged Starfrontlet Fairly commonly seen at Yanacocha
Sword-billed Hummingbird Fairly commonly seen at Yanacocha
Buff-tailed Coronet Commonly seen at RLG and Mindo Loma
Velvet-purple Coronet Commonly seen at RLG, Mindo Loma
Gorgeted Sunangel Seen on a few occasions at RLG

Sapphire-vented Puffleg

Commonly seen at Yanacocha.
Golden-breasted Puffleg A few seen at Yanacocha.
Booted Racket-tail Commonly seen at RLG, RPA and Mindo.
Black-tailed Trainbearer 1 seen at Yanacocha (by just 1 group member).
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill 1 seen at Yanacocha. (by just 1 group member).
Violet-tailed Sylph Commonly seen at RLG and Mindo Loma.
Purple-crowned Fairy 2 seen near Mindo and 1 at Milpe.
Long-billed Starthroat 1 seen at Rio Blanco.
Purple-throated Woodstar Commonly seen at RLG, RPA, Rio Blanco and Mindo Loma.
Gorgeted Woodstar 1 male possibly seen at Mindo Loma.
Crested Quetzal Heard a few times at RLG.
Golden-headed Quetzal Commonly heard and seen once at RLG.
Collared Trogon 1 heard at Silanche
Masked Trogon Commonly seen at RLG, Bellavista and along the Nono-Mindo road.
Ringed Kingfisher 1 seen from a bridge over the river near Mindo.
Broad-billed Motmot 1 seen at Milpe.
Rufous-tailed Jacamar 1 seen at Silanche.
Barred Puffbird 1 seen at Milpe.
White-faced Nunbird 1 seen at Bellavista.
Red-headed Barbet A few seen at Silanche and Rio Blanco.
Toucan Barbet 2 seen at RPA and heard at RLG.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet Several seen at RLG and 1 at Bellavista.
Pale-mandibled Aracari A few seen at Silanche.

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan

Seen on several occasions at RLG and a 2 seen at Bellavista.
Choco Toucan 1 seen at Silanche.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan A few seen in flight and fairly commonly heard at Silanche.
Olivaceous Piculet 1 seen at Milpe.
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Fairly commonly seen and heard at RLG and heard at Bellavista.
Golden-olive Woodpecker 1 seen at Silanche.
Black-cheeked Woodpecker A few seen at Silanche and Rio Blanco
Smoky-brown Woodpecker 1 seen at Milpe and 1 at RLG
Yellow-vented Woodpecker A few seen at RLG.
Guayaquil Woodpecker 1 seen at Silanche.
Powerful Woodpecker 1 seen at RLG.
Pacific Hornero 1 seen on the way to Silanche and 1 near Mindo.
Azara’s Spinetail A few heard at Yanacocha and seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Dusky Spinetail A few seen at RGL and fairly commonly heard at Silanche and Milpe.
Rufous Spinetail Heard at RLG.
Red-faced Spinetail 1 seen at Mindo Loma.
Streaked Tuftedcheek Several seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Pacific Tuftedcheek 1 seen on the lower entry trail at RLG.
Pearled Treerunner A few seen in mixed flocks at RLG and Bellavista.
Spotted Barbtail 1 seen in a mixed flock at Milpe.
Rusty-winged Barbtail A few seen at RLG.
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner 1 seen in a mixed flock at Milpe and 1 at RLG.
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner 1 seen at Milpe.
Uniform Treehunter 1 seen in a mixed flock at Milpe.
Streaked Xenops 1 seen at Silanche.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper 1 seen at Silanche.
Strong-billed Woodcreeper A few seen and fairly commonly heard at RLG.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper 1 seen at Silanche.
Montane Woodcreeper Several seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Great Antshrike 1 heard at Silanche.
Western Slaty-Antshrike 1 heard at Silanche.
Russet Antshrike 1 seen in a mixed flock at Milpe.
White-flanked Antwren A few seen in a mixed flock at Silanche.
Slaty Antwren Fairly commonly seen in mixed flocks at Silanche and Milpe.
Dot-winged Antwren 1 male seen at Silanche.
Chestnut-backed Antbird A few heard at Silanche.
Giant Antpitta 1 seen (Maria) at RPA.
Moustached Antpitta 1 heard at in the lower part of RLG.
Yellow-breasted Antpitta 1 seen at RLG and a at RPA (Richard).
Rufous Antpitta 1 seen and several heard at Yanacocha.
Blackish Tapaculo 1 seen at Yanacocha.
Narino Tapaculo A few seen (commonly heard) at RLG and heard at Bellavista.
Spillmann’s Tapaculo A few seen (commonly heard) at RLG and heard at Bellavista.
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet 1 seen at Silanche.
White-throated Tyrannulet A few seen at Yanacocha.
White-tailed Tyrannulet Commonly seen at RLG.
Torrent Tyrannulet 2 seen from a bridge over the river near Mindo.
Streak-necked Flycatcher A few seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Olive-striped Flycatcher A few seen at Silanche.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher A few seen at Milpe in a mixed flock.
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant 2 seen at RLG.

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant

A few seen at Silanche and heard fairly commonly heard at Milpe and Mindo.
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher 1 seen at Silanche.
Common Tody-Flycatcher 1 seen at Silanche.
Golden-crowned Spadebill 2 seen at Milpe.
Ornate Flycatcher Fairly commonly seen at Milpe and RLG.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher 1 seen at Silanche.
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher A few seen at Milpe in a mixed flock.
Flavescent Flycatcher A few seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Cinnamon Flycatcher 4 seen at Bellavista.
Tumbes Pewee 1 seen at Silanche.
Smoke-coloured Pewee Commonly seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Black Phoebe 1 seen at a river near Mindo and one at Silanche.
Crowned Chat-Tyrant 2 seen at Yanacocha.
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant 1 seen in flight on the way to Yanacocha.
Masked Water-Tyrant 2 seen at Silanche.
Bright-rumped Attila 1 seen at Silanche.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher 2 seen at Silanche.
Social Flycatcher A few seen at Silanche.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher 2 seen at Silanche.
Golden-crowned Flycatcher A few seen at Mindo Loma and heard at RLG.
Piratic Flycatcher 2 seen at Silanche.
Tropical Kingbird Commonly seen at Silanche, Milpe and Mindo Loma.
Barred Becard 1 seen at RLG.
Cinnamon Becard Several seen at Silanche and Milpe.
White-winged Becard 1 female seen in a mixed flock at Milpe.
Black-and-white Becard 2 males seen at Mindo Loma in a mixed flock.
Masked Tityra A few seen at Silanche.
Red-crested Cotinga 1 seen along the Nono-Mindo road on the way back from Yanacocha.
Scaled Fruiteater 2 seen at RLG.
Purple-throated Fruitcrow A few seen at Silanche.
Andean Cock-of-the-rock 1 seen at RLG and the amazing lek at RPA.
White-bearded Manakin Fairly commonly seen at Silanche.
Red-eyed Vireo Fairly commonly seen at Silanche, RLG and Bellavista.
Brown-capped Vireo Commonly seen at RLG.
Andean Solitaire 1 heard at RLG.
Great Thrush A few seen at Yanacocha and Bellavista.
Glossy-black Thrush A few seen at RLG.
Ecuadorian Thrush 1 seen at Rio Blanco.
Brown-bellied Swallow Commonly seen at Yanacocha.
Blue-and-white Swallow Commonly seen at RLG.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Commnoly seen at Silanche and Milpe.
Rufous Wren A few possibly seen at Bellavista.
Bay Wren 1 seen near Mindo.
Whiskered Wren 1 seen at Milpe and heard near Mindo.
House Wren 1 seen on the way to Silanche and at 1 at RLG.
White-breasted Wood-Wren Several heard at Silanche, Mipe and near Mindo
Grey-breasted Wood-Wren Commonly heard at Yanacocha and seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Southern Nightingale-Wren Heard several times at Silanche, Milpe and near Mindo.
Tropical Gnatcatcher 2 seen at Silanche.
Tropical Parula Commnoly seen at Silanche, RLG and Mindo Loma.
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat 1 seen at Silanche and heard almost daily at RLG.
Slate-throated Whitestart Fairly commonly seen at RLG.
Spectacled Whitestart A few seen at Yanacocha and Bellavista.
Choco Warbler A few seen at Milpe in a mixed flock.
Three-striped Warbler Fairly commonly seen at RLG.
Russet-crowned Warbler Fairly commonly heard and seen at RLG.
Bananaquit Fairly commonly seen at Milpe and Silanche.
Purple Honeycreeper 2 seen at Silanche.
Green Honeycreeper A few seen at Milpe.
Yellow-tufted Dacnis A few seen at Silanche.
Cinereous Conebill A few seen at Yanacocha.
Blue-backed Conebill A few seen at Yanacocha.
Capped Conebill 1 female seen at RLG.
Masked Flowerpiercer Commonly seen at Yanacocha, RLG and Bellavista.
Glossy Flowerpiercer Commonly seen at Yanacocha.
Black Flowerpiercer 1 seen at Yanacocha.
White-sided Flowerpiercer Commonly seen at RLG.
Guira Tanager A few seen at Silanche.
Rufous-chested Tanager 1 seen at along the Nono-Mindo road.
Fawn-breasted Tanager 1 seen at RLG.
Thick-billed Euphonia A few seen at Rio Blanco.
Orange-bellied Euphonia Fairly commonly seen at RLG, Mindo Loma and RPA.
Rufous-throated Tanager 2 seen at Milpe and 2 at Rio Blanco.
Golden Tanager Commonly seen at Milpe, RLG, RPA, Mindo Loma, RPA and Rio Blanco.
Silver-throated Tanager A few seen at Rio Blanco.
Flame-faced Tanager Fairly commonly seen at RLG, Rio Blanco and Bellavista.
Golden-naped Tanager 1 seen at Mindo Loma.
Metallic-green Tanager 1 seen at RLG.
Beryl-spangled Tanager Commonly seen at Milpe, RLG, RPA and Bellavista.
Blue-and-black Tanager A few seen at RLG.
Black-capped Tanager 1 seen at RLG.
Blue-necked Tanager Fairly common at Silanche and Milpe.
Bay-headed Tanager A few seen at Silanche, Milpe.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager A few seen at Yanacocha.
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Commonly seen at RLG, Mindo Loma.
Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager A few seen at RLG and Mindo Loma.
Grass-green Tanager Several seen at and Bellavista.
Blue-grey Tanager Commonly seen at Silanche, Milpe, Mindo Loma and Rio Blanco.
Palm Tanager Commonly seen at Silanche, Milpe, Mindo Loma and Rio Blanco.
Blue-capped Tanager 1 seen at RLG.
Lemon-rumped Tanager Commonly seen at Silanche, Milpe, RLG and Rio Blanco.
White-winged Tanager 2 seen at RLG.
Ochre-breasted Tanager A few seen at Milpe.
White-lined Tanager 2 seen at RLG and Rio Blanco.
White-shouldered Tanager 1 seen near Mindo.
Tawny-crested Tanager 1 seen at Silanche.
Dusky Bush-Tanager Commonly seen at RLG and Bellavista.
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager Several seen at Milpe.
Superciliaried Hemispingus seen at Yanacocha.
Buff-throated Saltator Several seen at Silanche and Mindo.
Black-winged Saltator Several seen at Silanche, Milpe and Rio Blanco.
Black-backed Grosbeak 3 seen at Yanacocha.
Blue-black Grassquit A few seen at Silanche.
Yellow-faced Grassquit 1 male seen at RPA.
Variable Seedeater Several seen at Silanche.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater 1 seen at RLG and 1 near Mindo.
Plain-coloured Seedeater A few seen at Yanacocha.
Rufous-naped Brush-Finch 2 seen at Yanacocha.
Black-striped Sparrow 2 seen at Silanche.
Rufous-collared Sparrow Commonly seen at Yanacocha, Silanche, RLG and Mindo Loma.
Scarlet-rumped Cacique A few seen at Silanche.
Shiny Cowbird 1 seen at Silanche.
Andean Siskin 1 seen at Yanacocha.


Total 258sp including 18sp heard only

Photos and Text by Charles Hesse