DAY BY DAY ACTIVITIES
October 5th: Morning flight to Iquitos and then by boat down the Amazon River to the village of Indiana. From there we reached the Napo river by mototaxi, and then down the Napo River to the Sucusari River and the Explornapo Lodge. From there we birded the way to ACTS (Amazon Conservancy for Tropical Studies) Biological Station. Night ACTS Biological Station.
October 6th: Early morning on the impressive canopy walkway and then Tierra Firme forest trails. Night ACTS Biological Station.
October 7th: Morning on the impressive canopy walkway and then Tierra Firme forest trails. Night ACTS Biological Station.
October 8th: Birding the way to ExplorNapo Lodge in the morning. Afternoon on the trails around ExplorNapo. Night ExplorNapo and night boat ride along the Sucusari River.
October 9th: All morning on the river islands in the Napo River starting with a very young Island and finally an old island (Isla Rosario). Afternoon along the Shimigaycocha trail.
October 10th: All morning on the river islands in the Napo River and on the Shimigaycocha trail. After lunch, travel down the Napo River and then up the Amazon to Iquitos. Night Iquitos.
October 11th: All day in the Allpahauyo-Mishana Reserve, birding km 25 in the morning and km 28 in the afternoon. Night Iquitos.
October 12th: All day in the Allpahauyo-Mishana Reserve at Km 25 and 28. Night Iquitos.
October 13th: Travel up the Amazon River and the Yanayaco River to Muyuna Lodge (South of the
Amazon). Afternoon birding on the trails from Muyuna lodge. Night Muyuna Lodge.
October 14th: Morning birding in the varzea forest near Muyuna for a successful search of the Wattled Curassow. Afternoon birding along the Yanayacu River. Night Muyuna Lodge.
October 15th: Morning birding on the trail system in the varzea forest of Muyuna lodge. Short visit to the Buenos-Aires Island on the Amazon river, interrupted by rain. Night Muyuna lodge.
October 16th: Birding along the Yanayacu River and in varzea forest during the morning, and visiting oxbow lake in the afternoon. Night Muyuna lodge.
October 17th: Morning birding on the Buenos-Aires Island on the Amazon River and lunch at Muyuna. Travel back to Iquitos in the afternoon and flight from Iquitos to Lima and connections home.
TINAMOUS
White-throated Tinamou Tinamus guttatus. Heard only. Heard daily at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana. NEAR-THREATENED
Great Tinamou Tinamus major. Heard Only. Heard at ExplorNapo NEAR-THREATENED.
Cinereous Tinamou Crypturellus cinereus. Heard at Allpahuayo-Mishana and seen extraordinarly well at Muyuna!!
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui. Heard only. Heard along the Shimigaycocha trail. The genus name means “hidden tailed”.
Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulates. Heard only. Heard along the Simygaycocha trail and at Muyuna.
Gray-legged Tinamou Crypturellus duidae. Heard only. Heard at Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve. Range Restricted.
Bartlett’s Tinamou Crypturellus bartletti. Heard only. Only heard at ExplorNapo. Named for Abraham Dee Bartlett (1812-1906) English zoologist.
DUCKS
Black-bellied Whistling-duck Dendrocygna autumnalis. Around 10 seen at the Buenos-Aires Island near Muyuna. Not a common species in Peru!
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata. Daily sightings on the oxbow lakes at Muyuna, with a max of 30 seen on a single day.
SCREAMERS
Horned Screamer Anhima cornuta. 20+ seen at Muyuna.
GUANS, CURASSOWS and ALLIES
Speckled Chachalaca Ortalis guttata. Regularly seen or heard during the trip.
Wattled Currasow Crax globulosa. Two excellent sightings at Muyuna: first a long scope view of a male singing from a tall tree, and 2 days later another one seen at the end of the day when we were sailing back to the lodge!! Currently, there are estimated to be 320 individuals in Colombia, 100-150 in Bolivia, less than 300 in Peru, and at least 250, maybe as many as 1,000 individuals in Brazil (R. MacLeod in litt. 2008). This is consistent with recorded population density estimates across its Area of Occurrence, taken as 366 km2 (H. Aranibar-Rojas in litt. 2008, R. MacLeod in litt. 2008), hence the population is precautionarily estimated at 250-999 mature individuals (equating to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals), though the true population size may be greater. This species is suspected to lose 30.1-31.7% of suitable habitat within its distribution over three generations (35 years) based on a model of Amazonian deforestation (Soares- Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). Given the susceptibility of the species to hunting and/or trapping, it is therefore suspected to decline by ≥30% over three generations. ENDANGERED, Range Restricted.
PARTRIDGES and QUAIL
Marbled Wood-Quail Odontophorus gujanensis. Heard only. Heard at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana. NEAR-THREATENED.
STORKS
Wood Stork Mycteria americana. A few sightings with a max of 4 together at Muyuna.
CORMORANTS
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Common, with a group of 1000+ on a oxbow lake at Muyuna.
DARTERS
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga. Just one seen at Muyuna.
HERONS
Snowy Egret Egretta thula. Common.
Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus. Common at Muyuna.
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi. Common.
Great Egret Ardea albus. Common.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Just a few seen during our navigation along the Amazon.
Striated Heron Butoroides striatus. Common.
Boat-billed heron Cochlearius cochlearius. Really common during our nocturnal boat ride at Muyuna, and 1 also seen at ExplorNapo.
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum. A stunning juvenile was seen at ACTS.
IBIS
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis. Two sightings at Muyuna.
AMERICAN VULTURES
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus. Common.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura. Common.
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus. A few over the forest.
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus. Common.
OSPREYS
Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Always a winner to see these guys in the rainforest! One at ExplorNapo, and a few more at Muyuna. Pandion in Greek mythology was king of Attica whose tragic daughters, Philomela and Procne were metamorphosed into a Nightingale and a Swallow respectively. The latter daughter gives the corrupted name to the Martin genus Progne.
HAWKS and EAGLES
Black Hawk Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus. Heard only at ACTS.
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis. A few seen at Muyuna.
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea. 15+ seen from the canopy walkway at ACTS, hunting flying termites at the end of the day. And a few more here and there.
Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens. Seen on three different occasions.
Slate-colored Hawk Buteogallus schistacea. Seen at ExplorNapo and Muyuna.
Great Black Hawk Buteogallus nigricollis. A few at Muyuna.
White Hawk Pseudastur albicollis. Nice view of a bird perched in the subcanopy at ACTS.
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricolli. Common at Muyuna.
Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris. Common.
RAILS
Black-banded Crake Anurolimnas fasciatus. At least 3 different birds heard and one seen very well at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Gray-breasted Crake Laterallus exilis. Excellent views on one of the river islands on the Napo River, and a few more heard.
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus. Seen on the way to Muyuna.
FINFOOTS
Sungrebe Heliornis fulica. Three seen at Muyuna.
SUNBITTERN
Sunbittern Eurypyga helias. Good view at ExplorNapo.
PLOVERS
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris. Regular sightings on the sandy beaches.
SANDPIPERS and SNIPES
Spotted Sandpiper Tringa macularia. Common on the riversides.
JACANAS
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana. Common.
GULLS and TERNS
Yellow billed Tern Sternula superciliatus. Freshwater Tern seen almost daily.
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex. Large groups of adults and juvenils seen daily on the Napo and Amazon Rivers.
SKIMMERS
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger. 2 seen along the Amazon near Muyuna.
PIGEONS and DOVES
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis. Common around the oxbow lakes and river islands. Note that the New World Columba species are now placed in the genus Patagioenas.
Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea. A few seen and more heard.
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea. Common by voice and occasionnaly seen.
Blue Ground Dove Claravis pretiosa. Heard only at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti. Common around Iquitos and other agricultural areas.
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla. Common.
HOATZIN
Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin. Nice views on that prehistoric bird at Muyuna. Since the ancient, reptilian-like, feathered dinosaur Archeopteryx had three functional claws on each wing, some earlier systematists speculated that the Hoatzin was descended from it, because nestling Hoatzins have two functional claws on each wing. However, modern workers believe that the young Hoatzin’s claws are of more recent origin, and may be a secondary adaptation resulting from its frequent need to leave the nest and climb about in dense vines and trees well before it is acapable of flight.
CUCKOOS
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana. Common.
Black-bellied Cuckoo Piaya melanogaster. One seen from the canopy walkway at ACTS, and good views also at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta. Excellent views on the young island at ExplorNapo.
Greater Ani Crotophaga major. Fairly common in wet situations. Quite a noise they make! From the Greek. Kroton = tick. Phaga = to eat. Tick eater – “They live chiefly on ticks and other small vermin”. P Browne 1769.
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani. Common.
Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia. Heard only on Buenos-Aires Island near Muyuna
TYPICAL OWLS
Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba. Heard only. Singing every day in the Muyuna garden. Recent analyses of genetic and vocal differences confirm a major division of the screech-owls into New World Otus and Old World groups. Consequently, the AOU placed all New World Otus (except O. flammulatus) in the genus Megascops.
Northern Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl Megascops watsonii watsonii. Good views at ACTS and heard daily at ExplorNapo. North of the Amazon they sound faster and very different from those south of the Amazon.
Crested Owl Lophostrix cristata. Excellent view from the canopy walkway at ACTS! Nice to see that one from above!!
Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata. Two birds found by day at ACTS. Great views!!
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Glaucidium brasilianum. Commonly heard and one seen along the Shimygaycocha trail.
POTOOS
Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis. One seen during our nocturnal boat ride at Muyuna and another one seen on his day roost.
Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus. Heard daily at ExplorNapo and ACTS, but also one seen on his day roost at ACTS and at least 4 seen during our night boat ride at Muyuna.
NIGHTHAWKS and NIGHTJARS
Common Nigthhawk Chordeiles minor. Two seen at ExplorNapo and 10+ at dusk at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis. A few here and there, including one on his nest a Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Ladder-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis climacocerca. One found by night and another one on his day roost at Muyuna.
Blackish Nightjar Caprimulgus nigrescens. A nest with a single egg found at Allpahuayo-Mishana and good view of the male coming back to incubate it.
SWIFTS
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris. A few at ACTS.
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura. Common.
Neotropical Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata. Seen daily.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis. One seen from the Buenos Aires Island near Muyuna.
HUMMINGBIRDS
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora. Good views from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsute. One seen at ExplorNapo.
Great-billed Hermit Phaethornis malaris. A few seen here and there. Phaethornis longirostris was formerly (e.g., Peters 1945, Meyer de Schauensee 1970) treated as conspecific with P. superciliosus; Hinkelmann (1996), followed by Hinkelmann and Schuchmann (1997), provided evidence that it should be treated as separate species, a return to the classification of Cory (1918)
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis. Seen at ExplorNapo and Muyuna.
Golden-tailed Sapphire Chrysuronia oenone. One seen at ACTS.
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata. Seen at ACTS and Muyuna. Thalurania greek meaning “heavenly sky-blue”.
Olive-spotted Hummingbird Leucippus chlorocercus. An island specialist and commonly seen at ExplorNapo and on Buenos Aires island at Muyuna. Range Restricted.
TROGONS and QUETZALS
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus. Common.
Green-backed Trogon Trogon viridis. Contacted almost daily. Trogon chinourus (White-tailed Trogon) is a split from White-tailed Trogon T.viridis Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) considered the subspecies chionurus of the Chocó region to be a separate species from Trogon viridis; followed by Hilty (2003); Genetic data (DaCosta & Klicka 2008) suggest that chionurus is more closely related to T. bairdii than either are to Amazonian T. viridis. SACC proposal passed to recognize chionurus as a species. Sibley & Monroe (1990) considered Trogon viridis to form a superspecies with Central American T. bairdii, and suggested that they might be conspecific.
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris. A female seen at Muyuna.
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus. One seen at ACTS.
Amazonian Trogon Trogon ramonianus. Two seen well at ExplorNapo. The subspecies ramonianus and caligatus were formerly (e.g., Cory 1919, Pinto 1937) considered separate species from Trogon violaceus, but Peters (1945) considered them all conspecific. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) considered caligatus of Middle America and northwestern South America (Gartered Trogon) to be a separate species from Trogon violaceus (Violaceous Trogon), and this was followed by Hilty (2003); Genetic data (DaCosta & Klicka 2008) indicate that caligatus is basal to a group that includes Amazonian T. violaceus, T. curucui, and T. surrucura (and that Amazonian violaceus may be paraphyletic with respect to the latter two species). SACC proposal passed to recognize caligatus (Gartered Trogon) as a species. SACC proposal passed to recognize ramonianus (Amazonian Trogon) as a separate species from T. violaceus (Guianan Trogon). So in short you have Gartered Trogon (T.caligatus) in Middle America and northwestern South America, Amazonian Trogon (T. ramonianus) in the Amazon and Guianan Trogon (T. violaceous) in Venezuela, Trinidad and the Guianas.
KINGFISHERS
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata. Common. Megaceryle torquata and M. alcyon have been placed in the genus Ceryle in many classifications (e.g., Meyer de Schauensee 1970, AOU 1983, 1998), but most classifications have followed Fry (1980) in restricting Ceryle to Old World C. rudis (e.g., Sibley & Monroe 1990, Fry & Fry 1992, Woodall 2001). Recent genetic data (Moyle 2006) indicate that Old World Ceryle rudis is the sister to Chloroceryle, and so Megaceryle must be recognized if Chloroceryle is maintained as a genus.
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona. Seen daily on the Amazon.
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana. Common at Muyuna.
MOTMOTS
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum. One seen at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii. Heard only, at ACTS and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Amazonian Motmot Momotus momota. Heard only, at Explornapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
JACAMARS
White-eared Jacamar Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis. Nice looks at Allpahuyao-Mishana and Muyuna. Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis and G. purusianus (Purus Jacamar) were formerly treated as separate species, but some authors considered them conspecific ("Chestnut Jacamar"). Haffer (1974) noted that they are parapatric in the Río Ucayali area with no sign of interbreeding and that they differ in plumage to the same degree as other jacamars currently ranked as species.
Yellow-billed Jacamar Galbula albirostris. Great looks at ACTS.
White-chinned Jacamar Galbula tombacea. Two very well seen at ExplorNapo.
Bluish-fronted Jacamar Galbula cyanescens. Two seen at Muyuna.
Blue-cheeked Jacamar Galbula cyanicollis. Two seen at Muyuna. Only found South of the Amazon and East of the Ucayali.
Purplish Jacamar Galbula chalcothorax. Excellent views in the botanical garden at ExplorNapo.
Paradise Jacamar Galbula dea. One seen from the canopy walkway.
PUFFBIRDS
White-necked Puffbird Notharcus hyperrhynchus. Three seen just a few meters overhead, on the canopy walkway at ACTS. Note which form we saw – the scientific name has just recently been changed. The taxon swainsoni of the Atlantic forest region was formerly (e.g., Cory 1919, Pinto 1937) considered a separate species from Notharchus macrorhynchos, but Peters (1948) treated them as conspecific; this was followed by most subsequent classifications. Rasmussen & Collar (2002) elevated swainsoni to species rank (Bar-bellied Puffbird), and Alvarenga et al. (2002) provided rationale in support of that treatment. SACC proposal passed to elevate swainsoni to species rank. The hyperrhynchus subspecies group was also formerly (e.g., Ridgway 1914, Cory 1919, Pinto 1937) considered a separate species, but it was also treated as conspecific with N. macrorhynchos by Peters (1948). Rasmussen & Collar (2002) also suggested that the hyperrhynchus group might also warrant species rank. SACC proposal passed to elevate hyperrhynchus to species rank; SACC proposals passed to apply English name "Guianan Puffbird" to narrowly distributed macrorhynchos. (Found in the Guianas and Brazil north of the Amazon) and to retain "White-necked" for widely distributed hyperrhynchus.
Brown-banded Puffbird Notharcus ordii. Good views at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Pied Puffbird Notharcus tectus. One seen at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Chestnut-capped Puffbird Bucco macrodactylus. One at Muyuna.
Spotted Puffbird Bucco tamatia. Good view at ExplorNapo.
Collared Puffbird Bucco capensis. One of the most beautiful Puffbirds!! One seen well at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
White-chested Puffbird Malacoptila fusca. Excellent views at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Rufous-necked Puffbird Malacoptila rufa. A fantastic scope view of a pair at Muyuna!!!
Rusty-breasted Nunlet Nonnula rubecula. Four seen well on a single day at ACTS: 2 from the canopy walkway, and 2 more along the trail system!
Brown Nunlet Nonnula brunnea. Very good views at the Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve. Range Restricted.
Rufous-capped Nunlet Nonnula ruficapilla. Excellent views at Muyuna.
Black-fronted Nunbird Monasa nigrifrons. Common.
Yellow-billed Nunbird Monasa flavirostris. A good view at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa. Common. Note the accepted English name by the IOC. Formally sometimes called just Swallow-Wing.
NEW WORLD BARBETS
Scarlet-crowned Barbet Capito aurovirens. Excellent looks at ExplorNapo and Muyuna of this varzea forest species. Capito is Latin for big-headed.
Gilded Barbet Capito auratus. Good views from the canopy walkway, and heard daily.
Lemon-throated Barbet Eubucco richardsoni. Seen at ExplorNapo.
TOUCANS
Lettered Aracari Pteroglossus inscriptus. One at ExplorNapo.
Ivory-billed Aracari Pteroglossus pluricinctus. Very good views from the canopy walkway.
Chestnut-eared Aracari Pteroglossus castanotis. A few at Muyuna.
Many-banded Aracari Pteroglossus pluricinctus. Excellent views from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
Golden-collared Toucanet Selenidera reinwardtii. Excellent views from the canopy walkway, and two more seen at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
White-throated Toucan Ramphastos tucanus. Common. Haffer (1974) showed that R. cuvieri ("Cuvier's Toucan") and R. tucanus form a broad hybrid zone in northern and eastern Amazonia, and, therefore, treated cuvieri as a subspecies of Ramphastos tucanus. This taxonomic treatment has been followed by most subsequent authors except Sibley & Monroe (1990).
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus. Common.
WOODPECKERS
Plain-breasted Piculet Picumnus castelnau. Several seen very well at Muyuna. Castelneau (also of the Antshrike farther down the list), was Francois Laporte Nompar de Caumont Comte de Castelnau (1810-1880) – French diplomat and explorer in tropical America.
Plain-breasted Piculet Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus. Nice bird and common!
Little Woodpecker Veniliornis passerinus. Two brief views.
Yellow- throated Woodpecker Piculus flavigula. Heard only at ACTS.
Spot-breasted Woodpecker Colaptes puntigula. Good views on the young island at ExplorNapo.
Scaly-breasted Woodpecker Celeus grammicus. An excellent close view at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Chestnut Woodpecker Celeus elegans. Good views at Allpahuayo-Mishana and Muyuna.
Cream-coloured Woodpecker Celeus flavus. Excellent sightings along the Shimigaycocha trail and at Muyuna.
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus. One seen well at ExplorNapo.
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus. Seen at ExplorNapo.
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos. A female seen at Muyuna.
Red-necked Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis. Heard only at ACTS.
FALCONS
Black Caracara Daptrius ater. A few seen at Muyuna.
Red-throated Caracara Ibycter americanus. Contacted daily at ACTS.
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima. Common.
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans. Seen at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Lined Forest-Falcon Micrastur gilvicollis. Excellent view at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis. A few seen at ACTS and ExplorNapo.
PARROTS
Sapphire-rumped Parrotlet Touit purpurata. One seen from the canopy-walkway, and two more at ExplorNapo. A difficult species to see well, so difficult that it is not on the official Peruvian list by lack of picture or specimen!
White-winged Parakeet Brotogeris versicolourus. Really common around Iquitos. Brotogeris chiriri (Yellow-chevroned Parakeet) was formerly (e.g., Meyer de Schauensee 1970) considered a subspecies of B. versicolurus, but see Pinto & Camargo (1957), REFS; they constitute a superspecies (Sibley & Monroe 1990). Genetic data (Ribas et al. 2009) confirm that they are sister taxa. Versicolourous is still sometimes called Canary-winged Parakee e.g by SACC.
Cobalt-winged Parakeet Brotogeris cyanoptera. Common. Mostly always high but some good looks at perched birds.
Tui Parakeet Brotogeris sanctithomae. Seen at ExplorNapo.
Orange-cheeked Parrot Pionopsitta barrabandi. Very nice views from the canopy walkway at ACTS. NEAR-THREATENED.
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus. Common.
Short-tailed Parrot Graydidascalus brachyurus. Large groups seen near Muyuna!!
Festive Parrot Amazona festiva. Nice views at Muyuna, where the species is fairly common. VULNERABLE. The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). It is also susceptible to hunting and trapping for international trade, particularly in Venezuela (Restall et al. 2006, A. Lees in litt. 2011). Proposed changes to the Brazilian Forest Code reduce the percentage of land a private landowner is legally required to maintain as forest (including, critically, a reduction in the width of forest buffers alongside perennial steams) and include an amnesty for landowners who deforested before July 2008 (who would subsequently be absolved of the need to reforest illegally cleared land) (Bird et al. 2011).
Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala. A few seen at Muyuna.
Orange-winged Amazon Amazona amazonica. Common.
Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa. Good views from the canopy walkway and at Muyuna.
Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius. Three seen on the young island at ExplorNapo.
Dusky-billed Parrotlet Forpus sclateri. One seen along the Shimigaycocha trail.
Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephala. A nice view of 11 birds from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
White-eyed Parakeet Psitticara leucopthalmus. Common.
Dusky-headed Parakeet Aratinga weddellii. Common.
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura. Brief sightings from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna. Six seen at Muyuna.
Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata. A group of 25+ seen at Muyuna.
ANTBIRDS
Chestnut-shouldered Antwren Euchrepomis humeralis. Mostly heard at ACTS but one seen by Silverio from the canopy walkway.
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus. Heard only at ACTS.
Great Antshrike Taraba major. Good view of a pair Muyuna.
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus. Good views at Muyuna.
Castelnau’s Antshrike Thamnophilus cryptoleucas. Great looks on the young island at ExplorNapo. Named for Francois Louis Nompar de Caumont Comte de Laporte de Castelnau (1812-1880). French Naturalist and explorer. Good job they did not give his full name to the bird! NEAR-THREATENED.
Plain-winged Antshrike Thamnophilus schistaceus. Seen at Muyuna.
Mouse-colored Antshrike Thamnophilus murinus. Fairly common in the Terra Firme forest, where seen or heard daily.
Amazonian Antshrike Thamnophilus amazonicus. A responsive bird at Muyuna.
Spot-winged Antshrike Pygiptila stellaris. Common by voice, and seen a few times following mixed-species flocks.
Pearly Antshrike Megastictus margaritatus. Seen at Allpahuayo-Mishana following a mixed-species flock.
Black Bushbird Neoctantes niger. Fantastic sightings of a male at ACTS!!
Dusky-throated Antshrike Thamnomanes ardesiacus. Good views at ACTS and also heard at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius. Good views of males and females. The understory flock leader in this part of the world north of the Amazon.
Bluish-slate Antshrike Thamnomanes schistogynus. Good views of a male at Muyuna. The understory flock leader in this part of the world south of the Amazon. Females very different from the former species.
Saturnine Antshrike Thamnomanes saturninus. Seen well at Muyuna. Range Restricted.
Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura. Common by voice. Seen well at ACTS and Muyuna.
Moustached Antwren Myrmotherula ignota. Good views at ExplorNapo.
Amazonian Streaked Antwren Myrmotherula multostriata. Good views at ExplorNapo.
Plain-throated Antwren Isleri hauxwelli. Regular sightings. This guy never forages above waist hight. The only thing known about Mr J Hauxwell for whom the bird is named is that he was a collector resident in Peru in the mid to late 1800’s.
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris. Regular sightings of that mixed-species flock follower. Numerous authors have noted that vocal differences among several subspecies of Myrmotherula axillaris suggest that more than one species is involved.
Gray Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii. A few with understory flocks. We saw the plain throated pallida race which is north of the Amazon, and heard the black-throated menetriesii subspecies at Muyuna.
Leaden Antwren Myrmotherula assimilis. Good views at ExplorNapo and at Muyuni.
Ancient Antwren Herpsilochmus gentryi. Common by voice at Allpahuayo-Mishana, and nice views of a pair foraging in the canopy of the white sand forest. Described to science in 2001. ENDEMIC, NEAR THREATENED.
Dugand’s Antwren Herpsilochmus dugandi. Fantastic looks from the canopy walkway of a pair. Named for Armado Dugand Colombian botanist (1906-1971).
Gray Antbird Cercomacra cinerescens. Very common by voice and one seen at ExplorNapo.
Ash-breasted Antbird Myrmoborus lugubris. We all got excellent views of that Island specialist at explorNapo!!
Black-faced Antbird Myrmoborus myotherinus. A bird seen very well at ACTS.
Black-tailed Antbird Myrmoborus melanurus. Great looks at Muyuna. Almost an endemic as it has recently been found in remote Brazil. VULNERABLE, Range Restricted. Large tracts of suitable habitat remain, but deforestation is occurring within its range, especially near Iquitos. The region is under threat from oil exploration and extraction, while associated road-building has facilitated further human colonisation (Dinerstein et al. 1995).
Peruvian Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis peruviana. Good views at ACTS and Muyuna. Formerly part of the Warbling Antbird species. Ridgely & Tudor (1994) and Zimmer & Isler (2003) noted that the yellow-bellied (flavescens) subspecies group is almost certainly a separate species from Hypocnemis cantator (as treated by Cory & Hellmayr [1924] and Pinto [1937]). Following Zimmer (1932a), they have been treated as conspecific. Vocal differences and documentation of syntopy and parapatry among taxa formerly ranked as subspecies (Isler et al. 2007) indicate that H. cantator actually consists of at least six species.
Yellow-browed Antbird Hypocnemis hypoxantha. Good views at ACTS and heard at Allpahuayo-Mishana. One of the candidates for prettiest bird of the trip.
Black-chinned Antbird Hypocnemoides melanopogon. Two birds seen very well on the Sucusari river at ExplorNapo.
Band-tailed Antbird Hypocnemoides maculicauda. A pair came very close to the tape at Muyuna.
Black and White Antbird Myrmochanes hemileucas. Some very good views of this bizarre looking Antbird seen on the river islands at ExplorNapo and heard at Muyuna.
Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia. Nice view at ExplorNapo.
Allpahuayo Antbird Percnostola arena rum. Excellent views at Allpahuayo-Mishana. A white sand forest specialist species, only described in 2001. ENDEMIC, VULNERABLE. Based on current knowledge about this species, it has a much specialised habitat niche and a very small geographic range. The habitats in which it is found are subject to intense human activity in a region of rapid population growth. Varillal is heavily exploited for poles for building houses, and the leaves of the irapay palm are extensively harvested to make thatched roofs (Isler et al. 2001). The impact of these threats is exacerbated by the fact that the species has only been found in certain 'varillales', and even fewer 'irapayales', despite intense ornithological surveying (Isler et al. 2001). Despite protection, 200 people have entered the Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve and carved out homesteads, illegal hunting occurs, and illegal road building and logging destroys habitat (J. Alonso Alvarez in litt. 2003).
Slate-colored Antbird Schistocichla schistacea. Heard only at ExplorNapo. The species in Schistocichla were formerly (e.g., Peters 1951, Meyer de Schauensee 1970, Haverschmidt & Mees 1994) placed in Percnostola, but see Ridgely & Tudor (1994) and Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) for rationale for return to use of Schistocichla for these three species (as in, e.g., Zimmer 1931, Pinto 1937, Phelps & Phelps 1950a). Zimmer & Isler (2003) continued to treat them in Percnostola; see also Braun et al. 2005.
Spot-winged Antbird Schistocichla leucostigma. Heard only at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Zimmer’s (Nothern Chestnut-tailed) Antbird Myrmeciza castanea. Close views after a long wait at the Allpahuayo Mishana Reserve. A species only described in 2002 – formally part of the Chestnut-tailed Antbird group.
Plumbeous Antbird Myrmeciza hyperythra. Great looks at ExploNapo and Muyuna Lodge.
White-shouldered Antbird Myrmeciza melanoceps. Great looks at Muyuna Lodge.
Sooty Antbird Myrmeciza fortis. Heard only in the terra firme forest at ExplorNapo.
White-cheeked Antbird Gymnopithys leucaspis. Good views at ACTS. Willis (1967) suggested that trans-Andean bicolor subspecies group deserved separate species, and this was followed by Wetmore (1972), Hilty & Brown (1986), and Sibley & Monroe (1990), returning to the species limits of Cory & Hellmayr (1924). See Hackett (1993) for continued treatment of bicolor as conspecific with G. leucaspis, as outlined by Zimmer (1937a). However, genetic data (Brumfield et al. 2007) indicate that leucaspis is actually the sister to G. rufigula, not to bicolor. SACC treats bicolor as separate species.
Dot-backed Antbird Hylophylax punctulata. Cracking views at Muyuna!!
Black-spotted Bare-eye Phlegopsis nigromaculata. Wonderful views of 6 birds feeding on an army-ant swarm at Muyuna!!
GNATEATERS
Chestnut -belted Gnateater Conpophaga auritao. Excellent view of that superb bird at ExplorNapo.
ANTPITTAS
Thrush-like Antpitta Myrmothera campanisona. Heard only, daily at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
TAPACULOS
Rusty-belted Tapaculo Liosceles thoracicus. Heard only, at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
ANTTHRUSHES
Rufous-capped Antthrush Formicarius colma. One seen crossing the trail while waiting for Zimmer’s Antbird at Allpahuayo -Mishana.
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis. Heard only at ExplorNapo.
OVENBIRDS
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa. Seen a few times, and good views on an army-ant swarm at Muyuna.
White-chinned Woodcreeper Dendrocincla merula. Two very responsive at ACTS.
Olivaceous WoodcreeperSittasomus griseicapillus amazonus. A few at Muyuna. The SACC says Sittasomus griseicapillus almost certainly consists of multiple species (Hardy et al. 1991, Ridgely & Tudor 1994, Parker et al. 1995, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001, Hilty 2003), with at least five subspecies groups possibly deserving separate species status (Marantz et al. 2003. We saw amazonus.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus. Common.
Long-billed Woodcreeper Nasica longirostris. Good views at ExplorNapo and heard daily at Muyuna Lodge. Quite a bill!
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper Dendrexetastes rufigula. Nice looks and common by voice.
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus. Heard only during the Wattled Currasow search at Muyuna.
Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes certhia. Some good views.
Zimmer’s Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus kienerii. A stunning view on Isla Rosario near ExplorNapo. Only recently re-discovered and known to be an island specialist. NEAR-THREATENED.
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus picus. Regular sightings during the trip.
Striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus obsoletus. A very responsive bird at ExplorNapo.
Elegant Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus elegans. Heard only at ExplorNapo.
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus. The common Woodcreeper and we had many encounters.
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus. A few sightings at Explornapo and Muyuna.
Bay Hornero Furnarius torridus. The “old island” Hornero. Excellent views at Explornapo. Sometimes called Pale-billed Hornero, the IOC has come down with the decision to call it Bay Hornero.
Lesser Hornero Furnarius minor. The “young island” Hornero – we had a responsive vocal pair and we got great looks at ExplorNapo and Muyuna.
Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner Philydor pyrrhodes. Excellent views at Muyuna.
Striped Woodhaunter Automolus subulatus. A responsive bird at ACTS and a few more heard.
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus. Heard only at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Orange-fronted Plushcrown Metopothrix aurantiacus. Excellent views of a group of three birds, at Muyuna.
Dark-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albigularis. Seen on the “young island” and a few more contacted at Muyuna.
White-bellied Spinetail Synallaxis propinqua. Good looks at 2 pairs on the young island we visited.
Plain-crowned Spinetail Synallaxis gujanensis. Fairly common, and contacted at ExplorNapo and Muyuna.
Parker’s Spinetail Cranioleuca vilpecula. Great looks at two birds on the young island. Named after our late old friend Ted Parker, pioneer US ornithologist in Peru.
Red-and-white Spinetail Cranioleuca mustelina. Splendid views at Muyuna. Restricted to marsh habitats along large rivers in the Amazon.
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus. ‘Free Beer”.
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimairdii. Excellent views from the canopy walkway.
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps. Excellent views from the canopy walkway.
Small-billed Elaenia Elaenia parvirostris. One seen on the young river island at Explornapo.
Brownish Elaenia Elaenia pelzelni. What a beautiful bird!!! One seen in cecropia near ExplorNapo.
River Tyrannulet Serpophaga hypoleuca. One seen on the Buenos-Aires Island at Muyuna.
Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura napensis. One seen on the Buenos-Aires Island at Muyuna.
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus. Seen at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
White-eyed Tody-tyrant Hemitriccus zosterops. Heard only.
Double-banded Pygmy-tyrant Lophotriccus vitiosus. Contacted almost daily.
Black-and-white Tody-tyrant Poecilotriccus capitalis. Heard only at ACTS.
Rusty-fronted Tody-flycatcher Poecilotriccus latirostre. One seen briefly on one of the islands near ExplorNapo.
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum maculatum. Common on the river islands and river edge forest.
Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum. Best views from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
Ringed Antpipit Corythopis torquata. Two birds seen very close at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Brownish Twistwing Cnipodectes subbrunneus. A very responsive bird at ExplorNapo.
Rufous-tailed Flatbill Ramphotrigon ruficauda. Good views at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Yellow-margined (Zimmer’s) Flycatcher Tolmomyias asimilis. Seen well from the canopy walkway at ACTS. Split by the IOC but not yet by SACC who say “Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), followed by Hilty (2003), considered populations of Central America and trans-Andean South America to represent a separate species, T. flavotectus, from Tolmomyias assimilis; they restricted the name "Yellow-margined Flycatcher/Flatbill" to the latter and called the Amazonian species "Zimmer's Flatbill." Proposal needed. The latter is also likely to consist of more than one species (see Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Fitzpatrick (2004) concluded that further research was needed before any changes are made to current species limits.”
Yellow-olive Tolmomyias Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis. Great views at Muyuna. The AOU (1998), Hilty (2003), and Fitzpatrick (2004) suggested that Tolmomyias sulphurescens almost certainly consists of multiple species. Ridgway treated Middle American subspecies cinereiceps and flavoolivaceus each as a separate species from T. sulphurescens. We saw the insignis subspecies restricted to older river islands and varzea forest.
Gray-crowned Flycatcher Tolmomyias policephalus. Heard only at Muyuna.
Yellow-breasted (Olive-faced) Flycatcher Tolmomyias flaviventris viridiceps. One seen on the islands near ExplorNapo. Tolmomyias viridiceps is split from T. flaviventris by IOC (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001; Hilty 2003); SACC needs proposal and says “Tolmomyias flaviventris almost certainly involves more than one species; see Bates et al. (1992) and Ridgely & Tudor (1994). The subspecies viridiceps is almost certainly a distinct species, and was so considered by Ridgely et al. (2001) and Hilty (2003). However, Zimmer (1939a) considered them conspecific because he considered the subspecies subsimilis and dissors to represent taxa that were intermediate between the two, and this treatment was followed by Fitzpatrick (2004) in the absence of published data supporting a Split”.
Orange-eyed (Flatbill) Flycatcher Tolmomyias traylori. Good views on the Shimigaycocha trail. Almost an endemic but occurs further upriver in Ecuador. The IOC calls this genus “Flatbill” which I find outrageous as we already have a genus of Flycatchers called Flatbills (Rhynchocyclus). Birds of Peru returns to the non-committal “Flycatcher” for this genus as does Restall 2007. Perhaps better to use Tolmomyias. Named after Major Melvin Traylor US collector, ornithologist and writer.
Amazonian Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus. Really common at Muyuna, where we some good views. Ridgway (1907), Cory & Hellmayr (1927), and Pinto (1944) considered the four subspecies groups in Onychorhynchus coronatus as separate species: mexicanus of Middle America and northwestern Colombia, occidentalis of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru, coronatus of Amazonia, and swainsoni of southeastern Brazil. Meyer de Schauensee (1966, 1970) considered them all as conspecific without providing justification, and this was followed by Traylor (1977, 1979b), AOU (1983, 1998), Sibley & Monroe (1990), Fitzpatrick (2004), and Ridgely & Tudor (1994), who provided rationale for their continued treatment as conspecific, but not by Wetmore (1972), who considered the evidence insufficient for the broad treatment. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) and Hilty (2003) returned to the classification of Cory & Hellmayr (1927). Collar et al. (1992) considered occidentalis as a separate species. See Whittingham & Williams (2000) for analysis and discussion of morphological characters.
Sulphur-rumped (Whiskered) Flycatcher Myiobius barbatus. Seen at ExplorNapo. Cory & Hellmayr (1927), Wetmore (1972), and the AOU (1983, 1998) treated the sulphureipygius group as a separate species from Myiobius barbatus, but see Zimmer (1939b) and Ridgely & Tudor (1994) for rationale for continued treatment as conspecific; however, Ridgely and Greenfield (2001) returned to AOU classification, followed by Hilty (2003) and Fitzpatrick (2004), with the name "Whiskered Flycatcher" applied to the Amazonian barbatus group, as in Cory & Hellmayr (1927). SACC proposal to treat sulphureipygius as separate species did not pass. The name formerly (e.g., Ridgway 1907) used for sulphureipygius was xanthopygus. The subspecies mastacalis of southeastern Brazil was formerly (e.g., REF) treated as a separate species, but see Zimmer (1939b). SACC proposal pending to treat mastacalis as separate species did not pass.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus. Mostly contacted by voice but seen at ExplorNapo.
Euler’s Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri. Fairly common at Muyuna.
Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior. Good view on the young island at ExplorNapo and at Muyuna. Pronounced differences in vocalizations, habitat, and nest construction indicate that widespread C. f. bimaculatus should be treated as a separate species from nominate. Cnemotriccus f. fuscatus consists of more than one species (Belton 1984). Hilty (2003) also suggested that C. f. duidae should be treated as a separate species based on voice.
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum. One near ExplorNapo!
Riverside Tyrant Knipolegus orenocensis. Good views of a male, singing at the base of a bush, on the Buenos-Aires Island at Muyuna.
Drab Water-Tyrant Ochthornis littoralis. Seen on the Sucusari River at ExplorNapo.
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala. Fairly common in the right habitat.
Little Ground-tyrant Muscisaxicola fluviatilis. Good views on the Buenos-Aires Island near Muyuna.
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius. Fairly common.
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis. Common.
Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis. Two at ExplorNapo.
Dusky-chested Flycatcher Myiozetetes luteiventris. Excellent views from the canopy walkway.
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus. Very common.
Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lictor. Common at Muyuna Lodge near water.
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus. A few seen on the island near Explornapo, of the maculatus subspecies.
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua. Common.
Sulphury Flycatcher Tyrannopsis sulphurea. In the ExplorNapo lodge garden.
Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius. Two seen on the island at ExplorNapo.
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus. Common.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savanna. A few on migration, seen at ACTS and ExplorNapo.
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus. A small group of 10+ migrating birds at ExplorNapo.
Crowned Slaty-flycatcher Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus. Excellent sighting from the canopy walkway. An austral migrant.
Grayish Mourner Rhytipterna simplex. Excellent view from the canopy walkway and regularly heard.
White-eyed Attila Attila bolivianus. Good views at Muyuna.
Cinnamon Attila Attila cinnamomeus. One seen very well at Muyuna.
Citron-bellied Attila Attila citriniventris. Nice views at Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve.
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadaceus. Heard only.
COTINGAS
Black-necked Red Cotinga Phoenicircus nigricollis. Excellent views at ACTS and at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans. Many heard – always a great sound of the forest – and a great view at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Plum-throated Cotinga Cotinga maynana. Good views at Muyuna.
Spangled Cotinga Cotinga cayana. Several birds seen and best views from the canopy walkway.
Bare-necked Fruitcrow Gymnoderus foetidus. A few seen.
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata. Contacted daily and good views at ExplorNapo. Querula in Latin means complaining, noisy – from this birds vocalizations.
MANAKINS
Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin Tyranneutes stolzmanni. Common by voice, but one seen from the canopy walkway, and another one seen at Muyuna.
Blue-backed Manakin Chiroxiphia pareola. Good view at ACTS.
Wire-tailed Manakin Ceratopipra filicauda. A splendid manakin seen well at Muyuna.
Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala. Very common at Explornapo and always a great bird to see.
White-crowned Manakin Dixiphia pipra. Heard only at Allpahuayo Mishana.
Blue-crowned Manakin Lepidothrix coronata. Common at least by voice at Explornapo.
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus. One seen at Muyuna.
Striped Manakin Machaeropterus regulus. Heard only at Explornapo.
TITYRAS and BECARDS
In this classification, the genera Tityra through Phibalura were formerly placed tentatively in the Cotingidae, following Prum et al. (2000). They had formerly been scattered among the Tyrannidae, Cotingidae, and Pipridae. Prum and Lanyon (1989) and Sibley & Ahlquist (1990) found that Tityra, Schiffornis, and Pachyramphus formed a distinct group, separate from the rest of the Tyrannidae; Sibley & Ahlquist (1990) proposed that they were most closely related to core Tyrannidae than to other tyrannoid families such as the Cotingidae or Pipridae. More recent genetic data (Johansson et al. 2002, Chesser 2004, Barber & Rice 2007) confirm that the genera Tityra through at least Pachyramphus form a monophyletic group, but Chesser (2004) found that this group is more closely related to the Pipridae than to the Cotingidae or Tyrannidae. SACC proposal passed to remove from Cotingidae (and place as Incertae Sedis or as separate family, Tityridae). Barber & Rice (2007) not only confirmed the monophyly of the group but also proposed elevation to family rank. SACC proposal passed to recognize Tityridae. Within this group, Barber & Rice (2007) found genetic evidence for two major groups: (a) Laniisoma, Laniocera, and Schiffornis, and (b) Iodopleura, Tityra, Xenopsaris, and Pachyramphus.
Varzea Schiffornis Schiffornis major. A very loud song regularly heard, with best views at Muyuna.
White-browed Purpletuft Iodopleura isabellae. Excellent looks from the canopy walkway.
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra semifasciata. One seen at Muyuna.
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata. A few seen at Explornapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Cinereous Becard Pachyramphus rufus. One seen along Shimigaycocha trail.
Black-capped Becard Pachyramphus marginatus. Excellent view of a male at Muyuna.
INCERTAE SEDIS
Wing-barred Piprites Piprites chloris. Heard only at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
VIREOS and GREENLETS
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis. Heard only at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Red-eyed (Chivi) Vireo Vireo olivaceus. Common. Some classifications have considered the South American chivi group (without the red eye) as a separate species ("Chivi Vireo") from V. olivaceus, or as conspecific with V. flavoviridis (Hamilton 1962). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) suggested, however, that more than one species may be involved within the South American chivi group itself.
Dusky-capped Greenlet Hylophilus simicinereous. Many heard only.
Tawny-crowned Greenlet Hylophilus ochraceiceps. Heard only at Explornapo.
SWALLOWS and MARTINS
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer. Common.
Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera. Common.
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea. A few here and there.
White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata. Common on the rivers.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. Common.
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia. Seen on the way to ExplorNapo.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. Regular sighting of that boreal migrant. The New World populations of Hirundo rustica were formerly (e.g., Ridgway 1904) treated as a separate species, H. erythrogastra, from Old World populations.
Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota. 2 at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
WRENS
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus. Common by voice and seen at Muyuna.
Coraya Wren Pheugopedius coraya. Common. Note the genus change for this and the next species. Genetic data (Mann et al. 2006) indicate that the broad genus Thryothorus is polyphyletic, and that true Thryothorus is not found in South America; Mann et al. (2006) recommended recognition of three genera for South American taxa by resurrecting two from the synonymy of Thryothorus (Pheugopedius and Thryophilus) and describing a new one (Cantorchilus). Mann et al. (2009) found distinctive vocal behaviors marking Pheugopedius, Thryophilus, and Cantorchilus. New SACC proposals passed to revise Thryothorus and linear sequences of species.
Buff-breasted Wren Cantorchilus leucotis. Common.
House Wren Troglodytes aedon. A few recorded. Many authors (e.g., Hellmayr 1934, Pinto 1944, Phelps & Phelps 1950a) formerly treated Neotropical mainland populations as a separate species T. musculus; see also Brumfield and Capparella (1996); this treatment was followed by Brewer (2001) and Kroodsma & Brewer (2005).
Scaly-breasted (Southern Nightingale) Wren Microcerculus marginatus. A few heard and one seen at Allpahuayo-Mishana.
Musician Wren Cyphorhinus aradus. A few heard and two seen very well at Muyuna.
GNATCATCHERS
Collared Gnatwren Microbates collaris. Heard only at ACTS.
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus. Good views at Muyuna.
DONACOBIUS
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapillus. Common at Muyuna-the genus name means “reed-inhabiting".
THRUSHES and SOLITAIRES
Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus. Two sightings of that boreal migrant.
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis. A few around Iquitos.
Lawrence’s Thrush Turdus lawrencii. Heard only. Heard daily (a great concert of bird song imitations) at ExplorNapo and ACTS.
TANAGERS and ALLIES
Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis. Common at Muyuna.
Magpie Tanager Cissopis leveriana. A few.
Orange-headed Tanager Thlypopsis sordida. Common on the river islands.
Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata. Two in the Cecropias at Explornapo.
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata. A few at Muyuna in the varzea forest. Penicillata – Latin – “brush-like tifts’ referring to the crest.
Flame-crested Tanager Tachyphonus cristatus. Good views from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
Fulvous Shrike-Tanager Lanio fulvus. A few seen at Explornapo. The canopy flock leader of the Terra Firme forest.
Masked Crimson Tanager Ramphocelus nigrogularis. Seen along the Sucusari River, at Allpahuayo-Mishana and Muyuna.
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo. Common.
Blue-Gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus. Common.
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum. Common.
Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis. Several flocks. Does not occur in Chile – it is a mistake!
Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana. Two seen at Muyuna.
Green and Gold Tanager Tangara schrankii. Common in the ExplorNapo area.
Yellow-bellied Tanager Tangara xanthogastra. A few seen in mixed-species flock at ExplorNapo.
Opal-rumped Tanager Tangara velia. Two seen from the canopy walkway at ACTS.
Opal-crowned Tanager Tangara callophrys. A few seen from the canopy walkway.
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis. Two seen from the canopy walkway.
Black-faced Dacnis Dacnis lineata. A few seen from the canopy walkway.
Yellow-bellied Dacnis Dacnis flaviventer. A family group seen at Muyuna.
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cyana. A few seen from the canopy walkway.
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza. Seen daily at ExplorNapo.
Short-billed Honeycreeper Cyanerpes nitidus. Excellent views from the canopy walkway.
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus. A few sightings at ExplorNapo.
Yellow-backed Tanager Hemithraupis flavicollis. Only seen from the canopy walkway.
Pearly-breasted Conebill Conirostrum margaritae. Excellent sightings on the island near ExplorNapo. VULNERABLE.
Caqueta Seedeater Sporophila murallae. A few seen at Explornapo and Muyuna. Named for the locality La Murelia in the department of Caqueta, Colombia.
Lined Seedeater Sporophila lineola. Nice views at Muyuna.
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater Sporophila castaneiventris. Common.
Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis. Seen well at Explornapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana. Note that the IOC has standardized the English name to this and rejected the other contender (Lesser Seed-Finch).
INCERTAE SEDIS
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus. Good views from the canopy walkway. Saltators are related to tanagers, not grosbeaks and should be included in a major resequencing of tanager genera (Klicka et al. 2007; AOU 2009).
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens. Fairly common on the islands.
NEW WORLD SPARROWS
Yellow-browed Sparrow Ammodramus aurifrons. Seen on Buenos-Aires Island near Muyuna.
CARDINAL GROSBEAKS
Red-crowned Ant-tanager Habia rubica. Seen following an understory flock at ACTS.
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides. Heard only at ACTS.
BLACKBIRDS
Casqued Oropendola Psarocolius oseryi. One seen near ExplorNapo.
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus. Seen almost daily at Explornapo.
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons. Common throughout.
Band-tailed Oropendola Ocyalus latirostris. A splendid view of one bird along the Yarina river near ExplorNapo.
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela. Common.
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous. Only found at ExplorNapo in small numbers.
Solitary Cacique Cacicus solitarius. A nice view at Muyuna lodge.
Moriche Oriole Icterus chrysocephalus. One seen at ACTS.
Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus. Common near Iquitos and along rivers.
Yellow-hooded Blackbird Agelaius icterocephalus. Common on the young river islands and in the rice paddies.
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis. In the rice paddies.
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus. Common.
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris. A few in the rice paddies.
FINCHES
Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia chlorotica. Seen on the river islands near ExplorNapo.
White-lored Euphonia Euphonia chrysopasta. Only seen at ExplorNapo.
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster. A few here and there.
Rufous-bellied Euphonia Euphonia rufiventris. Seen or heard daily at ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana.