Marvelous Spatuletail molting tail feathers
This year (2025), we were able to observe and record the tail molting of Marvelous Spatuletail, including photographic evidence.
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Birding in Peru – Santa Eulalia, Lima (Part 1)
In April 2025, we led a trip to birding in Peru with good friends who are birdwatchers and photographers, between the Andes near the city of Lima and northeastern Peru (in the regions of San Martín and Amazonas), where we managed to record almost 600 species in fifteen days. The first part of this birding
Al & Andrey birding in Peru video
Al and Andrew, two enthusiastic naturalists from the UK were interested in observing and photographing emblematic species of the Andes and northern Peru. About 2 months after the trip, Al has released a truly fantastic video report of the trip.
Tanager observatory implementation in Calzada, Moyobamba, Peru
Since 2024 we have been implementing a tanager observatory in the town of Calzada as part of our Morro de Calzada Amazon Center birding and wildlife tourism experience, having recorded 14 species
Primates route of northern Peru
In April 2025 we conducted the expedition, Primate Route of Northern Peru with Cheryl Antonucci and Julie Krajewski, a great adventure in search of unique species of monkeys in protected areas, conservation concessions and other areas that protect biodiversity.
Northern Colocolo (Leopardus garleppi) report
Observing felines in their habitat is very difficult, in our last expedition to the Santa Eulalia valley we were able to observe Northern Colocolo (Leopardus garleppi), which was a record we will never forget.
Photo report of Scarlet-banded Barbet & Cordillera Azul Antbird tour
At the end of the 2024 we made the tour Scarlet-banded Barbet and Cordillera Azul Antbird with Jörg & Sioh, bird lovers and wildlife photographers. Here is the great photographic result of them and the report list of species observed.
2024 a year of birding and wildlife adventures and more
The year 2024 is closing and we are very grateful for the birding and wildlife adventures and projects we did, where we were able to meet many friends who are passionate about birds, wildlife and nature conservation lovers.
Painted Manakin (Machaeropterus eckelberryi) in Morro de Calzada Amazon Center, Peru
Painted Manakin (Machaeropterus eckelberryi), a lately discovered species and endemic to Peru, was recorded due the bird monitoring developed in the Conservation and Recovery Zone – ZoCRE Morro de Calzada, during the period from September 2019 to September 2024.
Full day of birding in Morro de Calzada Amazon Center, Moyobamba, Peru
The Morro de Calzada Amazon Center is a conservation area that hosts interesting bird species, and is part of the Northern Peru Birding Route, very close to the city of Moyobamba. It also offers services for bird and wildlife watching and photography, for experienced and beginners.
Top 10 birds of Northern Peru Birding Route
The Northern Peruvian Birding Route is one of the most biodiverse in the world with a record of more than 1500 bird species, starting in the northern Pacific coast, crossing the Andes to the Amazon lowlands (Promperu, 2023) and also with a high rate of endemism, and with unique species that only inhabit this corner
Evelyn and Ruben in search of Marvelous Spatuletail birding in Peru
Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) is one of the most desired species by birders from all over the world. In the first months of 2024 we received a couple from the USA, who decided to go birding in Peru on the Northern Birding Route, and with a special interest in observing this enigmatic species.
Tingana birding report – Alto Mayo Wetlands
In our birding expedition in Tingana we were able to record up to 50 species in less than 12 hours, where 5 species of kingfishers stood out, that are all those recorded in Peru.
Birding expedition in Peru departing from a cruise ship
Peru offers several opportunities for birding and it is possible to design expeditions according to the needs and/or travel mode of visitors, such as departing from a cruise ship at the Callao and Paracas ports.
The Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) at Huembo Lodge
The Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) is an endemic bird of Peru, with a very restricted habitat in Amazonas region, at both sides of the Utcubamba Valley. This hummingbird inhabits between 2000 and 2900 m.a.s.l. and it’s easily seen in the Florida district close to the town of San Lucas de Pomacochas, reported from the 90s
Birding and Wildlife Expeditions Peru 2024
Peru is one of the countries with the largest number of birds recorded in the world between other species and with several alternatives for birding and wildlife expeditions.
Arena Blanca Reserve, a priority site on the Northern Peru Birding Route
Arena Blanca Reserve is a site that has succeeded in establishing 3 bird observatories and improving its tourism services, and has become a priority site on the Northern Peruvian Birding Route.
Boshumi, a conservation area with new birds for San Martin, Peru
The expedition to the Regional Conservation Area – ACR Boshumi surprised by the high record of endemic birds, in some cases new to the San Martin department.
Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis), the iconic bird of Peru
Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) is without a doubt the most representative bird of Peru, due to its endemism and particular beauty, as well as the great interest of birdwatchers and nature lovers from all over the world in recording it.
Wildlife watching safari in Alto Mayo, Peru
The Alto Mayo Valley is located in the provinces of Moyobamba and Rioja, in the transition between the Andes and the Amazon in northern Peru, has a great biodiversity and endemism, and is an ideal place to connect with nature and meet unique forests with wild species, undiscovered.
October Big Day 2023 report by Ikam Expeditions
Peru achieved the first place in the world in number of bird species recorded in the October Big Day – OBD 2023, showing its great potential in bird biodiversity and the increase of the bird community in the country.
Birding photography on the Northern Peru Birding Route
“The Northern Peru Birding Route has a high biodiversity of birds, as well as great opportunities to photograph them, such as the Marvelous Spatuletail, Rufous-crested coquette, Wire-crested Thorntail, Paradise Tanager, Black-bellied Tanager, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, among other species of interest”.
Birding for conservation Program
Birding for conservation is an environmental education program that aims to raise public awareness about the importance of conserving nature, using bird watching as the main tool, a fun activity that seeks to connect people with the birds in their natural environment and turn them into local conservation leaders.
Top 5 birds in Morro de Calzada Amazon Center
Ikam Expeditions has registered 250 species in Morro de Calzada Amazon Center – MCAC from 2020 to the present. In the next article we introduced the 5 species most representative of the site and surroundings.
Birding tour in Tarapoto and surroundings, Peru
2023 began with a 5-day birding tour in Tarapoto and surrounding areas, with an itinerary that was redesigned due to temporary problems of accessibility to other areas of the San Martin region.
Quail and Tinamou observatory of Arena Blanca Reserve
A Quail and Tinamou observatory has been operating in the Arena Blanca Reserve for several years, the first in northern Peru.
Ringed Antpipit, a new species report in Arena Blanca Reserve
In the last monitoring work with trap cameras, a new species was recorded in the Arena Blanca Reserve, Ringed Antpipit (Corythopis torquatus), adding 481 species to the list of birds in the Arena Blanca Reserve.
Hummingbirds of Arena Blanca Reserve, Alto Mayo Protected Forest, San Martin, Peru
Hummingbirds are very representative birds of Arena Blanca Reserve because a few years ago the reserve has been offering to birdwatchers a hummingbird observatory that includes a large garden with different species of flowers and feeders which allows observing and photographing several hummingbird species.
Birdwatching at Morro de Calzada Amazon Center
Morro de Calzada is an ideal place for wildlife observation, especially birds, and the company Ikam Expeditions has designed an experience for the enjoyment of this activity and is available to the general public, especially for nature lovers.
Tanagers of the Arena Blanca Reserve, Alto Mayo Protected Forest, San Martin, Peru
The Arena Blanca Reserve, located in the buffer zone of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, is recognized for the diversity of bird species it possesses and for the services to facilitate their observation; as part of this process, Tanager observatories have been implemented, a very colorful and representative species of the tropical Andes.
White-faced Whistling-Duck Report at Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge
The White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) is a very particular species that was thought to be extinct and in 2015 was observed after 100 years in the Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (Agencia EFE, 2015); in our monitoring trips it was reported and photographed in the same Natural Protected Area.
1° photographic and video record of the Coppery-chested Jacamar (Galbula pastazae)
The Coppery-chested Jacamar (Galbula pastazae) was first documented in Peru in 1993 (Schulenberg and Awbrey, 1997 as cited in Tello-Alvarado et al., 2022), in northeastern Peru, on the Comaina River, in the Condor mountain range (Amazon), and in an expedition in late 2021 we participated in the second documented record and the first photographic and
Santa Eulalia Birding Expedition, Lima, Peru
The Santa Eulalia basin is located east of the Lima city after Chosica and has well-preserved mountain ecosystems that are home to a large number of endemic and restricted birds. This article is about an expedition conducted by Alex Gimenez and Ikam Expeditions team to observe the main birds of Santa Eulalia and their associated
Voices of the Forest: Birdwatching in Moyobamba
Moyobamba is recognized as the city of orchids, but in its surrounding forests hides more biodiversity, such as birds, monkeys and other species. Birdwatching in Moyobamba, is the 5th chapter of the Voces del Bosque series and shows how close the city is to nature and to fantastic wild species that everyone can get to
Voices of the Forest: Wildlife in Tingana – Alto Mayo Wetlands
The Alto Mayo Wetlands are natural spaces to easily observe wildlife. In this article we present the chapters about to observe at day and night wildlife in Tingana Conservation Concession, managed by the Association for the Conservation of Alto Mayo Aguajales and Renacales – ADECARAM.
Voices of the forest: Representative birds of Alto Mayo
The chapter Representative Birds of the Alto Mayo, shows the most interesting birds to see in the area, from Moyobamba, through the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, to Abra Patricia. The birds selected are characterized by being endemic (unique), rare or difficult to observe, or emblematic. It is important to consider that Alto Mayo and Moyobamba
Voices of the Forest: The Hummingbird Route
The first chapter of the Voices of the Forest series is the Hummingbird Route, which allows us to learn about the diversity of hummingbirds that exist in the Northern Birding Route and especially the search for the Marvelous Spatuletail, as well as the sites that are dedicated to conservation of their habitat and the adaptation
Voices of the forest, digital series release
Voices of the Forest, the series that promotes wildlife observation and the stories of those who work to preserve it With funding from Turismo Emprende program of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the ecotourism company Ikam Expeditions presents the audiovisual series “Voices of the Forest“, which shows incredible expeditions in search of unique
Scarlet-banded Barbet (Capito wallacei) and Cordillera Azul Antbird (Myrmoderus eowilsoni) in San Martin – Peru
Discover the adventure seeking of Scarlet-banded Barbet (Capito wallacei) and Cordillera Azul Antbird (Myrmoderus eowilsoni), emblematic species of Peru, because they are endemic and recently discovered in the area.
Wildlife monitoring in Arena Blanca Reserve, San Martin, Peru
The Arena Blanca Reserve is an ideal place for birdwatching and photography, however, through the monitoring we have initiated, other species of fauna have been recorded, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the conservation actions taken there.
Birds, orchids and archeology: an expedition to northern Peru
Peru has a treasure of natural and cultural resources which have great interest worldwide. This article is about an expedition we made through 4 regions of northern Peru, with our friends Jeff and Patricia, a couple, who were interested in bird and orchid watching, and visiting archaeological sites.
Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) in Cordillera Escalera – San Martin, Peru
Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) is a species that is very rare to observe and therefore very requested by birders. During our field trips we were able to observe this very attractive bird and report the details in this article.
Ecotourism in the department of San Martin – Peru
The department of San Martin has the potential to develop ecotourism and outdoor recreation, due to the Amazon, its forests and the magical wildlife that lives there.
Peru and birdwatching as a national hobby
Peru has registered 1877 birds (Plenge, 2020), so it is one of the countries with the largest number of birds in the world. For this reason, between others that are presented in this article, bird watching is an activity with a big potential to become a national hobby.
Trips to the Amazon rainforest, well-being and health
Connecting with nature is essential to improve our health and happiness; in this article, we present the benefits and tips to connect with the Amazon rainforest and wildlife in your next trips.
Record of Hummingbirds of Northern Peru Birding Route
Hummingbirds´watching is a very interesting activity on The Northern Peru Birding Route. For this reason, in 2019, we began to record the diversity of this family in the main observatories of this especies of northern Peru, having recorded, in that year up to 62 different species in total.
Cotingas report in Arena Blanca Reserve, San Martin – Peru
This report confirms the presence of the Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana) and the Chestnut-crested Cotinga (Ampelion rufaxilla) in Arena Blanca Reserve, in the buffer zone of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, province of Rioja, in the San Martin region.
Birds of San Martin
This event showed the local biodiversity, mainly birds, helping to position their main observation sites and contributing to empower the managers of each of these sites, within the process of reactivating nature tourism in the San Martin region and the Northern Peruvian Birding Route.
Hummingbirds observatory upgrade at Rangrawasi eco-lodge, Peru
The installation of an observatory can generate great benefits, but also certain risks, so it is necessary to work with several considerations that allow access to the greatest number of species without disturbing them. In this article we detail the process improving an observatory in Rangrawasi eco-lodge, in Amazonas region.
Morro de Calzada Amazon Center, San Martin – Peru
In the last few years it has been identified as a special site for birdwatching, where we have registered 233 species of birds so far in all of our visits, particularly including Painted Manakin, Mishana Tyrannulet, Rufous-crested Coquette, Stygian Owl, Black-bellied Tanager, other different species of Tanagers, Toucans and Raptors. It is also important to
Love for nature in the Northern Peru Birding Route
All our excursions into the forest are different!. Our friend Kii Fujii, has reinforced a positive relationship with nature, especially with orchids and hummingbirds, and now we have a protector of their habitats and a lover of photographing them.
Progress in participatory urban bird monitoring in Moyobamba, Peru
The need to bring people closer to nature and, in the case of the San Martin region, to bring the community closer to the forests and the incredible species that live there, has motivated the Ikam Expeditions team to lead bird monitoring activities with the participation of local people.
40 Hummingbirds species in 3 days in the Northern Peru Birding Route
As part of the hummingbird monitoring work being promoted by Ikam Expeditions, an expedition trip was made to record the highest number of hummingbird species in the Northern Peruvian Bird Route.