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.
Evelyn and Rubén, a bird-loving couple
Evelyn and Ruben Gallegos live in Michigan, USA. They visited Peru, specifically Machupicchu in Cusco and the city of Mollendo in the department of Arequipa, which is Ruben’s homeland. In their last week they decided to make a trip that was not in their initial plans, but Evelyn, a bird lover who is part of a bird club in the USA, wanted to visit one of the most diverse bird routes in the world, but still little known, being their main interest, the hummingbirds and especially the enigmatic, Marvelous Spatuletail.
Northern Peru Hummingbird Route and Marvelous Spatuletail
The main objective of the expedition was to observe approximately 50 hummingbirds, including the Marvelous Spatuletail, a species endemic to Peru and recognized as one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
The itinerary included visits to the areas of the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area, the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, the Abra Patricia Private Conservation Area, the Huembo Ecological Easement, and the Morro de Calzada Ecosystem Recovery Conservation Zone, where species such as the Green Hermit, Wire-crested Thorntail, Rufous-crested Coquette, Long-tailed Sylph, Peruvian Racket-tail, Collared Inca, Little Woodstar, Marvelous Spatuletail, among the most important, stood out.
Despite constant rainy conditions, we were able to observe 118 birds, and 30 hummingbirds, as well as fulfill the main objective, to observe Marvelous Spatuletail, in the garden of Huembo, flying in the gardens and consuming the nectar of the flowers present.
Birding list
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Authentic Peruvian cuisine
Another important aspect of the Hummingbird Route expedition in northern Peru was the food, that is why in our trips we take great care of the meals, whether they are provided by ourselves or by other partner restaurants, such as Patarashca in Tarapoto with traditional Amazonian dishes, Puerto Mirador in Moyobamba with a varied menu of traditional and regional Peruvian dishes, and a local restaurant in Pomacochas based on trout.
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