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 of Peru and the planet (Young, 2007).

The present ranking – Top 10 birds of northern Peru birding route – has been made by the Ikam Expeditions team, using the following criteria:

• • Endemism
  • Traveler interest
  • Sighting success rate

1. Scarlet-banded Barbet (Capito wallacei)

Recorded in eastern forests of north-central Peru, between the departments of Loreto and San Martin. It has been calculated the existence of approximately 1000 individuals so it has been established as a vulnerable species of extinction. It is a very representative species of Peru, being cover of the book Birds of Peru.

Tours relacionados: Scarlet-banded Barbet & Cordillera Azul Antbird

 

2. Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis)

This endemic hummingbird of Peru, specifically of the Utcubamba valley, Amazonas, is characterized by having two long tails in the form of rackets (in the case of males). The species is almost endangered, mainly due to the destruction of its habitat, humid forests and montane scrublands. On the route we can observe it in the surroundings of Pomacochas and in other locations in the Utcubamba valley.

Tours related: Hummingbird route of northern Peru, Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

3. Long-whiskered owlet (Xenoglaux loweryi)

It is characterized for being a tiny owl with long whiskers on its face; it is in a vulnerable state of extinction and is only found in the humid forests between the departments of Amazonas and San Martin, specifically in the area known as Abra Patricia. On the road, it can be seen between the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and Abra Patricia.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

4. Pale-billed Antpitta, (Grallaria carrikeri)

Another endemic species restricted to north-central Peru, with records in the departments of San Martin, Amazonas and La Libertad, between 2,350 and 2,900 meters above sea level. It is characterized by its ivory-colored bill and red irises. On the route we can observe it in the surroundings of Pomacochas Lake.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

5. Rusty-tinged Antpitta (Grallaria przewalskii)

This species inhabits humid montane forests between 1,700 and 2,750 meters above sea level, being easier to hear than to see. It is another species of restricted distribution, endemic to Peru, being its area of distribution, the eastern Andes in only three departments (Huanuco, San Martin and Amazonas). On the route it can be seen between the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and Abra Patricia.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

6. Ochre-fronted Antpitta (Grallaricula ochraceifrons)

Species endemic to northern Peru, in isolated areas of the eastern Andes, in the departments of Amazonas and San Martin, in a habitat characterized by a dense undergrowth of humid cloud forests, and to date it is known that its altitudinal range is between 1900 and 2500 meters above sea level. It is in a vulnerable state of extinction. On the route it can be seen between the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and Abra Patricia.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

7. Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus luluae)

Also restricted to northern Peru, between the departments of Amazonas and San Martin. It is in danger of extinction and its habitat is characterized by an undergrowth of scrub and bamboo on the edges of the montane rainforest. On the route we can observe it near Abra Patricia.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

8. Painted Manakin (Machaeropterus eckelberryi)

Bird endemic to a small area of northern Peru, in the departments of Loreto and northern San Martin. Its habitat is restricted to the understory and canopy of low altitude forests (canopy height 5-20 m) in sandy areas poor in nutrients, between 575 and 1,600 meters above sea level. It can be observed in the surroundings of the Morro de Calzada Amazon Center.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

9. Yellow-scarfed Tanager (Iridosornis reinhardti)

A tanager endemic to Peru, it is widely distributed on the eastern slopes of the Andes, mainly at elevations between 2600 and 3100 meters above sea level, in montane forests. It moves quickly through the lower levels, usually in the company of a mixed flock, in search of both fruit and insects. On the road we can observe it at the surroundings of Abra Patricia.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

10. Black-bellied Tanager (Ramphocelus melanogaster)

Tanager endemic to northern-central Peru, also known as the Huallaga Tanager, with a high presence in the valleys of the Huallaga River and its tributary, the Mayo River, in bushy areas up to 1,000 meters above sea level. On the route we can observe it in the surroundings of Tarapoto, Moyobamba and the Alto Mayo Protected Forest.

Tours related: Endemic birds of northern Peru and Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

Bonus:

11. Golden-backed Mountain Tanager (Cnemathraupis aureodorsalis)

Endemic tanager species in danger of extinction, being one of the tanagers with the most restricted distribution, in the high forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes in central Peru, being its most common location of observation, the Unchog Forest, in the department of Huanuco. However, in our outings we have recorded it in the south of the department of San Martin.

Bibliografía

1. Short, L. L., J. Fjeldså, J. F. M. Horne, C. J. Sharpe, and E. de Juana (2022). Scarlet-banded Barbet (Capito wallacei), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (B. K. Keeney, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.scbbar2.02
2. Züchner, T. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.marspa1.01
3. Schulenberg, T. S. and M. G. Harvey (2020). Long-whiskered Owlet (Xenoglaux loweryi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.lowowl1.01
4. Schulenberg, T. S. and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Pale-billed Antpitta (Grallaria carrikeri), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pabant1.01
5. Greeney, H. F. and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Rusty-tinged Antpitta (Grallaria przewalskii), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rutant5.01
6. Schulenberg, T. S. and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Ochre-fronted Antpitta (Grallaricula ochraceifrons), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.ocfant1.01
7. Schulenberg, T. S. (2020). Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus luluae), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.johtot1.01
8. Kirwan, G. M. (2020). Painted Manakin (Machaeropterus eckelberryi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.paiman1.01
9. Swain-Gil, A., C. H. Richart, and K. J. Burns (2020). Yellow-scarfed Tanager (Iridosornis reinhardti), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.yestan1.01
10. Wauer, J., E. R. Funk, C. H. Richart, and K. J. Burns (2020). Black-bellied Tanager (Ramphocelus melanogaster), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bkbtan1.01
11. Schulenberg, T. S. and G. H. Rosenberg (2021). Golden-backed Mountain Tanager (Cnemathraupis aureodorsalis), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gbmtan1.01.1
12. Promperu (2023). Northern Peru Birding Route. https://birdwatching.peru.travel/Imagenes/archivos/6/01-the-northern-peru-birding-route-2023.pdf
13. Young, B.E. 2007. Distribución de las especies endémicas en la vertiente oriental
    de los Andes en Perú y Bolivia. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia, EE UU.