From O7th july to 27th july – 2025
Participants: Bob rodrigues, Bob sizoo and Robert lockett.
Bird guide: Jesus cieza
Bird altitudes from Sea level at the Pacific coast to 4600m at Santa eulalia road.
Bird places along this tour were the special dry scrub habitat of Tumbesian region, the unique Marañon dry forest, the special sub-tropical forest at Plataforma in San martin region plus the unique Santa eulalia road with the west slope specialties.
Over 600 bird species seen and heard along this tour if you want to see the whole bird list just check Our Trip report on E-bird or Our Website of Trip report section.
DAY BY DAY TOUR
We started with some coastal wetlands and sea birds along the Pacific Ocean on Our first day around Lima and the places we visited were Villa marshes and Pucusana fishing port. These O2 bird places have and give you a nice Peru bird introduction since you can catch some good birds like the Humbolt current specialty Inca tern, then some others like Guanay cormorant, the special Humbolt penguin, Grassland yellow finch around the coastal wetland, Amazilia hummingbird, the pretty colorful Many colorful rush tyrant, the unique wren like rush-bird, the abundant Peruvian booby, some special Peruvian pelicans, White cheeked pintail, Gray gull, the endemic Surf cinclodes and many other birds you can find on Our Ebird list or Our personal checklist. Right after getting these birds then we took 01-hour flight to Chiclayo city where we started the proper northern bird tour.
Great day around Chiclayo area, since this time we were able to get most of the birds we wanted at the special tumbes habitat. Here around this nice protected forest known as Chaparri we got the very special and endemic White winged guan and many other restricted to the tumbes region like tumbes sparrow, tumbes chat tyrant, tumbes pewee, the colorful White tailed jay, Tumbesian tyrannulet, Black capped sparrow, white headed brushfinch, baird’s flycatcher, Elegant crescentchest, Collared antshrike, Paicific hornero, aplomado falcon, the special Tschudi’s nightjar, Cinereous finch, short tailed field tyrant, White browed gnatcatcher, Scrub nightjar, short tailed woodstar, the Peruvian screeech owl plus many others that are restricted to the tumbes region.
This time we had O2 special birds heading to the deepest northern part of Our North peru bird tour. The critically endangered and limited range Peruvian plantcutter with nice views of a pair singing in front of us. Then we could also get some more specialties like Rufous flycatcher, Sulphur throated finch, the endemic Coastal miner, tumbes swallow, Plumbeous backed thrush, Pearl kite, Crested caracara, Variable hawk and many others by combining O2 protected forest at Bosque de Pomac and Chaparri reserve. Along these two nice cool habitats we were able to add some good bird species and at the same time enjoy the nice landscape given by nature, Our night was spent in a small town known as Capital del limon, meaning lemon’s capital, since this town is surrounded by many agricultural areas where Lemon is a big product.
Today we birded a small patch of Piura department, this nice bird spot holds some specialties and endemics. Here besides of having breakfast we could also get our targets such as Piura chat tyrant, the colorful Black cowled saltator, Chapman’s antshrike, a tiny woodpecker guy known as Ecuadorian piculet, Three banded warbler, very nice view of Peruvian sheartail, Green tailed trainbearer, Ash breasted sierra finch, Chesnut crowned antpitta, White winged brushfinch, Rufous winged tyrannulet, Andean condor and many others. All this bird activity took us half a day and then we had lunch in a local restaurant to finally go for a long drive and get our hotel at Jaen city, considered the lower part of the famous Marañon area. Another day along the northern birding route with more specialties at the tumbes and the lower Marañon valley. This time we visited another private and local reserve where we could add some more target birds to our list, this morning we had the Marañon sub-specie of Peruvian screech owl and the scrub nightjar flying around for the early morning to then have breakfast at this local area. Right after breakfast we went for a walk and got Chinchipe spinetail, Rufous fronted thornbird, Andean emerald, Northern slaty antshrike, Marañon Gnatcatcher, Marañon tyrannulet, Spot throated hummingbird, Red crested finch and a quik view of the endemic Little inca finch plus many more birs around. In the afternoon we had a nice lunch at a small town with good food to then head to Our favorite place for the northern star, the famous Marvelous spatuletail and some extra birds like Little woodstar, Gray chinned hermit, white bellied hummingbird, White lined tanager and many others. This place gave us great time shooting this cool looking hummingbird Marvelous spatuletail, since was flying around the flowers and feeders for a while. Right after having great time with Marvelous spatuletail, we continued birding along the road and this time we added some extra targets like Peruvian pigeon and Marañon thrush.
Great day walking along Cresta San Lorenzo where the habitat goes between 2OOO and 3OOOm, of course tiring day but the birds we got today were just amazing since we had a very close view of the endemics Pale billed antpitta, Jhonson’s tody flycatcher, the recent endemic Huanuco starfrontlet and Gray browed wren. Some more good birds like the colorful Gray browed brushfinch, Scarlet bellied mountain tanager, Lacrimose mountain tanager, long tailed sylph, the majestic Sword billed hummingbird, Red crested cotinga, Rufous spinetail and many other at Cresta San lorenzo trail in the amazonas region. This habitat is unique and holds very good birds plus a nice landscape, then in the afternoon we visited Pomacochas lake getting Plumbeous rail, Black crowned night heron and a unusual sight of Brasilian teal.
Next day we left Our hotel in Pomacochas town to then go for Fundo alto nieva lodge but before we birded the road along Abra patricia forest, this morning we had very good birds like Masked trogon, Oleaginous hemispingus, nice group of White capped tanager, very good view of Streak headed antbird, Speckle faced parrot, We also had Golden headed quetzal calling around, Black eared hemispingus, the endemic Inca flycatcher, Rufous vented tapaculo calling along the road, Blue winged mountain tanager, Cliff flycatcher, Smoky Brown woodpecker, Barred becard, Montane woodcreeper, Collared inca around the flowers and many more birds spotted by the road. Then before lunch We visited a local feeding area for hummingbirds and there, We could get Violet fronted brilliant, Green hermit, Great billed hermit, Sapphire spangled emerald and some extra birds like Ornate flycatcher and Spotted tanager. Our afternoon we bird the lodge around by the feeders getting Peruvian racket-tail, White bellied woodstar, Long tailed sylph, Bronzy inca, along the Trail we had Mottle cheeked tyrannulet plus greenish puffleg and of course many more birds. At night before dinner, We went for owls and got to see Rufous banded owl quite close.
Another early start to visit the antpitta feeders and get some other targets around the lodge’s property, this time we could only get O1 antpitta that came in the first two minutes that we were standing by the feeding spot. This was the endemic Rusty tinged antpitta and walking around we could hear the other endemic Ochre fronted antpitta calling around in this cool forest, then We walked further and saw some other birds like Ornate flycatcher, the loud and endemic Rufous vented tapaculo, here We also tried for O2 more specialties like Cinnamon breasted tody tyrant and Bar winged wren. Later on we went back to the car and birded along the road getting some new birds for the list like Rusty winged barbtail, Olive backed woodcreeper, Flame faced tanager, Metallic green tanager, the special Royal sunangel, Orange eared tanager, a nice couple of Torrent ducks, Rufous tailed tyrant, Yellow throated tanager, Chesnut collared swif, Marble faced bristle tyrant, few more Inca flycatchers and a very unusual bird, Barred hawk. Nice lunch at very good restaurant where we had a nice meal with local ingredients and then some more birding by the road getting Yellow throated hemispingus, Common chlorospingus and Green and black fruiteater. Then we started again in the afternoon after having a little break, drove to a new bird spot for the rare Long whiskered owlet. This second try for the special and restricted little bird gave us a very nice chance not only to see it, We could also had the chance to photographed it and recorded. All this Long whiskered owlet adventure was even better since the night was combined with cinnamon screech owl and Common potoo.
Following day with new birds at a nice local feeder led by a local member of Aguas verdes town, here in this private and new area we could add some more and new hummingbirds to Our list. And the new hummers were Wire crested thorntail, Rufous crested coquette, Brown violetear, Black throated mango, Rufous breasted hermit, Amethys woodstar, White necked jacobin, Black throated hermit, Many spotted hummingbird and many others. Around this property we could also get some tanagers like Paradise tanager, Green honeycreeper, Fiery crested manakin, some Andean cock of the rock calling around plus a small group of Andean saddle backed tamarin. At this place we also had some more great birds like Uniform crake, Little tinamou, Orange billed sparrow and Red breasted wood-quails. Then we had a nice lunch in a local restaurant where we could also add some new birds like Ringed kingfisher, Streaked flycatcher, and Cream colored woodpecker. We continued with some extra birds around some big rice fields such us spotted rail, Black billed seed finch, Little cuckoo, Rufous sided crake, Pale legged hornero, Black capped donacobius, Rufous fronted thornbir and many shiny cowbirds around these great birdy places. Before dinner we could get the uncommon Band bellied owl right by the rooms.
This time we left Moyobamba town but before we visited Tahuishco mirador and then Cordillera escalera. These last two places have very specific birds and great targets for birders, here We had the chance to see Burnished buff tanager, a geat colony of Oilbirds, plus many really good birds like Plumbeous euphonia and Dotted tanager, We also added some extra birds like Rusty winged antwren, Rusty backed antwren, Pearly vented tody tyrant, sulphur bellied tyrant manakin, Yellow lored tanager, Dusky capped flycatcher, Yvory billed aracarí, Peruvian tyranulet, Cliff flycatcher and Gray rumped Swift. The following day We headed to the very special corner and famous birding route known as Plataforma or flor de café. This place has a very unique birds that can be easily seen than other places or just some sub-species that are still under studies to be potential splits and increase our bird list in the future. Our first day on the way to this corner We had a rainy morning and the road was not that nice since the road was recently fixed and any rain remove all the gravel and clay, so at the end We had a very good adventure just to get to this famous birdy place. Lucky us rain stop in the afternoon and We could go for our first target, this afternoon the famous Peru bird cover book: Scarlet banded barbet. I little heavy walk to get the chance for at O4 Scarlet banded barbets feeding at O4 meters away from us, then aftern having great shots from this birds We also had the chance to get the sub-specie from Strong billed woodcreeper known as Plataforma woodcreeper and some other good birds like Jet manakin, Buckley’s forest falcon, White throated spadebill, Small billed ealenia, Olive chested flycatcher, Green throated tanager, Blue browed tanager, Ferruginous pygmy owl and many others.
Second day at Plataforma We went for another great and endemic bird, this time the special Cordillera azul antbird and in order to get this specialty We had to walked a bit longer through a muddy Trail, where We had the chance to see it walking around while playing his recorded call. We could get some good views but did not have the chance to photograph it. Anyways We were able to see it well and with some extra birds around Our morning was complete, these extra birds were Versicolored barbet, Red billed scythebill, Hook billed kite, Plain antvireo, great view of Yellow throated spadebill, Chesnut tipped toucannet, Peruvian tyrannulet, Lineated foliage gleaner and Short tailed antthrush calling around. Late in the afternoon We went for another walk and this time We got some more targets like Blackish pewee, Gould’s jewelfront, Lemon throated barbet, Curl crested aracarí, Gray throated leaftosser, Chesnut crowned gnateater, Gray mantled wren, Paradise tanager, Blue rumped manakin, Gilded barbet, White throated woodpecker, Slaty capped shrike vireo calling around and the special Scarlet breasted fruiteater. At night We could get a very cool view of Long tailed potoo, Foothill screech owl and the nice looking Black banded owl.
Our last day in Plataforma was having an early breakfast to then some extra birds around and by the local hotel. Here before leaving our local hotel, we had some nice birds like Epaulet oriole, Yellow bellied elaenia and Golden tailed sapphire. Then we drive the way down having some bird stops and getting the special Sooty headed tyrannulet, Red billed tyrannulet, Chesnut tipped toucannet, Three striped warbler, Pearl kite, Swallow tanager and Southern lapwing at the lowest part of the main road. Lunch was taken at a local restaurant by the road and then driving back to Tarapoto city.
Today we started from Tarapoto city and We visited a nice location for some targets like Ashy headed greenlet with small distribution in Peru, some more birds like Rusty backed antwren, Tataupa tinamou, Pearly vented tody tyrant, Rusty fronted tody flycatcher, many hoatzin and comb ducks by a beautiful lagoon and finally nice view from the special Sulphur bellied tyrant manakin. Then We continued with the Northern highway and this time we had a short stop for the special Pale eyed blackbird and lunch in a local restaurant. Late in the afternoon we birded an area where We could finally get Mishana tyrannulet, Red legged honeycreeper, Masked tanager, long billed starthroat and a very unusual bird for the location, a colorful male of Red crested finch. Our final target was Swallow tailed nightjar that gave us two nice flying views. Early departure to continue with our northern birding route and this time We headed back to amazonas region and on the way we had the chance for Peruvian pigeon, spot throated hummingbird, speckle chested piculet, Marañon gnatcatcher, Buff bellied tanager and the cool looking Marañon crescentchest. Some more targets like Utcubamba tapaculo, Gray browed wren and Russet mantled softtail, then some extra birds like Maroon belted chat tyrant, Golden headed quetzal, Crimson mantled woodpecker, Rainbow starfrontlet, Streaked tuftedcheeck, Superciliared hemispingus, Variable hawk and Deep blue flowerpiercer. Before having dinner, we had the special Koepcke’s screech owl around the lodge having O3 of them flying by the lodge’s garden.
Another great day along the bumpy road by Leymebamba to then reach the famous dry forest at Marañon valley. Here We could get some specialties and endemics like Buff bridled inca finch, Gray winged inca finch, the special Chesnut backed thornbird and at the end We got to see a nice flock of Yellow faced parrotlet. Before having these great birds we also had some extra stops for some more birds like Leymebamba antpitta, Chachapoyas antpitta and the special and endemic Coppery metaltail, all these birds along with some uncommon Crowned chat tyrant, Black crested warbler, Sword billed hummingbird, Grass green tanager and many others. Foto de Chesnut backed thornbird
Early breakfast and departure in order to continue with Cajamarca department and more endemics along this birdy road, We had a nice breakfast in a local restaurant and then went for the firs targets such as Plain tailed warbling finch, Cajamarca antpitta, Chesnut crowned antpitta, Black crested tit tyrant and some others around Our main bird spots. Then We went for another target and small bird around the paramo forest and this time We got Paramo pipit, little bird with very nice call and song along this special vegetation over 3OOOm. Right after these birds we had to move for more than an hour to get some extra birds before lunch and this time We got the other endemic Rusty crowned tit spinetail and one more time Black crested tit tyrant calling and jumping around. Lunch in a local restaurant to then get the uncommon White tailed shrike tyrant and some Peruvian sierra finches flying around. Late in the afternoon We had our main target and this was the restricted and endemic Gray bellied comet to finish Our day with O4 endemics plus some uncommon birds like Jelki’s chat tyrant and Spot billed ground tyrant. Another great day since We got our main targets around Cajamarca city, this time we has a great morning with some endemics like Great spinetail, Black metaltail and Rufous backed inca finch. Then of course We also got some extra good birds like Black lored yellowthroat, Purple collared woodstar, Andean tinamou and a nice looking bird White winged black tyrant. Then in the afternoon We visited another great place with very nice view to the Cumbemayo Stone forest and some Polylepis forest where We could get another endemic, the special Striated earthcreeper and the uncommon Stripe headed antpitta.
Last morning around some hot spots at Our last birding place along northern birding route, this time we went for the endemic Unicolored tapaculo and some others. Our early start gave us nice views from this little bird and got him singing around as well, Unicolred tapaculo is one of those birds that requires patience and time in order to see it. Lucky us this time We could get it and add some more birds like a beautiful Rainbow starfrontlet, Purple throated sunangel, few Yellow breasted brush-finch, White crested elaenia and another hummingbird for the list, Purple throated sunangel. Right after this good morning We headed back to the hotel for breakfast had some time for repacking to then flight to Lima and go for O4 hours driving to Our last hotel at 3OOOm. At San mateo town, place located right by the Central highway.
Our last day birding in Peru was at Santa Eulalia canyon, this birdy road has a great number of central Peru and very good endemics. Here We could get some of the most wanted birds like Diademed sandpiper-plover and White bellied cinclodes. These O2 birds have a very restricted range in Peru and are considered higly threatened by the bird worl, at this place We could also get many more birds such as Dark winged miner, Glacier finch, Great inca finch, Giant coot, Andean duck, Black breasted hillstar, D’orbignys chat tyrant, Yellow rumped siskin, Buff breasted earthcreeper, White fronted ground tyrant, Andean goose, Slender billed miner, Rufous webbed Bush tyrant, Bronze tailed comet, Rusty bellied brushfinch and the uncommon Puna tinamou plus many others. This full day along Santa Eulalia Road is not only birds, here you also have beautiful landscapes and great chance for Vicuñas, an animal that has the finest fur and is in our official Peruvian flag. We were lucky to see one on the way down the road!!!
