Ecuadorian Amazon Feb. 4-14 2019
Capped Heron photo by Steven Easley
Ecuadorian Amazon
Feb. 4 – 5
Our Amazon Tour began in the dry valleys of the capital city of Quito. Our bird friendly guesthouse, Puembo Birding Garden, is home to some nice birds that were seen before breakfast including Eared Dove, Great Thrush, Sparkling Violetear, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Vermilion Flycatcher, Blue-and-yellow & Scrub Tanagers and Golden Grosbeak.
Vermilion Flycatcher by Sherry Lane
Golden Grosbeak by Sherry Lane
Black-tailed Trainbearer by Sherry Lane
After breakfast, we took a short 45-minute domestic flight to the city of Coca along the huge Napo River. After meeting our local guide, Marcelo Andy, we drove to the boat dock of the Shiripuno River. From here, we traveled 4 hours by motorized canoe to the remote Shiripuno Lodge. Multiple birding stops were made in route.
Birds seen in route to Shiripuno Lodge: Plumbeous Kite, Great Potoo, Crane Hawk, Chestnut-fronted & Red-bellied Macaws, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Speckled Chachalaca, Great Potoo, Many-banded Aracari, White-eared Jacamar, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Black-fronted Nunbird, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Brown-chested Martin, White-banded Swallow, Magpie Tanager, Yellow-rumped Cacique and Russet-backed Oropendola.
MANY-BANDED ARACARI by Steven Easley
Feb. 6
With new birds calling in all directions, waking up at the Shiripuno Lodge was very exciting. On this day, we explored various trails in the extensive Terra Firme forest around the lodge. Terra firme is a geographical distinction for forest that does not seasonal flood, these are typically large areas of the Amazon that have gentle rolling hills within forest. At the isolated Shiripuno Lodge, mixed flocks were very productive and we found many species difficult to see elsewhere in Ecuador. Some of the birds seen included Speckled Chachalaca, Great-billed Hermit, Black-throated Brilliant, King Vulture, Amazonian Barred-woodcreeper, Lemon-throated Barbet, Gilded Barbet, Amazonian Trogon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Great & Spot-winged Antshrikes, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, Black- faced and White-cheeked Antbirds, Citron-bellied Attila, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Plum-throated Cotinga and Bare-necked Fruitcrow.
Feb. 7
We began at 5:00 AM searching for nocturnal birds. Marcelo, our local guide had found a Nocturnal Curassow when he had been out scouting around 3:00 am! Nocturnal Curassow is a rare and difficult to see bird that calls from up in the trees at night. Marcelo led us through the dark jungle right up to this seldom seen magnificent bird! Following this great sighting we found a Gray-winged Trumpeter, Collared Puffbird and a Monk Saki making for a memorable morning! This was followed by another great day of birding in new areas of the Shiripuno zone using motorized canoes and then hiking various trails. Some of the birds seen during the day at Shiripuno: Spix’s Guan, Red-throated Caracara, Black- bellied Cuckoo, Fiery Topaz, Crimson-crested & Yellow-tufted Woodpeckers, Black-fronted Nunbird, Olive-backed Foliage-Gleaner, Dusky-throated Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Blue-backed Manakin, Coraya Wren and Silver-beaked Tanagers.
Nocturnal Curassow by Steven Easley
Gray-winged Trumpeter by Sherry Lane
Black-fronted Nunbird by Sherry Lane
Feb. 8
This was mainly a travel day between lodges. We returned to Coca in the same manner as we arrived via the Shiripuno River. We had a beautiful sighting of a Sunbittern initially perched and then flying along side us on the river. Also we saw 2 nice flyover Red-and-green Macaws! From Coca we boarded a large motorized boat for the 3-hour journey down the Napo River to the relatively new Eden Amazon Lodge. Before reaching the lodge, we switched boats and finished the journey in smaller canoes. Multiple birding stops were made in route from Shiripuno to Eden Amazon Lodge and some quality species were added to our growing bird lists including Striated & Cocoi Herons, Pied Lapwing, Large-billed Terns, Greater Yellow-headed Vultures, Hoatzin, Amazon Kingfisher, Greater Ani, Neotropical Palm-Swift, White-winged Swallow, Drab Water-Tyrant and Black- capped Donacobius.
GREATER ANI by Steven Easley
Large-billed Tern by Sherry Lane
HOATZIN by Sherry Lane
Feb. 9
Eden Amazon Lodge is a small lodge on the edge of a large oxbow lake, operated by the native Kichwa Tribe. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful, making this an excellent base for the next several days. From the lodge, we used canoes to investigate multiple ecosystems including the rich Varzea forest. Varzea is a term used for forest in the Amazon basin that seasonally floods. Numerous bird species are only found in this type of woodland. Exploration of small channels and a new trail system provided us with many memorable sightings. Some of the notable birds seen at Eden Amazon: Horned Screamers, Wattled Jacana, Slate- colored hawk, Chestnut-capped & Collared Puffbird, Chestnut & Spot-breasted Woodpeckers, Bat Falcon, Blue-crowned Trogon, Mealy & Orange-winged Parrots, Red-bellied Macaws, Plum-winged & Cinereous Antshrikes, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Attila, Sulphury Flycatcher, Black-tailed Tityra, white- browed Purpletuft, Olive Oropendola, Gilded & Scarlet-crowned Barbets, Long- billed Woodcreeper and Red-capped Cardinal and Masked Crimson Tanager.
Horned Screamer by Sherry Lane
Red-capped Cardinal by Sherry Lane
We took a canoe ride after dark and found a Tropical Screech-Owl and a Tawny- bellied Screech-Owl. Also hanging out in the tree limbs was a large Amazon Tree Boa!
Tropical Screech-Owl by Sherry Lane
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl by Sherry Lane
Feb. 10
We had another early 4:30 AM start that was rewarded with a Crested Owl! This was followed by more birding by canoe. We found a family of Giant River Otters! They cruise the river in chaotic family groups and are super fun to watch as they interact and hunt in the dark tannin stained waters. Birds seen included: Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Slender-billed Kite, Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Black-tailed Trogon, Wire-tailed Manakin, Violaceous Jay, Thick-billed, Golden-bellied, Orange- bellied & Rufous-bellied Euphonias, Yellow-browed Sparrow and Yellow-billed Dacnis. We found approximately 150 roosting Sand-colored Nighthawks!
Crested Owl by Sherry Lane
Giant River Otter by Sherry Lane
Rufescent Tiger-Heron by Sherry Lane
BLACK-TAILED TROGON by Steven Easley
Feb. 11
After breakfast, we returned to the large Napo River to visit several river islands. Many species in the Amazon are only found on river islands along major waterways. Here, we found several extremely localized specialties including Olive-spotted Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Crake, Black-and-white & Plumbeous Antbirds, Parkers Spinetail, White-lored & River Tyrannulet, Spotted Tody- Flycatcher, Fuscous Flycatcher, Oriole Blackbird, Orange-headed Tanager, Chestnut-bellied & Large-billed Seed-Finches.
During our Napo River passage, we were delighted to see several Pink River Dolphin swimming near our boat!
Later, we made our way down a small channel that leads to the delightful Napo Wildlife Center. This is one of the premier lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Birds seen in route to Napo Wildlife Center: Hook-billed Kite, Zigzag Heron on a nest, Boat-billed Heron, Rufous-breasted Hummingbird, Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher, Striped Woodcreeper, Orange-crowned Manakin and Orange-backed Troupial.
Orange-backed Troupial by Sherry Lane
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER by Steven Easley
Zigzag Heron by Sherry Lane
Feb. 12
An early morning start allowed us to see the sunrise from one of the best canopy towers at the Napo Wildlife Center. Birds were fast and furious from this amazing view point and it is priceless watching toucans and cotingas warming up in the morning sun. Also passing flocks of parrots, parakeets and macaws kept us constantly scanning the horizon above the blanket of massive trees below us. The dead snags that stick out above this blanket come alive and you never know when you will find a very sought-after species. This experience is one of the great highlights in the Amazon.
Some of the birds seen on the tower at Napo Wildlife Center: Black-bellied Cuckoo, Red-bellied Macaw, Scarlet & Blue-and-yellow Macaws, Black-headed & Cobalt-winged Parrots, White-throated Toucan, Many-banded Aracari, Yellow- tufted & Scale-backed Woodpeckers, Duida Woodcreeper, White-necked Puffbird, Plum-throated & Spangled Cotingas, Pink-throated Becard, Green Oropendola, Turquoise, Paradise & Opal-rumped Tanagers, Purple & Green Honeycreepers.
Black-bellied Cuckoo by Sherry Lane
White-necked Puffbird by Sherry Lane
After a wonderful lunch at the lodge our group split up with some of us taking a long hike and other opting for a more relaxing canoe ride. The hike was led by Marcelo who brought us to a Black-necked Red-Cotinga lek where we had great looks at a beautiful male. We also found a Yellow-billed Jacamar and a male White-crowned Manakin!
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR by Steven Easley
Feb. 13
Our next day at Napo Wildlife Center was very full included a morning visit to a different canopy tower and visits to 2 different parrot clay licks near the Napo River. Periodically macaws and parrots come down out of the trees to feed on clay. Normally this occurs along steep river banks, but occasionally this process takes place deeper within woodland. The clay they feed on helps them neutralize toxins they happen to ingest from certain aspects of their diet.
Birds seen at the Parrot Clay Licks: Ruddy Quail-Dove, Scarlet Macaw, Mealy, Yellow-crowned, Blue-headed, Orange-winged & Orange-cheeked Parrots, Dusky- headed, White-eyed & Cobalt-winged Parakeets,
SCARLET MACAW by Steven Easley
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT by Steven Easley
Awesome birds that were seen at the second canopy tower: Green-backed Trogon, Purplish Jacamar, Ivory-billed Aracari, Red-stained Woodpecker, Yellow- browed Antbird, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycather, Purple-throated Cotinga, Flame-crested Tanager, Opal-crowned Tanager, Masked & Green-and-gold Tanager and Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak!
Yellow-browed Antbird by Sherry Lane
Purplish Jacamar by Sherry Lane
CANOPY TOWER AT NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER by Steven Easley
Another nice treat was a quick visit with 2 roosting Crested Owls!
Crested Owls by Sherry Lane
Our boat rides on this last day of birding were also very fruitful with Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Capped Heron, Silvered Antbird, and Amazonian Umbrellabirds!
Ladder-tailed Nightjar by Sherry Lane
BLACK CAIMAN by Steven Easley
Reptile and mammal life is also abundant in the Amazon! We saw numerous species of monkeys including: Colombian Red Howler Monkey, White-tailed (Dusky) Titi, Wooly Monkey, Yellow-bellied Spider Monkey, White-fronted Capuchin, Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey, and the attractive Golden-mantled Tamarin. During our stay at the Napo Wildlife Center we also encounter a strange primate, the bizarre Equatorial (Monk) Saki.
Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey by Sherry Lane
GOLDEN-MANTLED TAMARIN by Steven Easley
EQUATORIAL (MONK) SAKI by Steven Easley
SUNSET AT NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER by Steven Easley
Feb. 14
After breakfast, we began the journey back to the city of Coca and then to onto Quito for our international flights home. It was an amazing Amazon birding adventure! Many thanks to the fun participants and to our excellent bird guides Steven Easley and Marcelo Andy!
Looking forward to LifeBird Tours next Ecuadorian Amazon tour!!
Ecuadorian Amazon
Feb. 4 – 5
Our Amazon Tour began in the dry valleys of the capital city of Quito. Our bird friendly guesthouse, Puembo Birding Garden, is home to some nice birds that were seen before breakfast including Eared Dove, Great Thrush, Sparkling Violetear, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Vermilion Flycatcher, Blue-and-yellow & Scrub Tanagers and Golden Grosbeak.
Vermilion Flycatcher by Sherry Lane
Golden Grosbeak by Sherry Lane
Black-tailed Trainbearer by Sherry Lane
After breakfast, we took a short 45-minute domestic flight to the city of Coca along the huge Napo River. After meeting our local guide, Marcelo Andy, we drove to the boat dock of the Shiripuno River. From here, we traveled 4 hours by motorized canoe to the remote Shiripuno Lodge. Multiple birding stops were made in route.
Birds seen in route to Shiripuno Lodge: Plumbeous Kite, Great Potoo, Crane Hawk, Chestnut-fronted & Red-bellied Macaws, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Speckled Chachalaca, Great Potoo, Many-banded Aracari, White-eared Jacamar, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Black-fronted Nunbird, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Brown-chested Martin, White-banded Swallow, Magpie Tanager, Yellow-rumped Cacique and Russet-backed Oropendola.
MANY-BANDED ARACARI by Steven Easley
Feb. 6
With new birds calling in all directions, waking up at the Shiripuno Lodge was very exciting. On this day, we explored various trails in the extensive Terra Firme forest around the lodge. Terra firme is a geographical distinction for forest that does not seasonal flood, these are typically large areas of the Amazon that have gentle rolling hills within forest. At the isolated Shiripuno Lodge, mixed flocks were very productive and we found many species difficult to see elsewhere in Ecuador. Some of the birds seen included Speckled Chachalaca, Great-billed Hermit, Black-throated Brilliant, King Vulture, Amazonian Barred-woodcreeper, Lemon-throated Barbet, Gilded Barbet, Amazonian Trogon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Great & Spot-winged Antshrikes, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, Black- faced and White-cheeked Antbirds, Citron-bellied Attila, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Plum-throated Cotinga and Bare-necked Fruitcrow.
Feb. 7
We began at 5:00 AM searching for nocturnal birds. Marcelo, our local guide had found a Nocturnal Curassow when he had been out scouting around 3:00 am! Nocturnal Curassow is a rare and difficult to see bird that calls from up in the trees at night. Marcelo led us through the dark jungle right up to this seldom seen magnificent bird! Following this great sighting we found a Gray-winged Trumpeter, Collared Puffbird and a Monk Saki making for a memorable morning! This was followed by another great day of birding in new areas of the Shiripuno zone using motorized canoes and then hiking various trails. Some of the birds seen during the day at Shiripuno: Spix’s Guan, Red-throated Caracara, Black- bellied Cuckoo, Fiery Topaz, Crimson-crested & Yellow-tufted Woodpeckers, Black-fronted Nunbird, Olive-backed Foliage-Gleaner, Dusky-throated Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Blue-backed Manakin, Coraya Wren and Silver-beaked Tanagers.
Nocturnal Curassow by Steven Easley
Gray-winged Trumpeter by Sherry Lane
Black-fronted Nunbird by Sherry Lane
Feb. 8
This was mainly a travel day between lodges. We returned to Coca in the same manner as we arrived via the Shiripuno River. We had a beautiful sighting of a Sunbittern initially perched and then flying along side us on the river. Also we saw 2 nice flyover Red-and-green Macaws! From Coca we boarded a large motorized boat for the 3-hour journey down the Napo River to the relatively new Eden Amazon Lodge. Before reaching the lodge, we switched boats and finished the journey in smaller canoes. Multiple birding stops were made in route from Shiripuno to Eden Amazon Lodge and some quality species were added to our growing bird lists including Striated & Cocoi Herons, Pied Lapwing, Large-billed Terns, Greater Yellow-headed Vultures, Hoatzin, Amazon Kingfisher, Greater Ani, Neotropical Palm-Swift, White-winged Swallow, Drab Water-Tyrant and Black- capped Donacobius.
GREATER ANI by Steven Easley
Large-billed Tern by Sherry Lane
HOATZIN by Sherry Lane
Feb. 9
Eden Amazon Lodge is a small lodge on the edge of a large oxbow lake, operated by the native Kichwa Tribe. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful, making this an excellent base for the next several days. From the lodge, we used canoes to investigate multiple ecosystems including the rich Varzea forest. Varzea is a term used for forest in the Amazon basin that seasonally floods. Numerous bird species are only found in this type of woodland. Exploration of small channels and a new trail system provided us with many memorable sightings. Some of the notable birds seen at Eden Amazon: Horned Screamers, Wattled Jacana, Slate- colored hawk, Chestnut-capped & Collared Puffbird, Chestnut & Spot-breasted Woodpeckers, Bat Falcon, Blue-crowned Trogon, Mealy & Orange-winged Parrots, Red-bellied Macaws, Plum-winged & Cinereous Antshrikes, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Attila, Sulphury Flycatcher, Black-tailed Tityra, white- browed Purpletuft, Olive Oropendola, Gilded & Scarlet-crowned Barbets, Long- billed Woodcreeper and Red-capped Cardinal and Masked Crimson Tanager.
Horned Screamer by Sherry Lane
Red-capped Cardinal by Sherry Lane
We took a canoe ride after dark and found a Tropical Screech-Owl and a Tawny- bellied Screech-Owl. Also hanging out in the tree limbs was a large Amazon Tree Boa!
Tropical Screech-Owl by Sherry Lane
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl by Sherry Lane
Feb. 10
We had another early 4:30 AM start that was rewarded with a Crested Owl! This was followed by more birding by canoe. We found a family of Giant River Otters! They cruise the river in chaotic family groups and are super fun to watch as they interact and hunt in the dark tannin stained waters. Birds seen included: Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Slender-billed Kite, Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Black-tailed Trogon, Wire-tailed Manakin, Violaceous Jay, Thick-billed, Golden-bellied, Orange- bellied & Rufous-bellied Euphonias, Yellow-browed Sparrow and Yellow-billed Dacnis. We found approximately 150 roosting Sand-colored Nighthawks!
Crested Owl by Sherry Lane
Giant River Otter by Sherry Lane
Rufescent Tiger-Heron by Sherry Lane
BLACK-TAILED TROGON by Steven Easley
Feb. 11
After breakfast, we returned to the large Napo River to visit several river islands. Many species in the Amazon are only found on river islands along major waterways. Here, we found several extremely localized specialties including Olive-spotted Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Crake, Black-and-white & Plumbeous Antbirds, Parkers Spinetail, White-lored & River Tyrannulet, Spotted Tody- Flycatcher, Fuscous Flycatcher, Oriole Blackbird, Orange-headed Tanager, Chestnut-bellied & Large-billed Seed-Finches.
During our Napo River passage, we were delighted to see several Pink River Dolphin swimming near our boat!
Later, we made our way down a small channel that leads to the delightful Napo Wildlife Center. This is one of the premier lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Birds seen in route to Napo Wildlife Center: Hook-billed Kite, Zigzag Heron on a nest, Boat-billed Heron, Rufous-breasted Hummingbird, Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher, Striped Woodcreeper, Orange-crowned Manakin and Orange-backed Troupial.
Orange-backed Troupial by Sherry Lane
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER by Steven Easley
Zigzag Heron by Sherry Lane
Feb. 12
An early morning start allowed us to see the sunrise from one of the best canopy towers at the Napo Wildlife Center. Birds were fast and furious from this amazing view point and it is priceless watching toucans and cotingas warming up in the morning sun. Also passing flocks of parrots, parakeets and macaws kept us constantly scanning the horizon above the blanket of massive trees below us. The dead snags that stick out above this blanket come alive and you never know when you will find a very sought-after species. This experience is one of the great highlights in the Amazon.
Some of the birds seen on the tower at Napo Wildlife Center: Black-bellied Cuckoo, Red-bellied Macaw, Scarlet & Blue-and-yellow Macaws, Black-headed & Cobalt-winged Parrots, White-throated Toucan, Many-banded Aracari, Yellow- tufted & Scale-backed Woodpeckers, Duida Woodcreeper, White-necked Puffbird, Plum-throated & Spangled Cotingas, Pink-throated Becard, Green Oropendola, Turquoise, Paradise & Opal-rumped Tanagers, Purple & Green Honeycreepers.
Black-bellied Cuckoo by Sherry Lane
White-necked Puffbird by Sherry Lane
After a wonderful lunch at the lodge our group split up with some of us taking a long hike and other opting for a more relaxing canoe ride. The hike was led by Marcelo who brought us to a Black-necked Red-Cotinga lek where we had great looks at a beautiful male. We also found a Yellow-billed Jacamar and a male White-crowned Manakin!
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR by Steven Easley
Feb. 13
Our next day at Napo Wildlife Center was very full included a morning visit to a different canopy tower and visits to 2 different parrot clay licks near the Napo River. Periodically macaws and parrots come down out of the trees to feed on clay. Normally this occurs along steep river banks, but occasionally this process takes place deeper within woodland. The clay they feed on helps them neutralize toxins they happen to ingest from certain aspects of their diet.
Birds seen at the Parrot Clay Licks: Ruddy Quail-Dove, Scarlet Macaw, Mealy, Yellow-crowned, Blue-headed, Orange-winged & Orange-cheeked Parrots, Dusky- headed, White-eyed & Cobalt-winged Parakeets,
SCARLET MACAW by Steven Easley
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT by Steven Easley
Awesome birds that were seen at the second canopy tower: Green-backed Trogon, Purplish Jacamar, Ivory-billed Aracari, Red-stained Woodpecker, Yellow- browed Antbird, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycather, Purple-throated Cotinga, Flame-crested Tanager, Opal-crowned Tanager, Masked & Green-and-gold Tanager and Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak!
Yellow-browed Antbird by Sherry Lane
Purplish Jacamar by Sherry Lane
CANOPY TOWER AT NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER by Steven Easley
Another nice treat was a quick visit with 2 roosting Crested Owls!
Crested Owls by Sherry Lane
Our boat rides on this last day of birding were also very fruitful with Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Capped Heron, Silvered Antbird, and Amazonian Umbrellabirds!
Ladder-tailed Nightjar by Sherry Lane
BLACK CAIMAN by Steven Easley
Reptile and mammal life is also abundant in the Amazon! We saw numerous species of monkeys including: Colombian Red Howler Monkey, White-tailed (Dusky) Titi, Wooly Monkey, Yellow-bellied Spider Monkey, White-fronted Capuchin, Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey, and the attractive Golden-mantled Tamarin. During our stay at the Napo Wildlife Center we also encounter a strange primate, the bizarre Equatorial (Monk) Saki.
Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey by Sherry Lane
GOLDEN-MANTLED TAMARIN by Steven Easley
EQUATORIAL (MONK) SAKI by Steven Easley
SUNSET AT NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER by Steven Easley
Feb. 14
After breakfast, we began the journey back to the city of Coca and then to onto Quito for our international flights home. It was an amazing Amazon birding adventure! Many thanks to the fun participants and to our excellent bird guides Steven Easley and Marcelo Andy!
Looking forward to LifeBird Tours next Ecuadorian Amazon tour!!