7/2/94 - 1/3/94 Ecuador

Ecuador  7/2/94 - 1/3/94

 

Curve-billed Tinamou - Nothoprocta curvirostris

JFC saw 1 on hillsides at the back of Laguna de Limpiopungo, Cotopaxi, on the 27^th.

 

Silvery Grebe - Podiceps occipitalis juninensis C

Seen on a lake near Papallacta Pass with 6 seen on the 21^st and 7 on the 26^th. On the second visit an adult was seen feeding a juvenile. 

 

Great Egret - Ardea alba egretta C

Singles were seen at Guayaquil Airport on the 9^th and 16^th and in flight over the Zamora Bus Terminal on the 14^th.

 

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis C

A total of 8 were seen from the Catamayo airfield serving Loja on the 16^th and 2 were seen near Mindo on the 22^nd.

 

Torrent Duck - Merganetta armata leucogenis/colombiana C

A superb pair of the form leucogenis were watched for some time on the Rio Bombuscara from the point where the taxi drops visitors at the start of the trail on the 13^th and close views of a superb male colombiana were obtained along the Old Santo Domingo Road on the 18^th.

 

Speckled Teal - Anas flavirostris andium C

Around 20 were seen on the Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotapaxi on the 17^th and 25 there on the 27^th. At the Papallacta Pass a pair were flushed from a stream on the 21^st and 8 were seen on the sterile-looking reservoir above Papallacta Village on the 26^th.

 

Yellow-billed Pintail - Anas georgica spinicauda C

On our first visit to Cotopaxi 10 were seen on the Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 17^th.

 

Andean Duck - Oxyura ferruginea C

Two drakes and a female were seen on the same lake as the Silvery Grebes at Papallacta Pass on the 26^th. The species was not listed by Heijnen as having been recorded at Papallacta. This form is given specific status by Clements though not by HBW.

 

Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus C

Seen on eight dates between the 16^th and 28^th with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura jota C

Seen on five dates between the 19^th and 28^th with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus C

We saw 3 drift over Papallacta Pass from the point where the path left the road to the lake with the Silvery Grebes during the afternoon of the 21^st.

 

Swallow-tailed Kite - Elanoides forficatus yetapa C

A single individual was seen at Tinalandia on the 18^th and up to 30 were seen there the following day, and singles were seen along the road to the Obelisk above Mindo on both the 23^rd and 24^th.

 

Barred Hawk - Leucopternis princeps C

A superb adult was watched perched above the road and then calling as it circled over us along the road between the Tandayapa Trail (Blue House Trail) and the town of Tandayapa on the 25^th.

 

Roadside Hawk - Buteo magnirostris magnirostris C

We saw up to 4 on seven different dates between the 19^th and 26^th.

 

Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus platypterus C

We saw up to 3 on seven dates between the 16^th and 26^th.

 

Variable Hawk - Buteo polyosoma poecilochrous C

At Cotopaxi singles were seen over the high ridges at the back of Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 17^th and 27^th and at Papallacta Pass 4 were seen in the vicinity of the lake holding the Silvery Grebes on both the 21^st and 26^th and perched close to the road on the 28^th.

 

Carunculated Caracara - Phalcoboenus carunculatus C

A pair of adults were seen in the vicinity of the first campsite at Cotopaxi on both the 17^th and 27^th with another pair of adults seen around the Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 17^th and 4 immatures seen there on both the 17^th and 27^th. A single immature was seen at the Silvery Grebe lake at Papallacta Pass on the 28^th.

 

Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus cheriway C

We saw 2 at Guayaquil airfield on the 16^th.

 

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius C

We saw 1 in Quito on the 8^th and up to 5 on seven dates again in the north of the country between the 16^th and 27^th.

 

Bat Falcon - Falco rufigularis petoensis C

A single individual was watched hunting from a large tree at the edge of the Tinalandia Golf Course on the 19^th.

 

Andean Guan - Penelope montagnii C

At least 3 were seen at Pasochoa on the left-hand hillside as you look up the valley from the HQ on the 26^th.

 

Wattled Guan - Aburria aburri C

A single individual was watched for some time as it fed on the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd. Totally unexpected and a highlight of the trip.

 

Sickle-winged Guan - Chamaepetes goudotii tschudii C

We saw two pairs of adults and a single immature between the taxi drop-off point and the HQ on the Rio Bombuscara Trail on the 13^th. Superb views obtained.

 

Slate-coloured Coot - Fulica ardesiaca C

Up to 20 were seen on both visits to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 17^th and 27^th.

 

Sunbittern - Eurypyga helias major C

A superb individual was watched walking ahead of us along the track leading to the ‘expensive new lodge’ at Mindo on the 22^nd.

 

Andean Lapwing - Vanellus resplendens C

We saw 40 at the Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 17^th and 60 there on the 27^th and 9 in a ploughed field near Pifo below Papallacta Pass on the 28^th.

 

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C

An immature was seen on both visits to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 17^th and 27^th. This species is considered accidental in the high Andes by Birds of the High Andes which doesn’t list any records from Ecuador at that altitude.

 

Noble Snipe - Gallinago nobilis C

A single individual was flushed three times in the reedbed at the back of Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 17^th. We obtained excellent flight views.

 

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C

We saw 6 on our first visit to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi but just 3 on our second visit.

 

Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes C

We saw 6 on our first visit to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi.

 

Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia C

We saw 2 at where the stream enters the sterile-looking Reservoir above the town of Papallacta on the 26^th.

 

Andean Gull - Larus serranus C

We saw 6 at Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 17^th and an impressive 80 were seen there on the 27^th including a single adult sat on a nest at the back of the lake on both dates. A flock of 18 were seen in a field being ploughed between Papallacta Pass and Pifo on the 21^st.

 

Band-tailed Pigeon - Columba fasciata albilinea C

We saw up to 20 daily on our four dates at Cajanuma Cabin in Podocarpus NP, 2 at Cotopaxi, 30 along the Nono Mindo road and 20 at Pasochoa.

 

Plumbeous Pigeon - Columba plumbea C

Up to 3 were seen daily around Mindo and along the Nono Mindo road with others heard.

 

Ruddy Pigeon - Columba subvinacea C

We saw, and more importantly heard, just 5 at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Eared Dove - Zenaida auriculata C

Commonly seen in open cleared habitat as well as in cities including Quito. Seen on a total of seven dates with up to a daily maximum of 15. Not seen in the south of the country.

 

Common Ground-Dove - Columbina passerina quitensis C

Seen on four dates in and around Quito with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 8^th.

 

Croaking Ground-Dove - Columbina cruziana C

A pair were watched in courtship display outside the airport buildings at Catamayo on the 16^th.

 

Black-winged Ground-Dove - Metriopelia melanoptera saturatior C

A party of 7 were seen on the flat plain above Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 27^th. Much better than expected appearing almost Sandgrouse-like in flight.

 

White-tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi decolor C

Only positively identified on four dates and only seen in small numbers.

 

Grey-fronted Dove - Leptotila rufaxilla dubusi C

Two extremely dark drab Doves seen well on the trail in front of us on the loop trail and on the entrance trail at Rio Bombuscara in the Podocarpus NP were almost certainly this species. It is listed as occurring at this site by Tom Heijnen.

 

Pallid Dove - Leptotila pallida C

This species was seen around clumps of bamboo with 3 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 4 at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Ruddy Quail-Dove - Geotrygon montana montana C

DC saw a single individual perched briefly alongside the Loop Trail at Rio Bombuscara in the Podocarpus NP on the 12^th and another was seen to fly low across the entrance trail the following day.

 

Maroon-tailed Parakeet - Pyrrhura melanura C

A party of 8 were seen along the upper half of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Red-billed Parrot - Pionus sordidus sordidus C

Up to 10 were seen on two dates spent along the road to the obelisk above Mindo and a flock of 20 were seen along the Nono Mindo road the following day.

 

Speckle-faced Parrot - Pionus tumultuosus seniloides C

An impressive and noisy party of 30 were seen for most of the day at Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP on the 10^th but surprisingly were never seen again.

 

Bronze-winged Parrot - Pionus chalcopterus C

Only positively identified along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on two dates although almost certainly seen in flight at Tinalandia.

 

Squirrel Cuckoo - Piaya cayana C

We saw 2 along the Rio Bombuscara Trail in the Podocarpus NP on the 13^th, 4 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 1 at Rio Palenque the following day.

 

Smooth-billed Ani - Crotophaga ani C

Seen on five dates in small numbers but almost certainly under-recorded.

 

Groove-billed Ani - Crotophaga sulcirostris C

Seen on five dates in small numbers including a few at Curacao Airport where it was the only species seen during our brief stop to refuel the plane there.

 

Rufous-banded Owl - Ciccaba albitarsis C

A single individual was seen just after dark in the car park at Pasochoa on the 25^th. A benefit of sleeping in our car hire at this site.

 

Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata chapmani C

A superb individual was seen at its daytime roost at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Lesser Nighthawk - Chordeiles acutipennis aequatorialis C

Around 6 were seen around the Catamayo Airfield at dawn on the 16^th.

 

White-collared Swift - Streptoprocne zonaris C

The only species of Swift satisfactorily identified being seen on seven dates though not in the South of the country with a daily maximum of 100 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Band-tailed Barbthroat - Threnetes ruckeri ruckeri C

We saw 2 at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

White-whiskered Hermit – Phaethornis yaruqui JFC

JFC saw a single individual at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Stripe-throated Hermit - Phaethornis striigularis subrufescens C

We saw 3 including a pair facing each other in display flight at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 4 at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Sparkling Violet-ear - Colibri coruscans coruscans C

We saw c.20 near Quito airport on the 8^th and 1 at Pasochoa on the 16^th and 4 there on the 26^th.

 

Blue-tailed Emerald - Chlorostilbon mellisugus C

A single individual seen at Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP was tentatively identified as this species.

 

Fork-tailed Woodnymph – Thalurania furcata JFC

JFC photographed an obliging female at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Violet-bellied Hummingbird - Damophila julie feliciana C

A single male was seen at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird - Amazilia tzacatl jucunda C

A pair were seen in the grounds of the Hotel Zaracay near Santo Domingo with a few seen at Tinalandia and a single individual seen on the outskirts of Tandayapa village.

 

Speckled Hummingbird - Adelomyia melanogenys C

We saw 2 along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th.

 

Shining Sunbeam - Aglaeactis cupripennis cupripennis C

We saw 3 in a small patch of Polylepis woodland near Papallacta Pass on the 28^th. They would perch near the tops of the trees for long periods allowing prolonged views.

 

Chimborazo Hillstar - Oreotrochilus chimborazo jamesoni C

It was disappointing to only see 3 females on the higher slopes of Cotopaxi on the 17^th and was therefore a relief to see 3 males and 2 females on a hillside near Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 27^th. One of the highlights of the trip.

 

Mountain Velvetbreast - Lafresnaya lafresnayi saul C

A single female was seen at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Brown Inca - Coeligena wilsoni C

A single male was seen along the upper half of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Collared Inca - Coeligena torquata C

Up to 4 were seen daily in the vicinity of Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP and a single individual was seen along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd. Superb.

 

Buff-winged Starfrontlet - Coeligena lutetiae C

Up to 3 were seen daily on four dates at the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP.

 

Rainbow Starfrontlet - Coeligena iris iris C

We saw 2 along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin on the 10^th and 1 there on the 15^th.

 

Sword-billed Hummingbird - Ensifera ensifera C

A brief flight view of a bird leaving the courtyard next to the shop at Pasochoa led us to the bird perched on the edge of a nearby bush for several minutes on the 16th. One of the highlights of the trip.

 

Great Sapphirewing - Pterophanes cyanopterus peruvianus C

A single female was seen on the edge of a patch of Polylepis woodland not far from the shrine at Papallacta Pass on the 28^th. It was briefly attracted to the colour of JFC’s shirt hovering around us momentarily.

 

Giant Hummingbird - Patagona gigas peruviana C

A single individual was seen between Cotopaxi and the Hacienda la Cienega along the Pan American Highway in the vicinity of several gigantic Puyas on which it was first seen perched. This impressive bird then flew across the road and was watched flying back and forth to bathe in a puddle.

 

Little Sunangel - Heliangelus micrastur micrastur C

We saw up to 5 on four dates along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin.

 

Glowing Puffleg - Eriocnemis vestitus smaragdinipectus C

A male showing the combination of a golden rump and white puffs was seen along the entrance road to the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP on the 10^th.

 

Sapphire-vented Puffleg - Eriocnemis luciani C

A single male was seen at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Golden-breasted Puffleg - Eriocnemis mosquera

A single individual showing characteristics of this species was seen along the Mirador Trail above the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP on the 14^th. With reference to BoHA and HBW it appears Podocapus NP falls to the south of this species’ known range and although Heijnen lists it from this site (so it must have been claimed before) it throws doubt on the identification.

 

Booted Racket-tail - Ocreatus underwoodii C

A female was seen along the entrance trail to Rio Bombuscara on the 13^th and a male was seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Black-tailed Trainbearer - Lesbia victoriae victoriae C

We saw up to 5 near Quito Airport on the 8^th, 7 at Pasochoa on the 16^th with 1 there on the 26^th and 2 at Cotopaxi on the 17^th.

 

Green-tailed Trainbearer - Lesbia nuna gracilis C

A single individual was seen briefly just above the entrance barrier to Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP on the 14^th.

 

Tyrian Metaltail - Metallura tyrianthina C

A single female was seen in a valley just beyond where the conifer plantations end at Cotopaxi on the 17^th.

 

Viridian Metaltail - Metallura williami C

At least 4 were seen feeding by clinging to ground level flowers just below the shrine near Papallacta Village on the 28^th.

 

Blue-mantled Thornbill - Chalcostigma stanleyi stanleyi C

Males were seen near the shrine at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st and along the track leading to the Silver Grebe Lake just below Papallacta Pass on the 26^th.

 

Violet-tailed Sylph - Aglaiocercus coelestis C

A pair were seen along the upper half of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th. Superb.

 

White-bellied Woodstar - Chaetocercus mulsant C

A pair were seen at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Masked Trogon - Trogon personatus C

A stunning male was watched for some time between Tandayapa Village and the Blue House Trail on the 25^th.

 

Golden-headed Quetzal - Pharomachrus auriceps C

A superb male was seen along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP on the 10^th, 3 were seen around half-way along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd with 1 again seen there the following day.

 

Blue-crowned Motmot - Momotus momota microstephanus C

A single individual was seen perched briefly above the entrance trail to the Rio Bombuscara buildings in the Podocarpus NP on the 13^th. This record falls below the altitude favoured by the recently split Highland Motmot M. aequatorialis which has been recorded in the Podocarpus NP.

 

Rufous Motmot - Baryphthengus martii C

A superb adult was watched for some time before it retreated into the forest along the lower section of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Rufous-tailed Jacamar - Galbula ruficauda melanogenia C

A pair were seen just outside the entrance to the forest trail near the water tank at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Coppery-chested Jacamar - Galbula pastazae C

Seen at the Rio Bombuscara in the Podocarpus NP where singles were seen along the entrance trail on the 11^th and 13^th and also along the River Trail on the 13^th. Superb.

 

Red-headed Barbet - Eubucco bourcierii C

First seen along the entrance trail at Rio Bombuscara in the Podocarpus NP where 1 was seen on the 12^th and 2 on the 13^th, then at Tinalandia where a pair were seen at their nest-hole on the 19^th, and finally 1 along the upper section of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Toucan Barbet - Semnornis ramphastinus ramphastinus C

Groups of 3 birds were seen on both days spent along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd and 24^th. Both groups loosely associated with mixed-species flocks. One of the highlights of the trip.

 

Prong-billed Barbet - Semnornis frantzii C

Only seen along the jeep trail at Monteverde where 1 was seen on the 23^rd and 6 on the 25^th.

 

Chestnut-tipped Toucanet - Aulacorhynchus derbianus derbianus C

We briefly saw a pair along the entrance trail to Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th but obtained good views of a single individual the following day feeding in the same tree as a Sickle-winged Guan.

 

Crimson-rumped Toucanet - Aulacorhynchus haematopygus sexnotatus C

We saw 3 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and up to 2 on two dates around Mindo.

 

Stripe-billed Aracari - Pteroglossus sanguineus C

A single individual was seen at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Pale-mandibled Aracari - Pteroglossus erythropygius C

Pairs were seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th, Rio Palenque on the 20^th and a single individual was seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan - Andigena laminirostris C

Unfortunately only poor views were obtained of a pair that flew across in front of us whilst were driving along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd.

 

Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan - Andigena hypoglauca lateralis C

Excellent views were obtained along the road to the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP of a party of 4 c.800m below the HQ sign on the 10^th and 1 lower down on the 15^th. A superb species proving a highlight of the trip.

 

Choco Toucan - Ramphastos brevis C

At least 3 were seen at Tinalandia feeding low in the forest near the parking area on the 19^th.

 

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan - Ramphastos swainsonii C

A single individual was seen perched high in the canopy of the forest at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Black-cheeked Woodpecker - Melanerpes pucherani C

Singles were seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th and at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Smoky-brown Woodpecker - Veniliornis fumigatus reichenbachi C

Singles were seen above Mindo on the 23^rd and 24^th.

 

Little Woodpecker - Veniliornis passerinus agilis C

A single individual was seen on the loop trail above the Rio Bombuscara HQ on the 13^th.

 

Red-rumped Woodpecker - Veniliornis kirkii cecilii C

A single individual was seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Golden-olive Woodpecker - Piculus rubiginosus C

A single individual was seen near Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker - Piculus rivolii brevirostris C

We saw at least 2 at Pasochoa on the 26^th obtaining some good photographs. Superb.

 

Lineated Woodpecker - Dryocopus lineatus lineatus C

A pair were seen along the entrance road to Rio Bombuscara on the 11^th.

 

Powerful Woodpecker - Campephilus pollens pollens C

A pair were seen along the entrance road just below Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP during the evening of the 9^th. Superb.

 

Bar-winged Cinclodes - Cinclodes fuscus albidiventris C

We saw around 10 on both visits to Cotopaxi and saw up to 3 at Papallacta Pass on our three visits there.

 

Stout-billed Cinclodes - Cinclodes excelsior excelsior C

We saw c.40 on our first visit to Cotopaxi but surprisingly only 2 were in evidence there during our second visit. We also saw 2 near Papallacta Pass on the 21^st.

 

Pale-legged Hornero - Furnarius leucopus cinnamomeus C

Singles were seen in fields between Loja and the Cajanuma Cabin entrance of the Podocarpus NP on the 9^th and 10^th, another single was seen outside the airport serving Loja on the 16^th and seen on three dates around Santo Domingo including a confiding individual in the hotel grounds and a daily maximum of 30 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th. Superb.

 

Andean Tit-Spinetail - Leptasthenura andicola andicola C

We saw 2 at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st and 1 there on the 26^th and 2 just above the conifer plantation on Cotopaxi on the 27^th.

 

Rufous Spinetail - Synallaxis unirufa unirufa C

Seen on the trails around the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP where 10 were seen on the 9^th, 2 on the 14^th and 4 on the 15^th.

 

Azara’s Spinetail - Synallaxis azarae

We recorded singles on both days spent along the road to the obelisk above Mindo and 2 along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th. However Cotinga 6 does not include this species from this site and they were therefore quite probably immature Red-faced Spinetails (see comments under Line-cheeked Spinetail in The Birds of South America). A single individual seen at Cajanuma Cabin had dusky underparts rather than the almost-white underparts of the expected form to occur at this site. Tricky !

 

Slaty Spinetail - Synallaxis brachyura chapmani C

Pairs were seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th and along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

White-browed Spinetail - Hellmayrea gularis gularis C

Only seen whilst on the trails at Cajanuma Cabin where 2 were seen on the 9^th, 1 on the 10^th and 1 on the 15^th.

 

Red-faced Spinetail - Cranioleuca erythrops erythrops C

Seen on all four dates spent in the Nono and Mindo areas with a daily maximum of 6 seen along the road to the obelisk on the 23^rd.

 

White-chinned Thistletail - Schizoeaca fuliginosa fuliginosa C

We obtained poor views of 3 at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st but good views of a single individual in the gully just above the conifer plantation on Cotopaxi on the 27^th.

 

Streak-backed Canastero - Asthenes wyatti aequatorialis C

We found a single individual near a red lava flow at the top end of the flat area beyond Laguna de Limpiopungo on Cotopaxi on the 27^th.

 

Many-striped Canastero - Asthenes flammulata flammulata C

Seen daily in small numbers at both Cotopaxi and Papallacta Pass.

 

Pearled Treerunner - Margarornis squamiger perlatus C

DC obtained brief views of a single individual in a mixed-species flock along the Mirador trail above the Cajanuma Cabin on the 14^th.

 

Slender-billed Xenops - Xenops tenuirostris acutirostris C

A pair of ‘streaked’ Xenops that were seen along the Rio Bombuscara trail on the 12^th were most likely this species if the altitude map in ‘The Birds of Ecuador’ by T. Butler is correct.

 

Streaked Xenops - Xenops rutilans C

A single individual was seen above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Montane Foliage-gleaner - Anabacerthia striaticollis montana C

A single individual was seen along the Rio Bombuscara trail on the 13^th.

 

Streaked Tuftedcheek - Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii orientalis C

At the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP we saw 2 on the 10^th and 2 on the 14^th.

 

Streak-capped Treehunter - Thripadectes virgaticeps virgaticeps C

Singles were seen above Mindo on the 23^rd and along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th.

 

Lineated Foliage-gleaner - Syndactyla subalaris subalaris C

We saw 2 along the road leading to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner - Philydor rufus riveti C

A single individual was seen above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Tyrannine Woodcreeper - Dendrocincla tyrannina tyrannina C

We saw 2 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo. Also we saw 2 which we considered to be this species along the road just below Cajanuma Cabin on the 14^th although Tom Heijnen (1993) does not list this species from this site.

 

Spotted Woodcreeper - Xiphorhynchus erythropygius aequatorialis C

A single individual was seen along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd.

 

Streak-headed Woodcreeper - Lepidocolaptes souleyetii C

At least 3 were tentatively identified as this species at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Montane Woodcreeper - Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger aequatorialis C

We noted 2 on three dates in the Mindo area.

 

Great Antshrike - Taraba major transandeanus C

A superb male was seen on the edge of the forest at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Pacific Streaked-Antwren - Myrmotherula pacifica C

A single male was seen near the parking lot at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Black-headed Antthrush - Formicarius nigricapillus destructus C

A superb individual was seen walking through the forest at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

Undulated Antpitta - Grallaria squamigera squamigera C

An excellent hoped-for species which we didn’t really expect to see. A superb individual was watched for around 30 minutes at the start of the Mirador trail above the Cajanuma Cabin as it fed in the open on the trail ahead of us after heavy rain on the 9^th with another seen briefly on the Antenejos trail the same day. A single individual was seen in the bamboo thicket at Pasachoa on the 26^th although it quickly departed once it was aware of our prescence. Many birds were heard at both sites although it is listed as uncommon in The Birds of the High Andes.

 

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta - Grallaria ruficapilla ruficapilla C

A single individual was watched briefly feeding on the trail ahead of us in the bamboo thicket at Pasochoa on the 26^th. This species is not listed by T. Heijnen from this site.

 

Chestnut-naped Antpitta - Grallaria nuchalis nuchalis C

A superb species being one of the highlights of the trip with a pair found feeding on emerging grubs on the Antenejos trail with some good photographs being obtained as the birds performed for much of the day. The following day a single individual was seen briefly on a different part of the same trail. Brilliant.

 

Rufous Antpitta - Grallaria rufula rufula C

We taped 2 into view which then performed well along the Mirador trail above the Cajanuma Cabin on the 14^th and a single individual was seen crossing the Antenejos trail the following day. Excellent.

 

Tawny Antpitta - Grallaria quitensis quitensis C

A single individual was seen opposite the museum at Cotopaxi on the 17^th, 8 were seen at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st and 5 there on the 28^th. Good views seem almost guaranteed of this showy Antpitta.

 

Ash-coloured Tapaculo - Myornis senilis C

In the vicinity of the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP we saw 2 on the 10^th and 1 on the 15^th.

 

Ocellated Tapaculo - Acropternis orthonyx infuscata C

An outrageous species proving the highlight of the trip when we succeeded at Pasochoa where singles were watched on both the 16^th and 26^th. With the aid of tape playback they were watched for a couple of hours as once located they would only move a very short distance whilst foraging. JFC obtained some fine photographs.

 

Red-crested Cotinga - Ampelion rubrocristata C

We saw 2 along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin associating with Barred Fruiteaters on the 15^th, and singles at Pasochoa on the 16^th and above Papallacta Village on the 28^th.

 

Barred Fruiteater - Pipreola arcuata arcuata C

We saw 4 over a period of three dates in the vicinity of Cajanuma Cabin with JFC obtaining some good photographs. The birds all gave distinctive high-pitched whistles alerting us to their prescence. An aggressive individual was seen to twice chase a Red-crested Cotinga.

 

Fiery-throated Fruiteater - Pipreola chlorolepidota C

A single female was watched feeding in the canopy of a flowering tree attracting mainly Tanagers along the entrance trail to the Rio Bombuscara HQ on the 13^th. Due to the bird’s size it was only the white tips to the tertials that convinced us that we were watching a Fruiteater. This little-known species is not listed from this site by Tom Heijnen.

 

Purple-throated Fruitcrow - Querula purpurata C

A party of 3 were seen at Rio Palenque on the 20^th. Superb.

 

Andean Cock-of-the-rock - Rupicola peruviana aequatorialis C

Excellent views were obtained daily at Rio Bombuscara where it was the second species seen. Both males and females were seen but never at a lek. We estimated that we saw 2 on the 11^th, 5 on the 12^th and 3 on the 13^th. A highlight of the trip.

 

Blue-rumped Manakin - Pipra isidorei isidorei C

We saw 2 fine males along the river trail beyond the Rio Bombuscara HQ buildings on the 12^th. The birds were seen to be chasing each other and briefly in display. Unfortunately the only other Manakins seen during the trip were females which were left unidentified.

 

White-crested Elaenia - Elaenia albiceps griseigularis C

Singles were seen in Quito on the 8^th, along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd and 6 were seen at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Sierran Elaenia - Elaenia pallatangae pallatangae C

A single individual was seen just above Nono on the 25^th.

 

Torrent Tyrannulet - Serpophaga cinerea cinerea C

A single individual was seen along the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 2 were seen along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd.

 

Streak-necked Flycatcher - Mionectes striaticollis C

A single individual was seen at the Rio Bombuscara HQ on the 13^th, 2 were seen in the Nono and Mindo areas on the 24^th with 1 seen there the following day.

 

Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant - Phylloscartes ophthalmicus ophthalmicus C

Singles were seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd and 24^th.

 

Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet - Phyllomyias uropygialis C

A single individual was seen along the road to the obelisk on the 24^th.

 

White-throated Tyrannulet - Mecocerculus leucophrys rufomarginatis C

In Polylepis woodland at Papallacta Pass we saw 1 on the 21^st and 2 on the 28^th.

 

White-banded Tyrannulet - Mecocerculus stictopterus stictopterus C

At Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP we saw 2 on the 9^th and 1 the following day.

 

Tufted Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes parulus aequatorialis C

Pairs were seen at Hacienda la Cienega, Cotopaxi and at Papallacta Pass.

 

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant - Lophotriccus pileatus squamaecrista C

We heard several and saw 2 at Rio Palenque on the 20^th and saw 1 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher - Todirostrum nigriceps C

A pair were seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Fulvous-breasted Flatbill - Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus C

DC saw a single individual along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

White-throated Spadebill - Platyrinchus mystaceus zamorae C

A single individual was seen briefly along the River trail at Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th.

 

Ornate Flycatcher - Myiotriccus ornatus C

We saw 8 along the Rio Bombuscara trails on the 11^th and 4 there the following day and we saw 2 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 22^nd and 10 there on the 23^rd. Superb.

 

Cinnamon Flycatcher - Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea pyrrhoptera C

Singles were seen at the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP and along the Nono Mindo road on both the 22^nd and 25^th.

 

Smoke-coloured Peewee - Contopus fumigatus C

Seen in small numbers on four dates in the Nono and Mindo areas with a daily maximum of 3 seen on the 24^th.

 

Eastern / Western Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens / sordidulus C

We saw 4 along the entrance road to Rio Bombuscara on the 13^th.

 

Tawny-breasted Flycatcher – Myiobius villosus JFC

JFC saw a single individual on the loop trail above the Rio Bombuscara HQ buildings on the 13^th.

 

Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans angustirostris C

Singles were seen at the Rio Bombuscara on two dates and up to 3 were seen on four dates in the Nono and Mindo areas.

 

Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus piurae C

We saw up to 6 on both visits to the airport serving Loja, up to 8 were seen around Quito and a few were seen in the gardens of Hacienda La Cienega.

 

Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca rufipectoralis C

Up to 8 of these superb birds were seen daily whilst in the vicinity of the Cajanuma Cabin on our four days there.

 

Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca fumicolor brunneifrons C

We saw up to 8 daily on visits to Papallacta Pass and Cotopaxi.

 

Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant - Cnemarchus erythropygius erythropygius C

A superb individual was seen just behind the shrine at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st and although it proved approachable we couldn’t locate it on subsequent visits.

 

Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant - Myiotheretes striaticollis striaticollis C

A pair were seen on four dates at the edge of the forest along the entrance road to the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP.

 

Smoky Bush-Tyrant - Myiotheretes fumigatus cajamarcae C

Singles were seen on four dates at the Cajanuma Cabin 1 often present at the start of the Antpitta trail.

 

Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola maculirostris rufescens C

We saw around 6 in the vicinity of Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 27^th.

 

Plain-capped Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola alpina alpina C

Only seen at Cotopaxi above Laguna de Limpiopungo where 20 were seen on the 17^th and 1 on the 27^th.

 

Masked Water-Tyrant - Fluvicola nengeta atripennis C

We saw 6 around the Golf Course at Tinalandia. Superb.

 

Bright-rumped Attila - Attila spadiceus C

A single individual was part of a mixed-species flock seen along the Nono Mndo road on the 22^nd.

 

Dusky-capped Flycatcher - Myiarchus tuberculifer C

We saw at least 5 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Social Flycatcher - Myiozetetes similis C

Seen along the old road to Santo Domingo, at Tinalandia, Rio Palenque and along the Nono Mindo road with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Golden-crowned Flycatcher - Myiodynastes chrysocephalus minor C

We saw up to 4 daily in the Nono and Mindo areas on three dates.

 

Streaked Flycatcher - Myiodynastes maculatus C

A pair were seen around the Rio Bombuscara HQ on the 12^th.

 

Snowy-throated Kingbird - Tyrannus niveigularis C

A single individual was seen in the orchard along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 22^nd.

 

Tropical Kingbird - Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus C

We saw up to 6 daily at Rio Bombuscara, 60 at Tinalandia with smaller numbers seen at the nearby Rio Palenque and in the Nono Mindo areas.

 

Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus C

A single individual was seen in the orchard along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 22^nd.

 

Barred Becard - Pachyramphus versicolor C

Seen along the Nono Mindo road and along the road to the obelisk above Mindo with 4 seen on the 22^nd and 1 on the 23^rd. Superb.

 

Cinnamon Becard - Pachyramphus cinnamomeus cinnamomeus C

A single individual was seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

White-winged Becard - Pachyramphus polychopterus C

We saw 3 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Masked Tityra - Tityra semifasciata C

We saw 6 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 3 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 22^nd.

 

Black-crowned Tityra - Tityra inquisitor C

We saw a pair at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Grey-breasted Martin - Progne chalybea chalybea C

A single individual was identified at Zamora on the 12^th, 4 were seen at the airport serving Loja on the 16^th and 2 were seen near Santo Domingo on the 20^th.

 

Blue-and-white Swallow - Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca C

Seen on seventeen dates in good numbers including birds breeding along the entrance road to the Cajanuma Cabin where we unfortunately failed to find the Pale-footed Swallow.

 

Brown-bellied Swallow - Notiochelidon murina murina C

Seen on ten dates in good numbers at widespread highland locations with a daily maximum of 50 seen in the Nono and Tandayapa Pass area on the 25^th.

 

White-banded Swallow - Atticora fasciata C

We saw 10 over the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 1 there the following day. Superb.

 

White-thighed Swallow - Neochelidon tibialis minima C

We saw c.8 at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Southern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx ruficollis C

Seen in fair numbers on eight dates in the north of the country.

 

Paramo Pipit - Anthus bogotensis bogotensis C

A single individual was located on a large flat plain between the sterile-looking reservoir and the shrine at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st.

 

White-capped Dipper - Cinclus leucocephalus leuconotus C

A single individual was seen on the Rio Bombuscara on the 11^th with further singles seen along the Nono Mindo road on the 24^th and above Papallacta Village on the 26^th and 28^th. Superb.

 

Band-backed Wren - Campylorhynchus zonatus brevirostris C

We saw 5 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 2 at Rio Palenque on the 20^th. Impressive.

 

Rufous Wren - Cinnycerthia unirufa unibrunnea C

We saw 3 forming part of a mixed-species flock along the Nono Mindo road.

 

Plain-tailed Wren - Thryothorus euophrys longipes C

Seen on three dates around the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP with a daily maximum of 4 seen there on the 15^th and singles were seen at Pasochoa on the 16^th and 26^th. Superb.

 

Bay Wren - Thryothorus nigricapillus nigricapillus C

A single individual was seen at Rio Palenque on the 20^th.

 

House Wren - Troglodytes aedon albicans C

We saw up to 4 daily around Zamora, 2 at Tinalandia, 4 near Mindo and 2 at Pasochoa.

 

Mountain Wren - Troglodytes solstitialis solstitialis C

Up to 6 were seen daily around the Cajanuma Cabin.

 

Sedge Wren - Cistothorus platensis aequatorialis C

A single individual was seen near the museum at Cotopaxi on the 17^th and 4 were seen at Papallacta Pass on the 21^st.

 

Grey-breasted Wood-Wren - Henicorhina leucophrys C

We saw a pair along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Long-tailed Mockingbird - Mimus longicaudatus albogriseus C

A pair were seen at the airport serving Loja on the 16^th.

 

Andean Solitaire - Myadestes ralloides C

Singles were seen along the Rio Bombuscara trail on the 12^th and along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Swainson’s Thrush - Catharus ustulatus swainsoni C

We saw up to 8 daily at the Rio Bombuscara, 1 in the parking lot at Tinalandia and 6 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Pale-eyed Thrush - Platycichla leucops C

We saw 2 males along the entrance trail to the Rio Bombuscara HQ on the 13^th.

 

Great Thrush - Turdus fuscater C

Seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 40 recorded on three dates at Cotopaxi, Pasochoa and the Tandayapa Pass area.

 

Glossy-black Thrush - Turdus serranus fuscobrunneus C

A single individual was seen along the entrance road to the Cajanuma Cabin on the 15^th.

 

Chestnut-bellied Thrush - Turdus fulviventris C

We saw 2 along the Rio Bombuscara trails on both the 12^th and 13^th.

 

Pale-vented Thrush - Turdus obseletus parambanus C

A single individual was seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Ecuadorian Thrush - Turdus maculirostris C

We saw 2 in the Hotel grounds at Santo Domingo on the 18^th and 4 at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Tropical Gnatcatcher - Polioptila plumbea bilineata C

A pair were seen at the airport serving Loja on the 16^th.

 

Green Jay - Cyanocorax yncas yncas C

Along the Rio Bombuscara Trails we saw 1 on the 11^th and 3 on the 13^th.

 

Turquoise Jay - Cyanoleuca turcosa C

At the Cajanuma Cabin we saw 2 on the 9^th and 1 on the 15^th. Pairs were seen along the Old Santo Domingo Road and on two dates along the Nono Mindo Road.

 

Brown-capped Vireo – Vireo gilvus josephae C

We saw singles along the entrance road below the Cajanuma Cabin on the 9^th and 10^th and 5 along the road to the obelisk on the 23^rd and 2 along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th.

 

Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo – Vireolanius leucotis C

A single individual was seen along the entrance track to the Rio Bombuscara HQ on the 12^th.

 

Hooded Siskin – Carduelis magellanica C

Seen in small numbers on five dates whilst in highland areas with a daily maximum of 10 seen around Quito on the 8^th.

 

Tropical Parula – Parula pitiayumi C

We saw 2 along the Rio Bombuscara Trail on the 13^th and up to 8 were seen on three dates in the Nono Mindo area.

 

Blackburnian Warbler – Dendroica fusca C

A total of 5 birds were seen over four dates in the Podocarpus NP being seen at both Cajanuma Cabin and the Rio Bombuscara. Also seen in the Nono Mindo area on four dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen along the road to the obelisk on the 23^rd. Some fine males were seen.

 

Cerulean Warbler – Dendroica cerulea C

A stunning male was seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat – Geothlypis semiflava semiflava C

A single individual was seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Canada Warbler – Wilsonia canadensis C

A superb male was seen on the loop trail at Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 2 were seen there the following day.

 

Slate-throated Redstart – Myioborus miniatus C

We saw up to 4 daily along the Rio Bombuscara Trails, 2 along the Old Santo Domingo Road on the 18^th and up to 8 daily in the Nono Mindo areas.

 

Spectacled Redstart – Myioborus melanocephalus ruficoronatus C

We saw up to 8 daily around the Cajanuma Cabin and up to 6 daily on our visits to Papallacta Pass.

 

Black-crested Warbler – Basileuterus nigrocristatus C

We saw 2 at the Cajanuma Cabin on the 9^th, 4 there on the 10^th and 4 at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Russet-crowned Warbler – Basileuterus coronatus C

Pairs were seen on two dates in the Nono Mindo areas and 1 was seen at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Three-striped Warbler – Basileuterus tristriatus C

We saw pairs on three dates in the Nono and Mindo areas.

 

Bananaquit – Coereba flaveola C

We saw 1 along the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 3 there on the 13^th.

 

Cinereous Conebill – Conirostrum cinereum fraseri C

We saw around 8 near Quito Airport on the 8^th and similar numbers were seen at La Cienega, Cotopaxi, along the Nono Mindo road and at Papallacta on four other dates.

 

Blue-backed Conebill – Conirostrum sitticolor sitticolor C

At Cajanuma Cabin we saw 2 on the 9^th and 4 on the 10^th.

 

Capped Conebill – Conirostrum albifrons atrocyaneum C

Only seen along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin where we saw 1 on the 9^th and 2 the next day.

 

Giant Conebill – Oreomanes fraseri C

At least 5 were seen in the Polylepis woodland on the left side of the road just beyond the shrine as you approach Papallacta Village from Quito on the 21^st.

 

Magpie Tanager – Cissopis leveriana leveriana C

Only seen along the Rio Bombuscara where we saw 6 on the 11^th and 3 on the 13^th.

 

Grass-green Tanager – Chlorornis riefferii riefferii C

We saw 6 at the Cajanuma Cabin on the 10^th and 1 there on the 15^th and 2 on the Blue House Trail on the 25^th.

 

Dusky Bush-Tanager – Chlorospingus semifuscus semifuscus C

We tentatively identified 5 along the Nono Mindo road on the 24^th.

 

Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager – Chlorospingus flavigularis C

We saw up to 20 daily at Rio Bombuscara and singles were seen along the Old Santo Domingo road and above Mindo.

 

Grey-hooded Bush-Tanager – Cnemoscopus rubrirostris rubrirostris C

A pair were seen at Cajanuma Cabin on the 15^th.

 

Black-capped Hemispingus – Hemispingus atropileus atropileus C

We saw 2 at Cajanuma Cabin on the 9^th and 5 there on the 10^th.

 

Black-headed Hemispingus – Hemispingus verticalis C

A single individual of this distinctive species was seen just below the Cajanuma Cabin on the 15^th.

 

White-lined Tanager – Tachyphonus rufus C

We saw up to 6 daily at Rio Bombuscara.

 

Hepatic Tanager – Piranga flava C

We saw 1 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 4 above Mindo on the 23^rd and 1 there the next day.

 

White-winged Tanager – Piranga leucoptera C

Singles were seen on four days around Mindo. Superb.

 

Red-hooded Tanager – Piranga rubriceps C

We saw 6 along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin on the 10^th.

 

Flame-rumped Tanager – Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus C

Seen in good numbers on five dates being seen along the Old Santo Domingo road, Tinalandia, Santo Domingo and around Mindo.

 

Blue-grey Tanager – Thraupis episcopus C

This species was seen on seven dates in good numbers at widespread lowland locations with a daily maximum of 30 seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Blue-capped Tanager – Thraupis cyanocephala cyanocephala C

A pair were seen below the Cajanuma Cabin on the 15^th and 3 were seen along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th.

 

Blue-and-yellow Tanager – Thraupis bonariensis darwinii C

We saw 4 near Quito Airport on the 8^th, 4 at La Cienega on the 16^th and 3 on the 27^th.

 

Palm Tanager – Thraupis palmarum C

Probably overlooked as only recorded as being seen on four dates at widespread locations including at Zamora. A daily maximum of 15 were seen at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Hooded Mountain-Tanager – Buthraupis montana cucullata C

Singles were seen at the Cajanuma Cabin on the 14^th and 15^th and 5 were seen along the Nono Mindo road on the 24^th.

 

Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager – Anisognathus lacrymosus C

We saw up to 2 on four dates at the Cajanuma Cabin.

 

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager – Anisognathus igniventris erythronotus C

We saw pairs at Cajanuma Cabin on three dates and 7 at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager – Anisognathus somptuosus C

We saw up to 7 on three dates in the Nono Mindo areas.

 

Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager – Dubusia taeniata taeniata C

Singles were seen at the Cajanuma Cabin on the 9^th and at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Fawn-breasted Tanager – Pipraeidea melanota venezuelensis C

We saw 2 along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23^rd.

 

Orange-crowned Euphonia – Euphonia saturata C

We saw at least 3 at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Golden-rumped Euphonia – Euphonia cyanocephala insignis / pelzeni C

A single insignis was seen along the entrance road to the Cajanuma Cabin on the 9^th and up to 4 pelzeni on a day were seen on three dates around Mindo.

 

Bronze-green Euphonia – Euphonia mesochrysa mesochrysa C

We saw singles at Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 13^th.

 

Orange-bellied Euphonia – Euphonia xanthogaster brevirostris / quitensis C

We saw a pair of brevirostris at the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and up to 4 quitensis on a day on four days in the Mindo area.

 

Turquoise Tanager – Tangara mexicana boliviana C

A single individual was seen along the Rio Bombuscara on the 11^th.

 

Paradise Tanager – Tangara chilensis chilensis C

We saw up to 25 daily along the Rio Bombuscara proving much easier than anticipated.

 

Green-and-gold Tanager – Tangara schrankii schrankii C

We saw up to 4 daily along the Rio Bombuscara.

 

Golden Tanager – Tangara arthus aequatorialis / goodsoni C

We saw up to 8 aequatorialis daily along the Rio Bombuscara, 1 goodsoni along the Old Santo Domingo road on the 18^th and up to 12 daily in the vicinity of Mindo.

 

Golden-eared Tanager – Tangara chrysotis chrysotis C

We saw up to 6 daily along the Rio Bombuscara.

 

Saffron-crowned Tanager – Tangara xanthocephala venusta C

We saw a single individual along the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th.

 

Flame-faced Tanager – Tangara parzudakii lunigera C

A superb individual was seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24^th.

 

Spotted Tanager – Tangara punctata zamorae C

We saw up to 6 daily along the Rio Bombuscara.

 

Bay-headed Tanager – Tangara gyrola C

We saw 4 on two dates at Rio Bombuscara.

 

Golden-naped Tanager – Tangara ruficervix leucotis C

We saw up to 8 a day in the vicinity of Mindo on three dates.

 

Metallic-green Tanager – Tangara labradorides labradorides C

We saw 4 at Mindo on the 23^rd and 2 there the following day.

 

Blue-necked Tanager – Tangara cyanicollis caeruleocephala / cyanopygia C

We saw 12 caeruleocephala along the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 10 there on the 13^th and up to 8 cyanopygia in the vicinity of Mindo on three dates.

 

Beryl-spangled Tanager – Tangara nigroviridis cyanescens C

We saw up to 20 around Mindo on three dates.

 

Blue-and-black Tanager – Tangara vassorii vassorii C

We saw at least 4 at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Black-capped Tanager – Tangara heinei C

We saw a single individual between the Blue House and Tandayapa on the 25^th.

 

Black-faced Dacnis – Dacnis lineata lineata C

We saw a pair of this superb species near the Rio Bombuscara clearing on the 13^th.

 

Green Honeycreeper – Chlorophanes spiza exsul C

We saw a single individual at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Swallow Tanager – Tersina viridis occidentalis C

We saw a single male at Tinalandia on the 19^th and a pair at Mindo on the 22^nd.

 

Plush-capped Finch – Catamblyrhynchus diadema diadema C

We saw 3 at Cajanuma Cabin on the 9^th, 2 there on the 10^th and 2 on the 15^th.

 

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch – Phrygilus unicolor geospizopsis C

We saw up to 25 daily at both Cotopaxi and Papallacta Pass.

 

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch – Phrygilus plebjus ocularis C

We saw a single individual between Pifo and Papallacta Pass on the 27^th.

 

Blue-black Grassquit – Volatinia jacarina peruviensis C

We saw 10 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 5 along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd.

 

Variable Seedeater – Sporophila corvine ophthalmica C

We saw 10 at Tinalandia on the 19^th.

 

Black-and-white Seedeater – Sporophila luctuosa C

A single individual was seen at the airport serving Loja on the 9^th and 2 were seen at the Rio Bombuscara on the 13^th.

 

Yellow-bellied Seedeater – Sporophila nigricollis vivida C

We saw around 40 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and up to 10 in the Nono Mindo areas on two dates.

 

Chestnut-throated Seedeater – Sporophila telasco C

Totally unexpected we saw a single individual at the airport serving Loja on the 16^th.

 

Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch – Oryzoborus angolensis torridus C

Singles were seen along the entrance road to the Rio Bombuscara on two dates.

 

Band-tailed Seedeater – Catamenia analis soederstromi C

We saw at least 6 near Quito Airport on the 8^th and 1 at La Cienega on the 27^th proving smarter than expected.

 

Plain-coloured Seedeater – Catamenia inornata minor C

We saw up to 20 daily at both Cotopaxi and Papallacta Pass.

 

Slaty Finch – Haplospiza rustica rustica C

We saw 2 along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd and 1 there on the 24^th.

 

White-sided Flowerpiercer – Diglossa albilatera albilatera C

Only seen along the Nono Mindo road where we saw 1 on the 22^nd and 3 on the 25^th.

 

Glossy Flowerpiercer – Diglossa lafresnayii lafresnayii C

A single individual was seen along the entrance road to Cajanuma Cabin on the 15^th. This would appear to contradict the statement in Ridgely & Greenfield that the species doesn’t occur in Loja.

 

Black Flowerpiercer – Diglossa humeralis aterrima C

We saw small numbers at La Cienega, Cotopaxi, along the Nono Mindo road and at Papallacta Pass on a total of five dates.

 

Masked Flowerpiercer – Diglossopis cyanea cyanea / dispar C

We saw 1 dispar at the Cajanuma Cabin on the 14^th and 3 there on the 15^th, 1 cyanea along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th and a pair at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Saffron Finch – Sicalis flaveola valida C

Around 8 were present at the airport serving Loja on the 9^th.

 

Pale-naped Brush-Finch – Atlaptes pallidnucha papallactae C

At Cajanuma Cabin we saw up to 8 on three dates.

 

Rufous-naped Brush-Finch – Atlaptes rufinucha (latinuchus complex – split by Ridgely) C

We saw up to 8 at Cajanuma Cabin on four dates and 7 at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Tricoloured Brush-Finch – Atlaptes tricolor crassus C

We saw up to 4 around Mindo on three dates.

 

White-winged Brush-Finch – Atlapetes leucopterus leucopterus C

We saw a pair along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th.

 

Stripe-headed Brush-Finch – Buarremon torquatus C

We saw a single individual along the Nono Mindo road on the 22^nd and a pair at Pasochoa on the 26^th.

 

Orange-billed Sparrow – Arremon aurantiirostris occidentalis C

We saw 1 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and 2 at Rio Palenque the following day.

 

Yellow-browed Sparrow – Ammodramus aurifrons aurifrons C

A pair were seen daily around the HQ buildings at Rio Bombuscara including a partially leucistic individual.

 

Rufous-collared Sparrow – Zonotrichia capensis costaricensis C

Seen on eleven dates in large numbers.

 

Buff-throated Saltator – Saltator maximus maximus C

Singles were seen at the Rio Bombuscara on the 12^th and 13^th.

 

Slate-coloured Grosbeak – Saltator grossus grossus C

A party of 3 were seen where the entrance trail meets the road at the Rio Bombuscara on the 13^th.

 

Black-winged Saltator – Saltator atripennis caniceps C

We saw 4 at Tinalandia on the 19^th and up to 2 around Mindo on three dates.

 

Southern Yellow (Golden-bellied) Grosbeak – Pheucticus chrysogaster chrysogaster C

We saw 3 at La Cienega on the 16^th and 5 there on the 27^th, 2 near the start of the Old Santo Domingo road at Quito and 1 along the Nono Mindo road on the 25^th.

 

Shiny Cowbird – Molothrus bonariensis occidentalis \ aequatorialis C

We saw up to 6 occidentalis on both visits to the airport serving Loja and aequatorialis seen in good numbers around Santo Domingo, Tinalandia, Rio Palenque and Mindo with a daily maximum of 100 seen on the 19^th.

 

Giant Cowbird – Scaphidura oryzivora oryzivora C

Only seen along the road to the obelisk above Mindo where 6 were seen on the 22^nd and 50 on the 23^rd.

 

Scarlet-rumped Cacique – Cacicus uropygalis uropygalis C

We saw 2 at the Rio Bombuscara on the 11^th and 4 there on the 13^th. See The Birds of Ecuador for their proposal to afford this form species status, Subtropical Cacique.

 

Russet-backed Oropendola – Psarocolius angustifrons atrocastaneus C

We saw around 15 along the Nono Mindo Road on the 25^th.

 

Peruvian Red-breasted Meadowlark – Sturnella bellicose JFC

JFC saw 4 from the plane at Guayaquil Airport on the 16^th.