Birds of Peru

Birds of Peru

Discover Birds of Peru : A Birdwatcher’s Dream Destination

Peru is one of the world’s top three most biodiverse countries, and for birdwatchers, it is one of the most captivating destinations on the planet. The country’s unique geography, diverse ecosystems, and vast, undisturbed wilderness areas make it a haven for bird species. With its incredible variety of habitats, from the towering Andes mountains to the lush Amazon rainforest, Peru is a must-visit for ornithologists and nature lovers alike.

 

MACAWS OF TAMBOPATA RESERVE – SANDOVAL LAKE RESERVE – MANU NATIONAL PARK – Birds of Peru .

Macaws are the largest Peruvian parrots, although smaller species are scarcely larger than some Aratinga parakeets (plate 70). Tcdllong; face largely bare (except for Blue-headed Macaw). Flight strong and direct, Largest species have notably loud, harsh calls; most of the smaller species have much quieter voices. All also have quieter, “conversational” vocalizations.

[su_box title=”BLUE-AND-YELOW MACAWS – BIRDS OF PERU” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake blue yellow macaws tambopataMacaws Ara ararauna 81.5-86.5 cm (32—34 in) -Birds of Peru .

Widespread in Amazonia up to 800 m, but increasingly scarce; locally remains fairly common in more remote areas, especially in Madre de Dios. Typically found in low-lying forest, including varzea, swamp forest, and especially Mauritia palm swamps (aguajales). Occasionally seen flying high over cleared areas and major rivers; probably nomadic. Usually found in small flocks, but occasionally in large groups. Unmistakable. VOICE Flight call a loud rasping screech, loudest and often with a stuttering effect at the end “g’RAA’A’AHl”; also a loud braying. Somewhat fuller and more nasal than voices of Scarlet and Red-and-green. Co, E, Br, Bo.

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[su_box title=”RED-AND-GREEN MACAW – BIRDS OF PERU” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge red green macaws tambopataMacaw Ara chloropterus 89—’96.5 cm (35—38 in) -Birds of Peru .

Widespread in central and southern Peru below 1000 m. Populations declining, especially near populated areas; uncommon or absent from much of north. Typically in terra firme; less common than other macaws along large rivers. Usually in pairs or small groups. Cf. Scarlet Macaw. VOICE Flight call a loud rasping screech “RAAAH/” Very similar to Scarlet Macaw, but perhaps more nasal and not as unpleasant; also braying vocalizations. Co, E, Br, Bo.

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[su_box title=”MILITARY MACAW – BIRDS OF PERU” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge military macaw birds of peruMacaw Aramilitaris * 66-71 cm (26-28 in) Birds of Peru .

Locally fairly common, but largely restricted to east slope of Andes and outlying ridges, 600-1500 m; occasionally wanders higher or lower. Formerly local on west slope in northwest (only a seasonal visitor?), but apparently no longer occurs there. Associated with cliffs on steep ridges, usually in humid montane forest but locally in drier valleys. Little overlap with much smaller Chestnut-fronted, which also has red underwings. VOICE Flight call a loud screeching “RAAH/”; similar to other large macaws, but perhaps a little thinner, rising at end. Co, E, Bo.

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EMERALD, WOODNYMPHS, PLUMELETEER, JEWELFRONT –

BIRDS OF PERU

Blue-tailed Emerald is a widespread species of edge habitats in Amazonia. Woodnymphs are common hummingbirds of humid forest. Forage primarily in the under- and midstory. Males are colorful with forked, deep blue tails; females are light gray below, with noticeable white tips to the rectrices of a rounded tail, Violet-bellied Hummingbird resembles a small woodnymph; both it and White-vented Plumeleteer occur in Peru only in Tumbes. Gould’s Jewelfront is an Amazonian representative of the mostly Andean genus Heliodoxa (plate 99).

[su_box title=”FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH  – BIRDS OF PERU” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge birds of peruThalurania furcata * 9.5-10.5 cm (354-4 in), bill 2 cm. (54 in) -Birds of Peru .

Fairly common and widespread in the interior and canopy of humid forest of eastern Peru, up to 1400 m; one of the most frequently seen hummingbirds in Amazonian forests. Male readily recognized by dark plumage, deep blue or purplish blue belly, and forked tail. There is slight ( and continuous?) geographic variation; in particular, green gorget more extensive in northern Peru, sometimes also with distinct black border; but gorget is reduced in size, and usually not bordered with black, in south. Female, with uniformly light gray underparts, superficially resembles Gray-breasted Sabrewing but is much smaller with smaller white tips to rectrices. VOICE Song an incessant series of bisyllabic, thin, wiry notes: “see-tseet see-tseet see-tseet…” Calls a rich “tchup,” sometimes given in a long series, and a dry trill. Co, E, Br, Bo.

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[su_box title=”GOULD’S JEWELFRONT  ” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge birds of peruHeliodoxa aurescens 11-11.5 cm (4K-4J4 in), bill 2 cm -Birds of Peru .

Uncommon but widely distributed in humid forest of eastern Peru, below 1400 m. Largely confined to forest interior, where usually seen in under- or midstory, especially at light gaps and stream edges. Largely green, with prominent contrasting rufous breast band; tail also rufous. Narrow glittering purplish blue forecrown of male difficult to see; also has black chin. Female similar in pattern but duller; blue on crown reduced or absent, chin buff or green. No similar species in Amazonia VOICE Song a series of high, thin “tseet” notes. Call a high, descending “tsee tee tee tuu.” Co, E, Br, Bo.

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MOTMOTS AND QUETZALS BIRDS OF PERU .

Motmots sit quietly and motionless in forest under- and midstory; can be difficult to spot. Usually s or in pairs; do not join mixed-species flocks for jungle trips. Often switch tail side-to-side like pendulum, particularly \ nervous. Nest in burrows in ground (Sandoval Lake Lodge – Tambopata Reserve – Manu National Park – Iquitos – Amazon of Peru:

[su_box title=”BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT ” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge birds of peruMomotus momota * 39-41 cm {\5Vi-\6 in) – Birds of Peru .

Uncommon to fairly common in humid forest and forest edge in Amazonia, up to 7 50 m. Also fairly common in humid and semideciduous forests in northwest to 900 m (argenticinctus). Note black-and-blue pattern on face and crown. Amazonian birds usually rufescent below, but may be greenish. Argenticinctus variably buffy below with bright greenish throat. Upper surface of rackets tipped black. Cf. Highland Motmot (no known elevational overlap). VOICE Song (Amazonia) a bubbling “whOOP’OOp”; first note rises (unlike Rufous Motmot). In duet, one individual usually responds with slower “whoop whoop” or single “whoop?” Also rolling series of hoots in duet. Song of argenticinctus a single “whoop.” Call a gruff “kak,” sometimes several such notes strung together in a jumbled, excited series. Co, E, Br, Bo.

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[su_box title=”RUFOUS MOTMOT  – BIRDS OF PERU” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge birds of peruBaryphthengus martii * 43-46 cm (17-18 in)

Uncommon in terra firme below 1300 m, locally up to 1600 m; not as closely tied to treefalks and edges as Blue-crowned Motmot. Largest lowland motmot. Cf. smaller Broad-billed Motmot. VOICE Song a rapid, monotone “boop-oop”; very similar to Blue-crowned but does not change pitch. In duet a rolling series of hoots (very similar to Momotus). Co, E, Br, Bo.

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[su_box title=”CRESTED QUETZAL ” box_color=”#179e45″]

sandoval lake lodge birds of peruPharomachrus antisianus 33-34 cm (13-13’/ in)

Rare to uncommon in subcanopy of humid montane forest of east slope of Andes and outlying ridges, 1000-2300 m. Generally at lower elevations than Golden-headed Quetzal, and rarely as numerous. Male distinctive. Female very similar to Golden-headed, but iris redder; also note narrow white bars on outer edges of rectrices, and less extensive red on underparts. VOICE Song a slow, mellow series of 2 notes, second somewhat higher: “weeoweee-WEEoo.” Calls a musical series of downslurred mews and louder cackles. “keew  keh-HEEAH kek-HEEAH” Co, E, Bo.

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