BIRDS OBSERVED AND TAPE-RECORDED ALONG THE RIO TAPICHE, LORETO, PERU
7 FEBRUARY-3 MARCH 1997
R. Haven Wiley (with contributions by J. Bishop and T. Struhsaker)
Revised 20 October 2004, after a review of notes and recordings
Habitats included margins of rivers, caņos, and cochas, varzea, restingas (slightly higher ground
on former river levees in varzea), aguajals (Mauritia swamps), and terra firme (restricted to low
ridges east of the river)
R = number of entries in my notebooks (a rough index of frequency of encounters)
G = number of tape-recordings
All recordings and observations (unless otherwise noted) were at locations between
the mouth of the Rio Blanco (5-35 S, 73-50 W) and the town of San Pedro (5-55 S 74-05 W)
Family Genus Species R G Notes
TINAMIDAE Tinamus major 3 1
TINAMIDAE Tinamus tao 2 large tinamous with grayish underparts twice seen in flight, size like Great Tinamous, larger than Undulated
TINAMIDAE Crypturellus cinereus 10 7
TINAMIDAE Crypturellus soui 2
TINAMIDAE Crypturellus undulatus 14 3
PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax brasilianus 7
ANHINGIDAE Anhinga anhinga 17
ARDEIDAE Tigrisoma lineatum 3
ARDEIDAE Nycticorax nycticorax 1
ARDEIDAE Nycticorax pileatus 8
ARDEIDAE Cochlearius cochlearius 1 near the mouth of the Rio Tapiche
ARDEIDAE Ardeola ibis 2
ARDEIDAE Butorides striatus 9
ARDEIDAE Egretta alba 6
ARDEIDAE Ardea cocoi 13
THRESKIORNITHIDAE Mesembrinibis cayennensis 21 5
ANHIMIDAE Anhima cornuta 28 1
ANATIDAE Cairina moschata 28
CATHARTIDAE Cathartes aura 6
CATHARTIDAE Cathartes burrovianus 3
CATHARTIDAE Cathartes melambrotus 15
CATHARTIDAE Coragyps atratus 4
ACCIPITRIDAE Leptodon cayanensis 3
ACCIPITRIDAE Chondrohierax uncinatus 2
ACCIPITRIDAE Elanoides forficatus 3
ACCIPITRIDAE Rostrhamus hamatus 14 1
ACCIPITRIDAE Ictinia plumbea 22
ACCIPITRIDAE Geranospiza caerulescens 3
ACCIPITRIDAE Accipiter superciliosus 1 one attacked an understory flock
ACCIPITRIDAE Leucopternis schistacea 6
ACCIPITRIDAE Buteogallus urubitinga 8 1
ACCIPITRIDAE Busarellus nigricollis 29
ACCIPITRIDAE Harpyhaliaetus solitarius 1 one adult clearly observed in flight: tail pattern and slaty color excluded Great Black Hawk; shape and size (in close comparison with Osprey) excluded Slender-billed Kite
ACCIPITRIDAE Buteo magnirostris 15 1
ACCIPITRIDAE Spizastur melanoleucus 1 one adult observed soaring low overhead, conspicuous bright orange cere and buteonine shape excluded White Hawk and young Gray-headed Kite
ACCIPITRIDAE Spizaetus ornatus 6 nest with adult nearby
PANDIONIDAE Pandion haliaetus 8
FALCONIDAE Daptrius americanus 13 1
FALCONIDAE Daptrius ater 7
FALCONIDAE Milvago chimachima 9 1
FALCONIDAE Herpetotheres cachinnans 10 1
FALCONIDAE Micrastur ruficollis 2 1
FALCONIDAE Micrastur semitorquatus 2 1
FALCONIDAE Falco rufigularis 4
CRACIDAE Ortalis guttata 12 1
CRACIDAE Penelope jacquacu 3
PSOPHIIDAE Psophia leucoptera 1 definitely trumpeters, but species not confirmed
RALLIDAE Ortygonax nigricans 2
RALLIDAE Aramides cajanea 6 2
RALLIDAE Porphyrula martinica 1
HELIORNITHIDAE Heliornis fulica 20 2
EURYPYGIDAE Eurypyga helias 4 1
JACANIDAE Jacana jacana 5
CHARADRIIDAE Vanellus cayanus 2
SCOLOPACIDAE Actitis macularia 2
LARIDAE Phaetusa simplex 7
LARIDAE Sterna superciliaris 2
COLUMBIDAE Columba cayennensis 7
COLUMBIDAE Columba plumbea 17 8
COLUMBIDAE Columba subvinacea 7 2
COLUMBIDAE Columbina talpacoti 1
COLUMBIDAE Claravis pretiosa 2
COLUMBIDAE Leptotila rufaxilla 16 1
COLUMBIDAE Geotrygon montana 11 2
PSITTACIDAE Ara ararauna 56 4
PSITTACIDAE Ara chloroptera 7 1 including a pair at a nest cavity
PSITTACIDAE Ara macao 24 2
PSITTACIDAE Ara manilata 33 6
PSITTACIDAE Ara severa 4
PSITTACIDAE Aratinga leucophthalmus 20 2
PSITTACIDAE Aratinga weddellii 13
PSITTACIDAE Pyrrhura picta 1
PSITTACIDAE Forpus crassirostris 2
PSITTACIDAE Forpus sclateri 1
PSITTACIDAE Brotogeris cyanoptera 16
PSITTACIDAE Brotogeris sanctithomae 12 2
PSITTACIDAE Brotogeris versicolurus 1
PSITTACIDAE Touit purpurata 1 parrolet identified by size, shape, and calls in flight, no red or yellow on wings
PSITTACIDAE Pionites melanocephala 6 1 most individuals of this species had fully black crowns, but one flock included several individuals with orange patches in the center of the crown
PSITTACIDAE Pionopsitta barrabandi 4 1
PSITTACIDAE Graydidascalus brachyurus 14 2
PSITTACIDAE Pionus menstruus 20 1
PSITTACIDAE Amazona amazonica 27 5
PSITTACIDAE Amazona farinosa 37 5
PSITTACIDAE Amazona ochrocephala 6
CUCULIDAE Coccyzus cinereus 1 clearly observed, gray coloration and tail pattern excluded other possibilities, not the expected season for this species
CUCULIDAE Piaya cayana 8 2
CUCULIDAE Piaya minuta 1
CUCULIDAE Crotophaga ani 2
CUCULIDAE Crotophaga major 29
OPISTHOCOMIDAE Opisthocomus hoazin 5
STRIGIDAE Otus choliba 13 4
STRIGIDAE Otus watsonii 3 2
STRIGIDAE Lophostrix cristata 1 1
STRIGIDAE Pulsatrix perspicillata 4 1
STRIGIDAE Glaucidium brasilianum 24 7
STRIGIDAE Glaucidium hardyi 1 heard once
STRIGIDAE Ciccaba virgata 1
NYCTIBIIDAE Nyctibius aethereus 1
NYCTIBIIDAE Nyctibius grandis 4
NYCTIBIIDAE Nyctibius griseus 7 3
CAPRIMULGIDAE Lurocalis semitorquatus 2
CAPRIMULGIDAE Nyctidromus albicollis 13 3
CAPRIMULGIDAE Caprimulgus parvulus 1 clearly observed, originally misidentified
CAPRIMULGIDAE Hydropsalis climacocerca 1
APODIDAE Chaetura brachyura 7
APODIDAE Chaetura cinereiventris 3
APODIDAE Chaetura pelagica 1 observed at close range bathing in the river one morning, brown coloration, pale throat, nearly uniform back and rump, north of the Rio Blanco (about 4-25 S)
APODIDAE Tachornis squamata 12 1
APODIDAE Panyptila cayennensis 1
TROCHILIDAE Phaethornis atrimentalis 1 clearly observed, originally misidentified
TROCHILIDAE Phaethornis hispidus 1
TROCHILIDAE Phaethornis philippii 2
TROCHILIDAE Campylopterus largipennis 1
TROGONIDAE Pharomachrus pavoninus 1
TROGONIDAE Trogon curucui 1
TROGONIDAE Trogon melanurus 13 6
TROGONIDAE Trogon violaceus 2
TROGONIDAE Trogon viridis 7 3
ALCEDINIDAE Ceryle torquata 38 3
ALCEDINIDAE Chloroceryle aenea 5
ALCEDINIDAE Chloroceryle amazona 26
ALCEDINIDAE Chloroceryle americana 9
ALCEDINIDAE Chloroceryle inda 12 2
MOMOTIDAE Baryphthengus martii 1
MOMOTIDAE Momotus momota 3
GALBULIDAE Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis 2 1
GALBULIDAE Galbula cyanescens 1
GALBULIDAE Jacamerops aurea 1
BUCCONIDAE Notharchus macrorhynchos 1
BUCCONIDAE Bucco capensis 1
BUCCONIDAE Bucco macrodactylus 1
BUCCONIDAE Nonnula ruficapilla 1 carefully observed pair with chestnut caps
BUCCONIDAE Monasa morphoeus 1
BUCCONIDAE Monasa nigrifrons 30 4
BUCCONIDAE Chelidoptera tenebrosa 21
CAPITONIDAE Capito aurovirens 11 1
CAPITONIDAE Capito niger 2
CAPITONIDAE Eubucco richardsoni 2
RAMPHASTIDAE Pteroglossus castanotis 14
RAMPHASTIDAE Pteroglossus inscriptus 9
RAMPHASTIDAE Selenidera reinwardtii 2 1 dark bills seen clearly on two birds
RAMPHASTIDAE Ramphastos culminatus 16
RAMPHASTIDAE Ramphastos cuvieri 25 2
PICIDAE Melanerpes cruentatus 7 2
PICIDAE Veniliornis affinis 1
PICIDAE Piculus chrysochloros 1
PICIDAE Piculus flavigula 1
PICIDAE Colaptes punctigula 6 1
PICIDAE Celeus elegans 4
PICIDAE Celeus flavus 7
PICIDAE Celeus grammicus 1
PICIDAE Celeus torquatus 2
PICIDAE Campephilus melanoleucos 4
PICIDAE Campephilus rubricollis 2
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Dendrocincla fuliginosa 9 3
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Sittasomus griseicapillus 2
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Glyphorynchus spirurus 3 1
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Nasica longirostris 31 14
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Dendrexetastes rufigula 3
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus 3
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Dendrocolaptes picumnus 2
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Xiphorhynchus guttatus 41 18
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Xiphorhynchus obsoletus 12 8
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Xiphorhynchus ocellatus 8 3
DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Xiphorhynchus picus 5
FURNARIIDAE Synallaxis gujanensis 2
FURNARIIDAE Certhiaxis mustelina 1
FURNARIIDAE Metopothrix aurantiacus 1 observed at a nest in the top of a Cecropia beside a cocha
FURNARIIDAE Philydor erythrocercus 1
FURNARIIDAE Philydor pyrrhodes 2
FURNARIIDAE Automolus infuscatus 1 1
FURNARIIDAE Xenops minutus 2
FORMICARIIDAE Taraba major 7 5
FORMICARIIDAE Sakesphorus canadensis 2 shrubs in water at edges of cochas
FORMICARIIDAE Thamnophilus amazonicus 1 1
FORMICARIIDAE Thamnophilus doliatus 2 2
FORMICARIIDAE Thamnophilus murinus 7 1
FORMICARIIDAE Thamnophilus schistaceus 6 4
FORMICARIIDAE Pygiptila stellaris 6 6
FORMICARIIDAE Thamnomanes saturninus 5 2 these two Thamnomanes species were scarce in the restinga forests near the Tapiche -- all vocalizations were typical of schistogynus and saturninus
FORMICARIIDAE Thamnomanes schistogynus 12 7
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmotherula axillaris 9 2
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmotherula brachyura 2 1
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmotherula hauxwelli 2
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmotherula menetriesii 2
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmotherula multostriata 12 6
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmotherula obscura 1 1
FORMICARIIDAE Microrhopias quixensis 1
FORMICARIIDAE Cercomacra cinerascens 12 8
FORMICARIIDAE Cercomacra nigrescens 1 heard once briefly
FORMICARIIDAE Cercomacra serva 1 1 distinctive song of rising doublets
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmoborus leucophrys 3
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmoborus melanurus 4 3 pair observed closely
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmoborus myotherinus 2 1
FORMICARIIDAE Hypocnemis cantator 31 20 nest with two eggs
FORMICARIIDAE Sclateria naevia 3 2
FORMICARIIDAE Percnostola leucostigma 1 1
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmeciza atrothorax 4 4
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmeciza hemimelaena 1 1
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmeciza hyperythra 8 7
FORMICARIIDAE Myrmeciza melanoceps 24 20
FORMICARIIDAE Hylophylax naevia 1 1
FORMICARIIDAE Hylophylax poecilinota 2 2
FORMICARIIDAE Hylophylax punctulata 5 4
FORMICARIIDAE Phlegopsis nigromaculata 33 24 distraction display indicated a nest
FORMICARIIDAE Formicarius analis 7 2
FORMICARIIDAE Formicarius colma 8 3
RHINOCRYPTIDAE Liosceles thoracicus 1
COTINGIDAE Iodopleura isabellae 4
COTINGIDAE Lipaugus vociferans 12 4
COTINGIDAE Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema 1
COTINGIDAE Cotinga cayana 1
COTINGIDAE Cotinga maynana 10
COTINGIDAE Gymnoderus foetidus 19
COTINGIDAE Querula purpurata 6 3
COTINGIDAE Cephalopterus ornatus 2 2
PIPRIDAE Piprites chloris 1
PIPRIDAE Xenopipo atronitens 1 one bird observed closely, entirely black plumage, shortish tail, short bill, and size excluded similar becards and tanagers
PIPRIDAE Tyranneutes stolzmanni 25 14
PIPRIDAE Machaeropterus regulus 1 1 possibly pyrocephalus, further study of the recording is needed
PIPRIDAE Pipra coronota 1 1
TYRANNIDAE Schiffornis major 2 1
TYRANNIDAE Zimmerius gracilipes 1
TYRANNIDAE Camptostoma obsoletum 2
TYRANNIDAE Sublegatus obscurior 1 clearly observed, rather dull underparts probably excluded modestus
TYRANNIDAE Tyrannulus elatus 10 6
TYRANNIDAE Myiopagis caniceps 1
TYRANNIDAE Myiopagis flavivertex 1 1
TYRANNIDAE Myiopagis gaimardii 4
TYRANNIDAE Mionectes macconnelli 1 displaying bird observed closely, lacked wing bars and tertial edgings, oleagineus not observed along the Rio Tapiche
TYRANNIDAE Corythopis torquata 2 2
TYRANNIDAE Myiornis ecaudatus 3
TYRANNIDAE Lophotriccus vitiosus 5 2
TYRANNIDAE Hemitriccus iohannis 1
TYRANNIDAE Todirostrum calopterum 1 clearly observed in shrubs beside a cocha
TYRANNIDAE Todirostrum maculatum 1 1
TYRANNIDAE Tolmomyias assimilis 6 2
TYRANNIDAE Tolmomyias flaviventris 3
TYRANNIDAE Tolmomyias poliocephalus 7 5
TYRANNIDAE Tolmomyias taylori 4 4 heard several times, identified by the hoarse quality of all notes
TYRANNIDAE Platyrinchus coronatus 2 1
TYRANNIDAE Terenotriccus erythrurus 5 2
TYRANNIDAE Contopus cooperi 1 one bird seen clearly, olive vest with white stripe down the middle
TYRANNIDAE Ochthoeca littoralis 9
TYRANNIDAE Fluvicola leucocephala 2
TYRANNIDAE Attila cinnamomeus 5 3
TYRANNIDAE Attila citriniventris 5 4
TYRANNIDAE Attila spadiceus 3 2
TYRANNIDAE Sirystes sibilator 2
TYRANNIDAE Myiarchus tuberculifer 2 1
TYRANNIDAE Philohydor lictor 19
TYRANNIDAE Pitangus sulphuratus 23 3
TYRANNIDAE Megarynchus pitangua 12 2
TYRANNIDAE Myiozetetes granadensis 3
TYRANNIDAE Myiozetetes luteiventris 1
TYRANNIDAE Myiozetetes similis 15 3
TYRANNIDAE Legatus leucophaius 13 4
TYRANNIDAE Tyrannus melancholicus 18
TYRANNIDAE Tyrannus savana 9
TYRANNIDAE Tyrannus tyrannus 4
TYRANNIDAE Pachyramphus castaneus 2 2
TYRANNIDAE Pachyramphus minor 1
TYRANNIDAE Tityra cayana 8
TYRANNIDAE Tityra inquisitor 2
TYRANNIDAE Tityra semifasciata 6
HIRUNDINIDAE Tachycineta albiventer 25
HIRUNDINIDAE Progne elegans 1
HIRUNDINIDAE Progne tapera 2
HIRUNDINIDAE Atticora fasciata 20
HIRUNDINIDAE Stelgidopteryx ruficollis 21
HIRUNDINIDAE Riparia riparia 1
TROGLODYTIDAE Donacobius atricapillus 7
TROGLODYTIDAE Campylorhynchus turdinus 15 1
TROGLODYTIDAE Thryothorus coraya 2 2 songs heard and individuals observed of both species -- further study needed!
TROGLODYTIDAE Thryothorus genibarbis 3
TROGLODYTIDAE Thryothorus leucotis 33 11
TROGLODYTIDAE Microcerculus marginatus 5 1
TURDINAE Turdus albicollis 9 4
TURDINAE Turdus hauxwelli 1 1
TURDINAE Turdus ignobilis 1 1
POLIOPTILINAE Ramphocaenus melanurus 2 2
POLIOPTILINAE Polioptila plumbea 1
EMBERIZINAE Ammodramus aurifrons 3
EMBERIZINAE Sporophila castaneiventris 3
EMBERIZINAE Sporophila luctuosa 1 flock of 5 clearly observed
EMBERIZINAE Sporophila nigricollis 1 male seen clearly in tall grass near a village
EMBERIZINAE Oryzoborus angolensis 1
EMBERIZINAE Paroaria gularis 14
CARDINALINAE Pitylus grossus 1
CARDINALINAE Saltator coerulescens 4 1
THRAUPINAE Nemosia pileata 1
THRAUPINAE Eucometis penicillata 1
THRAUPINAE Tachyphonus luctuosus 1
THRAUPINAE Tachyphonus rufiventer 2
THRAUPINAE Tachyphonus surinamus 1
THRAUPINAE Habia rubica 1
THRAUPINAE Piranga olivacea 3 twice in female or basic plumage, once or twice males in nearly full alternate plumage
THRAUPINAE Ramphocelus carbo 9 1
THRAUPINAE Ramphocelus nigrogularis 8
THRAUPINAE Thraupis episcopus 9 1
THRAUPINAE Thraupis palmarum 1
THRAUPINAE Euphonia chlorotica 1
THRAUPINAE Euphonia rufiventris 2
THRAUPINAE Euphonia xanthogaster 1
THRAUPINAE Tangara chilensis 9
THRAUPINAE Tangara gyrola 1
THRAUPINAE Tangara schrankii 5 1
THRAUPINAE Dacnis flaviventer 6
THRAUPINAE Chlorophanes spiza 1
PARULINAE Conirostrum bicolor 1
ICTERIDAE Icterus chrysocephalus 1 one bird seen well had yellow nape but black crown
ICTERIDAE Icterus icterus 3
ICTERIDAE Psarocolius angustifrons 16 3
ICTERIDAE Psarocolius decumanus 10 1
ICTERIDAE Psarocolius latirostris 1 1
ICTERIDAE Cacicus cela 28 8
ICTERIDAE Agelaius icterocephalus 4
ICTERIDAE Lampropsar tanagrinus 38 5
ICTERIDAE Molothrus bonariensis 5
ICTERIDAE Scaphidura oryzivora 4
VIREONIDAE Cyclarhis gujanensis 8 3 scattered birds sang in riverside crowns
VIREONIDAE Hylophilus hypoxanthus 1
VIREONIDAE Hylophilus ochraceiceps 1
CORVIDAE Cyanocorax violaceus 9 4