INTRODUCTION

The R’o Tapiche flows northward to enter the R’o Ucayali near the town of Requena. It thus lies east of the Ucaylai and south of the Amazon. Our survey focused on the middle reaches of the river, from the Rio Blanco southward beyond the town of San Pedro (north of Santa Elena), and nearby oxbow lakes, including Lago Grande near the town of Iberia.

Most of our time was spent in flooded forest and restingas (former channel levees slightly higher in elevation) but some terra firme forest was also surveyed along the black-water creek Yanayacu near San Pedro.

The areas east of the river included very large morichales, swamps dominated by Mauritia palms. These areas supported large populations of parrots and macaws. Signs of tapirs indicated a sparse population centered on the morichales.

Despite small-scale lumbering and scattered chacras near the river, large tracts of forest remained intact. However, those species most vulnerable to hunting (large cracids, spider and wooly monkeys) were nearly absent.

The middle Tapiche supports a high diversity of primates, including the red uakari. This area includes contact zones between species/subspecies of Saimiri and Saguinus. All medium and large primates are affected by hunting. Many congregate along rivers during the high-water season to feed on fruiting trees and thus become vulnerable to hunting.

CONSERVATION SUMMARY

The Rio Tapiche is an exceptional natural environment with high diversity of habitats, birds, and animals. To maintain or restore healthy populations of vulnerable primates and birds, hunting must be eliminated or carefully regulated.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This survey was supported by ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research), International Expeditions, Roberto Rotondo and Jungle Xports, and the Department of Loreto, Peru. Participants volunteered their time. Suzi Leonard accompanied the survey and provided much essential information about the area.

BIRDS OF THE RIO TAPICHE -- FEBRUARY-MARCH 1997

The following list includes 299 species of 56 families seen or heard during our survey (plus 11 additional species seen only along the Rio Amazonas -- marked (A) in the list).

Nomenclature follows Stotz et al. (1996). Many species were tape-recorded. Some species were new to us, so there may be some misidentifications. Check the [Notes] on some problematic species (marked with asterisks).

Please send suggestions, corrections, or comments to Haven Wiley.

Tinamous Tinamidae
Great Tinamou Tinamus major
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui
Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus (common)

Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Darters Anhingidae
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

Herons Ardeidae
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Capped Heron Nycticorax pileatus
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius (once, lower Tapiche)
Cattle Egret Ardeola ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striatus (common)
Great Egret Egretta alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
White-necked Heron Ardea cocoi

Ibises Threskiornithidae
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Screamers Anhimidae
Horned Screamer Anhima cornuta

Ducks and geese Anatidae
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

American vultures Cathartidae
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
(lower Tapiche)
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus (common)
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus (near towns)

Hawks and eagles Accipitridae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus (large lakes and rivers)
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayenensis
Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Slender-billed Kite Rostrhamus hamatus (building nests)
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea (common)
Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens
Tiny Hawk Accipiter superciliosus
White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis
Slate-colored Hawk Leucopternis schistacea
Great Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga
* Solitary Eagle Harpyhaliaetus solitarius [Notes]
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis (common)
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris (common)
Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus (nest near San Pedro)

Falcons Falconidae
Black Caracara Daptrius ater
Red-throated Caracara Daptrius americanus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima (common)
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus
Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis
(A) Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis

Chachalacas, guans, curassows Cracidae
Variable Chachalaca Ortalis motmot
Spix's Guan Penelope jacquacu (once, upper Yanayacu)

Quail Phasianidae
Starred Wood-Quail Odontophorus stellatus

Tumpeters Psophiidae
Pale-winged Trumpeter Psophia leucoptera (once)

Rails Rallidae
Blackish Rail Ortygonax nigricans (large marshes)
Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica (once)

Finfoots Heliornithidae
Sungrebe Heliornis fulica (widespread)

Sunbittern Eurypygidae
Sunbittern Eurypyga helias

Jacanas Jacanidae
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana

Plovers Charadriidae
Pied Lapwing Vanellus cayanus

Sandpipers Scolopacidae
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia (more common on large rivers)

Gulls and terns Laridae
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex (lower Tapiche)
Yellow-billed Tern Sterna superciliaris (lower Tapiche)

Pigeons and doves Columbidae
Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis (common)
Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea (common)
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti (near towns)
Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa
Gray-fronted Dove Leptoptila rufaxilla (common)
Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana

Parrots Psittacidae
Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna (common)
Scarlet Macaw Ara macao
Blue-and-green Macaw Ara chloroptera (nest)
(A) Chestnut-fronted Macaw Ara severa
Red-bellied Macaw Ara manilata (common)
White-eyed Parakeet Aratinga leucophthalmus
Dusky-headed Parakeet Aratinga weddellii
(A) Painted Parakeet Pyrrhura picta
Maroon-tailed Parakeet Pyrrhura melanura
Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus crassirostris
Dusky-billed Parrotlet Forpus sclateri
Canary-winged Parakeet Brotogeris versicolurus
Cobalt-winged Parakeet Brotogeris cyanoptera
Tui Parakeet Brotogeris sanctihomae (common)
Scarlet-shouldered/Sapphire-rumped Parrotlet Touit huetii/purpurata
Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephala
Orange-cheeked Parrot Pionopsitta barrabandi
Short-tailed Parrot Graydidascalus brachyurus
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
(A) Festive Parrot Amazona festiva
Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona ochrocephala
Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica (common)
Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa

Cuckoos Cuculidae
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Black-bellied Cuckoo Piaya melanogaster
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta
Greater Ani Crotophaga major (common)
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani

Hoatzin Opisthocomidae
Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin

Owls Strigidae
Tropical Screech-Owl Otus choliba
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl Otus watsonii
Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata
Least Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium minutissimum
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
(common)
Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata

Potoos Nyctibiidae
Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis
Common Potoo Nyctibeus griseus

Nightjars Caprimulgidae
Short-tailed (Semicollared) Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis (common)
Blackish Nightjar Caprimulgus nigrescens
Ladder-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis climacocerca

Swifts Apodidae
Chapman's Swift Chaetura chapmani
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica (flock, once)
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Reinardia squamata (common)

Hummingbirds Trochilidae
Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus
* Dusky-throated Hermit Phaethornis squalidus (not previously reported from Peru) [Notes]
Little Hermit Phaethornis longuemareus
Gray-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis

Trogons Trogonidae
Pavonine Quetzal Pharomachrus pavoninus
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus
White-tailed Trogon Trogon viridis

Kingfishers Alcedinidae
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata (common)
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona (common)
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher Chloroceryle inda
Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea

Motmots Momotidae
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota

Jacamars Galbulidae
White-eared (Chestnut) Jacamar Galbalcyrhynchus
leucotis (fledglings)
Brown Jacamar Brachygalba lugubris
Bluish-fronted Jacamar Galbula cyanescens
Great Jacamar Jacamerops aurea

Puffbirds Bucconidae
White-necked Puffbird Nocolaptestharchus macrorhynchus
Chestnut-capped Puffbird Bucco macrodactylus
Rufous-capped (Gray-cheeked) Nunlet Nonnula ruficapilla
Black-fronted Nunbird Monasa nigrifrons (common)
White-fronted Nunbird Monasa morphoeus
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa (common)

Barbets Capitonidae
Scarlet-crowned Barbet Capito aurovirens
Lemon-throated Barbet Eubucco richardsoni

Toucans Ramphastidae
Chestnut-eared Aracari Pteroglossus castanotis (carrying food/breeding)
Lettered Aracari Pteroglossus incriptus (carrying food/breeding)
Golden-collared Toucanet Selenidura reinwardtii
Yellow-ridged Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus
White-throated (Cuvier's) Toucan Ramphastos tucanus (common)

Woodpeckers Picidae
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus
Red-stained Woodpecker Veniliornis affinis
Golden-green Woodpecker Piculus chrysochloros
Spot-breasted Woodpecker Colaptes punctigula
Chestnut Woodpecker Celeus elegans
Scale-breasted Woodpecker Celeus grammicus
Cream-colored Woodpecker Celeus flavus
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucus
Red-necked Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis

Woodcreepers Dendrocolaptidae
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa (with army ants)
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorhynchus spirurus
Long-billed Woodcreeper Nasica longirostris
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper Dendrexetastes rufigula
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes orenocensis (with army ants)
Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus (with army ants)
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus picus
Striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus obsoletus
Ocellated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus ocellatus
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus (common)
Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhynchus trochilirostris

Ovenbirds Furnariidae
Plain-crowned Spinetail Synallaxis gujanensis
Red-and-white Spinetail Certhiaxis mustelina
Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner Philydor erythrocercus
Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner Phylidor pyrrhodes
Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner Automolus infuscatus
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus

Antbirds Formicariidae
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus
Great Antshrike Taraba major
Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis
Black-capped Antshrike Thamnophilus schistaceus
Mouse-colored Antshrike Thamnophilus murinus
Spot-winged Antshrike Pygiptila stellaris
Saturnine/Dusky-thraoted Antshrike Thamnomanes saturninus/ardesiacus
Bluish-slate/Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes schistogynus/caesius
Streaked Antwren Myrmotherula surinamensis
Plain-throated Antwren Myrmotherula hauxwelli
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Gray Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii
Gray Antbird Cercomacra cinerascens
Blackish Antbird Cercomacra nigrescens
Black Antbird Cercomacra serva
White-browed Antbird Myrmoborus leucophrys
Black-faced Antbird Myrmoborus myotherinus
Black-tailed Antbird Myrmoborus melanurus
Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis cantator
Band-tailed/Black-chinned Antbird Hypocnemoides maculicauda/melanopogon
White-lined Antbird Percnostola lophotes
Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia
Plumbeous Antbird Myrmeciza hyperythra
White-shouldered Antbird Myrmeciza melanoceps
Black-throated Antbird Myrmeciza atrothorax
Dot-backed Antbird Hylophylax punctulata
Black-spotted Bare-eye Phlegopsis nigromaculata (with
army ants, nest with 2 eggs/nestlings)
Reddish-winged Bare-eye Phlegopsis erthyroptera
(distraction display indicated nesting)
Rufous-capped Antthrush Formicarius colma
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis

Tapaculos Rhinocryptidae
Rusty-belted Tapaculo Liosceles thoracicus

Tyrant flycatchers Tyrannidae
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Scrub Flycatcher Sublegatus obscurior
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimardii
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps
* MacConnell's Flycatcher Mionectes macconnelli [Notes]
Double-banded Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus vitiosus
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum maculatum
* Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum calopterum [Notes]
Brownish Flycatcher Cnipodectes subbrunneus
Yellow-margined Flycatcher Tolmomyias assimilis
Gray-crowned Flycatcher Tolmomyias poliocephalus
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher Tolmomyias flaviventris
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus
Drab Water-Tyrant Ochthoeca littoralis (common)
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant Fluvicola (Arundinicola) leucocephala
Cinnamon Attila Attila cinnamomeus
White-eyed (Dull-capped) Attila Attila bolivianus
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Grayish Mourner Rhytipterna simplex
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Lesser Kiskadee Pitangus lictor (common)
Great Kiskadee Pitangus suphuratus (common)
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarhynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis (common)
Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
Dusky-chested Flycatcher Myiozetetes luteiventris
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus (common)
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
Chestnut-crowned Becard Pachyramphus castaneus
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor

Manakins Pipridae
Varzea Schiffornis Schiffornis major
* Black Manakin Xenopipo atronitens [Notes]
Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin Tyranneutes stolzmanni

Cotingas Cotingidae
White-browed Purpletuft Iodopleura isabellae
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans
Purple-throated Cotinga Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema
Plum-throated Cotinga Cotinga maynana
Spangled Cotinga Cotinga cayana
Bare-necked Fruitcrow Gymnoderus foetidus
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata

Swallows Hirundinidae
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer (common)
Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera (lower Tapiche)
(A) Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Southern Martin Progne modesta (lower Tapiche)
White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata (common)
Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis (common)
(A) Bank Swallow Riparia riparia (common)
(A) Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (common)

Wrens Troglodytidae
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapillus
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus
Coraya Wren Thryothorus coraya
Buff-breasted Wren Thryothorus leucotis (common)
(A) House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Nightingale Wren Microcerculus marginatus

Thrushes Muscicapidae / Turdinae
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis (near towns)
Pale-vented (Hauxwell's) Thrush Turdus hauxwelli
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis

Gnatcatchers Muscicapidae / Polioptilinae
Long-billed Grantwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea

Finches Emberizidae / Emberizinae
Yellow-browed Sparrow Ammodramus aurifrons
Black-and-white Seedeater Sporophila luctuosa
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater Sporophila castaneiventris
Lesser Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis
Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis (common)

Cardinals Emberizidae / Cardinalinae
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus

Tanagers Emberizidae / Thraupinae
Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
Yellow-crested Tanager Tachyphonus rufiventer
Fulvous-creasted Tanager Tachypnonus surinamensis
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Masked Crimson Tanager Ramphocelus nigrogularis
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia chlorotica
Rufous-bellied Euphonia Euphonia rufiventris
Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis
Green-and-gold Tanager Tangara schrankii
(A) Masked Tanager Tangara nigrocincta
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Black-faced Dacnis Dacnis lineata
Yellow-bellied Dacnis Dacnis flaviventer
Tanager unidentified (small red and black tanager, probably male Scarlet Tanager already in alternate plumage)

Wood Warblers Emberizidae / Parulinae
Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum

Vireos Vireonidae
* Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis [Notes]
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

American blackbirds Icteridae
(A) Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis
* Moriche Oriole Icterus chrysocephalus [Notes]
Troupial Icterus icterus
Band-tailed Oropendola Psarocolius latirostris
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
(A) Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus
Yellow-hooded Blackbird Agelaius icterocephalus
Velvet-fronted Grackle Lampropsar tanagrinus
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Giant Cowbird Scaphidura oryzivora

Jays Corvidae
Violaceous Jay Cyanocorax violaceus

 
LITERATURE CITED

Hilty, S. L., and W. L. Brown.  1986.  A guide to the birds 
	of Colombia.  Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton.
Parker, T. A., III., S. A. Parker, and M. Plenge.  1982.  An 
	annotated checklist of Peruvian birds.  Buteo Books, 
	Vermillion, S. D.
Ridgely, R. S., and G. Tudor.  1989.  The birds of South 
	America.  Vol. I.  The oscine passerines.  Univ. Texas 
	Press, Austin.
Ridgely, R. S., and G. Tudor.  1994.  The birds of South 
	America.  Vol. II.  The suboscine passerines.  Univ. 
	Texas Press, Austin.
Stotz, D. F., J. W. Fitzpatrick, T. A. Parker III, and D. K. 
	Moskovits.  1996.  Neotropical birds:  ecology and 
	conservation.  Univ. Chicago Press, Chicago.

Notes on some problematic species