BIRDING

CONCEPCION - SATIPO HIGHWAY

Concepción - Satipo highway (3000 - 600 meters/4°C – 33°C), a spectacular lightly traveled road, through dramatically varying habitat, from tropical forest to high Andean puna is probably the best highway route for birdwatching in the region with 388 registered species.

Examples include: Golden-headed Quetzal, Amazonian Motmot, Amethyst-throated Sunangel.

ebird.org/hotspot/L2305198?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec
http://perubirds.org/rutas_Satipo_Road.shtml

PUYU SACHA CLOUD FOREST

Puyu Sacha Cloud Forest (1500-3300 meters/5°C – 28°C) is located well above Naranjal, San Ramón. In this magical 1,700 hectare forest are 231 registered bird species. In his book, Where to Watch Birds in Perú, Dr. Thomas Valqui, writes, “The trail takes you into forest with Bay Antpitta and Ochre-breasted Antpitta in the understory. The main trail is not long, but it is pleasantly level, making it a convenient trail to bird. Canopy birds are diverse, with Golden-headed Quetzal, Blue-banded Toucanet, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Flavescent Flycatcher and Rufous-crested Tanager, among others.”

Examples are the rare & endemic Creamy-bellied Antwren, Versicolored Barbet, Rufescent Screech-Owl.

APRODES (Asociación Peruano para la Promoción del Desarrollo Sostenible)
T +51 996.411.245

http://www.puyusacha.org/
http://perubirds.org/rutas_alto_pichita.shtml
ebird.org/hotspot/L2512750?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

PAMPA HERMOSA NATIONAL SANCTUARY

Pampa Hermosa National Sanctuary, near San Ramón, (2200 meters / 9°C – 21°C) conserves bio-diversity of distinct species of flora and fauna, which, in turn, makes it a sanctuary for over 200 species. After a one-hour drive from San Ramón (850 meters), the trail to the pampa at 2200 meters takes three hours. Don’t be in a hurry, because there is birding on the highway, as you go up  and on the pampa.

Examples: Andean Cock of the Rock, Lanceoleted Monklet, Montane Woodcreeper.

SERNANP San Ramón
T +51 968.218.438

azambrano@sernanp.gob.pe

PUI PUI NATIONAL FOREST 

Pui Pui National Forest, (2000-4000 meters / 0°C – 20°C) is set between San Ramón and Pichanaki and filled with mystery due to its limited access, wide bio-diversity and beautiful yet largely untouched scenery. For example, eBird shows only 68 species registered on one day. In fact, there may be at least five or six times as many species, but few reporters have penetrated Pui Pui. 

Examples: Andean Pigmy Owl, Mountain Caracara, Black-faced Tanager.

ebird.org/hotspot/L7364912?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

SERNANP San Ramón
T +51 968.218.438
azambrano@sernanp.gob.pe

FINCA ARMORIQUE

Fonoya Fundo Armorique, (750-1800 meters / 14°C – 32°C) a pleasing, traditional coffee finca near La Merced, offers natural landscape, 197 registered species and gracious hosts is also popular with bird photographers.

Examples: Cerulean-capped Manakin, White-eyed Parakeet and Red-headed Caracara.

Martín Gerbi, owner
T +51 948 854 405, Nancy Ale

nancyaleu@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/haciendaarmorique

Sector Quebrada del Carmen, Río Toro, La Merced
ebird.org/hotspot/L4802443?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

YANACHAGA CHEMILLÉN NATIONAL PARK

Yanachaga Chemillén National Park (2000 meters / 10°C – 21°C) near Oxapampa in the heart of the high mountainous rain forests, profoundly deep canyons and an incomparable bio-diversity of plants and animals. The park is a birding vacation in itself, given its estimated 545 birds species and four widely separated and environmentally different access points. Some experts claim that there may be more than 800 species in the park. 

SERNANP Oxapampa
063 462 544
pnyanachaga-chemillen@sernanp.gob.pe

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalpark_Yanachaga_Chemill%C3%A9n
http://www.teamnetwork.org/site/yanachaga-chimill%C3%A9n-national-park
http://www.jbmperu.org/

SAN ALBERTO ENTRANCE

San Alberto entrance (2400-2800 meters) is easily accessible and characterized by its cloud forest and 225 recorded species. Almost any vehicle with four wheels can take the birders to the acueducto. From there it is a one-hour hike to the official entrance.   

Examples are: Blue-banded Toucanet, Powerful Woodpecker, and Blue-crowned Motmot.

http://perubirds.org/rutas_huampal.shtml
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1486320?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

HUAMPAL ENTRANCE

Huampal entrance (1100-1500 meters) best known for the Huancabamba Canyon at times 800 meters deep and 4 meters wide, and its the 186 diverse species of birds that wake the visitors in the campground. Dr. Thomas Valqui in his book, Where to Watch Birds in Perú describes Huampal.

•   “Coming from Oxapampa(set the odometer to zero at the plaza) you will go through some degraded and unproductive habitat first, passing the last houses 42 km from Oxapampa.

•   Your first stop should be at the first park sign at km 44 just after passing a bridge. There is an elevated parking area by the sign and the beginning of a trail that goes up steeply. The habitat is not bad and birding should be good.

•   The next stretch of road goes through sections of relatively dense forest, where you should stop often to bird.

•   At km 60 there is the beginning of a signed trail called Sendero Interpretative Robin Foster, (1300 meters) which ends at the Huampal park guard house. If you have a driver, you can get off here and slowly bird down the path to the station 110 m lower where trail and road meet again. Non-stop you can work to the guard house in about 20 minutes. This is an old road so it is quite open and not very steep.

•   Mixed tanager flocks are common, and there are Cock-of-the-Rock leks in the area. There was a lek behind the latrines at the camping ground. The park guards have constructed a lookout point at the river, 50 m from their house. Guans, doves, parrots and other large frugivores are reported to visit a clay lick in the mornings.

Examples are: Umbrella Bird, Blue-headed Macaw, Azara’s Spinetail, Blue-throated Brilliant, Torrent Duck.

http://perubirds.org/rutas_huampal.shtml
ebird.org/hotspot/L2508444?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

PAUJIL ENTRANCE 

Paujil entrance (340-1000 meters) dug-out canoe transport, immense and largely unrecorded variety of birdlife, some only rarely seen. Dr. Thomas Valqui in his book Birdwatching in Perú says “ For the highest bird diversity the best option is probably the Paujil station, which is logistically complicated and takes several days.” 35 recorded species on eBird. Examples are: Harpy Eagle, White-plumed Antbird, Sunbittern.

SAN DAMIÁN

San Damián entrance ultimately leads to a lagoon surrounded by orchids, a low level scrub forest, and grasslands or wet highlands, all ideal habitat for birding.

RINCON CHACOS OR ANTENNA ROAD

Rincón Chacos or Antenna Road (2210 meters / 5°C – 20°C) a birding destination off the highway entrance to Oxapampa has difficult access and requires access by motor-cycle. Perseverance is rewarded with extraordinary bio-diversity, including 218 species of birds, particularly in the higher reaches. Dr. Thomas Valqui in his book, Where to Watch Birds in Perú states: “The road will go up the Quebrada Llamaquizú (a creek) through some degraded habitat and will reach humid forest after about 11 km from the turn-off. Set the odometer at zero at the bridge at Chacos on the highway. After 12.5 km you cross to the other side of the valley and will be in the middle of good upper montane forest. At 14.5 km you will come to a road junction after a sharp left turn into a valley. The road to the right can be birded al the way to the antenna in 2.3 km. The area around the junction at about 2400 meters elevation is particularly good. A form of Chestnut Antpitta, thought by some to be a new taxon, is quite vocal here, but hard to see. Rich mixed flocks contain all the usual flycatchers. Also here are birds like White-throated Screech-owl, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, and rarities like Orange-breasted Falcon. The trail that goes straight and is in much worse condition takes you down to slightly lower elevation habitats. To get to the Cloud-Forest Screech-Owl site, you have to go 2 km beyond the antenna road junction - about 120 meters lower than the junction. Other specialties that seem to be more common here than up at the junction are Olive Flycatcher, Red-ruffed Fruit-crow and Blue-banded Toucanet.”  

Examples are: Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Barred Parakeet, Red-stained Woodpecker.

http://perubirds.org/rutas_oxapampa_antenna_road.shtml
ebird.org/hotspot/L494728?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

ULCUMANO ECO-LODGE - CHONTABAMBA

Ulcumano Eco-lodge, Chontabamba (2200 meters / 5°C – 20°C), 25 minutes from Oxapampa, is a popular remote setting for eco-tourists, given its 232 recorded bird species, 138 hectares of forest in conservation, attractive, eco-friendly architecture and an experienced owner-guide. This lodge is a very good example of private-sector conservation. The bungalows are set within excellent birding habitat, and the owner-guide offers personal attention. The meals are excellent, and the dining room-kitchen is spacious, attractive and comfortable. The owner will guide you owling at night for the Cloud-forest Screech-Owl. On the path to your cabin in the evening you may come upon the Swallow-tailed Nightjar!  

Examples are: Bronzy Inca, Masked Trogon, Cloud-forest Screech-Owl, Bay Antpitta.

972 679 060
info@ulcumanoecolodge.com

http://www.ulcumanoecolodge.com/
http://perubirds.org/rutas_ulcumano_ecolodge.shtml
ebird.org/hotspot/L869514?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

VILLA RICA

Villa Rica (1500 meters), according to Dr. Thomas Volqui, author of Where to Watch Birds in Perú, lies at the heart of the Central Peru’s coffee-growing region, and the small community is largely surrounded by coffee plantations. There are patches of remnant forest left, and bird flocks will use the mature shade coffee plantations. Resident birds use the plantations as corridors between forest patches, and neotropical migrants use them heavily in migration. The “technified” coffee plantations, with a monolayer canopy of Inga trees, are surprisingly good for birding, as the flowers and fruit attract a variety of parrots, hummingbirds, flycatchers and tanagers, and the leaves support caterpillars that attract cuckoos, warblers and tanagers. Dr. Valqui also recommends trying to bird the path along Rio Entaz.

LAGUNA OCONAL - VILLA RICA

Laguna Oconal, (1500 meters / 10°C – 28°C) in Villa Rica, is the largest marsh in region with 164 hectares and 252 recorded species of year-round and migratory waterfowl. eBird ranks the lagoon as the number two site in the area for species of birds. Dr. Thomas Valqui states in his excellent book, Where to Watch Birds in Perú, “Scan any areas of open water, which can attract a variety of locally uncommon water birds. You should bird from the edge of the marsh, from the roads and along other small trails that go down to the marsh. During the morning look for Masked Duck, Black-faced Tanager, Blackish Rails, Cocoi Heron and Snail Kite. At dusk look for the Scissor-tailed Nightjar and Striped Owl.”

http://perubirds.org/rutas_Laguna_el_oconal_y_antenna_road.shtml
ebird.org/hotspot/L2264680?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

On the haciendas and coffee plantations in the central region of Perú, birds are abundant. Given coffee is shade-grown in mucho of the Villa Rica region, the pueblo and numerous coffee fincas offer convenient back-yard birding with 178 recorded species. Dr. Thomas Valqui stated in his book, Where to Watch Birds in Perú:: “Highly recommended sites are Canal de Piedras and Cerro Entaz. Canal de Piedras north-east of town may offer the most undisturbed forest in the area. Park your car after 7 km and walk up into the forest. The sites at Cerro Entaz offer some of the best coffee habitats. It is amazing how many typical forest species use these rustic coffee plantations, shaded by a variety of forest trees. Birders find Lanceolated Monklet and the endemic Creamy-bellied Antwren, as well as a good variety of tanagers, including the Green-throated Tanager, and flycatchers in the more rustic plantations. The trail that goes to the right after the old storage building at the old Hacienda El Carmen has produced Sooty-headed, Plumbeous-crowned and Red-billed Tyrannulets in one small patch of shade coffee. The little marsh at the old Hacienda has held Paint-billed Crake, and at dusk, a Band-bellied Owl. This large owl is surprisingly common in the coffee plantations. On the way to old Hacienda El Carmen, at km 11.3 from Villa Rica, you may see White bellied Pygmy-Tyrant and Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner. On the ridge above the coffee plantations, there is remnant forest that is well worth exploring. The Cerulean-capped Manakin is frequent here.”

EL CUMBRE

El Cumbre holds an interesting mix of birds by virtue of its higher elevation and connection to almost continuous montane forest stretching al the way up to the Cordillera Yanachaga, although this is increasingly fragmented. The pass is after 10.6 km but because of deforestation, the food forest starts at 11 km (also known as Km 52 after the marker post you might notice.) On your way there around La Limeña, look for Scissor-tailed Nightjar in open areas at dusk or night.

LOMA DEL DIABLO - VILLA RICA

Loma del Diablo, (1500 meters/ 10°C – 28°C) just outside Villa Rica, is surrounded by hardwood trees known as Diablo Fuerte, coffee plantations and an extraordinary variety of birds.  

Examples are: Creamy-bellied Antwren, Ocellated Piculet, Russet-backed Oropendola.

http://perubirds.org/rutas_loma_del_diablo.shtml

SHO’LLET MUNICIPAL FOREST

Sho’llet Municipal Forest (1700-2400 meters / 10°C – 24°C), a protected cloud forest on unimproved highway between Villa Rica and Oxapampa, is home to an extraordinary 263 recorded and endemic species. eBird ranks the forest as the number one site in the state of Pasco.  

Examples are: Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Blue-necked Tanager, Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Inca Flycatcher.

http://perubirds.org/rutas_bosque_de_shollet.shtml
ebird.org/region/PE-PAS/hotspots?yr=all&m=

The Hacienda Santa María (26 recorded species) and Hacienda Ecológico La Flórida (23 recorded species) in Tarma offer convenient birding in their gardens. Sitting in the orchards and gardens for a couple of hours before breakfast is time well spent.

The grounds offer species like the Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Orange-bellied Euphonia, and Scarlet-fronted parakeet. 

Información adicional

Birding Resources in Peru:

Peru Birds
Carlos Calle Quispe
Author, Photographer, Birding Guide

Lima, Vida Silvestre y Rutas Espectaculares

+51 995 090 370
+51 01 471 7539

pc_guia@yahoo.com
www.perubirds.org

Guia Calles / Navi Systems / La Casa del GPS / Fundo Alto Nieva

https://www.facebook.com/guiacalles.srl
https://www.facebook.com/FundoAltoNieva
Teodoro Cardenas 540, Of 302
Santa Beatriz, Lima

Alejandro Tello
Guide, Author, Photographer

Lima, Vida Silvestre y Rutas Espectaculares
Aves de Lima

+51 996 656 589

ateguevara@gmail.com

Ves Aves Lima - Facebook

Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI) 

Fernando Angulo Pratolongo
Guide, research scientist

Chiclayo, Perú

+51 979 771 575

chamaepetes@gmail.com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27600575@N03/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fernando_Angulo3
https://ebird.org/profile/MTUyODg5

info@corbidi.org
www.CORBIDI.org

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

www.ebird.org


Ulcumano Lodge

Eduardo De la Cadena
guía eco-turístico

+51 972 679 060

Chontabamba, Pasco

info@ulcumanolodge.com
http://www.ulcumanoecolodge.com/
www.facebook.com/UlcumanoLodge

Languages: English, Spanish

Hotel Los Quetzales

Jorge Tiravanti
+51 965 411 132