Download Full Tour Report 1202kb - Birdquest

Black-and-chestnut Eagle Spizaetus isidori: Our first at Acjanacu gave us a rather nice fly-by during
our picnic lunch. Lower down in the San Pedro valley we saw a second bird from the bus
on more than one occasion.
FALCONIDAE
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans: We enjoyed excellent views of a bird perched at the
edge of Romero’s cocha and later we saw a second at Blanquillo
Lined Forest-Falcon Micrastur gilvicollis: A calling bird was as difficult as ever. We all saw it pass in
lightning flight but only Richard managed to see it on its perch.
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus: A recent invader following deforestation around Puerto
Maldonado of which we saw several in the pastures.
Black Caracara Daptrius ater: Over 20 seen mostly during our river and oxbow lake excursions
including adults (reddish facial skin) and juveniles (yellow facial skin) of this carrioneating
bird. The genus is derived from Greek and means ‘to devour’.
Red-throated Caracara Ibycter americanus: We had quite good views in the scope at Amazonía
Lodge of these incredibly noisy birds. Sadly this species has undergone a massive decline
in most of Middle America, but fortunately it seems to have decreased relatively little
across its vast Amazonían range.
Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus: A total of 12 were seen in the Cusco highlands.
American Kestrel Falco sparverius: Most birds were seen at Huacarpay Lake and over the inter-
Andean valleys, but a few birds were also seen along the coast.
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis: At least 5 seen and in flight during our Manu and Madre de Dios River
boat journeys.
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis: Two were seen quite well in flight just after our picnic lunch at
Huacarpay Lake and Richard had two more the following day in the highlands. One was
also observed in the Cusco highlands during the extension.
ARAMIDAE
Limpkin Aramus guarauna: Three birds were seen from the cocha edges around Romero Lodge and
later at Cocha Blanco we had good views of 5 birds.
PSOPHIIDAE
Pale-winged Trumpeter Psophia leucoptera: At Pantiacolla Lodge we had a rather large family group
of nearly 10 birds out on the path one evening. Later Gwen and Gil had a lovely close
encounter with birds feeding under the big strangler fig at Manu Wildlife Centre. This
species is found south of the Amazon River, and west of the Madeira River (a major
dispersal barrier, the Madre de Dios River is one of its tributaries). Genetic data indicate
the Gruidae (cranes) to be the sister family to the trumpeters.
RALLIDAE
Grey-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea: We all saw this species at Amazonía Lodge and later at
Cocha Blanco we had amazing views from the catamaran.
Uniform Crake Amaurolimnas concolor (H): This species was fairly quiet during our visit and was
only heard briefly in the evenings.
Rufous-sided Crake Laterallus melanophaius: At Cocha Camungo we had a most cooperative bird
come up onto a visible perch above the grass and sing.
Grey-breasted Crake Laterallus exilis: Several of us managed quite good views at Cocha Camungo
just before we saw the previous species. A second bird was seen the next day at Cocha
Blanco but it was difficult.
Blackish Rail Pardirallus nigricans: We had great luck in seeing a duetting pair of this species at a
marsh along the lower Manu road. Superb!
Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus: This highland rail is always quite easy to see which we
found to be the case at Huacarpay Lake.
14 Birdquest: The Manu 20011