Birding Northern Peru (EA108)

Full-day birding at Quebrada Frejolillo Reserve in search of the endemic White-winged Guan, along with Tumbes Sparrow, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Gray-and-gold Warbler, Sooty-capped Flycatcher, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, White-winged and White-headed Brush-finches, Elegant Crescent-chest, Peruvian Screech Owl, Red-masked Parakeet, Golden-olive and Guayaquil Woodpeckers, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Ecuadorian Piculet, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, and more. Overnight in Olmos. (B, L or Box L, D)

Drive approximately 7 hours to Huembo Lodge with birding stops along the route. Possible sightings include Piura Chat-tyrant, Black-cowled Saltator, Andean Tinamou, Three-banded Warbler, Bay-crowned Brush-finch, Chapman's Antshrike, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Yellow-bellied and Black-and-white Seedeaters, plus occasional Fasciated Tiger-heron and Torrent Duck along the Utcubamba River. Overnight at Huembo Lodge. (B, L or Box L, D)

Early morning visit to the lek of the Marvelous Spatuletail, where males perform spectacular courtship displays. Hummingbird feeders around the lodge may attract Little Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, Mountain Velvetbreast, and others.

Later, explore nearby San Lorenzo cloud forest trails with chances for Torrent Duck, Speckled Hummingbird, Golden-headed Quetzal, Versicolored Barbet, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, White-tailed and White-banded Tyrannulets, Inca Flycatcher, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, White-capped Tanager, White-collared Jay, Andean Solitaire, Silver-backed and Green-throated Tanagers, and many more. Overnight at Huembo Lodge. (B, L or Box L, D)

Drive about 2 hours from Huembo to Owlet Lodge. The lodge provides access to an extensive trail system and productive hummingbird feeders, including Sword-billed Hummingbird and many tanagers.

We will search for owls such as White-throated Screech-Owl and Rufous-banded Owl, and explore trails within the territory of the elusive Long-whiskered Owlet. Mixed flocks may include Blue-browed, Metallic-green, and other tanagers. Side trails offer chances for species such as Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Spotted and Rusty-winged Barbtails, Ash-throated Antwren, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Royal Sunangel, Ecuadorian Graytail, White-capped and Scaly-naped Parrots, White-capped Tanager, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Montane Woodcreeper, and more.

With luck, we may also find Ochre-fronted and Rusty-tinged Antpittas, Long-tailed Antbird, Large-footed Tapaculo, Golden-faced and Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulets, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Fiery-throated and Scaled Fruiteaters, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Lanceolated Monklet, Fine-barred Piculet, Barred Becard, Sharpe’s Wren, Black-crowned Warbler, Bicolored Antvireo, and others.

Night birding may produce Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, and Cinnamon Screech-Owl. (B, L or Box L, D)

A 3-hour drive takes us from Owlet Lodge to Waqanki Lodge. This site is excellent for hummingbird photography, including Rufous-crested Coquette, White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Long-billed Starthroat, Blue-tailed Emerald, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Golden-tailed Sapphire, White-bellied Woodstar, and more.

The following morning focuses on feeder photography and nearby birding, with species such as Cinereous Tinamou, Little Tinamou, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Orange-billed Sparrow, and additional hummingbirds visiting the feeders. Two nights at Waqanki Lodge. (B, L or Box L, D)

After a final morning of birding, drive about 2 hours to Tarapoto, traveling through scenic upper to lower tropical mountain forest with birding stops along the way when possible. One stop includes searching for the Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) beneath a bridge. In the late afternoon, fly from Tarapoto to Lima. (B)