Birds of Samaipata

COMMON POTOO - GUAJOJÓ

Photo taken on "La Víspera" ground

BIRDS OF SAMAIPATA - WITH REFERENCE TO FINCA LA VISPERA GROUNDS

Joe Tobias

131 Catharine Street, Cambridge, England, CB1 3AP.

I stayed in Samaipata for several weeks in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, mostly for work reasons. Finca La Vispera is a peaceful place to stay for anyone passing through Samaipata: it encompasses 6 ha of land 1 km from the town centre, and is ideally situated for anyone wanting to explore the area. Trips can be made independently one hour downhill to Los Volcanes (where you can find Bolivian Recurvebill with a bit of luck), and 1–2 hours uphill to Amboro National Park (try the cloud forest at La Yunga, or the property of Don Gilberto–one of Samaipata’s guides–who can probably show you Southern Horned Curassow if you have a couple of days to spare).

To contact Marga and Pieter for reservations at La Vispera:

Tel./Fax. 591-3-944-6082

Email: info@lavispera.org

Or visit: www.lavispera.org

Species list :

The following list is not comprehensive. It was compiled after various walks in the countryside around Samaipata, and from information posted in several reports by other observers, including Mark van Beirs, Brian Gee, Jon Hornbuckle, Sjoerd Mayer, Francisco Sagot, Jan Vermeulen and John van der Woude, It includes all habitat within or immediately adjacent to Samaipata, ie within c.500 m of habitation, and also the road to El Fuerte, the waterfall below El Fuerte (=Puente El Fuerte) and the first couple of kilometres along the pipeline track.

The sequence follows the Lista Anotada de las Aves de Bolivia (Hennessey et al. 2003); where taxonomy varies from this source, species are marked with an asterisk (*). “Boreal migrant” indicates that the species breeds in North America and is usually found at Samaipata between October and April. “Austral migrant” indicates that the species breeds in Argentina and/or Chile, usually appearing around Samaipata between April and September.

Key:

[…] = provisional record

TATAUPA TINAMOU Crypturellus tataupa

Commonly heard in scrubby areas around town.

HUAYCO TINAMOU Rhynchotus maculicollis

Small numbers call from bushy or grassy hillsides above the town (regularly heard in scrub near the Eucalypts behind La Vispera).

DARWIN’S NOTHURA Nothura darwinii

Occasionally heard or seen in shrubby areas on hillsides near town (eg near El Fuerte).

STRIATED HERON Butorides striatus

Occasionally recorded at the small wooded ponds near the beginning of the pipeline track

COCOI HERON Ardea cocoi

Singles rarely seen flying over town.

BUFF-NECKED IBIS Theristicus caudatus

Occasional records in fields near Samaipata

TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura

Commonly seen circling over town and the surrounding hillsides.

BLACK VULTURE Coragyps atratus

Common throughout the area.

KING VULTURE Sarcorhamphus papa

Singles occasionally seen flying near town, especially over deciduous forests.

ANDEAN CONDOR Vultur gryphus

Regular at cliff sites near Samaipata and 1–5 often seen flying high over the town itself.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE Elanoides forficatus

Small numbers occasionally seen flying over.

WHITE-TAILED KITE Elanus leucurus

One or two pairs nest close to town and individuals are occasionally seen hunting over grassy areas, such as below La Vispera.

PLUMBEOUS KITE Ictinia plumbea

Small numbers occasionally seen flying close to town.

PLAIN-BREASTED HAWK Accipiter ventralis*

Occasionally seen circling near town (this form sometimes treated as Sharp-shinned Hawk A. striatus).

BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Occasionally seen soaring near town, breeding near El Fuerte.

ROADSIDE HAWK Buteo magnirostris

Seen regularly at the edge of town, including around La Vispera.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK Buteo platypterus

Boreal migrant. Ones or twos occasionally seen circling near town between November and March.

SHORT-TAILED HAWK Buteo brachyurus

Occasionally seen circling or hunting over hillsides around town, including behind La Vispera and at Puente El Fuerte.

VARIABLE HAWK Buteo polyosoma*

Rarely seen circling near town, including behind La Vispera (if split, the form here would be the Red-backed Hawk).

ZONE-TAILED HAWK Buteo albonotatus

Once seen flying over hillsides behind La Vispera.

MOUNTAIN CARACARA Phalcobaenus megalopterus

Occasionally seen flying over hillsides at the edge of town, including behind La Vispera.

SOUTHERN CRESTED-CARACARA Caracara plancus*

Occasionally seen drifting past town (sometimes known as Southern Caracara).

YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA Milvago chimachima

Sightings of this species were reported near Samaipata by Sjoerd Mayer (beware of juvenile Mountain Caracaras).

AMERICAN KESTREL Falco sparverius

Frequently seen around town, including in the grounds of La Vispera.

BAT FALCON Falco rufigularis

Occasionally seen at the edge of town, occasionally flying over La Vispera.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus

Singles occasionally seen soaring over town, including at La Vispera.

GREY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL Aramides cajanea

Occasionally seen in marshy gullies or wooded areas at the edge of town.

SUNBITTERN Europyga helias

Occasionally seen along rivers near town.

BAND-TAILED PIGEON Columba fasciata

Small groups regularly seen in wooded areas near town.

PALE-VENTED PIGEON Columba cayennensis

A few resident in areas with trees near town.

PLUMBEOUS PIGEON Columba plumbea

Occasionally seen/heard in wooded areas, eg behind El Fuerte.

EARED DOVE Zenaida auriculata

Fairly common breeding bird in gardens around town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

RUDDY GROUND-DOVE Columbina talpacoti

An iirregular visitor, sometimes common, sometimes absent.

PICUI GROUND-DOVE Columbina picui

Occasional sightings but irregular.

WHITE-TIPPED DOVE Leptotila verreauxi

Common. Often seen and heard in shrubland and gardens as well as woods, including around La Vispera.

LARGE-TAILED DOVE Leptotila megalura

Small numbers regularly seen or heard in wooded gullies or hillsides near town, eg along pipeline track, at Puente El Fuerte and behind El Fuerte itself.

BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET Aratinga acuticaudata

Common: regularly seen around the edge of town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

MITRED PARAKEET Aratinga mitrata

Fairly common near town, especially in areas close to cliffs. Sometimes seen at La Vispera.

GREEN-CHEEKED PARAKEET Pyrrhura molinae

Small flocks regularly seen in woodlands near town (eg pipeline trail and Puente El Furte); not usually seen actually flying over town.

RED-BILLED PARROT Pionus sordidus

Reported around Samaipata, although usually a bird of the cloud forests in PN Amboró.

SCALY-HEADED PARROT Pionus maximiliani

Small groups occasionally seen in wooded areas (eg around Puente El Fuerte).

TURQUOISE-FRONTED AMAZON Amazona aestiva*

Small numbers seen or heard regularly in flight near the town; their appearance may be seasonal (also known as Blue-fronted Parrot).

SQUIRREL CUCKOO Piaya cayana

Regular wherever there are a few taller trees (not pines or Eucalyptus) near town.

SMOOTH-BILLED ANI Crotophaga ani

Regularly seen or heard in small numbers around town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

GUIRA CUCKOO Guira guira

Common around town, including La Vispera, and even visiting the central square.

STRIPED CUCKOO Tapera naevia

Regularly heard (but more difficult to see) in shrubby areas at the edge of town, including La Vispera.

TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL Otus choliba

Regularly heard calling at night in gardens around the edge of town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL Glaucidium brasilianum

Occasionally seen in wooded areas near town, such as Puente El Fuerte.

BAND-TAILED NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus longirostris

Occasionally seen sitting on roads after dark (eg en route to El Fuerte).

SCISSOR-TAILED NIGHTJAR Hydropsalis torquata

A few seen in scrubby areas at the edge of town.

COMMON POTOO Nictibius Griseus

Occasionally heard and seen on La Víspera grounds (see photo)

ROTHSCHILD’S SWIFT Cypseloides rothschildi

Occasional groups (sometimes containing scores of individuals) of plain mid-brown swifts over half the size of Streptoprocne zonaris must be this species. They are larger, paler and more uniform than Streptoproce rutila, and lack the chestnut collar.

CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT Streptoprocne rutila

Small groups of this species are regularly seen high over town.

WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT Streptoprocne zonaris

Fairly common but irregular. Occasionally large flocks pass over.

WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT Aeronautes montivagus

This species breeds on cliffs nearby; individuals or small groups occasionally pass over Samaipata, including La Vispera.

ANDEAN SWIFT Aeronautos andicola

Reported over town but much less common than previous species.

BUFF-BELLIED HERMIT Phaethornis subochraceus

Occasionally seen in denser patches of remnant woodland, such as behind El Fuerte and above Puente El Fuerte. Usually a lowland species.

PLANALTO HERMIT Phaethornis pretrei

Fairly common around town, usually in more open areas, including grounds of La Vispera.

GREEN VIOLETEAR Colibri thalassinus

Occasional in gardens and the edge of wooded areas (possibly seasonal).

SPARKLING VIOLETEAR Colibri coruscans

Reported from near town (scarce or seasonal)

BLACK-THROATED MANGO Anthracothorax nigricollis

Small numbers reported from Puente El Fuerte.

GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD Chlorostillbon aureoventris

Common in gardens and around town; several individuals constantly in the grounds of La Vispera.

BLUE-TAILED EMERALD Chlorostillbon mellisugus

Regular near town in more wooded areas.

FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH Thalurania furcata

Scarce in lower areas of woodland eg downhill along pipeline track and at Puente El Fuerte

WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia chionogaster

Not as common as Chlorostillbon aureoventris, but nevertheless often seen in shrubby areas at the edge of town, reularly visiting flowers at La Vispera and in the town square.

RED-TAILED COMET Sappho sparganura

Scarce; occasionally seen near La Vispera.

SLENDER-TAILED WOODSTAR Microstilbon burmeisteri

Occasionally reported at the edge of woodlands near town; scarce and perhaps seasonal.

BLUE-CROWNED TROGON Trogon curucui

Scarce in remnant woodlands near town.

AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER Chloroceryle aenea

A few records from streams and ponds near town (eg near pipeline trail).

WHITE-EARED PUFFBIRD Nystalus chacuru

Sometimes encountered near town; more often heard than seen.

SPOT-BACKED PUFFBIRD Nystalus maculatus

Regularly heard near town, but inconspicuous; often in the grounds of La Vispera.

OCELLATED PICULET Picumnus dorbygnianus

Fairly common (but much more often heard than seen) in scrubby or wooded areas round town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

WHITE-WEDGED PICULET Picumnus albosquamatus

Vocalisations of this bird sound exceedingly similar to those of the previous species (with which it might hybridize). Likewise it is occasionally observed in wooded areas near town (eg Pipeline track and behind El Fuerte).

DOT-FRONTED WOODPECKER Veniliornis frontalis

Scarce in wooded areas near town, eg along pipeline track.

LINEATED WOODPECKER Dryocopus lineatus

A few pairs remain in wooded areas near town.

NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER Lepidocolaptes angustirostris

Occurs in any area with taller trees, including the grounds of La Vispera.

RUFOUS HORNERO Furnarius rufus

Often seen and heard around town. Two or more pairs nesting in the grounds of La Vispera.

SOOTY-FRONTED SPINETAIL Synallaxis frontalis

Common near town in hedgerows and scrub, including in the grounds of La Vispera.

AZARA’S SPINETAIL Synallaxis azarae samaipatae

Fairly common in taller scrub and woodlands around town (eg pipeline track and woodlands behind El Fuerte). If samaipatae is treated as a race of A. superciliosa, it is known as Buff-browed Spinetail.

OCHRE-CHEEKED SPINETAIL Synnalaxis scutata

Occasionally seen or heard in scrubby woodland near town, but more common downhill towards Las Cuevas. Sometimes included in a separate genus, Peocilurus.

STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL Cranioleuca pyrrhophia

Occasionally seen or heard in trees around town (where it creeps around in the canopy), including near La Vispera.

THORNBIRD sp. Phacellodomus (presumably rufifrons or striaticeps)

Reported in tall scrub near town.

BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Syndactyla rufosuperciliata

Occasional in wooded areas near town, eg pipeline track.

SHARP-TAILED STREAMCREEPER Lochmias nematura

Regularly seen above Puente El Fuerte (by the main road below the town).

GIANT ANTSHRIKE Batara cinerea

Scarce in thick tall scrub or woodland near town, ie pipeline road area and near El Fuerte.

GREAT ANTSHRIKE Taraba major

Occassionally encountered in extensively scrubby areas near town.

CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus palliatus

Occasionally seen (or more often heard) in scrubby or wooded areas near town.

VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus caerulescens

Fairly common in thicker scrub and woodland near the edge of town.

RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus torquatus

Regularly heard in gardens, gullies and dense shrubbery at the edge of town (including grounds of La Vispera).

BLACK-CAPPED ANTWREN Herpsilochmus atricapillus

Found in small numbers in woodland near town (eg pipeline track and behind El Fuerte).

WHITE‑BACKED FIRE‑EYE Pyriglena leuconota

Found in scraps of forest near town (eg along the pipeline track), but declining as habitat is destroyed.

SHORT-TAILED ANTTHRUSH Chamaeza campanisoma

Small numbers still present (but difficult to see) in woodland along the pipeline track.

SLATY GNATEATER Conopophaga ardesiaca

Occasionally recorded, at least until recently, in wooded areas near town (eg pipeline track) but much harder to find now that much habitat has been destroyed.

OLIVE-CROWNED CRESCENTCHEST Melanopareia maximiliani

Recorded along the pipeline track in newly cleared areas, and found breeding in shrubs alongside the rock at El Fuerte.

SCLATER’S TYRANNULET Phyllomyias sclateri

Probably resident in forested areas such as the woods behind El Fuerte.

WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA Elaenia albiceps

Often reported from the area, and doubtless occurs at least as a migrant, but difficult to separate from the E. pallatangae.

SMALL-BILLED ELAENIA Elaenia parvirostris

Small numbers breed in areas with scattered trees, including near the garden of La Vispera.

LESSER ELAENIA Elaenia chiriquensis

A few seen or heard in scrubby habitat on hillsides around town, where this species seems to breed.

HIGHLAND ELAENIA Elaenia obscura

Small numbers breed in thicker vegetation and shrubby gullies on hillsides near the edge of town.

SIERRAN ELAENIA Elaenia pallatangae

A few seen or heard on higher bushy hillsides, including in shrubbery around El Fuerte.

SOUTHERN BEARDLESS TYRANNULET Camptostoma obsoletum

Fairly common around town. Seen or heard in small numbers in scrubby growth or scattered trees, including at La Vispera.

SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER Suiriri suiriri

Scarce and irregular in scrubby areas near town.

WHITE-BELLIED TYRANNULET Serpophaga munda

Small numbers breeding in shrubby areas near town, regularly visiting the grounds of La Vispera.

MOUSE-COLOURED TYRANNULET Phaeomyias murina

Fairly common in scrubby patches around town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Leptopogon superciliaris

Fairly common in remnant woodlands near town (eg the wood behind El Fuerte).

SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER Sublegatus modestus

Occasionally seen in broken habitat, shrubby areas or scattered trees near town.

[PLAIN TYRANNULET Inezia inornata]

A “probable” record mentioned for Samaipata by Brian Gee.

GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT Stigmatura budytoides

Scarce in shrubby areas around town, sometimes appearing in the grounds of La Vispera.

PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Fairly common and vocal in scrubby habitat around the edges of town

OCHRE-FACED TODY-FLYCATCHER Todirostrum plumbeiceps

Present, but inconspicuous, in wooded areas near town (eg pipeline track and behind El Fuerte)

YELLOW‑OLIVE FLYCATCHER Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Uncommon: small numbers survive in patches of trees near town, mostly along river-courses or pipeline track etc.

BRAN-COLOURED FLYCATCHER Myiophobus fasciatus

Occasionally seen in scrubby habitat around the edges of town, including in the grounds of La Vispera.

CLIFF FLYCATCHER Hirundinea ferruginea

Fairly common around the edges of town, regularly visiting the grounds of La Vispera.

BLACK PHOEBE Sayornis nigricans

Regularly seen along rivers (eg at Puente El Fuerte).

WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT Knipolegus aterrimus

Fairly common breeding bird in open scrubby or rocky habitat surrounding town (occasionally in the grounds of La Vispera).

YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT Satrapa icterophrys

Regularly seen (and sometimes common) in grassy or bushy areas around town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT Myiotheretes striaticollis

Occasionally found on dry hillsides near town, eg near El Fuerte and on hillsides above La Vispera.

GREAT KISKADEE Pitangus sulphuratus

Reported from near town.

GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes chrysocephalus

Occasionally seen around Puente El Fuerte, and possibly present in other woodlands near town

STREAKED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes maculatus

Regularly seen around town, breeding in remnant woodlands.

VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER Empidonomus varius

Regularly seen around town in scrubby habitat, including in the grounds of La Vispera (seems to breed nearby).

CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus

Migrants occasionally observed at the edge of woods near town (eg behind El Fuerte).

TROPICAL KINGBIRD Tyrannus melancholicus

Common throughout, including thee grounds of La Vispera.

FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER Tyrannus savana

A few records of small numbers during migration periods.

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tuberculifer

Regular in remnant woodlands near town (eg behind El Fuerte)

PALE-EDGED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus cephalotes

Occasionally sighted in the pipeline road area and at El Fuerte, but certainly not as common as the previous species.

BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tyrannulus

Occasionally seen in bushy and scrubby habitat surrounding town.

WHITE-WINGED BECARD Pachyramphus polychopterus

A few pairs hold territories in wooded areas along the pipeline track.

CRESTED BECARD Pachyramphus validus

Occasionally seen in more wooded habitat near town.

WHITE-TIPPED PLANTCUTTER Phytotoma rutila

Fairly common in scrub and gardens around town

RUFOUS‑BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE Cyclarhis gujanensis

Common and noisy breeding bird in scrubby areas around town, including the grounds of La Vispera.

BROWN-CAPPED VIREO Vireo leucophrys

A few seen in woodland behind El Fuerte.

RED‑EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus

Common and vocal breeding bird around town, including in the grounds of La Vispera.

PURPLISH JAY Cyanocorax cyanomelas

Present in woodlands near town, including behind El Fuerte.

PLUSH-CRESTED JAY Cyanocorax chrysops

Fairly common in gullies with tall shrubs or trees near town, including along the road above La Vispera.

PURPLE MARTIN Progne subis

Boreal migrant. Small numbers occasionally seen hawking over the town between October and March.

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

Common breeding bird around town, including La Vispera and the town square.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica

Migrants occasionally seen near town.

MOUSTACHED WREN Thryothorus genibarbis

A few regularly encountered in remnant woodlands near town (eg behind El Fuerte).

HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aedon

Very common breeding bird around town, including the grounds of La Vispera

MASKED GNATCATCHER Polioptila dumicola

Small numbers regular in wooded areas around town, including grounds of La Vispera.

SWAINSON’S THRUSH Catharus ustulatus

Boreal migrant. Occasionally seen near La Vispera and fairly common in remnant woodlands near town between October and March.

GREAT THRUSH Turdus fuscater

Reported from near Samaipata, possibly a seasonal visitor (or confused with the previous species).

CHIGUANCO THRUSH Turdus chiguanco

A breeding species in scrubby cliffs and hillsides near town (eg around El Fuerte)

RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH Turdus rufiventris

Common breeding bird around town, including grounds of La Vispera.

CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH Turdus amaurochalinus

Common breeding bird, including in the grounds of La Vispera.

HELLMAYR’S PIPIT Anthus hellmayri

One seen and heard displaying near El Fuerte.

BANANAQUIT Coereba flaveola

Scarce visitor to wooded areas around town.

ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER Thlypopsis sordida

A few records from shrubby or wooded areas near town.

BLACK-GOGGLED TANAGER Trichothraupis melanops

Regularly observed in wooded areas such as behind El Fuerte, and the waterfall on the main road below (Puente El Fuerte).

SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER Ramphocelus carbo

Occasionally seen near town, but quite scarce.

SAYACA TANAGER Thraupis sayaca

Fairly common in tall scrub or gardens, including at La Vispera.

BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER Thraupis bonariensis

Fairly common in tall scrub or gardens, including at La Vispera.

FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER Pipraeidea melanonota

Regularly reported from remnant woodlands near town.

BURNISHED-BUFF TANAGER Tangara cayana

One report from near La Vispera, although this is an unusually high altitude for this species.

SWALLOW-TANAGER Tersina viridis

Reported from wooded areas near town.

GUIRA TANAGER Hemithraupis guira

Found in small numbers in woodlands near town.

RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa sittoides

Scarce and inconspicuous in degraded habitats with scattered trees near town.

COMMON BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus ophthalmicus

A few in woodlands behind El Fuerte.

HEPATIC TANAGER Piranga flava

Occasionally seen in patches of scattered trees near town.

PURPLE‑THROATED EUPHONIA Euphonia chlorotica

Fairly common in areas where trees remain, including near La Vispera.

GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA Euphonia cyanocephala

Reported from wooded areas near town.

RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW Zonotrichia capensis

Common, including around La Vispera.

GRASSLAND SPARROW Ammodramus humeralis

A few in grassy areas around town and along the pipeline track.

GREY-CRESTED FINCH Lophospingus griseocristatus

Occasionally seen in scrubby areas near town, including close to La Vispera.

BOLIVIAN WARBLING-FINCH Poospiza boliviana

Scarce in low shrubs and partially cleared areas around town (including garden of Mahikari).

BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT WARBLING-FINCH Poospiza nigrorufa*

Scarce in scrubby areas near town. If this form is treated as conspecific with P. whitii from the lowlands of Brazil/Argentina etc, it is called Black-and-rufous Warbling-finch.

RINGED WARBLING-FINCH Poospiza torquata

Small numbers regularly found in shrubby areas near town.

BLACK-CAPPED WARBLING-FINCH Poospiza melanoleuca

Common in scrub and scattered trees around town, including grounds of La Vispera.

SAFFRON FINCH Sicalis flaveola

Very common around town; breeding at La Vispera, competing against House Wrens for nest boxes.

GREAT PAMPA-FINCH Embernagra platensis

One or two singing in grassland beside El Fuerte.

BLUE‑BLACK GRASSQUIT Volatinia jacarina

Small numbers breeding in grassy areas near town.