Bolivia: The Andes and Chaco Lowlands trip report
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Bolivia: The Andes and Chaco Lowlands trip report October 2014 By Eduardo Ormaeche Blue-throated Macaw (photo Sue Bryan) This was our second Bolivia birding tour, and it was a great success for everybody. Only infrequently visited by birders, Bolivia hosts 1432 species, with 20 endemics (including two magnificent macaws) and 48 threatened species. It is without doubt the richest landlocked country in the world in terms of species diversity.
Red-fronted Macaw (photo Ken Logan) We invite you to have a look at our revised 2015 Bolivia itinerary. DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY Day 1. November 19 Arrive in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Birding around the airport. Overnight Santa Cruz de la Sierra Day 2. November 20 Birding around the airport. Fly to Trinidad and birding at Loma Suarez. Overnight Trinidad Day 3. November 21 Explore the grasslands south of Trinidad. Overnight Trinidad Day 4. November 22 Birding at Laguna Suarez. Flight to Santa Cruz de la Sierra and birding the Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. Overnight Santa Cruz de la Sierra Day 5. November 23 Transfer to Camiri, birding en route. Birding in the Chaco in the afternoon. Overnight Camiri Day 6. November 24 Full day birding in the Chaco. Overnight Camiri Day 7. November 25 Last morning in the Chaco and return transfer to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Overnight Santa Cruz de la Sierra Day 8. November 26 Transfer to Refugio Los Volcanes Lodge, birding en route. Overnight Refugio Los Volcanes Day 9. November 27 Full day birding at Refugio Los Volcanes Lodge. Overnight Refugio Los Volcanes Day 10. November 28 Transfer to Comarapa, birding en route. Overnight Comarapa Day 11. November 29 Explore the Saipina canyon for the Red-fronted Macaw. Birding the Saipina area. Return to Comarapa, Overnight Comarapa Day 12. November 30 Birding the cloudforest at La Siberia. Transfer to Cochabamba. Overnight Cochabamba Day 13. December 1 Birding the cloudforest at Tablas Monte in the Chapare. Birding Lake Alalay in the afternoon. Overnight Cochabamba Day 14. December 2 Full day in the Cerro Tunari. Overnight Cochabamba Day 15. December 3 Transfer to La Paz, birding on route. Overnight La Paz Day 16. December 4 Full day exploring the Coroico road. In the afternoon return to La Paz. Overnight La Paz Day 17. December 5 Transfer to Huarina at the shores of Lake Titicaca, birding during the day. Transfer to El Alto International Airport to connect with our flights back home BOLIVIA SYSTEMATIC LIST, OCTOBER 2014 Taxonomy: IOC, International Ornithological Congress, 4.4 Abbreviations: (H) Heard only (E) Country endemic TINAMIFORMES Tinamidae Grey Tinamou (H) Tinamus tao This large tinamou was heard a couple of times at Refugio Los Volcanes. Listed as Vulnerable. Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus The classic bird call of the Amazon rainforest. One bird was seen briefly by Sue and the leader at the gallery forest of Beni. We were almost ready to see it again, when I realized we were standing below a Tangarana tree full of fire ants with several climbing on our trousers. Brown Tinamou (H) Crypturellus obsoletus Heard at Refugio Los Volcanes. The tinamous belonging to the genus Crypturellus are usually notoriously difficult to see. Tataupa Tinamou (H) Crypturellus tataupa Heard in the lowlands of Santa Cruz de la Sierra Small-billed Tinamou (H) Crypturellus parvirostris Distantly heard in the Botanical Gardens of Santa Cruz de la Sierra Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens Two birds were seen during our search at the grasslands of the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. White-bellied Nothura Nothura boraquira Great views of one individual at Valle Sanchez near the Santa Cruz de la Sierra airport RHEIFORMES Rheidae Greater Rhea Rhea americana At least eight birds were seen at the grasslands of the Viru Viru International Airport. Listed as Near-threatened. Here the subspecies araneipes. We spotted a few others on the route to Camiri, and we were surprised when we saw a few ostriches next to them, which are farmed in Bolivia. ANSERIFORMES Anhimidae Southern Screamer Chauna torquata Seen on the Beni marshes Anatidae White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Several seen on the Beni marshes Comb Duck Sarkidiornis sylvicola Seen flying above the Beni marshes Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera Several seen on the Altiplano Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata Flying by above the Beni marshes. Not a common species to see in the wild Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis Common in the Santa Cruz de la Sierra lowlands. Here the subspecies ipecutiri Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys Great scope views of this handsome duck en route to the Chaco Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides Seen near Oruro and at Lake Titicaca. Here the subspecies alticola Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera Several seen at Alalay Lake near Cochabamba. Here the subspecies orinoma Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris Seen at Alalay Lake. Formerly Speckled Teal, it has been split into two species, Yellow-billed Teal and Andean Teal. Puna Teal Anas puna Seen at Alalay Lake Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica Seen at Alalay Lake White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis Two birds seen at Alalay Lake Andean Duck Oxyura ferruginea Seen at Alalay Lake, Oruro, and Lake Titicaca Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca Great views of two pairs at Alalay Lake GALLIFORMES Cracidae Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis Several birds seen in the Chaco Speckled Chachalaca Ortalis guttata Seen north of Trinidad PODICIPEDIFORMES Podicipedidae Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Great views in the Chaco White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland Seen at Alalay Lake Titicaca Grebe Rollandia microptera One of the best birds of the trip without hesitation. This mythical Grebe is restricted to Lake Titicaca, thus it is found in Bolivia and Peru only. Listed as Endangered. Together with the Junin Grebe it belongs to the group of flightless grebes. We had great scope views of at least four individuals at Lake Titicaca. Thanks to the deity of ornithology that the fog was gone by the time we arrived at our spot! PHOENICOPTERIFORMES Phoenicopteridae Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Several seen on a lake near Oruro. We had a few others flying above the Titicaca Grebe. Listed as Near-threatened. According to history, the vision of several Chilean Flamingos flying above the coast of Peru inspired the 19th century Argentine general José de San Martín to create the Peruvian flag based on the colors of the flamingos in flight. CICONIIFORMES Ciconiidae Woodstork Mycteria americana Seen on the Beni marshes Jabiru Jabiru mycteria Seen on the Beni marshes PELECANIFORMES Threskiornithidae Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens Great views on the Llanos de Moxos in Beni Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus Seen in Beni Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis One bird was seen at the Botanical Gardens of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and another on the route to the Chaco. Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus Several seen throughout the trip Puna Ibis Plegadis ridgwayi Common in the Altiplano Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja Great views of several birds on the Beni marshes Ardeidae Rufescent Tiger Heron Tigrisoma lineatum An adult with one young was seen well north of Trinidad. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Seen at the Botanical Gardens of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and at Cochabamba Striated Heron Butorides striata Common at several locations Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Seen on the way to La Paz Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi A few on the Beni marshes Great Egret Ardea alba Common on the Beni marshes Snowy Egret Egretta thula Scarce this year, with only a few noted on the trip Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix Seen well on the Beni marshes Phalacrocoracidae Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Common ACCIPITRIFORMES Cathartidae Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Common Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus One seen north of Trinidad King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa Paul spotted an adult soaring north of Trinidad Andean Condor Vultur gryphus The largest flying bird in the world was seen well at Refugio Los Volcanes and Cerro Tunari. Listed as Near-threatened. It is the national bird of Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and Chile. Accipitridae Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea Seen in the lowlands Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis Great views of several birds on the Beni marshes Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis At least seven birds were seen on the way to their roost at the pond of the Botanical Gardens of Santa Cruz de la Sierra before dusk. Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens One seen in Beni Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis Several birds seen in fields Great Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga Seen along the road north of Trinidad Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris Common White-rumped Hawk Parabuteo leucorrhous Great scope views of a perched individual along the Death Road in the Yungas White-tailed Hawk Geranoaetus albicaudatus Seen in the Chaco Variable Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma Several seen at Cerro Tunari Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus Great views of a bird flying virtually above our heads at the shores of Lake Titicaca Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus Two birds were seen soaring above Refugio Los Volcanes CARIAMIFORMES Cariamidae Black-legged Seriema Chunga burmeisteri I never struggled so much to find this species, which normally crosses the track in small groups in the Chaco near Boyuibe. We heard some individuals on the first afternoon, but without success, and spent the whole next morning on the search. At the eleventh hour, and after we had lost all hope and decided to drive back to town, the deity of ornithology heard our prayers and rewarded us with the sight of an immaculate individual standing next to the road, waiting for us, and allowing us good views. What can I say? GOAL! EURYPYGIFORMES Eurypygidae Sunbittern Eurypyga helias Only a leader sighting of one individual flying above the stream at Refugio Los Volcanes, but we were more focused on the Slaty Gnateater. RALLIFORMES Rallidae Rufous-sided Crake (H) Laterallus melanophaius Heard on the Beni marshes Grey-necked Wood Rail Aramides cajaneus Great views on the Beni marshes Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus Seen on the Beni marshes Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus One seen at the pond behind the Cochabamba airport Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata Common at Alalay Lake Giant Coot Fulica gigantea One seen on a pond above La Paz Andean Coot Fulica ardesiaca Seen at Alalay Lake GRUIFORMES Aramidae Limpkin Aramus guarauna Common on the Beni marshes CHARADRIIFORMES Recurvirostridae White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus Seen well on the way to the Chaco Andean Avocet Recurvirostra andina Great views at Oruro and Titicaca Lake Charadriidae Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Common in the lowlands. This is the national bird of Uruguay. Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens Seen in the Altiplano Puna Plover Charadrius alticola Great views of one bird with chicks at the shores of a lake near Oruro Collared Plover Charadrius collaris Seen well at the pond behind the Cochabamba airport Jacanidae Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana Common everywhere in Beni Scolopacidae Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Seen at Lake Titicaca Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Seen at a lake near Oruro Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Seen at a lake near Oruro Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Seen on the Beni marshes Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Seen at a lake near Oruro Wilson Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Seen at a lake near Oruro Laridae Andean Gull Chroicocephalus serranus Common in the Altiplano Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex Seen nicely on the Beni marshes Yellow-billed Tern Sternula superciliaris Seen nicely on the Beni marshes Black Skimmer Rynchops niger A nice flock was seen south of Trinidad. COLUMBIFORMES Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia Common Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro Seen in the lowlands Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa Common in the Altiplano Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis Seen north of Trinidad Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea Seen at Refugio Los Volcanes Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Seen in La Siberia cloudforest and along the upper parts of the Coroico road Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata Common below La Paz Picui Ground Dove Columbina picui Common in the lowlands. Picui is the Guaraní Indian word for a small dove (in Paraguay). Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti A few were seen in Beni. Bare-faced Ground Dove Metriopelia ceciliae Excellent views of three birds on the way to La Paz Black-winged Ground Dove Metriopelia melanoptera Seen well at Cerro Tunari White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi A few seen in Trinidad Yungas Dove Leptotila megalura Heard at Refugio Los Volcanes and one seen well in Bermejo White-throated Quail-Dove Geotrygon frenata Great views of one bird perched in a tree at Tablas Monte in the cloud forest near Cochabamba. This is the first time I’ve seen a quail-dove in a tree. Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana Seen by Sue only along the Bermejo road OPISTHOCOMIDORMES Opisthocomidae Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin Two birds were seen well in Beni. CUCULIFORMES Cuculidae Guira Cuckoo Guira guira Common in the lowlands Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani Common around Santa Cruz de la Sierra Greater Ani Crotophaga major Seen well in Beni Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia One responsive bird in Beni, and we had another one calling from a telephone wire. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Seen in Tablas Monte STRIGIFORMES Strigidae Rufescent Screech Owl Megascops ingens A highlight for the tour. A cooperative individual came above our heads in response to the tape at Refugio Los Volcanes. Striped Owl Pseudoscops clamator Seen and heard by Sue during the first night in Trinidad Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Common in the lowlands CAPRIMULGIFORMES Nyctibiidae Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus A roosting bird was seen well at Valle Sanchez and another one came to the tape before dawn at Refugio Los Volcanes. Caprimulgidae Nacunda Nighthawk Chordeiles nacunda Brief views of two birds north of Trinidad during our predawn drive Scissor-tailed Nightjar Hudropsalis torquata A few females and one male were seen on the drive to Saipina. APODIFORMES Apodidae White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris A large flock was seen on the way to Cochabamba. Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus Seen at Cerro Tunari White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus Seen at Refugio Los Volcanes Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura Seen in Beni Trochilidae Planalto Hermit Phaethornis pretrei One seen during the trip Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans Seen around Refugio Los Volcanes Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas Seen at Cerro Tunari Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis One bird seen in Beni Gilded Sapphire Hylocharis chrysura Excellent views of one bird in Beni White-tailed Goldenthroat Polytmus guainumbi Seen well in Beni White-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia chionogaster Seen around Comarapa Collared Inca Coeligena torquata A juvenile was seen on the upper parts of the Coroico road. Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys One bird was seen in La Siberia cloudforest. Amethyst-throated Sunangel Heliangelus amethysticollis Seen at the upper parts of the Coroico road Violet-throated Startfrontlet Coeligena violifer Seen in La Siberia cloudforest Red-tailed Comet Sappho sparganurus A red, shinning flash flew in front of us at Cerro Tunari, where we also saw a juvenile on a perch. Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon lucidus Seen in Beni Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina Common in La Siberia cloudforest. Tyrianthina refers to the color Tyrian purple, an ancient dye extracted from mollusks, popular during the Roman Empire. TROGONIFORMES Trogonidae Blue-crowned Trogon Trogon curucui Seen in Valle Sanchez CORACIIFORMES Alcedinidae Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona Seen in Beni Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata Seen in Beni Momotidae Yüklə 251,19 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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