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ECUADOR - EAST SLOPE

May 1997

by Mark Lockwood

Cindy and I along with my brother Ron and his wife Susan visited the east slope of the Andes in May 1997.  We arranged the trip directly through Mitch Lysinger who acted as out guide during the trip.  Mitch is a fantastic guide with an extraordinary familiarity with the birds of Ecuador.  In addition to skill as a guide, he has a great personality and is a joy to travel with.

This was our second trip to Ecuador, the first to Mindo in 1995.  The east slope is considerably wetter without a defined dry season as the west slope has.  As a result the vegetation is even more lush and I found the birding to be considerably more difficult.  During our visit, it rained as least some of every day.  We stayed at the Cabanas San Isidro and took day trips to the other locations listed below.

The list below only contains birds seen by Cindy and me.  Many other species were heard my Mitch that we did not see and there were a few birds seen by Ron, that we missed.

Itinerary:

  18 May - Traveled from Quito to San Isidro.  Birded Papallacta Pass (4200 meters), Papallacta Lake, and around Papallacta and Cuyuja enroute.  Arrived at San Isidro (2000 m) and birded for about 3 hours.
  19 May - San Isidro: birded Log Trail and along main road
  20 May - Upper Loreto Road (1300 to 1100 m): birded along highway and one trail 13 km from the start of the road
  21 May - San Isidro: Cock-of-the-Rock Trail and main road
  22 May - Huacamayos Ridge (2100 m) in the morning and Log Trail at San Isidro in the afternoon.
  23 May - Tena: second growth along Rio Misahualli (900 m)
  24 May - Traveled from San Isidro to Quito.  Birded Papallacta Pass, Papallacta Lake, and around Papallacta and Cuyuja enroute.

Species List:
 
Torrent Duck male in the river above Cuyuja on the 18th
Andean Teal two at Papallacta Lake on the 18th and 24th
Yellow-billed Pintail about 15 at Papallacta Lake on the 18th
Black Vulture abundant at Tena, a few along Loreto Road
Turkey Vulture three in the lowlands on the 23rd and Loreto Road on the 20th
Swallow-tailed Kite single at Loreto Road on the 23rd
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle sub-adult on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Roadside Hawk single birds at San Isidro daily, others observed on the 18th, 20th, 23rd, and 24th
White-rumped Hawk single bird found perched at Cuyuja on the 24th
White-throated Hawk single soaring above Papallacta on the 24th
Puna Hawk a dark phase adult was below Papallacta Pass the 24th
Black-and-chestnut Eagle pair on upper Log Trail at San Isidro on the 19th
Carunculated Caracara three at Papallacta Pass on the 24th
Collared Forest-Falcon one heard calling near the cabanas on the 22nd
Bat Falcon two flew over San Isidro on the 21st
Black-banded Crake one seen and another heard at Tena
Noble Snipe two flushed from paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 24th
Rock Dove several seen near Quito on the 24th
Band-tailed Pigeon common above San Isidro and below Paramo
Eared Dove common in Quito 
Maroon-tailed Parakeet 15 on Loreto Road on the 20th and two on the 23rd
Blue-winged Parrotlet two observed feeding on Cecropia fruit at Tena
Cobalt-winged Parakeet about 20 at Tena
Speckle-faced Parrot seen daily around San Isidro
Red-billed Parrot seen daily around San Isidro
Scaly-naped Parrot 150+ at Huacamayos Ridge on the 22nd
Dark-billed Cuckoo two at Tena on the 23rd
Squirrel Cuckoo one seen at San Isidro on 22nd and several heard at Tena
Smooth-billed Ani four observed along Loreto Road on the 23rd
Rufous-banded Owl one seen at San Isidro on the 18th and heard frequently on following nights
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk one seen briefly at Huacamayos Ridge on the evening of the 20th
Chestnut-collared Swift about 20 on upper Loreto Road on the 20th
Short-tailed Swift about 20 along upper Loreto Road on the 23rd
Gray-rumped Swift five along upper Loreto Road on the 23rd
Gray-chinned Hermit one feeding along Loreto Road on the 23rd
Little Hermit one at Tena on the 23rd
Green-fronted Lancebill one along the Huacamayos Ridge Trail on the 22nd
Sparkling Violet-ear several below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Violet-headed Hummingbird four at an Inga tree on Loreto Road on the 23rd
Wire-crested Thorntail one male at an Inga tree on Loreto Road on the 23rd
Fork-tailed Woodnymph two on Loreto Road on the 18th and five on the 23rd
Golden-tailed Sapphire one along Loreto Road near the 13 km trail on the 20th
Many-spotted Hummingbird one at an Inga tree on Loreto Road on the 23rd
Glittering-throated Emerald four at Tena on the 23rd
Fawn-breasted Brilliant two at San Isidro on the 21st
White-tailed Hillstar one along Loreto Road near the 13 km trail on the 20th
Giant Hummingbird one on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Shining Sunbeam one on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Mountain Velvetbreast male at Cuyuja on the 24th
Bronzy Inca one at San Isidro on the 19th
Collared Inca seen daily at San Isidro
Sword-billed Hummingbird one near Papallacta on the 24th
Booted Racket-tail one along Loreto road on the 20th (13 km trail) and 23rd
Black-tailed Trainbearer one male outside Cumbaya on the 18th
Viridian Metaltail two at Papallacta on the 18th
Tyrian Metaltail common above Cuyuja
Long-tailed Sylph common at San Isidro
White-bellied Woodstar one female outside Cumbaya on the 18th
Collared Trogon one male seen and heard along Loreto Road on the 20th
Masked Trogon one female seen briefly at San Isidro on the 21st
Crested Quetzal one male observed at length on the Log Trail on the 19th
Golden-headed Quetzal a pair seen and heard on Cock-of-the-Rock Trail at San Isidro on the 21st
Highland Motmot one seen along main road at San Isidro on the 19th
Coppery-chested Jacamar female along Loreto Road on the 20th
Red-headed Barbet several seen along 13 km trail on Loreto Road on the 20th
Lemon-throated Barbet one male at Tena on the 23rd
Emerald Toucanet singles observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan three at Cuyuja on the 24th
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan one along Log Trail at San Isidro on the 19th
Yellow-ridged Toucan one along Loreto Road on the 20th
Yellow-vented Woodpecker common at San Isidro, six seen on the 19th
Smoky-brown Woodpecker one along Loreto Road on the 20th
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker singles seen daily at San Isidro
Lineated Woodpecker single on upper Loreto Road on the 20th
Tyrannine Woodcreeper singles at San Isidro on the 19th and 21st
Olivaceous Woodcreeper single on Loreto Road on the 23rd
Strong-billed Woodcreeper two near cabanas at San Isidro on the 18th
Olive-backed Woodcreeper seen daily at San Isidro
Montane Woodcreeper common
Bar-winged Cinclodes two observed in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 18th and six there on the 24th
Stout-billed Cinclodes about 10 in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 24th
Andean Tit-Spinetail two in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Azara's Spinetail common around cabanas at San Isidro
Rufous Spinetail two along Huacamayos Ridge Trail on the 22nd
Many-striped Canastero one in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Orange-fronted Plushcrown two at Tena on the 23rd
Spotted Barbtail singles seen at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st, and 22nd
Pearled Treerunner common at San Isidro
Streaked Tuftedcheek two or three seen at San Isidro 19th, 21st, and 22nd
Lineated Foliage-gleaner one seen at San Isidro on the 19th
Montane Foliage-gleaner common along Loreto Road
Streak-capped Treehunter one observed at San Isidro on the 19th
Black-billed Treehunter two along Loreto Road on the 20th
Striped Treehunter one at San Isidro on the 19th
Flammulated Treehunter one along the Huacamayos Ridge Trail on the 22nd
Streaked Xenops one along Loreto Road on the 20th
Lined Antshrike three males and a female near Tena on the 23rd
Stripe-chested Antwren two males and one juv. at Tena on the 23rd
Foothill Antwren two along the 13 km trail on Loreto Road on the 20th
Slaty Antwren male along the 13 km trail on Loreto Road on the 20th
Yellow-breasted Antwren single along Loreto Road on the 20th
Long-tailed Antbird common in bamboo at San Isidro
Rufous-rumped Antwren single along Loreto Road on the 20th
White-backed Fire-eye two along 13 km trail and two others along Loreto Road on the 20th
Barred Antthrush single bird called in two others heard along the Log Trail on the 19th and one heard at Huacamayos Ridge on the 21st 
White-bellied Antpitta one called in and several others heard on the 19th at San Isidro
Tawny Antpitta three in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 24th
White-lored Antpitta one called in (seen only by Cindy) at Tena on the 23rd
Slate-crowned Antpitta one seen at San Isidro on the 19th and Huacamayos Ridge on the 22nd
Ash-colored Tapaculo frequently heard and one seen on the 21st at San Isidro
Unicolored Tapaculo frequently heard and one seen on the 19th at San Isidro
Rufous-vented Tapaculo frequently heard and one seen on the 21st at San Isidro
Ashy-headed Tyrannulet one or two seen daily at San Isidro
Red-billed Tyrannulet a single bird, well observed for an extended period, along Loreto Road on the 20th was thought to be this species 
Golden-faced Tyrannulet three along Loreto Road on the 20th and two on the 23rd
White-creasted Elaenia two on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Small-billed Elaenia two at Tena on the 23rd
White-throated Tyrannulet one near Papallacta on the 24th
White-tailed Tyrannulet two to ten observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet two to five observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
White-banded Tyrannulet three near Papallacta on the 24th
Torrent Tyrannulet one along Loreto Road on the 20th
Streak-necked Flycatcher one at San Isidro on the 22nd
Rufous-breasted Flycatcher frequently heard; singles observed on the 18th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Slaty-capped Flycatcher singles observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant two to five observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Ecuadorian Tyrannulet three along Loreto Road on the 20th and two on the 23rd
Tufted Tit-Tyrant two near Papallacta on the 18th
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant single on the Cock-of-the-Rock Trail at San Isidro on the 21st
Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant common in the bamboo at San Isidro
Common Tody-Flycatcher two at Tena on the 23rd
Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher a single observed and several heard at Tena on the 23rd
Fulvous-breasted Flatbill one on the Cock-of-the-Rock Trail at San Isidro on the 21st
Yellow-olive Flycatcher single along Loreto Road on the 20th
Ornate Flycatcher five along 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Handsome Flycatcher one or two observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Cinnamon Flycatcher two to five observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Cliff Flycatcher two near the 13 km trail along Loreto Road on the 20th
Smoke-colored Pewee two observed on the 19th, 21st and 22nd at San Isidro
Eastern Wood-Pewee single seen and heard at San Isidro on the 22nd
Long-tailed Tyrant two on upper Loreto Road on the 23rd
Black Phoebe observed in several locations
Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant two along Huacamayos Ridge Trail on the 22nd
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant three near Papallacta on the 24th
Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant two in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 24th
Plain-capped Ground-Tyrant one in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Pale-edged Flycatcher singles observed at San Isidro on the 21st and 22nd
Lemon-browed Flycatcher single along Loreto Road on the 20th
Social Flycatcher three near Tena on the 23rd
Tropical Kingbird common in disturbed areas
Barred Becard one or two observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
White-winged Becard single female observed along Loreto Road on the 23rd
Black-and-white Becard pair along Loreto Road on the 20th
Masked Tityra single male observed along Loreto Road on the 23rd
Green-and-black Fruiteater pair near entrance to Log Trail on the 18th at San Isidro
Black-chested Fruiteater male along Log Trail on the 22nd
Dusky Piha one at Cuyuja on the 18th and two at San Isidro on the 19th and 22nd
Red-creasted Cotinga two on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Thrush-like Mourner single on the 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Blue-rumped Manakin single male on the 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Golden-winged Manakin two males on the 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Wing-barred Piprites single along Loreto Road
Brown-bellied Swallow common around Papallacta Pass
Blue-and-white Swallow abundant at San Isidro
Pale-footed Swallow 30+ on upper Log Trail on the 22nd
White-banded Swallow 40+ at Tena on the 23rd
White-thighed Swallow five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Southern Rough-winged Swallow several along Loreto Road and at Tena
Green Jay common at San Isidro
Turquoise Jay two at San Isidro on the 19th and one seen very well at Cuyuja on the 24th
Black-capped Donacobius one at Archidona on the 23rd
Gray-mantled Wren one at Loreto Road on the 20th
Plain-tailed Wren two along the Log Trail on the 19th
Coraya Wren two at Tena on the 23rd
House Wren one singing around the cabanas daily
Mountain Wren one or two observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren very common, but difficult to observe at San Isidro
Wing-banded Wren one called in on Loreto Road on the 20th
White-capped Dipper two in river below Papallacta
Andean Solitaire one seen very well along the Cock-of-the-Rock Trail at San Isidro on the 21st
Great Thrush abundant at elevations above San Isidro
Glossy-black Thrush one at San Isidro on the 18th and 22nd
Chestnut-bellied Thrush one on the Log Trail on the 19th
Black-billed Thrush one at Tena on the 23rd
Brown-capped Vireo one or three observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Black-billed Peppershrike one observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd, very difficult to see well
Tropical Parula one or two observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Slate-throated Redstart common at San Isidro and Loreto Road
Spectacled Redstart five near Papallacta on the 18th and 23rd
Black-creasted Warbler singles at San Isidro on the 19th and 22nd
Russet-crowned Warbler two observed at San Isidro on the 19th
Three-striped Warbler singles at San Isidro on the 22nd and 23rd
Buff-rumped Warbler single at Tena on the 23rd
Bananaquit common along Loreto Road and at Tena
Cinerous Conebill two near Papallacta on the 18th
Capped Conebill common at San Isidro
Orange-eared Tanager five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Paradise Tanager five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Green-and-gold Tanager four along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Golden Tanager ten to 15 along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Saffron-crowned Tanager 10 to 15 observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Golden-eared Tanager about 12 along Loreto Road on the 20th
Flame-faced Tanager one or three observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Spotted Tanager about 15 along Loreto Road on the 20th
Bay-headed Tanager two to three along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Golden-naped Tanager one at San Isidro on the 22nd
Blue-necked Tanager about 20 along Loreto Road on the 20th and 10 on the 23rd; five at Tena on the 23rd
Beryl-spangled Tanager 15 to 20 observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd, the most common Tangara at San Isidro
Blue-and-black Tanager five at San Isidro on the 19th
Black-capped Tanager one to three observed at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Black-faced Dacnis one male along the 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Yellow-bellied Dacnis one female seen at Tena on the 23rd
Blue Dacnis one male along the 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Purple Honeycreeper three along the 13 km trail at Loreto Road on the 20th
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia one along the Log Trail on the 19th
Golden-rumped Euphonia two at San Isidro on the 19th
Bronze-green Euphonia five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Orange-bellied Euphonia one to five at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Fawn-breasted Tanager one observed at San Isidro on the 19th and 22nd
Hooded Mountain-Tanager 15 at Cuyuja on the 18th, five along Huacamayo Ridge on the 22nd, and 5 near Papallacta on the 24th
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager one at Papallacta Lake on the 18th
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager common at San Isidro
Golden-crowned Tanager one at Papallacta Lake on the 18th
Magpie Tanager one along Loreto Road on the 20th and one at Tena on the 23rd
Grass-green Tanager five on the Log Trail on the 19th and two on the 22nd
Blue-and-yellow Tanager four on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Blue-gray Tanager common at Tena and along Loreto Road
Palm Tanager two to five along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Rufous-creasted Tanager a single bird on the Cock-of-the-Rock Trail on the 21st
White-lined Tanager a pair at Tena on the 23rd
White-winged Tanager five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Silver-beaked Tanager five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Common Bush-Tanager uncommon at San Isidro and Loreto Road
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Ash-throated Bush-Tanager five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Short-billed Bush-Tanager five along the Cock-of-the-Rock trail on the 21st
Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager one near Papallacta on the 24th
Oleaginous Hemispingus two at San Isidro on the 19th
Black-eared Hemispingus four along the Log Trail on the 19th
Grayish Saltator two at Tena on the 23rd
Southern Yellow-Grosbeak two near Papallacta Pass on the 18th and one near Quito on the 24th
Pale-naped Brush-Finch one near Papallacta on the 24th
Slaty Brush-Finch one near Papallacta on the 24th
White-rimmed Brush-Finch two along Huacamayos Ridge Trail on the 22nd
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater common at Tena on the 23rd
Lesser Seed-Finch one male near Archidona on the 23rd
Band-tailed Seedeater two near Quito on the 24th
Plain-colored Seedeater one at Papallacta on the 18th
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch five in the paramo at Papallacta Pass on the 24th
White-sided Flowerpiercer two to three at San Isidro on the 19th, 21st and 22nd
Glossy Flowerpiercer five near Papallacta on the 18th
Black Flowerpiercer several on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Deep-blue Flowerpiercer five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd
Blueish Flowerpiercer  three at San Isidro on the 18th and two on the 22nd
Masked Flowerpiercer common at San Isidro and above
Yellow-browed Sparrow five at Tena on the 23rd
Rufous-collared Sparrow abundant
Subtropical Cacique five at San Isidro on the 19th
Mountain Cacique four at San Isidro on the 19th, and four at Cuyuja on the 24th
Yellow-billed Cacique one at San Isidro on the 19th
Russet-backed Oropendola abundant at San Isidro
Hooded Siskin three on west slope below Papallacta Pass on the 18th
Olivaceous Siskin five to ten along Loreto Road on the 20th and 23rd

263 species

Mark Lockwood
Austin, Texas 78745
mwlockwood@juno.com


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