San Isidro Extension
San Isidro, Guacamayos Trail, & the Antisana & Sumaco National Park
- Upon arriving to San Isidro in 2007, we added Bronzy Inca to our
burgeoning list of over 40 species of hummingbirds. We also added
Highland Motmot and Andean Solitaire. The resident bird guide
(who I never tipped well enough) called in Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
and White-bellied Antpitta.
- You will also have an opportunity for some great night birding at San
Isidro where Andean Potoo (though rare) is sometimes staked-out
and where Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is often found, along with
Rufous-banded Owl, and Mottled Owls. In recent years, a large and
beautiful species of owl (though similar in appearance to the Black-
banded Owl, may be new to science) emerges in the early evening
and then hunts right next to the cabins on a nightly basis.
- On the second day at San Isidro, we will find additional birds. Other
potential trip birds likely to be added in the morning at San Isidro
include White-capped Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-
crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-
Tyrant, Inca Jay, Black-billed Peppershrike, Saffron-crowned
Tanager and hundreds of other species.
- A short walk from the cabins, the forest awaits, where mixed
understory and canopy flocks seemingly drip from the foliage. A
guide will be along to help find Masked Trogon, Black-billed
Mountain-Toucan, Streak-capped Treehunter, Striped Treehunter,
Long-tailed Antbird, and Barred Antthrush. Marble-faced Bristle
Tyrant, Variegated Bristle-Tyrants and Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet are
a few of the list of varied tyrannids to be found in the mixed species
flocks. Also be on the look out for Black-chested Fruiteater, Dusky
Piha, Pale-footed Swallow, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and
Golden-collared Honeycreeper. Also a wonderful selection of
colorful tanager species can be found, including Red-hooded
Tanager and White-capped Tanager. Also, the gregarious Northern
Mountain Cacique and Subtropical Cacique should be found. All of
these species, among many others, are residents here and are
frequently seen by visiting birders.
- San Isidro birds include a few rarities, which may be found, including
Highland Tinamou, Greater Scythebill, Bicolored Antvireo, Peruvian
Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, White-rimmed Brush-Finch, and maybe the
White-faced Nunbird.
- A few more hummingbirds may also be added to the trip list
including Bronzy Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Chestnut-breasted
Coronet, Long-tailed Sylph, Gorgeted Woodstar and likely a few
more species.
- On the third day, the trip will continue with birding at areas nearby to
San Isidro. Locations which may be birded include nearby
Guacamayos trail, and the Antisana and Sumaco National Park.
- New birds added to the trip in 2007 included Marble-faced Bristle-
Tyrant, Yellow-throated Tanager, Red-breasted Blackbird, Black-and-
Chestnut Eagle, Emerald Toucanet, Subtropical Cacique, Chestnut-
breasted Chlorophonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Saffron-crowned
Tanager, White-capped Parrot, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Black-
streaked Puffbird, Rufous Spinetail, Bluish Flowerpiercer, Russet-
backed Oropendola, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Yellow-green
Bush-Tanager, Scaly-naped Amazon, Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer,
Handsome Flycatcher, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper
- In addition, more hummingbird species were seen including Buff-
winged Starfrontlet, and White-tailed Hillstar.
- At 4 PM the tour will continue back to Quito so that participants can
catch their 10 PM flight to Atlanta or catch an early morning flight to
other points home.
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