RAINFOREST EXPEDITIONS & Global Big Day!

EVERYWHERE are Birds

BIZARRE but beautiful birds

LEARN MORE about the Hoatzin

Unveiling the Secrets of Birdwatching

FIND SOME JUNGLE BIRDS right from the boat

SPECIAL BIRDS in a quite place

FIND YOURSELF by Reconnecting with Nature

WONDERFUL SOUNDS of the Amazon Rainforest

HOW DO WE CALL a group of ...?

Our Tambopata Team is Ready for the Global Big Day!

This weekend, Rainforest Expeditions is participating in a global event along with thousands of other people. Known as the «Global Big Day», this is the day of the year that probably sees more people watching birds than any other. At least that’s one of the main goals of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the organization behind this major birding event.

The first Global Big Day was held in May 2015 and took place to see how many bird species could be identified across the globe in just one day. Since participants uploaded their lists into eBird, it also acted as a fun and easy means of getting more people involved with this popular citizen science application. The first year saw more than 14,000 people counting birds from every continent, and the following year, more than 16,000 people raised binoculars to identify a cumulative total of 6332 species! In 2017, even many people are expected to enter their eBird totals into eBird, including our very own team in Tambopata.

Under the guidance of head Rainforest Expeditions birding guide Silverio «Silver-beak» Duri, six of our best guides will spend nearly 24 hours on May 13th looking for birds on a route that includes TRC, Refugio, Posada, and the Infierno road. Given that over 600 bird species have been identified from the area of the route, we expect them to have one of the top totals for any team. Hopefully, they can also tick target species that are tough to get elsewhere and give Peru the highest species total for the day. Will they find a Harpy Eagle? Bamboo specialties like the beautiful Rufous-headed Woodpecker and rare White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant? Cheer them on and watch the totals at eBird on May 13th to find out how they do!

Harpy_eagle_Tambopata_Peru

Harpy Eagle- ruler of the rainforest canopy.

Remember that anyone can participate in Global Big Day, every bird counts, even the ones in your backyard. Visit eBird to see how easy it is to share a day of birds with people from around the globe and visit our blog for stories about birds and birding in Tambopata, Peru.

#TeamRainforest #globalbigday

 

By Pat ODonnell

A Few Target Birds at the Tambopata Research Center

There are literally hundreds of bird species waiting to be seen in Tambopata, Peru. Of those, many are common and easy to see, others hide in the forest, and a fair number are rare and little-known birds of Amazonian rainforest habitats. For the serious birder, there is also a suite of bird species easier to see in Tambopata than in other places.
Such birds are often referred to as «target» species, and the following are best looked for at the Tambopata Research Center (TRC)

Birds at Tambopata Research Center

The native bamboo forests of south-eastern Peru host several species found nowhere else. One of the best spots to look for them is in the extensive bamboo habitats at TRC. Walk trails through this habitat to look for such much-desired species as Manu Antbird, Goeldi’s Antbird, White-lined Antbird, Pavonine Cuckoo, White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-capped Nunlet, Black-capped Tinamou, and others!

Pavonine Quetzal and other deep forest species

The trails at TRC access magnificent old-growth rainforest and thus provide a rare chance to walk through fantastic forests that harbor Pavonine Quetzal, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Striated Antthrush, and many other species hard to find elsewhere.

 

Pale-winged Trumpeter by Paul Bertner

Pale-winged Trumpeter by Paul Bertner

 

White-throated Jacamar

There are very few places where one can see this localized endemic. The river bluffs at TRC are one of the best places to see it anywhere on the planet. The image below was taken there.

 

White throated Jacamar

Scarlet-hooded Barbet

Another little-known species that might be easier to see at TRC than anywhere else. Watch for this rare beauty on the island across the river from TRC.

Razor-billed curassow

Although this exotic turkey-like bird can also show up at our other lodges, it’s much easier to see in wilderness sites like TRC.

Razor billed curacao by Paul Bertner

Paujil – Razor Billed curassow by Paul Bertner

These are just a few of the bird species that are easier to find at TRC than in other places. Visit this unique lodge and research station to see how many rare and exotic jungle birds you can find!

by Pat ODonnell

READY? Plan your 8 nights expedition across our Amazon lodges in Peru

Five Bizarre Birds from Posada Amazonas

The rainforests of Tambopata, Peru harbor more bird species than most places on this planet. With that in mind, it’s always a challenge to say which species are the most colorful, which ten birds are the most common, and which birds happen to be the oldest ones in the jungle. Since we have more than 600 species to choose from, there’s a lot of rare and bizarre birds we could talk about. However, today, we might as well begin the conversation with five exotic and bizarre species found on the trails of Posada Amazonas.

 

1. Collared Puffbird

Semi-Collared Puffbird at Tambopata Lodge

 

 

This common canopy species is often seen from the canopy tower. Its large head, bill, and pied plumage make it look almost more like a puppet than a real bird.

 

2. Long-tailed Potoo

Potoo bird in the Amazon

Potoo bird in the Amazon

 

Strange birds indeed! The pale, fuzzy one on the right is the baby! This nocturnal species can be a hard one to find during the day and is more often heard at night.

 

3. Spixs guan

Spixs guan by Paul Bertner

Spixs guan by Paul Bertner

 

If you see something that looks kind of like a turkey walking through the trees, that would be this bird. You will probably hear its loud honking calls before you see it.

 

4. Pale-winged Trumpeter

Pale-winged Trumpeter by Paul Bertner

Pale-winged Trumpeter by Paul Bertner

 

Speaking of loud honking calls, this strange bird species makes a variety of odd noises as it patrols the forest floor. You may see the white flashes of its lower back as it moves through the dark understory.

 

5. White-fronted Nunbird

White-fronted Nunbird

White-fronted Nunbird

 

Finishing off with a final species from the canopy, this medium-sized bird with the coral red bill gives rollicking calls as it forages with other birds. Watch for these and hundreds of other species on the trails at Posada Amazonas.

by Pat ODonnell 

READY? Take a look at our 4 Nights Birding Expedition at Posada Amazonas

 

Three Odd Facts About the Hoatzin

For most of us, rainforests are synonymous with bizarre bugs and exotic creatures. Although many birds of the jungle actually have dull brown or gray plumage, and some bugs look kind of like ones at home, there certainly are a lot of animals with odd and spectacular appearances. The rainforests of Tambopata are no exception and host one of the most bizarre bird species on the planet. Here are some facts about the Hoatzin.
Family of hoatzin by Arturo Bullard
Family of hoatzins in a Peruvian Oxbow lake in Tambopata. Photo by Arturo Bullard.
This denizen of oxbow lakes is named after the Nahuatl word for pheasant, «uatzin». Although the Nahuatl people hail from Mexico and would have therefore never encountered a Hoatzin, the word was apparently adopted by Spanish colonists who encountered the species in the Amazon basin. Here are a few other odd facts about this strange bird:

1. An herbivore

While many birds eat insects, seeds, and fruits, the Hoatzin mostly eats leaves! In common with ruminants like cows, its digestive tract is adapted to a mostly vegetarian diet, and, because of this, it can give off an unpleasant fermenting smell.

2. The sole survivor of an ancient lineage

The odd appearance of the Hoatzin has baffled taxonomists for more than a century. Recently, improved DNA studies have shown that this bird is actually the last representative of an avian lineage that dates back to the time of the dinosaurs.

3. Clawed wings

Young Hoatzins use claws on their wings to clamber around vegetation!

When visiting Tambopata, look for Hoatzins at the oxbow lakes excursions

By Pat ODonnell
Hoatzin bird in the Peruvian Amazon by Arturo Bullard

Hoatzin bird in the Peruvian Amazon. Photo by Arturo Bullard.

How to See Exotic Birds in the Peruvian Amazon

In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a captivating world of vibrant hues and elusive creatures unfolds. Beyond the surface, beneath the lush canopy, lies a bustling realm where survival hinges on the art of concealment. Venture into the realm where most beings are masters of disguise, where even the birds themselves play a captivating game of hide-and-seek, let’s explore some tips on how to see exotic birds in the Peruvian Amazon

The Art of Camouflage in birds of the Amazon rainforest

Picture this: the Amazon rainforest, a realm teeming with life, where every creature plays a high-stakes game of predator and prey. Amidst this symphony of existence, one rule reigns supreme – invisibility is key. As the creatures adapt to this ceaseless dance of survival, they evolve into living masterpieces of camouflage, disappearing into the verdant tapestry around them. Birds, in particular, have honed this art to perfection. Many of the most exotic and stunning species, like the resplendent toucans, radiant tanagers, and majestic cotingas, inhabit the lofty reaches of the forest, where vibrant plumage mingles seamlessly with the emerald foliage.

potoo bird in the Amazon

Potoo bird in the Peruvian Amazon – Tambopata

Unlocking the Canopy Tower

Imagine gazing upon a kaleidoscope of avian wonders from a unique vantage point – a canopy tower that pierces through the layers of leaves and branches. Here, where the sky kisses the treetops, a realm of unmatched beauty unfurls before your eyes. It’s a revelation, an experience that redefines birdwatching. From this lofty perch, the vibrant toucans take flight in a breathtaking display of color, tanagers flit among the leaves like living gems, and cotingas grace the scene with their regal presence. The canopy tower is the key to unlocking this mesmerizing spectacle, a front-row seat to the theater of nature.

Recommended: 5 Bizarre birds at Posada Amazonas

The Dance of Patience: Guiding Your Senses in Search of Amazon Birds

In this intricate dance of survival, the Amazon’s inhabitants have mastered the art of subtlety. Birds, in their quest to elude predators, have become virtuosos of concealment. To glimpse these feathered enigmas, one must embrace the dance of patience – the quiet observation, the attentive listening, and the art of stillness. Every rustle of leaves, every distant chirp, could lead you to an avian revelation. It’s an enchanting process, a delicate balance of attunement and anticipation.

Cream-colored woodpecker by Paul Bertner - How to see exotic birds in the peruvian amazon

Cream-colored Woodpecker by Paul Bertner

Guided by the local experts

Embarking on a journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest is an opportunity to unveil its myriad mysteries. And what better guide to navigating this intricate terrain than an experienced companion, a true connoisseur of the avian realm? A skilled guide, trained in the subtle nuances of rainforest birdlife, becomes your beacon in this tapestry of life. They possess an intimate knowledge of the bird’s vocalizations, an instinct for their favored microhabitats, and a keen eye for the hidden wonders. With a knowledgeable guide by your side, the rainforest becomes an open book of avian secrets, waiting to be deciphered.

A Trail of Discovery: Your Invitation to Amazonian Birdwatching

Dear adventurer, the time has come to immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Amazonian birdwatching. Join us on a guided hike through the enchanting rainforest trails, led by trained guides who are passionate about sharing their expertise. Let the symphony of nature serenade your senses as you embark on a quest to spot the myriad bird species that call this mystical realm home. Unveil the vibrant plumage, decipher the calls that echo through the trees, and revel in the joy of discovery as you connect with the avian wonders of the Amazon rainforest.

Embark on this journey of wonder, let your senses guide you, and let the rainforest reveal its avian treasures. Your adventure begins now.

Are you ready? Take a look at our recommended expedition for birdwatchers

Beautiful River Birds of Tambopata Peru

Literally, hundreds of bird species live in the rich rainforest habitats of south-eastern Peru. However, the irony of that avian abundance is that many of those bird species are naturally rare and/or just hard to see. Our canopy towers and trained guides help in seeing more birds but the places where we look for them also play important roles.

 

One of the easiest places to find quite a few exotic jungle birds is during travel to and from our lodges. Since rivers are the natural byways through the Amazon rainforest, we use the Tambopata on a daily basis. In doing so, we also see lots of beautiful birds, right from the boat! These are a few of them:

 

Orinoco Goose

Orinoco Goose by Erick Arguedas

 

This colorful goose is one of the only species of waterfowl that live along the Tambopata. However, unlike geese in some other parts of the world, this jungle species is shy and usually found away from people. For that reason, the section of the river near TRC is where we typically see it.

 

Black Caracara

Black Caracara

 

This striking raptor is commonly seen while it patrols the river for carrion and small animals.

 

Bat Falcon

 Bat falcon

Bat falcon by Joao Quental (Wikimedia Commons)

 

The small Bat Falcon likes to perch on snags at the edge of the river, especially in wide-open areas that facilitate its hunting strategies. When a bat, swallow, or other small bird flies within range, it tries to catch its prey during rapid flight.

 

Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet macaw flying

Scarlet macaw flying, Photo by Lucas Bustamante

 

This and other spectacular parrot species are often seen in flights over the river, especially during the morning and late afternoon.

 

Amazon Kingfisher

Amazon Kingfisher

An Amazon Kingfisher perches near a Tambopata river.

 

One of three species of kingfishers commonly seen along the river, this one can be recognized by the lack of prominent white marks in the wings and tail.

 

Look for these and dozens of other bird species during travel to and from our lodges!

 

by Pat ODonnell 

Birds to Look for at an Oxbow Lake

There’s much more than one type of habitat in the Amazon rainforest. Different types of forest grow in flooded areas compared to upland, hilly situations, and bamboo thickets and other microhabitats provide homes for different suites of plants and animals.

The high rainfall in the Amazon as well as in the Andes also results in a variety of wetland habitats, one of the most interesting being oxbow lakes. Lakes form when a bend in the river ends up being cut off from the river’s main flow as its course changes over time. The resulting «blackwater» lake acts as a habitat for many animals including several birds, and many are easy to see because of the open nature of the habitat.

 

The following are a few of the more special bird species to look for when visiting any of the large oxbow lakes near our lodges:

 

Hoatzin

 

This strange bird species is actually an herbivore, and one of the classic avian denizens of oxbow lakes in the Amazon basin. It’s nearly restricted to this type of habitat and spends most of its time roosting in marsh vegetation at the edge of the lake.

Hoatzin Family

Horned – Screamer

 

Another odd waterbird with an equally odd name, the echoing calls of this goose-like bird can carry for more than a kilometer. On the rare occasion when it takes flight, it looks kind of like a vulture. Watch for pairs that perch in vegetation at the edge of the lake.

horned-screamer

 

Rufescent Tiger-Heron

 

One of several heron species commonly seen at oxbow lakes, this one is recognized by its thick, reddish neck.

Rufescent Tiger-Heron

 

 

Several other bird species also occur in the vicinity of oxbow lakes including several tanagers, woodpeckers, toucans, and Plum-throated Cotinga. Watch for them with your guide!

 

by Pat ODonnell 

A story of reconnect with nature: My heightened senses in the rainforest

Despite being legally blind in my right eye, I can see more clearly than ever before….maybe there’s just more to see on my goal to reconnect with nature. Something as simple as sunlight illuminating a water droplet on a leaf is a vivid representation of the complexity of nature.

 

I look up to the trees and can imagine which leaf the drop fell from and how many leaves it rolled off before it landed on this one. I look at the plant it sits on and hypothesize the path the drop will take to the ground and which of the surrounding plants, trees, or vines will be nourished by it.

Along the peaceful Tambopata River

Along the peaceful Tambopata River, the sounds of the jungle and water stimulate the senses. Find yourself by reconnecting with nature

 

I hear birds calling back and forth. Some chirp timidly, others caw obnoxiously, while occasionally I’ll hear a terrifying screech, only to figure out that was also a bird. Tree branches fall, monkeys bicker, insects buzz all at the same time. It’s loud, but I’ll take it any day over the noises of a busy city.

 

It’s really not that much quieter than Lima, especially in the morning, but it’s far more pleasant to listen to. Trying to distinguish who’s saying what is initially overwhelming, but when I listen closely, I realize how harmoniously the creature’s call comes together. It’s as if all the plant species of the forest along with her animals are in collaboration, functioning exactly as they should be. If I concentrate and sit quietly, I can listen in on a conversation between two birds. On a walk today, I heard a rain shower five minutes before it arrived. The sound of the raindrops hitting the leaves became louder as the downpour approached giving me just enough time to find an umbrella tree to stand under while the worst of it passed.

Locals from Tambopata can smell Howler Monkeys

I’ve always had a keen sense of smell, but try to suppress it in the city since the scents of food, diesel fuel, and urine do not appeal to me. I had almost forgotten that to truly experience an odor you must use more than your nose. It involves breathing through your mouth and using your sense of taste. You must then allow the odor to infiltrate your entire chest cavity and head until it brings back a memory or creates a new one. Locals from Tambopata can smell Howler Monkeys from two miles away. I’m not that good yet but can appreciate the fresh air, jungle fruits, and nuts, flowers, leaves, even dirt.

Solo traveller

Solo traveler, always accompanied by a guide

 

Find yourself by reconnecting with nature in an immersive experience in the Amazon rainforest

 

There’s another sense. I’m not talking about that creepy movie with that little kid who hangs out with dead people. It’s the same full-body sensation you get when you first fall in love, or in like with someone. When I hike in the forest, no matter how hot it is, or whether it’s raining and I’m soaking wet, my energy increases, and I could hike for hours. Worries cross through my mind for no more than a minute before I’m distracted by a jumble of vines, trees, and plants competing with each other for sunlight. They wrap around each other, always moving upward in beautiful chaos until they explode through the canopy spreading their branches in every direction to celebrate their triumph. My worries are forgotten and I realize I’ve been studying the forest for what feels like hours, but maybe was only a few seconds.

 

This sense is timeless and unquantifiable. It’s the same as falling in love, only this time I’ve fallen in love with a place.

 

I leave you with a playlist that I found on Spotify that the truth transports my soul and mind to the Amazon rainforest. Enjoy it!

Sound Recordings from the Amazon Jungle

Listen to soundtracks from the Amazon Jungle in Peru by Gordon McGladdery is a musician and sound designer from Vancouver, Canada. Winner of the international Soundcloud/Vancouver Film School Full Scholarship Challenge, he is currently enrolled in the Sound Design for Visual Media program and is set to graduate in December. Academics aside, he’s still keeping busy as a composer for the youtube channel Smarter Every Day and co-composer for the hit iOS game Shellrazer. He has released three albums as A Shell in the Pit and one with the Victoria rock band «Oh Snap!»

soundtracks from the Amazon

And if you get inspired remember we can take you to the Tambopata National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon in an of-the-bitten-path expedition.

Listen to more Peruvian soundtracks from the Amazon on SoundCloud. Soon on Spotify

Animal Collective Nouns

Can you find a company of parrots on your next tour of Tambopata?

One of the guides asked me the other day what a group of frogs is called, as in Spanish it translates to a congress. To be honest, I didn’t even know a group of parrots had their own collective name. Here are a few others:

  • An army of frogs
  • A knot or lump of toads
  • A school of fish
  • A gaggle of geese
  • A flock of birds
  • A crash of rhinos
  • A pod of whales
  • A herd of cattle
  • A pride of lions
  • A cloud of gnats
  • A swarm of insects

Here is a list of Bird collectives, terms that you can use to describe a group of like bird species.

  • A ballet of swans
  • A bazaar of guillemots
  • A bevy of quail [or swans]
  • A bouquet of pheasants [when flushed]
  • A brace of grouse
  • A brood of hens
  • A building of rooks
  • A cast of hawks [or falcons]
  • A charm of finches
  • A colony or huddle of penguins
  • A company of parrots
  • A congregation of plovers
  • A convocation of eagles
  • A cote of doves
  • A cover of coots
  • A covey of partridges [or grouse or ptarmigans]
  • A deceit of lapwings
  • A descent of woodpeckers
  • A dole of doves
  • An exaltation of larks
  • A fall of woodcocks
  • A flamboyance or ostentation of peacocks
  • A flight of swallows [or doves, goshawks, or cormorants]
  • A fling of dunlin
  • A gaggle of geese [wild or domesticated]
  • A host of sparrows
  • A kettle of hawks [riding a thermal]
  • A murmuration of starlings
  • A murder or congress of crows
  • A muster of storks [or turkeys]
  • A nye of pheasants [on the ground]
  • A paddling of ducks [on the water]
  • A parliament of owls [or rooks]
  • A party of jays
  • A peep of chickens
  • A pitying of turtledoves
  • A plump of waterfowl
  • A raft of ducks [on water]
  • A rafter of turkeys
  • A sedge of cranes
  • A siege of herons
  • A skein of geese [in flight]
  • A sort of mallards
  • A spring of teal
  • A tiding of magpies
  • A trip of dotterel
  • An unkindness of ravens
  • A watch of nightingales
  • A wedge of swans
  • A wisp of snipe

Now we just need a few suggestions for some more local birds of Tambopata like tanagers and oropendolas. I suggest a spark of tanagers as they flitter around in a range of colors like the sparks from a fireworks show. As for oropendolas, a somersault would go some way to describing their dance when they call… Any other suggestions?