Birdwatching

Peru is the second country on the planet in terms of sheer number of bird species, making it a true paradise for bird watchers. From the coastal and desert plains, up to the high valleys and mountains of the Andes and then down again to the jungles of the Amazon Basin, the diverse geography and climate of our country allows a huge variety of bird species to flourish (there are around 1,816 species).
One of the best places to view our birds is in the Cloud forests and Rainforests of Manu National Park, the home of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Harpy eagles, the Quetzal and many more little seen and unusual birds.
Along the coast in the Biosphere of Paracas you can see the popular Humboldt Penguin, the Peruvian Piquero, the Guanay, the Peruvian Seagull, the Flamingo, the White Plover,the Semi-palmated Plover,  the Peruvian Diving-Petrel, the Peruvian Booby, the Red-legged Cormorant, the Band-tailed Gull and others.
In the mountains, you can see species like the Giant Hummingbird, the Sparkling Violet Ear, the Lachrymose Tanager, the Andean Sparrow, the American Kestrel, and many more

Whether you visit the jungle, mountain or coastal areas of Peru, or all three, you will be able to observe a plethora of bird species. Some of our suggested destinations for bird watchers are:

Manu and Tambopata: One of the reserved zones birders really must not miss is Tambopata, accessible from Puerto Maldonado. The area is renowned for possessing a world record number of species in one place, more than 650! The jungles of Manu have a diversity of bird life that is even more astonishing than Tambopata, estimated at more than 1000 species, among them the Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), the Black and White Eagle (Spizastur melanoleucus), the Harpy Eagle (Harpya harpyja), the Common Pootoo (Nyctibus griseus), the Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta), the Red-throated Caracara (Daptrius americanus), and many, many others.

Cusco, Inka Trail and Machupicchu: There are few visitors who come to Peru without spending at least a few days in the city of Cusco, and Machupicchu, attracted by their archeological, architectural, folkloric, and mystical riches; one may also see a great variety of birds in this region, such as the Rusty-fronted Canastero (Asthenes ottonis), the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) the Blue Hummingbird (Colibri coruscans), the Bandtailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis), the Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) and others.

Paracas: also known as the Paracas National Reserve, is the place to observe the famous Humboldt Penguin and other birds, such as the American Oyster-catcher, (Heamatopus palliatus), the Gray Plover (Pluviales squatarola), the Sanderling (Calidris alba), and others. This rich coastal eco-system covers an area of 335,000 hectares (827,450 acres) that includes desert, beaches, islands, cliff sides and ocean. This natural habitat is a haven for flamingos, pelicans, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and an infinite variety of fish and crustaceans.

Puno and Lake Titicaca: The majority of bird species that inhabit Lake Titicaca can be seen along its shores and on its islands, such as the Titicaca Grebe, which is found only in the Titicaca basin, the Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca), the Andean Gull (Larus serranus), the Plumbeous Swallow (Petrochelidon andecola) the Puna Duck (Anas puna) and others.

Lima: Peru’s capital has wetlands and swamps, the best known being the Villa reserved Zone, 18 km south of the city, which boasts more than 160 migratory and resident species in an area of 396 hectares, such as the American Osprey and the Sooty Shearwater

Many different types of habitat are found in Brazil, including rainforests, marshes, cloud forests and dry tablelands. Nearly 1600 bird species have been recorded in this vast country.

The Amazon River flows through the Brazilian state of Para. In this terrain one can spot many birds, including  Rufous-necked Puffbirds (Malacoptila Rufa), Hardy's Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium hardyi), the Black-girdled Barbet (Capito Dayi), and the Pavonine Quetzal.(Pharomacrus pavoninus)

The Pantanal Region comprises  81,000 square miles of wilderness, with over 650 species of birds, most easily spotted during the dry season when they return in droves from their winter quarters. This region boasts species such as Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula), Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja), and the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), as well as a variety of flamingoes and parrots.

In the arid region known as the caatinga in northeastern Brazil, is the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) This is the most threatened species in the world. It is believed that there is only one bird, a male, left in the wild. (there are thirty in captivity)  The Indigo Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari), is also found in the Caatinga; it is almost as threatened as the Spix´s, with only around 100 left in the wild. Also found in this region are the Scarlet-throated Tanager (Compsothraupis loricata), the Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus), and the Cactus Parakeet (Aratinga cactorum)

Since many endangered species are found in these countries, it is important that they be protected. The American Bird Conservancy, a US based organization, is dedicated to saving bird species throughout the Americas. Their website is  http://www.abcbirds.org/