Feathered Gems of Northern Peru: Marvelous Spatuletail, Antpittas & Much More! 11/1/2025-11/11/2025

https://ebird.org/tripreport/429522

Our journey through northern Peru began with a smooth one-and-a-half-hour flight from Lima to the Amazonian city of Tarapoto, where the warm air and lush green hills welcomed us into the tropics. Upon arrival, we met our two drivers, our reliable companions for the rest of the tour, then stocked up on essential snacks and water before beginning the 2-hour and 20-minute drive to our first lodge, located in the Andean foothills at 2,950 ft.

Marvelous Spatuletail © David Ascanio

Along the way, we made a memorable stop at what is perhaps the most accessible colony of the unique Oilbird, the world’s only nocturnal, fruit-eating bird. Several pairs rested calmly on rocky ledges inside a remarkable formation of crevices and natural fissures. Observing these strange birds, who navigate the night with echolocation while searching for fruits like palm nuts and wild avocados, was an early highlight that set the tone for the trip. We arrived at the lodge around lunchtime, settled into our cabins, and enjoyed a delicious meal before taking a well-deserved break. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the lodge gardens, where we recorded an incredible 12 species of hummingbirds—a fantastic welcome to the region. Colorful tanagers, honeycreepers, dacnises, oropendolas, parrots, and many others kept the excitement going.

In the following days, we continued birding in the Andean foothills, including a visit to a nearby reserve where we had excellent views of Rufous-sided Crake and the critically endangered San Martín Titi Monkey. We also enjoyed encounters with several sought-after endemics, such as Black-bellied Tanager and the very localized Burnished-buff Tanager.

San Martin Titi Monkey © Doris Valencia

Our exploration then took us deep into the Alto Mayo Reserve, a vast protected area of more than 450,000 acres that shelters pristine cloud forest, moist pre-montane forest, and distinctive white-sand forest. We visited some of northern Peru’s premier birding sites, including Abra Patricia (Owlet Lodge) and the Alto Nieva reserves. We spent several days birding along the road at various elevations, where we were treated to superb views of tanagers, hummingbirds, flycatchers, quetzals, parrots, and many other forest treasures. The landscape itself was as striking as the wildlife—lush green forest draped in bromeliads, tree ferns, and a wonderful diversity of orchids.

Phragmipedium kovachii © Doris Valencia

One of our most unforgettable days was spent in the Utcubamba Valley. There, we were surprised by a flock of more than 40 Peruvian Pigeons, likely the largest group I’ve ever encountered. The valley, carved by the Utcubamba River, was once home to the pre-Inca Chachapoya civilization, the legendary “People of the Clouds.” Our main objective was the marvelous Peruvian endemic Marvelous Spatuletail, one of the world’s most extraordinary hummingbirds. This species has only four tail feathers, two of which end in violet-blue racquet-shaped spatules that the male lifts and swings with precision during display flights. We were lucky to enjoy multiple outstanding views of two males and two females, an experience that will remain etched in our memories. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the Gocta Falls, the third tallest waterfall in Peru, a breathtaking landscape that provided the perfect backdrop to an already spectacular day.

Gocta Falls © Doris Valencia

In the days that followed, our luck continued with fantastic views of the Peruvian endemics Chestnut Antpitta and Rusty-tinged Antpitta, thanks to the skilled “antpitta whisperers” who have spent years patiently habituating these famously elusive birds.

Rusty-tinged Antpitta © Doris Valencia

After several nights of light showers, we were finally gifted with a perfectly clear evening and with it, one of the most extraordinary moments of the entire trip. That particular night, we were treated to unforgettable views of one of Peru’s most enigmatic and range-restricted endemics: the one and only Long-whiskered Owlet. This species is so unique that it occupies its own genus, Xenoglaux, meaning “strange owl,” and bears the name loweryi in honor of George Lowery, founder of the LSU Museum of Natural Science. Discovered in 1976 during an LSU expedition, the bird then vanished from the ornithological radar for decades; its voice wasn’t recorded until 2002, and the first modern sightings came only between 2007 and 2010. Even today it remains rare, elusive, and confined to a very limited area. That night, however, everything aligned; we were incredibly fortunate to watch one perched calmly for several minutes, giving us exceptional views. It was a magical, almost surreal encounter, one that everyone savored to the fullest and will surely remember for years to come.

Long-whiskered Owlet © Doris Valencia

We also dedicated one morning to birding a lagoon near Tarapoto, where we found various duck species, an Osprey, the strange and charismatic Hoatzin, and several other surprises that enriched our already long trip list.  Beyond the birding itself, our journey was filled with warm hospitality, excellent meals, and wonderful company. By the end of the tour, we had recorded an impressive 275 species, an outstanding total that reflects the richness and diversity of northern Peru.

A complete list of the birds recorded on this trip can be found at: https://ebird.org/tripreport/429522

Photo gallery.

Description for the next departure of this tour.

Doris Valencia's upcoming tour schedule.