Feathered Gems of Northern Peru: Marvelous Spatuletail, Antpittas & Much More!

Marvelous Spatuletail © Andrew Whittaker

An unmatchable opportunity to observe spectacular hummingbirds and endemic and regional specialty birds from the dry habitat and sandy soil forest to the cloud forest of the eastern Cordillera. Great opportunity for close-distance viewing and photography due to the presence of bird feeders.

The diversity of birds in the Andes of northern Peru is greater than nearly anywhere else on earth. This fabled birding destination is full of colorful tanagers and hummingbirds, along with many exciting endemics and poorly known local specialties, a good number of which can be seen right from the doorstep of our lodges. The high rate of endemism here is due largely to geography, with the deep valley of the Marañon River bisecting the Andes to produce an impassable barrier between the north and the south sides of the valley.

This exciting itinerary maximizes our birding time, giving us a chance not only to seek rarities at various elevations but also to make the acquaintance of a number of widespread montane and foothill gems. Be prepared for a visual feast of hummingbirds, toucanets, toucans, woodpeckers, and antpittas!

Though development and settlement have accelerated with the marked improvement in roads and other infrastructure, this part of Peru still hosts some of the most pristine montane woodlands in the Neotropics. In the foothill forests of Cerro Escalera and the Akonabich Center, we hope to see the endemic Koepcke’s Hermit. Likewise, the Mishana Tyrannulet, Inambari Woodcreeper, Varzea Thrush, and Fiery-throated Fruiteater are among the many possibilities at Waqanki Lodge. Here, up to 20 species of hummingbirds visit feeders and buzz through one of the richest orchid gardens in the world. At mid-elevation near Moyobamba, we will encounter an entirely different suite of hummingbirds and tanagers, and a visit to a blind in a white-sand forest lets us watch tinamous, ground-doves, and perhaps even Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail at close quarters. We will also visit an easily accessible crevice with dozens of roosting Oilbirds, the only nocturnal frugivore bird in the world and certainly one of the most bizarre species in the Americas.

The centerpiece of our tour may well be our four-night stay at Abra Patricia Reserve and Owlet Lodge, a priority site for the critically endangered Long-whiskered Owlet, as well as the Rusty-tinged and Chestnut antpittas. Among the other endemics we will concentrate on finding during our sojourn here is the Marvelous Spatuletail, an extraordinary hummingbird with a global range restricted to a single Andean valley.

With a cool climate, good local cuisine, attractive gardens and feeder displays, and some of the best forests in the Andes that can be reached from the road edge, this tour is an ideal opportunity to experience fantastic birding in an unparalleled landscape.

Comfortable lodging and good food throughout; moderately strenuous physical demands; two relatively long drives in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles; steep trail to access one lodge; most birding along roads or feeding stations; highest elevation on route 7,550 ft.; climate warm and humid in Moyobamba and Tarapoto, cool and pleasant in the mountains around Abra Patricia.

Chestnut Antpitta © Andrew Whittaker