Birding in Peru, with Renzo Zeppilli

American Birding Association

Featuring the Manu Wildlife Center

June 07 - June 19, 2009

Land Program Cost: $4,995

This trip took place in June 2009. Check our listing for possible future departures.

Expedition Leader - Renzo Zeppilli

Renzo was born in Lima- Peru and began breeding psittacines when he was 13. He became a professional birder 1992 working in Los Roques National Park. Renzo returned to Peru ten years ago to guide birding trips in the Southeastern Peruvian rainforest, specifically the Tambopata – Candamo national park, Colca Valley, Paracas, the Cuzco region and Bolivia. He is currently leading bird tours between the Manu Biosphere Reserve and other interesting and remote high Andean more...

Summary

Join us as we explore the wonders of Peru and Amazonia, home to more than 1,800 bird species. Barry Walker, one of the most highly regarded birding guides in South America and whose company is operating this trip, has designed this itinerary to maximize your chances of seeing the highest number of species by traveling the best cross section of the Manu Wilderness.

Begin in Cusco with a visit to the Huacarpay Lakes region where we search for high-elevation endemics and specialties of montane scrub and marshlands, including the stunning Bearded Mountaineer. Other species include Giant Hummingbird, Rustyfronted Canastero, and about 60 other species.

As we begin our descent into the Manu World Biological Reserve, we begin a transect through one of the richest biological areas in the world. We stop for mixed species and flocks of tanagers and flycatchers as we search for Peruvian endemics such as Red-and-White Antpitta. Spend two nights at the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge with its nearby lek of Andean Cocks-of-the- Rock. The birding in this cloud forest area is spectacular with Versicolored Barbet among other species coming to the lodge’s fruit feeders.

Continue into the Amazon Basin by boat, with a river journey along the Alto Madre de Dios River and the opportunity to see Fasciated Tiger-Heron. Stay at the charming Manu Wildlife Center, where an extensive trail system takes us through diverse habitats with the opportunity to see over 300 species, including Peruvian Recurvebill and Rufous-headed Woodpecker. Visit a mineral lick where macaws and parrots feed daily.

Travel by train along the rushing Urubamba River to the world-famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dippers are common and we search for Silverbacked Tanager, Sclater’s and Bolivian Tyrannulets, as well as for Peruvian endemics such as Inca Wren, Green-and-White Hummingbird, and the very local endemic, Masked Fruiteater.

OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP BIRDING – THE PERUVIAN COAST & COLCA CANYON – June 3 - 7, 2009
Arrive early to see the coastal species in the Villa Marshes and Pucusana, targeting Inca Tern, Blackish Oystercatcher, Humbolt Penguin and many other shore birds. Then fly to Arequipa to bird around huge salt lakes with three species of flamingos, Andean Avocet, and numerous smaller birds in the montane scrub, such as Tamarugo Conebill, Black Metaltail and Straight-billed Earthcreeper. Then explore the barren altiplano and Colca Canyon, more than twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. Andean Condors can be seen at close range, along with Puna Hawk, Aplomado Falcon and others.
Includes one night in Lima, two nights in Arequipa and one at Colca Canyon Lodge, all meals, two flights and a professional birding guide.