The Marvelous Spatuletail is one of the most distinctive hummingbirds in the world. Adult males have mostly green upperparts and a white chest with a glittering purple throat patch. Its most notable feature is its tail, which has four feathers: two long outer feathers ending in large spatule-shaped discs, and two shorter central feathers. 

The Cuzco Brushfinch is a small songbird in the Passerellidae family. It is endemic to the humid montane forests of southeastern Peru.

Birding in Peru involves a wide range of climates and terrain, even within a single day. Because conditions can change quickly across elevations and habitats, practical clothing and gear choices are essential for comfort and safety.

If you’re looking for gear recommendations (camera, lens, tripod), here’s a quick summary of what we’ve found works well for bird photography in Peru specifically.

The undulated antpitta is a secretive bird of the cloud forests of the Andes, known for its rounded shape, long legs, and subtly barred plumage. It’s one of several antpittas that make the understory of montane forests their home — often heard before it’s seen.

Originally described as Hirundo cyanoleuca by Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot in 1817, has three recognized subspecies, incl. P. c. peruviana in Coastal Peru.

The Long‑tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii) is a hummingbird species found in the Andean regions of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, inhabiting humid montane forests and edges at elevations between 900 and 3,000 m.

The Golden‑olive Woodpecker is a versatile, widespread Neotropical woodpecker with many regional variants. Its has a distinctive olive plumage, red facial markings on males, and varied habitat tolerance—from dense forests to coffee plantations. Although its population trend appears to be decreasing, its enormous range and adaptability have kept its conservation status as Least Concern.

Found in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Lives in humid montane forests, foothills, and wooded slopes; also occupies disturbed forests, secondary growth, and pine-oak woodlands.

Geographic range: Cloud forests along the eastern Andes slopes, from southeast Peru (Cusco to Puno) to central Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba). Collared Inca has a distinctive white breast patch, unlike the orange collar of Gould’s Inca.

A hummingbird in the “brilliants” tribe Heliantheini, subfamily Lesbiinae. Once placed in Helianthea, now recognized with four subspecies, including C. v. osculans in Cuzco and Puno, Peru. One of the hihlights of graden birding with Birding Tours Peru. 

The White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae and is considered one of the smallest hummingbirds in its range. It measures approximately 6.4 to 7.1 centimeters in length and weighs around 2.3 grams. Known for its rapid flight and hovering ability, it shares key behavioral traits with other hummingbirds.

White-throated Toucan's large bill is not just for eating—it helps regulate body temperature by radiating heat. Despite its size, it is very light, made of keratin with a spongy interior.

Black Metaltail (Metallura phoebe) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes" tribe (Lesbiini) of the subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.

Red-and-white antpitta (Grallaria erythroleuca) is a bird species in the family Grallariidae. It is endemic to Peru, primarily found on the eastern slopes of the Andes.

The Rusty-fronted Canastero is a passerine bird species endemic to the highlands of southern Peru. It inhabits the montane grasslands and shrublands of the Andes, primarily in the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua.

The Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis) is a striking hummingbird species found exclusively in the high-altitude valleys of south-central Peru. Its range spans the departments of Apurímac, Cuzco, Huancavelica, and Ayacucho, particularly within the drainages of the Urubamba, Apurímac, Mantaro, Pampas, and Chalhuanca rivers. This species inhabits elevations ranging from 2,500 to 3,900 meters, favoring dry Andean valleys characterized by rocky, scrubby hillsides and open woodlands.

The Green-and-white Hummingbird is a species found exclusively on the eastern slopes of the Andes from Huánuco to Cuzco. It is classified in the family Trochilidae and was previously placed in the genus Amazilia, but molecular studies now classify it in the genus Elliotomyia.

The Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi) is a species of wading bird in the family Threskiornithidae, found in the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. It typically inhabits altitudes of 3,200 to 4,500 meters, in wetlands, marshes, and lagoons of the puna ecosystem. It is also found in coastal wetlands seasonally.

The Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) is a species native to the Andes, ranging from Venezuela to Bolivia. It is the only member of the genus Ensifera and is known for having a bill longer than its body, excluding the tail.

The Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus) ranks as the fourth-largest hummingbird, behind the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) and the two species of Topaza (Crimson and Fiery Topaz). It inhabits humid montane forests and forest edges in the Andes at elevations ranging from 2,600 to 3,700 meters.Witnessing its large, shining blue wings is the highlight of almost any of the birding tours in Peru. 

The Versicolored Barbet (Eubucco versicolor) is found in the Andean forests of Peru and Bolivia. It belongs to the family Capitonidae (New World barbets), part of the larger order Piciformes, which also includes woodpeckers and toucans. Piciformes are mostly arboreal, nest in tree cavities and have strong beaks, while Capitonidae are found solely in Central and South America, and are mostly fruit-eating.

The Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes alpinus) is a small bird from the tyrant flycatcher family (Tyrannidae), native to the high-altitude regions of Bolivia and Peru. It thrives in Polylepis and Gynoxys woodlands, typically found on steep slopes at elevations of 3,700–4,600 meters.

The Blue-mantled Thornbill belongs to the genus Chalcostigma in the subfamily Lesbiini. The genus is currently the subject of ongoing debate, with the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society considering merging it into the genus Oxypogon.

Cinclodes, a genus of passerine birds in the family Furnariidae, are typically found in South America, particularly in high-altitude regions of the Andes.

Antpittas, or Grallariidae, are a family of small suboscine passerine birds native to South America. These forest-dwelling birds are often found feeding on the ground, with many species being specialist ant eaters. Antpittas are timid and spend more time walking than flying. Their drab plumage, typically rusty brown, black, and white, along with long, powerful legs and vestigial tails that help them maintain an upright posture, are all adaptations to their habitat.

Birdwatching in Peru’s mountains is a dream for any birder. Birding opportunities vary depending on the four key habitats: lush gardens, rainforests, expansive pampas, and rugged mountains. To see the elegant Andean Hillstar, or the cautious Blue-mantled Thornbill, you will need to leave the comfort of the car and walk in the rugged, thin-aired terrain.

With over 100 endemic species, Peru is a top choice for birders seeking rare and region-specific birds. Endemics like Koepcke’s Hermit, Black-breasted Hillstar, Bearded Mountaineer, Marvelous Spatuletail, Vilcabamba Tapaculo, and the Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch—featured in the logo of Birds Hotel Molino—are just a few to name.

Look at this tiny Mulsant—isn't it amazing how a complex biological mechanism can be contained in this tiny, beautifully designed body? This diminutive male is just one example of why Peru, a country known for its natural beauty, has long been a haven for birdwatchers.

However, despite its extraordinary avian diversity, Peru’s infrastructure for birding tourism has historically lagged behind that of more tropical countries in Central and South America, making access to some of its best birding spots more challenging.

Thornbills belong to the genus Chalcostigma, a group of five small hummingbird species found in the high-altitude regions of the Andes. They are characterized by their short, slightly decurved bills and iridescent gorgets, often displaying striking metallic colors. Thornbills inhabit elevations above 2,500 meters and well into 4,000 meters.

The genus Oreotrochilus, commonly known as hillstars, consists of seven hummingbird species uniquely adapted to the high-altitude regions of the Andes. The Black-breasted Hillstar is endemic to Peru. 

While trogons are commonly found in mainland forests, they are generally absent from oceanic islands, except in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Some species, such as the quetzals, are adapted to cooler montane forests. Notably, one of the species, the golden-headed quetzal, can be found in the Quillabamba Road, which is located a 2–3 hour ride from Birds Hotel Molino.

The Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) is the national bird of Peru. It is primarily found in the mountainous and forested areas of the jungle. The male's bright red plumage, combined with its prominent crest, makes it one of the most visually striking birds.

An ancient legend tells that when the last Inca prince of Vilcabamba realized his defeat was inevitable and there was nowhere left to hide, he spent his final night with the cock-of-the-rocks in his garden. In this moment of stillness, he told the birds to fly far away, toward the misty subtropical forests. He asked that their plumage, as bright as fire, become a symbol of the joy that transcended all the great things the Incas had achieved.

Birds produce color through various mechanisms, including pigment-based coloration, light scattering from nanostructured feather tissues, and combinations of both. Among birds, hummingbirds are particularly renowned for their brilliant, iridescent colors. The source of this vibrant coloration is not simply due to pigments, but rather to a complex interplay between light and the nanostructured feathers of the bird.

Nature photography is endlessly fascinating: nature is always in motion, and no two moments are ever the same.

It can be challenging – finding the balance between curiosity and the pursuit of the perfect shot, while always respecting the wildlife and its space.

In Beskidy mountain range, only a few hundred Western capercaillies, or "cocks-of-the-woods," remain, making the species endangered. A cock living in that region was recently being disturbed by tourists and wildlife photographers, who later shared their photos on social media.

Because people continued to harass the animal, authorities eventually decided to capture it and relocate it to a quieter area. Unfortunately, the bird did not survive the move.