Practical Information

In the Sacred Valley, the morning hours are typically the optimal time for high-altitude birding. Many of the prime birding spots are just a short, one-hour drive from our lodge, giving us ample time to enjoy some of the most elusive mountainous bird species.

Challenges of High Altitude Birding

Birding in these areas presents a few challenges:

1. Patience: Birds in these remote areas are often not accustomed to human presence, and you’ll need to be patient as you observe.
2. Physical Demands: The terrain at high elevations can be strenuous, requiring some stamina. The altitude can be taxing, and carrying photo equipment adds another layer of difficulty.
3. Preservation: These areas are semi-wild, and it’s important to keep them that way. It is not recommended to have sizable birding tours visit these places. Instead, try to go individually or in very small groups of 2-3 people.

Steps to Follow for Successful Birding High in the Andes

1. Select Your Equipment Carefully: Take only what you will really need, as carrying too much can be cumbersome.
2. Invest in Portable Hides: Get better chances for interesting photos, minimize your impact on the environment, and reduce stress on the birds.
3. Take Your Time: Moving slowly is key to avoid overexertion.
4. Be Patient: With the right approach, the rewards are immense. The chance to witness rare and beautiful species is truly rewarding.

List of High-Altitude Species You Can Watch with Us

Species endemic to Peru are marked in green. 

ACCIPITRIFORMES

• Accipitridae:
• Geranoaetus: Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)

ANSERIFORMES

• Anatidae:
• Chloephaga: Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)

APODIFORMES

• Trochilidae: 
• Lesbiinae:
• Heliantheini:
• Aglaeactis: White-tufted Sunbeam (Aglaeactis castelnaudii)
• Pterophanes: Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus)
• Lesbiini:
• Chalcostigma:  Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi)
• Oreotrochilus: Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella)

CHARADRIIFORMES

• Laridae:
• Chroicocephalus: Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus)

FALCONIFORMES

• Falconidae: 
• Falco: American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
• Phalcoboenus: Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)

GRUIFORMES

• Rallidae:
• Fulica: Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca)

PASSERIFORMES

• Furnariidae: 
• Asthenes: Puna Thistletail (Asthenes helleri), Rusty-fronted Canastero (Asthenes ottonis), Vilcabamba Thistletail (Asthenes vilcabambae)
• Cinclodes: Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae)
• Cranioleuca: Creamy-crested Spinetail (Cranioleuca albicapilla)
• Hellmayrea: White-browed Spinetail (Hellmayrea gularis)
• Grallariidae: 
• Grallaria: Red-and-white Antpitta (Grallaria erythroleuca), Stripe-headed Antpitta (Grallaria andicolus), Undulated Antpitta (Grallaria squamigera), Urubamba Antpitta (Grallaria occabambae)
• Parulidae:
• Myioborus: Spectacled Redstart (Myioborus melanocephalus), Slate-throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus)
• Passerellidae:
• Atlapetes: Cuzco Bushfinch (Atlapetes canigenis)
• Rhinocryptidae: 
• Scytalopus: Vilcabamba Tapaculo (Scytalopus urubambae)
• Thraupidae:
• Catamenia: Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis)
• Conirostrum: Cinereous Conebill (Conirostrum cinerum)
• Poospizopsis: Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (Poospizopsis caesar)
• Thlypopsis: Rust-and-Yellow Tanager (Thlypopsis ruficeps)
• Xenodacnis: Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina)
• Troglodytidae:
• Inca Wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni)
• Tyrannidae:
• Anairetes: Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes alpinus)
• Elaenia: Sierran Elaenia (Elaenia pallatangae), White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps)
• Ochthoeca: Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
• Pyrrhomyias: Cinnamon Flycatcher (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)

PELECANIFORMES

• Threskiornithidae:
• Plegadis: Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)
• Theristicus: Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)

PICIFORMES

• Picidae:
• Colaptes: Andean Flicker (Colaptes rupicola)