Bolivia Day 5

We had to leave the wonderful Los Volcanes this morning and head to Comorapa, but not before a couple of hours birding in the forest. We managed to pick up some good birds such as Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, both Cinnamon-throated and Ocellated Woodcreepers, Moustached Wren and finally getting tickable views of Green-cheeked Parakeet. We then had to get relayed back up to the top of the hill in the jeeps and begin our long journey across some fabulous scenery. We got delayed by an overturned car but picked up a Blue-throated Piping-guan whilst waiting and also had Blue-crowned Trogon along the way as well. During lunch we had White-tipped Swift and Purple-throated Euphonia flying over the restaurant in Samaipata and then birded a totally different habitat as we reached arid hillsides dotted with cacti. New birds were everywhere and we had great fun picking up species such as Masked Gnatcatcher, Southern Scrub Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Glittering-bellied Emerald and Pearly-vented Tody-tyrant. 

Blue-crowned Parakeet

At the next stop a pair of Blue-crowned Parakeets showed well perched on top of a bush, Yellow-browed Tyrant appeared briefly, an Andean Condor soared overhead, the first of many Golden-billed Saltators appeared and our first White-tipped Plantcutter was scoped, although we’d get much better views a little later in the afternoon. 

Golden-billed Saltator

We finished along a quiet lane with a scrub-covered hillside above us and scored with some more great birds. Stunning Blue-and-yellow Tanagers flew around, but we were more interested in White-fronted Woodpecker, stunning Ultramarine Grosbeaks, and cute little Ringed Warbling-finches. 

White-fronted Woodpecker

A Variable (Epaulet) Oriole also posed nicely, Small-billed Elaenia and Narrow-billed Woodcreeper also appeared and a Hepatic Tanager was also seen. The undoubted highlight of the day was the pair of Red-fronted Macaws flying overhead calling in the beautiful early evening sunshine. 

Red-fronted Macaw

Crowned Slaty-flycatcher

White-tipped Plantcutter

We ended the day with a Crowned Slaty-flycatcher posing nicely on telegraph wires, a stunning male White-tipped Plantcutter and Stripe-crowned Spinetail.