Saipina Valley

What a cracking morning this proved to be as we birded the Saipina Valley, home to the Critically Endangered Red-fronted Macaw. Our search didn’t bode too well initially as we only had a pair flying high overhead as we scanned the fields and bushes from our vantage point beside the road. But there were lots of new birds such as White-fronted Woodpecker, Golden-billed Saltator, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, and a stunning Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch. 

White-fronted Woodpecker

A phonescoped Golden-billed Saltator

There was also Glittering-bellied Emerald, Blue-tufted Starthroat,  Blue-crowned Parakeets and White-bellied Tyrannulet. 

Blue-crowned Parakeet

From here we drove further into the valley where below some cliffs we found White-winged Black-Tyrant, several of the endemic Cliff Parakeet, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Crowned Slaty Flycatcher, Masked Gnatcatcher, Ringed Warbling-Finch, and a White-bellied Hummer. 

Masked Gnatcatcher

Ringed Warbling-Finch

White-bellied Hummingbird

All of a sudden we heard the distinctive sound of macaws from up the valley and there they were….. A pair flew right past us, circled around and came in to land more or less right beside us on some tall cacti where they called before flying to some bushes a little further away. The flight views in the morning sunshine were spectacular to say the least. Wow! 

Red-fronted Macaw

We followed this with some coffee here and then found a fine Ultramarine Grosbeak and both Grey-crested and Red-crested Finches appeared. 

Ultramarine Grosbeak

We left here and drove into another dry valley where a pair of White-tipped Plantcutters looked fantastic and were a good spot by Martin, whilst there were several more previously seen hummers to keep us entertained.  

Group in the Saipina Valley

Moving on we walked alongside a dry river valley where bird activity continued apace with Streak-fronted Thornbird and Southern Scrub Flycatcher appearing before a pair of awesome Cream-backed Woodpeckers were found. What a bird this is and a lifer for yours truly – a high five moment. 

Cream-backed Woodpecker

We also saw Cliff Flycatcher, the endemic Bolivian Earthcreeper, Stripe-crowned Spinetail and a group of Dusky-legged Guans.

In the afternoon after a siesta we drove up into the hills above Comarapa and struggled to find any birds in the high winds. However, we did get a brief view of a skulking Spot-breasted Thornbird and whilst trying to catch a glimpse of this species a Pectoral Sparrowflew in. We also had a flyby Yungas Dove, Chiguanco Thrush and an attractive Brown-capped Whitestart entertained us for a while. So we decided to head back to the hotel earlier than usual as we had another early start to look forward to!