Five Fabulous Birds of Tambopata, Peru

Tambopata, Peru, often referred to as the “capital of biodiversity”, is a birdwatching paradise.  With more than 600 species of birds, it can be difficult to choose a favorite, but here are five characteristic birds from Tambopata. 

 

1. Hoatzin,  Opisthocomus Hoazin

●      Found along the shores of lakes an lagunes

●      Also referred to as the “stinkbird” due to the foul odor caused by its digestive system

●      The chicks have claws on their wings that they lose as adults.  For this reason scientists once thought the Hoatzin could be the missing link to primitive birds such as the Archaiopterix. They have since found them to be a distant relative of the cuckcoo. 

 

2. Orupendula, Psarocolius angustifrons

●      Found in tropical or sub-tropical lowland forests.

●      Their vocalizations sound like drip-dropping water.

●      This species of bird are named due to their characteristic nests which hang from the trees in the shape of a pendulum. 

 

3. Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja

●      Found in the upper canopy (emergent) layer of the tropical lowland forests.

●      With a wingspan of 2 meters they are the second largest eagle in the world.

●      Their claws can measure up to 13 inches (that’s larger than a grizzly bear’s claws!). 

●      Feed on arboreal mammals such as monkeys and sloths.

 

4. White-throated (Curvier’s) Tucan, Ramphastos tucanus

●      Found in tropical humid forest, woodland and rivine forest.

●      The largest Tucan species found in Tambopata. 

●      Courtship behaviors include bill-nibbling, allopreening, and courtship feeding.

●      Cappuchin monkeys are a threat to toucan eggs and chicks.

 

5. Red and Green Macaw, Ara Chloroptera

●      This brilliantly colored bird is also the largest of the Macaw species.

●      It can be found in large groups eating clay along the river banks in the early mornings.

●      There are two theories as to why Macaws eat clay.  One is to balance out the acid in their stomachs from the various rain forest fruits they consume throughout the day.  The other theory is that Macaws eat clay for the minerals it contains such as sodium and magnesium. 

●      The Red and Green Macaw has a very strong beak for breaking open Brazil Nuts.  It is strong enough to break a broomkstick into two pieces!