PELAGIC OCEAN BIRDS:

Peruvian megadiversity is not an exclusive land phenomenon it also occurs at sea. Envolves the ichthyological and of course the ornithological fauna. Pelagic birds are not coastal birds or beach birds, they are open sea birds. Occurring out of the continental platform, in the pelagic sea specifically. Generally, they use the land only to nest and they choose inhospitable island spots at Galapagos, Easter Island, mulls from New Zealand, Malvinas and Shetland islands, and/or Antarctic/Arctic coast.

In order to see these birds, it is necessary to go more than 30 or 35 nautical miles offshore, where no sight of land its possible. 

Parallel to our coast of 3080 km, Peru has sovereingty over a 200 nautical miles fringe, named the Peruvian Sea. From Tumbes to Bayovar, we often perceive the presence of a tropical sea current called El Nino and, from Bayovar to Tacna, close to the south border with Chile, we find the Peruvian Current or Humboldt Current which is austral and flows south to north, on the opposite direction to El Niño Current.

The existence and convergence of both sea currents, one tropical warm and the other austral cold, provokes the large biodiversity of the Peruvian sea considered the richest in the world(1).

The pelagic birds group is conformed basically by albatroses, petrels, prions, shearwaters and storm-petrels. All from the order procelariiformes; except the Humboldt penguin Spheniscus humboldti that is endemic to the current and has its name, belongs to the order Sphenisciformes.

In the world, there are 14 species of albatroses, 10 of them show in the Neotrophic Region and 8 in the Peruvian sea. With respect to petrels, from 75 species in the world, 42 occur in the Neotrophic and 26 appear in Peru including the Peruvian diving Petrel Pelecanoides garnotii which is an endemic species, only to be found in the Peruvian Sea. The situation of storm-petrels and tropicbirds is also very rich and surprising.

Our trips to see pelagic ocean birds are conveniently scheduled according to season, sea level, and sighting reports.

(1)"Lords of Guano" History of fishing in Peru

SHORE BIRDS

These are coastal and beach birds. This group is formed by pelicans, boobies, cormorants. Oystercatchers, sandpipers, plovers, avocets and thick knees. The first three belong to order Pelecaniformes, and the other ones belong to order Charadriiformes.

The allready mentioned sea currents, El Nino and Humboldt or Peruvian current determine not only the sea but also the coast geometeorological characteristics: tropical arid to the extreme north face to El Nino current, from Tumbes to La Libertad, and subtropical arid from Ancash to Tacna.

Usually shore birds are along the entire coast. With some exceptions, like the frigatebird Fregata magnificens that can only be found in the north. In this category, guanay cormorant, Phalacrocorax bougainvilii, boobies, Sula variegata, Sula dactylatra and Sula nebouxi, and the peruvian pelican, Phelecanus thagus. All very important as they are endemic species of Humboldt current. From 10 species of boobies all over the world, in Peru occur 6.

MIGRATORY BIRDS IN THE COAST

The immigration of birds that nest in other latitudes or in the northern hemisphere does not happen only in the coast and obviously it has a large range of species from diverse orders, among them falconiforme, charadriforme, and also paseriforme.

The migratory event, which is interesting to observe as a phenomenon, is the one that occurs at Paracas and Mejía, highlighting the Reserva Nacional de Paracas (Paracas National Reserve), and the Santuario Nacional Lagunas de Mejía (Lagunas de Mejia National Sanctuary), because they are important stations.

These two localities have a particular importance because determine the survival of some migratory species such as the sanderling, Calidris alba. Regarding this species there are registrations of large flocks of 60 thousand individuals. Likewise, the cases of the Franklin seagull Larus pipixcans, or the Wilson’s phalarope Steganopus tricolor are similar. Another important migratory bird is the Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus.

These species usually form associated flocks and it is something worth observing and necessary to monitor. Plovers in Peru occur 15 species from 66 in the world from sanderlings whimbrels and phaloropes 36 from 81 occur in Peru. Gulls 13 to 51.

Moreover, the presence of the Osprey, Pandion haliaetus is very important; although it is a species of world wide distribution, it nests only in North America, and probably one of its most numerous and extraordinary concentration takes place in Mejia. 10 individuals have been observed in the sanctuary that has only 690 hectares. In other latitudes, the Osprey is considered a solitaire.

HIGH ANDEAN BIRDS

The indisputable king of the majestic Andes(2) is the condor: Vultur griphus. It is the biggest flying bird in the world and it is the identification of the Andes and Peru. Its number is worryingly decreasing. An urgent assessment and research are essential for this magnificent and unique species.

The Lesser Rhea, Pterocnemia pennata, is the biggest non-flying bird on the Neotrophical ecozone, in contrast with the Condor. It belongs to the order struthioniformes and to the family of rheas, which has only two species in the world.

In the South high Andes of Peru, we find the northern limit of the Lesser Rhea range, which covers up to the Patagonia, but discontinuously, with isolated populations. This has caused the unsolved discussion that the race found in Peru, Pterocnemia pennata garleppi, remarkably darker, is in fact other species. This is certainly a subject for a specialist looking for a degree in ornithology.

Likewise, the Andes range is also the preferred habitat of tinamiformes, podicipediformes, ciconiiformes, phoenicopteriformes, anseniformes, falconiformes and gruiformes among other orders.

(2) The Andes is the longest mountain range of the planet, with more that 11,000 Km and it covers two continents, South America and the Antarctic. The Central Andes cross Peru longitudinally. It is a habitat that together with the Amazon region, are characteristics of the Neotropical ecozone.

From the first order, we can give emphasis to tinamous. These birds, in spite that in some books(3) are considered typical to the tropical forest, in Peru they are considered High Andean. A proof of the species diversity that this family have is that in Peru there are 28 tinamous out of 47 in the world: some of the most important is the big tinamou, Tinamus mayor, from which we actually have three races, and one of them, the Tinamus mayor latifrons, reaches 2,000 meters above sea level by the side of the Eastern slope of the Andes. Others are the mountain tinamou, Nothoprocta pentlandii, found over 4,000 meters above sea level, the Puna tinamou or Kiula, Tinamotis pentlandii, which is the biggest of the High Andean tinamous.

Regarding grebes and their habitats, our country has approximately 6 thousand natural fresh water reservoirs such as lakes, small lakes, wetlands and mashes. Most of them are located in the High Andean Region. Each of these wetlands is an observation center but they have vital importance, especially for all the species of grebes, which are the most vulnerable to pollution and level changes on the water bodies where they live. In Peru there are 7 species out of 19 in the world.

We must highlight Lake Junin, which is the habitat of the Junin diving flightless grebe, Podiceps taczanowskii, endemic and in danger of extinction species. Of course, Lake Titicaca is also important and has another endemic diving grebe, the Rollandia microptera.

(3) COLLINS A Field Guide to the Birds of South America.

Then we have the ciconiiformes. From these, we must stand out the ibis: the Yanavico or Puna Ibis, Plegadis ridgwayi, the Andean Ibis, Theristicus branickii and the Bandurria, Theristicus caudatus, and more than at least a dozen species of herons. In Peru, from the ibises and spoonbills families, there are 8 out of 33 in the world. With regard to herons, there are 20 out of 63 in the world.

Concerning flamingoes, with only 5 species in the world, we have 3 of them in Peru: the Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis, and the Andean and Puna flamingos, Phoenicoparrus andinus and Phoenicoparrus jamesi respectively. In our High Lands and volcanoes circuit, in Salinas we can observe all the three species together which is very interesting because it does not happen elsewhere.

With regard to geese and ducks, anseriformes, it is worth mentioning the Huallata, Chloephaga melanoptera, or Andean goose, the puna duck, Yucsa or zenja azul, Anas puna, and the Andean duck, Oxyura ferruginea, the crested duck, Lophonetta especularoides, the yellow billed or brown pintail, Anas georgica, the speckled teal, Anas flavirostris, etc. In Peru occur 22 species out of 157 in the world.

The falconiformes is an immense and very interesting separate chapter. We will mention only some of them: the mountain caracara, Phalcobaenus albogularis, the black chested buzzard eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus, the Puna Hawk, Buteo poecilochrous, the zone tailed hawk, Buteo albonotatus, the red hawk, Accipiter erythronemius, is probably the division of the Andean race into a new species, Accipiter ventralis?.

Total species of turkey vultures and new world vultures from the new world is 7 and 6 are in Peru; from the species of harriers, hawks and eagles, there are 236 in the world and 48 occur in Peru, and falcons and Caracaras 63 in the world and 19 in Peru.

To end this superficial synthesis of high land birds, we cannot overlook the endless numbers of moorhen and coot species from which we can stand out the giant coot, Fulica gigantea, plumbeous rail, Ralus sanguinolentus, a very beautiful bird whose name in Spanish is unfair and mistaken. (gallineta común) The Junin rail, as well as the divers or grebes, is an endemic species to the Junin Lake, Laterallus tuerosi. With regards to moorhens, crakes, gallinules and coots, Peru has 29 out of 134 in all the world.

CLOUD FOREST AND AMAZON PLAIN BIRDS

According to territorial area, the Peruvian Amazon region covers almost 60% of the territory. However, only 5% of the country's human population lives there. There are still forests where no human being has walked in, today, at the beginning of the XXI Century, native tribes with slight and hostile contact with civilization... and bird areas with species to be described!!

For many twitchers(4), and serious birdwatchers, birds of this region are the most beautiful, interesting and important in the world. Many scientists agree that the Pillahuata zone, which is a cloud forest downhill to the Manu National Park, is the greatest imaginable observation area.

The observation in this area however, is the most difficult. It requires more stay time and more specialized guides.

There we can find more than 1000 species. In Manu, the bird watching record was held in one day without motor-operated machines, 354 species. A trip to Manu can easily contribute with 500 species to a birdwatcher list.

Mixed flocks of tanagers and flycatchers constitute a unique additional show..

(4)From English word twitching. It refers to experts who identify species by their sound, their singings and their mating calls instead of bird sighting. This form implies the use of tape recorders and it is required in cloud forests and the Amazon plains.

Risking a difficult birds synthesis of this prolific zone, it is important to mention once again orders such as: ciconiiformes, anseniformes, falconiformes, galliformes, gruiformes, charadriiformes, psittaciformes, cuculiformes, opistocomiformes, stringiformes, caprimulgiformes, apodiformes, trogoniformes, coraciformes, galbuliformes, piciformes and of course the endless numbers of paseriformes species

From the family of storks, it is worth mentioning the Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria and the wood stork, Mycteria americana and the roseate spoonbill, Ajaja ajaja of the threskiornithidae family. Regarding gooses and ducks, it is important to mention the Orinoco goose, Neochen jubata, the whistling duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis, the masked duck, Nomonyx (oxiura) dominicus. With regards to falcons and eagles, of course we have to mention the great Black Falcon, Buteogallus urubitinga, the crested eagle, Morphnus guianensis, the harpy eagle, Harpia harpiya, the crowned eagle, Spizaetus ornatus, etc. Next we have the razor billed curassow, Mito tuberosun, the blue throated pipping guan, the Blue-throated curassow, Piptile cumanensis..

It is impossible to mention all we would like. There is a lot to be discovered in a birding trip visiting Peru(5). We cannot forget the macaws and parrots, which are spectacular to observe from the clay-licks of Tambopata and Blanquillo. Peru has 49 species out of 354 existing in all the world, and they are usually representative of the Amazon Region.

(5) As you may know, the best thing offered by Peru are birds but there are also so many attractions and wonderful places that you will like to visit without a doubt. Please, ask for additional information and contact our tour operator: Servicios Aéreos AQP (AQP Air Services).

ENDEMIC ZONE OF TUMBES AND TEH MARAÑON AND HUALLAGA VALLEYS BIRDS

As we have mentioned, we find 118 endemic species in our country. Endemic species included in diverse orders and localized in almost all the regions according to the species

However, in the north, in the department of Tumbes, there is the most important endemic center of the world(6) called the Tumbesian endemic region. As we tried to advise, it does not mean that all 118 endemic species are in this area. There are 54 species and restricted range. In order to give a true report, we should list and comment all these birds but this is not appropriate in a general document like this.

We want to mention, last but not least, hummingbirds, the most beautiful and interesting species of these colorful birds are endemic to Peru: The marvelous spatuletail, Loddigesia mirabilis, and the royal sun angel, Heliangelus regalis, for example. This is one of the most numerous families with 127 species out of 337 in the world.

We can be corrected or cause a controversy because face to the variety and beauty of these birds it is not easy to achieve an unanimous opinion. You have to come and see it by yourself; we will make your trip a successful, productive and very comfortable experience.

We are waiting for you for a life time birding experience together!.

(6) Thomas Valqui H. Where to watch birds in Peru, pag. 32.