The only risk is...boosting your list
Sign Up   or   log in  | 
Username:   Password:     
 
 
Recent bird sightings:
Sites - Parque Nacional Amacayacu

Site evaluation: 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Species:  
Elevation: 100-110 m
Climate: Hot and humid
Trails: Guided and self-guid
Accommodation: 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Food: 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Hot water: No
Electricity: Yes
Communications: Cell phone
Region: Eastern Lowlands
Location: Dept of Amazonas
Summary: Amacayacu National Park has good accommodation and infrastructure, making it ideal for birding. NOTE: this park is fast becoming popular, so it is important to book in advance. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the Park, with the vast majority regularly found within several km of the park headquarters - there is much to keep birders busy. The river water levels follow the Andean rainy season, so that between February to May the Río Amazon is very high. During this time, access to várzea (seasonally flooded) forest is only possible by dugout canoe and guide. The low river waters and dry months of July to October are best along the Río Amazon.
Endemics:
Key Species: Wattled Currassow, Slate-colored Hawk, Buckley's Forest-Falcon, Pied Lapwing, Sand-colored and Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Red-billed Ground-Cuckoo, Plain-breasted Piculet, River Tyrannulet, Drab Water-Tyrant, Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, Little Ground-Tyrant and Riverside Tyrant, Citron-bellied Attila, Ochre-striped Antpitta, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Striated Antthrush, Castelnau’s Antshrike, Leaden Antwren, Ash-browed Antbird
Access: 60 km west, 3 hours from Leticia
Site Description: There is a short 4 m high elevated walkway leading through regenerating várzea forest between the Park center and offices, which provides some excellent birding, including Amazonian Umbrellabird, Plum-throated Cotinga, and Great Potoo. The best birding trail leads NW from the Park offices, along a well marked “Río Amacayacu trail”, that first goes through boggy forest with Citron-bellied Attila (km 0.4). On entering terra firme forest after 750 m there are signs to a platform overlooking a open swampy area, which is an excellent location to observe Horned Screamers and many other species. Continuing from the platform, the trail runs for 12 km to San Martin village on the Río Amacayacu, or 6 km to the Amacayacu park cabin. Just beyond the platform from km 1 to km 5 is excellent terra firme forest, which has produced Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (km 0.15 & 4.0), Grey-winged Trumpeter (km 2-2.5), Ochre-striped Antpitta (Km 2.5 & 4), Rusty-belted Tapaculo (km 1.5-4), Red-billed Ground-Cuckoo (km 1.2), Banded Antbird (km 2.5 & 4), Striated Antthrush (km 4-5), Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin (km 4.5), and Wing-barred Piprites (km 4.5). Additional species along this trail include White-chested Puffbird, Golden-collared Toucanet, White-plumed Antbird and Fulvous Shrike-Tanager. Go left for the Amacayacu park cabin (right to San Martin) at a fork in the trail at km 4.5 just after crossing a stream. After Km 5 the trail enters disturbed forest and ends at the Amacayacu park cabin. A direct trail along the river levee of the Río Amazon runs directly between Matamata and Amacayacu park cabins. The forest is largely secondary, but can be very productive.

The cabin area itself is often productive; keep watch for edge species including Sunbittern, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Olive-spotted Hummingbird, Golden-tailed Sapphire, White-eared and White-chinned Jacamars, Scarlet-crowned Barbet and Long-billed Woodcreeper.

Take a guide to explore the trails of Isla Mocagua, which supports a great diversity of várzea forest and swamp specialties. The large island is just across from the Park headquarters and contains a range of young and mature várzea forest, as well as seasonal swamps and lakes. Several muddy trails go about the island, worth spending at least a day exploring for Wattled Curassow, Hoatzin, Short-tailed Parrot, Plain-breasted Piculet, Castelnau’s Antshrike, Leaden Antwren, Ash-browed Antbird, Lesser Hornero and Amazonian Umbrellabird.

The back-waters of Quebrada Matamata and Quebrada Bacaba, from beside the Park headquarters are well worth birding using a guide and canoe, with Varzea Mourner seen commonly here. Gently paddling up the creeks for 5 km leads into good várzea forest, which can be further explored by getting out and walking about where possible.

Between late July to early September Erythrina trees are flowering, which attract a large diversity of birds, particularly hummingbirds, parrots, and caciques.
Birding colombia is the hub for info on birding sites, guides, tours, recent news, trip reports, photos, bird lists, and much more.