Tanagers provide a riot of colour
Early morning we again birded the railway line beside the river at Aguas Calientes. Tanagers were definitely the highlight of our birding. These included the very colourful Saffron-crowned Tanager, turquoise blue with a gold and orange head; Blue-necked Tanager; Beryl-spangled Tanager; Rust-and-yellow Tanager; Silver-backed Tanager; and Blue-capped Tanager. Keeping the colour theme going, we also had Orange-bellied Euphonia, Russet-backed Oropendola, Blue Dacnis, Black-backed Grosbeak, Slate-throated Redstart. We also enjoyed watching a pair of Cinnamon Flycatchers feeding from branches hanging over the river. The river itself again held Torrent Tyrannulet, Black Phoebe, White-capped Dipper and Torrent Duck. On our way back to the village, we added our one new bird of the day, a very confiding White-bellied Hummingbird.
We then took the train back to Cusco, again enjoying the fantastic mountain scenery en route. This time our train had observation windows in the roof which allowed much better views of the towering snow-capped peaks.
Back in Cusco we met up with Marlene Huaman, who is to be our bird guide for the next week as we bird the Manu Road.
Bird species list: 2830
Posted 28th July, Cusco, Peru