Some tumbesian endemics...

The tumbesian region extends from Western Ecuador down to NW Peru. It is generally rather dry but can be very wet in the rainy season between February and May. The xerophytic scrub, coastal desert and deciduous woodlands are home to a remarkable array of birds and other creatures endemic to the region. Many of the endemic birds inhabit very small ranges and are quite scarce, indeed many are threatened. Habitat destruction is widespread and some species are in dire need of more protection. Peruvian Plantcutter, Rufous Flycatcher and White-winged Guan fall into this category.


A Tumbes Hummingbird hovering above a little waterfall in the lodge garden at Chaparri. This restricted range hummer is in the genus Leucippus, all of which tend to be rather dull and dusty-looking.


The distinctive Baird's Flycatcher. This large tyrant is a characteristic bird of deciduous woodland and scrub in the tumbesian region of SW Ecuador and NW Peru. It is quite noisy and generally easy to observe.


A Snowy-throated Kingbird. Another very distinctive tyrant and one whose range extends further north into NW Ecuador. It is superficially similar to the widespread Tropical Kingbird but has a different voice, is paler yellow on the underparts, has an obvious snowy-white throat and is paler and grayer on the upperparts.