Birds of the Peruvian Amazon

The Peruvian Amazon is home to an extraordinary diversity of birds. Some are easy to spot thanks to their vibrant plumage or distinctive songs, while others blend almost perfectly into the surrounding vegetation. From the forest floor to the canopy, every species plays a unique role in this complex ecosystem.

During my field outings in the Amazon, I try not only to observe and photograph these birds, but also to better understand their way of life. Where do they nest? What do they eat? How do they communicate? What role do they play in the forest?

This page brings together the birds I have been fortunate enough to observe and photograph in the Peruvian Amazon. It is an invitation to discover the incredible palette of colors that nature has to offer.

You can also explore my other articles featuring the species I have encountered, including amphibians and insects, by clicking here.

If there is a particular species you would like me to feature, feel free to let me know in the comments. I’ll be happy to look for it during my next field outings—provided it can be found in the region, of course.

The Saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola)

Identification

The Saffron finch is a fairly common passerine bird in urban areas, measuring around 15 cm. It could be confused with the Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia), a migratory bird with similar colouring but a thinner bill.

It certainly lives up to its name, as this bird is bright yellow, as you can see in the photograph. The male, however, has an orange-tinged patch on its forehead. Juveniles and females, on the other hand, have more greyish colouring.

My encounter

This is a bird I see regularly. I photographed this individual in a friend’s garden. As for the juvenile, I photographed it in 2025 when I visited the Peruvian capital, Lima. They regularly come down to the grass to look for food and did not seem afraid of me, as I approached very slowly while respecting a safe distance.

Its habitat and lifestyle

This is a South American passerine that adapts very well to urban environments. It is not particularly shy and will stay nearby as long as it does not sense any danger. From my observations, they are never alone: they can be found in pairs or in groups of several individuals, and they may also associate with other species.

Reproduction

I have not found any reliable information about nesting in Peru. However, the juvenile I encountered already seemed to have a few yellow feathers. This was in January, which could correspond to the nesting season in Trinidad, which extends from April to January.

I found several references suggesting that it builds its nest in small cavities. Here in Peru, there are many brick houses, so it is possible that it finds suitable nesting sites there…

What are its main prey and predators?

I often see it on the ground, as shown in the first three photographs. It has a mixed diet. It likes fresh grass seeds, but it also searches for insects on the ground.

Some birds of prey could be among its predators. I have spotted Swallow-tailed Kites in Tarapoto, a magnificent raptor in flight that I unfortunately have never had the opportunity to photograph. This predator could play a role in regulating its population. Since the Saffron Finch apparently nests in cavities, these nesting sites could also attract predators interested in its eggs.

Delattre’s coquette (Lophornis delattrei)

Identification

It is impossible to mistake this hummingbird. With the orange crest worn by the male, it is a true jewel of nature. When we talk about hummingbirds, we are actually referring to the family Trochilidae, which includes several hundred species.

The male has this magnificent, very distinctive reddish-orange crest, ending in small dark tips. It is one of his main assets during the breeding season. He also has a very bright metallic-green throat. The female, on the other hand, is much more discreet: she has no crest and has reddish colouring on her forehead and throat. Both sexes have a characteristic white band on the rump and a reddish tail. Delattre’s Coquette measures approximately 7–7.5 cm.

My encounter

I took these photographs in 2025 during a tour dedicated to hummingbird watching. I wanted to share them here because this species has truly spectacular colours. I had set myself the challenge of photographing a hummingbird in flight, but its small size and incredible speed almost made me give up.

After I began to identify the flower it was feeding on, or rather, the flower she was feeding on, I managed to take my first photographs in flight. A magical moment of aerial acrobatics.

Its habitat and lifestyle

Its distribution is relatively limited, ranging from Costa Rica to Colombia, and also from Peru to Bolivia. It mainly lives in humid tropical forests at both low and high elevations.

The subspecies Lophornis delattrei delattrei is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes, from northern Peru to northern Bolivia, particularly in the San Martín region, where I encountered it at Waqanki.

What does it eat?

Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar, which provides them with a great deal of energy, such as the nectar from this small shrub of the genus Stachytarpheta sp. They also catch spiders and insects, which are an important source of food during the nesting period because of their high protein content.

Is this species threatened?

It is a rare bird, but its population is considered stable. It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

However, I did find one source indicating a possible declining population trend, particularly due to deforestation, agriculture, and the development of infrastructure in forested areas.

The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Identification

It is called “Shansho” here in Peru. Unlike the Tyrants, it is the only representative of its family, Opisthocomidae, and you will understand why in the sections that follow. It is easily recognisable by its spiky crest (which is smaller in the female), its red eyes, which contrast with the blue, featherless skin on its head. It reminds me of a prehistoric animal, and I love the chestnut-brown colour of its broad wings.

It is not a particularly skilled flyer. It is a noisy species that produces a wide variety of harsh calls, one of which has even been compared to the asthmatic breathing of a smoker.

My encounter

I had been in the San Martín region for just three days. It was my first time heading into the selva. I had gone there in search of dendrobatids, and we spent some time travelling along the Huallaga River by canoe. That was where I saw this bird for the first time. It was too dark, and the movement of the canoe made it impossible to photograph.

Fortunately, my guide knew the area very well, and we found it again a few days later.

I was lucky enough to see it again this year. I find it magnificent and charismatic, with its crest and striking colours.

I love the curiosity of nature, and this species did not disappoint me. During my research, I discovered that juveniles are unique among birds: they have a claw on each wing, allowing them to cling to branches if they leave the nest. These claws disappear after a few weeks.

Its habitat and lifestyle

It is found throughout the Amazon Basin. In Peru, its range stops at the Andes, so I am right at the edge of its distribution.

Did you think the claws on its wings were the only thing that made it special?

The Hoatzin feeds on leaves and fruit. So far, so good — but what makes it particularly interesting is its digestive system, which is unique among birds. This bird digests its food through bacterial fermentation, much like ruminants… Basically, like a cow! And this is no joke: it is sometimes nicknamed the “flying cow”, but also, less flatteringly, the “stink bird”, because bacterial activity can produce unpleasant odours.

This particularity affects its lifestyle. It spends most of its time searching for food, which it needs to consume in large quantities. Its digestion, however, is slow.

It is a monogamous bird that does not travel long distances. It is territorial and can live in groups, especially during the breeding season, when many nests may be found within a relatively small area.

Reproduction

Reproduction is strongly influenced by the rainy season. They can mate twice if rainfall is sufficiently abundant, or avoid breeding if the year is too dry.

It is worth noting that noise is a source of stress for juveniles and is therefore one of the causes of mortality.

Palm tanager (Thraupis palmarum)

Identification

The Palm Tanager is a common passerine bird in the Peruvian Amazon, where it can be found at elevations of up to around 1,600 metres. Its range extends from Costa Rica to southern Brazil. As its name suggests, it is often found near palm trees.

The colour of its body can range from olive to violet or purple. This variation in colour is particularly noticeable on its wings. The tips of its wings, as well as its tail, are dark brown to black. When it is in flight, a yellow band can be seen underneath its wings.

My encounter

This was one of the first passerine birds I encountered in the Amazon. I photographed it from my window.

It is a social bird that can come quite close to people, as long as you avoid sudden movements.

It feeds on insects and fruit. You can even spot it near the mercado when the day’s activity winds down and a few pieces of fruit are left along the roadside.

Blue-gray tanager (Thraupis episcopus)

Identification

Here is another passerine, a relative of the Palm Tanager. Its colour is what makes it so beautiful. Its plumage is blue-gray, hence its English name, Blue-gray Tanager. Two subspecies are thought to occur here in Peru. The one I am presenting has white feathers at the base of its wings.

It is also a common species, found at elevations of up to 2,000 metres, and it can live close to people.

Juveniles can be confused with the Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca), although the latter is less well documented.

My encounter

Let me introduce you to my office colleague. It is one of the passerines that comes, usually as a pair, to check the flower pots on my terrace. I see them almost every time I sit down to write my articles, hence the photo with the metal bar.

It also feeds on insects and fruit. I often see it hovering above the terrace to catch an insect among the flower pots. It then lands on an electrical wire and makes movements similar to those of a kingfisher, striking the insect before eating it.

Silver-beaked tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)

Identification

This is the latest one I have seen so far, although unfortunately I only have a few photos. It is also a common passerine species found at lower elevations. Its name comes from the white marking on its bill.

During my research, I found information suggesting that a black-bellied subspecies may occur in the Huallaga Valley. The Huallaga River runs through Tarapoto, so I’ll keep looking for more information. I hope I can photograph it one day so that I can introduce it to you.

My encounter

I find it more difficult to spot because it blends in very well with its surroundings, especially in the city among the brick houses. I tend to notice it only at the last moment.

These photos were taken in 2025, during one of my outings to photograph hummingbirds.

Eared dove (Zenaida auriculata)

Identification

This dove is grey in color, like many species of doves and pigeons. It has a bluish tint on the head and a pinkish tint on the neck and breast; the rest of the body is darker. It can be identified by the black markings on its head, behind the eye and on the cheek, which give it its name, “eared dove,” in several languages. A golden patch can also be seen on the side of the neck.

My encounter

This is a fairly common dove in the region, and it comes to nest above the terrace sink: another colleague from work, just like the Blue-gray Tanager!

This species is not particularly shy. It comes to eat the crumbs around me while I am writing my articles, most of the time as a pair.

References

• Aves de Peru – Seri Biodiversidad Corbidi 01
• Wikipedia
• oiseaux.net
• ebird