The Mazar Wildlife Reserve

Manuela and I spent a total of two weeks time here in mid August 2002, which is the middle of the rainy season here on the east side of the Andes. The reserve, located some four hours east of Cuenca, is 13,000 hectares of land, owned and run by the Fundacion Cordillera Tropical. Altitudes range from 2,900m to 3,700m. At the very bottom, some pastures are used for farming, but from about 3,000m until the treeline at 3,400m there is a continuous tract of primary temperate cloud forest. This band of forest extends all the way into the Sangay National Park which it borders in the north, to Podocarpus National Park further south. From the treeline up there are large tracts of paramo grasslands, which have not been burned for about twenty years. As a result, the treeline is slowly moving higher, and there are more forest islands with low shrubs and treelets than a decade ago or so. The forests are Podocarpus dominated temperate forests, with some big trees still around, and plenty of Chusquea bamboo.

During our visit we had quite some rain, which made trails muddy and hard to walk at times. The road to the little cabin, La Libertad, is only accessible with 4WD with snow chains on the tires. Temperatures ranged from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (though we've been told it can get a bit warmer during the dry season :-) ) with moderate winds. At the moment, accomodation at the reserve is basic, but plans for expansion are underway: a little building is being built which will serve as biological research station in the near future, and another station will be constructed right in the paramo, at a settlement called Rumiloma, some three hours walking from La Libertad. The forests are very close by, only a ten minute walk, and upon entering you're right away in very good primary forest, with good chances to see an Undulated Antpitta at dusk or dawn, or Tawny-breasted Tinamous. The main trail crosses several small streams, which gives for a diverse path with different types of habitat. At the treeline we found most activity during a foggy afternoon, with Golden-crowned Tanagers, Black-chested, Hooded and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, and a fantastic Great Sapphirewing. On other occasions activity there was limited.

The objective of this trip was to document the bird life at Mazar using sound recordings. They provide the quickest way of sampling an avifauna, especially in densely forested areas. For identification we used the fabulous and very complete 4 CD set 'Birds of the Ecuadorian Highlands, the Upper Montane and Paramo Zones of Ecuador', by N. Krabbe, J.V. Moore, P. Coopmans, M. Lysinger and R.S. Ridgely. The sound recordings have been made into their own page. There are some unknown sounds there as well, for those interested. In our two week stay, a maximum of 97 species were observed, 43 by sound. With respect to previous inventories by Ridgely, Stafford, Marsi and Sornoza in 1991 and Hancock, Egan, Toral and Trujillo in 1988 and 1989 (with mist nets), fourteen to sixteen recorded species were new for the list of the Mazar Wildlife Reserve. This indicates that the reserve is still poorly known, and additional studies are required.

Below is a detailed treatment of all species found during this trip. Nomenclature and order follows Ridgely & Greenfield (2001).

The Birds

Tawny-breasted Tinamou	Nothocercus julius	seen on two occasions near streams, walking over the path. Didn't seem very shy. No vocalisations heard.
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus	One seen over the valley. More common near Shoray.
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	Seen twice over the valley on sunny days.
Plain-breasted Hawk	Accipiter ventralis	One seen next to the dirt road leading to La Libertad.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle	Geranoaetus melanoleucus	Twice, a couple soared for long periods of time over the valley. An American Kestrel tried to scare it off with great determination.	Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Variable Hawk	Buteo polyosoma	One seen over the valley on a sunny day.
Black-and-chestnut Eagle	Oroaetus isidori	Not previously recorded at Mazar. A fantastic sighting of a juvenile soaring right over the house at just a few meters distance, being chased by a Kestrel.
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	Common. A territorial little bird, displaying great stamina in getting rid of other raptors.
Andean Guan	Penelope montagnii	Rather common, and noisy in primary forest up to the treeline. Often flies away just above your head, startling you. A recording of three individuals in a tree next to the path was made.
Andean Gull	Larus serranus	Uncommon, seen twice above the valley.
Band-tailed Pigeon	Columba fasciata	A rather shy pigeon here, seen only occasionally in small groups over the canopy. No vocalisations heard.
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi	A rather common dove on the pastures below the forest.
Maroon-chested Ground-Dove	Claravis mondetoura	Not previously recorded in Mazar. One hypothetically recorded.
White-capped Parrot	Pionus seniloides	The only parrot species found during our stay. Seen daily in groups of up to 40 roaming through the valley. A recording of three birds feeding in a tree was made.
White-throated Screech-Owl	Otus albogularis	Recorded one from forest edge on our last day.
Rufous-banded Owl	Strix albitarsus	Not previously recorded in Mazar. This owl could be heard often, with two different types of vocalisations. See the recording page for details.
Andean Potoo	Nyctibius maculosus	A recording of two Potoos was made of this rare and local species. They are probably responsible for the dead large beatles found in and below a trunk in a bit of pasture next to the lodge. We hope to get some more data on this species soon.
Band-winged Nightjar	Caprimulgus longirostris	A common nightjar, often sitting on the dirt road at night. We flushed one from a little fence post right forest edge at dawn. Also recorded, both at dusk (around 18:50) and more into the night (at 21:30).	Band-winged Nightjar
Shining Sunbeam	Aglaeactis curpipennis	Seen one at the treeline in these flowers.
Mountain Velvetbreast	Lafresnaya lafresnayi	A common and aggressive hummer of the flowers around La Libertad, often hiding under a little roof. We think it might stay there during the night as well. Otherwise only seen along the path leading into the forest, along forest edge and lower scrubs. Fast swaying flight with white tail distinctive.
Great Sapphirewing	Pterophanes cyanopterus	Not previously recorded in Mazar. This fantastic hummer was observed twice right at the treeline, and photographed, with plenty of pollen around the base of the bill. It was feeding on these pink flowers, which were only found at the treeline and at one spot about 300 meters below it. It seemed to visit the same places often.	Great Sapphirewing
Buff-winged Starfrontlet	Coeligena lutetiae	Not previously recorded in Mazar. One recorded from treeline shrub.
Rainbow Starfrontlet	Coeligena iris	A rather common species, though rarely seen well. Feeds on bromelias .Can be very confiding and inquisitive.
Sword-billed Hummingbird	Ensifera ensifera	One seen along a stream at the bottom of the dirt road, holding its long bill upward. It dashed away very quickly.
Tourmaline Sunangel	Heliangelus exortis	Not previously recorded at Mazar. A female with conspicuous white throat was seen in primary forest near the bear cage (used for filming spectacled bears) about 45 minutes from La Libertad. According to Ridgely and Greenfield (2001) this species ranges along the east slope south to nw. Morona-Santiago and the upper Rio Palora valley in Sangay National Park. The Mazar Wildlife Reserve is located some 50 kilometers south of the this valley. The species distinction between H. exortis and H. micraster has not been accepted by everyone though, and since the observations of both this hummingbird and a male Flame-throated Sunangel were on the exact same location within a time-span of ten minutes, it's well-possible that they belonged to the same species.
Flame-throated Sunangel	H. micraster	Seen once in primary forest, close to the same spot as Tourmaline Sunangle. Orange on chest was well-visible from about 50 meters. See discussion on Tourmaline Sunangel for details.
Purple-throated Sunangel	H. viola	Uncommon near bigger streams and in Eucalyptus trees in pastures.
Glowing Puffleg	Eriocnemis vestitus	Seen once on the treeline, in low bushes.
Black-tailed Trainbearer	Lesbia victoriae	Once at the bottom of the dirt road leading up to La Libertad, along the river.
Green-tailed Trainbearer	L. nuna	A female was constantly present in a flowering bush next to La Libertad.
Tyrian Metaltail	Metallura tyrianthina	Uncommon to fairly common in pastures and secondary forest, often in Eucalyptus trees.
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill	Chalcostigma herrani	Seen once along a primary forest path with lots of Chusquea bamboo.
Crested Quetzal	Pharomachrus antisianus	Not previously recorded in Mazar. A nice observation of this species in primary forest, flashing its white tail feathers above our head. Not heard, nor the Golden-headed Quetzal.
Masked Trogon	Trogon personatus	Only recorded the sound a few times at dawn.
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan	Andigena hypoglauca	Heared a few times, but seen only twice. Once at dusk, flying over the canopy, and once at dawn, eating fruits in a tree. Quite shy and easily overlooked, despite its colors.
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker	Piculus rivolii	Observed twice: one along forest edge with adjacent secondary growth, and one in primary forest.
Bar-bellied Woodpecker	Verniliornis nigriceps	Seen once in secondary growth bushes. Recorded once at dawn as well.
Powerful Woodpecker	Campephilus pollens	Not previously recorded at Mazar. This species was only recorded during dawn chorus, from forest edge next to a large tract of Chusquea bamboo at 3,000m. Though usually encountered from 1,700 to 2,600m (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001), it seems to have gone a bit higher up, probably due to the absence of suitable forest below 2,900m.
Bar-winged Cinclodes	Cinclodes fuscus	Seen once on a misty and rain day at the treeline, in a small group with White-throated Tyrannulet, Pale-naped and Rufous-naped Brush-Finches.
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae	Common in secondary growth and pastures.
Streaked Tuftedcheek	Pseudocolaptes boissoneautii	Uncommon visitor to species flocks, seen twice.
Pearled Treerunner	Margarornis squamiger	A common bird in species flocks, nearly always present during our stay. Often in small groups with three or four, sticking together within the species flock. Usually seen in the canopy, sticking to the larger branches.
Flammulated Treehunter	Thripadectes flammulatus	Not previously recorded at Mazar. One hypothetical bird was recorded.
Strong-billed Woodcreeper	Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus	Not previously recorded in Mazar. One bird was recorded, at 18:50 in primary forest. With an altitudianl range of 1,100 to 3,000m (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001), it is at its height limit here, making it just into this forest which starts at 2,900m.
Montane Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes lachrymiger	Uncommon in species flocks, where found singly or in pairs.
Undulated Antpitta	Grallaria squamigera	Surprisingly common and, if you walk quietly, (relatively) easy to observe along primary forest paths at dawn and dusk: seen four times in all. No vocalisations heard. Also found right outside the primary forest, one bird running in front of us at the edge of secondary forest and pasture.
Rufous Antpitta	Grallaria rufula	A common species of Antpitta here, heard throughout the day, from dawn till after dusk at 18:50. Also seen once at dawn along a primary forest path, about two meters up on a branch.
Tawny Antpitta	Grallaria quitensis	Fairly common at treeline, often heard. Two vocalisations were heard, see the recordings page. Not seen.
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta	Grallaria ruficapilla	Not previously recorded in Mazar. Fairly common at forest edge, often heard. No real songs were heard, only since calls. Not seen.
Unicolored Tapaculo	Scytalopus unicolor latrans	Uncommonly heard in primary forest, and perhaps scurrying away right in front of us on several occasions, but then unable to distinguish from Paramo Tapaculo or perhaps even other possible Scytalopus which could be present at Mazar.
Paramo Tapaculo	Scytalopus canus	Not previously recorded at Mazar. This tapaculo seemed most common, heard practically every day. Once recorded.
Sierran Elaenia	Elaenia pallatangae	One in a species flock, sitting quite in the open on a branch for a while, in primary forest.
White-throated Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus leucophrys	One at the treeline, with Bar-winged Cinclodes and Pale-naped and Rufous-naped Brush-Finches.
White-banded Tyrannulet	M. stictopterus	A common visitor of species flocks, and often also heard singly in the forest. Recorded about four different sounds.
Tufted Tit-Tyrant	Anairetes parulus	Seen once in secondary growth close to La Libertad (along with Cinereous Conebill and Bar-bellied Woodpecker), and again at the treeline in some bushes.
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant	Pseudotriccus ruficeps	Not previously recorded in Mazar, but observed on three occasions. Seen singly or in pairs, scurrying low through the undergrowth, quite confiding. Once heard its down-slurred churring call.
Black-throated Tody-Tyrant	Hemitriccus rufigularis	Not previously recorded from Mazar. Seen twice, both in species flocks, on consecutive days. In both instances seen well from close range, and in rather open shrubs and trees in primary forest. Recorded calls from two individuals, and wing-wirring from a couple crossing a path right next to us. On both occasions these wing sounds attracted our attention before seeing the bird.
Cinnamon Flycatcher	Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea	A common flycatcher, often in association with species flocks but also found singly. Recorded songs of a bird which seemed to have a territory along the path.
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant	Ochthoeca rufipectoralis	The only Chat-Tyrant seen during our stay, and commonly found in secondary growth. Also sometimes more into the forest. Recorded twice: a short chuk-chuk call, which could not be found on the CDs. Is this call known to others? Also a more explosive chatter
Smoky Bush-Tyrant	Myiotheretes fumigatus	Seen once along forest edge at lower limit of the forest.
Barred Becard	Pachyramphus versicolor	Not seen, but recorded twice in species flocks in primary forest. Apparently easily overlooked if one is not familar with its sound.
Barred Fruiteater	Pipreola arcuata	Uncommon to fairly common in primary forest. Observed twice, one female and a pair, both along the path before the first stream. Heared much more often, and recorded several times.
Red-crested Cotinga	Ampelion rubrocristatus	Calls of one probable Red-crested Cotinga was recorded from primary forest near the treeline. Not seen.
Turquoise Jay	Cyanolyca armillata	A common bird of all habitats up to the treeline, often roaming around in quite large groups with Northen Mountain Caciques. Makes many different sounds, of which we recorded four or five types.
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater	Fairly common in pastures and secondary growth, but also in primary forest, even following species flocks at one occasion. Recorded three times.
White-capped Dipper	Cinclus leucocephalus	One seen along the larger river below La Libertad by some of the other volunteers.
Brown-bellied Swallow	Notiochelidon murina	The most common swallow, usually seen in the morning and before dusk above pastures and the forest canopy. Nests in the La Libertad house.
Blue-and-white-Swallow	N. cyanoleuca	Not uncommonly with Brown-bellieds, also nesting at La Libertad.
Rufous Wren	Cynnicerthia unirufa	Found in small groups in dense stands of Chusquea bamboo, often along streams. Sounds recorded.
Plain-tailed Wren	Thryothorus euophrys	The most commonly heard wren, heard throughout the day, and observed once in a large tract of bamboo.
Mountain Wren	Troglodytes solstitialis	Uncommon, found singly or in pairs, sometimes with species flocks. Recorded.
Spectacled Whitestart	Myioborus melanocephalus	The most common warbler. Found every day in all habitats.
Citrine Warbler	Basileuterus luteoviridis	Uncommon, found three times, along forest edges and in primary forest, in presence of Black-crested Warblers. Recorded its song and contact calls of a group.
Black-crested Warbler	B. nigrocristatus	Commonly heard during dawn chorus in primary forest, with a variety of songs. Also seen often with species flocks.
Russet-crowned Warbler	B. coronatus	A common warbler in primary forest, heard often during dawn chorus. Sometimes accompanies species flock. Knowledge of its call is handy to find it then. Recorded both song and calls.
Cinereous Conebill	Conirostrum cinereum	Found twice, both in secondary forest edge.
Blue-backed Conebill	C. sitticolor	Found twice in species flocks, on both occasions seemed to be alone. No vocalisations heard.
Masked Flowerpiercer	Diglossa cyanea	A fairly common tanager from primary and secondary forests, usually noted by its song in these dense habitats. Recorded song.
Black Flowerpiercer	D. humeralis	Seen once along river at the bottom of the dirt road leading up to La Libertad, among low bushes on a steep cliff with lots of bromelias.
Blue-and-Black Tanager	Tangara vassorii	Seen only once near treeline in primary forest.
Golden-crowned Tanager	Iridosornis rufivertex	A trio was observed at the treeline on a misty and rainy day from close range.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus igniventris	Surprisingly uncommon, seen only twice. Once at the treeline with Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers, and once in a species flock with Buff-breasted and Lacrimose Mountain-Tanagers. Not found in pastures or secondary forest.
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager	A. lacrymosus	Uncommon to fairly common in species flocks. Usually silent and not very conspicuous. Recorded one probable call.
Hooded Mountain-Tanager	Buthraupis montana	Fairly common in canopy of primary forest. Recorded calls of a trio in a tree next to a path, as well as dawn song: an incessantly repeated series of calls. This song was the first song to start the dawn chorus on a few occasions.
Black-chested Mountain-Tanager	B. eximia	Three birds at the treeline on a misty day with Scarlet-bellieds. No sounds heard.
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager	Dubusia taeniata	The most common Mountain-Tanager during our stay, with regular sightings of up to three birds at a time in species flocks. Usually silent or just giving contact calls.
Black-capped Hemispingus	Hemispingus atropileus	Seen twice, both in species flocks, a single bird in the top of a tree right in the open.
Superciliaried Hemispingus	H. superciliaris	The most common Hemispingus, seen nearly every day in assocation with Spectacled Whitestarts and Black-crested Warblers. Only contact calls were heard.
Black-headed Hemispingus	H. verticalis	Seen twice, in primary forest, very briefly on both occasions.
Plushcap	Catamblyrhynchus diadema	Fairly common in and near Chusquesa bamboo thickets. Once recorded song at dusk.
Southern Yellow Grosbeak	Pheucticus chrysogaster	Seen twice in secondary growth bushes and pastures. Probably fairly common.
Plain-colored Seedeater		Fairly common along secondary growth edges.
Pale-naped Brush-finch	Atlapetes pallidinucha	Not previously recorded in Mazar. Seen once at the treeline in a small group with Rufous-napeds, Bar-winged Cinclodes and White-throated Tyrranulet.
Rufous-naped Brush-Finch	A. rufinucha	The most common Brush-Finch, found practically every day in species flocks or alone in small groups of up to five individuals. No songs heard, only contact calls.
Slaty Brush-Finch	A. schistaceus	Seen twice at the treeline with Rufous-napeds.
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch	Burraremon torquatus	Fairly common in primary forest, sometimes with species flocks. Recorded dawn song. Also two birds on the path at dawn.
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis	Common in cleared areas around La Libertad. None seen in the paramo.
Northern Mountain-Cacique	Cacicus leucoramphus	A common bird, often in association with Turquoise Jays, and usually noisy. Recorded some calls.
Hooded Siskin	Carduelis magellanica	Two small groups seen around La Libertad, high up in the Eucalyptus trees.

References

Robert S. Ridgely and Paul J. Greenfield, The Birds of Ecuador, Cornell University Press, New York, 2001.