The Birds of the Yasuni

Kingfishers or Alcedinidae are a family of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species found outside the Americas. The family contains 114 species and is divided into three subfamilies and 19 genera. All kingfishers have large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Most species have bright plumage with only small differences between the sexes. Most species are tropical in less ↑

The American pygmy kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) is a resident breeding kingfisher which occurs in the American tropics from southern Mexico south through Central America to western Ecuador, and then around the northern Andes cordillera in the east to central Bolivia and central Brazil. The species occupies the entire Amazon basin and the Tocantins River drainage adjacent in Pará state Brazil. It also occurs on Trinidad. less ↑

The puffbirds and their relatives in the near passerine family Bucconidae are tropical tree-dwelling insectivorous birds that are found from South America up to Mexico. Together with their closest relatives, the jacamars, they form a divergent lineage within the order Piciformes, though the two families are sometimes elevated to a separate order Galbuliformes. Lacking the iridescent colours of the jacamars, puffbirds are mainly brown, rufous or grey, with large heads, large eyes, an less ↑

The jacamars are a family, Galbulidae, of near passerine birds from tropical South and Central America, extending up to Mexico. The family contains five genera and 18 species. The family is closely related to the puffbirds, another Neotropical family, and the two families are often separated into their own order, Galbuliformes, separate from the Piciformes. They are principally birds of low-altitude woodlands and forests, and particularly of forest edge and canopy. less ↑

The yellow-billed jacamar (Galbula albirostris) is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is a bird of the Amazon Basin; its range is only on the north side of the Amazon River, except at the river's outlet in a small region of northeastern Pará state, Brazil. The Andes cordillera is the western limit of the species. less ↑

The lemon-throated barbet (Eubucco richardsoni) is a species of bird in the New World barbet family Capitonidae. The species is closely related to the flame-throated barbet (Eubucco aurantiicollis), and several authorities consider them the same species. These two species are the only in their genus to live in the lowlands. There are two subspecies, the nominate race, E. r. richardsoni, found in central and southern Columbia, eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, and E less ↑

The chestnut-eared aracari (US: /ˌɑːrəˈsɑːri/ AHR-ə-SAHR-ee, UK: /ˌɑːrəˈsɑːri/ ARR-ə-SAHR-ee or /ˌɑːrəˈkɑːri/ ARR-ə-KAHR-ee), or chestnut-eared araçari (Pteroglossus castanotis), is a bird native to central and south-eastern South America. It belongs to the toucan and aracari family (Ramphastidae). The chestnut-eared aracari is a larger, more colorful bird than the black-necked aracari, which it otherwise resemble less ↑

The ivory-billed aracari (US: /ˌɑːrəˈsɑːri/ AHR-ə-SAHR-ee, UK: /ˌɑːrəˈsɑːri/ ARR-ə-SAHR-ee or /ˌɑːrəˈkɑːri/ ARR-ə-KAHR-ee), or ivory-billed araçari (Pteroglossus azara), is a species of bird in the Ramphastidae family. It was named after the naturalist Félix de Azara. less ↑

Woodpeckers are part of the family Picidae, a group of near-passerine birds that also consist of piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known that live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts, and the Gila woodpecker specialises in exploiting cacti. less ↑

The little woodpecker (Veniliornis passerinus) is a species of bird in the family Picidae, the woodpeckers, piculets, and wrynecks. It is found in a wide range of wooded habitats in a large part of South America east of the Andes, and generally common. Unlike other similar and comparably sized members of the genus Veniliornis, the little woodpecker lacks a contrasting yellow nape. less ↑

The yellow-throated woodpecker (Piculus flavigula) is a species of bird in the family Picidae, the woodpeckers, piculets, and wrynecks. It is found in northern and central South America in Brazil and the entire Amazon Basin; also the Guianas, and Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Besides the Amazon Basin it is found in the southeast basin in the adjoining Tocantins-Araguaia River drainage; on the east at the edge of its range there,... less ↑

The golden-green woodpecker (Piculus chrysochloros) is a species of bird in the family Picidae, the woodpeckers, piculets, and wrynecks. It is found in north-central South America, centered on the Amazon Basin in the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and Suriname. A disjunct region of the bird's range occurs in northwestern Colombia and Venezuela. A second disjunct group is found 1500 km southeast of the Amazon Basin in the Brazi less ↑

The spot-breasted woodpecker (Colaptes punctigula) is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found in South America in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela; also eastern Panama of Central America. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and heavily degraded former forest. less ↑

The cream-colored woodpecker (Celeus flavus) is unmistakably recognizable by its pale but distinct yellow plumage and beak, long erect crest, dark brown wings and black tail. The male is differentiated by the female by its thick bright red malar stripe. The yellow plumage may darken to a browner or darker tone if soiled. The cream-colored woodpecker is 24–26 cm in height and weighs 95-130g. less ↑

The falcons and caracaras are around 60 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae. The family is divided into two subfamilies, Polyborinae, which includes the caracaras and forest falcons, and Falconinae, the falcons, kestrels and falconets (Microhierax and Spiziapteryx). They differ from the eagles of Accipitridae, in that falcons kill with their beaks instead of their taloned feet. They have a "tooth" on the side of thei less ↑

The lined forest falcon (Micrastur gilvicollis) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is endemic to humid forest in the western and northern Amazon Basin. Populations found in the south-eastern Amazon Basin (south of the Amazon River and east of the Madeira River) were formerly included in this species, but were described as a new species, the cryptic forest falcon, in 2003. Together with the plumbeous forest falcon of the Chocó,... less ↑

The slaty-backed forest falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. These falcons catch their own prey. They eat birds, snakes, lizards, rodents, fish, and sometimes bats. They live from south Panama to the Amazon rainforest, and in Eastern Brazil. T less ↑

The collared forest falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is the largest member of the Micrastur genus and a common inhabitant of tropical rainforests in Latin America. Hiding in the dense forest canopy, they are a secretive bird often only recognized by their distinctive call. With a morphology or body type allowing them to be agile in their forested habitat, their diet comprises a wide variety of... less ↑

The black caracara (Daptrius ater) is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family found in Amazonian and French Guiana lowlands, commonly along rivers. They are locally referred to as Ger' futu busikaka in the Republic of Suriname or juápipi {nẽjõmbʌ} by the Emberá of Panama and Colombia. Both these names refer to multiple bird species within Falconidae. German-Brazilian ornithologist Helmut Sick also referred to this species as Gaviao-deAnta, literally t less ↑

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the peregrine, and historically as the duck hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head. As is typical of bird-eating raptors, peregrine falcons are sexually dimorphic, with females being considerably larger than males. The peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 320 km/h (200  less ↑

Parrots, also known as psittacines /ˈsɪtəsaɪnz/, are birds of the roughly 393 species in 92 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: the Psittacoidea ("true" parrots), the Cacatuoidea (cockatoos), and the Strigopoidea (New Zealand parrots). Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution with several species inhabiting temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere, as well. less ↑

The cobalt-winged parakeet (Brotogeris cyanoptera) is a species of bird in the family Psittacidae, the true parrots. It is found in the eastern Andean foothills, the far western Amazonian regions in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia; in Brazil, the Amazon Basin states of Amazonas, Acre, and Rondonia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. less ↑

The blue-headed parrot, also known as the blue-headed pionus (Pionus menstruus) is a medium large parrot. It is about 27 cm long and they are mainly green with a blue head and neck, and red under tail feathers. It is a resident bird in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America, from Costa Rica, Venezuela and Trinidad south to Bolivia and Brazil. It is named for its medium-blue head and neck. less ↑

The yellow-crowned amazon or yellow-crowned parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) is a species of parrot native to tropical South America and Panama. The taxonomy is highly complex, and the yellow-headed (A. oratrix) and yellow-naped amazon (A. auropalliata) are sometimes considered subspecies of the yellow-crowned amazon. Except in the taxonomic section, the following deals only with the nominate group (including subspecies xantholaema, nattereri and p less ↑

The southern mealy amazon or southern mealy parrot (Amazona farinosa) is among the largest parrot in the Amazona genus, the amazon parrots. It is a mainly green parrot with a total length of 38–41 cm (15–16 in). It is endemic to tropical Central and South America. This species and the northern mealy amazon were previously considered conspecific. Some taxonomic authorities (including the American Ornithological Society, continue to lump them together. less ↑

The orange-winged amazon (Amazona amazonica), also known locally as orange-winged parrot and loro guaro, is a large amazon parrot. It is a resident breeding bird in tropical South America, from Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago south to Peru, Bolivia and central Brazil. Its habitat is forest and semi-open country. Although common, it is persecuted as an agricultural pest and by capture for the pet trade (over 66,000 captured from 1981 to 1985). It is also hunted as... less ↑

The blue-winged parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius) is a small parrot found in much of South America. The blue-winged parrotlet is mainly found in lowlands, but locally up to 1200m in south-eastern Brazil. It occurs in woodland, scrub, savanna, and pastures. Flocks are usually around 20 birds but can grow to over 50 around fruiting trees or seeding grasses. It is generally common and widespread, though more localized in the Amazon Basin. less ↑

The dusky-billed parrotlet (Forpus modestus), also known as the Sclater's parrotlet, is a small species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in the Amazon Rainforest in South America, where it is locally fairly common; it is in the Andes, and the Amazonian foothills; also the Amazon River outlet, and Marajo Island. It resembles other parrotlets, but has a largely dark upper mandible. less ↑

The dusky-headed parakeet (Aratinga weddellii), also known as Weddell's conure or dusky conure in aviculture, is a small green Neotropical parrot with dusty grey head found in wooded habitats in the western Amazon basin of South America. It prefers semiopen habitats such as várzea, forest edge, and forest remnants, but can also be found in coffee plantations. Some of the countries where it lives are Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. It is generally common and its hab less ↑

The blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, is a large South American parrot with blue top parts and yellow under parts. It is a member of the large group of neotropical parrots known as macaws. It inhabits forest (especially varzea, but also in open sections of terra firme or unflooded forest), woodland and savannah of tropical South America. They are popular in aviculture because of their striking color, ability to talk, ready... less ↑

The scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is a large red, yellow, and blue South American parrot, a member of a large group of Neotropical parrots called macaws. It is native to humid evergreen forests of tropical South America. Range extends from south-eastern Mexico to the Peruvian Amazon, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Brazil in lowlands up to 500 m (1,640 ft) (at least formerly) up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft). It has suffered from local extinction through habitat destruction and capture for... less ↑

The antbirds are a large passerine bird family, Thamnophilidae, found across subtropical and tropical Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina. There are more than 200 species, known variously as antshrikes, antwrens, antvireos, fire-eyes, bare-eyes and bushbirds. They are related to the antthrushes and antpittas (family Formicariidae), the tapaculos, the gnateaters and the ovenbirds. Despite some species' common names, this family is not closely related to the wrens, vir less ↑

The barred antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) is a passerine bird in the antbird family. It is found in the Neotropics from Tamaulipas, Mexico, through Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and a large part of South America east of the Andes as far south as northern Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. There is one accepted record from southern Texas. It is found in a wide range of wooded habitats (even gardens and parks) in both humid and arid regions.... less ↑