[30-MAY-2010]
One of the most spectacular hummingbird that exist in Northern of Perú...
Just wanted to send you a message and thank you for a splendidly...
Brazilian Teal, We observe this bird in the rout of the Transoceanic...
MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL
Mirabilis Marvellous
Report & Photo By: Walter Mancilla
The most spectacular hummingbird, endemic to Peru with a population and territory in the Valley of Uctubamba, humid and secondary forest and very dense, located in the north of Peru at an altitude of 2000-2900 meters above sea level, the male is 14 to 15 centimeter-sized and females side of 9 to 10 centimeter-sized.
The information we have is from Pomacocha, Vista florida, Chido and Huembo. ECOAN has been working for recovery of this species, have good relationships with local people and the results work are satisfactory.
Our observation from April 8th to 16th of May 2010.
Santos Montenegro and his brother Wilmer were the experts in showing us the Marvelous Spatuletail and fine the camouflaged nests very close to the ground.
The flowering season is from November to June, with more than 18 species of flowers which feeds the Marvelous Spatuletail.
Leck dances are performed between the months of November through May, and the busiest times are from February to April, the bird dance and breading start so late this year comparing other years.
The tail develops in the males for mating season has Nov. until July or so, spatulas are very maneuverable even independently of other tails, during the dance they are raised above the height of the head and show the spatulas as two panels, the colors of the neck and head acquire fluorescent colors that females should make efforts so we can stop each courting male and concentrate on achieving the best.
Leck In an activity can be seen very quickly at times with acrobatic movements on the part of males, juveniles come to the place of dance, probably to learn from adult males, the techniques of dance?.
Each male chooses a perch with a very thin dry stick vertically, within a radius of 10 meters, at a height of 2-4 meters, the place is very dense, difficult access to many dry branches intertwined, it is probably chosen by males to be protected from attack by predators, since during the dance are easy to locate for the dance they do and also by the noise they make with the peak during the display, sounds like Clik, Clik.
The high wastage of energy and activity in the dance is one of the qualities that should take into account competitors to access the most precious gift it is to be chosen by the female.
When the female land on the perch of a male produces an acceleration of the display of the male owner of the perch, who dances around the female and the perch, which is corresponds of the female jumping and somersaults in the hanger whilst observing the male if not awakened interest in the female she will move away from the hook, otherwise if is chosen by the female the male mated with the female on the same perch, and during the display.
It was observed some male subordination of which are hung on the pole upside down and hope they leave the male owner of the hanger.
Sometimes 3 and 4 males together compete for the pole dancing, which is a way of showing power and strength.
Males to compete on its perch and to attract the female should have access to territory of flowers that will provide enough nectar to regain his energy that dances require great expenditure of energy.
At the same time the male can be seen hunting insects such as mosquito.
Interpretation Centre of Huembo managed by ECOAN has a leck and feeders where more than eight males and two juveniles visit the place.
The nesting of these birds in this area started late this year, five nests were found, which were built in the dried leaves of ferns, very close to the ground, with two eggs per nest.
The female alone builds the nest and takes care of the offspring; the male does not participate in breeding or nest building.
Of the five nests monitored three of them disappeared from April 28 until the day May 16, this indicates that the mortality rate is high during nesting season.
One nest disappeared with even small chick, the other two nests disappeared when they were eggs in a nest of the mother also was eaten; we found feathers close to the nest.
We left two active nests, one nest with eggs and one nest with two very small chicks, 8 days old, I hope thess birds will survive, the mortality rate is very high and this species is considered endangered species.
The predators could be rats, owls, snakes and eagles, etc.
To differentiate the male and female youth must take into account that males have long tails during mating season is easy to identify, the males have black spots on neck and juveniles apart from the black spots have short tails, females have short tails and small spatulas, the chest is light colored with brown spots....More photos and Spanish information visit:
Marvelous Spatuletail:www.oropendolaperu.org
Uros people pulling their island to their original position
UROS ISLAND
Report & Photo By: Walter Mancilla
On 09 February at 5 pm A strong wind moved more than 40 islands of the Uros people, who were swept away and some islands were disarmed by the wind. these islands are anchored through the same ropes that are attached to sticks planted in the ground.
Pulling the island with pulley system with sticks, indigenous systems of Uros people.
The wind was so strong that the ropes broke and the islands were moved to different locations.
On the 10th and 12th, we were on the island of Uros, which were being towed by 2 to 3 boats each island to be returned to its origin.
Several authorities were present to assess the damage. Fortunately no lives were lost, but the damage was enormous.
HARPY EAGLE
Date: JAN.27, 2010
Report & Photo By: Walter Mancilla
The 11th of November was seen a young female Harpy, one of the trails in the Amazon Manu Lodge about 30 minutes walk from the Lodge, a group of birders sow on their visit to the trails, group led by Roger Ahlman and Alex Duran from ct. 26th to Nov. 15th. (21 days birding trip),The bird was seen in afternoon eating an Two tooted Sloth, The bird flew by noting the presence of the group to a nearby branch staying for more than 10 minutes before flying to a bigger tree. The next day 12th November at about 2:30 we returned to the same place me and Alex and we find The Bird in the same place eating the sloth, the female is quite large and almost gray in color and look it young and very healthy female. The bird flew to the branch and stayed for more than 12 minutes in the branch and then flew to a nearby tree called Dipteryx (Dicterix), we left the place as the rain began and the sky darkened. Interestingly, these predators can remain in place for a few days till finish its hunted prey.
Tourist Comment:
Hi Walter!
Just wanted to send you a message and thank you for a splendidly organised trip to Manu and Abra Malaga, Machupicchu, Juliaca and Cusco area.
In the end our birdlist came up with 775 species in 21 Days Trip. That number should be hard to beat!
Also send a thanks to your very hospitable staff at Amazon Manu Lodge. Everyone really did their best to make our stay as comfortable as possible, (most especially Roxana of course).
Once again a great thanks to all of you!
Best regards!
Jonas Starck
BRAZILIAN TEAL NEXT TO PUERTO MALDONADO
REPORT from November 14th, 2009, By Walter Mancilla
Brazilian Teal, We observe this bird in the rout of the Transoceanic highway 24 kilometers from Puerto Maldonado, 457 km from Cusco. 1km away from Fitzcarrald Community. 2 Brazilian Teal were alongside the road in a shallow artificial pool, we observe at 4.15 pm, which flew a short distance and continued in place when we leave. We saw during our trip from Amazon Manu Lodge to Puerto Maldonado with a group of 8 persons of Swedish nationality, led by Roger Ahlman as tour guide and leader and local guide Alex Duran.
Photo: Walter Mancilla
Oropendola Tours
- Manu rout - 20 days
- Birding tours - 11 days
- Cloud forest - 8 days
- Machupicchu birding - 8 days
- Cusco extentions - 3 days
Macaws at the Colorado Clay Lick at Tambopata Research Center, Tambopata Reserve Zone.
Photo: Tomoko Suzuki
Blanquillo Jaguar,
May 2008
Photo: Walter Mancilla
