Rich Hoyer on his recently completed tour to Bolivia

The Chaco region was as interesting as ever, this year providing abundant Black-legged Seriemas as well as Crested Hornero, Many-colored Chaco-Finch, Chaco Earthcreeper, Lark-liked Brushrunners and many other regional specialties. A Crested Gallito that perched up for photos was perhaps the star of this part of the trip.

Crested Gallito

Our time in the enchanting valley of Refugio Los Volcanes was superb despite the persistent winds – Bolivian Recurvebill, Bolivian Tapaculo, Slaty Gnateater, and this most confiding of Subtropical Pygmy-Owls. 

Refugio Los Volcanes scene

Subtropical Pygmy-Owl

We had the good fortune of seeing a flock of Red-fronted Macaws fly right over us in our first afternoon in the Comarapa area, followed the next day by Bolivian Earthcreeper and Bolivian Blackbird. Productive birding up in the Siberia included seeing Trilling and Diademed Tapaculos but most amazing was a Hooded Mountain-Toucan in a small patch of cloud forest where we did not expect one, let alone to have one perch up so nicely.

Hooded Mountain-Toucan

On our way to Cochabamba we had the delightful conundrum of deciding whether to look at the two Andean Condors soaring at eye-level only a couple hundred yards away or at the stunning male Red-tailed Comet perched just 15 yards away. Fortunately both remained visible for several minutes and we got fabulous views.

Andean Condor

Red-tailed Comet

Our final days in the Cochabamba area were also delightful, and a five-canastero day up at Cerro Tunari, along with Short-tailed Finch and several other high-elevation specialties was especially fun.

It was wonderful to be in bird-filled Bolivia again, and I look forward to returning as soon as I can fit it into my schedule – look for a repeat of this itinerary in 2017, with perhaps an extension to some additional far-flung corner.

Mercado San Antonio

Picnic lunchs were brilliant thanks to Benita