Endemic Birds of Peru

Discover Peru’s Avian Treasures: Why Peru is a Bird Watcher’s Paradise

Peru is home to an extraordinary 120 endemic bird species found nowhere else on Earth. From the cloud forests of the Andes to the arid coastal deserts, Peru’s diverse ecosystems harbor some of the world’s most spectacular and rare birds. This comprehensive guide will help you discover these avian jewels and understand why Peru ranks among the top birding destinations globally.

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Why Peru Has So Many Endemic Birds

Peru’s remarkable collection of endemic birds of Peru stems from its incredible geographic diversity. With 120 species found nowhere else on Earth, Peru ranks among the top countries for bird endemism. Here’s why:

• The Andes Mountains: Creating isolated habitats at different elevations
• Amazon Rainforest: The world’s most biodiverse ecosystem
• Pacific Coastal Desert: Unique arid habitats along the coast
• Cloud Forests: Mystical montane forests with high endemism

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Complete List of Peru’s 120 Endemic Bird Species

Family CRACIDAE: Guans and Curassows

Nº	English Name	Scientific Name	Spanish Name
1	White-winged Guan	Penelope albipennis	Pava de Ala Blanca
2	Sira Curassow	Pauxi koepckeae	Paujil del Sira

Family PODICIPEDIDAE: Grebes

3

Junín Grebe

Podiceps taczanowskii

Zambullidor de Junín

Family COLUMBIDAE: Pigeons and Doves

4

Peruvian Pigeon

Patagioenas oenops

Paloma Peruana

Family TROCHILIDAE: Hummingbirds

5	Koepcke’s Hermit	Phaethornis koepckeae	Ermitaño de Koepcke
6	Peruvian Piedtail	Phlogophilus harterti	Cola-pintada Peruano
7	Bronze-tailed Comet	Polyonymus caroli	Cometa de Cola Bronceada
8	Gray-bellied Comet	Taphrolesbia griseiventris	Cometa de Vientre Gris
9	Black-breasted Hillstar	Oreotrochilus melanogaster	Estrella de Pecho Negro
10	Bearded Mountaineer	Oreonympha nobilis	Montañes Barbudo
11	Coppery Metaltail	Metallura theresiae	Colibrí Cobrizo
12	Fire-throated Metaltail	Metallura eupogon	Colibrí Barba de Fuego
13	Black Metaltail	Metallura phoebe	Colibrí Negro
14	Marvelous Spatuletail	Loddigesia mirabilis	Colibrí Cola de Espátula
15	White-tufted Sunbeam	Aglaeactis castelnaudii	Rayo-de-Sol Acanelado
16	Purple-backed Sunbeam	Aglaeactis aliciae	Rayo-de-Sol de Dorso Púrpura
17	Rufous-webbed Brilliant	Heliodoxa branickii	Brillante de Ala Canela
18	Spot-throated Hummingbird	Thaumasius taczanowskii	Colibrí de Taczanowski
19	Green-and-white Hummingbird	Elliotomyia viridicauda	Colibrí Verde y Blanco

Family STRIGIDAE: Owls

20

Long-whiskered Owlet

Xenoglaux loweryi

Lechucita Bigotona

Family CAPITONIDAE: New World Barbets

21

Scarlet-banded Barbet

Capito wallacei

Barbudo de Franja Escarlata

Family RAMPHASTIDAE: Toucans

22

Yellow-browed Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus huallagae

Tucancillo de Ceja Amarilla

Family PICIDAE: Woodpeckers

23	Speckle-chested Piculet	Picumnus steindachneri	Carpinterito de Pecho Jaspeado
24	Black-necked Woodpecker	Colaptes atricollis	Carpintero de Cuello Negro

Family PSITTACIDAE: Parrots

25

Yellow-faced Parrotlet

Forpus xanthops

Periquito de Cara Amarilla

Family THAMNOPHILIDAE: Antbirds

26	Ash-throated Antwren	Herpsilochmus parkeri	Hormiguerito de Garganta Ceniza
27	Creamy-bellied Antwren	Herpsilochmus motacilloides	Hormiguerito de Vientre Cremoso
28	Allpahuayo Antbird	Percnostola arenarum	Hormiguero de Allpahuayo
29	Cordillera Azul Antbird	Myrmoderus eowilsoni	Hormiguero de la Cordillera Azul
30	White-masked Antbird	Pithys castaneus	Hormiguero de Mascara Blanca

Family GRALLARIIDAE: Antpittas

31	Pale-billed Antpitta	Grallaria carrikeri	Tororoi de Pico Pálido
32	Rusty-tinged Antpitta	Grallaria przewalskii	Tororoi Rojizo
33	Bay Antpitta	Grallaria capitalis	Tororoi Bayo
34	Red-and-white Antpitta	Grallaria erythroleuca	Tororoi Rojo y Blanco
35	Chestnut Antpitta	Grallaria blakei	Tororoi Castaño
36	Urubamba Antpitta	Grallaria occabambae	Tororoi de Urubamba
37	Cajamarca Antpitta	Grallaria cajamarcae	Tororoi de Cajamarca
38	Chachapoyas Antpitta	Grallaria gravesi	Tororoi de Chachapoyas
39	Panao Antpitta	Grallaria oneilli	Tororoi de Panao
40	Junín Antpitta	Grallaria obscura	Tororoi de Junín
41	Oxapampa Antpitta	Grallaria centralis	Tororoi de Oxapampa
42	Ayacucho Antpitta	Grallaria ayacuchensis	Tororoi de Ayacucho
43	Ochre-fronted Antpitta	Grallaricula ochraceifrons	Tororoi de Frente Ocrácea

Family RHINOCRYPTIDAE: Tapaculos

44	Ancash Tapaculo	Scytalopus affinis	Tapaculo de Ancash
45	White-winged Tapaculo	Scytalopus krabbei	Tapaculo de Ala Blanca
46	Vilcabamba Tapaculo	Scytalopus urubambae	Tapaculo de Vilcabamba
47	Ampay Tapaculo	Scytalopus whitneyi	Tapaculo de Ampay
48	Jalca Tapaculo	Scytalopus frankeae	Tapaculo de Jalca
49	Neblina Tapaculo	Scytalopus altirostris	Tapaculo de Neblina
50	Rufous-vented Tapaculo	Scytalopus femoralis	Tapaculo de Subcaudales Rufas
51	Utcubamba Tapaculo	Scytalopus intermedius	Tapaculo de Utcubamba
52	Large-footed Tapaculo	Scytalopus macropus	Tapaculo de Pata Grande
53	Junín Tapaculo	Scytalopus gettyae	Tapaculo de Junín
54	Unicolored Tapaculo	Scytalopus unicolor	Tapaculo Unicolor
55	Tschudi’s Tapaculo	Scytalopus acutirostris	Tapaculo de Tschudi

Family FURNARIIDAE: Ovenbirds

56	Coastal Miner	Geositta peruviana	Minero Peruano
57	Thick-billed Miner	Geositta crassirostris	Minero de Pico Grueso
58	Dark-winged Miner	Geositta saxicolina	Minero Andino
59	Striated Earthcreeper	Geocerthia serrana	Bandurrita Peruana
60	White-bellied Cinclodes	Cinclodes palliatus	Churrete de Vientre Blanco
61	Surf Cinclodes	Cinclodes taczanowskii	Churrete Marisquero
62	Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail	Leptasthenura pileata	Tijeral de Corona Castaña
63	White-browed Tit-Spinetail	Leptasthenura xenothorax	Tijeral de Ceja Blanca
64	Chestnut-backed Thornbird	Phacellodomus dorsalis	Espinero de Dorso Castaño
65	Junín Canastero	Asthenes virgata	Canastero de Junín
66	Ayacucho Thistletail	Asthenes ayacuchensis	Cola-Cardo de Ayacucho
67	Vilcabamba Thistletail	Asthenes vilcabambae	Cola-Cardo de Vilcabamba
68	Rusty-fronted Canastero	Asthenes ottonis	Canastero de Frente Rojiza
69	Eye-ringed Thistletail	Asthenes palpebralis	Cola-Cardo de Ojo Anillado
70	Russet-mantled Softtail	Thripophaga berlepschi	Cola-Suave de Manto Rojizo
71	Marcapata Spinetail	Cranioleuca marcapatae	Cola-Espina de Marcapata
72	Vilcabamba Spinetail	Cranioleuca weskei	Cola-Espina de Vilcabamba
73	Creamy-crested Spinetail	Cranioleuca albicapilla	Cola-Espina de Cresta Cremosa
74	Cactus Canastero	Pseudasthenes cactorum	Canastero de los Cactus
75	Great Spinetail	Synallaxis hypochondriaca	Cola-Espina Grande
76	Chinchipe Spinetail	Synallaxis chinchipensis	Cola-Espina del Chinchipe
77	Russet-bellied Spinetail	Synallaxis zimmeri	Cola-Espina de Vientre Rojizo
78	Apurimac Spinetail	Synallaxis courseni	Cola-Espina de Apurímac

Family PIPRIDAE: Manakins

79	Cerulean-capped Manakin	Lepidothrix coeruleocapilla	Saltarín de Gorro Cerúleo
80	Painted Manakin	Machaeropterus eckelberryi	Saltarín Pintado

Family COTINGIDAE: Cotingas

81	Masked Fruiteater	Pipreola pulchra	Frutero Enmascarado
82	White-cheeked Cotinga	Zaratornis stresemanni	Cotinga de Mejilla Blanca
83	Peruvian Plantcutter	Phytotoma raimondii	Cortarrama Peruano
84	Bay-vented Cotinga	Doliornis sclateri	Cotinga de Subcaudales Bayas

Family TYRANNIDAE: Tyrant Flycatchers

85	Inca Flycatcher	Leptopogon taczanowskii	Mosquerito Inca
86	Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher	Poecilotriccus luluae	Espatulilla de Johnson
87	Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher	Poecilotriccus pulchellus	Espatulilla de Dorso Negro
88	Mishana Tyrannulet	Zimmerius villarejoi	Moscareta de Mishana
89	Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant	Uromyias agraphia	Torito Llano
90	Rufous Flycatcher	Myiarchus semirufus	Copetón Rufo
91	Piura Chat-Tyrant	Ochthoeca piurae	Pitajo de Piura

Family TROGLODYTIDAE: Wrens

92	Inca Wren	Pheugopedius eisenmanni	Cucarachero Inca
93	Peruvian Wren	Cinnycerthia peruana	Cucarachero Peruano

Family POLIOPTILIDAE: Gnatcatchers

94

Iquitos Gnatcatcher

Polioptila clementsi

Perlita de Iquitos

Family PASSERELLIDAE: New World Sparrows

95	Rufous-eared Brushfinch	Atlapetes rufigenis	Matorralero de Oreja Rufa
96	Rusty-bellied Brushfinch	Atlapetes nationi	Matorralero de Vientre Rojizo
97	Apurimac Brushfinch	Atlapetes forbesi	Matorralero de Apurímac
98	Black-spectacled Brushfinch	Atlapetes melanopsis	Matorralero de Anteojos Negros
99	Vilcabamba Brushfinch	Atlapetes terborghi	Matorralero de Vilcabamba
100	Cuzco Brushfinch	Atlapetes canigenis	Matorralero de Cusco

Family ICTERIDAE: Blackbirds

101

Selva Cacique

Cacicus koepckeae

Cacique de Koepcke

Family THRAUPIDAE: Tanagers

102	Black-bellied Tanager	Ramphocelus melanogaster	Tangara de Vientre Negro
103	Cinereous Finch	Piezorina cinerea	Fringilo Cinéreo
104	Black-billed Cnemoscopus	Cnemoscopus chrysogaster	Cnemoscopus de Pico Negro
105	Rufous-browed Hemispingus	Poospiza rufosuperciliaris	Hemispingo de Ceja Rufa
106	Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch	Poospiza rubecula	Monterita de Pecho Rufo
107	Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch	Poospizopsis caesar	Monterita de Pecho Castaño
108	Parodi’s Hemispingus	Kleinothraupis parodii	Hemispingo de Parodi
109	Brown-flanked Tanager	Thlypopsis pectoralis	Tangara de Flanco Pardo
110	Plain-tailed Warbling-Finch	Microspingus alticola	Monterita de Cola Simple
111	Pardusco	Nephelornis oneilli	Pardusco
112	Great Inca-Finch	Incaspiza pulchra	Fringilo-Inca Grande
113	Rufous-backed Inca-Finch	Incaspiza personata	Fringilo-Inca de Dorso Rufo
114	Gray-winged Inca-Finch	Incaspiza ortizi	Fringilo-Inca de Ala Gris
115	Buff-bridled Inca-Finch	Incaspiza laeta	Fringilo-Inca de Frenillo Anteado
116	Little Inca-Finch	Incaspiza watkinsi	Fringilo-Inca Chico
117	Yellow-scarfed Tanager	Iridosornis reinhardti	Tangara de Bufanda Amarilla
118	Streak-crowned Mountain Tanager	Dubusia stictocephala	Tangara de Montaña de Corona Rayada
119	Golden-backed Mountain Tanager	Cnemathraupis aureodorsalis	Tangara de Montaña de Dorso Dorado
120	Sira Tanager	Stilpnia phillipsi	Tangara del Sira

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TOTAL: 120 Endemic Species

Last Updated: November 2025
Source: List of the Birds of Peru, Version September 29, 2025

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Best Places to See Endemic Birds of Peru

1. Manu National Park (Cusco/Madre de Dios)

• Endemic species: 15+ species including Rufous-webbed Brilliant, Coppery Metaltail, multiple antpittas
• Best time: May-October (dry season)
• Elevation range: 300-4,000 meters
• Access: Via Cusco, requires permits and guided tours

2. Abra Málaga Pass (Cusco)

• Endemic species: Coppery Metaltail, Black Metaltail, White-tufted Sunbeam
• Accessibility: Easily accessible from Cusco via paved road
• Best for: High-altitude hummingbirds and tapaculos
• Viewing tip: Stop at multiple elevations along the pass

3. Huembo Reserve (Amazonas)

• Star species: Marvelous Spatuletail (main global site)
• Other endemics: Long-whiskered Owlet nearby at Abra Patricia
• Best time: March-October, peak July-September
• Facilities: Excellent visitor center and trails
• Community involvement: Ecotourism supports local conservation

4. Lomas de Lachay (Lima)

• Endemic species: Coastal Miner, Peruvian Pigeon, Spot-throated Hummingbird
• Habitat: Coastal fog forest (lomas ecosystem)
• Distance: 105 km north of Lima (2-hour drive)
• Best season: June-October when vegetation is lush
• Easy access: Perfect for day trips from Lima

5. Abra Patricia-Alto Nieva (Amazonas/San Martín)

• Endemic species: Long-whiskered Owlet, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, multiple antpittas
• Facilities: Owlet Lodge offers night walks
• Elevation: 2,300-2,800 meters
• Bird diversity: Over 300 species recorded in area
• Infrastructure: Well-developed birding trails

6. Junín Plateau (Junín)

• Endemic species: Junín Grebe, Junín Canastero, Junín Tapaculo
• Habitat: High-altitude wetlands and puna grasslands
• Elevation: 4,100 meters
• Conservation: Critical site for endangered Junín Grebe
• Access: Via Tarma or from central highway

7. Utcubamba Valley (Amazonas)

• Endemic species: Multiple tapaculos (Utcubamba, Jalca), brushfinches
• Habitat: Montane scrublands and dry valleys
• Best for: Difficult-to-see tapaculo species
• Tip: Local guides essential for finding cryptic species

8. Carpish Pass (Huánuco)

• Endemic species: Yellow-browed Toucanet, Peruvian Piedtail
• Accessibility: Along main highway, roadside birding
• Elevation: 2,700 meters
• Bonus: Gateway to both cloud forest and Amazon species
• Convenience: Easy stops along Tingo María-Huánuco road

9. Marañón Valley (Multiple departments)

• Endemic species: Yellow-faced Parrotlet, multiple Inca-Finches, Marañón Spinetail
• Habitat: Unique dry inter-Andean valley
• Elevations: 600-2,800 meters
• Best access: Via Balsas or Celendín
• Birding style: Hot, arid conditions require early morning visits

10. Colca Canyon (Arequipa)

• Endemic species: Black-breasted Hillstar
• Tourist infrastructure: Excellent hotels and viewpoints
• Multi-species: Also great for Andean Condor
• Accessibility: 3-hour drive from Arequipa
• Best viewing: Morning at Cruz del Condor viewpoint

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Endangered Species (8+)

• Marvelous Spatuletail: Habitat loss, small range
• Gray-bellied Comet: Mining activities, restricted range
• Long-whiskered Owlet: Cloud forest loss, limited distribution
• Surf Cinclodes: Coastal development, climate change
• Peruvian Plantcutter: Agricultural expansion in coastal valleys
• Royal Cinclodes: Habitat loss in high Andes
• Pardusco: Bamboo specialist, very restricted range

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Recent Discoveries and Taxonomic Updates (2025)

The endemic birds of Peru list continues to evolve:

Recent Splits (2020-2025)

• Tapaculo complex: Several new species described based on vocalizations
  • Scytalopus frankeae (Jalca Tapaculo) – 2020
  • Scytalopus krabbee (White-winged Tapaculo) – 2020
  • Scytalopus whitneyi (Ampay Tapaculo) – 2020

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Last Updated: September 2025
Total Endemic birds of Peru: 120 (officially recognized)
Conservation Status: 4 Critically Endangered, 8+ Endangered, multiple Vulnerable

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Start planning your birding adventure to Peru today and experience these extraordinary endemic species before they’re gone!