Located in the extreme south-east of Peru, the Tambopata Jungle remains a remote area of rainforest that is bursting with endemic wildlife.
This includes a variety of colorful and exotic birds, and when heading on a tour here we can see all kinds of unusual species.
In this guide we’ll explore the different birds of Tambopata in Peru, including some rare species worth keeping your eyes peeled for. We’ll also answer any other related questions you may have in our FAQ section.
Quick Answer: Throughout the Tambopata region we’ll find a large number of birds soaring overhead. Researchers estimate that there are a total of 600 species that we can spot here!
Some we can see in unique conditions such as the colorful Macaws when they visit the Clay Licks. Given this ecosystem is full of important minerals for their diet, here we can see dozens daily who come to feed.
Hanging on branches we may be able to spot a variety of Cuckoos and Woodpeckers, whilst we can also see the native Hoatzin along the winding Amazon River.
Here we’ll list some of the most impressive birds worth looking out for in the Tambopata Jungle. Remember this is not an exhaustive list of all species here, however does include some of the most spectacular to spot.
The majority of these colorful birds can be seen year-round in Tambopata. Of course sightings aren’t guaranteed (given they are wild and can take-off swiftly), however our professional guides will know the best places to spot them.
However the best overall time to go birdwatching in Tambopata would have to be the wet season. Falling between the months of December and March, this season is when the jungle comes alive with ripe fruits and flowers due to the extra rains. These in turn attract more birds who come down to feed on these, making sightings more likely.
Be sure to learn more about the best time to visit the Tambopata Rainforest.
Here we’ll now answer some of the most frequent questions we get about the different birds of Tambopata in Peru.
The Andean cock-of-the-rock is its name, and is known for its stunning bright red-orange colours. They are found within the cloud forests of the Andes, in countries including Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. We can also spot this emblematic bird in certain lodges around Tambopata.
Known as the Harpy Eagle, this giant bird can grow up to a meter in length and weigh as much as 20 pounds. An apex predator, the Harpy Eagle is endemic to the Amazon Jungle (including the Tambopata Reserve) where it hunts monkeys, sloths and other smaller birds.
And that’s all for this guide on the different birds of Tambopata in Peru.
One of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, the Tambopata Rainforest is home to many incredible and unusual animals. This includes over 600 species of birds, so it’s worth keeping your camera fully-charged for photos when you head out here!
Looking to see exotic birds in the Tambopata Jungle? On our specialized jungle tours our knowledge guides will help us to spot all kinds of rare and incredible species here.