Birds of the Aquicuana Reserve
The 20,000 hectares of Aquicuana Lake Reserve is home to many species of Amazonian flora and fauna. Our avifauna includes the threatened Masked Antpitta (endemic to Riberalta, Bolivia; recorded at several distinct locales inside the Reserve) and the threatened White-throated Toucan, as well as 4 species of large Ara macaws. Preliminary birding efforts have yielded 339 resident bird species recorded within an hour from the main Pisatahua lodge, including several important first registers for El Beni. With the help of guests and researchers, we hope to add more species to the list – we estimate there are more than 350 in total.
To view a full list of recorded birds, click here.
The density of species and variety of habitats including the lake, its surrounding marshes and varzeas (seasonally flooded forests), as well as a network of hiking trails through primary rainforest, make the Reserve a premier birding and wildlife viewing destination in Bolivia.
Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)
This attractive toucan has yellow underparts with a red-chestnut band across and is chestnut-brown across the side of its head. You can even spot it performing acrobatics like hanging upside down from a tree to get fruit.
Crimson-crested woodpecker (Campephilus melanoleucos)
It can be differentiated from the other similar Lineated Woodpecker by facial markings and by the white lines on its back, which meet to form a ‘V’.
Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
The most brilliantly-colored of all herons, with its teal green, blue and chestnut red plumage. It is usually quiet and reclusive, but keep an eye out for them close to the water’s edge.
(Photo credit: Vincent Vos/CC BY-NC)
