Thanks to its geographic location, microclimates and other factors, Peru is considered a privileged country to practice birdwatching, a pastime that attracts more and more followers from around the world.
As listed by the South American Classification Committee of Louisiana State University (LSU) Museum of Natural Science (SACC/CRAP), Peru shelters 1,830 different bird species. Likewise, the Inca nation holds the second spot as mega-diverse country; besides it hosts 70% of the planet’s biological diversity.
According to the Holdridge classification, the South American country has 84 out of the 117 life zones registered on Earth. It also records the largest number of the world’s endemic species. Over the last three decades, two new species have been discovered per year on average.
Given these aspects, Peru displays a great potential to boost birdwatching tourism across its natural areas. This way, three main routes have been set to cover more life zones nationwide.
Northern Route
The said route extends from Trujillo city located at 559 km north of Lima to Tumbes region at 1274 km away of the capital. Then, it runs to Iquitos city at a distance of 1,011 km from Lima.
Over 1,200 species are present in this geographical area, and it is home to many of the most sought-after endemic birds, such as the Marvelous Spatuletail and the White-winged Guan.
Paso Abra Patricia and Lechucita Bigotona Biological Station have turned into one of the best-known birdwatching spots, including excellent forests and a pathway system.
Central Route
Peru’s Birdwatching Central Route provides an interesting alternative to the northern and southern routes, requiring less time to explore. It also covers a series of exclusive life zones.
Likewise, the said route offers plenty of alternatives for birdwatching activities, thanks to the number of life zones and habitats that can be found during the tour.
Interesting endemic species can be seen along this way, such as the Golden-backed Mountain Tanager and the Junin Grebe.
Santa Eulalia Valley, Marcapomacocha Lagoon, Milloc Bog, Ticlio or Anticona mountain pass, Lake Junin, Unchog Forest, Carpish Tunnel and mountains stood out among this route’s geographical spaces.
Southern Route
The birdwatching route across the Peruvian southern region is historically the best known. It is also called the “Megadiversity Route.”
It goes through Paracas’ rich marine waters and Nazca’s mysterious lines; the Andes via Pampa Galeras, or Arequipa and Colca Valley, or Cuzco; the high Andean plateau of Puno and; Lake Titicaca until it reaches the plains of Manu and Tambopata, in Madre de Dios.
This route is characterized by relying on the best infrastructure of the three bird routes and by being the cradle of the Inca Empire.
The most emblematic birds are the Inca Wren and the Andean Cock-of-the-rock.
Global Big Day
At the Global Big Day competition, Peru managed to register a total of 1,177 watched bird species, thus defeating countries as Brazil, Colombia and the U.S.
Organized by eBird and the University of Cornell, this contest aims to promote birdwatching at an international level.
National regions that host a large number of birds are: Madre de Dios (441 species) and Cusco (428 species)
(END) MAO/HMC/RMB
Published: 11/18/2016