PERU 2010 – Part 8: Rio Madre de Dios

White-eyed Parakeet

Today we drive east along the Manu Road for our final time. At the end of our road, in the Peruvian Amazon Basin, is the Madre de Dios River, a major tributary to the Amazon River. We had several great birding stops along the way… at one, when a motmot flew across the road, we got out of the bus and were greeted by a small flock of White-eyed Parakeets right next to us!

Chorinea sylphia

As we enjoyed the parakeets and searched for the motmot we found this beautiful clear-winged metalmark (Chorinea sylphina) puddling next to the bus. The other bug is not yet ID’d.

Rio Madre de Dios

After winding down the mountain we finally had a view of the Madre de Dios and the expanse of the flood plain and valley.

Our motorized canoe holds 12 plus luggage and crew… comfortable car-like bucket seats make the 6-hour trip a breeze. The high roof kept the sun off most of the time while allowing great viewing opportunities.

The first part of the river was fast and we zipped along with our 60 HP outboard in the beautiful weather!

Red Howler Monkeys

A troop of Red Howlers were seen on the shoreline but quickly took to the trees as we passed. This one pictured has a young one clinging to her.

Fasciated Tiger-heron

Fasciated Tiger-herons are most often seen in the first hour of our trek. This one was found just beyond the first 60 minutes and stayed for a few images before moving to better hunting.

Pied Plover

I am sure there were many more Pied Plovers than what we found along the rocky river edges as they blend into their environs so well.

The trip, though about 6-hours, seems to end to soon as we are always blessed with great scenery and wonderful birds and other wildlife along the way!