PERU: Andes to Amazon ~ Day 4 & 5 – Manu Road

Cock of the Rock Lodge gets its name from the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek on the property. The lek is actually right off the Manu Road, protected from passing traffic by a bamboo fence. Shortly after daybreak the birds begin to moo and caw while offering a fitful dance, trying to entice the well hidden females. It is truly a sight to behold!

Walking along the Manu Road at the mid to upper elevations, Cinnamon Flycatchers are quite common. Their beautiful, warm-brown garb attracted looks each time they flit or sallied.

Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanagers were also quite common at their preferred elevation. However, they rarely posed for more than an instant.

By mid-morning many butterflies fluttered and puddled along the roadside. This daggerwing species, caught in mid-flight, was quite common.

A nemesis of many years, I finally got good looks at the Lanceolated Monklet, a small puffbird. A pair posed wonderfully in the open for us for great scope views and photos.

No less than seven Golden-headed Quetzals were seen along one stretch of road. Only a couple of them chose to allow photos, but all offered good views for brief moments.

Back at the lodge, hummingbirds buzzed about. This Speckled Hummingbird was just one of about seven species regularly seen at the feeders and in the verbena.

The hummingbird costume prize definitely went to this incredible Wire-crested Thorntail. A common species right at the lodge, both mail and female offered many great views and photo opportunities.