WHERE TO GO BIRDING IN PERU

Huancabamba is worth a visit. Many birds that are specialties of Southern Ecuador are only known from here in Peru. This region contains several sites that will be dealt below; namely Canchaque-Cruz blanca, Huancabamba dry valley, Chinguela ridge above Sapalache on the road to Carmen de la Frontera, and the Tabaconas road. Also included in this area is the inaccessible Tabaconas-Namballe reserve.

It is possible to drive across from Piura to the Jaen-San Ignacio road

To get there make a turn-off on the Piura-Olmos road to the left in direction to Canchaque. Though the habitat is pretty trashed at the beginning, closer to Canchaque there are some side-valleys that can be checked for Elegant Crescent-chest and White-headed Brush-Finch.

Canchaque-Cruz Blanca
This is where the real birding starts. Just a couple of kilometers above the town it is relatively easy to find Black-cowled Saltator, Chapman's Antshrike and possibly Saffron Siskin (take photographs of both males and females to confirm - the paula race of Hooded Siskin is very similar).
The area around an old metal bridge is very good for Masked Saltator. The White-winged Brush-Finch here is probably the variable dresseri race rather than paynteri as mentioned in Valqui's Where to watch birds in Peru.
At the Cruz Blanca pass itself there is a trail that winds down to the valley bottom not far from Canchaque (very strenous). This is nevertheless a good area to search for the rare Grey-headed Antbird and Piura Hemispingus that inhabits Chusquea bamboo. Also note that the Rufous Antpitta in this area sounds a bit funny. It has a call somewhat similar to the Cajamarca form of Rufous Antpitta so it could be an extension of this species or it may deserve taxonomic status itself.

The continued drive to Huancabamba does not offer that much. In the Huancabamba valley bottom there is dry Marañon type habitat and therefore the Peruvian endemic Grey-winged Inca-Finch may be encountered here.
Huancabamba does recieve a fair number of mainly local tourist every year. The highland lakes called las Huaringas, that one reaches after long hiking or horseback, are said to have curative properties. There are certified which-doctors that will help you heal.

Sapalache-Chinguela ridge-Carmen de la Frontera road.
Most of the time there will be no problem driving on this road with a 4WD vehicle, all the way to Carmen. However, the mining prospects in this region are not very popular among the local population. Should there be strikes or civil unrest because of the mines it will be a good idea to stay away. Ask around in Huancabamba to learn what the situation is.

Much of the paramo and elfin forest habitat has dissappeared in recent years. But in the patches that remains one still finds Neblina Metaltail, Mouse-colored Thistletail, Chusquea Tapaculo, Rufous Antpitta (ssp rufula), White-browed Spinetail. Rare and not found by birders here in recent years are Masked Mountain-Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Cotinga and Red-faced Parrot.

Lower down in the valley one may search for Orange-banded Flycatcher, Spectaled Prickletail, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Brown-billed Scythebill. Look out also for the true paynteri form of White-winged Brush-Finch, which may be a good species.

Should one like to explore further it is possible to hike from Carmen towards Namballe through excellent Cloud forest.

Tabaconas road
One may drive south of Huancabamba to Sondor and from there cut over the pass towards Tabaconas. The road is in very poor shape most of the time, so a 4WD vehicle would be preferred. There is some half decent habitat along this way. It is possible to get Neblina Metaltail and Bearded Guan here. Look out for a strange sounding Pygmy-Owl from this area. It corresponds to an Andean type Pygmy-Owl, but the song is quite different.

From Tabaconas one can access the Tabaconas-Namballe reserve. There are few trails in the forest, but if following those that exist this makes very good hiking with birding.