Birding Despite Disability

The official decree is that you are not to be on the street unless you are going to or from the grocery store, the pharmacy, or the bank.

In Lima, it would appear that these rules are being strictly enforced by the police and military. Here in little Iquitos, not so much… yet.

Today we birded about half the length of the Malecon for an hour or so. We did not get harassed by anyone in uniform. As long as you keep a facemask on, they seem to not care. Not sure what they would do if you didn’t, but you will definitely be approached by people trying to sell you one of their handmade masks.

We still have some targets here. Most Wanted #1 is an ongoing Nemesis Bird that we have looked for across South America: Red-bellied Macaw. Not today. Also need Red-and-white Spinetail, which has been reported from Malecon. Not today.

But, at one point I heard a distant, bouncy-ball song, and immediately thought Barred Antshrike. Claire called out a dark antbird with no barring. Then I remembered that Castelnau’s Antshrike has a similar bouncy-ball call. YES! Got him recorded and took a crappy photo before he flew off, showing us his white wing patches.

If I can get at least a lifer here every day, I don’t care how long they leave us. (Kidding!)