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Birdwatching at Machu Picchu
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We all know Machu Picchu for its magnificent ruins, perched on a narrow plateau between mountains, deep in the green hills of the Andes. There are stories of emperors, of conquistadors and of the search for a lost city of the Incas. But here's a side few get to see...
Machu Picchu sits in Andean cloud forest, a habitat for myriad exotic birds species that most of us are highly unlikely to see pop up on our humble garden feeders anytime soon. Nor are you likely to see them up at the ruins though. This one, if you're wondering, is a gorgeous Andean motmot.
Tucked away down by the railway line in Machu Picchu Pueblo, the village you'll stay in, are the lush, peaceful and bird-rich Inkaterra cloudforest gardens. If you're ok with an early start, going out with a trained bird guide is the best way to get to grips with it all.
Hummingbirds are ubiquitous, especially on the feeders, where they are fairly easy to photograph with a decent camera at the right shutter speed.
This beauty is the Chestnut-breasted coronet hummingbird, one of many varities you'll spot here on any given day.
For me, the most rewarding sightings - if not the best photos - happen spontaneously, away from the feeders. Here, a green and white hummingbird (that's it's actual name, no kudos for creativity) approaches a Heliconia.
Another hummer helps itself to the nectar of the Heliconia.
A male thick-billed euphonia takes flight after refuelling on banana.
The lighter, yellower female thick-billed euphonia. If you're wondering whether I know all this 'who's who' business or whether I had to Google it all and play spot the bird... I'm not telling
Tanagers are regular visitors to the banana feeders. This one is of the blue-necked variety.
The blue and yellow tanager: again, not the most creatively named bird you'll ever see, but it's certainly a colourful one, with just a hint of a beard going on there.
The majestic Andean motmot takes flight between what I'm pretty sure is Cantua buxifolia.... That one was definitely a Google.
And then finds a perch from which its fans can admire it in all its feathery glory.
Out on the mighty Urubamba River, a family of torrent ducks finds an oasis of calm. Our guide got rather excited at this point, so I assume sightings of these family conferences don't happen every day.
The distinct drum of a woodpecker was traced back to this golden-olive chap.
It's not all about the birds. This is a place of orchids - 372 varities have been recorded here - and lush, green foliage. We did promise cloud forest...
Tangled vines lend the gardens a more intrepid jungle feel.
Orange trees are a surprising find between the cloud forest plants and trees.
The early morning light in the gardens is a thing of beauty.
Where there are beautiful birds, there are often beautiful butterflies to spot and identify. I've no idea what this is, but it's rather nice. Between the birds and butterflies, the colour of the flowers and the sound of the river rushing by, this is a true haven in what must be one of the world's busiest villages.
Thank you for reading. This visit was but a fraction of what I experienced in Peru - a country so full of colour, so rich in history and so varied in its flavours. And as you now know, the bird life can be pretty special too. Please feel free to have a look around our Peru vacations, and let us know if we can help you start planning.
