Manu National Park

Posted byMichael CookPosted in2. InternationalTags:, , , ,
Red howler monkey perched on a tree branch in Manu National Park.

Following on from our 4 days birding on Manu Road we have just gone deeper and spent 6 days in the Manu National Park itself exploring this part of the remote Amazon Rainforest.

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We took a six day tour with Manu Wildlife Peru with three nights at the Treehouse Inn and two at Casa Matsigueka. Because of recent sightings and movements of non-contacted tribal groups we had a slightly curtailed itinerary not being able to visit anything west of the Manu River. That said we still had some great sightings including Giant Anteater, Tapir, Capybara, 8 species of Monkey and over 100 species of birds (with 35 lifers).

On the first day it was mainly a drive from Cusco but we stopped briefly to checkout some male Andean Cock of the Rock birds in the Cloud Forest. This is a bird I have seen before but never had great photos of.

  • Andean cock-of-the-rock bird perched among green leaves and branches in a lush forest setting.
    Andean Cock of the Rock
  • Stack of chocolate chip cookies, fresh and homemade.
  • Bright red male Andean Cock-of-the-rock bird perched in a lush green tree.
  • Bright red Andean Cock-of-the-rock bird perched in lush green foliage

After lunch we switched from land to river taking a boat on the Rio Madre de Dios. This was a fairly short ride of a couple of hours to the Treehouse Inn. We added two new Swallow species (White-Winged and White-Banded) as well as the Purplish Jay and Black Caracara. But perhaps the bird of the day was the Sand-coloured Nighthawk which was spotted on a log during a jungle toilet stop. We did also spot some Jaguar footprints on the same beach and numerous butterflies.

  • Ardea cocoi heron standing on a log in its natural habitat, a tropical forest with a blue sky backdrop.
    Cocoi Heron
  • Two tree swallows perched on a branch against a blurred green background.
    White-Winged Swallow
  • Camouflaged nighthawk perched on a weathered log, blending into its surroundings.
    Sand-Coloured Nighthawk
  • Immature hawk perches on a nest of twigs, looking alert against a backdrop of green foliage.
    Great Black Hawk
  • Dog paw print in dark sand. Clear paw print detail.
    Jaguar Footprint
  • Stunning butterfly with turquoise wings resting on a textured, earthy surface.
  • Brown and orange butterfly with white stripes resting on rocks.
  • Butterfly with red and white markings resting on gravel ground, with a bee nearby.

That night we went for a night walk and in fact on two subsequent nights too. Clearly the light was terrible for photography (it is night after all). But we saw a range of critters on these early night time walks and I share a few iPhone pictures here.

  • Fuzzy huntsman spider on a green leaf, detailed macro view.
    Banana Spider
  • Banded kukri snake coiled on lush green leaves. Reptile with distinctive black and white bands.
    Big Headed Thirst Snake
  • Large huntsman spider on a leaf and branch, showcasing its long legs and orange body.
    Crab Spider
  • Cane toad sitting on leaves. Large amphibian with textured skin and visible parotoid glands.
    Frog (huge)
  • Leaf insect camouflage: Green insect blending seamlessly with a leaf and branch.
  • Green leaf insect blending in on a leaf. Camouflage in nature.
  • Dark scorpion on a textured surface, viewed from above.
    Scorpion
  • Green katydid with yellow stripes clinging to a plant stem.
  • Long-legged katydid clinging to a bright green leaf in the dark.
  • Owl butterfly camouflaged in grass, with distinctive eye spots on its brown and tan wings.

The next morning we were up early to visit a Parrot Clay Lick. It was very foggy and the action was slow going as a result. However good numbers of Blue-Headed and Yellow-Crowned Parrots turned up. We saw various Macaws flying over too.

  • Cobalt-headed parrots perched on a textured, earthen wall. Colorful birds in their natural habitat.
    Blue Headed Parrot
  • Cobalt-winged parakeets perched on a clay bank, feeding in the Amazon rainforest.
  • Green parrot perched atop a leafy tree branch against a blue sky.
    Yellow-Crowned Parrot
  • Green parrot perched on a branch with vibrant red flowers against a clear blue sky.
    Dusky-Headed Parakeet
  • Magpie Tanager bird perched on a branch with red flowers against a blue sky.
    Magpie Tanager

On the walk back we added some new birds with the Buff-Fronted Woodcreeper and Black-Fronted Nunbird being lifers. Alas at about this time I managed to accidentally switch off the image stabilisation setting on my camera and the quality of the photos was somewhat shaky from here-on out.

  • Bird clinging to a tree trunk in a lush green forest, looking upwards
    Buff-throated Woodcreeper
  • Black bird with a red beak perched on a tree branch against a bright sky.
    Black-fronted Nunbird
  • Black-shouldered kite soaring high in a clear blue sky.
    Plumbeous Kite
  • Scarlet macaw perched on a branch amidst lush green leaves against a clear blue sky.
    Scarlet Macaw
  • Glasswing butterfly on a vibrant green leaf, showcasing its transparent wings with dark borders.
    Glass Butterfly

We also encountered a couple of species of monkey during this walk which was exciting as they are always good to watch albeit a challenge to photograph as they move through the foliage. On this walk we saw the Large-Headed Capuchin and the Black-Mantled Tamarin.

  • Squirrel monkey peering through branches in lush green foliage.
    Humboldt’s Suirrel Monkey
  • Squirrel monkey climbing in bamboo, with bright green foliage in the background.
  • Squirrel monkey peers out from dense green foliage, tail curled upwards
  • Monkey hanging upside down from a tree branch in lush green foliage.
  • Squirrel monkey perched on a branch in lush green foliage, looking left.
  • Squirrel monkey in lush green rainforest canopy
  • Squirrel monkey in dense rainforest foliage, dappled sunlight.
  • Monkey perched on a tree branch amidst lush green leaves, partially obscured by sunlight.
    Black-Mantled Tamarin
  • Monkey in a tree amidst lush green foliage, climbing on a branch.

On another walk in the rainforest we had great views of a Red-and-Green Macaw which allowed some photos. Briefer views of Manu Antbird, Round-tailed Manakin and Plum-Throated Cotinga were also welcome lifers for me.

  • Scarlet macaw perched on a tree branch amidst lush green foliage in a tropical setting.
    Red-and-Green Macaw
  • Scarlet macaw perched on a tree branch against a blue sky, vibrant red and blue plumage.
  • Scarlet macaw perched on a tree branch against a blue sky.
  • Scarlet macaw perched on a tree branch against a blue sky, framed by leaves.
  • Wattled Brush-turkey perched in a lush green tree with bright sunlight filtering through the leaves.
    Spix’s Guan
  • Butterflies congregating on sun-baked earth, displaying varied yellow and white wings.
    Butterfly Clay-Lick

The next morning we began a 12 hour boat trip into the Manu Reserved Zone. Along the way we had plenty of sightings of Cayman (Black and White) but also birds including Great Black Hawk, Black Skimmer, Pied Plover and Horned Screamer. We did see two Sun Bitterns too (a lifer) but I was not quick enough to photograph.

  • Cayman sunning on a rocky riverbank. The reptile's armored skin is visible in detail along its body and tail.
    Black Cayman
  • Crocodile swimming in murky water, back visible.
  • Large caiman resting on a sandy riverbank near dry brush.
  • Crocodile lurking in the water, only its eye and snout visible above the surface.
    White Cayman
  • Caiman sunbathing on a sandy riverbank, its textured skin visible in the bright sunlight.
  • Three yellow-spotted river turtles basking on a log in the Amazon River.
    Turtles
  • Four turtles basking on a log in the water, near a muddy riverbank.
  • Turtles basking on a log in the water, with a backdrop of tangled branches.
  • Hawk perched on a fallen tree trunk, brown and white speckled plumage, sharp talons visible.
    Great Black Hawk
  • Black Skimmer bird standing in shallow water with a red and black beak
    Black Skimmer
  • Grey heron perched on a branch, overlooking a blurred green background.
    Cocoi Heron
  • Grey heron standing on one leg against a blurred green background
  • Pied Plover bird standing on a sandy riverbank with distinctive black and white markings.
    Pied Plover
  • Two ducks wading in shallow water, brown and blue plumage
    Muscovy Duck
  • Black and brown Muscovy duck swimming in water with a white patch on its side.
  • Maguari Stork standing tall near greenery, with mottled black and white feathers.
    Horned Screamer
  • Male Horned Screamer bird with black and white plumage standing on a fallen log in the Amazon rainforest.
  • Spruce Grouse in flight with wings spread against a green forest background.
  • Bird in flight with wings spread against a background of trees and foliage.
  • Three Southern Screamers walk on a sandy beach near water, reflecting in the shallows.

It was two pairs of the Capybara’s, the world’s largest rodent that really had our group excited though.

  • Two muddy capybaras climbing a dry, cracked riverbank.
  • Two capybaras on dry, cracked earth, one walking toward the right and the other facing away near greenery.
  • Mud-covered capybara sitting on dry ground near green foliage.
  • Capybara sitting on a dirt bank near green grass, slightly muddy.
  • Muddy capybara sitting on dirt near green foliage.
  • Capybara standing on cracked, dry earth in natural sunlight.
  • Two capybaras swim in golden water, with a black-necked stilt bird on the sandy shore in the background.
  • Capybara in water, partially submerged with head and upper body visible.
  • Capybara swimming in a river, its head and upper body visible above the water.

The next morning we took a walk from Casa Matsigueka and had three great sightings of new monkey species.

  • Saki monkey clinging to a branch with its long, bushy tail hanging down in a forest setting.
    Rio Tapajós Saki Monkey
  • Saki monkey perched on a branch with its long tail hanging down.
  • Saki monkey perched on a tree branch in the rainforest, with its long tail hanging down.
  • Saki monkey perched on a branch in the Amazon rainforest.
  • Titi monkey clinging to a tree trunk in a lush forest setting.
    Brown Mantled Tamarin
  • Titi monkey clinging to a tree trunk in the Amazon rainforest.
  • Tamarind monkey perched on a branch in a lush forest environment.
  • Red howler monkey perched on a tree branch in lush green foliage.
  • Red howler monkey perched on a tree branch with its tail curled around it, looking at the camera.
  • Brown howler monkey perched on a branch, surrounded by green leaves in a lush forest setting.
  • Red howler monkey perched on a branch in a lush green forest, tail curled around the limb.
  • Towering rainforest tree with textured bark, vines, and a large termite nest clinging to the trunk.
  • Looking up inside a hollow tree trunk, showing textured bark and light filtering through the opening.

The monkeys were well supported by more Macaws but also a Curl-Crested Aracari and Golden-Green Woodpecker.

  • Scarlet macaw perched on a branch amidst lush green leaves in the rainforest.
    Red and Green Macaw
  • Red macaw parrot with distinctive facial patterns, perched in lush green foliage.
  • Scarlet macaw perched among lush green leaves in a rainforest setting.
  • Aracari perched on a branch amidst lush green leaves, basking in sunlight.
    Curl-Crested Aracari
  • Rufous woodpecker perched on a mossy tree trunk, with vibrant green foliage in the background.
    Golden-Green Woodpecker
  • Yellow-fronted Barbet bird on a tree, pecking at bark with red feathers on its head.

After lunch we headed to the Cocha Salvador lake. The light was approaching the golden hour and there were lots of birds showing well.

  • Ringed Kingfisher perched on a branch, calling out in a natural habitat.
    Ringed Kingfisher
  • Ringed Kingfisher perched on a branch, looking left. Blue and white plumage detail.
  • Glossy Ibis perched on a branch over water, with lush foliage in the background.
    Green Ibis
  • Muscovy ducks swimming in a calm pond with reflections, showcasing their distinctive features.
    Muscovy Duck
  • Yellow-rumped cacique bird perched on a branch, showcasing its striking black and yellow plumage against a blue sky.
    Yellow-Rumped Casique
  • Black bird perched on a pendulous oriole nest hanging from a tree branch against a clear sky.
  • Striated heron perched on a branch near greenery, its yellow eye gleaming in the sunlight.
    Striated Heron
  • Orange-breasted falcon perched on a branch against a clear blue sky.
    Bat Falcon
  • Rufous-bellied hawk-eagle perched on a tree branch, looking down in natural light.
  • Yellow flowers with orange seed pods and green leaves, likely a tropical plant.
  • Hoatzin bird perched in lush green foliage with distinctive head feathers and red eyes.
  • Hoatzin bird with distinctive crest and patterned wings in lush greenery.
  • Hoatzin bird perched on a tree branch, with distinctive spiky crest and vibrant plumage.
  • Hoatzin bird hiding in lush green foliage, with distinctive red eye and spiky crest.

In the water Giant River Otters performed well and in the trees Humbolt’s White-Fronted Capuchin were briefly spotted.

  • Beaver swimming in a pond, its head above the water
    Giant River Otter
  • Giant otter swimming in a river, head above the water
  • Three giant otters swimming in a river, their heads above the water.
  • Giant otter swimming in a river, showing teeth. Wildlife of the Amazon.
  • Otter family swimming in a calm lake, only their heads visible above the water.
  • Two giant otters swimming in green water, heads above the surface.
  • Monkey in lush green foliage, peering out from tree branches
  • Brown capuchin monkey climbing among green leaves and branches in a forest setting.

The next morning we were heading out of the reserved zone but were hoping to see more wildlife on the way back to Treehouse. We got off to a great start with a Brazilian Tapir swimming across the Manu River.

  • Amazon River dolphin swimming. Pink river dolphin in the Amazon River.
    Tapir
  • Tapir swimming in murky water near a muddy riverbank, seen from behind.
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.

We added some more good bird sightings with Wood Stork, King Vulture and even a brief view of a Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher.

  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
    Wood Stork
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
    Orinoco Goose
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
    Sand-Coloured Nighthawk
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
    King Vultures
  • King Vulture soaring in a clear blue sky, wings spread wide.
  • King vulture soars against a clear blue sky, wings spread wide.

Just as we thought the wildlife sightings were over for the day a Giant Anteater was spotted swimming ahead of us and we were able to observe it as it climbed out onto the bank and disappeared from view.

  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
    Giant Anteater
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.
  • Nuthatch perched on a mossy branch, showcasing its blue and tan plumage in a bird art collaboration.

It was a real privilege to be in this amazing rainforest habitat and see these new birds and mammals. We left Peru with 382 species (1,231 for whole trip) of which 245 were lifers.

Black bird in flight, "Wild Scot" text. Scottish Wildlife Photos.

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Published by Michael Cook

Wildlife Photographer based in Scotland

5 thoughts on “Manu National Park”

  1. Lovely photos, Michael! Jonathan and I really enjoyed reading about your time in Manu and seeing your beautiful photography. We are envious that you got to see a giant anteater and the saki monkeys. So amazing! 🙂 – Charlotte & Jonathan Breitkreuz

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