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Flora and Fauna
Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager
Buthraupis aureodorsalis
By Gunnar Engblom, Kolibri Expeditions

Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis aureodorsalis

It is on the cover of The Field Guide to the Birds of Peru, and one of the largest members of the Tanager family. Tanagers only occur in the New World, and the Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager only occurs in epithyte-laden temperate elfin forests of central Peru. Its habitat in the border zone of the paramo - the high attitude wet grass and scrub-land that constitutes the true tree-line - is severely threatened because of repetitive burning of the highlands to maintain grassland for grazing. The slow-growing elfin forest does not re-grow when the land is constantly disturbed this way.

Hopefully, though, the splendid Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager can bring a stop to the habitat destruction, at least at Bosque Unchog in the Carpish Mountains near Huánuco. It was here that the species was first found in the 1970s, together with three other completely new species to science - Rufous-browed Hemispingus, Bay-vented Cotinga and Pardusco. Since 2003, Kolibri Expeditions have worked with the community of Cochabamba, near Unchog, in a project in which the community collects $20 for each visiting foreign birdwatcher that is invested in the improvement of the access road and other necessities of the village, such as its school and health center. Since 2003, some $3,000 have been collected.

Nearby, it is possible to take a wonderful 2-3 day hike through lush sub-tropical forests watching birds, butterflies and orchids. Hopefully it will be possible to promote this nature trekking route not only with birdwatchers, but with anyone who wants to experience a subtropical rainforest and interact with local communities. Three communities will be collecting small fees for camping on their land, and community members can be contracted as porters or mule suppliers. Eventually, it is hoped that the communities will be able to provide more protected shelter, such as a roofed platform or even a basic lodge.

The Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager is among the 50 most wanted birds in the world for birders. It seems strange that such a large a conspicuous species could be unknown until the 1970s. Recently, one of my more experienced clients who has seen around 6,000 species in of birds in the world said that in 30 years, his day at Bosque Unchog was one of his best birding experiences.

In spite of this, I doubt anyone can find a map of the department of Huánuco that includes Unchog or the Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager among all the other tourist attractions of the department. It is likely that in spite of being relatively unknown, Unchog is third most important site in the department in attracting economic revenues. The difference here is that at Unchog, the benefits go 100% to the community.

For more information, please write to kolibriexp@telefonica.net.pe or visit Kolibri Expeditions at www.kolibriexpeditions.com