Birds of the Inca Trail is a fascinating topic that attracts numerous adventure enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy hiking iconic routes like the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Beyond its renown and the campsites that connect KM 82 to the majestic citadel, the Inca Trail offers a unique experience enriched by the presence of an astounding variety of birds that accompany travelers on their journey.
For those who have the privilege of observing them or simply perceive their presence along the way, the Inca Trail becomes much more than just a trek to Machu Picchu; it is also an opportunity for passionate bird watchers who inevitably wonder: What bird species can I find on the Inca Trail?
Birds on the Classic Inca Trail
Birds of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Day 1: Inter-Andean Valleys and Riverbank
The first day of the Inca Trail begins with a hike from Kilometer 82, located near the town of Piscacucho. The starting point is situated between inter-Andean valleys, a geographically significant region within the Peruvian Andes. These valleys, characterized by moderate altitude, between 2,600 and 3,000 meters above sea level, present a varied ecosystem that combines highland flora with the influence of proximity to the Urubamba River. The river that accompanies hikers during the first hours of the trek, known as the “sacred river of the Incas,” flows from east to west, carving deep canyons and valleys along its path, and is a key element in shaping the surrounding landscape.
During the hike, you will pass through areas of dense vegetation, including native shrubs, dry forests, and traditional crop plantations such as corn and potatoes. This mosaic of landscapes allows for a great diversity of bird species adapted to different altitudes and types of vegetation.
Featured Species:
- Tyrian Metaltail Hummingbird: This hummingbird, with its vibrant emerald green plumage and rapid flight, is one of the first to welcome you. It is often seen frequenting flowers near the checkpoint, taking advantage of the nectar from native plants blooming among the shrubs and fruit trees in the area.
- Chiguanco Thrush: This bird, with dark gray plumage and a lighter chest, is a common inhabitant of the inter-Andean valleys. Its melodious song is a constant sound along the trail, providing a natural soundtrack at the start of the hike.
- Hooded Siskins: These small birds, easily identifiable by their black heads and yellow bodies, form flocks that feed among the shrubs. Their group activity and restless behavior create a spectacle of color and movement among the vegetation.
The Urubamba River, flowing along the route, is a vital habitat for various aquatic and semi-aquatic species adapted to the fast currents and rocky characteristics of the river.
- Torrent Duck: This duck, known for its mottled white and gray plumage, is often found on the river’s protruding rocks. Its ability to swim and dive in fast currents makes it a fascinating sight for observers.
- Yellow-billed Teal and Yellow-billed Pintail: These two species, Teal and Pintail, although less striking than the Torrent Duck, are common along the Urubamba’s banks. Their more discreet habits require patience to spot.
- Water Tyrants: Small and agile, these birds are seen hopping from rock to rock near the water, hunting insects in flight. Their active behavior makes them an interesting sight along the river’s margins.
- Spotted Sandpiper: This migratory bird, hailing from North America, is a seasonal visitor to the Inca Trail. It is usually found on the river’s muddy shores, searching for small invertebrates in the sand and mud.

Stopping at the bridge to observe the Torrent Duck is a good option.
Endemic Birds:
- Rusty-fronted Canastero: This small resident of the shrubs is hard to spot, but its loud and repetitive song reveals its presence. It moves among thorny bushes, and its rusty plumage makes it a challenge for the keenest observers.
- Creamy-crested Spinetail: This bird is found in low shrubs and often nests in basket-like structures visible in native trees. Its paired behavior and distinctive crest make it an exciting sighting.
- Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch: With its chestnut breast and active behavior, this bird species can be seen hopping among the branches of fruit trees like Capulíes and Molles, where it feeds on insects and small fruits.

Endemic birds you can observe on the first day.
Other bird species easily observed on the first day include: Band-tailed Seedeaters, Eared Doves, Giant Hummingbirds, Spot-winged Pigeons, Cinereous Conebills, and the beautiful and friendly Rufous-collared Sparrow.
Practical Tip:
Bring your binoculars from the start, as some of the best bird-watching opportunities are near the starting point. Take advantage of the time while the porters and guides prepare for the hike, as this is when you can observe many of the mentioned birds, especially in the early morning hours when bird activity is at its peak.
This day is not very demanding, and you won’t reach altitudes above 3,000 meters (9,842 feet), so the flora doesn’t change much. However, the habitats you will encounter are special and won’t be seen again at any other point along the trail. Before reaching the first camp, always look at the sky because you might spot a bird of prey like a Variable Hawk or an American Kestrel perched on a cable or soaring overhead in search of prey.
Birds of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Day 2: Ascent to the Puna
The second day of the Inca Trail is one of the most challenging due to the significant ascent to 4,200 meters (13,779 feet) above sea level, reaching the highest point of the route, known as the Warmiwañusca Pass. During this stretch, you will enter a puna ecosystem, a type of high Andean landscape characterized by low and sparse vegetation, mainly composed of Ichu (a type of Andean grass), mosses, and lichens. This ecosystem, though seemingly inhospitable, is home to several species adapted to the harsh conditions of altitude, where temperatures can drop significantly, and oxygen is scarcer.
You will have opportunities to observe interesting birds. Upon waking up, you might see a Shining Sunbeam or a Long-tailed Sylph or Green-tailed Sylph visiting the bushes or flowers near the tents. As you ascend, you’ll notice the tree cover diminishing, with Queuña and Unca trees being the last to appear before the landscape fully transforms into the domain of Ichu. The birdlife in this region is equally resilient, adapted to survive in these extreme conditions. You’ll notice that Ichu and some short shrubs are predominant, giving you the chance to find the Grass Wren, Paramo Pipits, and the impressive Andean Hillstar.
Featured Species:
- Bearded Mountaineer: This small and colorful bird, also known as the “Bearded Mountaineer,” is easily recognizable by the white feathers that extend like whiskers from its face. It primarily feeds on insects that it captures among the low puna flowers.
- Cream-winged Cinclodes: This bird, with light brown plumage and wings with creamy spots, is a common inhabitant of the puna zones. It can be seen moving quickly between rocks and small shrubs, searching for insects and other invertebrates.
- White-throated Tyrannulet: This discreet bird is a master of camouflage, jumping stealthily between the branches of the Queuña trees. Its small size and reserved behavior make it a challenge for bird watchers.
- Rufous-breasted Sunangel: This hummingbird endemic to the Andes stands out for its rufous plumage and a patch of white feathers on its chest, which shine intensely when catching sunlight. Spotting this bird is a true reward for those who manage to see it, given the inhospitable environment.
- Puna Tapaculo: Although difficult to see due to its small size and dull brown color that blends with the landscape, the Tapaculos are unmistakable for their loud and repetitive calls. These birds often hide among the low shrubs, making their observation a real challenge.

Hummingbirds along the route.
The Great Sighting: Andean Condor
Upon reaching the summit of Warmiwañusca Pass, you will be greeted by one of the most spectacular views of the Inca Trail: the vast Andean landscape stretching in all directions. Here, if you’re lucky, you might observe the majestic flight of the Andean Condor, the largest non-marine flying bird in the world, with a wingspan that can exceed 3 meters (10 feet). These sky giants take advantage of ascending thermal currents to glide at great heights, offering an unforgettable spectacle.

Tree-line forest habitat. Ichu is predominant along with small shrubs.
Descent into a New Ecosystem:
After crossing the highest point, the landscape begins to descend and changes noticeably. As you descend towards the second camp, the vegetation becomes denser again, with larger shrubs and a gradual return of trees like Queuña and Chachacomo. This change in ecosystem brings with it a new variety of birds:
- Masked Flowerpiercer: A small hummingbird with a distinctive black mask, it hovers around the flowers along the trail, showcasing its ability to maneuver in denser vegetation.
- Highland Hepatic Tanager: This bird, with its bright blue plumage, is a common sight in this area, moving quickly among the shrubs as it searches for insects and small fruits.
- Great Sapphirewing: A larger hummingbird, known for the metallic sheen of its feathers that glisten when it flies under the sun. It is one of the most striking species you can find during the descent.
At Dusk:
Upon arriving at the second camp, you will be surrounded by the tranquility of the Andes at dusk. Pay attention to the song of the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, a nocturnal bird whose sound is characteristic at these altitudes. Although tourists don’t often seek it out, its song is a melody that accompanies the nights in this remote place, offering a perfect ending to the second day on the Inca Trail.

Two species of Nighthawks present along the Inca Trail.
Birds of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Day 3: Diversity in the Cloud Forest
On the third day of the Inca Trail, you will pass through a diverse Andean cloud forest, where many plant species coexist. Although the Chusquea bamboo is prominent in the understory, this ecosystem is rich in trees such as Queuña, tree ferns, orchids, bromeliads, mosses, lichens, and other epiphytes. This plant diversity creates a unique environment, full of life and special adaptations to the high humidity and constant presence of mist, providing a crucial habitat for numerous bird species.
Featured Species:
- Undulated Antpitta: This small and discreet bird is one of the first to sing at dawn, marking the start of the day in places like Pacaymayo and Sayacmarca. Its deep, resonant song echoes through the mist, creating a magical atmosphere. The antpitta is a ground bird that prefers to move among the leaf litter on the forest floor, making it difficult to spot.
- Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager: With its vibrant red belly, this tanager is one of the jewels of the cloud forest. It moves nimbly among the middle and high branches, searching for insects and fruits, and its colorful plumage makes it a visual spectacle.
- Golden-collared Tanager: This tanager is distinguished by its bright golden collar that contrasts with its dark plumage. It is very active and can be seen foraging in the treetops, often accompanied by other tanagers.
- Rufous and Yellow Tanager: With a combination of red and yellow plumage, this species adds a vibrant touch of color to the already green cloud forest landscape. It is commonly seen in flocks, moving among the trees in search of insects.
Something that highlights the importance and uniqueness of this day is definitely the presence of Chusquea bamboo and the cloud forest ecosystem that provides shelter and food for some of the most elusive birds:
- Urubamba Antpitta: This endemic bird is small and often moves stealthily among the dense bamboo. Its sharp and repetitive song is easier to detect than the bird itself, which rarely shows itself among the vegetation.
- Diademed Tapaculo: With brown and white plumage, this tapaculo moves among the low and thick foliage, using its coloration to blend into the environment. Its reserved behavior makes it a challenge for bird watchers.
- Trilling Tapaculo: Similar to the Diademed Tapaculo but with a longer, more melodic call, this bird hides in the darkest corners of the bamboo, where it rarely comes into view.
- Marcapata Spinetail: This bird, with its distinctive long tail and brown plumage, is a typical inhabitant of the bamboo. Its foraging behavior includes building hidden nests among the bamboo canes, making it even harder to locate.
In the afternoons, as the mist begins to clear slightly, it is common to see mixed flocks of birds moving through the forest in search of food. These flocks include a variety of species such as tanagers, woodcreepers, and flycatchers that move in groups through the canopy, foraging at different levels of the forest. This collective foraging behavior not only increases the chances of finding food but also offers protection against predators.
Nocturnal Species at Dusk:
Upon arriving at the third camp, you will be surrounded by the tranquility of the cloud forest at dusk. Two nocturnal species are particularly notable in this environment:
- Rufous-bellied Nighthawk: This nighthawk is known for its silent flight and nocturnal song, often mistaken for the sound of a bat. Its low, zigzagging flight makes it an intriguing presence in the twilight.
- White-throated Screech Owl: Although this owl rarely shows itself, its hooting is unmistakable and marks the presence of this mysterious bird around the camp. This owl usually stays in the densest parts of the forest, occasionally emerging to hunt small mammals and insects.
Birds of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Day 4: Premontane Forest and Machu Picchu
The fourth day of the Inca Trail is undoubtedly the most rewarding for bird watching. As you approach Machu Picchu, the altitude decreases, and you enter a premontane forest, a transition ecosystem between the Andes and the Amazon. This type of forest, located below 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) above sea level, is characterized by lush vegetation, rich in diversity and color. The trees are tall and dense, covered in mosses, bromeliads, and orchids, and the environment is warm and humid, offering ideal conditions for a wide variety of bird species.
This environment, with its dense vegetation and proximity to the famous citadel of Machu Picchu, creates a perfect setting to observe some of the most spectacular and emblematic birds of the region. The hike is more relaxed, allowing you to fully enjoy the natural richness that surrounds you.
Featured Species:
- Inca Wren: This small and active inhabitant of the premontane forest is easy to hear thanks to its melodious song, which resonates throughout the day. It moves quickly among the Chusquea bamboo and other low plants, especially around Machu Picchu, where it is commonly seen hopping between branches in search of insects.
- Golden-headed Quetzal: A true jewel of the forest, the Golden-headed Quetzal is difficult to detect due to its habit of remaining still and well-camouflaged among the foliage. However, its emerald green and golden plumage make it unmistakable once seen, offering one of the most prized sightings of the Inca Trail.
- Andean Cock-of-the-Rock: The national bird of Peru is known for its stunning bright red plumage and black wings. Often considered the “recluse” of the jungle, it can be observed in the final sections of the trail, near Machu Picchu, where it moves among the low branches and shrubs. Its courtship display is a visual spectacle unforgettable for those fortunate enough to witness it.
- Blue-and-white Swallows: These birds are a constant presence in the sky of the premontane forest, serenely flying in groups through forest clearings. Their bluish and white feathers shine in the sunlight as they perch on exposed branches and cables.
- Chestnut-collared Swift: Often seen flying at high speeds alongside the swallows, these birds are faster and more agile, allowing them to catch insects in mid-flight. Their speed and precision make them a fascinating aerial spectacle.
The Tanager Family:
The fourth day of the Inca Trail offers the best opportunities to observe the most colorful bird family on the planet: the tanagers. These birds, with their bright and varied plumages, move in mixed flocks, feeding on fruits and insects in the treetops and middle branches of the forest. Some of the most notable species you can find include:
- Blue-gray Tanager: With its bright blue plumage, it is one of the most common tanagers, but no less impressive. It is often seen in groups, fluttering among the trees in search of food.
- Silver-throated Tanager: This species is distinguished by its silver throat and green body, creating a dazzling contrast. It is one of the tanagers most often found in mixed flocks.
- Palm Tanager: With multicolored plumage including shades of green, blue, and yellow, this tanager is primarily found feeding on fruits, being one of the most colorful in the forest.
- Golden-naped Tanager: As its name suggests, this tanager has a golden patch on its nape that stands out against its olive-green plumage. It is a species that prefers more open areas of the forest, where it searches for fruits in the high branches.
All these species often group together in search of fruits and insects. These species gather in mixed flocks, creating a colorful spectacle that delights bird watchers. As you move closer to Machu Picchu, these flocks can be seen moving together along the trail, offering a final opportunity to enjoy the rich birdlife that the Inca Trail has to offer.

Observing the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and Quetzals on the route may even be more memorable than the hike itself.
If you already know when to visit the Inca Trail but haven’t found a good trekking company yet, we recommend visiting these two links: Inkayni Peru Tours and Waman Adventures.
The birds of the Inca Trail are diverse, colorful, and important, but often go unnoticed and underappreciated. However, the problem may not lie with the tourist, as many companies operating the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu employ guides who are not trained in all aspects. Thousands of tour guides know everything about history and culture, but it’s the natural aspects like birds that are not of interest to many of them. I recommend always choosing a good company, and if you have doubts and are interested in birds, I am sure that a good company will be able to offer you a leader who will make you enjoy the Inca Trail in a different way.