Between 10 and 19 November 2025, an avifauna survey was conducted in the rural community of Suitucancha, located in the province of Yauli, Junín region. The objective of the work was to update and expand the information available on the high Andean birds of the area, with emphasis on those of high conservation interest, within the framework of the Bird Conservation Initiative.
The exploration was carried out by Conservation and Environmental Research (CIAM), in coordination with the Suitucancha farming community, as part of the technical process that has been accompanying the recognition of the territory's Private Conservation Area, an initiative recently strengthened through the signing of an agreement between the actors involved.
Four endemic bird species highlight Suitucancha's unique character
The study recorded a total of 44 bird species and more than 1,500 individuals, showing a high biological diversity in the high Andean ecosystems of Suitucancha. These results complement the information previously generated, strengthening the scientific basis for conservation decision-making.
In the case of Cinclodes palliatus, The exploration reinforces the relevance of Suitucancha as a key habitat for its conservation. The recording of between 18 and 20 individuals, together with the identification of environmental conditions associated with its presence, constitutes an important contribution to the knowledge and monitoring of the species.
Andean Miner (Geositta saxicolina) - © CIAM
Likewise, the avifauna exploration carried out in Suitucancha documented the presence of three species of birds endemic to Peru, which reinforces the unique character of this high Andean territory. Among them were recorded Geositta saxicolina, a bird associated with arid and stony high mountain environments; Oreotrochilus melanogaster, hummingbird characteristic of extreme high Andean zones; and Asthenes virgata, This species is restricted to the central Andes of the country. The combined presence of these endemic birds confirms that Suitucancha constitutes a natural refuge of high value for the conservation of unique Peruvian species.
High Andean ecosystems face increasing pressures associated with overgrazing and the risk of habitat transformation. In this context, research and environmental monitoring are key to supporting private and community conservation mechanisms that ensure the protection of endemic and endangered species, as well as the integrity of the ecosystem services that these territories provide.
Snowy Tunsho - © CIAM
