Harvey et at. • AVIFAUNA OF THE GRAN PAJONAL AND SIRA 
295 
clear whistled notes reminiscent of Yungas 
followed by a chatter resembling that of Sooty- 
headed. Further research into morphological and 
vocal variation within and between these very 
similar taxa is warranted. 
Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus ).—Three sing¬ 
ing birds were in montane evergreen forest at 
1550 m in the Santeni Valley on the western side 
of the Sira cordillera. Photographs and audio 
recordings were obtained. These three birds sang 
in rotation from the tops of particular trees within 
200 m of each other, behavior consistent with that 
observed at exploded leks in Costa Rica (Stiles 
and Whitney 1983). One individual was also 
heard lower down the same ridge at 1.200 m, also 
in the Santeni Valley. We did not detect this 
species at suitable elevations on the eastern side of 
the cordillera, where we focused much more 
effort. This species is spotlily distributed on 
outlying ridges in Peru (Davis 1986). O. cristatus 
had not previously been recorded in the Cerros del 
Sira. 
Wing-banded Wren (Microcerculus hamhla).- 
One individual was observed and recorded at 
'MO m in the upper Shinipo Valley, and two 
birds were heard at 1,200 m near Huerto Eden 
w «t of Cerro Quitchungari. Two additional 
individuals were recorded at lower elevations 
(400-800 m) at Sapant in the Ucayali Valley. 
Curiously patchy in distribution, M. hamhla has 
been recorded several times in the foothills of 
central Peru (Mee ct al. 2002; LSUMNS speci¬ 
mens; M. J. Miller, unpubl. data). 
Pipit species (Anthus spp.).—One individual 
was observed on 2, 5, and 6 October 2008 at 
-200 m elevation just below the summit of 
Menkoremon. We generally observed this indi- 
'tdiial in short, grassy paramo, particularly in 
wetter areas with muddy substrates. It typically 
ushed close underfoot before flying some 
stance, often 100 m or more, and dropping 
0Wn into a taller patch of grass. We did not hear 
ls call, nor were we able to secure a 
specimen or photographs. Our observations indi- 
Cale toe bird was relatively pale with contrasting 
W "i ,e outer tail feathers, but are insufficient for 
specific identification. 
Sira Tanager (Tangara phillipsi ).—This species 
^uncommon in the elfin forest near treeline on 
knkoremon, but locally common in montane 
^rgreen forest in the upper Shaani Valley. We 
7 1 recorded one individual in short forest at the 
of a landslide in the upper Santeni Valley. 
We obtained audio recordings and photographs of 
both males and females. This species appeared to 
favor open habitats or edges over forest interior. It 
was most frequently encountered in elfin forest, in 
the stunted forest on fine substrates, or along the 
openings over streams. We recorded this species 
between 1,600 and 2,200 m. higher than the 
previous records al between 1,300 and 1,570 m 
(Graves and Weske 1987. Mee ct al. 2002). This 
species frequently occurred in groups of between 
two and 15 individuals that associated with 
mixed-species feeding flocks in the canopy or 
sub-canopy. Other species in these flocks included 
Montane (Lepidocolciptes lacrymiger) and Olive- 
backed (Xiphorhynchus triangularis) woodcreep- 
ers; Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes 
ventralis ); Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager (Ani- 
sognathus snmptuosusV, Flame-faced (Tangara 
parzudakii ), Beryl-spangled (T. nigroviridis). 
Saffron-crowned (71 xanthocephala ), Vermilion 
(Calochaetes coccineus), and Yellow-throated 
(Iridosarnis analis ) lanagcrs: Golden-collared 
Honcycreeper (Iridophanes pulcherrimus ); and 
Bluish (Dig I ossa caerulescens) and Golden-eyed 
(D. glauca) flowerpiercers. This species was 
previously known only from the northern Cerros 
del Sira, 150 km north of our study sites (Graves 
and Weske 1987, Mee et al. 2002). Its presence in 
the southern Sira suggests a more or less 
continuous distribution at higher elevations along 
the Sira cordillera, 
Wedge-tailed Grass Finch.—This species was 
common in grassy savanna at Monte Tabor and in 
primarily herbaceous savanna around Oventeni. 
We obtained photographs and audio recordings of 
individuals al both localities. We also mist-netted 
and measured a single juvenile at Monte Tabor. 
We located, measured, and photographed a nest 
with two eggs that was probably of this species in 
short grass at Monte Tabor on 7 September 2008. 
This species was previously known in Peru from 
only the Maranon and Mayo drainages to the 
north (LSUMNS 88734; D. F. Lane, unpubl. data; 
Todd Mark, unpubl. data) and the Pampas del 
Heath to the southeast (Graham et al. 1980). 
These records constitute a range extension of 
600 km and the first records for Ucayali. 
Grassland Sparrow (Anunodramus humera- 
Us ),—This species was common but secretive in 
short grassy savanna at Monte Tabor. At least six 
individuals were observed at Monte Tabor, 
including one juvenile on 7 Septemher 2008. 
Four individuals were observed in fields west of 
