Sierra del Divisor National Park

National Park · Peru

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Photo © Mário Broering

Photo © Mário Broering — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the western Amazon meets the Andes foothills, nearly 41,000 square kilometres of pristine rainforest rise across Peru's Alto Tapiche region in a landscape of extraordinary ecological complexity. Sierra del Divisor National Park straddles a watershed divide that has shaped millennia of speciation, its terrain ranging from floodplain várzea to terra firme uplands and montane forest reaching beyond 1,000 metres. This remoteness—among Peru's most inaccessible protected areas—has preserved intact lowland rainforest canopy, understory ferns and lianas, and riparian corridors where oxbow lakes mirror centuries-old trees. The park shelters the full cast of Amazonian wildlife: jaguars and tapirs move through the understory; troops of primates—howlers, capuchins, and smaller species—inhabit the canopy; snakes, amphibians, and freshwater fish define the flooded zones; birds of prey hunt from emergent branches; and countless insectivores, frugivores, and seed-dispersing species form the hidden architecture of forest function. Fish diversity in its river systems rivals that of small independent watersheds, whilst invertebrate abundance—from beetles to spiders—underpins the entire food web.

For wildlife photographers and birdwatchers, Sierra del Divisor demands commitment but rewards it profoundly. The park's remoteness ensures minimal human disturbance and intact predator-prey dynamics rarely witnessed in more accessible reserves; dawn light filters through primary canopy in a way that transforms even documentary work into art. Wet season (December to April) swells rivers and flooded forests, concentrating waterbirds and attracting terrestrial mammals to higher ground, whilst dry months (June to September) expose sandbars and draw wildlife to riverine edges. Access typically routes through chartered river transport from Iquitos or overland from smaller settlements, requiring advance logistics and genuine wilderness tolerance—but that very barrier preserves the park's ecological integrity and ensures that visitors encounter a landscape still shaped by its own rules, not by tourism infrastructure. Serious naturalists and patient observers will find few Amazonian parks where the forest remains this genuinely wild.

Website sernanp.gob.pe/sierra-del-divisor

Horned Screamer

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Short-tailed Swift

Chaetura brachyura

Fork-tailed Palm Swift

Tachornis squamata

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Patagioenas subvinacea

Mycteria americana

Anhinga anhinga

Pilherodius pileatus

Butorides striata

Opisthocomus hoazin

Sarcoramphus papa

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Black-collared Hawk

Busarellus nigricollis

Slate-colored Hawk

Buteogallus schistaceus

Rupornis magnirostris

Black-tailed Trogon

Trogon melanurus

Green-backed Trogon

Blue-crowned Trogon

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Chloroceryle inda

Amazonian Motmot

White-eared Jacamar

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis

Bluish-fronted Jacamar

Galbula cyanescens

Swallow-winged Puffbird

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

White-throated Toucan

Ramphastos tucanus

Chestnut-eared Aracari

Pteroglossus castanotis

Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

Melanerpes cruentatus

Red-necked Woodpecker

Campephilus rubricollis

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Great Antshrike

Plumbeous Antbird

Myrmelastes hyperythrus

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Drab Water Tyrant

Ochthornis littoralis

Lesser Kiskadee

Philohydor lictor

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Lipaugus vociferans

Plum-throated Cotinga

Cotinga maynana

Bare-necked Fruitcrow

Gymnoderus foetidus

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Brown-chested Martin

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

White-banded Swallow

Atticora fasciata

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Moustached Wren

Pheugopedius genibarbis

Russet-backed Oropendola

Psarocolius angustifrons

Nemosia pileata

Cinereous Tinamou

Crypturellus cinereus

Crypturellus soui

Undulated Tinamou

Crypturellus undulatus

Cairina moschata

Speckled Chachalaca

Ortalis guttata

Penelope jacquacu

Starred Wood Quail

Odontophorus stellatus

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctibius grandis

Pale-rumped Swift

Chaetura egregia

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Phaethornis ruber

White-bearded Hermit

Phaethornis hispidus

Blue-tailed Emerald

Chlorostilbon mellisugus

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Chionomesa lactea

Smooth-billed Ani

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Eurypyga helias

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Coragyps atratus

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes melambrotus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Ictinia plumbea

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Grey-lined Hawk

Amazonian Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium hardyi

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Amazonian Black-throated Trogon

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Baryphthengus martii

Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Chestnut-capped Puffbird

Bucco macrodactylus

Black-fronted Nunbird

Monasa nigrifrons

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

Lettered Aracari

Pteroglossus inscriptus

Ivory-billed Aracari

Pteroglossus azara

Spot-breasted Woodpecker

Colaptes punctigula

Chestnut Woodpecker

Cream-colored Woodpecker

Ringed Woodpecker

Celeus torquatus

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

Red-throated Caracara

Ibycter americanus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Brotogeris sanctithomae

White-winged Parakeet

Brotogeris versicolurus

Cobalt-winged Parakeet

Brotogeris cyanoptera

Orange-cheeked Parrot

Pyrilia barrabandi

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Short-tailed Parrot

Graydidascalus brachyurus

Yellow-crowned Amazon

Amazona ochrocephala

Amazona farinosa

Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Rose-fronted Parakeet

Pyrrhura roseifrons

Dusky-headed Parakeet

Aratinga weddellii

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Chestnut-fronted Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Ara chloropterus

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper

Dendrexetastes rufigula

Long-billed Woodcreeper

Nasica longirostris

Elegant Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus elegans

Straight-billed Woodcreeper

Dendroplex picus

Pale-legged Hornero

Furnarius leucopus

Spot-winged Antshrike

Pygiptila stellaris

Black-throated Antbird

Myrmophylax atrothorax

Myrmotherula brachyura

Amazonian Streaked Antwren

Myrmotherula multostriata

Long-winged Antwren

Myrmotherula longipennis

Dusky-throated Antshrike

Thamnomanes ardesiacus

White-shouldered Antshrike

Thamnophilus aethiops

Plain-winged Antshrike

Thamnophilus schistaceus

Fasciated Antshrike

Cymbilaimus lineatus

Common Scale-backed Antbird

Willisornis poecilinotus

Peruvian Warbling Antbird

Hypocnemis peruviana

Southern Chestnut-tailed Antbird

Sciaphylax hemimelaena

Riparian Antbird

Cercomacroides fuscicauda

Cercomacroides serva

Cercomacra cinerascens

Spot-winged Antbird

Myrmelastes leucostigma

White-browed Antbird

Myrmoborus leucophrys

White-shouldered Antbird

Akletos melanoceps

Black-faced Antthrush

Formicarius analis

Rusty-belted Tapaculo

Liosceles thoracicus

Wing-barred Piprites

Piprites chloris

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet

Tyrannulus elatus

Myiopagis gaimardii

Amazonian Elaenia

Myiopagis cinerea

White-lored Tyrannulet

Ornithion inerme

Slender-footed Tyrannulet

Zimmerius gracilipes

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

White-bellied Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus griseipectus

Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus latirostris

Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum

Yellow-margined Flatbill

Tolmomyias assimilis

Grey-crowned Flatbill

Tolmomyias poliocephalus

Olive-faced Flatbill

Tolmomyias viridiceps

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher

Myiozetetes granadensis

Dusky-chested Flycatcher

Myiozetetes luteiventris

Pitangus sulphuratus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Sulphury Flycatcher

Tyrannopsis sulphurea

Greyish Mourner

Rhytipterna simplex

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Cinnamon Attila

Attila cinnamomeus

White-eyed Attila

Attila bolivianus

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Purple-throated Fruitcrow

Querula purpurata

Blue-capped Manakin

Lepidothrix coronata

Black-tailed Tityra

Cinereous Becard

Pachyramphus rufus

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Dusky-capped Greenlet

Pachysylvia hypoxantha

Cyanocorax violaceus

Thrush-like Wren

Campylorhynchus turdinus

Pheugopedius coraya

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Tropical Gnatcatcher

Polioptila plumbea

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Passer domesticus

Thick-billed Euphonia

Euphonia laniirostris

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Olive Oropendola

Psarocolius bifasciatus

Solitary Cacique

Cacicus solitarius

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Casqued Cacique

Molothrus oryzivorus

Amazonian Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia rothschildii

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Bluish-grey Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Slate-colored Grosbeak

Saltator grossus

Fulvous-crested Tanager

Tachyphonus surinamus

Masked Crimson Tanager

Ramphocelus nigrogularis

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Chestnut-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila castaneiventris

Orange-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis sordida

Cissopis leverianus

Red-capped Cardinal

Paroaria gularis

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Thraupis palmarum

Paradise Tanager

Tangara chilensis

White-throated Tinamou

Tinamus guttatus

Blue-throated Piping Guan

Pipile cumanensis

Razor-billed Curassow

Great-billed Hermit

Phaethornis malaris

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Gould's Jewelfront

Heliodoxa aurescens

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Black-bellied Cuckoo

Piaya melanogaster

Chestnut-headed Crake

Anurolimnas castaneiceps

Pale-winged Trumpeter

Psophia leucoptera

Pavonine Quetzal

Pharomachrus pavoninus

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris

Broad-billed Motmot

Electron platyrhynchum

Paradise Jacamar

Collared Puffbird

White-fronted Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus

Golden-collared Toucanet

Selenidera reinwardtii

Amazona festiva

White-chinned Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla merula

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Black-banded Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes picumnus

Striped Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus obsoletus

Ocellated Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus ocellatus

Amazonian Plain Xenops

Xenops genibarbis

Chestnut-winged Hookbill

Ancistrops strigilatus

Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner

Dendroma erythroptera

Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus infuscatus

Ornate Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla ornata

Rufous-tailed Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla erythrura

Rufous-backed Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla haematonota

Myrmotherula menetriesii

Saturnine Antshrike

Thamnomanes saturninus

Castelnau's Antshrike

Thamnophilus cryptoleucus

White-throated Antbird

Oneillornis salvini

Hairy-crested Antbird

Rhegmatorhina melanosticta

Yellow-browed Antbird

Hypocnemis hypoxantha

Northern Chestnut-tailed Antbird

Sciaphylax castanea

Spot-backed Antbird

Hylophylax naevius

Silvered Antbird

Sclateria naevia

Black-faced Antbird

Myrmoborus myotherinus

Hafferia fortis

Rufous-capped Antthrush

Formicarius colma

Ringed Antpipit

Corythopis torquatus

Blue-backed Manakin

Chiroxiphia pareola

Band-tailed Manakin

Pipra fasciicauda

White-crowned Manakin

Pseudopipra pipra

Red-headed Manakin

Ceratopipra rubrocapilla

Brown-winged Schiffornis

Schiffornis turdina

Cinereous Mourner

Laniocera hypopyrra

Tropical Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

Whiskered Myiobius

Myiobius barbatus

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Southern Nightingale-Wren

Microcerculus marginatus

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Orange-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia xanthogaster

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Purple Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes caeruleus

Black-faced Dacnis

White-winged Shrike-Tanager

Lanio versicolor

Fulvous Shrike-Tanager

Bay-headed Tanager

Green-and-gold Tanager

Tangara schrankii

Common Woolly Monkey

Lagothrix lagothricha

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