As a result of a series of historical, geological and climatic changes, and the varied ecosystems found in the region, the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve (in the northern Peruvian Amazon) protects a unique biodiversity, among the highest known in the Amazon basin. Two important habitats are white-sand and black-water forests. Among the avian highlights is a suite of species restricted to these habitats, which are very rare in Peru. At least 23 bird species are associated with the area's white-sand forests, several of which are known only from this region in the country. Five species have been discovered and described in recent years from Allpahuayo-Mishana, and seven were recorded for the first time in Peru here. A total of 496 bird species has been recorded in the reserve, belonging to 59 families, with several species currently designated as Incertae Sedis.