I’ve been a bit disappointed about how few birds I was seeing in Ecuador. Turns out, I’ve been looking for birds in all the wrong places (and without help from the right people). Four days of birding at the Paz Birding Refuge with a fantastic birding guide added 100 lifers to my list (birds I hadn’t seen before). Here is a selection of some of the best photos.
The star of the Ecuadorian forests was this odd bird: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Brilliant red, with a crest (like a rooster’s cock that he’s named after) that almost hides his face, it is an iconic bird of the Andes. It is known for its elaborate breeding displays, which include head-bobbing, bill-snapping, grunting, and squeaking.
The iconic birds that we associate with the tropics—toucans, barbets—were so colorful they looked like painted toys.
The Antpittas were the most elusive birds in the forest. My guide tells me, “We must be patient with the Antpittas.” And patient we were, sometimes standing or sitting in one spot for over an hour, waiting for them to poke their heads out. The locals have their own names for many of the birds. Their name for the Ochre-breasted Antpitta was Shakira, a nod to the bird’s dancing moves. Other local names were Susanita, Josesito, Willy, and Lococito.
Colorful tanagers always seemed to travel in packs.
These two guys with their funky long tails were some of the oddest I’ve seen.
Woodcreeper
And finally, more than 20 species of brilliant hummingbirds, which are going to get their own blog post!
This birding bonanza was made possible with the help of my expert birding guide, Esteban, from Refugio Paz De Las Aves. He knew every bird, by sight and sound, and was amazing at spotting them in the dense forest. Thanks Esteban, for helping me add 100 lifers to my list!
My favorite bird is the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. What’s your favorite?
22 responses to “Birding Bonanza”
I am genuinely thankful to the owner of this website for sharing his brilliant ideas. I can see how much you’ve helped everybody who comes across your page. By the way, here is my webpage Articleworld about SEO.
For anyone who hopes to find valuable information on that topic, right here is the perfect blog I would highly recommend. Feel free to visit my site Seoranko for additional resources about Web Design.
Having read your blog, you obviously know what you are talking about. I’m sure visiting my page Webemail24 about Cryptocurrency will be worth your time!
Blue-winged Mountain Tanager
He’s a beauty, isn’t he.
Wow! Great bird pictures! Beautiful!
I’m favoring those in the Toucan/Toucanet family. What’s the difference?
They’re both in the toucan family; toucanets are a subgroup that are smaller and have shorter bills than most of the other toucans.
Just fabulous!!! I love birds so much and these are so magical and unique. Thank you for sharing!
So happy to know you are enjoying them, Debbie!
This is mind-blowing!
Indeed!
All of the Tanagers. Wonderful photos.
Those tanager colors were amazing. I couldn’t stop clicking.
These are fantastic!!!
Thanks Pat. Are you a birder also?
I have so been looking forward to the blogs from this refuge. Knew you were busy having the time of your life! My fave? Only about 2 dozen of them! 🙂
I was thinking about you and my other birding buddies, thinking how much you would be enjoying this.
I like the one that’s eating the banana. You must be very close to completing the life list.
Ha! I wish. There are roughly 10,000 species of birds. 871 species seen, only 9129 more to go!
It’s about time. Fabulous photos, a true bonanza.
I know, right?