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.

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?