Back in June and July I had a few weeks birding in Ecuador, my first visit to this amazing country. I had about 3 weeks in total: one week in the Mindo area, one week in the Amazon in central Ecuador, and one week in the south. I had some pretty amazing birding experiences during this time and here are a couple of the highlight birds... have to say a huge THANK YOU to Galo and RhoAnn for organizing everything for me, I can't wait to return! There was one even more special bird than those below and I'll do a post just on that one soon...
Harpy Eagle
After an absolutely killer hike going up and down some hills, very rough trails and over a dozen river crossings (and after seeing Rufous Potoo (see further down the post) and some other mega birds along the way) we came across an empty Harpy Eagle nest. A bit despondent we sat down to have our lunch. After about 15 minutes all of a sudden this huge, magnificent juvenile Harpy Eagle flew in and landed in the tree right above us! Just incredible. It then sat there for almost an hour as we marveled at its beauty.
Rufous-crowned Antpitta
One of several antpitta targets while I was in Ecuador was the Rufous-crowned Antpitta - the pittasoma. After spending about 4 hours hiking round the mountain near Mindo in the rain we were very close to giving up. We'd not heard a peep out of it all morning and the horrible thought of dipping was very much in my mind! Just after we'd made the call to head off the mountain amazingly one called! We then spent the next half hour trying to see it.... eventually we were rewarded with absolutely incredible views.
Jocotoco Antpitta
This bird has been a target of mine for years. One that has always intrigued me. How could something so striking have gone unnoticed for so long??? Well after a relatively short wet hike (notice the wet theme here) we got to the spot and had a pair of birds sat waiting for us! We then got to watch the pair performing very nicely for quite a while. We also had an Undulated Antpitta hopping round the same general area, tough to photograph in the rain but great to see.
Orange-throated Tanager
I went to a small patch of forest on the Ecuador-Peru border specifically to look for this and several other restricted-range species. It was a really birdy area, tons of new birds and got some very nice looks at the tanager.
Rufous Potoo
What a spectacular bird this one was! As you can see from the photo we got some amazing close views of the bird roosting below eye-level (you can even tell it had been a little wet overnight!).
It's always fun getting to see antpittas and on this trip I connected with a fair few. Missed a couple, but overall can't complain!
Toucans
Lots of different toucans available in Ecuador across a range of elevations. Most showing very well too.
Tanagers
Can't really not mention the tanagers... loads of absolutely spectacular tanagers seen very well...
Harpy Eagle
After an absolutely killer hike going up and down some hills, very rough trails and over a dozen river crossings (and after seeing Rufous Potoo (see further down the post) and some other mega birds along the way) we came across an empty Harpy Eagle nest. A bit despondent we sat down to have our lunch. After about 15 minutes all of a sudden this huge, magnificent juvenile Harpy Eagle flew in and landed in the tree right above us! Just incredible. It then sat there for almost an hour as we marveled at its beauty.
Harpy Eagle
Rufous-crowned Antpitta
One of several antpitta targets while I was in Ecuador was the Rufous-crowned Antpitta - the pittasoma. After spending about 4 hours hiking round the mountain near Mindo in the rain we were very close to giving up. We'd not heard a peep out of it all morning and the horrible thought of dipping was very much in my mind! Just after we'd made the call to head off the mountain amazingly one called! We then spent the next half hour trying to see it.... eventually we were rewarded with absolutely incredible views.
Rufous-crowned Antpitta
Jocotoco Antpitta
This bird has been a target of mine for years. One that has always intrigued me. How could something so striking have gone unnoticed for so long??? Well after a relatively short wet hike (notice the wet theme here) we got to the spot and had a pair of birds sat waiting for us! We then got to watch the pair performing very nicely for quite a while. We also had an Undulated Antpitta hopping round the same general area, tough to photograph in the rain but great to see.
Jocotoco Antpitta
Orange-throated Tanager
I went to a small patch of forest on the Ecuador-Peru border specifically to look for this and several other restricted-range species. It was a really birdy area, tons of new birds and got some very nice looks at the tanager.
Orange-throated Tanager
Rufous Potoo
What a spectacular bird this one was! As you can see from the photo we got some amazing close views of the bird roosting below eye-level (you can even tell it had been a little wet overnight!).
Rufous Potoo
Hoatzin
I've seen these a few times in Peru but always distantly. This trip was the best view I've ever had of one. Really able to appreciate what a spectacular bird it really is as we looked at it from our boat.
Hoatzin
Hummingbirds
So many amazing hummingbirds as I traveled around different parts of the country. Here are a couple of my favourites...
Velvet-purple Coronet
Crowned Woodnymph
Golden-tailed Sapphire
Lesser Violet-ear
Velvet-purple Coronet
Violet-tailed Sylph
Antpittas
It's always fun getting to see antpittas and on this trip I connected with a fair few. Missed a couple, but overall can't complain!
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
Ochre-breasted Antpitta
Tawny Antpitta
Undulated Antpitta
Yellow-breasted Antpitta
Toucans
Lots of different toucans available in Ecuador across a range of elevations. Most showing very well too.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet
Ivory-billed Aracari
Plate-billed Mountain Toucan
Yellow-throated Toucan
Tanagers
Can't really not mention the tanagers... loads of absolutely spectacular tanagers seen very well...
Blue-winged Mountain Tanager
Golden Tanager
Golden-collared Honeycreeper
Golden-naped Tanager
Green Honeycreeper
Paradise Tanager
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