Tuesday, March 4, 2014

March 1-3,2014 Birding the Tapichalaca and Copalinga areas in southern Ecuador.

Hi Everyone

On our first morning we were rain out but the hummingbird feeders keep us busy with Long-tailed Sylph, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Amethyst-throated and Flame-throated Sunangels, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Collared Inca, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Speckled Hummingbird. It was a challenge identifying all these hummers and remembering their names! 
Our last early morning outing in the Tapichalaca Reserve started with a visit  to the now famous Jocotoco Antpitta feeder. This species was first discovered in the late 1990's and has been a major attraction for birders from all over the world. After a short wait the Jocotoco Antpitta arrived for its feeding of worms. At one point there were 3 antpittas, 2 adults and one young. 
The following morning at Copalinga we birded along a trail in the Bombuscaro sector of the Podocarpus National Park and had an amazing variety of hard to find birds starting with Amazonian Umbrellabird, Black-streaked Puffinbird and Lanceolated Monklet among other species. During the afternoon at the Copalinga Lodge  the feeders and property were active with many species including Violet-fronted Brilliant, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Orange-billed Sparrow, Silver-beaked Tanager, Spotted Tanager, Green Honeyeater and even a male Blackburnian Warbler. The highlight was a female Spangled Coquette! 

Good birding,
Bruce




Jocotoco Antpitta

female Spangled Coquette 

Black-streaked Puffbird

male Powerful Woodpecker 

male Green Honeyeater 

Common Tody-Flycatcher 

male Blackburnian Warbler 

Violet-headed Hummingbird 

Oilbird 

Amazonian Umbrellabird

Lanceolated Monklet



More Ecuador birding February 27-28,2014

Hi Everyone

The birding continues to be exciting with lots of new species including Golden-plumed Parakeet, Pacific Parrotlet, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Flame-throated Sunangel, Red-crested Cotinga, and Barred Fruiteater. We covered a variety of areas including Sozoranga, Utuana reserve, Catamayo Valley, and the Cajanuma sector of Podocarpus National Park. Everyday is full of new families of birds, habatits, and great birding experiences!   

Good birding,
Bruce



Amethyst-throated Sunangel

Long-tailed Sylph

Flame-throated Sunangel 

Barred Fruiteater 

Golden-plumed Parakeet 

Western Slaty-Antshrike

Scarlet-crowned Parakeet

White-winged Becard

White-tailed Jay 

Plumbeous-backed Thrush 

Pacific Parrotlett

Southern Yellow Grosbeak