Pichincha
Orange Billed Sparrow
01 February 2012 15:05
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Orange Billed Sparrow
Latin: Arremon aurantiirostris
Other: Pinzón piquinaranja, rascadorcito piquinaranja (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • New World Sparrows
Range: Mexico to Peru
Similar:
I snapped these shots of an Orange-billed Sparrow through the glass at the restaurant at the Mirador Rio Branco. You can see quite a few good birds at this well-priced hotel close to the Milpe Reserve.More photos...
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Rufous Naped Brush Finch
31 January 2012 12:40
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Yanacocha, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Rufous Naped Brush Finch
Latin: Atlapetes latinuchus
Other: Yellow-breasted Brush Finch (SACC) • Matorralero de pecho amarillo (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Brush Finches
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Pale-naped Brush Finch, Choco/Tricolored Brush Finch
The Brush Finches are in a state of taxonomic flux, but for this entry I’m following IOC v2.11 Jan 2012 taxonomy, which corresponds to Ridgely & Greenfield, Birds of Ecuador, 2001, and does not include the Bolivian Brush Finch.
These photos were taken on the Yanacocha trail at 3500m, near Quito in northwestern Ecuador - a bit higher than the range suggested in Birds of Ecuador: 3200m.
I don’t think there’s much point spending too much time on the ID/name of these birds as they will doubtless change names again.
Typically though Rufous-nape Brush-finch should have a rufous nape, black mask, dark grey upperparts, yellow underparts going greyish near the legs.
Below, presumed Rufous-naped Brush Finch, Yanacocha, March.
More photos...White Winged Brush Finch
31 January 2012 12:40
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecoruta, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: White Winged Brush Finch
Latin: Atlapetes leucopterus
Other: Matorralero aliblanco (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Brush Finches
Range: Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Pale-naped Brush Finch, Tricolored Brush Finch
I saw the White-winged Brush Finch on a couple of occasions, both in the same general region northwest of Quito, once on the Ecoruta and once at Angel Paz’s reserve. Both times there was a Crimson-mantled Woodpecker nearby. Ridgely places White-winged Brush Finch at between 1600 and 2600m on the western slope in Ecuador.
The White-winged Brush Finch has whitish underparts, grey upperparts with prominent white wing bar, dark head, rufous head stripe and dark malar stripe, though there are various subspecies, some much whiter, especially in the south.
Below, White-winged Brush Finch, Ecoruta, March, 2011.
More photos...Choco Brush Finch
31 January 2012 12:18
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Santa Lucia Reserve, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Choco Brush Finch
Latin: Atlapetes crassus
Other: Tricolored Brush Finch (SACC) • Matorralero tricolor (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Brush Finches
Range: Colombia, Ecuador
Similar: Tricolored Finch, Rufous-naped Brush Finch, Pale-naped Finch
Well, I was going to upload this photo as a record shot of a Tricolored Finch in the cloudforest, but I see that the IOC currently has Choco Brush Finch in Ecuador, and Tricolored Brush Finch in Peru, so I guess that the former is this bird.
Ridgely has “Tricolored Brush Finch” as occurring between 600 and 1800m on the northwest slope - I saw the bird above at about 1800m at the Santa Lucia Reserve, north of Quito.
I saw similar birds at Yanacocha but rejected them as Choco/Tricolored because at 3700m that should be out of range.
Yellow Throated Bush Tanager
29 January 2012 18:06
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Mirador Rio Branco, Ecuador, 2011
Bird name: Yellow Throated Bush Tanager
Latin: Chlorospingus flavigularis
Other: Montero gorgiamarillo, Clorospingo goliamarillo (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Bush Tanagers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
I saw the Yellow-throated Bush-tanager several times around the Milpe Reserve region - including the cheap and excellent Mirador Rio Branco, which I would recommend to anyone visiting the area.
Yellow-throated Bush-tanagers have a yellow hood and upperparts, grey lores and light underparts, pale irises.
Below, the Yellow-throated Bush-tanager at Mirador Rio Branco, Ecuador
More photos...Dusky Bush Tanager
29 January 2012 17:34
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Santa Lucia Reserve, Ecuador, 2011
Bird name: Dusky Bush Tanager
Latin: Chlorospingus semifuscus
Other: Clorospingo oscuro (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Bush Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:
Although the Dusky Bush-tanager was common at the Santa Lucia Reserve, like most Bush-tanagers it was not easy to photograph. A guide told me that in the morning it is easy to see as it chatters continually, but does not stop moving. Later in the day it is quiet and doesn’t move so much, but is difficult to see because it’s so camouflaged in the trees.
Dusky Bush-tanagers have greyish hoods, olive upperparts, grey underparts, pale irises, dark bill.More photos...
Lemon Rumped Tanager
29 January 2012 09:26
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, Gamboa, May 2010
Bird name: Lemon Rumped Tanager
Latin: Ramphocelus icteronotus
Other: Flame-rumped Tanager • Tangara lomilimón (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:
Lemon-rumped Tanagers hybridize with Flame-rumped Tanagers, and so are often lumped together. But for the purposes of this entry, if the rump is yellow, not red, the bird is called Lemon-rumped, even though the birds in Panama were often referred to as Flame-rumped Tanagers by the guides.
Females, in particular, were not uncommon in Gamboa and El Valle. Lemon-rumped Tanagers were also seen frequently in Ecuador, especially around Mindo - only in the west.
The Lemon-rumped Tanager male is black with a very bright lemon rump. The female is yellow below and brown above - a slightly washed out look with light throat, and pale wingbar visible. Both have light bluish-white bills with dark tip.
Below, female Lemon-rumped Tanager, Panama
Below, male Lemon-rumped Tanager, Ecuador, 2011
More photos...Golden Naped Tanager
28 January 2012 13:06
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, February 2011
Bird name: Golden Naped Tanager
Latin: Tangara ruficervix
Other: Tángara nuquidorada (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Metallic-green Tanager
The Golden-naped Tanager was seen at the Santa Lucia Reserve and in the highlands of Mindo, Ecuador.
The Golden-naped Tanager is a generally blue bird, with black mask, cream belly and crissum, and small light patch on back of head.More photos...
Bay Headed Tanager
28 January 2012 12:26
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, Chiriqui, May 2010
Bird name: Bay Headed Tanager
Latin: Tangara gyrola
Other: Tángara cabeciroja (Es) • Saíra-de-cabeça-castanha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil through N, W Amazonia
Similar:
More bright colours. The Bay-headed Tanager has a chestnut head, light blue underparts and green upperparts. The female is similar to the male but duller.
There are variations in race. In Para, Brazil, Bay headed-Tanagers had more yellow on neck and shoulders (pic below). In Mindo, Ecuador, they had much yellow on wing (pic below).
More photos...
Plain Colored Seedeater
27 January 2012 16:42
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Plain Colored Seedeater
Latin: Catamenia inornata
Other: Plain-coloured Seedeater (UK) • Semillero sencillo (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Seedeaters
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina
Similar: Catamenia seedeaters
I saw these Plain-colored Seedeaters at around 3000 metres altitude in Ecuador.
The male (above) Plain-colored Seedeater is greyish with orange bill and rufous crissum (under base of tail). The female (below) is streaked and brownish.More photos...
Scarlet Browed Tanager
22 January 2012 15:15
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Silanche, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Scarlet Browed Tanager
Latin: Heterospingus xanthopygius
Other: Tangara cejiescarlata (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuador.
Similar:
Difficult to see in this record shot, but the Scarlet-browed Tanager is mostly dark with red streak behind eye, red iris, yellow rump and should-streak. Female lacks head streak.
Scarlet and White Tanager
22 January 2012 11:15
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Scarlet and White Tanager
Latin: Chrysothlypis salmoni
Other: Tángara escarlatiblanca (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador
Similar: Hepatic Tanager, Summer Tanager
Another unconfirmed record shot - this time of a possible Scarlet-and-white Tanager at the Mirador Rio Blanco in northwest Ecuador. Scarlet-and-white Tanagers do look similar to this - red body with black edging to wings and white belly - but from this angle Summer Tanager or Hepatic Tanager are also both possible.
Plushcap
21 January 2012 19:28
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Plushcap
Latin: Catamblyrhynchus diadema
Other: Cabecipeludo (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Similar:
A couple of record shots of a Plushcap I saw on the Ecoruta northwest of Quito.
The Plushcap is an unusual bird, at one taxonomical extreme of the Thraupidae family. It lives at high altitude, between 1600 and 3500m, has stiff crown feathers and usually lives near Chusquea bamboo.More photos...
Summer Tanager
21 January 2012 19:28
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, May 2010
Bird name: Summer Tanager
Latin: Piranga rubra
Other: Tángara roja migratoria (Es) • Sanhaçu-vermelho, sanhaçu-verão (Pt)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers - now Cardinalidae
Range: USA, Mexico, Central America, N South America, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil
Similar: Hepatic Tanager
Summer Tanagers look very similar to Hepatic Tanagers, so the identity of two birds pictured here should be treated with caution.
The bird above is identified as a migrant male Summer Tanager on location - it was seen at San Isidro Lodge (2300m) in March. San Isidro doesn’t list Hepatic as occuring there. Otherwise it might have been taken for a Hepatic Tanager, since it has a dark bill, slightly greyish lores and a carmine, not orange, tint to the bright red hue.
The bird below was, I believe, a migrant male Summer Tanager at the Milpe Reserve, 1600m?, in northwest Ecuador. It has the characteristic pale bill of the Summer Tanager, pale lores and slightly orange-red hue.
Female Summer Tanagers are olive-yellow.
Below, presumed male Summer Tanager, Milpe, Ecuador, March 2011.
More photos...Golden Hooded Tanager
20 January 2012 14:27
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, Chiriqui, May 2010
Bird name: Golden Hooded Tanager
Latin: Tangara larvata
Other: Tangara capuchidorada, tangara cabecipinta (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: S Mexico to Ecuador
Similar:
The Golden Hooded Tanager was one of the first birds I saw in Panama in Cerro Azul, then more frequently in El Valle.
The golden hood makes this bird pretty unmistakeable. Good-looking bird!
Also seen at the Silanche Reserve in northwest Ecuador - western slope.
Below: Golden-hooded Tanager, Panama
More photos...Rufous Throated Tanager
20 January 2012 00:07
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Milpe Reserve, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Rufous Throated Tanager
Latin: Tangara rufigula
Other: Tangara golirrufa (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador
Similar: Beryl-spangled Tanager
A record shot of a Rufous-throated Tanager in Milpe; you can just make out the rufous throat in the photo. Found on the western slope in northern Ecuador.
Guira Tanager
20 January 2012 00:05
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Milpe, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Guira Tanager
Latin: Hemithraupis guira
Other: Pintasilgo de buche negro, güira (Es) • Saíra-de-papo-preto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil to Venezuela and neighbours
Similar: Female with Yellow-backed Tanager
The Guira Tanager is apparently widespread throughout South America in lowland and degraded forest. I’ve only seen them a couple of times - in Ecuador in Mindo and at Milpe.
The adult male Guira Tanager has a yellow pointed bill, brown or black mask, orange throat, whitish underparts, olive upperparts, orange rump. The female lacks the orange and black markings.More photos...
Ochre Breasted Tanager
20 January 2012 00:05
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Milpe, Ecuador, March 2011
Bird name: Ochre Breasted Tanager
Latin: Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
Other: Tangara pechiocrácea (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador western slope
Similar: Dusky Bush Tanager, other female tanagers
The Ochre-breasted Tanager is fairly nondescript, and can be difficult to identify. It has a heavy, dark bill and generally ochre colouring elsewhere, slightly warmer colours below and darker above, and grey irises.
See below for same bird without flash.More photos...
Flame Faced Tanager
18 January 2012 16:33
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador • 2011
Bird name: Flame Faced Tanager
Latin: Tangara parzudakii
Other: Tangara cariflama (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar:
I saw Flame-faced Tanagers on several occasions at the Santa Lucia Reserve, Ecuador, but there often in deep mist. Clearer views at the Milpe Reserve, where they also visited the feeders.
On the eastern slope, also seen at San Isidro, where the nominal subspecies Tangara parzudakii parzudakii is found, which is more brightly coloured - record shot further below.
Above and directly below, the western subspecies Tangara parzudakii lunigera which has less colour in the cheeks.
Below, a Flame-faced Tanager feeding at the Santa Lucia Reserve in northern Ecuador.
More photos...Blue Necked Tanager
18 January 2012 16:33
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador • 2011
Bird name: Blue Necked Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanicollis
Other: Tangara capuchiazul (Es) • Saíra-de-cabeça-azul (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Ecuador, …
Similar:
Blue-necked Tanagers have bright blue heads, with black mask, dark bodies, and orange on shoulder. Underfeathers are actually blue and green but in normal lighting the body looks blackish.More photos...
Grey and Gold Tanager
18 January 2012 14:17
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador • 2011
Bird name: Grey and Gold Tanager
Latin: Tangara palmeri
Other: Gray-and-gold Tanager (US) • Tangara doradigris (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:
A grey-and-gold Tanager from a difficult angle. I only saw this bird at Silanche Reserve in Ecuador, in the northwest of the country.More photos...
Beryl Spangled Tanager
18 January 2012 14:14
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador • 2011
Bird name: Beryl Spangled Tanager
Latin: Tangara nigroviridis
Other: Tangara mariposa (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
Probably the most frequently seen of all tanagers on my recent trip to Ecuador - often in mixed flocks, but very difficult to photograph - it’s small and fast moving and keeps its distance.More photos...
Metallic Green Tanager
18 January 2012 14:11
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador • 2011
Bird name: Metallic Green Tanager
Latin: Tangara labradorides
Other: Tangara verdimetallica (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, …
Similar:
Metallic-green Tanager was another frequently glimpsed tanager, hard to photograph. Found mid-altitude in the northwest of Ecuador.More photos...
Dusky Faced Tanager
18 January 2012 13:50
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, El Valle, May 2010
Bird name: Dusky Faced Tanager
Latin: Mitrospingus cassinii
Other: Tangara carinegruzca (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:
A blurry record shot of a Dusky-faced Tanager in El Valle, Panama.
And another blurry record from Silanche Reserve, Ecuador.More photos...
Grass Green Tanager
17 January 2012 19:55
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March.
Bird name: Grass Green Tanager
Latin: Chlorornis riefferii
Other: Clorornis patirrojo, tángara hierba verde, tángara verdirroja, tángara carirroja (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
Incredibly intense green on the Grass Green Tanager. Contrasted with red face, bill, legs and crissum - a stunning colour scheme. I saw these in cloud forest near Bellavista and San Isidro in Ecuador. These large tanagers live at high altitudes in the Andes - 1500 to 3300m. I saw birds in the middle of that range.
Golden Tanager
17 January 2012 09:31
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March.
Bird name: Golden Tanager
Latin: Tangara arthus
Other: Tángara dorada (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Blackburnian Warbler (if glimpsed)
The Golden Tanager is not uncommon in Ecuador in mid-altitude montane habitats. Seen in most locations, usually at least one in a mixed flock. Very easy to see - a bright light in cloud forest canopy. But Golden Tanagers are small and fast moving, and often stick to tree tops, so getting a good photo was not easy. Unmistakeable markings - usually the only other possibility for an orange flash is Blackburnian Warbler (which has a black head)
Below, Golden Tanager in Mindo, Ecuador.
More photos...Golden Crowned Tanager
17 January 2012 09:01
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Yanacocha, Ecuador, March.
Bird name: Golden Crowned Tanager
Latin: Iridosornis rufivertex
Other: Frutero cabecidorado (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar:
Intense colours in this high-altitude Golden Crowned Tanager (usually 2500-3300m), which I saw on the Yanacocha trail (3500m). Great bird - the only one of its kind I saw in Ecuador.
Below, Golden Crowned Tanager - Yanacocha, Ecuador
More photos...Fawn Breasted Tanager
15 January 2012 14:05
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, September
Bird name: Fawn Breasted Tanager
Latin: Pipraeidea melanonota
Other: Saíra viúva (Br) • Tangara pechianteada (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay; and SE S America
Similar:
The Fawn-breasted Tanager is buff or orange below with blue upper half and red irises. Found in the Andes and in montane habitats in southern Brazil and bordering countries.
I saw Fawn-breasted Tanagers in Mindo and San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador and at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge in Brazil.
The male Fawn-breasted Tanager has deeper colours than the female and the Brazilian Fawn-breasted Tanager (above, male) apparently had richer colours than the Ecuadorian birds (below).
Below, Fawn Breasted Tanager, Ecuador, March.
More photos...Blue Winged Mountain Tanager
14 January 2012 18:45
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March
Bird name: Blue Winged Mountain Tanager
Latin: Anisognathus somptuosus
Other: Tángara primavera, cachaquito primavera, tangara montana aliazul (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Black-chinned Mountain-tanager
Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers could be seen at various places near Mindo, as well at San Isidro Lodge.
Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers have more blue on wings than Black-chinned Mountain-tanagers and have black backs, vs olive shoulders for the latter. They have a large yellow stripe on their head.
Below, Blue-winged Mountain-tanager, Mindo.
More photos...Black Chinned Mountain Tanager
14 January 2012 18:44
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March
Bird name: Black Chinned Mountain Tanager
Latin: Anisognathus notabilis
Other: tangara montana barbinegra (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador
Similar: Blue-winged Mountain-tanager
Black-chinned Mountain-tanagers could be seen alongside Blue-winged Mountain-tanagers at the Paz de las Aves feeders.
Black-chinned Mountain-tanagers have less blue on the wing than Blue-winged, more black below the chin and olive top of back vs black back for Blue-winged.More photos...
Scarlet Bellied Mountain Tanager
14 January 2012 18:44
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, March
Bird name: Scarlet Bellied Mountain Tanager
Latin: Anisognathus igniventris
Other: Tangara montana ventriescarlata (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
The Scarlet Bellied Mountain Tanager is a very eye-catching bird - I only saw one pair at Yanacocha at 3500m, feeding on the berries below. Their range descends to 1500m.
More photos...
Hooded Mountain Tanager
14 January 2012 17:46
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, September
Bird name: Hooded Mountain Tanager
Latin: Buthraupis montana
Other: Tangara montaña encapuchada (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
I saw this Hooded Mountain-tanager near the Bellavista Lodge grounds in Ecuador. Found at quite high altitudes - 2000 to 3200 m. Also seen at San Isidro Lodge on the eastern slope of the Andes.
The Hooded Mountain-tanager has red irises and a black head. A large tanager.More photos...
Plumbeous Kite
05 January 2012 23:48
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Ecuador • March
Bird name: Plumbeous Kite
Latin: Ictinia plumbea
Other: Sovi, gavião-sauveiro (Br) • Milano plomizo (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America: Mexico to Argentina, incl Ecuador
Similar:
A Plumbeous Kite flying through the trees in Ecuador, March. Note rufous wing tips and banded tail. Also seen at Floresta Amazonica in Alta Floresta, Brazil.More photos...
Velvet Purple Coronet
04 January 2012 13:58
Copyright: monacoeye • Mindo Lindo, Ecuador, February • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Velvet Purple Coronet
Latin: Boissonneaua jardini
Other: Coronita Aterciopelada, Colibrí sietecolores (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Andes; Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:
The Velvet Purple Coronet is a very striking bird with superb deep purple plumage. The head and chest can often look black. In Ecuador found northwest of Quito, in mid-altitude forest - seen here at Mindo Lindo Lodge, for example.
More photos...Buff Tailed Coronet
04 January 2012 13:58
Copyright: monacoeye • Mindo, Ecuador, February • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Buff Tailed Coronet
Latin: Boissonneaua flavescens
Other: Colibrí colihabano, chupasavia, coronita colianteada (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Andes; Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela
Similar:
Buff Tailed Coronet is buff under the tail, has white puffy thighs, otherwise mostly green. Also some buff on shoulders and white post-ocular spot.
850m to 2000m altitude; usually above 1400m. Seen at Paz de las Aves, Bellavista Lodge and Guango Lodge.More photos...
Buff Winged Starfrontlet
04 January 2012 12:54
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador, February • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Buff Winged Starfrontlet
Latin: Coeligena lutetiae
Other: Frentiestrella alianteada (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Andes; Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar:
Buff-winged Starfrontlets are one of the easiest hummingbirds to recognise - they are the only hummingbirds in Ecuador with buff-coloured “epaulets”.
Male Buff-winged Starfrontlets have purple throats (below), distinguishing them from females, which have buff throats.
These are high-altitude hummers - I saw them on the Yanacocha trail at 3500m.
More photos...Andean Emerald
04 January 2012 09:00
Copyright: monacoeye • Mindo, Ecuador, February • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Andean Emerald
Latin: Amazilia franciae
Other: Esmeralda andina, Diamante de pico largo (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Andes; Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar:
The Andean Emerald, pictured here in Mindo, Ecuador. White below with green crown. It lives in the cloud forest from 1000 to 2000 metres.
More photos...Turkey Vulture
27 November 2011 15:48
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Canopy Tower, Panama April 2010
Bird name: Turkey Vulture
Latin: Cathartes aura
Other: Urubu-de-cabeça-vermelha (Br) • Turkey Buzzard (US) • John Crow (Caribbean) • Aura común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Americas: Canada to Argentina, incl Panama, Ecuador, Brazil etc.
Similar: Black Vulture, Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture, Comparison
In Panama, there is only one other similar vulture with a thick white trailing band on the wing, the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, which has a yellowish, not pink, head.
Turkey Vultures can quickly be distinguished from other birds of prey at a distance by their V-shaped wings when gliding. The key fieldmark for differentiating them from other vultures is the well defined light underside of wings. Also they have pink heads.
Cathartes aura ruficollis, the indigenous Panamanian vultures pictured above and further below have light marks on the back of the neck. Large numbers of migrating Turkey Vultures can also be seen in Panama at the right time of the year.
Turkey Vultures were less common than Black-headed Vultures by the coast and in Itatiaia NP. There I saw them on three occasions, singly or in pairs, very high up or low in the forest.
In the Pantanal they were seen regularly in August 2011, but not as frequently as the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture.
In Panama, in April, the Turkey Vulture was more common than the American Black Vulture, and frequently seen in most non-urban locations. The observation deck of the Canopy Tower is a good place to get views of them soaring across the top of the forest.
Below: Turkey Vulture showing light underside of wing feathers, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...Roadside Hawk
04 November 2011 16:24
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe, Brazil • Nov 2009
Bird name: Roadside Hawk
Latin: Buteo magnirostris
Other: Gavião-carijó (Br) • Gavilán pollero (Es), Aguilucho de ala rojiza, Taguato común
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America, Mexico to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:
The Roadside Hawk has a dark head with pale irises and usually pale barred chest and underwings. Topside of wings are dark, with a rufous wing patch on primaries. This rufous patch, usually just visible on perched birds, is diagnostic for Roadside Hawk.
The Roadside Hawk is typically the most frequently seen bird of prey when birding in Latin America, so it is a good bird to learn to identify.
Tail has thick brown and white horizontal stripes. Bill base is yellowish with dark tip and perhaps some light blue in the middle.
There are several subspecies and morphs, where dark brown is replaced by grey. Upper chest can be dark (Panama) or vertically striped (Brazil).
In the Pantanal in August I saw Roadside Hawks on most days - near roads, rivers and in forest. Near Mindo, Ecuador, in April, it was also the most common and visible bird of prey.
Below, Roadside Hawk mobbed in El Valle, Panama, May 2010. Dark throat and chest.
Below, a pair of Roadside Hawks in Mindo, Ecuador, April 2011. Yellow irises, orange ceres, grey throat and chest, rufous primaries just visible in perched birds. Thin white barring lines on underside.
More photos...
Olivaceous Piha
31 July 2011 09:03
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Olivaceous Piha
Latin: Snowornis cryptolophus
Other: Piha olicacéa (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Pihas
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Grey-tailed Piha, tanagers
Although Birds of Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield, 2001) puts the Pihas on the Flycatchers plate (and uses old genus name Lathria), as they look rather similar, in fact, Pihas are related to Cotingas.
I was lucky in that a good Dutch guide (can’t remember name) with another group managed to call this one down from the tree tops at Paz de las Aves. We then observed it swooping and the guide even took a recording. Note light eye-ring.More photos...
Andean Cock of the Rock
30 July 2011 00:18
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Andean Cock of the Rock
Latin: Rupicola peruvianus
Other: Gallo de la Peña Andino (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Cock-of-the-Rocks
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
The Andean Cock of the Rock is a superb bird, emblematic of the Mindo - Choco region. Tours can be taken to visit Cock of the Rock leks at several places, where anything from two or three individuals to two or three dozen males will gather daily in a lek at dawn to be selected by a female. Good weather helps and the “summer” (around June) is said to be the breeding season.
Photography is difficult for all but the latest generation of cameras, because you are shooting in the dark - flash is not allowed. If you can shoot above 3000 ISO and have a fast, stabilised lens, you should be OK.
Santa Lucia has a very good lek, well over a dozen males turned up on the day we attended, despite it being off-season, with no female and rain in the night. But it’s a fair old trek in the morning - a couple of hours before dawn, some through deep mud on steep paths. Before that, just to reach Santa Lucia involves an excruciating two-hour walk up the mountainside in thin air, unless you happen to be a mountain goat, in which case it will take you an hour.
I saw a female flying though the forest at San Isidro - it perched above us.
More photos...Orange Breasted Fruiteater
30 July 2011 00:18
Copyright: monacoeye • Pas de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Orange Breasted Fruiteater
Latin: Pipreola jucunda
Other: Frutero pechinaranja (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Fruiteaters
Range: Colombia to Ecuador
Similar: Scarlet-breasted Fruteater, female Black-Chested Fruiteater
We were treated to very good views of one or two Orange-breasted Fruiteater at Angel Paz’s ranch, feeding on two sorts of berry. The colour of the tree above seems to match the Orange-breasted Fruiteater’s colours perfectly. Angel notices what trees attract particular birds and tries to plant accordingly.
A hawk was circling nearby, which seemed to keep the fruiteaters stuck to their branches.
The orange-breasted Fruiteater has a well-defined yellow-orange chest and neck, black hood, lemon-yellow belly and rich green upperparts. Iris is yellow-orange. Beautiful birds, males are unmistakable in Ecuador, females are mostly green, striated underparts, with orange bill and yellow iris.
In Ecuador only found in northwest, mid altitude.
More photos...Green and Black Fruiteater
29 July 2011 19:44
Copyright: monacoeye • Guango Lodge, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Green and Black Fruiteater
Latin: Pipreola riefferii
Other: Frutero verdinegro (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Fruiteaters
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Black-chested Fruiteater
We saw and heard male and female Green-and-black Fruiteaters several times, but although responsive to calls, they proved difficult to photograph, often perching directly above our heads!
The male has a dark hood and bib, bright orange bill and legs, yellow-green underside with marks, and dark leaf-green upperside, with some black.
The female (further below) is plainer and more uniform green, with no black hood, but still orange bill.
Directly below, a male Green-and-black Fruiteater, which was calling to a nearby female.
More photos...Scaled Fruiteater
29 July 2011 19:44
Copyright: monacoeye • Pas de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Scaled Fruiteater
Latin: Ampelioides tschudii
Other: Frutero escamado (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Fruiteaters
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
Just one sighting of this Scaled Fruiteater, at Paz de las Aves, which perched right above me then flew off…
Note short tail and contoured feathers.
Three Striped Warbler
29 July 2011 19:41
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Three Striped Warbler
Latin: Basileuterus tristriatus
Other: Reinita cabecilistada (Es)
Family: Parulidae • New World Warblers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
I saw Three-striped Warblers on the slope up to Santa Lucia and at San Isidro, Ecuador, but they are fast-moving and very tricky to photograph…
More photos...Toucan Barbet
28 July 2011 07:55
Copyright: monacoeye • Pas de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Toucan Barbet
Latin: Semnornis ramphastinus
Other: Barbudo Tucán (Es)
Family: Semnornithidae • New World Barbets
Range: Western Colombia to western Ecuador
Similar:
Red List: Near threatened
The colourful Toucan Barbet is an emblematic bird for the region around Santa Lucia, where duetting birds can be heard resounding across the mountainside. The original indiginous residents of the area share the same name as this Choco endemic in the local tongue. [
Toucan Barbets have now been placed in their own family, Semnornithidae, by the IOC and SACC, alongside the Prong-billed Barbet of Costa Rica. Though for convenience they are tagged here with New World Barbets.
Although I saw Toucan Barbets on many occasions in Santa Lucia - they’re good birds for guides to call in - the best views were at Paz de las Aves, where they visit the feeders.
The Toucan Barbet is classed as near-threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss.
More photos...Masked Flowerpiercer
26 July 2011 09:08
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Masked Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa cyanea
Other: Pinchaflor enmascarado (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Bluish Flowerpiercer, Indigo Flowerpiercer
Beautiful rich colours on these fast-moving Masked Flowerpiercers. Large black mask and red eye with blue body. Females duller. Seen in several locations, will visit nectar feeders. The best location, where there were large numbers feeding, was at the end of the Yanacocha trail - 3800 m.
If you don’t get a good view, can be confused with Bluish Flowerpiercer.More photos...
White Sided Flowerpiercer
26 July 2011 09:08
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: White Sided Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa albilatera
Other: Pinchaflor flanciblanco (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Black Flowerpiercer
Above a female White-sided Flowerpiercer, which is light brown with a fleck of white on its side just visible behind the bend of the wing. The male, below, is black, with the same white fleck.
White-sided Flowerpiercers were easy to see at the Santa Lucia Reserve (1800m), fog and rain notwithstanding, as they visited a flowering bush outside the lodge every day I was there. I also saw males at San Isidro.
Below, male White-sided Flowerpiercer - uses hooked bill to pierce the base of flowers.
More photos...Glossy Flowerpiercer
26 July 2011 08:25
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Glossy Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa lafresnayii
Other: Pinchaflor satinado (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Black Flowerpiercer, White-sided Flowerpiercer
The Glossy Flowerpiercer is all black, with white patch on shoulder and hooked bill-tip. Only confusion in Ecuador could be White-sided Flowerpiercer, whose white patch is lower down, under the wing.
Seen in good numbers at the feeders at the end of the Yanacocha trail at 3800 m altitude.
More photos...
Slate Throated Whitestart
24 July 2011 10:04
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, March.
Bird name: Slate Throated Whitestart
Latin: Myioborus miniatus
Other: Slate-throated Redstart • Candelita goliplomiza (Es) • Mariquita-cinza (Br)
Family: Parulidae • New World Warblers, Whitestarts
Range: Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Guianas, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina.
Similar: Parulas, Euphonias
One of the most widespread and frequently-seen passerines in Ecuador in March at mid-altitude - fast-moving but will perch nearby. Seen on the slope up to Santa Lucia, Mirador Rio Blanco, Paz de las Aves and Milpe, but the best views were at San Isidro (above). Often found in mixed flocks.
In Panama, I only saw them in the eastern Chiriqui province, where they are known by the old name of Slate-throated Redstart. They did not live close to huts like the Collared Whitestart, so were seen less frequently.
The Slate-throated Whitestart is yellow below, slate above, extending over head and throat (unlike the Parulas in Panama). Longish tail with white outer feathers distinguishes it from Euphonias. Small rufous crest is sometimes difficult to see. One fanned its tail frequently (photo below).
Directly above and below, Slate-throated Whitestarts, Chiriqui, Panama, May. © monacoeye
More photos...Blackburnian Warbler
23 July 2011 16:58
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Blackburnian Warbler
Latin: Dendroica fusca
Other: Reinita de garganta naranja (Es)
Family: Parulidae • New World Warblers
Range: Canada, East USA - migrating to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia
Similar:
A bright flash of orange at the Santa Lucia Reserve in Ecuador, in March, is sure to be a Blackburnian Warbler. These cheerful small birds were also particularly easy to see around San Isidro Lodge.
The adult male Blackburnian Warbler (above) has strong orange, black and white markings. Females and juveniles and non-breeding plumages (below) are greyer and have less orange.
Directly below probably female or juvenile Blackburnian Warbler. Ecuador, March. ©
More photos...Booted Racket Tail
17 July 2011 11:20
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Booted Racket Tail
Latin: Ocreatus underwoodii
Other: Colaespátula zamarrito (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: N Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia
Similar: Purple-bibbed White-tip female
The Booted Racket-Tail was one of the first hummingbirds I saw in Ecuador, at 1800 m altitude at the Santa Lucia Reserve feeders. Then at other feeders, for example, the excellent hummingbird set-up at Mindo Lindo, and at nearby Septimo Paraiso, but not lower down in the town of Mindo.
The male Booted Racket-Tail (above) is instantly recognisable by its long tail feathers, terminating in purple “rackets” (more difficult to identify when regrowing these feathers) and fluffy white thigh “boots”. Otherwise mostly green, with white post-ocular mark and brown wings.
The female (directly below) is more difficult to identify. She has a normal-sized tail, white chest and underparts, greenish upperside (coppery with flash) which stretches down round the sides leaving a few spots on the belly. She has smaller thigh puffs, pale feet, dark bill, white post-ocular spot, white tail-tip, and faint short white malar stripe.
There are two subspecies in Ecuador: peruanus female has buff thighs and crissum and more spotting on chest, melanantherus - the one seen NW of Quito - has white puffs and crissum and white chest.
Directly below, a female Booted Racket-Tail in northwest Ecuador. Copyright monacoeye.
More photos...Turquoise Jay
15 July 2011 19:18
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Guango, Ecuador, Feb 2011
Bird name: Turquoise Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax turcosa
Other: Urraca Turquesa (Es)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range: Southern Colombia, Ecuador, northern Peru
Similar: Black-collared Jay, Beautiful Jay
Turquoise Jays are the most visible large bird around Guango Lodge in Ecuador. They come close to the lodge in the morning and feast on the insects attracted by the night lights.
They have an electric blue plumage under flash, and are bright cobalt blue in normal light, with black eyemask and thin chinstrap - unlike the rarer Black-collared Jay which has a thick chin strap.
They live at altitude - 2 to 3 thousand metres - so higher than Inca Jays, though their ranges overlap a little at Guango.
One also seen in Bellavista.
Below, a Turquoise Jay at Guango Lodge in Ecuador. Copyright: monacoeye.com
More photos...Masked Trogon
26 May 2011 17:43
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ecuador, 2011.
Bird name: Masked Trogon
Latin: Trogon personatus
Other:
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, SC Venezuela
Similar:
Masked Trogons were seen in many locations in Ecuador - Mindo, Milpe, Mindo Lindo, Bellavista, Guango, San Isidro.
Males are green, black and red with white marks. Females are brown and red. Many more examples in “more photos”.
More photos...
Choco Trogon
26 May 2011 17:05
Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ecuador, 2010.
Bird name: Choco Trogon
Latin: Trogon comptus
Other: White-eyed Trogon
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: W Colombia, NW Ecuador
Similar: Ecuadorian Trogon
Wonderful shot of a Choco Trogon by Tom. I missed this one in Mindo. Note white iris, no eye-ring or white breast-band.
White Tailed Trogon
26 May 2011 16:51
Copyright: monacoeye • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: White Tailed Trogon
Latin: Trogon chionurus
Other:
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: Panama to W Ecuador
The White-Tailed Trogon is now considered a separate species from T. viridis. Both male and female White-Tailed Trogons have pale blue eye rings and predominantly white tails (unlike all other Panamanian yellow bellied trogons). The female has slate grey upperparts while the male is bluish-black. Both have yellow bellies.
We saw several in Central Panama, including one from the observation deck of the Canopy Tower. Also seen in Ecuador at the Rio Silanche Reserve (see “more photos” below).
More photos...
Bronze Winged Parrot
25 May 2011 21:08
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Mindo, February 2011.
Bird name: Bronze winged Parrot
Latin: Pionus chalcopterus
Other: Loro negro (Es) • Maitaca-asa-de-bronze (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador to NW Peru
Similar:
Bronze-winged Parrots were quite conspicuous at the Rio Silanche and Milpe Reserves in northwest Ecuador.
Bronze-winged Parrots are predominantly dusky blue, have yellow bills, bronze on the wings, red and blue under the tail, white eye-rings and white throats.
More photos...
Red Billed Parrot
25 May 2011 21:08
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Mindo, February 2011.
Bird name: Red billed Parrot
Latin: Pionus sordidus
Other: Loro sórdido (Es)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
Range: Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador
Similar:
I saw these Red-billed Parrots at various locations in and around Mindo, Ecuador. They are the only parrots with reddish bills in Ecuador, they also have blue around the throat and red in the tail, which is short. The rest is green.More photos...
Oilbird
21 May 2011 19:39
Copyright: monacoeye • Cueva de los Tayos, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Oilbird
Latin: Steatornis caripensis
Other: Guácharo, tayo (Es) • Pássaro-do-petróleo, guácharo (Br)
Family: Steatornithidae • Oilbird
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Trinidad, Venezuela, Guyana, etc
Similar:
The Oilbird, although related to the nightjar, differs sufficiently to be placed in its own family, the Steatornithidae.
Oilbirds are fascinating birds, living in caves and dark gorges, and usually only exiting to feed at night on the fruits of oil palms and laurels. They navigate with echolocation and make loud clicking noises.
These birds were perched around the steep sides of a pitch-black, narrow, high-walled gully that cut into the mountain, near the Cueva de los Tayos in the Andes, in northern Ecuador. I had to stand in the middle of a small stream with the water flowing over my boots to take these photos - without flash, in order not to disturb the birds. In addition, we didn’t speak or move much, keeping a respectful distance behind a barrier, and only stayed a few minutes.
The day I visited in February, the main caves were inaccessible, as it had rained heavily, but this back-up location still had many oilbirds. Occasionally, one would move from one position on the wet rock walls to another, with great screeching and flapping of wings. But for the most part all the birds remained put, hardly moving, including one perched on a vine, pictured above, in a shaft of light.
More photos...Pale Mandibled Aracari
09 April 2011 23:42
Copyright: monacoeye • Silanche, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Pale Mandibled Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus erythropygius
Other: Arasari Piquipálido (Es) - split from P. torquatus, Collared Aracari
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: Western Ecuador
Similar: Stripe Billed Aracari
I had good views of several Pale Mandibled Aracaris, first at the Rio Silanche Reserve, from the observation tower and in the forest, and then again at El Monte Lodge in Mindo.
The Pale Mandibled Aracari, which is split from the Collared Aracari complex, is best identified by its light lower bill, and one black band on the yellow belly with a smudge or dot on the chest.
More photos...Crimson Rumped Toucanet
09 April 2011 23:41
Copyright: monacoeye • Paz de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Crimson Rumped Toucanet
Latin: Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Other: Tucánete Lomirrojo (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Toucanets
Range: W Venezuela, Colombia, E Ecuador
Similar: Chestnut-tipped Toucanet
Crimson Rumped Toucanets seemed to be one of the most easily seen of the toucan family in Pichincha, northwest Ecuador. First seen at Santa Lucia, then visiting feeders at Paz de las Aves.
Crimson Rumped Toucanets are mostly green, with red bill, rump and tail tip. Base of bill is white.More photos...
Choco Toucan
09 April 2011 12:25
Copyright: monacoeye • Mindo, Ecuador, Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Choco Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos brevis
Other: Tucán del Chocó (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: Northwest Colombia to southwest Ecuador
Similar: Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
I was pleased to see these Choco Toucans in Mindo. They look similar to the Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, although the latter has a brown, not black, lower mandible.More photos...
Plate Billed Mountain Toucan
09 April 2011 12:22
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Plate Billed Mountain Toucan
Latin: Andigena laminirostris
Other: Tucán Andino Piquilaminado (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: Southwest Colombia to south Ecuador
Similar:
The Plate-billed Mountain Toucan is an easy bird to identify with a characteristic buff rectangular plate on its bill. A beautiful bird with many colours, seen on several occasions, though usually at some distance, at the Santa Lucia reserve, and then again near Bellavista on the Ecoruta in northwest Ecuador.
The bird pictured may well be a juvenile.
More photos...Giant Antpitta
08 April 2011 18:01
Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Paz de las Aves, Ecuador, Oct 2010 • Do not copy
Bird name: Giant Antpitta
Latin: Grallaria gigantica
Other: Gralaria gigante
Family: Grallariidae • Antpittas
Range: Southwest Colombia, north Ecuador
Similar:
Angel Paz started the whole Antpitta craze several years ago by feeding worms to Maria the Giant Antpitta and then bringing birders along to see her.
Unfortunately when I visited his ranch in March 2011, Maria had not been seen for three months, and the assumption was that she must have been eaten.
Angel seemed understandably a little preoccupied by this state affairs - especially as Maria had been bringing in busloads of tourists - but he was working hard on finding replacements: we managed to see a Yellow-breasted and a Moustached Antpitta as well as some other nice birds.
Mid-morning we sat down to a breakfast of coffee and delicious cheese empanadas - one of the culinary highlights of my trip to Ecuador - cooked by his wife.
Many thanks to Tom for these photos of Maria taken in October 2010, just two months before her mysterious disappearance.More photos...
Yellow Breasted Antpitta
08 April 2011 16:36
Copyright: monacoeye • Paz de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Yellow Breasted Antpitta
Latin: Grallaria flavotincta
Other: Gralaria pechiamarillenta (Es)
Family: Grallariidae • Antpittas
Range: Colombia to northwest Ecuador
Similar:
A very nice Yellow-breasted Antpitta, which came to feed on worms at the Paz de las Aves ranch near Mindo.
More photos...Moustached Antpitta
08 April 2011 16:36
Copyright: monacoeye • Paz de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy
Bird name: Moustached Antpitta
Latin: Grallaria alleni
Other: Gralaria bigotuda (Es)
Family: Grallariidae • Antpittas
Range: Southwest Colombia, north Ecuador
Similar:
The only problem with photographing Antpittas at Paz de las Aves was that my camera wasn’t quite up to the job of taking photos in the dark forest without flash.
Still it was great to see a Moustached Antpitta, birds which I’m told rarely respond to playback.
More photos...Violet Tailed Sylph
05 April 2011 14:15
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Violet Tailed Sylph
Latin: Aglaiocercus coelestis
Other: Silfo colivioleta (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Colombia, Ecuador
Similar: Long-tailed Sylph
The male (above) Violet-tailed Sylph has this fabulous long violet tail. Guides love to point them out. Look a Violet-tailed Sylph! Thanks, even I managed to recognise that one… Fortunately where I saw them - Santa Lucia, Milpe, Mindo - there appeared to be no Long-tailed Sylphs to confuse the issue (they have green-blue tails). Male Violet-tailed Sylphs (only in NW ?) have purple bibs.
Females (below) look quite different: no long tail, white chest, peach-coloured belly, speckled throat, but same short bill. Some males have shorter tails - there’s an example in more photos.
Violet-tailed Sylphs were quite abundant at feeders in mountainous, forested areas of northwest Ecuador, and also often seen in the forest.
Directly below, a female Violet-tailed Sylph in northwest Ecuador.
Below, a male Violet-tailed Sylph showing purple bib.
More photos...
Sword Billed Hummingbird
04 April 2011 20:57
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Sword Billed Hummingbird
Latin: Ensifera ensifera
Other: Colibri picoespada (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: W Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, NE Bolivia
Similar:
There can be no mistaking the Sword-billed Hummingbird with its extraordinary 10 cm bill. Although generally a difficult bird to see it was easily viewed at the last feeders on the Yanacocha trail (3500m altitude), and was an occasional visitor to the Guango Lodge feeders when I visited.
Its bill is adapted to feed on flowers with long corollas such as the those of the passionfruit Passiflora mixta.
More photos...Purple Throated Fruitcrow
04 April 2011 19:50
Copyright: monacoeye • Silanche, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Purple Throated Fruitcrow
Latin: Querula purpurata
Other: Querula gorgimorada (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Manakins, Fruitcrows
Range: Southern Nicaragua to Amazonia. Inc. Panama, Ecuador.
Similar:
Above a male Purple-throated Fruitcrow, extending the purple ruff on its neck after calling, in the Rio Silanche Reserve in northwest Ecuador. Females are all black (see “more photos”), only males have the purple throat. Not in the crow family, but related to Cotingas. More photos...
White Throated Quail Dove
04 April 2011 16:28
Copyright: monacoeye • Paz de las Aves, Ecuador • Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: White Throated Quail Dove
Latin: Geotrygon frenata
Other: Paloma Perdiz Goliblanca (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons, Doves
Range: W Colombia, Ecuador to NW Argentina
Similar:
White-throated Quail Doves are not that uncommon, but difficult to see. The first I saw was perched near the ground in dark forest in Santa Lucia, beside a trail. The second was one of a pair walking along the ground in the forest at Paz de las Aves near Mindo.
The White Throated Quail Dove has bright yellow irises, with a dark line on face separating top and bottom halves. Its neck feathers seem to produce a kind of spiral effect.More photos...
Grey Breasted Wood Wren
04 April 2011 16:28
Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Grey Breasted Wood Wren
Latin: Henicorhina leucophrys
Other: Gray Breasted Wood Wren (US) • Sotterey Montes Pechigris (Es)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Mexico to northern Bolivia
Similar: White-breasted Wood-wren
There were several Grey-breasted Wood Wrens in this location in Chiriqui, Panama, and with some patience, we eventually coaxed them out of the gloom of the canopy, for long enough to be visible enough for a photo. As with other wrens, they have an attractive clear song.
The Grey-breasted Wood Wren is similar to the White-breasted Wood Wren, with dark cap and prominent white stripe above eye. The main difference is a grey chest instead of a white chest.
Also seen and heard in NW Ecuador.
More photos...Ornate Flycatcher
04 April 2011 16:22
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Ornate Flycatcher
Latin: Myiotriccus ornatus
Other: Mosquerito Adomado (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Tody Flycatchers
The Ornate Flycatcher was the first flycatcher I photographed in Ecuador, as I walked up the steep slope to the Santa Lucia Reserve. Then seen again in the Milpe Reserve and near Mindo Lindo.
The Ornate Flycatcher is a small bird, quite easily seen on trails, as it will stay still for some time, and is identifiable by its white lores and yellow rump.
More photos...
Dark Backed Wood Quail
04 April 2011 16:21
Copyright: monacoeye • Paz de las Aves, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Dark Backed Wood Quail
Latin: Odontophorus melanonotus
Other: Corcovado dorsioscuro (Es)
Family: Odontophoridae • New World Quail
Range: SW Colombia, NW Ecuador
Similar:
These beautiful Dark-backed Wood-quail came to feed on worms at the Paz de las Aves ranch in Mindo. It has the simplest pattern of the Andean wood-quails, brown with a rufous orange chest.
More photos...Red Crested Cotinga
31 March 2011 11:28
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Red Crested Cotinga
Latin: Ampelion rubrocristatus
Other:
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
I saw these two Red-crested Cotingas on shrubs beside the road up to Yanacocha, at about 3000m altitude. They tend be found at this kind of altitude in the Andes.
The Red-crested Cotinga is easy to identify - a grey, pigeon-sized bird, with long, lank, rufous feathers at back of head, and bright red irises. The red crest is often not visible though when the bird is viewed from the front. One was eating a winged insect.
More photos...Guayaquil Woodpecker
29 March 2011 10:22
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Guayaquil Woodpecker
Latin: Campephilus gayaquilensis
Other:
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: SW Colombia, Ecuador, NW Peru
Similar: Crimson-crested, Lineated, Powerful Woodpecker
The three Guayaquil Woodpeckers above were also seen on my first day, on the journey from the airport to Nanegal.
The male Guayaquil Woodpeckers (on left of trunk) has a badge on the cheek; the female, a broad white line running from the bill down the neck. The female has no black on crest, unlike Powerful and Lineated. The male has no white near bill, unlike Powerful.
The Guayaquil Woodpecker is classed as Near Threatened on IUCN 3.1 because of habitat loss.
Directly below, a female Guayaquil Woodpecker near Nanegal, NW Ecuador.
Directly below, a male Guayaquil Woodpecker in the Rio Silanche Reserve, Ecuador.
More photos...Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl
29 March 2011 00:02
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl
Latin: Glaucidium nubicola
Other: Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl • Mochuelo ecuatoriano (Es)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Colombia and Ecuador
Similar: Andean Pygmy Owl
The guide I was with in Santa Lucia was convinced that the bird above was a rare Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl. On my first morning’s birding in Ecuador, no less. We had just left the Santa Lucia Lodge and were observing some of the regular warblers and tanagers when the guide homed in on a great commotion of birds in a couple of trees.
He became very excited, believing this to indicate the presence of an owl, and scanned the branches for some time trying to find the bird. Eventually he did locate the small Pygmy Owl, which was sitting calmly on a bough with warblers, tanagers and flycatchers all around, mobbing it.
On examination he believed it to be a Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl, which he had only previously heard once, and never seen. It’s a rare bird, classed Vulnerable on the IUCN 3.1 list, with an estimated population of only a few thousand individuals. It has been recorded in Pichincha.
But although I’m happy to defer to more learned opinion, the photo itself is unlikely to be conclusive proof, as the Andean Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium jardinii, although scarce, is much more common with larger range, and looks very similar, with longer tail and more extensive pale spotting or barring on back, sides of chest and flanks. So unless an expert weighs in, the bird pictured could probably be either Cloud-Forest or Andean.
The Andean Pygmy-Owl is generally found above 2000m and the Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl below 2000m - the photo was taken at about 1900m altitude.More photos...
Pacific Hornero
28 March 2011 23:39
Copyright: monacoeye • Pichincha, Ecuador • February 2011
Bird name: Pacific Hornero
Latin: Furnarius cinnamomeus
Other: Pale-legged Hornero (Furnarius leucopus)
Family: Furnariidae • Horneros, Ovenbirds, Spinetails
Range: Ecuador, NW Peru
Similar:
The Pacific Hornero was the first bird I photographed in Ecuador, from the taxi, near Nanegal in Pichincha. The taxi driver told me they were common and had entered the area with the roads a couple of decades ago. But this turned out to be the only individual I got a good view of during my stay.
The Pacific Hornero has recently been split from the Pale-Legged Hornero, which is found further east in South America. The Pacific Hornero is an attractive bird, with a pale yellow iris. Conspicuous and vocal.
More photos...White Winged Tanager
04 March 2011 16:20
Copyright: monacoeye • Nanegal, Ecuador • Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: White Winged Tanager
Latin: Piranga leucoptera
Other: Piranga aliblanca (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers - now Cardinalidae
Range: E Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
This White-winged Tanager was one of the first birds I saw in Ecuador, in Nanegal.
The male White-winged Tanager is a red bird with two white wingbars on a dark wing. The female is yellow, also with two wingbars.More photos...
Silver Throated Tanager
26 January 2011 23:32
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, Chiriqui, May 2010
Bird name: Silver Throated Tanager
Latin: Tangara icterocephala
Other: Tangara garganta de plata (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:
The Silver-throated Tanager is another beautiful tanager. Quite a small bird, and I didn’t see that many of them until I arrived at Los Quetzales in the Chiriqui western highlands of Panama, where they were attracted by the red berries of this fruiting tree.
The Silver-throated Tanager is mostly yellow with green and black markings on back, and distinctive whitish throat, which can look pale turquoise with flash. Throat bordered above with black line.
Also seen at El Monte Lodge, Mindo, northwest Ecuador.
Below, Silver-throated Tanager feeding on berries, Chiriqui, Panama, May.
More photos...White Whiskered Puffbird
06 November 2010 15:20
Copyright: monacoeye • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: White Whiskered Puffbird
Latin: Malacoptila panamensis
Other: Buco bigotiblanco (Es)
Family: Bucconidae • Puffbirds
Range: SE Mexico through to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, W Ecuador
Similar:
We saw a couple of White-whiskered Puffbirds while in Panama. They don’t move around much so are relatively easy to photograph.
These were on Semaphore Hill, near Canopy Tower, and Pipeline Road in the canal zone of central Panama.
They have conspicuous white whiskers around the bill, red irises, and a streaked underparts and tawny chest. The lower half of the bill is light yellowish green.
See comments below for an individual in Silanche, NW Ecuador.More photos...