Surfbirds Birding Trip Report: Ecuador - A Five-month Nature Photographers Odyssey

Photos with this report

Black-chinned Mountain Tanager

Golden-headed Manakin

Great Sapphirewing

Jocotoco Antpitta

Rainbow Starfrontlet

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe

Hi Everyone!

I will keep this report short and sweet. In January of 2009 I headed to Ecuador for a five-month nature photography trip. I visited locations throughout the country and photographed nearly 400 species of birds including many of the countries most spectacular birds.

To view images from the trip visit - www.glennbartley.com

To read my full travel journal visit - here

To see video blogs visit - here

And if anyone is interested in joining me early in 2011 for a photo workshop that I will be leading in Ecuador visit - www.naturesphotoadventures.com

All the best everyone!

Glenn

Species Lists

Species that I photographed included:

HUMMINGBIRDS

* Andean Emerald (Amazilia franciae)
* Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhyncus)
* Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii)
* Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni)
* Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata)
* Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae)
* Buff-tailed Coronet (Boissonneaua flavescens)
* Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini)
* Chestnut-breasted Coronet (Boissonneaua matthewsii)
* Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)
* Fawn-breasted Brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides)
* Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula)
* Violet-fronted Brilliant (Helidoxa leadbeateri)
* Golden-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis mosquera)
* Saphire-vented Puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani)
* Hoary Puffleg (Haplophaedia lugens)
* Gorgeted Sunangel (Heliangelus stropianus)
* Tourlamine Sunangel (Heliangelus exortis)
* Great Saphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus)
* Purple-bibbed Whitetip (Urosticte benjamini)
* Purple-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox mitchellii)
* White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant)
* Little Woodstar (Chaetocercus bombus)
* Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
* Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)
* Tyrian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina)
* Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni)
* Viridian Metaltail (Metallura williami)
* Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis)
* Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingi)
* Green-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia nuna)
* Black-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae)
* White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
* Purple-chested Hummingbird (Amazilia rosenbergi)
* Green Thorntail (Popelairia langsdorffi)
* Wire-crested Thorntail (Popelairia popelairii)
* Green-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania fannyi)
* Emerald-bellied Woodnymph (Thalurania hypochlora)
* Fork-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata)
* Violet-bellied Hummingbird (Damophila julie)
* White-whiskered Hermit (Phaethornis yaruqui)
* Baron's Hermit (Phaethornis baroni)
* Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)
* Gray-chinned Hermit (Phaethornis griseogularis)
* Straight-billed Hermit (Phaethornis bourcieri)
* Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans)
* Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi)
* Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps)
* Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
* Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)
* Ecuadorian Hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo)
* White-tailed Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri)
* Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris)
* Amazilia Hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia)
* Purple-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus viola)
* Rainbow Starfrontlet (Coeligena iris)
* Loja Hummingbird (Amazilia alticola)
* Mountain Velvetbreast (Lafresnaya lafresnayi)
* Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis)
* Flame-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus micraster)
* Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)
* Glittering-throated Emerald (Amazilia Fimbriata)
* Spangled Coquette (Lophornis stictolophus)
* Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)
* Black-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa schreibersii)
* Empress Brilliant (Heliodoxa imperatrix)
* Napo Sabrewing (Campylopterus villaviscensio)
* Many-spotted Hummingbird (Taphrospilus hypostictus)
* Gould's Jewelfront (Heliodoxa aurescens)
* Golden-tailed Sapphire (Chrysuronia oenone)
* Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas)
* Ecuadorian Piedtail (Phlogophilus hemileucurus)
* Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti)
* Band-tailed Barbthroat (Threnetes ruckeri)

HONEYCREEPERS, EUPHONIAS, FLOWERPIERCERS & TANAGERS

* Black Flowerpiercer (Diglossa humerialis)
* Glossy Flowerpiercer (Diglossa lafresnayii)
* Masked Flowerpiercer (Diglossopis ctanea)
* Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
* Purple Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
* Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina)
* Giant Conebill (Oreomanes fraseri)
* Cinerous Conebill (Conirostum cinereum)
* Chestnut-vented Conebill (Conirostrum speciosum)
* Blue-winged Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus somptuosus)
* Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager (Anisognathus notabilis)
* Lacrimrse Mountain-Tanager (Anisognathus lacrymosus)
* Scarlet-breasted Mountain-Tanager (Anisognathus igniventris)
* Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus)
* Golden-naped Tanager (Tangara ruficervix)
* Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)
* Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala)
* White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)
* Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
* Guira Tanager (Hemithraupis guira)
* Green-and-Gold Tanager (Tangara schrankii)
* Yellow-bellied Tanager Tangara xanthogastra)
* Lemon-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus icternotus)
* Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
* Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)
* Blue-necked Tanager (Tangara cyanicollis)
* Spotted Tanager (Tangara punctata)
* Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leveriana)
* Masked Tanager (Tangara nigrocincta)
* Black-capped Tanager (Tangara heinei)
* White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera)
* Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola)
* Golden-eared Tanager (Tangara chrysotis)
* Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis)
* Flame-faced Tanager (Tangara parzudakii)
* Dusky-faced Tanager (Mitrospingus cassinii)
* Yellow-throated Bush-tanager (Chlorospingus flavigulais)
* Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager (Cnemoscopus rubrirostris)
* Black-faced Dacnis (Dacnis lineata)
* Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)
* Golden-rumped Euphonia (Euphonia cyanocephala)
* Black-capped Hemispingus (Hemispingus atropileus)
* Bananaquit (Coerba flaveola)

ANTPITTAS

* Giant Antpitta (Grallaria gigantea)
* Moustached Antpitta (Grallaria alleni)
* Yellow-breasted Antpitta (Grallaria flavotincta)
* Tawny Antpitta (Grallaria quitensis)
* Jocotoco Antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi)
* Rufous Antpitta (Grallaria rufula)
* Chestnut-crowned Antpitta (Grallaria ruficapillas)

FINCHES, SALTATORS, GROSBEAKS, SPARROWS, SISKINS

* Tricolored Brush-finch (Atlapetes tricolor)
* White-winged Brush-finch (Atlapetes leucopterus)
* Rufous-naped Brush-Finch (Atlapetes latinuchus)
* Safron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
* Lesser Seed-Finch (Oryzoborus angolensis)
* Collared Warbling-Finch (Poospiza hispaniolensis)
* Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis)
* Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila castaneiventris)
* Yellow-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis)
* Plumbeous Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus unicolor)
* Ash-breasted Sierra Finch (Phrygilus plebejus)
* Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
* Yellow-browed Sparrow (Ammodramus aurifrons)
* Black-capped Sparrow (Arremon abeillei)
* House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
* Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina)
* Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
* Southern Yellow-Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
* Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)
* Graysh Saltator (Saltator coerulescens)
* Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
* Yellow-bellied Siskin (Cardeulis xanthogastra)
* Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis)

NEW WORLD WARBLERS

* Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca)
* Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis)
* Slate-throated Whitestart (myioborus miniatus)
* Spectacled Whitestart (Myioborus melanocephalus)
* Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi)
* Three-striped Warbler (Basileuterus tristriatus)
* Choco Warbler (Basileuterus chlorophrys)
* Buff-rumped Warbler (Basileuterus fulvicauda)
* Citrine Warbler (Basileuterus luteoviridis)
* Mangrove Warbler (Dendroica petechia)
* Olive-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis semiflava)

THRUSHES

* Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
* Ecuadorian Thrush (Turdus maculirostris)
* Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater)
* Plumbeous-backed Thrush (Turdus reevei)
* Glossy-black Thrush (Turdus serranus)
* Black-billed Thrush (Turdus ignobilis)

RAPTORS, VULTURES & OWLS

* Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
* Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
* Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
* Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
* Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus)
* Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
* Variable Hawk (Buteo polyosoma)
* American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
* Carunculated Caracara (Phalcoboenus carunculatus)
* Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata)
* Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (Otus watsonii)
* Tropical Screech-Owl (Otus choliba)

MANAKINS

* Club-winged Manakin (Machaeropterus deliciosus)
* White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus)
* Blue-crowned Manakin (Lepidothrix coronata)
* Golden-headed Manakin (Pipra erythrocepala)

PELICANS, BOOBIES, FRIGATEBIRDS, ETC.

* Nazca Booby (Sula granti)
* Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)
* Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii)
* Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
* Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

NIGHTHAWKS, NIGHTJARS & POTOOS

* Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)
* Ladder-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
* Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
* Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus)

PUFFBIRDS

* White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis)
* Pied Puffbird (Notharchus tectus)
* Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)
* White-fronted Nunbird (Monasa morphoeus)

ICTERIDS

* Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus)
* Russet-backed Oropendola (Psarocolinus angustifrons)
* Scrub Blackbird (Dives warszewiczi)
* Moriche Oriole (Icterus chrysocephalus)
* Oriole Blackbird (Gymnomystax mexicanus)
* Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela)

TROGONS, MOTMOTS, JAYS & KINGFISHERS

* Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus assimilis)
* Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris)
* Choco Trogon (Trogon comptus)
* Northern Violaceous Trogon (Trogon caligatus)
* Western White-tailed Trogon (Trogon chionurus)
* Amazonian White-tailed Trogon (Trogon viridis)
* Black-tailed Trogon (Trogon melanurus)
* Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps)
* Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii)
* Inca Jay (Cyanocorax yncas)
* Turquoise Jay (Cyanolyca turcosa)
* Violaceous Jay (Cyanocorax violaceous)
* Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
* Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
* American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea)
* Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher (Chloroceyle inda)
* Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)

FLYCATCHERS

* Smoke-colored Pewee (Contopus fumigatus)
* Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)
* Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
* Golden-crowned Flycatcher (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus)
* Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
* White-tailed Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
* Ecuadorian Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes gualaquizae)
* Barred Becard (Pachyramphus versicolor)
* Yellow-cheeked becard (Pachyramphus xanthogenys)
* Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant (Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus)
* Scale-Crested Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus)
* Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus)
* Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus)
* Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum)
* Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)
* Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
* Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant (Cnemarchus erythropygius)
* Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant (Myiotheretes striaticollis)
* Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca fumicolor)
* Crowned Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca frontalis)
* Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
* Paramo Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola alpina)
* Tufted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes parulus)
* Black-throated Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus granadensis)
* Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)
* Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)
* Lemon-browed Flycatcher (Conopias cinchoneti)
* Rufous-breasted Flycatcher (Leptopogon rufipectus)
* Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus)
* Olive-chested Flycatcher (Myiophobus cryptoxanthus)
* Short-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox)
* Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
* Cinnamon Flycatcher (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea)
* Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea)
* Slender-footed Tyrannulet (Zimmerius gracilipes)
* Tumbes Pewee (Contopus punensis)
* Masked Water-Tyrant (Fluvicola nengeta)
* Lesser Kiskadee (Philohydor lictor)
* Black-tailed Tityra (Tityra cayana)
* Grayish Mourner (Rhytipterna simplex)
* Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans)

MIMIDS, GNATCATCHERS, VIREOS, PIPITS & DIPPER

* White-capped Dipper (Cinclus leucocephalus)
* Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea)
* Long-tailed Mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus)
* Black-capped Donacobius (Donacobius atricapillius)

WRENS

* Gray-breasted Wood Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys)
* House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
* Rufous Wren (Cinnycerthia unirufa)

ANTBIRDS

* Immaculate Antbird (Myrmeciza immaculata)
* Blackish Antbird (Cercomacra nigrescens)
* Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul)
* Lined Antshrike (Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus)
* Collared Antshrike (Sakephorus bernardi)

GNATCATCHERS AND VIREOS

* Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys)

WOODCREEPERS

* Montane Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger)
* Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius)
* Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus)

WOODPECKERS

* Crimson-mantled Woodpecker (Piculus rivolii)
* Guayaquil Woodpecker (Campephilus gayaquilensis)
* Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani)
* Smoky-brown Woodpecker (Veniliornis fumigatus)
* Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
* Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Veniliornis callonotus)
* Yellow-tufted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cruentatus)

COTINGAS

* Orange-breasted Fruiteater (Pipreola jucunda)
* Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana)
* Plum-throated Cotinga (Cotinga maynana)
* Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana)
* White-browed Purpletuft (Iodopleura isabellae)

TOUCANS

* Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris)
* Pale-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus erythropygius)
* Many-banded Aracari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
* Ivory-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus azara)
* Black-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus)
* Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus)
* White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus)

PIGEONS & DOVES

* Plumbeous Pigeon (Columba plumbea)
* Pale-vented Pigeon (Columba cayennensis)
* White-throated Quail-Dove (Geotrygon frenata)
* Black-winged Ground-Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera)
* Rock Dove (Columba livia)
* Croaking Ground-Dove (Columbiana cruziana)

FURNARIIDS

* Pearled Treerunner (Margarornis squamiger)
* Streak-capped treehunter (Thripadectes virgaticeps)
* Spotted Barbtail (Premnoplex brunnescens)
* Red-faced Spinetail (Cranioleuca erythrops)
* Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner (Anabacerthia variegaticeps)
* Montane Foliage-Gleaner (Anabacerthia striaticollis)
* Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner (Automolus ochrolaemus)
* Andean Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura andicola)
* Bar-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscus)
* Many-striped Canastero (Asthenes flammulata)
* White-chinned Thistletail (Schizoeaca fuliginosa)
* Stout-billed Cinclodes (Cinclodes excelsior)
* Pacific Hornero (Furnarius cinnamomeus)
* Streaed Tuftedcheek (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii)
* Azara's Spinetail (Synallaxis azarae)

JACAMARS & BARBETS

* Coppery-chested Jacamar (Galbula pastazae)
* Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda)
* Great Jacamar (Jacamerops aureus)
* White-eared Jacamar (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis)
* Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii)
* Orange-fronted Barbet (Capito squamatus)
* Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus)

DUCKS, GREBES, COOTS, RAILS & GALLINULES

* Andean Coot (Fulica rdesiaca)
* Andean Ruddy-Duck (Oxyura ferruginea)
* Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)
* Andean Teal (Anas andium)
* Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica)
* Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis)
* Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica)
* Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica)

SHOREBIRDS

* Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens)
* Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
* Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
* Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus
* Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)
* Gray Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
* Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
* Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia)
* Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
* Wandering Tattler (Heteroscelus incanus)
* Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
* Sanderling (Calidris alba)
* Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
* Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

GULLS

* Andean Gull (Larus serranus)
* Gray-hooded Gull (Larus cirrocephalus)

CRACIDS, WOOD QUAIL & SEEDSNIPES

* Rufous-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis erythroptera)
* Speckled Chachalaca (Ortalis guttata)
* Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe (Attagis gayi)
* Common Piping-Guan (Pipile pipile)

HERONS, IBIS & SPOONBILL

* Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)
* Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
* Great Egret (Ardea alba)
* Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
* Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
* Striated Heron (Butorides striatus)
* Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)

CUCKOOS & HOATZIN

* Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
* Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
* Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)
* Greater Ani (Crotophaga major)
* Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

PARROTS, PARAKEETS & PARROTLETS

* Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis)
* Gray-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhopterus)
* White-breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura albipectus)
* Cobalt-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris cyanoptera)
* Mealy Amazon Parrot (Amazona farinosa)
* Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus)
* Dusky-headed Parakeet (Aratinga weddellii)

SWALLOWS

* Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx reficollis)
* White-banded Swallow (Atticora fasciata)
* White-winged Swallow (Tachycineta albiventer)