At 10cm (4in) this is one of the smaller species of antpittas. It’s song is very simple in comparison to many of the other species, with just a single note. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2039 meters “]
The secretive antpittas are heard for the most part and seen only when you patiently and carefully hone in on their location. Even then it will often be their incredibly beautiful and far reaching song that you will carry with you in your heart. Some extremely patient individuals have over time gained the trust of […]
Many of the antpitta species have incredible vocal abilities, and the rufous antpitta is one of those. They live in dense forests where the reach of sound is severely limited by the dense vegetation. Thus is must deliver sound waves reaching far and wide. Yet, as with many species, it also have tender, mellow and […]
Yanacocha has recently succeeded in domesticating the Rufous Antpitta, something my guide was unaware of the first time we went to this reserve in November. Luckily I wanted to go back to fill idle time in Quito before my departure back to Europe in December. I was photographing only 20 metres away and still did […]
The lodge currently has two antpitta feeding stations, and this one is by far the darkest and most difficult, as the Peruvians are wary and small. This translates to a great distance (focus distance is 15 metres) between where the worms are placed and where I can stand. Although it’s 08:13 in the morning, it’s […]
This is from the feeding area closest to the lodge and the second species of Antpitta that is now domesticated enough to both accept worms from humans as well as spectators. Without the efforts of the lodge (and other parks in Ecuador) it would be much harder to see them, and most would have to […]
According to Angel Paz we arrived a bit late (09:00 being the latest this Antpitta would respond to “hails”, which was our time of arrival at this location). It was not certain we would see it at all. He called for 15-20 minutes and I was certain it was too late. Then it just appeared […]
Not far from Tandayapa – about 45 minutes by car – the Paz family changed their ways from tradition to bird and eco-tourism. Something that would not have been possible if it wasn’t for Angel. His countless months of patience with the wild birds, and in particular the elusive Antpittas, have paid off in an […]