One of few high altitude hummingbirds, and not easy to get up close with unless you know it’s favorite specimens of flowering plants in its territory, to which it will return to over and over again. This was the only encounter of my time in Ecuador, albeit from a considerable distance. It sounds like this: […]
I immediately thought of ptarmigans of northern Europe when I encountered this seedsnipe. It is in fact a short-legged wader living on plants and seeds. It sounds like this:
After an amazing experience with a spectacled bear I was on my way to the main road when I noticed this deer feeding not far from the road. So well camouflaged that I had to repeatedly point to it so the others could see it. Elevation: 4077 meters
What an amazing experience it was to see this rare spectacled bear. I spotted it driving to the next destination on my schedule, and could not believe it when I saw this bear high up a hillside. I first tried to walk, but with camera gear adding weight I had to accept defeat and hope […]
A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador and here its visiting a brugmansia trumpet flower. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3089 meters
At 11 cm (4,33 in) and a long bill its one of the larger species of hummingbirds. It’s commonly visiting feeders throughout its range in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3089 meters
One of the smallest of the hummingbird species. Both sexes look alike. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3089 meters
A fantastic experience to have this beautiful bird singing right outside my bedroom. I had hoped to be able to capture it and was hoping it was not frightened by my very slow movements to set up my camera. As often is the case with owls, it was not particularly disturbed, just a couple of […]
A large hummingbird with a distinct hum from its large wings. Its visit to feeders is very brief and sporadic so it’s harder to photograph than many of the other hummers as they patrol their their territory sequentially. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
The white-necked jacobin is a very common visitor to feeders in Ecuador and is unmissable. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
The female white-necked jacobin lacks the striking blue and white of the male, but as is the case with most female birds their duller plumage is so for a reason – to blend in well with the surrounding during nesting to avoid predation. The white-necked jacobin is a very common visitor to the feeders, but […]
One of the larger species of hummingbirds. It’s a common visitor of feeders and gardens in its range in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
Capturing a hummingbird perched for a prolonged time is not easy nor predictable as they perch only for brief moments between feeding and squabbling over territory. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
There’s no mistake when you see the brightly red head of the male, which stands out in the green of the forest. Barbets of both the New and Old World have amazing songs, some with rhythms so precise they might be thought of as machines. This species commonly visits feeding stations where one can enjoy […]
Capturing a hummingbird perched for a prolonged time is not easy nor predictable as they perch only for brief moments between feeding and squabbling over territory. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
A commonly seen bird in its range in Ecuador, and frequently seen at feeding stations providing fruits. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
A commonly seen bird in its range in Ecuador, and frequently seen at feeding stations providing fruits. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
Capturing a hummingbird perched for a prolonged time is not easy nor predictable as they perch only for brief moments between feeding and squabbling over territory. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
In most species humanity has named them after traits of the male, but some go for the female, as is the case for the green honeycreeper where the female is green. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
The female green honeycreeper blends in well with the foliage. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
Capturing a hummingbird perched for a prolonged time is not easy nor predictable as they perch only for brief moments between feeding and squabbling over territory. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
With the same color combination as the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) it might be difficult to tell them apart on the fly, but as the name implies the difference is the shape of the bill. They are more to the orange than yellow and their vocalizations are also different. As with the thick-billed euphonia it […]
A brilliantly colored male of the species often seen at feeding stations in its range in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
This species looks very similar to chestnut-mandibled and yellow-throated toucans, but as the name implies this species only exists in the Chocó region, the Pacific slopes, of Ecuador and Colombia. As with other toucan species it loves handouts of fruits and is a frequent visitor to feeding stations providing favorite fruits like banana and papaya. […]
Capturing birds in the wild is hard as they rarely get close enough, especially for the smaller of the species like this one. A brief encounter at the San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
A striking species that, together with toucans, is a frequent visitor to feeding stations serving bananas and papaya. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
A beautiful species with a very unique vocalization that adds depth and mystery to the myriads of songs in the forest. Sometimes it will rhythmically move the tail like a pendulum in a clock. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
Barbets of both the New and Old World have amazing songs, some with rhythms so precise they might be thought of as machines. This species commonly visits feeding stations where one can enjoy them up close, but their song is heard far and wide and as such you can hone in on them wherever they […]
Barbets of both the New and Old World have amazing songs, some with rhythms so precise they might be thought of as machines. This species commonly visits feeding stations where one can enjoy them up close, but their song is heard far and wide and as such you can hone in on them wherever they […]
My only encounter of the species, and in luck as it was relatively close. Hawks are ambush predators that swoops in on their prey, and we usually locate them by following the agitated calls from its prey, smaller birds, or during their hunt. I located this one by following the agitated calls and flights of […]
In most species humanity has named them after traits of the male, but some go for the female, as is the case for the green honeycreeper where the female is green. A female on this perch would be hard to see against the greens of the forest as she herself is just as green. It […]
There’s no mistake when you see the brightly red head of the male. Barbets of both the New and Old World have amazing songs, some with rhythms so precise they might be thought of as machines. This species commonly visits feeding stations where one can enjoy them up close, but their song is heard far […]
A severely damaged lower mandible with a part missing – perhaps from a fight with a predator. Fortunately the tip of the beak is intact and thus it can grab any food and continue eating like normal, which is to swing the beak fast upwards so the fruit will fly up in the air so […]
This species looks very similar to chestnut-mandibled and yellow-throated toucans, but as the name implies this species only exists in the Chocó region, the Pacific slopes, of Ecuador and Colombia. As with other toucan species it loves handouts of fruits and is a frequent visitor to feeding stations providing favorite fruits like banana and papaya. […]
While I was packing up my gear in the car after a short hike, this lovely parrot landed on this rather flimsy wiring outside a home. As with most species of parrots, this one is also sold and trafficked as a pet, and as such is threatened to become endangered if people are unable to […]
A typical posture when in an agitated or exited state. Here I’m level with the bird up in the canopy, which is the best way to see the world as they do. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1034 meters
An incredible combination of colors and patterns. Although it will visit feeding stations, I only encountered it one place, and that was here in Mashpi. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1310 meters
With the same color combination as the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) it might be difficult to tell them apart on the fly, but as the name implies the difference is the shape of the bill. Their vocalizations are also different. As with the thick-billed euphonia it is a common visitor to feeding stations offering various […]
With its green plumage the crimson-rumped toucanet blends in perfectly with the canopy, and can be hard to see. It will happily visit feeding stations and is common in its range, but I only encountered it twice during my visit. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1310 meters
A juvenile female. The male is all black, except for the lemon-colored rump. A species commonly seen on feeding stations in it’s range in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1310 meters
This species is one of the smallest of the hummingbirds, and weighs just 3 g (0,11 oz) and is commonly seen in Ecuador. This is a male green thorntail, and the largest of the sexes, measuring 10 cm (3.9 in) long. Its small size makes the wings sound like a large bumble bee. It sounds […]
A large and brilliantly green species that visits feeders and gardens in its range in Ecuador. Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) feeding while the empress brillian is on its way in to get some more. There is frequently fierce fights around these flowers and feeders, where either size or impudence will grant a sip of nectar. […]
With its long bill the brown inca is easy to distinguish from other species. It’s frequently visiting feeders and is commonly seen in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1310 meters
A common and widespread species frequenting feeders throughout it’s range in Ecuador. The only way to fully capture and freeze the fast moving wings of the hummingbirds is through flash photography, and each exposure is a way to study in detail every adjustment they perform which are too fast and frequent to our eyes and […]
I only recall seeing this species here in Mashpi, and am happy I was able to capture it. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1310 meters
This species is one of the smallest of the hummingbirds, and weighs just 3 g (0,11 oz) and is commonly seen in Ecuador. This is a female green thorntail, the smallest of the sexes, measuring just 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long. Its small size makes the wings sound like that of a large bumble bee. […]
Most tanagers are incredibly colorful birds, and this is no exception. It’s common in its range in Ecuador and visits gardens with fruiting trees and feeding stations. This is in the cloud forest and the fog comes and goes, and this was shot during a brief window of slightly less fog. Other times the birds […]
A tanager commonly seen eating from fruiting trees in gardens and from feeding stations throughout its range in Ecuador. The image seems dim or foggy, and is exactly what it is as this is in the cloud forest. At times the fog was so dense there was nothing to see – even if it was […]
My first and only brief encounter of this species, at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
A brief encounter at the San Jorge Eco-lodge in Tandayapa. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
A male in surveying mode, slowly moving its head to scan the surrounding for any insects it can capture. It can sit like this for a very long time, despite its colorful underside, it’s hard to see when perched. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
An amazingly beautiful plumage that is only indicated in this dull, overcast and foggy capture. When Sunlight hits the plumage in the right angle to the viewer it sparkles. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2051 meters
As the name implies this is a species of violetear hummingbird with little color, except the violet “ears”. The other violetears are brilliant green. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2051 meters
Unmistakable with its long violet colored tail feathers, but as with all of the hummingbird’s plumage the colors are brilliant only at the right angle of light to the viewer. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2051 meters
A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador taking a quick rest between sips of nectar. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2051 meters
Frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2051 meters
A common visitor to gardens and feeders in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2051 meters
With its green plumage the crimson-rumped toucanet blends in perfectly with the canopy, and can be hard to see. It will happily visit feeding stations and is common in its range, but I only encountered it twice during my visit. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
A female in a typical posture, slowly moving its head to survey the surrounding and any insects it can capture. It can sit like this for a very long time, despite its colorful underside, it’s hard to see when perched. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
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 […]
As the name implies this is a fruit eater, and thus also a seed-disperser, yet I’ve never encountered it by any feeding stations. It blends in very well with the foliage, so it’s best notices during flight or vocalizations. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2039 meters “]
This is such a unique looking species, unmistakable and like no other bird species. I’ve encountered it deep in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela, by the camp near Angel falls, and it’s just incredible to see the orange plumage stand out from the all-green foliage. Getting close to them at a lek, the site […]
This species is one of the smallest of the hummingbirds, at just 7.5 cm (3 in) long and weighing nearly 3 g (0,11 oz). It’s commonly seen in Ecuador. Its small size makes the wings sound like a large bumble bee. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
A frequent and persistent visitor to feeders in its range, and at this location in Ecuador I had plenty of of opportunities to capture it. Other species might come just once or twice in several hours. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
It’s during flight, or if perched even in a gust of wind, the elegance and beauty of its tail feathers truly come to life as they sway and flash its colors as it moves, hovers or fights of rivals. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
A common species in Ecuador, and one I encountered on every location I visited in its range. Parts of its primary feathers seemed to be growing out, yet its flight skills was unimpeded by this. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
It’s during flight the elegance and beauty of its tail feathers truly come to life as they sway and flash its colors as it moves, hovers or fights of rivals. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
Unmistakable with its long violet colored tail feathers. The long tail is at its most mesmerizing during flight. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
A brief encounter at at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1749 meters
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 […]
One of the larger species of hummingbirds and with a long bill to macth. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador. Here it’s visiting one of a large number of species of fuchsia. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A common hummingbird at higher elevations. These hummers are so small (just 6,5-7mm / 2,55-2,75 inch) their wings sound like bumble bees. This is the male. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A common hummingbird at higher elevations. These hummers are so small (just 6,5-7mm / 2,55-2,75 inch) their wings sound like bumble bees. This is the female. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador. Here it’s visiting one of a large number of species of fuchsia. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
As the name implies this is a species that take a short-cut to the nectar by piercing the flower at its base, and with it also circumvents the pollination of the flowers it pierces. Thus the flower is not getting anything in return. This behavior is seen in many species, even some insect species will […]
A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador. Here it’s visiting a large inflorescence of a succulent. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A very frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador and here its presence gave me ample opportunities to get shots from any angle. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
It resembles the lesser violetear (Colibri cyanotus), but the lesser is distinctly smaller. The lesser violetear also lacks the blue spot on the belly – seen in picture below. A White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant) is rather small compared to the sparklilng violetear. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
At 11 cm (4,33 in) and a long bill its one of the larger species of hummingbirds. It’s commonly visiting feeders throughout its range in Ecuador. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A common and widespread species in Ecuador, and very frequent visitor to feeders. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A species of hummingbird that often sits on the flower during nectar probing rather than hovering. Box sexes have the same plumage. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
A common bird at high altitudes in Ecuador. It has an energetic and bubbly series of vocalizations. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3536 meters
A fitting name, as in the right light and angle the rump and lower back will truly shine brilliantly in green and purple. In all other angles it seems rather blandly colored. It sounds like this: Elevation: 3211 meters
Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.
It is found in central Mexico to Bolivia, Central Chile. Altitude 3400 metres.
It is found in central Mexico to Bolivia, Central Chile. Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.
Altitude 3400 metres.