Miles To The Wild

VIDEOS

A rare clip of a Flame-faced Tanager NOT on a banana feeder!

And some close-ups.

Chestnut-tipped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus derbianus)

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Tara

The Chestnut-tipped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus derbianus) is a South American species of bird in the Ramphastidae family. It occurs in humid highland forests along the east Andean slope from southernmost Colombia to Bolivia.

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They can be found in the very southern part of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia. They are fairly common in the Mindo area and I saw this one at the Mirador Restaurant near Milpe Sanctuary.

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VIDEO

There wasn’t much on video of this bird but I did find one of the general area that includes the Toucanet at 11:08. The mist gives you an idea of the weather I was dealing with during our trip.

Choco Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Tara

The Choco Toucan (Ramphastos brevis) is a large, mainly black bird found in humid lowland and foothill forests on the Pacific slope of Colombia and Ecuador. Within its range, extensive habitat destruction is taking place, but it remains fairly common locally.

They are only found in Ecuador & Colombia but much of their habitat is difficult to reach by the average tourist. Mindo is probably the easiest place to see them readily.

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VIDEOS

Ever wonder what sound a Choco Toucan makes?

Oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis)

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Tara

The Oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis), locally known as the guácharo, are birds found in the northern areas of South America (including the island of Trinidad in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago). Nesting in colonies in caves, they are nocturnal feeders on the fruits of the oil palm and tropical laurels. They are the only nocturnal flying fruit-eating birds in the world (the kakapo is flightless). They forage at night, with specially adapted eyesight. However they navigate by echolocation in the same way as bats, and are one of the few kinds of birds known to do so. They produce a high-pitched clicking sound of around 2 kHz that is audible to humans.

DSCN1264 DSCN1251 IMG_3186a Although they have a large range in the northern part of South America, there are a few Oilbird caves which are easier to access such as Chontal near Mindo, Rio Claro in Colombia & Asa Wright’s in Trinidad.

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VIDEOS

Mindo Oilbirds showing the love!

Night flights

Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Tara

The Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster) is a species of bird in the Fringillidae (finch) family. They were formerly considered tanagers (Thraupidae).

IMG_3467a IMG_3465a DSCN1521 These bright little birds have a huge range in South America and are favourites at banana feeders at lodges within their range. I saw them just about everywhere in Mindo – Angel Paz, Sachatamia and Milpe.

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VIDEOS

Not one to turn down free bananas!

Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii)

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Tara

The Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii) is a species of hummingbird and a firm favourite with birders in Ecuador. The fashion-forward little beauty not only sports the distinctive rackets on the end of his long tail but different coloured boots! On the western slopes of the Andes (Mindo area), the hummingbirds are sophisticated and elegant in fluffy white boots. On the eastern slopes (WildSumaco, Napo, etc) they dazzle in rusty orange boots. Either way, they are dressed for success and you won’t want to miss them!

These 2 photos showing white boots were taken at Angel Paz Refuge in Mindo area.

This little guy is proudly showing his orange boots at Wildsumaco. See the iridescence by night! DSCN2141

You can find them in in the Andean cordillera of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. They are easily seen at the hummingbird feeders in most lodges in the Mindo area and at Wildsumaco Lodge.

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American Bird Conservancy

VIDEOS

Filmed at Wild Sumaco, this video shows how fast they really are.

Looking adorable with very puffy boots!

There’s a short clips here NOT at a hummingbird feeder.

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus)

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Tara

The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus), also known as tunki (Quechua), is a large passerine bird of the cotinga family native to Andean cloud forests in South America. It is widely regarded as the national bird of Peru.

DSCN1081 DSCN1076 DSCN1083 DSCN1074 Watching their antics as they dance around hoping to attract the ladies is one of the highlights of a birding trip to South America. There are a few leks easily accessible to tourists- Paz de las Aves (Angel Paz) near Mindo in Ecuador; Jardin in Colombia & the Cock of the Rock Lodge in Manu, Peru.

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VIDEOS

This is a case where you need to see and hear the birds to fully appreciate them. Here’s a few clips filmed (in order) in Mindo, Jardin & Manu.

Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis)

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Tara

The Volet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) is a species of hummingbird.which lives in areas from 300–2,100 metres (980–6,890 ft) in elevation, though typically above 900 metres (3,000 ft) on the west slope of the Andes.

I may not go in much for “selfies” but I am more than happy to take “sylphies”!

They are found in Ecuador & Colombia. Probably the most easily accessed locations to eco-tourists would be the hummingbird feeders at lodges in the Mindo area. I took these photos at Sachatamia Lodge.

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