Whoah, an unprecedented 66 Top Birds! I knew this was going to blow out when I reached the Top 20 (chronologically) and was still in Ecuador with Colombia, the Caribbean and Australia’s Northern Territory still to come. I haven’t even included 1/3 the birds who should be on this list otherwise I would be here all day. This has been an epic year for travel and the birds have been spectacular! Hummingbirds, Antpittas, Cock-of-the-rock, Finches, Bowerbirds, and of course Parrots everywhere! This list will be heavily slanted towards Parrots as I chose the birding location based on target species, most of which were parrots. I’ve tried to focus this list on birds that are highly endangered, unusual, beautiful and/or lifers for me – preferably that I got a decent photo of. I had extremely bad luck with my Hail Mary photo shot attempts in Colombia so I have to take some license there. Maybe my camera doesn’t like altitude or cloud forests? Anyway, without further ado, feast your eyes on these beauties!
- GREY-CHEEKED PARAKEET – seen at Cerro Blanco, Ecuador
2. PACIFIC PARROTLET – seen at Cerro Blanco, Ecuador
3. WHITE-BREASTED PARAKEET – seen at Podocarpus, Ecuador
4. BLUE-NECKED TANAGER – seen at Podocarpus, Ecuador
5. EL ORO PARAKEET – seen at Buenaventura, Ecuador
6. UMBRELLABIRD – Seen at Buenaventura, Ecuador
7. RED-FOOTED BOOBIES – Galapagos, Ecuador
8. ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK – Seen at Mindo, Ecuador
9. BOOTED RACKET-TAIL – Seen at Mindo & WildSumaco, Ecuador
10. OILBIRD – Seen at Mindo, Ecuador
11. BRONZE-WINGED PARROT – Seen at Mindo, Ecuador
12. CHOCO TOUCAN – seen at Mindo, Ecuador
13. ROSE-FACED PARROT – Seen at Mindo, Ecuador
14. BLACK-HEADED PARROT – Seen at Napo, Ecuador
15. HOATZIN – Seen at Napo, Ecuador
16. DUSKY-HEADEAD PARAKEET – Seen at Napo, Ecuador
17 PLUM-THROATED COTINGA – Seen at Napo, Ecuador
18. WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN – Seen at Napo, Ecuador
19. MILITARY MACAW – Seen at WildSumaco, Ecuador (sorry this was the best I could do)
20. WIRE-CRESTED THORNTAIL – Seen at WildSumaco, Ecuador
21. MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET – Seen at Wildsumaco, Ecuador
22. SAN ISIDRO OWL – Seen at Cabanas San Isidro, Ecuador
23. TOURMALINE SUNANGEL – Seen at Guango Lodge, Ecuador & Jardin, Colombia
24. SANTA MARTA PARAKEET – Seen at El Dorado, Colombia (photo from ProAves, I was too far away to get one)
25. BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA – Seen at El Dorado, Colombia
26. SCARLET-FRONTED PARAKEET – Seen at El Dorado, Colombia
27. MASKED TROGON – Seen at El Dorado, Colombia
28. YELLOW-EARED PARROT – Seen at reserve near Jardin, Colombia
29. SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD – Seen at finca above Jardin
30. ANDEAN MOTMOT – Seen near Jardin, Rio Blanco Reserve and Termales San Vincente, Colombia
31. GOLDEN PLUMED PARAKEET – Seen at Rio Blanco, Colombia
32. CHESTNUT-CROWNED ANTIPITTA (in addition to all the Antpittas) – Seen at Rio Blanco, Colombia
33. RUSTY-FACED PARROT – Seen flying over Paramo near Manizales, Colombia, too fast to get a photo
34. RAINBOW-BEARDED THORNBILL – Seen at Termales del Ruiz, Colombia
35. FUERTES PARROT – Seen very poorly at a distance near Termales San Vincente, didn’t get a photo.
36. BROWN-BREASTED PARAKEET – Seen near BioAndina, Bogota, Colombia
37. RUBY TOPAZ HUMMINGBIRD – Seen at Yerette, Trinidad
38. SCARLET IBIS – Seen at Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad
39. GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET – Seen at Aripo Livestock Station, Trinidad
40. TUFTED COQUETTE – Seen at Asa Wright’s, Trinidad
41. BEARDED BELLBIRD – Seen at Asa Wright’s, Trinidad
42. ST LUCIA AMAZON PARROT – Seen at Des Cartiers Trail, St Lucia
43. PURPLE THROATED CARIB HUMMINGBIRD – Seen in St Lucia & St Vincent
44. ST VINCENT AMAZON PARROT – Seen on Vermont Trail, St Vincent
45. IMPERIAL AMAZON PARROT (SISSEROU) – Seen at Syndicate Trail, he’s in here somewhere!)
46. ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD – Seen at Syndicate Trail, Dominica
47. RED-NECKED PARROT (JACO) – Seen at Syndicate Trail, Dominica
48. PUERTO RICAN PARROT – Seen at Rio Abajo, Puerto Rico
49. PUERTO RICAN TODY – Seen at El Yunque, Puerto Rico
50. RAINBOW PITTA – Howard Springs, Darwin, Australia
51. RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO (BANKSII) – Everywhere Northern Territory, Australia
52. ROSE-CROWNED FRUIT DOVE – Seen at Howard Springs, Darwin, Australia
53. RED-COLLARED LORIKEETS – Seen everywhere, Northern Territory, Australia
54. HOODED PARROT– Seen at Pine Creek, Australia
55. DOUBLE-BARRED FINCH – Seen at Edith Falls, Australia
56. PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY WREN – Seen (at a distance) near Victoria River Crossing, Australia
57. BLUE-WINGED KOOKABURRA – Seen at Nitmiluk National Park, Australia
58. GREAT BOWERBIRD – Seen at Katherine (Museum grounds), Australia
59. NORTHERN ROSELLA – Seen in Katherine, Australia
60. VARIED LORIKEET – Seen at Donkey Camp Weir, Katherine, Australia
61 GOULDIAN FINCHES (MOSTLY JUVENILES) – Seen at Edith Falls Road, NT, Australia
62. AZURE KINGFISHER – Seen at Kakadu NP, Australia
63. WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE – Seen at Kakadu NP, Australia
64. LITTLE KINGFISHER – Seen at Kakadu NP, Australia
65. COMB-CRESTED JACANA – Seen at Kakadu NP, Australia
66. EMERALD DOVE – Seen in Darwin, Australia
