Birding The Grounds Of The Umbrellabird Lodge, Southern Ecuador

Although the main draw to this area of Ecuador is the El Oro Parakeet, don’t forget that the grounds of the Umbrellabird Lodge are also very birdy and many wonderful species can be seen just from the deck and on a short but steep walk to the lek of the Long-wattled Umbrellabird.

Depending on the time of year, you may want to get up early to see the Umbrellabirds at the lek or wait a bit and see them in the trees.  The trail isn’t far from the lodge but the birds are difficult to find in the trees as they blend in and are quiet so best to go with a guide unless you have very keen eyesight.

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Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan IMG_2438 IMG_2440

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Brown Violetear Hummingbird IMG_2451a IMG_2455a IMG_2297

From the balcony, we saw several flocks of Bronze-winged Parrots and Red-masked Parakeets fly past.IMG_2300 IMG_2301a IMG_2303a IMG_2311 IMG_2311a IMG_2330a IMG_2347a IMG_2351

The hummingbird feeders are constantly busy with many beautiful species!  The guide gave me the list of the ones we saw.  Brown Violetear, White-necked Jacobin, Andean Emerald, Green-crowned Brilliant, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Green Thorntail, Bananaquit, Blue & Grey TanagerIMG_2308 IMG_2355 IMG_2373 IMG_2343a IMG_2346a IMG_2379 IMG_2389a IMG_2397 IMG_2406a

Red-masked Parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys)

The Red-masked Parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys) is a medium-sized parrot from Ecuador and Peru. It is popular as a pet and are known in aviculture as the Cherry-headed Conure or the Red-headed Conure.  Many people will be familiar with them from the movie “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill”.

This was the best I could get in Cerro Blanco, only this one little cutie came fairly close.

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IMG_1958a. Although feral populations are easily seen in parts of California, they are actually natives of southern Ecuador and northern Peru.  The easiest place to see them is Cerro Blanco Reserve just 20 minutes out of Guayaquil.  You could also possibly see them on a day trip from Mindo headed towards the Pacific coast.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT RED-MASKED PARAKEETS

Wikipedia

World Parrot Trust

Birdlife

ABC Birds

California Parrot Project

VIDEOS

Although I was extremely grateful I got to see ONE bird fairly close and a flock flying by in the distance, others were lucky enough to get whole flocks close up!

Meanwhile back in California…………….please note that this is an older video and it is no longer allowed to feed the birds.