monaco eye birds

Olivaceous Piha

Olivaceous Piha - Snowornis cryptolophus
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy

Bird name: Olivaceous Piha
Latin: Snowornis cryptolophus
Other: Piha olicacéa (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Pihas
Range: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Grey-tailed Piha, tanagers

Although Birds of Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield, 2001) puts the Pihas on the Flycatchers plate (and uses old genus name Lathria), as they look rather similar, in fact, Pihas are related to Cotingas.

I was lucky in that a good Dutch guide (can’t remember name) with another group managed to call this one down from the tree tops at Paz de las Aves. We then observed it swooping and the guide even took a recording. Note light eye-ring.More photos...
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Andean Cock of the Rock

Andean Cock of the Rock - Rupicola peruvianus
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy

Bird name: Andean Cock of the Rock
Latin: Rupicola peruvianus
Other: Gallo de la Peña Andino (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Cock-of-the-Rocks
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:

The Andean Cock of the Rock is a superb bird, emblematic of the Mindo - Choco region. Tours can be taken to visit Cock of the Rock leks at several places, where anything from two or three individuals to two or three dozen males will gather daily in a lek at dawn to be selected by a female. Good weather helps and the “summer” (around June) is said to be the breeding season.

Photography is difficult for all but the latest generation of cameras, because you are shooting in the dark - flash is not allowed. If you can shoot above 3000 ISO and have a fast, stabilised lens, you should be OK.

Santa Lucia has a very good lek, well over a dozen males turned up on the day we attended, despite it being off-season, with no female and rain in the night. But it’s a fair old trek in the morning - a couple of hours before dawn, some through deep mud on steep paths. Before that, just to reach Santa Lucia involves an excruciating two-hour walk up the mountainside in thin air, unless you happen to be a mountain goat, in which case it will take you an hour.

I saw a female flying though the forest at San Isidro - it perched above us.

Andean Cock of the Rock - Rupicola peruvianusMore photos...
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Orange Breasted Fruiteater

Orange Breasted Fruiteater - Pipreola jucunda
Copyright: monacoeye • Pas de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy

Bird name: Orange Breasted Fruiteater
Latin: Pipreola jucunda
Other: Frutero pechinaranja (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Fruiteaters
Range: Colombia to Ecuador
Similar: Scarlet-breasted Fruteater, female Black-Chested Fruiteater

We were treated to very good views of one or two Orange-breasted Fruiteater at Angel Paz’s ranch, feeding on two sorts of berry. The colour of the tree above seems to match the Orange-breasted Fruiteater’s colours perfectly. Angel notices what trees attract particular birds and tries to plant accordingly.

A hawk was circling nearby, which seemed to keep the fruiteaters stuck to their branches.

The orange-breasted Fruiteater has a well-defined yellow-orange chest and neck, black hood, lemon-yellow belly and rich green upperparts. Iris is yellow-orange. Beautiful birds, males are unmistakable in Ecuador, females are mostly green, striated underparts, with orange bill and yellow iris.

In Ecuador only found in northwest, mid altitude.

Orange Breasted Fruiteater - Pipreola jucundaMore photos...
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Green and Black Fruiteater

pipreola_riefferii_green_and_black_fruiteater_01
Copyright: monacoeye • Guango Lodge, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy

Bird name: Green and Black Fruiteater
Latin: Pipreola riefferii
Other: Frutero verdinegro (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Fruiteaters
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Black-chested Fruiteater

We saw and heard male and female Green-and-black Fruiteaters several times, but although responsive to calls, they proved difficult to photograph, often perching directly above our heads!

The male has a dark hood and bib, bright orange bill and legs, yellow-green underside with marks, and dark leaf-green upperside, with some black.

The female (further below) is plainer and more uniform green, with no black hood, but still orange bill.

Directly below, a male Green-and-black Fruiteater, which was calling to a nearby female.
pipreola_riefferii_green_and_black_fruiteater_02More photos...
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Scaled Fruiteater

ampelioides_tschudii_scaled_fruiteater_01
Copyright: monacoeye • Pas de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy

Bird name: Scaled Fruiteater
Latin: Ampelioides tschudii
Other: Frutero escamado (Es)
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas, Fruiteaters
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:

Just one sighting of this Scaled Fruiteater, at Paz de las Aves, which perched right above me then flew off…

Note short tail and contoured feathers.
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Three Striped Warbler

Three Striped Warbler - Basileuterus tristriatus
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Three Striped Warbler
Latin: Basileuterus tristriatus
Other: Reinita cabecilistada (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:

I saw Three-striped Warblers on the slope up to Santa Lucia and at San Isidro, Ecuador, but they are fast-moving and very tricky to photograph…

Three Striped Warbler - Basileuterus tristriatusMore photos...
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Black Crested Warbler

Black Crested Warbler - Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Crested Warbler
Latin: Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Other: Reinita crestinegra (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar:

This Black-crested Warbler was seen at Guango Lodge, but again, hard to photograph.
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Toucan Barbet

Toucan Barbet - Semnornis ramphastinus
Copyright: monacoeye • Pas de las Aves, Ecuador, Feb 2011 • Do not copy

Bird name: Toucan Barbet
Latin: Semnornis ramphastinus
Other: Barbudo Tucán (Es)
Family: SemnornithidaeNew World Barbets
Range: Western Colombia to western Ecuador
Similar:
Red List: Near threatened

The colourful Toucan Barbet is an emblematic bird for the region around Santa Lucia, where duetting birds can be heard resounding across the mountainside. The original indiginous residents of the area share the same name as this Choco endemic in the local tongue. [I don’t recall the name - if anyone knows please leave in comments below.] Many thanks to Heike for jogging my memory - the name is Yumbo.

Toucan Barbets have now been placed in their own family, Semnornithidae, by the IOC and SACC, alongside the Prong-billed Barbet of Costa Rica. Though for convenience they are tagged here with New World Barbets.

Although I saw Toucan Barbets on many occasions in Santa Lucia - they’re good birds for guides to call in - the best views were at Paz de las Aves, where they visit the feeders.

The Toucan Barbet is classed as near-threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss.

Toucan Barbet - Semnornis ramphastinusMore photos...
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Black Banded Owl

Black Banded Owl - Strix huhula
Copyright: TC/monacoeye • San Isidro, Ecuador • Sep 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Banded Owl
Latin: Strix huhula
Other: Cárabo negro (Es) • Coruja-preta (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Similar: Black-and-white Owl

Thanks to Tom for this great shot of the resident Black-banded Owl at San Isidro Lodge, in Ecuador. If you visit, be sure to ask a guide to point him out for you. When I visited he was on top of the tall palm tree near the entrance to the lodge one night - too far for a decent photo.More photos...
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Masked Flowerpiercer

Masked Flowerpiercer - Diglossa cyanea
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Masked Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa cyanea
Other: Pinchaflor enmascarado (Es)
Family: ThraupidaeTanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Bluish Flowerpiercer, Indigo Flowerpiercer

Beautiful rich colours on these fast-moving Masked Flowerpiercers. Large black mask and red eye with blue body. Females duller. Seen in several locations, will visit nectar feeders. The best location, where there were large numbers feeding, was at the end of the Yanacocha trail - 3800 m.

If you don’t get a good view, can be confused with Bluish Flowerpiercer.More photos...
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White Sided Flowerpiercer

White Sided Flowerpiercer - Diglossa albilatera
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Sided Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa albilatera
Other: Pinchaflor flanciblanco (Es)
Family: ThraupidaeTanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Black Flowerpiercer

Above a female White-sided Flowerpiercer, which is light brown with a fleck of white on its side just visible behind the bend of the wing. The male, below, is black, with the same white fleck.

White-sided Flowerpiercers were easy to see at the Santa Lucia Reserve (1800m), fog and rain notwithstanding, as they visited a flowering bush outside the lodge every day I was there. I also saw males at San Isidro.

Below, male White-sided Flowerpiercer - uses hooked bill to pierce the base of flowers.
White Sided Flowerpiercer - Diglossa albilateraMore photos...
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Glossy Flowerpiercer

Glossy Flowerpiercer - Diglossa lafresnayii
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Glossy Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa lafresnayii
Other: Pinchaflor satinado (Es)
Family: ThraupidaeTanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: Black Flowerpiercer, White-sided Flowerpiercer

The Glossy Flowerpiercer is all black, with white patch on shoulder and hooked bill-tip. Only confusion in Ecuador could be White-sided Flowerpiercer, whose white patch is lower down, under the wing.

Seen in good numbers at the feeders at the end of the Yanacocha trail at 3800 m altitude.
More photos...
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Black Flowerpiercer

Black Flowerpiercer - Diglossa humeralis
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa humeralis
Other: Pinchaflor negro (Es)
Family: ThraupidaeTanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Similar: White-sided Flowerpiercer, Glossy Flowerpiercer

This seems likely to have been a Black Flowerpiercer, seen at San Isidro Lodge. Black Flowerpiercers are all black, with hooked bill tip, to pierce the base of flowers and reach the nectar. So you need a good view of the side to eliminate White-sided and Glossy Flowerpiercers.More photos...
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Bluish Flowerpiercer

Bluish Flowerpiercer - Diglossa caerulescens
Copyright: monacoeye • Yanacocha, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bluish Flowerpiercer
Latin: Diglossa caerulescens
Other: Pinchaflor azulado (Es)
Family: ThraupidaeTanagers, Flowerpiercers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Masked Flowerpiercer, Indigo Flowerpiercer

Record shots of (probable) Bluish Flowerpiercer at San Isidro Lodge, Ecuador. Bill is smaller than Masked, mask is smaller and does not extend behind eye. Iris also red. More blue-grey than bright blue.More photos...
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Black Fronted Nunbird

Black Fronted Nunbird - Monasa nigrifrons
Copyright: monacoeye • Anaconda Island, March • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Fronted Nunbird
Latin: Monasa nigrifrons
Other: Monja frentinegra (Es) • Chora-chuva-preto (Br)
Family: BucconidaePuffbirds, Nunbirds
Range: Amazonian Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. And E Brazil.
Similar:

Small groups of calm Black-fronted Nunbirds were quite easy to observe on disembarkation on Anaconda Island, in the Upper Napo region, and then again near the raised habitations. They have bright orange bills and black plumage. In Ecuador they live in the Amazonian Oriente region.More photos...
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Pied Puffbird

Pied Puffbird - Notharchus tectus
Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Ecuador, October 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Pied Puffbird
Latin: Notharchus tectus
Other: Buco Pinto (Es) • Macuru-pintado (Br)
Family: BucconidaePuffbirds
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador through Amazonia to Brazil
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom for the great photo above of a Pied Puffbird, in Ecuador. With white spotting to crown, and larger black band.

In Panama, the Pied Puffbird has a narrow black collar and white-tipped tail, differentiating it from other Notarchus Puffirds. More photos...
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Slate Throated Whitestart

Slate Throated Whitestart - Myioborus miniatus
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Santa Lucia, Ecuador, March.

Bird name: Slate Throated Whitestart
Latin: Myioborus miniatus
Other: Slate-throated Redstart • Candelita goliplomiza (Es) • Mariquita-cinza (Br)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers, Whitestarts
Range: Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Guianas, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina.
Similar: Parulas, Euphonias

One of the most widespread and frequently-seen passerines in Ecuador in March at mid-altitude - fast-moving but will perch nearby. Seen on the slope up to Santa Lucia, Mirador Rio Blanco, Paz de las Aves and Milpe, but the best views were at San Isidro (above). Often found in mixed flocks.

In Panama, I only saw them in the eastern Chiriqui province, where they are known by the old name of Slate-throated Redstart. They did not live close to huts like the Collared Whitestart, so were seen less frequently.

The Slate-throated Whitestart is yellow below, slate above, extending over head and throat (unlike the Parulas in Panama). Longish tail with white outer feathers distinguishes it from Euphonias. Small rufous crest is sometimes difficult to see. One fanned its tail frequently (photo below).

Slate Throated Whitestart - Myioborus miniatus

Directly above and below, Slate-throated Whitestarts, Chiriqui, Panama, May. © monacoeye
Slate Throated Whitestart - Myioborus miniatusMore photos...
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Spectacled Whitestart

Spectacled Whitestart - Myioborus melanocephalus
Copyright: monacoeye • Guango Lodge • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Spectacled Whitestart
Latin: Myioborus melanocephalus
Other: Candelita de anteojos (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers, Whitestarts
Range: S Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, N. Bolivia
Similar:

The Spectacled Whitestart replaces the Slate-throated Whitestart at higher elevations. These were seen at Guango Lodge.

Distinctive marks include rufous crest and yellow “spectacles” around eye. Underparts are yellow and upperparts slate grey. Longish tail feathers, white below.

At times the rufous crest can be obscured, sometimes yellow unibrow stretches across both eyes, sometimes black above bill.

Spectacled Whitestart at Guango Lodge, Ecuador. March. © monacoeye
Spectacled Whitestart - Myioborus melanocephalusMore photos...
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Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Blackburnian Warbler
Latin: Dendroica fusca
Other: Reinita de garganta naranja (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers
Range: Canada, East USA - migrating to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia
Similar:

A bright flash of orange at the Santa Lucia Reserve in Ecuador, in March, is sure to be a Blackburnian Warbler. These cheerful small birds were also particularly easy to see around San Isidro Lodge.

The adult male Blackburnian Warbler (above) has strong orange, black and white markings. Females and juveniles and non-breeding plumages (below) are greyer and have less orange.

Directly below probably female or juvenile Blackburnian Warbler. Ecuador, March. ©
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fuscaMore photos...
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Russet Crowned Warbler

Russet Crowned Warbler - Basileuterus coronatus
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Russet Crowned Warbler
Latin: Basileuterus coronatus
Other: Reinita coronirrojiza (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar:

The Russet-Crowned Warbler was seen at Guango Lodge and San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador in March.

These are Basileuterus coronatus orientalis, which have light-grey (not yellow) underparts, found on the eastern slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. Main distinguishing mark is the russet stripe on crown.More photos...
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Black and White Warbler

Black and White Warbler - Mniotilta varia
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black and White Warbler
Latin: Mniotilta varia
Other: Reinita blancinegra (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers
Range: Canada, E USA - Mexico to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, West Indies
Similar:

We just saw one Black-and-White Warbler (rare according to the guide), at San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador in March. An attractive migrant warbler with only black and white markings. The male has a black throat, non-breeding plumage has white throat and lighter underparts.
More photos...
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Canada Warbler

Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis
Copyright: monacoeye • Ecuador • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Canada Warbler
Latin: Wilsonia canadensis
Other: Reinita Collareja (Es)
Family: ParulidaeNew World Warblers
Range: Canada, East USA - migrating to Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia etc
Similar:

Canada Warbler were seen on several occasions at San Isidro Lodge, Ecuador, in March.

Adult male Canada Warblers (above) have strong black “necklace”markings on a yellow underside. Females and juveniles (below) have fainter markings.

Directly below female or juvenile Canada Warbler. Ecuador, March. ©
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensisMore photos...
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Red Backed Sierra Finch

Red Backed Sierra Finch - Phrygilus dorsalis
Copyright: DK/monacoeye • Chile/Bolivia • March 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Backed Sierra Finch
Latin: Phrygilus dorsalis
Other:
Family: ThraupidaeTanagers, Sierra Finches
Range: Bolivia, Chile, Argentina
Similar:

Thanks to Dirk for sending in this pic of a Red-Backed Sierra Finch, spotted on the border of Chile and Bolivia at 4000m in March.

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Booted Racket Tail

Booted Racket Tail - Ocreatus underwoodii
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Lucia, Ecuador • Feb 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Booted Racket Tail
Latin: Ocreatus underwoodii
Other: Colaespátula zamarrito (Es)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: N Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia
Similar: Purple-bibbed White-tip female

The Booted Racket-Tail was one of the first hummingbirds I saw in Ecuador, at 1800 m altitude at the Santa Lucia Reserve feeders. Then at other feeders, for example, the excellent hummingbird set-up at Mindo Lindo, and at nearby Septimo Paraiso, but not lower down in the town of Mindo.

The male Booted Racket-Tail (above) is instantly recognisable by its long tail feathers, terminating in purple “rackets” (more difficult to identify when regrowing these feathers) and fluffy white thigh “boots”. Otherwise mostly green, with white post-ocular mark and brown wings.

The female (directly below) is more difficult to identify. She has a normal-sized tail, white chest and underparts, greenish upperside (coppery with flash) which stretches down round the sides leaving a few spots on the belly. She has smaller thigh puffs, pale feet, dark bill, white post-ocular spot, white tail-tip, and faint short white malar stripe.

There are two subspecies in Ecuador: peruanus female has buff thighs and crissum and more spotting on chest, melanantherus - the one seen NW of Quito - has white puffs and crissum and white chest.

Directly below, a female Booted Racket-Tail in northwest Ecuador. Copyright monacoeye.
Booted Racket Tail - Ocreatus underwoodiiMore photos...
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Zenaida Dove

Zenaida Dove - Zenaida aurita
Copyright: NR/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • St Barths, June 2011

Bird name: Zenaida Dove
Latin: Zenaida aurita
Other:
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons & Doves
Range: West Indies, North America, also Yucatan Peninsula
Similar: Mourning Dove, Eared Dove

Many thanks to Nathalie for this shot of a Zenaida Dove in St Barths !

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Green Throated Carib

Green Throated Carib - Eulampis holosericeus
Copyright: RP/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • St Barths, June 2011

Bird name: Green Throated Carib
Latin: Eulampis holosericeus
Other: Colibri falle-vert (Fr)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles, St Barths, St Maarten, Virgin Is, Martinique, Guadeloupe etc
Similar:

Many thanks to Bob for this shot of a Green-throated Carib nesting in his garden in St Barths !
More photos...
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Black Capped Donacobius

Black-capped Donacobius - Donacobius atricapilla
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Napo, Ecuador, Mar 2011

Bird name: Black-capped Donacobius
Latin: Donacobius atricapilla
Other: Donacobio (Es) • Japacanim (Br)
Family: Donacobiidae • Black-capped Donacobius
Range: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyanas, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, N Argentina
Similar:

We saw our first Black-capped Donacobius clinging to reedtops in flooded pasture beside the road down to Tena from Quito. Then further east, in the upper Napo region, in a river-island marsh.

They are vocal, often duetting, ‘kwik, kwik, kwik’, and conspicuous, hopping up to see what you are doing then retreating. When duetting they display their orange throats.

The Donacobius is placed in a family of its own here, following the IOC classification, but opinions differ - originally it was thought to be a wren, and now perhaps a type of old-world warbler.

The Black-capped Donacobius is found throughout northeast South America, including the Amazon basin and Pantanal.

The Donacobius is cream below, brown-black above, black head and bill, bright orange-yellow iris, with relatively long black and white tail feathers. So easy to identify in Ecuador.


Below, a pair of duetting Black-capped Donacobius, nr Tena, Ecuador, March
Black-capped Donacobius - Donacobius atricapillaMore photos...
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Turquoise Jay

Turquoise Jay - Cyanocorax turcosa
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Guango, Ecuador, Feb 2011

Bird name: Turquoise Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax turcosa
Other: Urraca Turquesa (Es)
Family: CorvidaeCrows, Jays
Range: Southern Colombia, Ecuador, northern Peru
Similar: Black-collared Jay, Beautiful Jay

Turquoise Jays are the most visible large bird around Guango Lodge in Ecuador. They come close to the lodge in the morning and feast on the insects attracted by the night lights.

They have an electric blue plumage under flash, and are bright cobalt blue in normal light, with black eyemask and thin chinstrap - unlike the rarer Black-collared Jay which has a thick chin strap.

They live at altitude - 2 to 3 thousand metres - so higher than Inca Jays, though their ranges overlap a little at Guango.

One also seen in Bellavista.

Below, a Turquoise Jay at Guango Lodge in Ecuador. Copyright: monacoeye.comTurquoise Jay - Cyanocorax turcosaMore photos...
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Inca Jay

Inca Jay - Cyanocorax yncas
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • San Isidro, Ecuador, Feb 2011

Bird name: Inca Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax yncas
Other: Urraca Inca (Es)
Family: CorvidaeCrows, Jays
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Similar: Green Jay

A stunning Inca Jay at the San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador, where they were much in evidence, especially in the morning, feeding on the insects attracted by the lights at night.

Inca Jays have recently been split from the Green Jay - their northern counterpart.

In addition to their beautiful plumage, Inca Jays have a wonderful repertoire of different noises and calls. They tend to move around in groups.

In Ecuador they’re found in the highlands of the east slope of the Andes and are unmistakable.

Below, an Inca Jay at San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador.
Inca Jay - Cyanocorax yncasMore photos...
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Violaceous Jay

cyanocorax violaceus - violaceous jay
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • nr Tena, Ecuador, Feb 2011

Bird name: Violaceous Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax violaceus
Other: Urraca Violácea (Es) • Gralha-violácea (Br)
Family: CorvidaeCrows, Jays
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana
Similar:

A couple of record shots of a Violaceous Jay we saw when driving back to Quito from the Oriente near Tena. I didn’t recognise it as a jay at the time - it’s larger than the Inca Jay.

On the photo below though you can see the characteristic white nape. Violaceous Jays are found in Ecuador only in Amazonia, so the road near Tena is at the edge of its range. This was the only individual I saw.

cyanocorax violaceus - violaceous jay
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Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula
Copyright: monacoeye • France • Mar-Jun 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Tufted Duck
Latin: Aythya fuligula
Other: Fuligule morillon (Fr) • Porrón moñudo(Es) • Reiherente (De) • Moretta (It)
Family: AnatidaeDucks
Range: Widespread Eurasia - Africa, N Asia
Similar: Greater Scaup

Wild Tufted Ducks winter in the Camargue, but I’ve also seen them in a park in Nice in the summer, perhaps feral.

The male Tufted Duck (above) has a round purple head and bright yellow iris, with long tuft at back of head, bluish bill and white flanks.

The female Tufted Duck (directly below) and juveniles have dark plumage. Males in eclipse plumage also have dark flanks (see “more photos”).

Directly below, female Tufted Duck, Iceland, May, 2011
tufted duck, female

Directly below, male and female, Iceland, May.
tufted duck, male and femaleMore photos...
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Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres
Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Madeira, October 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ruddy Turnstone
Latin: Arenaria interpres
Other: Turnstone • Rola-do-mar, vira-pedras (Pt) • Tournepierre à collier (Fr) • Steinwälzer (De) • Vuelvepiedras común (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Sandpipers
Range: Breeds near northern coastlines, eg Scandinavia, Iceland, Alaska, migrating southwards worldwide eg Washington, Massachussets, Brazil, China, Japan

Many thanks to Alexia for sending in these photos of Turnstones. Above in non-breeding plumage, in Madeira, October. Directly below, coming into breeding plumage in Iceland, April.

The Turnstone is identifiable by orange legs and dark chest pattern and its behaviour of flipping over stones when looking for insects or crustaceans.

Directly below, Ruddy Turnstone in Iceland, April, breeding plumage
ruddy turnstone Iceland breeding plumageMore photos...
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