We continue with our birding trip to Ecuador in 1994.
Andean Lapwing - Vanellus resplendens We saw 40 at the Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 17th and 60 there on the 27th and 9 in a ploughed field near Pifo below Papallacta Pass on the 28th.
Fairly common bur somewhat local in paramo and open areas with short grass near water. Recorded mostly from 3500 to 4400 m.
Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus An immature was seen on both visits to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 17th and 27th. This species is considered accidental in the high Andes by Birds of the High Andes which doesn’t list any records from Ecuador at that altitude.
Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca We saw six on our first visit to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi but just three on our second visit. Fairly uncommon boreal winter visitor. In Ecuador favours freshwater locations with their numbers being highest from Aug to Oct.
Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes We saw six on our first visit to Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi. Boreal winter visitor to the shallow pools, lagoons and wet fields. The largest concentration in Ecuador are at the Ecuasal lagoons in W. Guyas where counts of 500 to 1,000 are recorded.
Andean Gull - Larus serranus We saw 6 at Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 17th and an impressive 80 were seen there on the 27th including a single adult sat on a nest at the back of the lake on both dates. A flock of 18 were seen in a field being ploughed between Papallacta Pass and Pifo on the 21st. Uncommon to locally fairly common in the temperature zone and paramo, often nesting on islets. Recorded mostly from 3000 to 4200 m.
Band-tailed Pigeon - Columba fasciata albilinea We saw up to 20 daily on our four dates at Cajanuma Cabin in Podocarpus NP, 2 at Cotopaxi, 30 along the Nono Mindo road and 20 at Pasochoa. Widespread in the canopy of forests etc., and recorded mostly between 1500 and 3000 m.
Plumbeous Pigeon - Columba plumbea Up to 3 were seen daily around Mindo and along the Nono Mindo road with others heard. Fairly common in the canopy and borders of humid forests of E. Ecuador, also in montane forests in the foothills on the west slope of the Andes.
Ruddy Pigeon - Columba subvinacea We saw, and more importantly heard, just five at Tinalandia on the 19th. Fairly common in the canopy and borders of humid forests in the lowlands of both E and W Ecuador, and recorded up to 1700m.
Black-winged Ground-Dove - Metriopelia melanoptera saturatior A party of seven were seen on the flat plain above Laguna de Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi on the 27th. Much better than expected appearing almost Sandgrouse-like in flight. Uncommon to locally fairly common in paramo and adjacent agricultural areas but very rarely in towns.
Poor record shot of a Red-billed Parrot - Pionus sordidus sordidus Up to 10 were seen on two dates spent along the road to the obelisk above Mindo and a flock of 20 were seen along the Nono Mindo road the following day. Uncommon to fairly common in the canopy and borders of montane forests in the subtropical zone on both slopes of the Andes. Mainly recorded at 1200 to 2300 m.
Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata chapmani A superb individual was seen at its daytime roost at Rio Palenque on the 20th. Uncommon in humid and deciduous forests in the lowlands of both E and W Ecuador. Two races are present in Ecuador.
Fork-tailed Woodnymph – Thalurania furcata JFC photographed an obliging female at Rio Palenque on the 20th. Locally common and widespread in the lower growth of humid forests. Recorded mainly below 1000 m.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird - Amazilia tzacatl jucunda A pair were seen in the grounds of the Hotel Zaracay near Santo Domingo with a few seen at Tinalandia and a single individual seen on the outskirts of Tandayapa village. Common and widespread in clearings, gardens and secondary woodland and forest boarders.
Chimborazo Hillstar - Oreotrochilus chimborazo jamesoni It was disappointing to only see 3 females on the higher slopes of Cotopaxi on the 17th and was therefore a relief to see 3 males and 2 females on a hillside near Laguna de Limpiopungo on the 27th. One of the highlights of the trip. Uncommon in paramo in the Andes in fairly arid regions.Recorded mostly from 3600 to 4600 m.
Black-tailed Trainbearer - Lesbia victoriae victoriae We saw up to 5 near Quito Airport on the 8th, 7 at Pasochoa on the 16th with 1 there on the 26th and 2 at Cotopaxi on the 17th. Fairly common in shrubby areas, gardens. Recorded mostly from 2500 to 3800 m.
Rufous Motmot - Baryphthengus martii A superb adult was watched for some time before it retreated into the forest along the lower section of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 23rd. Uncommon in the lower growth of humid forests. Ranges mostly below 900m.
Rufous-tailed Jacamar - Galbula ruficauda melanogenia A pair were seen just outside the entrance to the forest trail near the water tank at Tinalandia on the 19th. Uncommon in lower growth of humid forest and woodland boarders.
Red-headed Barbet - Eubucco bourcierii First seen along the entrance trail at Rio Bombuscara in the Podocarpus NP where 1 was seen on the 12th and 2 on the 13th, then at Tinalandia where a pair were seen at their nest-hole on the 19th, and finally 1 along the upper section of the road to the obelisk above Mindo on the 24th. Two races are found in Ecuador, it is uncommon in the canopy and borders of montane forests and secondary woodland in the foothills and subtropical zone on both slopes of the Andes. It ranges from 800 to 1900 m but in the West it occurs much lower even down to near sea-level.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet - Aulacorhynchus haematopygus sexnotatus. We saw three at Tinalandia on the 19th and up to two on two dates around Mindo. Fairly common in the canopy and borders of humid and montane forests on the west slope of the Andes. Smaller numbers are present in the adjacent humid lowlands. Only one race has been identified from Ecuador, and ranges from 500to 2000 m although occasionally at lower or higher levels.
Record shot of a Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan - Andigena hypoglauca lateralis. Excellent views were obtained along the road to the Cajanuma Cabin in the Podocarpus NP of a party of four c.800m below the HQ sign on the 10th and one lower down on the 15th. A superb species proving a highlight of the trip. Rare to locally common in the canopy of montane forests on the East slope of the Andes, extending as far West as the West slope of the Andes. Mostly recorded between 2500 and 3300 m but in recent years it has been found at much lower levels. In 1994 it was given Near-threatened status by Collar. We found it difficult to photograph, as the majority kept well within the middle of the trees.
Black-cheeked Woodpecker - Melanerpes pucherani Singles were seen at Tinalandia on the 19th and at Rio Palenque on the 20th. Fairly common to common in forests and secondary woodlands on both slopes of the Andes. Found mostly below 800 m, but has also been recorded upto 1300 to 1500 m in recently cleared areas above Mindo.
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker - Piculus rivolii brevirostris We saw at least 2 at Pasochoa on the 26th obtaining some good photographs. Superb. Just one race, uncommon to fairly common and widespread in montane forests and is persisting in patially deforested areas as well. Ranges from 1900 to 3300 m.
We will continue with this trip report on our No.3 blog
