Ecuador Birding – The place Each Feather Tells a Story
From October 26, 2025 by way of November 8, 2025 I joined 5 different adventurers and an impressive photographer and birding information (Liron Gertsman) with Eagle-Eye Excursions to Ecuador. This weblog collection highlights the animals (principally birds), folks and places we encountered over the 14 full days on this lovely land.
*Until in any other case indicated within the picture caption, all images (>99%) are mine.
**Finest when considered on full laptop display screen**
Ecuador Birding: Weblog Submit #7
“And Nonetheless Extra Hummingbirds”
A Reflections of the Pure World Weblog Submit Sequence by Jim Acquire
DAY 1 – Morning (9:15 am)
The morning continued to unfold with a way of quiet surprise as we took within the emerald embrace of the cloud forest. Mist clung to the branches, drifting in delicate veils throughout the valley, whereas the distant silhouette of Pichincha Volcano rose like a sentinel above the horizon. I took a second to pause, respiratory within the damp, earthy air and letting my eyes wander throughout the huge great thing about this panorama—a dwelling tapestry of moss‑laden bushes, tangled vines, and blossoms glowing in opposition to the grey mild.
After which, as if the forest itself wished to punctuate the second, a SHINING SUNBEAM burst into view. Our sixth hummingbird of the day, it landed boldly on a perch in full daylight, its coppery wings igniting with a metallic brilliance that shimmered like fireplace. For a heartbeat, the hen appeared to carry the complete scene collectively—the volcano, the mist, the forest, and our personal astonishment—reminding us that in locations like this, surprise arrives not in grand gestures, however in sudden flashes of colour and life.
Its plumage glowed copper and bronze within the muted mild, as if lit from inside—an ember in opposition to the cool inexperienced of the forest. It hovered briefly, catching the sunshine in a approach that appeared virtually supernatural. The title felt completely chosen, not only for its radiant colours however for the best way it appeared—instantly, brilliantly, after which vanished like a beam of daylight slipping by way of the clouds.
It was instantly chased off by a COLLARED INCA, which swept in like a feathered thunderbolt. The Inca didn’t simply arrive—it claimed the perch with the boldness of a hen that is aware of it guidelines these excessive‑Andean feeders. Its inky‑black plumage absorbed the dim mild, making the crisp white collar round its neck blaze even brighter, like a ceremonial sash worn by a mountain monarch. With every sharp, decisive motion, it radiated a form of regal authority, wings flicking with the impatience of a creature unaccustomed to sharing. For a second, the complete clearing appeared to revolve round it.
After one other spherical of admiring the valley and the distant volcano, we picked up one more new hummingbird—SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD—a small, subtly marked species with nice white speckles throughout its throat and chest, mixing fantastically with the dappled mild of the forest.
It was a morning of magic—of uncommon birds, fleeting glimpses, and the quiet thrill of being precisely the place you have been meant to be.
Simply then, Edwin known as out, “GORGETED SUNANGEL! Fast, come {photograph} it! This can be a rarity right here—it usually doesn’t come this excessive.” I occurred to be standing in precisely the proper place and managed to seize a collection of photographs.
The hen was dazzling—its throat ablaze with fiery magenta, its compact physique shimmering with violet and inexperienced. It perched for only a second, a jewel in opposition to the mossy backdrop, earlier than vanishing into the cover.
After which the decision rang out, “Black-breasted Puffleg!“
NEXT UP: EB#8 “The Critically Endangered Black-breasted Puffleg“
Extra Images and Video
Earlier Ecuador Birding Weblog Posts:
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EB7 – AND STILL MORE HUMMINGBIRDS!
In October 2025, Jim Acquire joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its wealthy biodiversity and gorgeous landscapes over 14 days. The weblog collection chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This submit focuses on extra hummingbird and tanager species seen on the Zuro Loma Birding Reserve on the Western facet of the Andes.
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EB6 – WHEN ANTPITTAS COME CALLING
In October 2025, Jim Acquire joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its wealthy biodiversity and gorgeous landscapes over 14 days. The weblog collection chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This submit focuses on two species of antpittas photographed and the primary sighting of Sword-billed Hummingbird, the highest goal hen on the Zuro Loma Birding Reserve on the Western facet of the Andes.
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EB5 – THE ECUADOR SPECIES LIST GROWS
In October 2025, Jim Acquire joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its wealthy biodiversity and gorgeous landscapes over 14 days. The weblog collection chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This submit focuses on the altering landscapes and the primary batch of birds on the Zuro Loma Birding Reserve on the Western facet of the Andes.
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EB4 – UNOFFICIAL SIDETRIP TO ZURO LOMA
In October 2025, Jim Acquire joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its wealthy biodiversity and gorgeous landscapes over 14 days. The weblog collection chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This submit focuses on the drive by way of Quito upwards to the Zuro Loma Birding Reserve on the Western facet of the Andes.
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EB3 – FIRST LIGHT BIRDING AT PUEMBO BIRDING GARDEN
In October 2025, Jim Acquire joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its wealthy biodiversity and gorgeous landscapes over 14 days. The weblog collection chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This submit focuses on the early morning birds encountered at Puembo Birding Gardens.
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EB2 – AN AIRPORT WELCOME AND ARRIVAL AT PUEMBO BIRDING GARDEN
From October 26 to November 8, 2025, Jim Acquire joined a birding tour in Ecuador with Eagle-Eye Excursions. Along with his ft now on the bottom, this submit begins from his arrival at Mariscal Sucre Worldwide Airport and his arrival at Puembo Birding Backyard.
