Synopsis: A distant silhouette quickly grew to become a panoramic, overhead encounter as Andean Condors dominated the canyon skies at Tambo Cóndor, their historic majesty framing a morning the place smaller excessive‑Andean specialists flickered again into view beneath their sweeping shadows.
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 excellent photographer and birding information (Liron Gertsman) with Eagle-Eye Excursions to Ecuador. This weblog collection highlights the animals (principally birds), folks and areas we encountered over the 14 full days on this stunning land.
A Reflections of the Pure World Weblog Publish Sequence by Jim Acquire
**As a result of excessive decision and high quality of the pictures on this weblog collection it’s extremely beneficial
that readers view posts in Panorama Mode on a desktop PC from the precise blogsite at Ecuador Birding**
DAY 10 – Early Afternoon
Andean Condor
Out of the morning haze, a broad-winged shadow unfurled itself towards the sky.
The primary trace of the Andean Condor got here not from element, however from form—a distant silhouette sliding alongside the far cliffs, wings held in that unmistakable shallow “V.” Even at nice distance, there was no mistaking it. The chook was huge, regular, and totally unhurried, driving the thermals with the authority of one thing that has dominated these mountains for millennia. One other silhouette joined it, then a 3rd, each tracing lengthy, easy arcs alongside the canyon partitions. They have been distant, however completely identifiable, their huge wings catching the morning gentle as they drifted out and in of view. It was a quiet, reverent second—the form of sighting that reminds you why the condor is the nationwide chook of Ecuador and featured on my Ecuador Birding brand.
When the condors lastly slipped behind a distant ridge, the canyon appeared to exhale, and the smaller residents of Tambo Cóndor stepped again into the foreground.
Tyrian Metaltail
From the terrace edge, a tiny spark of iridescence flickered into view.
A Tyrian Metaltail flickered alongside the terrace edge, its metallic tail catching the solar in fast, sensible flashes. It hovered with a pointy, needling precision, wings whirring because it inspected every bloom with territorial confidence. In sure angles the chook appeared to ignite, its greens and purples flaring like gem stones struck by sudden gentle, a tiny spark of coloration towards the huge Andean backdrop.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Excessive above the canyon, a broad-winged shadow carved gradual circles within the rising air.
A Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle soared overhead, its broad wings and daring patterning slicing a pointy silhouette towards the sky. It circled with gradual, deliberate energy, driving the thermals with the convenience of a chook that is aware of each contour of the canyon. When it banked, the pale underwings flashed open like a banner, revealing the stark distinction that makes the species unmistakable even at nice top. Its presence added a way of scale—reminding you simply how immense these mountains actually are.
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Out of the flowering shrubs, a ribbon of emerald and tail-plume drifted into the sunshine.
Alongside the flowering shrubs, a Black-tailed Trainbearer drifted in with its impossibly lengthy tail streaming behind it. The tail moved like a ribbon caught in a mild breeze, trailing the chook in elegant, fluid arcs because it hovered from flower to flower. Its emerald physique glowed within the morning gentle, and each shift of place appeared choreographed, as if the chook have been performing a slow-motion dance throughout the terrace.
Black Flowerpiercer
Among the many blooms, a darkish, quick-moving silhouette labored the flowers with practiced precision.
A Black Flowerpiercer adopted, working the blooms with its curved, specialised invoice. It moved with fast, purposeful vitality, darting between flowers and pausing solely lengthy sufficient to pierce the bottom of every corolla with practiced effectivity. The shiny black plumage absorbed the sunshine, giving the chook a glossy, virtually shadow-like presence among the many brilliant blossoms. Regardless of its refined look, its busy foraging added a full of life rhythm to the scene.
After which, in a second that felt scripted by the mountains themselves, a condor swept straight overhead.
After which, as if the morning wished to shut the loop it had opened, one of many condors returned—this time straight overhead. Its wings spanned the sky, casting a slow-moving shadow throughout the terrace. The chook handed so shut that the white collar round its neck glowed within the daylight, a short, breathtaking reminder of the dimensions and majesty of those mountains. Even after the condor drifted away, the second hung within the air, unattainable to shake.
The day’s journey, nonetheless, was solely starting. Forward lay a drive throughout the Andes as soon as extra, with a deliberate cease at Mitad del Mundo, the monument marking the equator, earlier than persevering with westward towards Tandayapa, the place we might spend the following couple of nights exploring a completely new aspect of the Andean story.
NEXT UP: EB#60 “Between Hemispheres: A Cease at Mitad del Mundo on the Method to Tandayapa Lodge“
Further Images
Earlier Ecuador Birding Weblog Posts:
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EB59 – Last Gems of the Excessive Andes at Tambo Condor
by Jim Acquire
A distant silhouette quickly grew to become a panoramic, overhead encounter as Andean Condors dominated the canyon skies at Tambo Cóndor, their historic majesty framing a morning the place smaller excessive‑Andean specialists flickered again into view beneath their sweeping shadows. This weblog collection chronicles Jim Acquire’s experiences with birds and nature.
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EB58 – A Titan Amongst Hummingbirds: The Large Hummingbird Reveals Itself
by Jim Acquire
The Large Hummingbird’s arrival at Tambo Cóndor felt just like the Andes unveiling a second mountain‑cast marvel—an immense, gradual‑winged specialist of skinny air and rugged slopes whose deliberate energy and quiet presence echoed the grandeur of the panorama itself. This weblog collection chronicles Jim Acquire’s experiences with a birding tour in Ecuador.
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EB57 – A Sapphire Flash within the Clouds: Assembly the Nice Sapphirewing
by Jim Acquire
The Nice Sapphirewing’s arrival at Tambo Cóndor felt like a shift within the very air—an immense, jewel‑toned hummingbird formed by altitude and silence, revealing its uncommon magnificence in a second that appeared carved straight from the excessive Andes.
This weblog collection chronicles Jim Acquire’s experiences with a birding tour in Ecuador.
*This Ecuador Birding weblog publish was formed and polished with the help of Microsoft Copilot, serving to carry readability and a constant stream to my area notes and dictated recollections.
**Until in any other case indicated within the picture caption, all images (>99%) are mine.