Shiripuno Amazon Lodge

Tag: Birds

  • Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    The Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report: Explorations of Eastern Ecuador.

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    San Rafael Waterfalls – the highest waterfall in the country and in TOP TEN Waterfalls in the World, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    We just had an amazing Ecuador Wildlife Trip and we would like to report, we explored Ecuador’s Diversity of Life, as Alexander von Humboldt and Charles Darwin did, we want to experience the mosaic of habitats along spatial and especially altitudinal gradients in the Andes, we started it from the Amazon Rainforest to the Andes with a little experience of the Choco Cloudforest.

    Custom Trip: 16 Days

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Andean Flowers, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Date: Jan/Feb 2019

    Group Size: 8 World Wildlifers

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Our Leader with a World Wildlifers from Hong Kong

    Country: Ecuador

    Destinations: Quito, Shiripuno Lodge, Wild Sumaco, Baeza, Papallacta, Antisana Volcano, Bellavista, Mindo Quito

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Exploring the Shiripuno River, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Trip Mode: Wildlife Exploration – Observations on Birds, Mammals, Herps & Orchids

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Orchids of the Amazon Rainforest, Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Trip Description:

    During our Ecuador Wildlife Trip, we explore four vegetation zones which are easily discerned as the Lowland Rainforest (Shiripuno Lodge),   Montane Rainforest (Wild Sumaco Lodge), Andean Cloudforest (Baeza), and Elfin Forest (Papallacta).

    On our Ecuador Wildlife Trip, we experience the progressing trend toward decreasing canopy stature and a reduced number of plant strata as we went on higher. The vegetation gradient provided the opportunity to examine the relationship between species diversity and habitat complexity in an entirely natural setting.

    Our Ecuador Wildlife Trip starting at 230 meters above sea level in Shiripuno Lodge, deep in the Amazon Rainforest to continue ascending with specific stops until we reach the Andes at the base of the colossal  Antisana Volcano at 5,704 meters.

    We add a couple of nights with Choco Cloudorest in Northwest Ecuador, we visit the Bellavista Cloudforest Reserve, watch many Antpittas with the Antpitta Whisper: Angel Paz and went Herping in the Mindo.

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Amazon Rainforest Wildlife Photography, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Day 01 – 06 Ecuador Amazon Rainforest

    We take a domestic fly to Coca City in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, to continue along the Auca Road to the heart of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. Shiripuno Lodge is our location to explore all the different types of forest formations found in the home of the Waorani People.
    Overnight in Coca and getting to know the wildlife around and Oil Town turning into a World Green Destination

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Snakes of the Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Day 07 – 09 Ecuador Northeastern Foothills

    Leaving the Lowlands and stepping into the Foothills of the Eastern Andes in Ecuador, where the Cloudforest last reach. Staying at WildSumaco Lodge at 1600 m next to the Sumaco National Park, our first experience with feeders and explore the steep sides at different times of the day.

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Snake of the Foothills, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Day 10 – 12 Ecuador Northeastern Cloudforest

    The Andean Cloudforest at Baeza (1919 m) is nestled in the valley of the Quijos River, it’s an opportunity to find colorful birds such as Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruvianus) and many new hummingbirds, we have close up experience with Tropical Orchids at the San Rafael Waterfall

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Orchids of the Cloudforest, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Day 13 – 14 Andes: Paramo & Grassland

    The Andes home of the mythical Andean Condor, Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir, Sword-billed Hummingbird was covered by thick clouds. We walk through the clouds to enter the golden grasslands surrounding little pools of water.

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Flowers of the Andes, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    Day 15 – 16 Chocó or Choco Cloudforest

    The Choco Bioregion is world Hotspots for Biodiversity, our destination for new hummingbirds, frogs and many new Orchids, we even got a glimpse of the recently described new species of Mammal: Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina) a mammal of the raccoon family Procyonidae that lives in montane forests in the Andes of western Colombia and Ecuador.

    Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report
    Choco Cloudforest, Ecuador Wildlife Trip Report

    W encourage the nature-minded person to explore your own backyard, you will be surprised to encounter an incredible number of species of creatures living next to you.

    We hope to see our world wildlifers again

    See you soon!

    Fernando

  • The Birds of the Amazon Rainforest

    The Birds of the Amazon Rainforest

    The Birds of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador

    The Birds of the Amazon Rainforest has captivated people’s attention for thousands of years. They are unique in many ways, by its colors like the fantastic Fiery Topaz, Paradise Tanager, Blue-and-Yellow Macaw and many others.

    The Amazon Rainforest is home of the many of the largest birds like the Mighty Harpy Eagle, the most powerful Eagle in the world. This Eagle is the top bird hunter of the forest, it prefers arboreal animals such as monkeys and sloths.

    The largest Bird of the Amazon Rainforest is King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). Reaching length ranges from 67 to 81 cm (26–32 in) and its wingspan is 1.2 to 2 m (4–7 ft). Its weight ranges from 2.7 to 4.5 kg (6–10 lb).

    Hoatzin is a bizarre bird, eats leaves, social brooders, ancient bird group.
    Hoatzin is a bizarre bird, eats leaves, social brooders, ancient bird group.

    The smallest bird of the Amazon Rainforest is the Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant (Myiornis ecaudatus) is a flycatcher. The species is one of the smallest birds on Earth and the smallest passerine. The average length is 6.5 cm (2.6 in) and the weight averages at 4.2 g (0.15 oz).

    Where to find birds in the rainforest?

    A short walk into the forest and it will start revealing by itself. The Birds of the Rainforest can be seen in the canopy,  when they are feeding as they move, picking fruits from figs, bromeliads, anthurium and other. In the canopy lives the toucans, tanagers, puffbirds, flycatchers, and others.

    The Birds of the Rainforest living in the ground such as tinamous, wood-quail, curassows, trumpeters are very particular with their voices.

    Many species of birds of several families in the Amazon Rainforest travel in groups through the forest, we called mixed species flock. They feed in packs wor a certain area, the advantage of having more eyes to protect the flock while feeding.

    The Birds of the canopy of the Rainforest can be found at water sources especially in hot days, plunging in shallow water places.

    All thought out the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve there is a series of clay licks inside the forest, named the “Forest Clay Lick”.

    Several species of birds such as Macaws, Parakeet, Pigeon, Guans, gather by particular places known as the Clay Lick, they come down to eat clay or drink water. They go down only when all the conditions are perfect!.

    Interesting Amazon Bird Stories.

    Army Ants Swarm party for Antbirds.

    In the floor of the Amazon Rainforest, there is a kind of social ants: The Army Ants wanders the forest floor searching for food: insects and other arthropods. Insects fly away from the ant’s swarms. A particular group of birds called the “Professional Antbird” they eat all the insects escaping the ants.

    Plunged Kingfishers Use it All

    When Amazonian Kingfisher feel empty stomach, they use all the resources at the other end. They defecate in the river water to attract fish. Fish react to all the drops, most of the times are food. Except for this time.

  • The Birds Living in the Amazon Rainforest

    The Birds Living in the Amazon Rainforest

    The Birds Living in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador.

    The Birds Living in the Amazon Rainforest
    The Yellow-browed Antbird lives inside terra firme on the Southern bank of the Napo River.

    All the Living Birds of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador can be found in all the forest formations, the birds have adapted to live with all the resources provided by the Western Amazon Basin.

    Habitats where the Birds of the Amazon Rainforest lives:

    • Terra Firme
    • Varzea
    • Forest Swamp
    • Forest Streams
    • Moriche Swamp

    The Birds living in the Amazon Rainforest are very diverse in their lifestyle, with many species living in the ground,  many others at mid-level in the forest and a lot of action happens in the canopy, many species trail throughout the forest in small social clubs that we call mixed species flock, many would surprising us in size, colors, sounds, behaviour.

    We list some of the most diverse families of birds found in the largest tract of rainforest in Ecuador, found in terra firme, varzea, flooded forest, forest swamps, moriche swamps, rivers, forest streams, oxbow lakes and roadsides

    Depending in the spectrum of the habitats in a determined area, the abilities of the species to establish in that area, birds can be found almost everywhere you go, colorful tanagers, skulking antbirds, dancing manakins, oropendolas, macaws.

    The Most Diverse Amazonian Bird Families

    The most diverse amazonian bird families found at Shiripuno Amazon Lodge, recorded over 10 years of observations:

    • Flycatchers: 80 species
    • Antbirds: 50 species
    • Tanagers: 37 species
    • Ovenbirds: 27 species
    • Kites, Eagles & Hawks: 26 species
    • Hummingbirds: 26 species
    • Parrot & Macaws: 18 species
    • Woodpeckers:17 species
    • Woodcreepers: 17 species
    • Manakin: 12 species
    • Puffbirds: 12 species

    Quick Fact:

    The largest bird living in the Amazon Rainforest is: The King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) with an overall length ranges from 67–81 centimeters (27–32 in) and its wingspan is 1.2–2 meters (4–6.6 ft). Its weight ranges from 2.7–4.5 kilograms (6–10 lb). And the smallest is also one of the smallest birds on Earth: The Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant (Myiornis ecaudatus)  with a body length of 6.5 centimeters, and its weight 4·2 grams.

    Download Our Bird List