Miles To The Wild

VIDEOS

Look fast, these little hummingbirds are a challenge even for one of Colombia’s top birding guides!

Finally, one sitting still!

Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata)

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Tara

The Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata) is a species of hummingbird found in humid Andean forests from western Venezuela, through Colombia and Ecuador, to Peru and Bolivia. It is very distinctive and unique in having a white chest-patch and white on the tail.

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They have quite a large range in in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. I saw them in quite a few places – Cabanas San Isidro, Guango Lodge, a farm near Jardin, Colombia and Rio Blanco near Manizales, Colombia.

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American Bird Conservancy

VIDEOS

Here you can see the beautiful iridescence of the Collared Inca.

Visiting a hummingbird feeder.

San Isidro Owl (Ciccaba sp)

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Tara

The San Isidro Owl was once thought to be a subspecies of the Black-banded Owl, but now is considered by many to be a species on its own. There still isn’t a lot of information out there so I’ll share what I can find.

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Most people see them readily at Cabanas San Isidro in Ecuador. I haven’t heard of them being found anywhere else.

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VIDEOS

A perplexed owl wonders why everyone is looking at him,

Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Tara

The Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo) is a medium-sized bird with attractive dark crimson & black colouring. When a male bird faces forward, it kind of looks like he is doing a “milk moustache” commercial!

This one was seen at Wildsumaco Lodge area.

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And this pair was seen at Asa Wright’s in Trinidad and shows the difference between male (above) & female.

This tanager is a resident breeder in South America from eastern Colombia and Venezuela south to Paraguay and central Brazil, and on Trinidad where they are commonly seen at Asa Wright’s.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SILVER-BEAKED TANAGERS

VIDEOS

In both these videos you can see the subtle beauty of this small bird.

Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii)

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Tara

The Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii) is a hummingbird and is one of the smallest birds on Earth. They are one of the most interesting looking hummingbirds with that thin wiry crest, white band around the rump and long thin tail.

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They have a small range in the eastern Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Wildsumaco is probably the easiest place to see them around the hummingbird feeders.

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VIDEOS

See how fast they are?

Wants to look his best.

Sitting pretty

Violaceous Jay (Cyanocorax violaceus)

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Tara

The Violaceous Jay (Cyanocorax violaceus) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae, the crows and their allies.

DSCN2070a DSCN2071 Since my blurry photo doesn’t do justice to this beautiful bird, here’s the wikipedia shot for reference.

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They have quite a large range in in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. I saw this one at the Anangu Village near Napo Wildlife Center.

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VIDEOS

This one looks nervous.

This one’s just hungry!

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Tara

The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family. I’m kind of partial to pink birds!

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They have quite a large range all over Mexico, Central America & South America. Look for them when you visit eco-lodges along rivers in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. I saw this one near the large parrot clay lick near Napo Wildlife Center. I also saw quite a few on the Tarcoles River in Costa Rica.

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Audubon

VIDEOS

Check out the gorgeous colours close-up!

A pretty slideshow

Slow-mo in-flight!

Wire-tailed Manakin (Pipra filicauda)

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Tara

The Wire-tailed Manakin (Pipra filicauda) is a species of bird in the Pipridae family. They can put on quite a dance show to attract a mate!

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They are found upriver in the western Amazon Basin and the neighboring countries of northern Peru, eastern Ecuador and Colombia, and southern and western portions of Venezuela. We saw this little guy while walking back to the boat from the Canopy Tower at Napo Wildlife Center.

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VIDEOS

A fairly quiet Manakin.

And this one is showing off his best moves!

Plum-throated Cotinga (Cotinga maynana)

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Tara

The Plum-throated Cotinga (Cotinga maynana) is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. They are stunning birds and stand out in contrast to the green trees you normally see them in.

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They have a very large range throughout Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. We got lucky in the Canopy Tower of Napo Wildlife Center.

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Neotropical Birds

VIDEOS

Appreciate the brilliant turquoise beauty of these birds!

Many-banded Araçari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Tara

The Many-banded Araçari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus), is a species of bird in the Ramphastidae family. It’s quite a dramatic and spectacular bird and fun to watch as they play in the trees.

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They have quite a large range in in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. I saw these guys at the Canopy Tower at Napo Wildlife Center.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MANY-BANDED ARACARIS