Ecuador 46 | Remote Expeditions

Cock-of-the-rock lek at Refugio Paz de las Aves

Pre-dawn hike to a blind overlooking an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek; photograph males displaying on mossy limbs.

Refugio Paz de las Aves – Antpitta Experience

Watch Angel Paz call in Giant, Mustached and Yellow-breasted antpittas; at fruit feeders photograph Sickle-winged Guan, Crimson-rumped Toucanet and Toucan Barbet.

Tambo Condor condor-watching and feeders

Scan Antisana cliffs for Andean Condor; on the restaurant balcony photograph Black-tailed Trainbearers, Giant Hummingbirds, Sparkling Violetears, Shining Sunbeams and Tyrian Metaltails at feeders.

San Isidro hummingbird garden

At first light the group reaches the lodge's lower hide to try to observe and photograph additional species, staying a large part of the morning and taking time around the hummingbird feeders afterwards.

Parrot clay lick

Early morning boat ride to a clay lick where hundreds of Mealy, Yellow-crowned and Blue-headed parrots jostle for space; later visit a second lick where Cobalt-winged parakeets feed alongside Scarlet Macaw and Orange-cheeked parrots.

Canopy tower at Sani Lodge

Climb a 36-m tower for panoramic views of the rainforest and photograph tanagers, honeycreepers, cotingas and possibly Harpy Eagle.

Podocarpus National Park trails

Explore Cajanuma trails in search of Undulated, Chestnut-naped and Rufous antpittas; mixed flocks of mountain tanagers and flowerpiercers.

Kapok Tower and canopy walkway – Sacha Lodge

Walk suspension bridges at 30 m; look for mixed flocks of tanagers, toucans, trogons and raptors. At dawn visit the Yasuní macaw lick where Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow and Chestnut-fronted macaws swirl overhead.

Challwacocha creek canoe ride – Sani Lodge

Paddle silently through flooded forest to photograph Cocha Antshrike, Dot-backed and Plumbeous antbirds, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Rufescent Tiger-Heron and Hoatzin.

Country: Ecuador

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Cock-of-the-rock lek at Refugio Paz de las Aves