Hummingbirds

We saw 45 species of Hummingbirds in seven days birding!!  A selection of 22 of the best photos are shown below.

Reserva Ecologica Yanacocha - The trail has a number of Hummingbird feeders along its length.  This very busy feeder has Golden-breasted Puffleg, Buff-winged Starfrontlet and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs queuing up.  Unfortunately we did not get to see the site's star bird, the Black-breasted Puffleg. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose   Click on the above photo to view video clip of the above on You-Tube

Buff-winged Starfronlet - Yanacocha - The first hummer we saw and one of the most numerous, especially on the west slope.  This species was an unusual call like a toy trumpet!! Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Sapphire-vented Puffleg - Several of this species were seen at the Yanacocha reserve. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Sword-billed Hummingbird - Yanacocha - Two seen at this site.  Note the way the eyes can see under it's bill.  Essential for a bird that holds it's bill at this angle for most of the time.The lower bird is cheekily feeding from the same feeder hole as a Tourmaline Sunangel at Guango LodgePhotos Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Green-crowned Brilliant - A common species at Maquipucuna Lodge. Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

White-necked Jacobin - Reasonable numbers of this species were seen  at Maquipucuna Lodge. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Velvet-purple Coronet - Only seen on the west slope of the Andes. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Booted Racket-tail - This male "Puffleg" was photographed at Sacha Tamia. Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

Violet-tailed Sylph - One of the many stunning hummingbirds seen at the lodge at Sacha Tamia.  This tail is not full length! Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Brown Inca - Also seen at Sacha Tamia.  This species is restricted to the western slope. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Giant Hummingbird - Canon del Chiche, Quito - Rather distant but still an impressive Hummingbird.  Only seen at this site. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Blue-mantled Thornbill - Papallacta Pass - Seen from the mini-bus by the track at approximately 3,500 metres altitude.  The only one seen during the trip. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Ecuadorian Hillstar - This Ecuadorian endemic is restricted to the high Andes.  This male was very distant high above us, but the photo does give an idea of just how stunning this bird is. Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

Bronzy Inca - This species is restricted to the eastern side of the Andes.  We saw this bird at San Isidro Lodge. Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

Guango Lodge provided excellent facilities for viewing Hummingbirds, as well as comfortable accommodation and excellent food.  This is a tail-less Long-tailed Sylph Photo Copyright © 2009 Lindsey Napton (upper) Dave Ferguson (lower)The lower photo was taken at San Isidro Lodge and show the full length of the tail of an adult of this species.

Tyrian Metaltail - The flash has enhanced the colours.  Common at Guango Lodge. Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

Tourmaline Sunangel - Guango Lodge Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

Mountain Velvetbreast - One of the scarcer hummingbirds.  This one was at Guango Lodge. Photo Copyright © 2009 Dave Ferguson

White-bellied Woodstar - A male and female at Guango Lodge.  This species were like large bees and never landed to feed. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

Shining Sunbeam - The only individual seen during the trip.  Seen at Papallacta Spa as we got off of the mini-bus.  It conveniently perched in a prominent position and did not move. Photo Copyright © 2009 Jim Rose

If you enjoyed the above photos and want to see more Hummingbirds, try clicking on this link to see Dave Parmenter's 9 minute video that covers most of the sites and many of the Hummingbird species that we saw during our trip.

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