Reflections of the Natural World

EB6 – WHEN ANTPITTAS COME CALLING

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Jim Gain

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Ecuador Birding – Where Every Feather Tells a Story

From October 26, 2025 through November 8, 2025 I joined 5 other adventurers and an outstanding photographer and birding guide (Liron Gertsman) with Eagle-Eye Tours to Ecuador. This blog series highlights the animals (mostly birds), people and locations we encountered over the 14 full days in this beautiful land.
*Unless otherwise indicated in the image caption, all photographs (>99%) are mine.
**Best when viewed on full computer screen**

Ecuador Birding: Blog Post #6
“When Antpittas Come Calling“

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

DAY 1 – Morning

  • My Ecuador Species Count including Zuro Loma jumps up to: 38 (30 lifers)
  • Primary eBird Hotspot: Reserva Zuro Loma

At a designated time, one of the workers announced he would be placing worms at the antpitta feeding spot. We followed him to a small clearing at the side of the shelter where he scattered live worms and played the call of our first target antpitta: the EQUATORIAL ANTPITTA. It took no more than twenty seconds for a bird to answer, and within moments we were staring at one just a few feet away—round, alert, and impossibly charismatic. Its cinnamon‑brown plumage blended perfectly with the leaf litter, but its large, expressive eyes and upright posture gave it a presence that was almost theatrical.

A small, brown bird perched on moss-covered rocks in a lush, green forest environment.
Equatorial Antpitta


As we admired it, a sudden movement to our left caught my eye: our first glimpse of the legendary SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD. True to its reputation, it appeared only briefly, hovering for a heartbeat with its impossibly long bill—longer than its entire body—pointing straight ahead like a rapier. Then, just as quickly, it vanished back into the forest, leaving us stunned.

A green hummingbird hovering near a red feeder, using its long beak to sip nectar, while a bee is also seen approaching the feeder.
Sword-billed Hummingbird

The groundskeeper who had placed the worms earlier, told us he would try calling in another species—the CHESTNUT-NAPED ANTPITTA. While he prepared, we were treated to spectacular views of a BUFF-WINGED STARFRONTLET, its glittering green body and golden wing patches catching the light as it hovered near the feeders.

A colorful hummingbird perched on a branch covered with moss, surrounded by blurred green foliage.
Buff-winged Starfrontlet

A female GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER followed, its slender, iridescent tail streaming behind it like a ribbon as it perched delicately on a mossy branch.

A vibrant green hummingbird hovering near a red feeder.
Green-tailed Trainbearer – Female

The groundskeeper whispered that the CHESTNUT-NAPED ANTPITTA was getting closer, and soon enough it hopped into view. Its rich chestnut nape and olive‑brown body gave it a warm, earthy look, and it paused just long enough for us to admire its portrait‑perfect pose before slipping back into the undergrowth.

A small bird with a brown and gray plumage perched on a moss-covered branch, surrounded by lush greenery.
Chestnut-naped Antpitta


It was a morning of magic—of rare birds, fleeting glimpses, and the quiet thrill of being exactly where you were meant to be.

NEXT UP: EB#7 “And Still More Hummingbirds“

Additional Photographs and Video

A small brown bird perched on a moss-covered rock in a lush forest setting.
Equatorial Antpitta
Equatorial Antpitta
Chestnut-naped Antpitta
A close-up of a dark-feathered bird with a reddish-brown crown, perched on a moss-covered branch in a lush green environment.
Chestnut-naped Antpitta
A close-up of a bird with a reddish-brown head and grayish body, perched on a moss-covered branch in a lush green environment.
Chestnut-naped Antpitta
A vibrant green hummingbird perched on a leaf, showcasing its iridescent feathers against a blurred natural background.
Green-tailed Trainbearer – Female
Green-tailed Trainbearer – Female
Buff-winged Starfrontlet – Female
A colorful hummingbird perched on a moss-covered branch against a blurred green background.
Buff-winged Starfrontlet – Male
Tyrian Metaltail
Chestnut-naped Antpitta
Hooded Mountain Tanager
A person using a camera to photograph a bird among lush greenery, viewed from under a thatched roof.

Previous Ecuador Birding Blog Posts:

>>Ecuador Birding Blog Home Page Link https://reflectionsofthenaturalworld.com/ecuador-birding/

*This Ecuador Birding blog post was shaped and polished with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot, helping bring clarity and a consistent flow to my field notes and dictated memories.

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ABOUT ME

Through my lens and prose I hope to instill a greater sense of awe, compassion and inspiration as I discover new creatures, explore interesting habitats, and gain wisdom about the natural world that’s all around us. It is my hope that readers are motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation.

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 35 years, I worked in education as both a teacher and administrator, guiding students through the wonders of science and the joy of discovery. That same spirit of curiosity has carried me through decades of volunteer work in citizen science and conservation. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain

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