A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
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.
DAY 2 – Early Afternoon
- My Ecuador Species Count up to and including our arrival at the Sani Lodge jumps up to: 76 (52 lifers)
- Primary eBird Public Hotspots: Sani Lodge–Río Napo y entrada
For the next hour and a half, we sped along the broad, sediment‑rich Napo River, the wind warm against our faces and the forest rising in dense green walls on either side. Eventually the engine throttled down as we approached the transfer point where smaller, hand‑paddled canoes waited to take us the rest of the way. Just then, Liron called out with unmistakable excitement—three PIED PLOVERS were strutting along a sandy island bank, their crisp black‑and‑white plumage and bright orange legs glowing against the pale sand. This species is one of the most sought‑after birds in the region, and seeing a trio of them felt like an early gift from the Amazon.As we photographed them, Liron pointed skyward to an uncommon LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE, its pale head and two‑toned wings circling effortlessly on the rising thermals.
Over the next four days, we would come to cherish the quiet serenity of these canoe rides—gliding silently through wetlands and narrow channels, the only sounds the dip of paddles and the distant calls of unseen birds. Our first approach to the lodge set the tone. The black‑water lagoon, framed by mangroves and dense vegetation, felt like an entrance to another world. As we neared the landing platform, a deep thunderclap rumbled across the sky, and dark clouds churned overhead. We stepped out of the canoes just as the first raindrops began to fall—gentle at first, then suddenly transforming into a pounding tropical deluge.
As we settled into the warm welcome at the lodge, I paused for a quiet moment, letting it sink in that I was finally standing in the Amazon lowlands—a place I had dreamed of since childhood. With no urban noise to intrude, the forest’s natural chorus rose around us in full clarity. As the afternoon wore on, we were assigned our cabins and given a bit of free time to explore the lodge grounds.
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUES flashed their bright lemon rumps as they darted into the nearby trees, their sharp, metallic calls ringing through the humid air. Smooth‑billed Anis, with their glossy black plumage and oversized ridged bills, clambered through the shrubs just below the windows, moving in loose, chatty groups like curious onlookers. From deeper in the canopy, RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLAS let out their bubbling, liquid calls, their rich chestnut backs flashing as they shifted among the branches like animated embers.
Right on the heels of the oropendolas, a BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS appeared along the lagoon’s edge, its bold black crown and rich tawny body glowing in the soft Amazon light. It flicked its long tail in animated bursts, delivering its loud, duet‑like calls with theatrical flair—an unmistakable presence that seemed to command the reeds like a stage.
Moments later, RED-CAPPED CARDINALS lit up the scene with a flash of color so vivid it felt almost unreal. Their brilliant crimson heads blazed against a crisp white breast and glossy black wings, creating a striking contrast that drew the eye instantly. Perched confidently on a low branch, they seemed to pose in the open as if welcoming us to the Amazon with its own burst of tropical brilliance. Together, their voices wrapped around us completely, a living soundtrack announcing that we had truly arrived in the heart of the Amazon.
NEXT UP: EB#17 “Feathers from the Past: The Remarkable Hoatzin of Ecuador“
Additional Photographs and Video
Previous Ecuador Birding Blog Posts:
- EB16 – The Mama Lucy and Canoe Transit to Sani Birding Lodge
In his blog series, Jim Gain shares his Ecuador birding adventure from October 26 to November 8, 2025, with guide Liron Gertsman and fellow enthusiasts. During their journey, Gain’s species count reached 76, including 52 lifers. Captivated by the Amazon’s beauty, they encountered striking birds like Pied Plovers and Red-capped Cardinals, capturing the essence and vibrant colors of this incredible ecosystem. Their experience at the Sani Lodge connected them deeply with nature. - EB15 – Puembo Garden Surprises Before Taking Off for Coca
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on yet another new set of species at Puembo Birding Gardens, a trip to the Mariscal Sucre International Airport and a flight down to Coca in the Ecuadorian Amazon lowlands. - EB14 – The Official Launch of the Eagle-eye Tour
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the official start of the Eagle-eye Tour and getting to know the other participants. - EB13 – When Color Takes Center Stage: Male and Female Red-headed Barbets Steal the Show
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the euphonias, tanagers and hummingbirds we saw when we arrived at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi for lunch. – Part 3 - EB12 – More Feathered Encounters at Mirador Guaycapi
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the euphonias, tanagers and hummingbirds we saw when we arrived at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi for lunch. – Part 2 - EB11 – Feathers, Food, and Forest Views at Mirador Guaycapi
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the first euphonias, tanagers and hummingbirds we saw when we arrived at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi for lunch.
>>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.
**Unless otherwise indicated in the image caption, all photographs (>99%) are mine.
Reflections of the Natural World 
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