Synopsis: As the trail opened into brighter edges and scattered perches, a lively mix of parakeets, flycatchers, and opportunistic songbirds brought a final burst of variety to the Sendero Frutti Tour.
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.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
**Due to the high resolution and quality of the images in this blog series it is highly recommended
that readers view posts in Landscape Mode on a desktop PC from the actual blogsite at Ecuador Birding**
DAY 12 – Morning
Emerging from the dim understory, the forest suddenly felt wider and more open, with sunlight filtering through gaps in the canopy and illuminating the edges of the trail. These transitional spaces were alive with movement—birds perched on exposed branches, scanning for insects, calling to flockmates, or simply soaking in the warmth. Unlike the canopy flocks or the shadow‑loving understory birds, this group thrived in the in‑between zones, where forest meets clearing and every vantage point becomes an opportunity. Their presence added a dynamic, free‑flowing energy to the final stretch of our stay here.
Pacific Parrotlet
From the sunlit edge of the clearing, a tiny burst of green zipped in with bright, chattering energy…
Tiny but bold, the Pacific Parrotlet zipped between perches with a confidence far larger than its size. Its bright green plumage flashed vividly against the open sky, and its sharp, chattering calls carried surprisingly far. It often perched in small groups, each bird taking turns surveying the scene with bright, alert eyes.
Maroon‑tailed Parakeet
Moments later, a louder, more boisterous flock swept through, their maroon tails flashing as they tumbled across the canopy…
The Maroon‑tailed Parakeets arrived in a noisy, fast‑moving flock, their green bodies blending with the foliage until they burst into the open. Their maroon tail feathers showed best in flight, catching the light as they banked and wheeled above the trail. They paused only briefly, filling the air with soft, conversational chirps before moving on.
Rusty‑margined Flycatcher
Then a bold yellow shape claimed a perch above the trail, its sharp calls cutting cleanly through the morning air…
Perched upright on an exposed branch, the Rusty‑margined Flycatcher scanned the clearing with the poised confidence of a seasoned hunter. Its warm brown wing edges and bright yellow belly glowed in the sunlight. When it spotted prey, it launched into a swift, precise sally, returning to the same perch with practiced ease.
Choco Tyrannulet
In the quieter understory, a small, soft‑toned silhouette flickered into view, moving with quick, deliberate precision…
Small and subtle, the Choco Tyrannulet flitted through the mid‑story with quick, nervous movements. Its soft gray‑green plumage blended easily with the foliage, making it a rewarding find for those willing to look closely. It added a gentle, understated charm to the mixed flock.
One‑colored Becard
And from a shaded tangle nearby, a smooth gray form emerged, calm and unhurried, as if materializing from the forest itself…
The One‑colored Becard perched quietly at the forest edge, its smooth, uniform plumage giving it a sleek, minimalist elegance. It moved with deliberate calm, often sitting motionless for long stretches before making a slow, purposeful shift to a new perch. Its serene presence contrasted beautifully with the more restless species around it.
With the last of the perchers fading into the treetops, three unforgettable encounters remained—one with a brilliantly patterned woodpecker, an encounter with a barbet pair and another with an old friend whose long tail and bounding flight always bring a smile.
NEXT UP: EB#84″Crimson on the Bark — A Moment with the Scarlet‑backed Woodpecker”
Additional Photographs
Previous Ecuador Birding Blog Posts:
- EB100 – Epilogue – Full of Wonder and Gratitude
This epilogue looks beyond the individual bird highlights to the deeper meaning of the journey, capturing the wonder, gratitude, and renewed perspective that Ecuador left within me. This blog series chronicles Jim Gain’s experiences with birds and nature. - EB99 – Ecuador – Favorite Images from the West Andes
This epilogue looks beyond the individual bird highlights to the deeper meaning of the journey, capturing the wonder, gratitude, and renewed perspective that Ecuador left within me. This blog series chronicles Jim Gain’s experiences with birds and nature. - EB98 – Ecuador – Favorite Images from the High Andes Páramo
A visual tribute to the páramo, where the Andes reveal their rawest beauty and every moment feels carved from wind and light. This blog series chronicles Jim Gain’s experiences with birds and nature.
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.
>>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 (>99.9%) are mine.
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