Refugio Paz de los Aves - Angel Paz Reserve June 15

Altitude:  ~ 5,000 feet a.s.l.
Ecoregions:  Subtropical Forest and foothills
New Hummingbird Species Seen:  Green Voiletear, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Empress Brilliant, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Brown Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Velvet-purple Coronet, Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph

Today we elected to take a side trip to the Angel Paz Reserve.  Got up at 4:15 and hiked out to the car with flashlights in the dark.  The story of Angel Paz is famous in the birding world.  Angel and his family live on a farm in the cloud forest.  They logged trees, cleared land for cows and crops and did what they needed to do to make a living for their family.  Unfortunately, as farming families follow this pattern all over Ecuador – precious habitat is destroyed.  But, people have to make a living so what is a farmer/logger to do?  In 2004, the Paz family realized that the Cock-of-the-Rock Lek and the Antpittas he fed worms to were a big attraction for the birders visiting Ecuador. 

Cock-of-the-Rock Lek-A lek is a communal courtship site where adult male Cock-of-the-Rock hang out and make loud and colorful displays to visiting females. It reminded me if a fraternity house for birds. Angel told me there were about 10 males in the lek we observed. Hard to believe they made all that noise!

And so, a sustainable tourism project was born.  Angel and his family have built blinds, trails, planted fruit, and hung hummingbird feeders.  They have a daily show where they guide birders to the Lek, the fruit feeders, hummingbird feeders and they call the antpittas for some nice fat worms.  After many years of hard work to develop their offering to birders; Angel and his brother are affectionately known as the “Antpitta Wisperers”.
  

Video of Giant Antpitta

A family of Dark-backed Wood-Quail

Our drive to this reserve involved passing lots of slow trucks making their morning deliveries, and an encounter with a herd of cows on their way to milking.  Pedro got us there before dawn and we joined 4 other intrepid birders and their guides for birding and breakfast.

Violet-tailed Sylph

We saw a beautiful west slope hummer (Violet-tailed Sylph) in the lower growth of the forest.  It was so still, even I could get a picture.  To figure out which hummer you are looking at in Ecuador it is important to know which slope of the Andes you are on (east or west) and what altitude.  I have to be sure to check the field guide to see if I saw what I think I saw!  The most beautiful hummingbird I have seen yet was at the feeders.  The Velvet-purple Coronet was stunning when the light hit it right.   You’ll just have to take my word for it!

Velvet-purple Coronet - This picture doesn't do it justice!

Crimson-rumped Toucanet

 My favorite birds from Angel Paz were the hummers, the Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Orange-breasted fruiteater, a family of Dark-backed Wood-Quail and of course the Tanagers!

Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager

Toucan Barbet