Napo Birding Trip

The Birds of the Rainforest in Ecuador

The Birds of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador

The Birds of the Amazon Rainforest has captivated people’s attention for thousands of years. They are unique in many ways, by its colors like the fantastic Fiery Topaz, Paradise Tanager, Blue-and-Yellow Macaw and many others.

The Amazon Rainforest is home of the many of the largest birds like the Mighty Harpy Eagle, the most powerful Eagle in the world. This Eagle is the top bird hunter of the forest, it prefers arboreal animals such as monkeys and sloths.

The Largest Bird of the Amazon Rainforest is King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). Reaching length ranges from 67 to 81 cm (26–32 in) and its wingspan is 1.2 to 2 m (4–7 ft). Its weight ranges from 2.7 to 4.5 kg (6–10 lb).

Hoatzin is a bizarre bird, eats leaves, social brooders, ancient bird group.

Hoatzin is a bizarre bird, eats leaves, social brooders, ancient bird group.

The Smallest bird of the Amazon Rainforest is the Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant (Myiornis ecaudatus) is a flycatcher. The species is one of the smallest birds on Earth and the smallest passerine. The average length is 6.5 cm (2.6 in) and the weight averages at 4.2 g (0.15 oz).

Where to find birds in the rainforest?

A short walk into the forest and it will start revealing by itself. The Birds of the Rainforest can be seen in the canopy,  when they are feeding as they move, picking fruits from figs, bromeliads, anthurium and other. In the canopy lives the toucans, tanagers, puffbirds, flycatchers, and others.

The Birds of the Rainforest living in the ground such as tinamous, wood-quail, curassows, trumpeters are very particular with their voices.

Many species of birds of several families in the Amazon Rainforest travel in groups through the forest, we called mixed species flock. They feed in packs wor a certain area, the advantage of having more eyes to protect the flock while feeding.

The Birds of the canopy of the Rainforest can be found at water sources especially in hot days, plunging in shallow water places.

All thought out the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve there is a series of clay licks inside the forest, named the “Forest Clay Lick”.

Several species of birds such as Macaws, Parakeet, Pigeon, Guans, gather by particular places known as the Clay Lick, they come down to eat clay or drink water. They go down only when all the conditions are perfect!.

Interesting Amazon Bird Stories.

Army Ants Swarm party for Antbirds.

In the floor of the Amazon Rainforest, there is a kind of social ants: The Army Ants wanders the forest floor searching for food: insects and other arthropods. Insects fly away from the ant’s swarms. A particular group of birds called the “Professional Antbird” they eat all the insects escaping the ants.

Plunged Kingfishers Use it All

When Kingfisher feel empty stomach, they use all the resources to the end. They defecate in the river water to attract fish. Fish react to all the drops, most of the times are food. Except for this time.