One of the target birds for bird watchers visiting Ecuador is Antpittas. They are not easy to find. Angel Paz, Regugio Paz de las Aves, discovered that by enticing them with worms at consistent times, he was able to share rare views of these secretive birds with visitors. Other operators have duplicated his process allowing guests to see Antpittas in nature. They are not, however, a “sure thing” and we were happy to see the ones that came out to eat.
All of our Antpitta images and video were taken in low light which required slow shutter speeds. For images, we had to hope that the bird stayed stationary for a quick second. Fortunately, John had his tripod and I brought a monopod which made a difference in stability. Our guide, Andrea, also helped us carry them when the trails were steep and uneven. We appreciated the assistance!
Video of Antpittas
Moustached Antpitta at Refugio Paz de las Aves (Angel Paz)
Ochre-breasted Antpitta at Wild Sumaco Lodge