Birding in Ecuador: The Andes to the Amazon in 2016 Part One - The West Slope

The first of five videos from a fabulous birding trip to Ecuador in late May and June 2016. This part of the trip was a Birdquest tour led by Andy Swash and Juan Carlos Calvachi. Areas visited were Quito Botanical Gardens, Yanacocha, the Mindo Valley (including the Alambi Reserve, Angel Paz's Bird Reserve, Septimo Paraiso Lodge and Bellavista Lodge), the Mashpi Reserve (including the private Amagusa Reserve), Rio Silanche and the Mirador Los Blancos. 28 different species of hummingbird are featured along with a wonderful array of tanagers, plus iconic species such as Andean Cock-of-the Rock, Toucan Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Plate-billed Mountain-toucan along with Giant, Yellow-breasted and Ochre-bellied Antpittas.

[mauricetow]

Just discovered Greg Baker, the perfect antidote to everyday stress - Calm & knowledgable commentary, expert & patient camerawork, fabulous birds - Thank you

[sabyasachibanerjee]

Really enjoyed seeing so many species. Great video!

[JohnWilson-wdjn]

Great memories of that part of the trip that my wife & I were on with Andy and Juan Carlos and you guys, after an 11 day Galapagos cruise wth Andy.

[emle]

We need more videos, Greg! Keep them coming, I'm thoroughly enjoying!

[Vonster]

Really enjoyed these videos, brings back memories of many of the birds I've seen in Colombia. Very calming and relaxing to watch!

[spiral-m]

This was a great reminder of 2 ecological conservation expeditions we did to Ecuador (although not the same region focus, ours was the dry forest in the SW). Mindo was one of our first stops and recall being absolutely blown away by glistening-green tanagers. Thank you for putting this up. Must return some time. PS - please go vegan everyone - many of the Neotropical forests are being decimated due mainly to ranching / soya for animal feed in our countries. Plus the terrible treatment of farm animals, health issues associated with high consumption of animal products including covid outcomes and animal agriculture and lust for meat being the main causes of pandemics in the last 100 years. And the fisheries collapsing and major proportion of plastic in oceans coming from fishing nets. We are going over a cliff and everyone needs to get on board to prevent total catastrophe. Let's ensure kindness to all animals as well as humans.

[pseudophotog]

Really enjoyed this and your other Ecuador videos, which are much enhanced by the understated narration.

[chuckcarney]

Greg - thank you very much for putting this together. I'm considering a trip to Ecuador for photography and this video was very helpful.

[oiavh]

Impressive diversity of birds Ecuador has! Beautiful!

[EmyrEvans]

Great video Greg, appreciate all the time it takes to put one of these montages together. Loved the Potoo!

[divinaflamingarrow]

This is the activity I hope for this year❤

[cindeerodri]

All wonderful Ecuador is a great country, blesses to everyone

[myrakincaid]

Wonderful video! It makes me very excited about my upcoming trip to Ecuador.

[AvesnFauna]

This is amazing footage and the way you have explained the Id's is lovely. This video makes the birder in me just fly to Ecuador & record em'all.

[dennishead]

So so cool! Thanks for filming and narrating this, I really appreciate the remarks about IDing!

[mustafakasapoglu]

Thank you for preparing such a perfect work. It was amazing watch and is a perfect guide for us as we plan to go there soon.

[AviMP]

You have a great narrator's voice and camera skills. Well done.

[ericpelletier]

very nice well made correction at 15;30min it is an orange-bellied Euphonia not a thick billed

[ivancast]

Amazing Video, one of the best ive seen from birding

[abulirfan]

Each and every bird deserves special defination.