Birds

Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus) in Ecuador

February 12, 2011 by Renato 9 Comments

This is the smallest and the most difficult to find Potoo in South America and I was lucky enough to find the easiest place to see this nocturnal bird that only a few people have seen it.   I had read that the Gareno Lodge was famous for this bird but I could not find a way to visit them that did not entail a visit with some tour company.   I searched the internet and read a few trip reports but I could not get their phone number or email;  so after a week of frustration I decided to go to nerby Tena and bird at Jatun Sacha.   I hoped to be able to get more information about this mysterious place once I got closer to Tena and my efforts paid off.    On our way to Jatun Sacha we crossed the bridge over the Napo River and turn left to drive the last few kilometers to Jatun when I came across a small sign on the road that gave their phone and email.   The search finally ended and we made reservations to visit them after our first five days with Jatun Sacha.

Gareno Lodge has been in operation since 2004 when it became the best place to see the Harpy Eagle nesting.   This event lasted until 2006 when the chick left the nest after 2.5 years of nesting and parental work.   Today Gareno Lodge is still putting on a spectacular show with many good birds but specially with the unique Rufous Potoo.

Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus)

Also I have now created a web page for Gareno Lodge so anyone can find them and visit them directly supporting their unique efforts in conservation with the Huaorany community of Gareno.   If you want to see more photos of the birds in Gareno Lodge then visit Gareno at Pululahua Hostal .

Written by Renato
Renato was born in Quito, Ecuador and quickly flew to the USA to learn all about engineering and climbing company ladders. After getting his engineering degree from the University of Minnesota he worked in the Standard-American-Rat-Race-Company for fifteen years. After climbing the ladder to where he could no longer see the ground, he decided to jump off the ladder and migrate south like all normal birds do. To his surprise home did not look like it did when he left as a young fledgling; the towns were bigger, most of his friends had nests of their own, and the countryside was changed. Shocked by all the change he searched for a new life and a new wife. He stumbled across a vivacious young chick who would accompany him inside a volcanic crater to set up a love nest. So, after eight years of nesting inside the crater a new love for nature and birds has sprung a career in environmental conservation and birding tours. Finally this bird has come home to roost!