Birds

Black Solitare-Entomodestes coracinus-in Ecuador

September 22, 2012 by Renato 5 Comments

Another great reason to  visit the 23 de Junio besides the Long-wattled Umbrellabird is the Black Solitare (Entomodestes coracinus).  This bird, of the Turdus family, can be found on the western slopes of Ecuador and Colombia.  Due to its large distribution area, its current conservation status is listed as least concern, but its population numbers are considered to be decreasing due to its habitat destruction.

Black Solitare at Recinto 23 de Junio

I have looked for this secretive bird in a few places and finally saw it and photographed last week  at my favorite and reliable Umbrellabird site.  This was a very interesting experience with quick breaths, speeding heartbeats, and a few tense moments of not being able to photograph the bird due to fog.  I was also shocked by the fact that playback scared the bird while the human whistle produced by Luis Ajilla father attracted the bird within photographing range.  So I have to thank Luis Ajilla for his bird luring abilities and his great efforts in providing birdwatchers a great and humble place to see great birds.

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!