Birds

Golden-collared Toucanet Selenidera reinwardtii

September 17, 2012 by Renato 4 Comments

The beauty of Amazonian birds is always a welcome element of surprise.  Many birds are very secretive and this has allowed them to survive in such predator filled places like the Amazon.  That is the case of this handsome toucanet.

Golden-collared Toucanet

In the past I have struggled to get good looks at the Golden-collared Toucanet until a few weeks ago when I visited the Sumaco Biosphere and was utterly surprised by the beauty of this bird.  Finding this birds was completely coincidental as I heard some chattering (from his bill) so I turned and saw this bird sitting out in the open, motionless, posing for a photo.  In guess this bird found me first and called my attention with his chatter, I can only suspect that somehow he knew his photo would go on line a this reputable site.  I only managed to shoot three pictures before he quickly went to a safer leaf-covered perch and remained motionless for a few minutes effectively disappearing from sight.

If you want to help the local community living near the Sumaco Biosphere, make sure you visit and stay at their Sumaco birding cabaña located at the foot-hills of the Sumaco Mountain.

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!