Wednesday 3rd December 2025: Paz de las Aves, and Puerto del Sol restaurant

 We departed while it was still dark this morning, with a 45 minute drive to the infamous Paz do las Aves reserve, where Angel Paz had pioneered the technique for luring Antpittas to food. This is normally a skulking family of species that is difficult to see, but Angel had effectively trained them to emerge from deep vegetation to feed on worms strategically placed on a log in the open, allowing birders to enjoy cracking views, and obtain superb photo opportunities. 

We began the morning at a hide from where we watched a Cock-of-the-Rock lek, with around five males seen, odd but spectacular birds, with brazen scarlet plumage and a large, bulbous head. They charged around noisily, bobbing their heads aggressively as they displayed their prowess.

Cock of the Rock

As the activity died down, we walked through the Forest, encountering a mixed flock of birds, that were really tricky to see in a dark canopy with poor light. If I managed to find a bird I couldn’t make out any features, as it was silhouetted against the sky. It was most frustrating, as others seemed to be coping much better than I was! 

We continued along a small track and were ushered to a narrow path, where we waited silently for a Moustached Antpitta, named Susanita, to appear. Angel softly mimicked the call of the birds, then broke off small pieces of stick as the bird approached. It was some time before the bird came into view, arriving behind us along an unexpected path, but quickly disappeared as Roberto moved position. Angel repeated his calls, and it wasn’t long before Susanita hopped onto the target branch and tucked into some food while we all enjoyed the show. It was fantastic. 

Moustached Antpitta

Returning along the track towards our vehicle, we were surprised to find several Cattle Egrets in a small tree, then a Pale-vented Pigeon, which Roberto kindly located in his scope, enabling us to see the key plumage features.

Our next stop, was to find the Giant Antpitta, Maria, with Rodriguez in charge of proceedings this time. ‘Maria! Maria! Maria’ he called softly then gently whistled and clicked till she came into view and hopped up onto another strategically placed log, where she lingered to work her way through the worms set out for her. We retraced our steps, but quickly spotted a skulking Rufous-breasted Antthrush, moving silently through the vegetation beside the path. This was another fantastic bird, with subtle plumage enabling it to blend  into the forest floor, and we couldn’t believe our luck, with brilliant, close views once again. Next up, was a Golden headed Quetzal perched in a tree, a bit more distant, and slightly obscured by foliage, but a great bird to find nevertheless, with an emerald green back and red belly.

Giant Antpitta

We made a short pitstop at the cafe, before setting off to search for our next Antpitta. But first, we stopped to enjoy a  Crimson Toucanet, spotted in a tree beside the road. At a small stream, Esteban was in charge this time, and duly enticed a pair of Yellow-breasted Antpittas, named Willy and Wilhelmina to pose for photos on a rock. After all this excitement, we enjoyed a mid morning break with a drink and a bite and a spot of shopping at the cafe, noting Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds and Andean Emeralds on the adjacent feeders - two familiar hummers we were able to confidently identify!

Our final Antpitta of the day was the most challenging of all. We took a lengthy walk along a path, noting a Crested Guan on the way, then waited patiently for 'Shakira', but she failed to appear. After some time we retraced our steps, and were almost at the start of the path when Esteban hollered to advise she had arrived. So we retraced our steps, and enjoyed several minutes watching a delightful Ochre-breasted Antpitta. The name 'Shakira', derives from the bird's habit of constantly swaying its body from side to side. She was worth the wait!

Crested Guan

Ochre-breasted Antpitta

We stopped for a rest at a Hummingbird feeding station in a clearing at the top of the path. Here we enjoyed brilliant views of many hummingbirds, with a Fawn-breasted Brilliant showing exceptionally well. Roberto spotted a Toucan Barbet feeding in the canopy overhead, a large and spectacular bird, with multi-coloured plumage and striking stout bill, and although mobile, we had decent views. As at many sites, a few bananas were strategically scattered amongst some low shrubs, and here we enjoyed White-winged Brushfinch  foraging.

Fawn-breasted Brilliant

Returning to our vehicle, we stopped at a balcony viewing platform which overlooked the valley, but had a band of bushes and small trees just a few feet from where we stood. Here we had a flurry of great birds, including colourful Tropical Parula, White-tailed Tyrannulet, a mobile Brown capped Vireo and Blue winged Mountain Tanger. We also added both Variable and Yellow-bellied Seedeaters, not particularly showy birds, but new for the trip.

Blue-winged Mountain Tanager

We had certainly packed a lot into our visit, and this provided a fitting ending to a brilliant morning. 

We drove from here to Puerto del Sol restaurant , where we had a late lunch of a delicious soup. The cafe had extensive hummingbird feeders and perching vines strung between them, where the birds would pause between feeds, giving brilliant photo opportunities. To the side of the restaurant, a bare, open tree was strewn with bananas attracting plenty of colourful tanagers and a Golden-olive Woodpecker. We stayed here for some time enjoying the spectacle in relaxed surroundings after a busy morning.

Violet-tailed Sylph

Blue-necked Tanager

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Returning to Sachatamia Lodge, the light was already beginning to drop, but from our balcony we found a Slaty Redstart, showing well. Merlin picked up the call of a Plate Mountain Toucan, and from the terrace Roberto shouted the bird was flying in. We dashed round, and there it was perched at the top of the tree, where it stayed long enough for photos before continuing on its way. A perfect end to an exceptional day.

Plate-billed Mountain Tanager