The New Neotropical Companion

actually mate. Like the quetzals, Andean Cock- of- the-

rocks are fruit eaters and are often seen gathered in all

their collective gaudiness in richly fruiting trees.

Among the more elegant Andean cloud forest birds

are the four species of mountain- toucans (Andigena

spp.; plate 13- 12). Mostly blue- gray with yellow rumps

and long, variously colored bills, these elegant- looking

birds are restricted to the epiphyte- laden trees of cloud

forests.

Many of the most colorful tanagers (particularly

species in the genus Tangara) and bush- tanagers

(Chlorospingus) are unique to cloud forests. Mixed

flocks of various tanagers and other species may be

found as they collectively go about their foraging.

These include such gaudy species as the Scarlet- bellied

Mountain- Tanager (Anisognathus igniventris; plate 13-

13) and the Grass- green Tanager (Chlorornis riefferii;

plate 13- 14).

Many of the montane bird species are relatively easy

to observe, but not all. One that gives birders fits is the

Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx; plate 13- 15).

Tapaculos are in the family Rhinocryptidae, a group

of 58 species entirely confined to South America. As

a group they pose challenges to anyone who wishes

to get a good look at them. They sing with gusto but

appear with great reluctance. The Ocellated Tapaculo

is found generally between 2,300 and 3,500 m (7,550–

11,480 ft) elevation in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

It usually requires considerable patience to see it well.

Of all of the various birds found in montane areas,

perhaps no family is better represented than the

hummingbirds (family Trochilidae; plate 13- 16). On

a visit to Ecuador, for example, if you are inclined to

visit both the eastern and western slopes of the Andes

at various elevations, you are quite likely to encounter

over 50 hummingbird species. Many lodges have

hummingbird feeders that make it easy to obtain

wonderful looks at these hyperactive birds.

Hummingbirds are remarkable for many reasons

and are discussed more in chapters 10 and 15.

Hummingbirds feed mostly on nectar and supplement

their diet with arthropod food. Body sizes, bill lengths,

and bill shapes vary among species, a reflection

Plate 13- 15. The ever shy and reclusive Ocellated Tapaculo. Photo by Andrew Whittaker.

Plate 13- 13. The Scarlet- bellied

Mountain- Tanager occurs along the

Andes at mid elevations from Colombia

to Bolivia. Photo by Andrew Whittaker.

Plate 13- 14. The Grass- green Tanager

is found in wet cloud forests. Photo by

Edward Harper.

Plate 13- 15. The ever shy and reclusive

Ocellated Tapaculo. Photo by Andrew

Whittaker.

Plate 13- 16. This stunning Collared (or Gould’s) Inca (Coeligena

torquata inca) was photographed as it was approaching a

feeder. Photo by Andrew Whittaker.

240 chapter 13 scaling the andes