Jocotoco Antpitta

This is awesome. Been dying to go to exactly the region you describe and see this bird. It was discovered by a close personal friend of mine, Robert Ridgely, the author of the Ecuador field guide. if you'd be willing to share this location in a PM I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks!

Dorian - Dr. Ridgely is also a friend of Cecilia and myself - we birded with him in Ecuador several years ago - In fact the bird is named after Robert - Gralarias ridgelyi, The only place to see this bird as far as I know is at Jocotoco Foundation's Reserve and Lodge "Tapichalaca" Actually I had my dates transposed - It was discovered by Dr. Ridgely in 1997 and this reserve was setup in 1998 to protect this bird. This bird is fed daily along with the Chestnut-naped Antpitta - To date I have photographed 10 species of Antpitta in two different families - only two of these 10 species was not photographed at a feeding location - Quite interesting how a bird this large can go undiscovered for so long - but it is quite a climb up side of mountain - the reserve is now 7400 acres and is just north of Peru. Note on bird is that 1/2 birds known population lives in this reserve

Very interesting bird and info. Glad you got a chance to photograph it. Nicely detailed especially when clicked on. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

An excellent portrait and supporting narrative, Michael. Love the nice detail and the super image quality.

Mike, Nice find with excellent detail and interesting perch. Well Done. I think I might have darkened the limb to the left of the bird.

Gene Gwin wrote:Mike, Nice find with excellent detail and interesting perch.  Well Done.  I think I might have darkened the limb to the left of the bird.

Gene - I thought about it - the background is on separate layer so I had done most of work then just got lazy

Thanks
Mike

Great capture of this rare bird. Thanks for sharing.

excellent portrait and narrative Michael. appreciate you sharing this with us

Thanks everyone - L will follow up with some more of the antbirds - like Antthrushes and Antpittas that were almost never seen before locals figured out they could be trained to come to worms