Order: Tinamiformes Family: Tinamidae
The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emu, and kiwis. Seventeen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Tawny-breasted tinamou, Nothocercus julius
Highland tinamou, Nothocercus bonapartei
Gray tinamou, Tinamus tao
Black tinamou, Tinamus osgoodi
Great tinamou, Tinamus major
White-throated tinamou, Tinamus guttatus
Berlepsch's tinamou, Crypturellus berlepschi
Cinereous tinamou, Crypturellus cinereus
Little tinamou, Crypturellus soui
Brown tinamou, Crypturellus obsoletus
Undulated tinamou, Crypturellus undulatus
Pale-browed tinamou, Crypturellus transfasciatus
Variegated tinamou, Crypturellus variegatus
Bartlett's tinamou, Crypturellus bartletti
Tataupa tinamou, Crypturellus tataupa
Andean tinamou, Nothoprocta pentlandii
Curve-billed tinamou, Nothoprocta curvirostris
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anhimidae
The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs, and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and in territorial disputes. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Horned screamer, Anhima cornuta
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
Comb duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Orinoco goose, Neochen jubatus
Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata
Brazilian teal, Amazonetta brasiliensis (A)
Torrent duck, Merganetta armata
American wigeon, Anas americana (A)
Blue-winged teal, Anas discors
Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis
Northern pintail, Anas acuta (A)
Yellow-billed pintail, Anas georgica
Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (H)
Andean teal, Anas andium
Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (A)
Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis
Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus
Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
Guans, chachalacas, and curassows
Order: Galliformes Family: Cracidae
The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments. Fourteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rufous-headed chachalaca, Ortalis erythroptera
Speckled chachalaca, Ortalis guttata
Bearded guan, Penelope barbata
Baudo guan, Penelope ortoni
Andean guan, Penelope montagnii
Spix's guan, Penelope jacquacu
Crested guan, Penelope purpurascens
Blue-throated piping-guan, Pipile cumanensis
Wattled guan, Aburria aburri
Sickle-winged guan, Chamaepetes goudotii
Nocturnal curassow, Nothocrax urumutum
Salvin's curassow, Mitu salvini
Great curassow, Crax rubra
Wattled curassow, Crax globulosa
Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. Six species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Marbled wood-quail, Odontophorus gujanensis
Rufous-fronted wood-quail, Odontophorus erythrops
Dark-backed wood-quail, Odontophorus melanonotus
Rufous-breasted wood-quail, Odontophorus speciosus
Starred wood-quail, Odontophorus stellatus
Tawny-faced quail, Rhynchortyx cinctus
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Four species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Great grebe, Podiceps major
Silvery grebe, Podiceps occipitalis
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside down. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis
American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae
The penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti (A)
Galapagos penguin, Spheniscus mendiculus (EG)
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are among the largest flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Four species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Waved albatross, Phoebastria irrorata
Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (A)
Buller's albatross, Thalassarche bulleri (H)
Salvin's albatross, Thalassarche salvini (H)
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Fifteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Southern giant-petrel, Macronectes giganteus (A)
Southern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides (H)
Cape petrel, Daption capense (A)
Mottled petrel, Pterodroma inexpectata (H)
Galapagos petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia
Antarctic prion, Pachyptila desolata (A)
White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis (H)
Parkinson's petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni
Pink-footed shearwater, Ardenna creatopus (A)
Flesh-footed shearwater, Ardenna carneipes (H)
Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacifica (A)
Buller's shearwater, Ardenna bulleri (A)
Sooty shearwater, Ardenna grisea
Galapagos shearwater, Puffinus subalaris (EG)
Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Eleven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (A)
Elliot's storm-petrel, Oceanites gracilis
White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina (A)
White-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria (A)
Ringed storm-petrel, Oceanodroma hornbyi (A)
Leach's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)
Band-rumped storm-petrel, Oceanodroma castro
Wedge-rumped storm-petrel, Oceanodroma tethys
Black storm-petrel, Oceanodroma melania (A)
Markham's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma markhami (A)
Least storm-petrel, Oceanodroma microsoma
Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda (H)
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria
Wood stork, Mycteria americana
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white, or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens
Great frigatebird, Fregata minor
Boobies and gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (A)
Nazca booby, Sula granti
Blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii
Peruvian booby, Sula variegata
Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (A)
Red-footed booby, Sula sula
Cape gannet, Morus capensis (H)
Cormorants and shags
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful. Three species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Flightless cormorant, Phalacrocorax harrisi (EG)
Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Guanay cormorant, Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Anhingas are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis
Peruvian pelican, Pelecanus thagus
Herons, egrets, and bitterns
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Pinnated bittern, Botaurus pinnatus
Zigzag heron, Zebrilus undulatus
Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
Stripe-backed bittern, Ixobrychus involucris (H)
Rufescent tiger-heron, Tigrisoma lineatum
Fasciated tiger-heron, Tigrisoma fasciatum
Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
Cocoi heron, Ardea cocoi
Great egret, Ardea alba
Snowy egret, Egretta thula
Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea
Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor
Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens (A)
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Green heron, Butorides virescens
Striated heron, Butorides striata
Agami heron, Agamia agami
Whistling heron, Syrigma sibilatrix (H)
Capped heron, Pilherodius pileatus
Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea
Boat-billed heron, Cochlearius cochlearius
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. Eight species have been recorded in Ecuador.
White ibis, Eudocimus albus
Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber (A)
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Puna ibis, Plegadis ridgwayi (H)
Green ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Bare-faced ibis, Phimosus infuscatus
Black-faced ibis, Theristicus melanopis
Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Cathartidae
The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. Five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
Greater yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes melambrotus
Andean condor, Vultur gryphus
King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Forty-eight species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Pearl kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii
White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus
Hook-billed kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus
Gray-headed kite, Leptodon cayanensis
Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus
Crested eagle, Morphnus guianensis
Harpy eagle, Harpia harpyja
Black hawk-eagle, Spizaetus tyrannus
Ornate hawk-eagle, Spizaetus ornatus
Black-and-white hawk-eagle, Spizaetus melanoleucus
Black-and-chestnut eagle, Spizaetus isidori
Black-collared hawk, Busarellus nigricollis
Snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis
Slender-billed kite, Helicolestes hamatus
Double-toothed kite, Harpagus bidentatus
Rufous-thighed kite, Harpagus diodon (H)
Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (H)
Plumbeous kite, Ictinia plumbea
Cinereous harrier, Circus cinereus
Gray-bellied hawk, Accipiter poliogaster
Tiny hawk, Accipiter superciliosus
Semicollared hawk, Accipiter collaris
Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
Bicolored hawk, Accipiter bicolor
Crane hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens
Plumbeous hawk, Cryptoleucopteryx plumbea
Slate-colored hawk, Buteogallus schistaceus
Common black hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus
Savanna hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis
Great black hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga
Solitary eagle, Buteogallus solitarius
Barred hawk, Morphnarchus princeps
Roadside hawk, Rupornis magnirostris
Harris's hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus
White-rumped hawk, Parabuteo leucorrhous
Variable hawk, Geranoaetus polyosoma
Black-chested buzzard-eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus
White hawk, Pseudastur albicollis
Gray-backed hawk, Pseudastur occidentalis
Semiplumbeous hawk, Leucopternis semiplumbeus
Black-faced hawk, Leucopternis melanops
Gray-lined hawk, Buteo nitidus
Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
Short-tailed hawk, Buteo brachyurus
White-throated hawk, Buteo albigula
Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni
Galapagos hawk, Buteo galapagoensis (EG)
Zone-tailed hawk, Buteo albonotatus
Order: Gruiformes Family: Eurypygidae
The sunbittern is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas, and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae (sometimes spelled Eurypigidae) and genus Eurypyga.
Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Twenty-seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Chestnut-headed crake, Anurolimnas castaneiceps
Russet-crowned crake, Anurolimnas viridis
Black-banded crake, Anurolimnas fasciatus
Rufous-sided crake, Laterallus melanophaius
White-throated crake, Laterallus albigularis
Gray-breasted crake, Laterallus exilis
Galapagos rail, Laterallus spilonota (EG)
Mangrove rail, Rallus longirostris
Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
Rufous-necked wood-rail, Aramides axillaris
Gray-cowled wood-rail, Aramides cajaneus (The SACC calls A. cajaneus gray-necked wood-rail)
Brown wood-rail, Aramides wolfi
Red-winged wood-rail, Aramides calopterus
Uniform crake, Amaurolimnas concolor
Sora, Porzana carolina
Yellow-breasted crake, Porzana flaviventer (H)
Ash-throated crake, Mustelirallus albicollis
Colombian crake, Mustelirallus colombianus
Paint-billed crake, Mustelirallus erythrops
Spotted rail, Pardirallus maculatus
Blackish rail, Pardirallus nigricans
Plumbeous rail, Pardirallus sanguinolentus
Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (The SACC calls purple gallinule P. martinica)
Azure gallinule, Porphyrio flavirostris
Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
American coot, Fulica americana (extirpated)
Slate-colored coot, Fulica ardesiaca
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Sungrebe, Heliornis fulica
Order: Gruiformes Family: Aramidae
The limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab-brown plumage and a grayer head and neck.
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna
Order: Gruiformes Family: Psophiidae
The trumpeters are dumpy birds with long necks and legs and chicken-like bills. They are named for the trumpeting call of the males. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Gray-winged trumpeter, Psophia crepitans
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes, and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Peruvian thick-knee, Burhinus superciliaris
Stilts and avocets
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
American avocet, Recurvirostra americana (A)
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus
Blackish oystercatcher, Haematopus ater
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Thirteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (A)
Tawny-throated dotterel, Oreopholus ruficollis (A)
Pied lapwing, Vanellus cayanus
Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
Andean lapwing, Vanellus resplendens
Collared plover, Charadrius collaris
Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus
Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia
Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (A)
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Thinocoridae
The seedsnipes are a small family of birds that superficially resemble sparrows. They have short legs and long wings and are herbivorous waders. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rufous-bellied seedsnipe, Attagis gayi
Least seedsnipe, Thinocorus rumicivorus (A)
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Wattled jacana, Jacana jacana
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica
Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa (A)
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala (H)
Red knot, Calidris canutus (A)
Surfbird, Calidris virgata
Ruff, Calidris pugnax (H)
Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (A)
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Dunlin, Calidris alpina (H)
Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis
Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus (A)
Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata (A)
South American snipe, Gallinago paraguaiae
Puna snipe, Gallinago andina (H)
Noble snipe, Gallinago nobilis
Jameson's snipe, Gallinago jamesoni
Imperial snipe, Gallinago imperialis
Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia
Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
Wandering tattler, Tringa incana
Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
Willet, Tringa semipalmata
Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
Skuas and jaegers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. Five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Chilean skua, Stercorarius chilensis (H)
South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (H)
Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (A)
Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (A)
Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (H)
Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, kittiwakes, terns, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess 30 years. Thirty-five species of Laridae have been recorded in Ecuador.
Swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus (essentially EG; a few pairs breed in Colombia)
Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia (A)
Andean gull, Chroicocephalus serranus
Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Gray gull, Leucophaeus modestus
Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
Lava gull, Leucophaeus fuliginosus (EG)
Belcher's gull, Larus belcheri (H)
Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis (A)
California gull, Larus californicus (A)
Herring gull, Larus argentatus (H)
Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus (A)
Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus
Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
Black noddy, Anous minutus (H)
White tern, Gygis alba (H)
Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
Least tern, Sternula antillarum (H)
Yellow-billed tern, Sternula superciliaris
Peruvian tern, Sternula lorata
Large-billed tern, Phaetusa simplex
Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia (A)
Inca tern, Larosterna inca
Black tern, Chlidonias niger
Common tern, Sterna hirundo
Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
South American tern, Sterna hirundinacea
Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
Elegant tern, Thalasseus elegans
Black skimmer, Rynchops niger
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Twenty-eight species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
Pale-vented pigeon, Patagioenas cayennensis
Scaled pigeon, Patagioenas speciosa
Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
Peruvian pigeon, Patagioenas oenops (H)
Plumbeous pigeon, Patagioenas plumbea
Ruddy pigeon, Patagioenas subvinacea
Dusky pigeon, Patagioenas goodsoni
Common ground-dove, Columbina passerina
Plain-breasted ground-dove, Columbina minuta
Ruddy ground-dove, Columbina talpacoti
Ecuadorian ground-dove, Columbina buckleyi
Croaking ground-dove, Columbina cruziana
Blue ground-dove, Claravis pretiosa
Maroon-chested ground-dove, Claravis mondetoura
Black-winged ground-dove, Metriopelia melanoptera
Purple quail-dove, Geotrygon purpurata
Sapphire quail-dove, Geotrygon saphirina
Ruddy quail-dove, Geotrygon montana
Olive-backed quail-dove, Leptotrygon veraguensis
White-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi
Ochre-bellied dove, Leptotila ochraceiventris
Gray-fronted dove, Leptotila rufaxilla
Pallid dove, Leptotila pallida
White-throated quail-dove, Zentrygon frenata
West Peruvian dove, Zenaida meloda
Galapagos dove, Zenaida galapagoensis (EG)
Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata
Order: Opisthocomiformes Family: Opisthocomidae
The hoatzin is pheasant-sized, but much slimmer; it has a long tail, long neck, and small head. It has an unfeathered blue face with red eyes, and its head is topped by a spiky crest. It is a weak flier and is found in the swamps of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers.
Hoatzin, Opisthocomus hoazin
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These are birds of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Eighteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Greater ani, Crotophaga major
Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani
Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris
Striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia
Pheasant cuckoo, Dromococcyx phasianellus
Pavonine cuckoo, Dromococcyx pavoninus
Rufous-vented ground-cuckoo, Neomorphus geoffroyi
Banded ground-cuckoo, Neomorphus radiolosus
Red-billed ground-cuckoo, Neomorphus pucheranii (H)
Little cuckoo, Coccycua minuta
Dwarf cuckoo, Coccycua pumila (A)
Squirrel cuckoo, Piaya cayana
Black-bellied cuckoo, Piaya melanogaster
Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus
Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
Pearly-breasted cuckoo, Coccyzus euleri
Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Gray-capped cuckoo, Coccyzus lansbergi
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Barn owl, Tyto alba
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Twenty-seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Tropical screech-owl, Megascops choliba
Peruvian screech-owl, Megascops roboratus
Colombian screech-owl, Megascops colombianus
Rufescent screech-owl, Megascops ingens
Cinnamon screech-owl, Megascops petersoni
Tawny-bellied screech-owl, Megascops watsonii
Vermiculated screech-owl, Megascops guatemalae
White-throated screech-owl, Megascops albogularis
Crested owl, Lophostrix cristata
Spectacled owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata
Band-bellied owl, Pulsatrix melanota
Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
Cloud-forest pygmy-owl, Glaucidium nubicola
Andean pygmy-owl, Glaucidium jardinii
Subtropical pygmy-owl, Glaucidium parkeri
Central American pygmy-owl, Glaucidium griseiceps
Ferruginous pygmy-owl, Glaucidium brasilianum
Peruvian pygmy-owl, Glaucidium peruanum
Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia
Mottled owl, Ciccaba virgata
Black-and-white owl, Ciccaba nigrolineata
Black-banded owl, Ciccaba huhula
Rufous-banded owl, Ciccaba albitarsis
Buff-fronted owl, Aegolius harrisii
Stygian owl, Asio stygius
Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Striped owl, Pseudoscops clamator (The SACC places striped owl in genus Asio)
Nightjars and allies
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds which usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Nineteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Nacunda nighthawk, Chordeiles nacunda
Sand-colored nighthawk, Chordeiles rupestris
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Short-tailed nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus
Rufous-bellied nighthawk, Lurocalis rufiventris
Band-tailed nighthawk, Nyctiprogne leucopyga
Blackish nightjar, Nyctipolus nigrescens
Band-winged nightjar, Systellura longirostris
Common pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis
Scrub nightjar, Nyctidromus anthonyi
Swallow-tailed nightjar, Uropsalis segmentata
Lyre-tailed nightjar, Uropsalis lyra
White-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis cayennensis
Spot-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis maculicaudus
Ladder-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis climacocerca
Ocellated poorwill, Nyctiphrynus ocellatus
Choco poorwill, Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi
Rufous nightjar, Antrostomus rufus
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Nyctibiidae
(The SACC places potoos in their own order, Nyctibiiformes)
The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars. Five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis
Long-tailed potoo, Nyctibius aethereus
Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus
Andean potoo, Nyctibius maculosus
Rufous potoo, Nyctibius bracteatus
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Steatornithidae
(The SACC places the oilbird in its own order, Steatornithiformes)
The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.
Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Apodidae
(The SACC places swifts in their own order, Apodiformes)
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Fourteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
White-chested swift, Cypseloides lemosi
White-chinned swift, Cypseloides cryptus
Spot-fronted swift, Cypseloides cherriei
Chestnut-collared swift, Streptoprocne rutila
White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
Chapman's swift, Chaetura chapmani (H)
Short-tailed swift, Chaetura brachyura
Band-rumped swift, Chaetura spinicaudus
Gray-rumped swift, Chaetura cinereiventris
Pale-rumped swift, Chaetura egregia
White-tipped swift, Aeronautes montivagus
Lesser swallow-tailed swift, Panyptila cayennensis
Fork-tailed palm-swift, Tachornis squamata
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Trochilidae
(The SACC places hummingbirds in their own order, Trochiliformes)
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. One hundred thirty-two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Fiery topaz, Topaza pyra
White-necked jacobin, Florisuga mellivora
White-tipped sicklebill, Eutoxeres aquila
Buff-tailed sicklebill, Eutoxeres condamini
Bronzy hermit, Glaucis aeneus
Rufous-breasted hermit, Glaucis hirsutus
Band-tailed barbthroat, Threnetes ruckeri
Pale-tailed barbthroat, Threnetes leucurus
White-bearded hermit, Phaethornis hispidus
White-whiskered hermit, Phaethornis yaruqui
Green hermit, Phaethornis guy
Tawny-bellied hermit, Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Straight-billed hermit, Phaethornis bourcieri
Long-billed hermit, Phaethornis longirostris
Great-billed hermit, Phaethornis malaris
Black-throated hermit, Phaethornis atrimentalis
Stripe-throated hermit, Phaethornis striigularis
Gray-chinned hermit, Phaethornis griseogularis
Reddish hermit, Phaethornis ruber
Green-fronted lancebill, Doryfera ludovicae
Blue-fronted lancebill, Doryfera johannae
Wedge-billed hummingbird, Schistes geoffroyi
Brown violetear, Colibri delphinae
Lesser violetear, Colibri cyanotus (The SACC retains the pre-split name C. thalassinus, green violetear)
Sparkling violetear, Colibri coruscans
Tooth-billed hummingbird, Androdon aequatorialis
Purple-crowned fairy, Heliothryx barroti
Black-eared fairy, Heliothryx auritus
Green-tailed goldenthroat, Polytmus theresiae (H)
Fiery-tailed awlbill, Avocettula recurvirostris
Black-throated mango, Anthracothorax nigricollis
Amethyst-throated sunangel, Heliangelus amethysticollis
Gorgeted sunangel, Heliangelus strophianus
Tourmaline sunangel, Heliangelus exortis
Little sunangel, Heliangelus micraster
Purple-throated sunangel, Heliangelus viola
Royal sunangel, Heliangelus regalis
Wire-crested thorntail, Discosura popelairii
Black-bellied thorntail, Discosura langsdorffi
Green thorntail, Discosura conversii
Rufous-crested coquette, Lophornis delattrei (H)
Spangled coquette, Lophornis stictolophus
Festive coquette, Lophornis chalybeus
Ecuadorian piedtail, Phlogophilus hemileucurus
Speckled hummingbird, Adelomyia melanogenys
Long-tailed sylph, Aglaiocercus kingii
Violet-tailed sylph, Aglaiocercus coelestis
Ecuadorian hillstar, Oreotrochilus chimborazo
Andean hillstar, Oreotrochilus estella
Mountain avocetbill, Opisthoprora euryptera
Black-tailed trainbearer, Lesbia victoriae
Green-tailed trainbearer, Lesbia nuna
Purple-backed thornbill, Ramphomicron microrhynchum
Rufous-capped thornbill, Chalcostigma ruficeps
Blue-mantled thornbill, Chalcostigma stanleyi
Rainbow-bearded thornbill, Chalcostigma herrani
Tyrian metaltail, Metallura tyrianthina
Viridian metaltail, Metallura williami
Violet-throated metaltail, Metallura baroni (EM)
Neblina metaltail, Metallura odomae
Greenish puffleg, Haplophaedia aureliae
Hoary puffleg, Haplophaedia lugens
Black-breasted puffleg, Eriocnemis nigrivestis (EM)
Glowing puffleg, Eriocnemis vestita
Black-thighed puffleg, Eriocnemis derbyi
Turquoise-throated puffleg, Eriocnemis godini
Sapphire-vented puffleg, Eriocnemis luciani
Golden-breasted puffleg, Eriocnemis mosquera
Emerald-bellied puffleg, Eriocnemis aline
Shining sunbeam, Aglaeactis cupripennis
Bronzy inca, Coeligena coeligena
Brown inca, Coeligena wilsoni
Collared inca, Coeligena torquata
Rainbow starfrontlet, Coeligena iris
Buff-winged starfrontlet, Coeligena lutetiae
Mountain velvetbreast, Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Sword-billed hummingbird, Ensifera ensifera
Great sapphirewing, Pterophanes cyanopterus
Buff-tailed coronet, Boissonneaua flavescens
Chestnut-breasted coronet, Boissonneaua matthewsii
Velvet-purple coronet, Boissonneaua jardini
Booted racket-tail, Ocreatus underwoodii
White-tailed hillstar, Urochroa bougueri
Purple-bibbed whitetip, Urosticte benjamini
Rufous-vented whitetip, Urosticte ruficrissa
Pink-throated brilliant, Heliodoxa gularis
Black-throated brilliant, Heliodoxa schreibersii
Gould's jewelfront, Heliodoxa aurescens
Fawn-breasted brilliant, Heliodoxa rubinoides
Green-crowned brilliant, Heliodoxa jacula
Empress brilliant, Heliodoxa imperatrix
Violet-fronted brilliant, Heliodoxa leadbeateri
Giant hummingbird, Patagona gigas
Long-billed starthroat, Heliomaster longirostris
Blue-tufted starthroat, Heliomaster furcifer (H)
Purple-collared woodstar, Myrtis fanny
Peruvian sheartail, Thaumastura cora (H)
White-bellied woodstar, Chaetocercus mulsant
Little woodstar, Chaetocercus bombus
Gorgeted woodstar, Chaetocercus heliodor
Esmeraldas woodstar, Chaetocercus berlepschi (EM)
Short-tailed woodstar, Myrmia micrura
Purple-throated woodstar, Calliphlox mitchellii
Amethyst woodstar, Calliphlox amethystina
Western emerald, Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
Blue-tailed emerald, Chlorostilbon mellisugus
Blue-chinned sapphire, Chlorestes notata
Violet-headed hummingbird, Klais guimeti
Gray-breasted sabrewing, Campylopterus largipennis
Lazuline sabrewing, Campylopterus falcatus
Napo sabrewing, Campylopterus villaviscensio
White-vented plumeleteer, Chalybura buffonii
Bronze-tailed plumeleteer, Chalybura urochrysia
Crowned woodnymph, Thalurania colombica
Fork-tailed woodnymph, Thalurania furcata
Many-spotted hummingbird, Taphrospilus hypostictus
Tumbes hummingbird, Leucippus baeri
Spot-throated hummingbird, Leucippus taczanowskii (H)
Olive-spotted hummingbird, Leucippus chlorocercus
Amazilia hummingbird, Amazilia amazilia
Andean emerald, Amazilia franciae
Glittering-throated emerald, Amazilia fimbriata
Sapphire-spangled emerald, Amazilia lactea (H)
Blue-chested hummingbird, Amazilia amabilis
Purple-chested hummingbird, Amazilia rosenbergi
Rufous-tailed hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl
Golden-tailed sapphire, Chrysuronia oenone
Violet-bellied hummingbird, Damophila julie
Humboldt's sapphire, Hylocharis humboldtii
Rufous-throated sapphire, Hylocharis sapphirina
White-chinned sapphire, Hylocharis cyanus
Blue-headed sapphire, Hylocharis grayi
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. Fifteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Pavonine quetzal, Pharomachrus pavoninus
Golden-headed quetzal, Pharomachrus auriceps
Crested quetzal, Pharomachrus antisianus
Slaty-tailed trogon, Trogon massena
Blue-tailed trogon, Trogon comptus
Ecuadorian trogon, Trogon mesurus
Black-tailed trogon, Trogon melanurus
White-tailed trogon, Trogon chionurus
Green-backed trogon, Trogon viridis
Gartered trogon, Trogon caligatus
Amazonian trogon, Trogon ramonianus
Blue-crowned trogon, Trogon curucui
Black-throated trogon, Trogon rufus
Collared trogon, Trogon collaris
Masked trogon, Trogon personatus
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Momotidae
The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft and creating a racket-shaped tail. Five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Whooping motmot, Momotus subrufescens
Amazonian motmot, Momotus momota
Andean motmot, Momotus aequatorialis
Rufous motmot, Baryphthengus martii
Broad-billed motmot, Electron platyrhynchum
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Six species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquatus
Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (A)
Amazon kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
Green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
Green-and-rufous kingfisher, Chloroceryle inda
American pygmy kingfisher, Chloroceryle aenea
Order: Galbuliformes Family: Bucconidae
The puffbirds are related to the jacamars and have the same range, but lack the iridescent colors of that family. They are mainly brown, rufous, or gray, with large heads and flattened bills with hooked tips. The loose abundant plumage and short tails makes them look stout and puffy, giving rise to the English common name of the family. Nineteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
White-necked puffbird, Notharchus hyperrhynchus
Black-breasted puffbird, Notharchus pectoralis
Pied puffbird, Notharchus tectus
Chestnut-capped puffbird, Bucco macrodactylus
Spotted puffbird, Bucco tamatia
Collared puffbird, Bucco capensis
Barred puffbird, Nystalus radiatus
Western striolated-puffbird, Nystalus obamai
White-chested puffbird, Malacoptila fusca
White-whiskered puffbird, Malacoptila panamensis
Black-streaked puffbird, Malacoptila fulvogularis
Lanceolated monklet, Micromonacha lanceolata
Rusty-breasted nunlet, Nonnula rubecula
Brown nunlet, Nonnula brunnea
White-faced nunbird, Hapaloptila castanea
Black-fronted nunbird, Monasa nigrifrons
White-fronted nunbird, Monasa morphoeus
Yellow-billed nunbird, Monasa flavirostris
Swallow-winged puffbird, Chelidoptera tenebrosa
Order: Galbuliformes Family: Galbulidae
The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America with a range that extends up to Mexico. They feed on insects caught on the wing, and are glossy, elegant birds with long bills and tails. In appearance and behavior they resemble the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to puffbirdss. Ten species have been recorded in Ecuador.
White-eared jacamar, Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis
Brown jacamar, Brachygalba lugubris
Yellow-billed jacamar, Galbula albirostris
Rufous-tailed jacamar, Galbula ruficauda
White-chinned jacamar, Galbula tombacea
Bluish-fronted jacamar, Galbula cyanescens
Coppery-chested jacamar, Galbula pastazae
Purplish jacamar, Galbula chalcothorax
Paradise jacamar, Galbula dea
Great jacamar, Jacamerops aureus
Order: Piciformes Family: Capitonidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored. Six species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Scarlet-crowned barbet, Capito aurovirens
Orange-fronted barbet, Capito squamatus
Five-colored barbet, Capito quinticolor
Gilded barbet, Capito auratus
Lemon-throated barbet, Eubucco richardsoni
Red-headed barbet, Eubucco bourcierii
Order: Piciformes Family: Semnornithidae
Toucan barbet, Semnornis ramphastinus
Order: Piciformes Family: Ramphastidae
Toucans are near passerine birds from the Neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colorful bills which in some species amount to half their body length. Seventeen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Emerald toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Chestnut-tipped toucanet, Aulacorhynchus derbianus
Crimson-rumped toucanet, Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Gray-breasted mountain-toucan, Andigena hypoglauca
Plate-billed mountain-toucan, Andigena laminirostris
Black-billed mountain-toucan, Andigena nigrirostris
Lettered aracari, Pteroglossus inscriptus
Collared aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus
Chestnut-eared aracari, Pteroglossus castanotis
Many-banded aracari, Pteroglossus pluricinctus
Ivory-billed aracari, Pteroglossus azara
Yellow-eared toucanet, Selenidera spectabilis
Golden-collared toucanet, Selenidera reinwardtii
Yellow-throated toucan, Ramphastos ambiguus
White-throated toucan, Ramphastos tucanus
Choco toucan, Ramphastos brevis
Channel-billed toucan, Ramphastos vitellinus
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Thirty-five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Lafresnaye's piculet, Picumnus lafresnayi
Ecuadorian piculet, Picumnus sclateri
Rufous-breasted piculet, Picumnus rufiventris
Plain-breasted piculet, Picumnus castelnau (H)
Olivaceous piculet, Picumnus olivaceus
Yellow-tufted woodpecker, Melanerpes cruentatus
Black-cheeked woodpecker, Melanerpes pucherani
Smoky-brown woodpecker, Picoides fumigatus
Red-rumped woodpecker, Veniliornis kirkii
Little woodpecker, Veniliornis passerinus
Scarlet-backed woodpecker, Veniliornis callonotus
Yellow-vented woodpecker, Veniliornis dignus
Bar-bellied woodpecker, Veniliornis nigriceps
Red-stained woodpecker, Veniliornis affinis
Choco woodpecker, Veniliornis chocoensis
White-throated woodpecker, Piculus leucolaemus
Lita woodpecker, Piculus litae
Yellow-throated woodpecker, Piculus flavigula
Golden-green woodpecker, Piculus chrysochloros
Golden-olive woodpecker, Colaptes rubiginosus
Crimson-mantled woodpecker, Colaptes rivolii
Spot-breasted woodpecker, Colaptes punctigula
Andean flicker, Colaptes rupicola
Cinnamon woodpecker, Celeus loricatus
Ringed woodpecker, Celeus torquatus
Scale-breasted woodpecker, Celeus grammicus
Cream-colored woodpecker, Celeus flavus
Rufous-headed woodpecker, Celeus spectabilis
Chestnut woodpecker, Celeus elegans
Lineated woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus
Powerful woodpecker, Campephilus pollens
Crimson-bellied woodpecker, Campephilus haematogaster
Red-necked woodpecker, Campephilus rubricollis
Crimson-crested woodpecker, Campephilus melanoleucos
Guayaquil woodpecker, Campephilus gayaquilensis
Falcons and caracaras
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Nineteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Barred forest-falcon, Micrastur ruficollis
Plumbeous forest-falcon, Micrastur plumbeus
Lined forest-falcon, Micrastur gilvicollis
Slaty-backed forest-falcon, Micrastur mirandollei
Collared forest-falcon, Micrastur semitorquatus
Buckley's forest-falcon, Micrastur buckleyi
Black caracara, Daptrius ater
Red-throated caracara, Ibycter americanus
Carunculated caracara, Phalcoboenus carunculatus
Mountain caracara, Phalcoboenus megalopterus
Crested caracara, Caracara cheriway
Yellow-headed caracara, Milvago chimachima
Laughing falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans
American kestrel, Falco sparverius
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Aplomado falcon, Falco femoralis
Bat falcon, Falco rufigularis
Orange-breasted falcon, Falco deiroleucus
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
New World and African parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back. Forty-seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Scarlet-shouldered parrotlet, Touit huetii
Blue-fronted parrotlet, Touit dilectissimus
Sapphire-rumped parrotlet, Touit purpuratus
Spot-winged parrotlet, Touit stictopterus
Barred parakeet, Bolborhynchus lineola
Tui parakeet, Brotogeris sanctithomae (H)
White-winged parakeet, Brotogeris versicolurus (I) (The SACC calls B. versicolurus canary-winged parakeet)
Gray-cheeked parakeet, Brotogeris pyrrhoptera
Cobalt-winged parakeet, Brotogeris cyanoptera
Rusty-faced parrot, Hapalopsittaca amazonina (H)
Red-faced parrot, Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops
Rose-faced parrot, Pyrilia pulchra
Saffron-headed parrot, Pyrilia pyrilia (H)
Orange-cheeked parrot, Pyrilia barrabandi
Red-billed parrot, Pionus sordidus
Speckle-faced parrot, Pionus tumultuosus
Blue-headed parrot, Pionus menstruus
Bronze-winged parrot, Pionus chalcopterus
Short-tailed parrot, Graydidascalus brachyurus
Festive parrot, Amazona festiva
Red-lored parrot, Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-crowned parrot, Amazona ochrocephala
Mealy parrot, Amazona farinosa
Orange-winged parrot, Amazona amazonica
Scaly-naped parrot, Amazona mercenarius
Blue-winged parrotlet, Forpus xanthopterygius
Dusky-billed parrotlet, Forpus modestus
Pacific parrotlet, Forpus coelestis
Black-headed parrot, Pionites melanocephalus
Red-fan parrot, Deroptyus accipitrinus
Rose-fronted parakeet, Pyrrhura roseifrons
Maroon-tailed parakeet, Pyrrhura melanura
El Oro parakeet, Pyrrhura orcesi (EM)
White-necked parakeet, Pyrrhura albipectus
Dusky-headed parakeet, Aratinga weddellii
Red-bellied macaw, Orthopsittaca manilatus
Blue-and-yellow macaw, Ara ararauna
Military macaw, Ara militaris
Great green macaw, Ara ambiguus
Scarlet macaw, Ara macao
Red-and-green macaw, Ara chloropterus
Chestnut-fronted macaw, Ara severus
Golden-plumed parakeet, Leptosittaca branickii
Yellow-eared parrot, Ognorhynchus icterotis
Scarlet-fronted parakeet, Psittacara wagleri
Red-masked parakeet, Psittacara erythrogenys
White-eyed parakeet, Psittacara leucophthalmus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sapayoidae
Sapayoa, Sapayoa aenigma
Order: Passeriformes Family: Thamnophilidae
The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds which tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat small invertebrates that leave their hiding places to flee from the ants. Many species lack bright color, with brown, black, and white being the dominant tones. Ninety-five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rufous-rumped antwren, Euchrepomis callinota
Chestnut-shouldered antwren, Euchrepomis humeralis
Ash-winged antwren, Euchrepomis spodioptila
Fasciated antshrike, Cymbilaimus lineatus
Fulvous antshrike, Frederickena fulva
Great antshrike, Taraba major
Barred antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus
Chapman's antshrike, Thamnophilus zarumae
Lined antshrike, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
Collared antshrike, Thamnophilus bernardi
Black-crowned antshrike, Thamnophilus atrinucha
Plain-winged antshrike, Thamnophilus schistaceus
Mouse-colored antshrike, Thamnophilus murinus
Cocha antshrike, Thamnophilus praecox (EM)
Castelnau's antshrike, Thamnophilus cryptoleucus
Northern slaty-antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus
Uniform antshrike, Thamnophilus unicolor
White-shouldered antshrike, Thamnophilus aethiops
Amazonian antshrike, Thamnophilus amazonicus
Pearly antshrike, Megastictus margaritatus
Black bushbird, Neoctantes niger
Russet antshrike, Thamnistes anabatinus
Plain antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis
Spot-crowned antvireo, Dysithamnus puncticeps
Bicolored antvireo, Dysithamnus occidentalis
White-streaked antvireo, Dysithamnus leucostictus
Dusky-throated antshrike, Thamnomanes ardesiacus
Cinereous antshrike, Thamnomanes caesius
Plain-throated antwren, Isleria hauxwelli
Spot-winged antshrike, Pygiptila stellaris
Checker-throated antwren, Epinecrophylla fulviventris
Fulvous-throated antwren, Epinecrophylla pyrrhonota (This entry conforms to Clements; see note below)
Brown-backed antwren, Epinecrophylla fjeldsaai
Foothill antwren, Epinecrophylla spodionota
Ornate antwren, Epinecrophylla ornata
Rufous-tailed antwren, Epinecrophylla erythrura
Pygmy antwren, Myrmotherula brachyura
Moustached antwren, Myrmotherula ignota
Amazonian streaked-antwren, Myrmotherula multostriata
Pacific antwren, Myrmotherula pacifica
Stripe-chested antwren, Myrmotherula longicauda
White-flanked antwren, Myrmotherula axillaris
Slaty antwren, Myrmotherula schisticolor
Rio Suno antwren, Myrmotherula sunensis
Long-winged antwren, Myrmotherula longipennis
Plain-winged antwren, Myrmotherula behni
Gray antwren, Myrmotherula menetriesii
Banded antbird, Dichrozona cincta
Dugand's antwren, Herpsilochmus dugandi
Ancient antwren, Herpsilochmus gentryi
Yellow-breasted antwren, Herpsilochmus axillaris
Rufous-winged antwren, Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus
Dot-winged antwren, Microrhopias quixensis
Striated antbird, Drymophila devillei
Streak-headed antbird, Drymophila striaticeps
Peruvian warbling-antbird, Hypocnemis peruviana
Yellow-browed antbird, Hypocnemis hypoxantha
Dusky antbird, Cercomacroides tyrannina
Black antbird, Cercomacroides serva
Blackish antbird, Cercomacroides nigrescens
Riparian antbird, Cercomacroides fuscicauda
Gray antbird, Cercomacra cinerascens
Jet antbird, Cercomacra nigricans
White-backed fire-eye, Pyriglena leuconota
White-browed antbird, Myrmoborus leucophrys
Ash-breasted antbird, Myrmoborus lugubris
Black-faced antbird, Myrmoborus myotherinus
Black-chinned antbird, Hypocnemoides melanopogon
Black-and-white antbird, Myrmochanes hemileucus
Silvered antbird, Sclateria naevia
Slate-colored antbird, Myrmelastes schistaceus
Roraiman antbird, Myrmelastes saturatus
Rufous-faced antbird, Myrmelastes rufifacies
Chestnut-backed antbird, Poliocrania exsul
Gray-headed antbird, Ampelornis griseiceps
Esmeraldas antbird, Sipia nigricauda
Stub-tailed antbird, Sipia berlepschi
Zimmer's antbird, Sciaphylax castanea
White-shouldered antbird, Akletos melanoceps
Sooty antbird, Hafferia fortis
Zeledon's antbird, Hafferia zeledoni
Black-throated antbird, Myrmophylax atrothorax
Wing-banded antbird, Myrmornis torquata
White-plumed antbird, Pithys albifrons
Bicolored antbird, Gymnopithys bicolor
White-cheeked antbird, Gymnopithys leucaspis
Lunulated antbird, Gymnopithys lunulatus
Hairy-crested antbird, Rhegmatorhina melanosticta
Spotted antbird, Hylophylax naevioides
Spot-backed antbird, Hylophylax naevius
Dot-backed antbird, Hylophylax punctulatus
Common scale-backed antbird, Willisornis poecilinotus
Black-spotted bare-eye, Phlegopsis nigromaculata
Reddish-winged bare-eye, Phlegopsis erythroptera
Ocellated antbird, Phaenostictus mcleannani
Order: Passeriformes Family: Melanopareiidae
Marañon crescentchest, Melanopareia maranonica
Elegant crescentchest, Melanopareia elegans
Order: Passeriformes Family: Conopophagidae
The gnateaters are round, short-tailed, and long-legged birds which are closely related to the antbirds. Four species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rufous-crowned antpitta, Pittasoma rufopileatum
Chestnut-belted gnateater, Conopophaga aurita
Ash-throated gnateater, Conopophaga peruviana
Chestnut-crowned gnateater, Conopophaga castaneiceps
Order: Passeriformes Family: Grallariidae
Antpittas resemble the true pittas with strong, longish legs, very short tails, and stout bills. Twenty-four species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Undulated antpitta, Grallaria squamigera
Giant antpitta, Grallaria gigantea
Moustached antpitta, Grallaria alleni
Scaled antpitta, Grallaria guatimalensis
Plain-backed antpitta, Grallaria haplonota
Ochre-striped antpitta, Grallaria dignissima
Chestnut-crowned antpitta, Grallaria ruficapilla
Watkins's antpitta, Grallaria watkinsi
Bicolored antpitta, Grallaria rufocinerea
Jocotoco antpitta, Grallaria ridgelyi
Chestnut-naped antpitta, Grallaria nuchalis
Yellow-breasted antpitta, Grallaria flavotincta
White-bellied antpitta, Grallaria hypoleuca
Rufous antpitta, Grallaria rufula
Tawny antpitta, Grallaria quitensis
Streak-chested antpitta, Hylopezus perspicillatus
Thicket antpitta, Hylopezus dives
White-lored antpitta, Hylopezus fulviventris
Thrush-like antpitta, Myrmothera campanisona
Ochre-breasted antpitta, Grallaricula flavirostris
Peruvian antpitta, Grallaricula peruviana
Rusty-breasted antpitta, Grallaricula ferrugineipectus
Slate-crowned antpitta, Grallaricula nana
Crescent-faced antpitta, Grallaricula lineifrons
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhinocryptidae
The tapaculos are small suboscine passeriform birds with numerous species in South and Central America. They are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head. Twelve species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rusty-belted tapaculo, Liosceles thoracicus
Ocellated tapaculo, Acropternis orthonyx
Ash-colored tapaculo, Myornis senilis
Blackish tapaculo, Scytalopus latrans
Long-tailed tapaculo, Scytalopus micropterus
White-crowned tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus
Choco tapaculo, Scytalopus chocoensis
Ecuadorian tapaculo, Scytalopus robbinsi (EM)
Nariño tapaculo, Scytalopus vicinior
Spillmann's tapaculo, Scytalopus spillmanni
Chusquea tapaculo, Scytalopus parkeri
Paramo tapaculo, Scytalopus opacus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Formicariidae
Seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rufous-capped antthrush, Formicarius colma
Black-faced antthrush, Formicarius analis
Black-headed antthrush, Formicarius nigricapillus
Rufous-breasted antthrush, Formicarius rufipectus
Short-tailed antthrush, Chamaeza campanisona
Striated antthrush, Chamaeza nobilis
Barred antthrush, Chamaeza mollissima
Ovenbirds and woodcreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Furnariidae
Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. The woodcreepers are brownish birds which maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks. One hundred six species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Tawny-throated leaftosser, Sclerurus mexicanus
Short-billed leaftosser, Sclerurus rufigularis
Scaly-throated leaftosser, Sclerurus guatemalensis
Black-tailed leaftosser, Sclerurus caudacutus
Gray-throated leaftosser, Sclerurus albigularis
Slender-billed miner, Geositta tenuirostris
Spot-throated woodcreeper, Certhiasomus stictolaemus
Olivaceous woodcreeper, Sittasomus griseicapillus
Long-tailed woodcreeper, Deconychura longicauda
Tyrannine woodcreeper, Dendrocincla tyrannina
White-chinned woodcreeper, Dendrocincla merula
Plain-brown woodcreeper, Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Wedge-billed woodcreeper, Glyphorynchus spirurus
Cinnamon-throated woodcreeper, Dendrexetastes rufigula
Long-billed woodcreeper, Nasica longirostris
Northern barred-woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Amazonian barred-woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes certhia
Black-banded woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes picumnus
Bar-bellied woodcreeper, Hylexetastes stresemanni
Strong-billed woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Striped woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus obsoletus
Ocellated woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus ocellatus
Elegant woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus elegans
Buff-throated woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Black-striped woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Spotted woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Olive-backed woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus triangularis
Straight-billed woodcreeper, Dendroplex picus
Red-billed scythebill, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris
Curve-billed scythebill, Campylorhamphus procurvoides
Brown-billed scythebill, Campylorhamphus pusillus
Greater scythebill, Drymotoxeres pucheranii
Streak-headed woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Montane woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Duida woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes duidae
Slender-billed xenops, Xenops tenuirostris
Plain xenops, Xenops minutus
Streaked xenops, Xenops rutilans
Point-tailed palmcreeper, Berlepschia rikeri
Rufous-tailed xenops, Microxenops milleri
Buffy tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes lawrencii
Streaked tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Rusty-winged barbtail, Premnornis guttuliger
Pale-legged hornero, Furnarius leucopus
Pale-billed hornero, Furnarius torridus (H)
Lesser hornero, Furnarius minor
Sharp-tailed streamcreeper, Lochmias nematura
Chestnut-winged cinclodes, Cinclodes albidiventris
Stout-billed cinclodes, Cinclodes excelsior
Dusky-cheeked foliage-gleaner, Anabazenops dorsalis
Slaty-winged foliage-gleaner, Philydor fuscipenne
Rufous-rumped foliage-gleaner, Philydor erythrocercum
Chestnut-winged foliage-gleaner, Philydor erythropterum
Buff-fronted foliage-gleaner, Philydor rufum
Cinnamon-rumped foliage-gleaner, Philydor pyrrhodes
Scaly-throated foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Montane foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia striaticollis
Rufous-tailed foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia ruficaudata
Lineated foliage-gleaner, Syndactyla subalaris
Buff-browed foliage-gleaner, Syndactyla rufosuperciliata
Rufous-necked foliage-gleaner, Syndactyla ruficollis
Chestnut-winged hookbill, Ancistrops strigilatus
Henna-hooded foliage-gleaner, Clibanornis erythrocephalus
Ruddy foliage-gleaner, Clibanornis rubiginosus
Uniform treehunter, Thripadectes ignobilis
Flammulated treehunter, Thripadectes flammulatus
Striped treehunter, Thripadectes holostictus
Streak-capped treehunter, Thripadectes virgaticeps
Black-billed treehunter, Thripadectes melanorhynchus
Chestnut-crowned foliage-gleaner, Automolus rufipileatus
Brown-rumped foliage-gleaner, Automolus melanopezus
Buff-throated foliage-gleaner, Automolus ochrolaemus
Striped woodhaunter, Automolus subulatus
Olive-backed foliage-gleaner, Automolus infuscatus
Spotted barbtail, Premnoplex brunnescens
Fulvous-dotted treerunner, Margarornis stellatus
Pearled treerunner, Margarornis squamiger
Andean tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura andicola
Rufous-fronted thornbird, Phacellodomus rufifrons
White-browed spinetail, Hellmayrea gularis
Many-striped canastero, Asthenes flammulata
Streak-backed canastero, Asthenes wyatti
White-chinned thistletail, Asthenes fuliginosa
Mouse-colored thistletail, Asthenes griseomurina
Orange-fronted plushcrown, Metopothrix aurantiaca
Double-banded graytail, Xenerpestes minlosi
Equatorial graytail, Xenerpestes singularis
Spectacled prickletail, Siptornis striaticollis
Plain softtail, Thripophaga fusciceps
Parker's spinetail, Cranioleuca vulpecula
Red-faced spinetail, Cranioleuca erythrops
Ash-browed spinetail, Cranioleuca curtata
Line-cheeked spinetail, Cranioleuca antisiensis
Speckled spinetail, Cranioleuca gutturata
Azara's spinetail, Synallaxis azarae
Dark-breasted spinetail, Synallaxis albigularis
Ruddy spinetail, Synallaxis rutilans
Chestnut-throated spinetail, Synallaxis cherriei
Rufous spinetail, Synallaxis unirufa
Slaty spinetail, Synallaxis brachyura
Blackish-headed spinetail, Synallaxis tithys
White-bellied spinetail, Synallaxis propinqua (The SACC calls white-bellied spinetail Mazaria propinqua and places it following speckled spinetail)
Dusky spinetail, Synallaxis moesta
Marañon spinetail, Synallaxis maranonica
Plain-crowned spinetail, Synallaxis gujanensis
Necklaced spinetail, Synallaxis stictothorax
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae
Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Two hundred species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Brown-capped tyrannulet, Ornithion brunneicapillus
White-lored tyrannulet, Ornithion inerme
Southern beardless-tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum
White-tailed tyrannulet, Mecocerculus poecilocercus
White-banded tyrannulet, Mecocerculus stictopterus
White-throated tyrannulet, Mecocerculus leucophrys
Rufous-winged tyrannulet, Mecocerculus calopterus
Sulphur-bellied tyrannulet, Mecocerculus minor
Black-crested tit-tyrant, Anairetes nigrocristatus
Tufted tit-tyrant, Anairetes parulus
Agile tit-tyrant, Uromyias agilis
Mouse-colored tyrannulet, Phaeomyias murina
Yellow tyrannulet, Capsiempis flaveola
Subtropical doradito, Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis
Yellow-crowned tyrannulet, Tyrannulus elatus
Forest elaenia, Myiopagis gaimardii
Gray elaenia, Myiopagis caniceps
Foothill elaenia, Myiopagis olallai
Pacific elaenia, Myiopagis subplacens
Yellow-crowned elaenia, Myiopagis flavivertex
Greenish elaenia, Myiopagis viridicata
Yellow-bellied elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster
Large elaenia, Elaenia spectabilis
White-crested elaenia, Elaenia albiceps
Small-billed elaenia, Elaenia parvirostris
Slaty elaenia, Elaenia strepera (H)
Mottle-backed elaenia, Elaenia gigas
Lesser elaenia, Elaenia chiriquensis
Coopman's elaenia, Elaenia brachyptera
Highland elaenia, Elaenia obscura
Sierran elaenia, Elaenia pallatangae
Torrent tyrannulet, Serpophaga cinerea
River tyrannulet, Serpophaga hypoleuca
Streak-necked flycatcher, Mionectes striaticollis
Olive-striped flycatcher, Mionectes olivaceus
Ochre-bellied flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus
Sepia-capped flycatcher, Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Slaty-capped flycatcher, Leptopogon superciliaris
Rufous-breasted flycatcher, Leptopogon rufipectus
Variegated bristle-tyrant, Phylloscartes poecilotis
Marble-faced bristle-tyrant, Phylloscartes ophthalmicus
Spectacled bristle-tyrant, Phylloscartes orbitalis
Ecuadorian tyrannulet, Phylloscartes gualaquizae
Rufous-browed tyrannulet, Phylloscartes superciliaris
Rough-legged tyrannulet, Phyllomyias burmeisteri
Sooty-headed tyrannulet, Phyllomyias griseiceps
Black-capped tyrannulet, Phyllomyias nigrocapillus
Ashy-headed tyrannulet, Phyllomyias cinereiceps
Tawny-rumped tyrannulet, Phyllomyias uropygialis
Plumbeous-crowned tyrannulet, Phyllomyias plumbeiceps
Choco tyrannulet, Zimmerius albigularis
Red-billed tyrannulet, Zimmerius cinereicapilla
Slender-footed tyrannulet, Zimmerius gracilipes
Golden-faced tyrannulet, Zimmerius chrysops
Amazonian scrub-flycatcher, Sublegatus obscurior
Southern scrub-flycatcher, Sublegatus modestus (A)
Ornate flycatcher, Myiotriccus ornatus
Bronze-olive pygmy-tyrant, Pseudotriccus pelzelni
Rufous-headed pygmy-tyrant, Pseudotriccus ruficeps
Ringed Antpipit, Corythopis torquatus
Tawny-crowned pygmy-tyrant, Euscarthmus meloryphus
Gray-and-white tyrannulet, Pseudelaenia leucospodia
Lesser wagtail-tyrant, Stigmatura napensis
White-bellied pygmy-tyrant, Myiornis albiventris
Black-capped pygmy-tyrant, Myiornis atricapillus
Short-tailed pygmy-tyrant, Myiornis ecaudatus
Scale-crested pygmy-tyrant, Lophotriccus pileatus
Double-banded pygmy-tyrant, Lophotriccus vitiosus
White-eyed tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus zosterops
Johannes's tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus iohannis
Zimmer's tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus minimus
Black-throated tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus granadensis
Cinnamon-breasted tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus cinnamomeipectus
Buff-throated tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus rufigularis
Rufous-crowned tody-flycatcher, Poecilotriccus ruficeps
Black-and-white tody-flycatcher, Poecilotriccus capitalis
Rusty-fronted tody-flycatcher, Poecilotriccus latirostris
Golden-winged tody-flycatcher, Poecilotriccus calopterus
Spotted tody-flycatcher, Todirostrum maculatum
Common tody-flycatcher, Todirostrum cinereum
Black-headed tody-flycatcher, Todirostrum nigriceps
Yellow-browed tody-flycatcher, Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum
Brownish twistwing, Cnipodectes subbrunneus
Olivaceous flatbill, Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
Pacific flatbill, Rhynchocyclus pacificus
Fulvous-breasted flatbill, Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus
Yellow-olive flycatcher, Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Orange-eyed flycatcher, Tolmomyias traylori
Yellow-margined flycatcher, Tolmomyias assimilis
Gray-crowned flycatcher, Tolmomyias poliocephalus
Yellow-breasted flycatcher, Tolmomyias flaviventris
Cinnamon-crested spadebill, Platyrinchus saturatus
White-throated spadebill, Platyrinchus mystaceus
Golden-crowned spadebill, Platyrinchus coronatus
Yellow-throated spadebill, Platyrinchus flavigularis
White-crested spadebill, Platyrinchus platyrhynchos
Royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus
Ruddy-tailed flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus
Cinnamon manakin-tyrant, Neopipo cinnamomea
Cinnamon flycatcher, Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
Cliff flycatcher, Hirundinea ferruginea
Handsome flycatcher, Nephelomyias pulcher
Orange-banded flycatcher, Nephelomyias lintoni
Tawny-breasted flycatcher, Myiobius villosus
Whiskered flycatcher, Myiobius barbatus (SACC calls M. barbatus sulphur-rumped flycatcher.)
Black-tailed flycatcher, Myiobius atricaudus
Flavescent flycatcher, Myiophobus flavicans
Orange-crested flycatcher, Myiophobus phoenicomitra
Roraiman flycatcher, Myiophobus roraimae
Olive-chested flycatcher, Myiophobus cryptoxanthus
Bran-colored flycatcher, Myiophobus fasciatus
Euler's flycatcher, Lathrotriccus euleri
Gray-breasted flycatcher, Lathrotriccus griseipectus
Tufted flycatcher, Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
Smoke-colored pewee, Contopus fumigatus
Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus
Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens
Tropical pewee, Contopus cinereus
Blackish pewee, Contopus nigrescens
Fuscous flycatcher, Cnemotriccus fuscatus
Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
Black phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus
Riverside tyrant, Knipolegus orenocensis
Rufous-tailed tyrant, Knipolegus poecilurus
Amazonian black-tyrant, Knipolegus poecilocercus
Jelski's black-tyrant, Knipolegus signatus
Drab water tyrant, Ochthornis littoralis
Little ground-tyrant, Muscisaxicola fluviatilis (A)
Spot-billed ground-tyrant, Muscisaxicola maculirostris
Dark-faced ground-tyrant, Muscisaxicola maclovianus (H)
White-browed ground-tyrant, Muscisaxicola albilora
Plain-capped ground-tyrant, Muscisaxicola alpinus
Black-billed shrike-tyrant, Agriornis montanus
White-tailed shrike-tyrant, Agriornis albicauda
Streak-throated bush-tyrant, Myiotheretes striaticollis
Smoky bush-tyrant, Myiotheretes fumigatus
Red-rumped bush-tyrant, Cnemarchus erythropygius
Pied water-tyrant, Fluvicola pica (A)
Masked water-tyrant, Fluvicola nengeta
White-headed marsh tyrant, Arundinicola leucocephala (H)
Tumbes tyrant, Tumbezia salvini
Crowned chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca frontalis
Jelski's chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca jelskii
Yellow-bellied chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca diadema
Slaty-backed chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
Rufous-breasted chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
Brown-backed chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca fumicolor
White-browed chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca leucophrys
Long-tailed tyrant, Colonia colonus
Short-tailed field tyrant, Muscigralla brevicauda
Cattle tyrant, Machetornis rixosa
Large-headed flatbill, Ramphotrigon megacephalum
Rufous-tailed flatbill, Ramphotrigon ruficauda
Dusky-tailed flatbill, Ramphotrigon fuscicauda
Cinnamon attila, Attila cinnamomeus
Ochraceous attila, Attila torridus
Citron-bellied attila, Attila citriniventris
Bright-rumped attila, Attila spadiceus
Choco sirystes, Sirystes albogriseus
White-rumped sirystes, Sirystes albocinereus
Rufous mourner, Rhytipterna holerythra
Grayish mourner, Rhytipterna simplex
Dusky-capped flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer
Swainson's flycatcher, Myiarchus swainsoni
Panama flycatcher, Myiarchus panamensis
Short-crested flycatcher, Myiarchus ferox
Sooty-crowned flycatcher, Myiarchus phaeocephalus
Pale-edged flycatcher, Myiarchus cephalotes
Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
Brown-crested flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus (H)
Galapagos flycatcher, Myiarchus magnirostris (EG)
Lesser kiskadee, Pitangus lictor
Great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed flycatcher, Megarynchus pitangua
Rusty-margined flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis
Social flycatcher, Myiozetetes similis
Gray-capped flycatcher, Myiozetetes granadensis
Dusky-chested flycatcher, Myiozetetes luteiventris
White-ringed flycatcher, Conopias albovittatus
Yellow-throated flycatcher, Conopias parvus
Three-striped flycatcher, Conopias trivirgatus
Lemon-browed flycatcher, Conopias cinchoneti
Golden-crowned flycatcher, Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Baird's flycatcher, Myiodynastes bairdii
Streaked flycatcher, Myiodynastes maculatus
Sulphur-bellied flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris
Piratic flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius
Variegated flycatcher, Empidonomus varius
Crowned slaty flycatcher, Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus
Sulphury flycatcher, Tyrannopsis sulphurea
Snowy-throated kingbird, Tyrannus niveigularis
White-throated kingbird, Tyrannus albogularis
Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (H)
Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oxyruncidae
Sharpbill, Oxyruncus cristatus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cotingidae
The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly colored or decorated with plumes or wattles. Twenty-eight species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Green-and-black fruiteater, Pipreola riefferii
Barred fruiteater, Pipreola arcuata
Orange-breasted fruiteater, Pipreola jucunda
Black-chested fruiteater, Pipreola lubomirskii
Scarlet-breasted fruiteater, Pipreola frontalis
Fiery-throated fruiteater, Pipreola chlorolepidota
Scaled fruiteater, Ampelioides tschudii
Chestnut-bellied cotinga, Doliornis remseni
Red-crested cotinga, Ampelion rubrocristata
Chestnut-crested cotinga, Ampelion rufaxilla
Black-necked red-cotinga, Phoenicircus nigricollis
Andean cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruviana
Gray-tailed piha, Snowornis subalaris
Olivaceous piha, Snowornis cryptolophus
Purple-throated fruitcrow, Querula purpurata
Red-ruffed fruitcrow, Pyroderus scutatus
Long-wattled umbrellabird, Cephalopterus penduliger
Amazonian umbrellabird, Cephalopterus ornatus
Blue cotinga, Cotinga nattererii
Plum-throated cotinga, Cotinga maynana
Spangled cotinga, Cotinga cayana
Dusky piha, Lipaugus fuscocinereus
Rufous piha, Lipaugus unirufus
Screaming piha, Lipaugus vociferans
Purple-throated cotinga, Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema
Black-tipped cotinga, Carpodectes hopkei
Pompadour cotinga, Xipholena punicea
Bare-necked fruitcrow, Gymnoderus foetidus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pipridae
The manakins are a family of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly colored, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries, and insects. Seventeen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Dwarf tyrant-manakin, Tyranneutes stolzmanni
Yellow-headed manakin, Chloropipo flavicapilla
Jet manakin, Chloropipo unicolor
Blue-backed manakin, Chiroxiphia pareola
Golden-winged manakin, Masius chrysopterus
Green manakin, Cryptopipo holochlora
Blue-crowned manakin, Lepidothrix coronata
Blue-rumped manakin, Lepidothrix isidorei
Orange-crowned manakin, Heterocercus aurantiivertex
White-bearded manakin, Manacus manacus
Wire-tailed manakin, Pipra filicauda
Club-winged manakin, Machaeropterus deliciosus
Striped manakin, Machaeropterus regulus
White-crowned manakin, Dixiphia pipra
Red-capped manakin, Ceratopipra mentalis
Golden-headed manakin, Ceratopipra erythrocephala
Wing-barred piprites, Piprites chloris (The SACC considers P. chloris to be incertae sedis.)
Tityras and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tityridae
Twenty-two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Black-tailed tityra, Tityra cayana
Black-crowned tityra, Tityra inquisitor
Masked tityra, Tityra semifasciata
Varzea schiffornis, Schiffornis major
Northern schiffornis, Schiffornis veraepacis
Foothill schiffornis, Schiffornis aenea
Brown-winged schiffornis, Schiffornis turdina
Cinereous mourner, Laniocera hypopyrra
Speckled mourner, Laniocera rufescens
White-browed purpletuft, Iodopleura isabellae
Shrike-like cotinga, Laniisoma elegans
Green-backed becard, Pachyramphus viridis
Barred becard, Pachyramphus versicolor
Slaty becard, Pachyramphus spodiurus
Cinnamon becard, Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Chestnut-crowned becard, Pachyramphus castaneus
White-winged becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus
Black-and-white becard, Pachyramphus albogriseus
Black-capped becard, Pachyramphus marginatus
One-colored becard, Pachyramphus homochrous
Pink-throated becard, Pachyramphus minor
Crested becard, Pachyramphus validus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Fifteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Rufous-browed peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis
Black-billed peppershrike, Cyclarhis nigrirostris
Olivaceous greenlet, Hylophilus olivaceus
Lemon-chested greenlet, Hylophilus thoracicus
Slaty-capped shrike-vireo, Vireolanius leucotis
Tawny-crowned greenlet, Tunchiornis ochraceiceps
Lesser greenlet, Pachysylvia decurtata
Dusky-capped greenlet, Pachysylvia hypoxantha
Rufous-naped greenlet, Pachysylvia semibrunnea
Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (A)
Choco vireo, Vireo masteri
Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus (A)
Brown-capped vireo, Vireo leucophrys
Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus
Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis
Crows, jays, and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Six species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Beautiful jay, Cyanolyca pulchra
Black-collared jay, Cyanolyca armillata
Turquoise jay, Cyanolyca turcosa
Green jay, Cyanocorax yncas
Violaceous jay, Cyanocorax violaceus
White-tailed jay, Cyanocorax mystacalis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Eighteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Blue-and-white swallow, Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Pale-footed swallow, Orochelidon flavipes
Brown-bellied swallow, Orochelidon murina
White-banded swallow, Atticora fasciata
Southern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Purple martin, Progne subis
Gray-breasted martin, Progne chalybea
Southern martin, Progne elegans
Galapagos martin, Progne modesta (EG)
Brown-chested martin, Progne tapera
Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (H)
Tumbes swallow, Tachycineta stolzmanni
White-winged swallow, Tachycineta albiventer
White-thighed swallow, Atticora tibialis
Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Chestnut-collared swallow, Petrochelidon rufocollaris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Twenty-five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Scaly-breasted wren, Microcerculus marginatus
Wing-banded wren, Microcerculus bambla
Gray-mantled wren, Odontorchilus branickii
House wren, Troglodytes aedon
Mountain wren, Troglodytes solstitialis
Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis
Band-backed wren, Campylorhynchus zonatus
Fasciated wren, Campylorhynchus fasciatus
Thrush-like wren, Campylorhynchus turdinus
Plain-tailed wren, Pheugopedius euophrys
Whiskered wren, Pheugopedius mystacalis
Coraya wren, Pheugopedius coraya
Speckle-breasted wren, Pheugopedius sclateri
Stripe-throated wren, Cantorchilus leucopogon
Bay wren, Cantorchilus nigricapillus
Superciliated wren, Cantorchilus superciliaris
Buff-breasted wren, Cantorchilus leucotis
Rufous wren, Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sharpe's wren, Cinnycerthia olivascens
White-breasted wood-wren, Henicorhina leucosticta
Bar-winged wood-wren, Henicorhina leucoptera
Gray-breasted wood-wren, Henicorhina leucophrys
Chestnut-breasted wren, Cyphorhinus thoracicus
Song wren, Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus
Musician wren, Cyphorhinus aradus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae
These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub which nest in bushes or trees. Five species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Collared gnatwren, Microbates collaris
Tawny-faced gnatwren, Microbates cinereiventris (The SACC calls M. cinereiventris half-collared gnatwren.)
Long-billed gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tropical gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea
Slate-throated gnatcatcher, Polioptila schistaceigula
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
White-capped dipper, Cinclus leucocephalus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Donacobiidae
Black-capped donacobius, Donacobius atricapilla
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Andean solitaire, Myadestes ralloides
Slaty-backed nightingale-thrush, Catharus fuscater
Spotted nightingale-thrush, Catharus dryas
Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
Black solitaire, Entomodestes coracinus
Rufous-brown solitaire, Cichlopsis leucogenys
Pale-eyed thrush, Turdus leucops
Plumbeous-backed thrush, Turdus reevei
Hauxwell's thrush, Turdus hauxwelli
Pale-vented thrush, Turdus obsoletus
Ecuadorian thrush, Turdus maculirostris
Lawrence's thrush, Turdus lawrencii
Black-billed thrush, Turdus ignobilis
Marañon thrush, Turdus maranonicus
Chestnut-bellied thrush, Turdus fulviventris
Slaty thrush, Turdus nigriceps
Great thrush, Turdus fuscater
Chiguanco thrush, Turdus chiguanco
Glossy-black thrush, Turdus serranus
White-throated thrush, Turdus assimilis
White-necked thrush, Turdus albicollis
Mockingbirds and thrashers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae
The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their coloring tends towards dull-greys and browns. Six species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Galapagos mockingbird, Mimus parvulus (EG)
Floreana mockingbird, Mimus trifasciatus (EG)
Española mockingbird, Mimus macdonaldi (EG)
San Cristobal mockingbird, Mimus melanotis (EG)
Long-tailed mockingbird, Mimus longicaudatus
Tropical mockingbird, Mimus gilvus
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. Two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus (A)
Paramo pipit, Anthus bogotensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (H)
Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae
The New World warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Thirty-two species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia
Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea
Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina
Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis (A)
Masked yellowthroat, Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia
Olive-crowned yellowthroat, Geothlypis semiflava
American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea
Tropical parula, Setophaga pitiayumi
Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea
Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca
Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica (H)
Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata
Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens (A)
Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens (H)
Three-striped warbler, Basileuterus tristriatus
Three-banded warbler, Basileuterus trifasciatus
Citrine warbler, Myiothlypis luteoviridis
Black-crested warbler, Myiothlypis nigrocristata
Buff-rumped warbler, Myiothlypis fulvicauda
Golden-bellied warbler, Myiothlypis chrysogaster
Gray-and-gold warbler, Myiothlypis fraseri
Russet-crowned warbler, Myiothlypis coronata
Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis
Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla (A)
Slate-throated redstart, Myioborus miniatus
Spectacled redstart, Myioborus melanocephalus
Tanagers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Thraupidae
The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. They are seed eaters, but their preference tends towards fruit and nectar. Most have short, rounded wings. One hundred seventy-one species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Red-capped cardinal, Paroaria gularis
Black-faced tanager, Schistochlamys melanopis
Magpie tanager, Cissopis leverianus
Black-and-white tanager, Conothraupis speculigera
White-capped tanager, Sericossypha albocristata
Rufous-crested tanager, Creurgops verticalis
Black-capped hemispingus, Hemispingus atropileus
Superciliaried hemispingus, Hemispingus superciliaris
Oleaginous hemispingus, Hemispingus frontalis
Black-eared hemispingus, Hemispingus melanotis
Black-headed hemispingus, Hemispingus verticalis
Gray-hooded bush tanager, Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
Rufous-chested tanager, Thlypopsis ornata
Orange-headed tanager, Thlypopsis sordida
Buff-bellied tanager, Thlypopsis inornata
Gray-headed tanager, Eucometis penicillata
Flame-crested tanager, Tachyphonus cristatus
Fulvous-crested tanager, Tachyphonus surinamus
White-shouldered tanager, Tachyphonus luctuosus
Tawny-crested tanager, Tachyphonus delatrii
White-lined tanager, Tachyphonus rufus
Fulvous shrike-tanager, Lanio fulvus
Flame-rumped tanager, Ramphocelus flammigerus
Silver-beaked tanager, Ramphocelus carbo
Masked crimson tanager, Ramphocelus nigrogularis
Vermilion tanager, Calochaetes coccineus
Golden-chested tanager, Bangsia rothschildi
Moss-backed tanager, Bangsia edwardsi
Orange-throated tanager, Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
Hooded mountain-tanager, Buthraupis montana
Masked mountain-tanager, Buthraupis wetmorei
Black-chested mountain-tanager, Cnemathraupis eximia
Grass-green tanager, Chlorornis riefferii
Lacrimose mountain-tanager, Anisognathus lacrymosus
Scarlet-bellied mountain-tanager, Anisognathus igniventris
Blue-winged mountain-tanager, Anisognathus somptuosus
Black-chinned mountain-tanager, Anisognathus notabilis
Buff-breasted mountain-tanager, Dubusia taeniata
Purplish-mantled tanager, Iridosornis porphyrocephalus
Yellow-throated tanager, Iridosornis analis
Golden-crowned tanager, Iridosornis rufivertex
Fawn-breasted tanager, Pipraeidea melanonota
Blue-and-yellow tanager, Pipraeidea bonariensis
Glistening-green tanager, Chlorochrysa phoenicotis
Orange-eared tanager, Chlorochrysa calliparaea
Blue-gray tanager, Thraupis episcopus
Palm tanager, Thraupis palmarum
Blue-capped tanager, Thraupis cyanocephala
Golden-naped tanager, Tangara ruficervix
Silvery tanager, Tangara viridicollis
Black-capped tanager, Tangara heinei
Green-throated tanager, Tangara argyrofenges
Gray-and-gold tanager, Tangara palmeri
Scrub tanager, Tangara vitriolina
Masked tanager, Tangara nigrocincta
Golden-hooded tanager, Tangara larvata
Blue-necked tanager, Tangara cyanicollis
Rufous-throated tanager, Tangara rufigula
Speckled tanager, Tangara guttata
Yellow-bellied tanager, Tangara xanthogastra
Spotted tanager, Tangara punctata
Blue-and-black tanager, Tangara vassorii
Beryl-spangled tanager, Tangara nigroviridis
Metallic-green tanager, Tangara labradorides
Blue-browed tanager, Tangara cyanotis
Turquoise tanager, Tangara mexicana
Paradise tanager, Tangara chilensis
Opal-rumped tanager, Tangara velia
Opal-crowned tanager, Tangara callophrys
Rufous-winged tanager, Tangara lavinia
Bay-headed tanager, Tangara gyrola
Golden-eared tanager, Tangara chrysotis
Saffron-crowned tanager, Tangara xanthocephala
Flame-faced tanager, Tangara parzudakii
Green-and-gold tanager, Tangara schrankii
Blue-whiskered tanager, Tangara johannae
Golden tanager, Tangara arthus
Emerald tanager, Tangara florida
Silver-throated tanager, Tangara icterocephala
Swallow tanager, Tersina viridis
White-bellied dacnis, Dacnis albiventris
Black-faced dacnis, Dacnis lineata
Yellow-bellied dacnis, Dacnis flaviventer
Scarlet-thighed dacnis, Dacnis venusta
Blue dacnis, Dacnis cayana
Scarlet-breasted dacnis, Dacnis berlepschi
Short-billed honeycreeper, Cyanerpes nitidus
Purple honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus
Red-legged honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus
Green honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza
Golden-collared honeycreeper, Iridophanes pulcherrimus
Scarlet-browed tanager, Heterospingus xanthopygius
Guira tanager, Hemithraupis guira
Yellow-backed tanager, Hemithraupis flavicollis
Scarlet-and-white tanager, Chrysothlypis salmoni
Chestnut-vented conebill, Conirostrum speciosum
Bicolored conebill, Conirostrum bicolor
Cinereous conebill, Conirostrum cinereum
Blue-backed conebill, Conirostrum sitticolor
Capped conebill, Conirostrum albifrons
Giant conebill, Oreomanes fraseri
Tit-like dacnis, Xenodacnis parina
Glossy flowerpiercer, Diglossa lafresnayii
Black flowerpiercer, Diglossa humeralis
White-sided flowerpiercer, Diglossa albilatera
Indigo flowerpiercer, Diglossa indigotica
Rusty flowerpiercer, Diglossa sittoides
Deep-blue flowerpiercer, Diglossa glauca
Bluish flowerpiercer, Diglossa caerulescens
Masked flowerpiercer, Diglossa cyanea
Plushcap, Catamblyrhynchus diadema
Black-backed bush tanager, Urothraupis stolzmanni
Plumbeous sierra-finch, Phrygilus unicolor
Ash-breasted sierra-finch, Phrygilus plebejus
Band-tailed sierra-finch, Phrygilus alaudinus
Slaty finch, Haplospiza rustica
Cinereous finch, Piezorina cinerea (H)
Collared warbling-finch, Poospiza hispaniolensis
Saffron finch, Sicalis flaveola
Grassland yellow-finch, Sicalis luteola
Sulphur-throated finch, Sicalis taczanowskii
Wedge-tailed grass-finch, Emberizoides herbicola
Blue-black grassquit, Volatinia jacarina
Lesson's seedeater, Sporophila bouvronides
Lined seedeater, Sporophila lineola
Parrot-billed seedeater, Sporophila peruviana
Chestnut-throated seedeater, Sporophila telasco
Drab seedeater, Sporophila simplex
Chestnut-bellied seedeater, Sporophila castaneiventris
Ruddy-breasted seedeater, Sporophila minuta
Thick-billed seed-finch, Sporophila funerea
Chestnut-bellied seed-finch, Sporophila angolensis
Large-billed seed-finch, Sporophila crassirostris
Black-billed seed-finch, Sporophila atrirostris
Variable seedeater, Sporophila corvina
Gray seedeater, Sporophila intermedia (H)
Caqueta seedeater, Sporophila murallae
Black-and-white seedeater, Sporophila luctuosa
Yellow-bellied seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis
Slate-colored seedeater, Sporophila schistacea
Band-tailed seedeater, Catamenia analis
Plain-colored seedeater, Catamenia inornata
Paramo seedeater, Catamenia homochroa
Red-crested finch, Coryphospingus cucullatus
Crimson-breasted finch, Rhodospingus cruentus
Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola
Yellow-faced grassquit, Tiaris olivaceus
Dull-colored grassquit, Tiaris obscurus
Green warbler-finch, Certhidea olivacea (EG)
Gray warbler-finch, Certhidea fusca (EG)
Vegetarian finch, Platyspiza crassirostris (EG)
Woodpecker finch, Camarhynchus pallidus (EG)
Large tree-finch, Camarhynchus psittacula (EG)
Medium tree-finch, Camarhynchus pauper (EG)
Small tree-finch, Camarhynchus parvulus (EG)
Mangrove finch, Camarhynchus heliobates (EG)
Small ground-finch, Geospiza fuliginosa (EG)
Large ground-finch, Geospiza magnirostris (EG)
Sharp-beaked ground-finch, Geospiza difficilis (EG)
Common cactus-finch, Geospiza scandens (EG)
Medium ground-finch, Geospiza fortis (EG)
Large cactus-finch, Geospiza conirostris (EG)
Yellow-shouldered grosbeak, Parkerthraustes humeralis
Dusky-faced tanager, Mitrospingus cassinii (The SACC considers M. cassinii to be incertae sedis)
Buff-throated saltator, Saltator maximus
Black-winged saltator, Saltator atripennis
Grayish saltator, Saltator coerulescens
Streaked saltator, Saltator striatipectus
Black-cowled saltator, Saltator nigriceps
Masked saltator, Saltator cinctus
Slate-colored grosbeak, Saltator grossus
Buntings and New World sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-seven species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Tanager finch, Oreothraupis arremonops
Yellow-throated chlorospingus, Chlorospingus flavigularis
Short-billed chlorospingus, Chlorospingus parvirostris
Ashy-throated chlorospingus, Chlorospingus canigularis
Common chlorospingus, Chlorospingus flavopectus
Dusky chlorospingus, Chlorospingus semifuscus
Yellow-green chlorospingus, Chlorospingus flavovirens
Tumbes sparrow, Rhynchospiza stolzmanni
Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum (extirpated)
Yellow-browed sparrow, Ammodramus aurifrons
Black-striped sparrow, Arremonops conirostris
Gray-browed brushfinch, Arremon assimilis
Orange-billed sparrow, Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-capped sparrow, Arremon abeillei
Chestnut-capped brushfinch, Arremon brunneinucha
Olive finch, Arremon castaneiceps
Rufous-collared sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis
White-naped brushfinch, Atlapetes albinucha
White-rimmed brushfinch, Atlapetes leucopis
White-headed brushfinch, Atlapetes albiceps
Tricolored brushfinch, Atlapetes tricolor
Slaty brushfinch, Atlapetes schistaceus
Pale-naped brushfinch, Atlapetes pallidinucha
Yellow-breasted brushfinch, Atlapetes latinuchus
White-winged brushfinch, Atlapetes leucopterus
Pale-headed brushfinch, Atlapetes pallidiceps (EM)
Bay-crowned brushfinch, Atlapetes seebohmi
Cardinals and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae
The cardinals are a family of robust seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Seventeen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava
Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
White-winged tanager, Piranga leucoptera
Red-hooded tanager, Piranga rubriceps
Red-crowned ant-tanager, Habia rubica
Carmiol's tanager, Chlorothraupis carmioli
Lemon-spectacled tanager, Chlorothraupis olivacea
Ochre-breasted tanager, Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
Golden grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysogaster
Black-backed grosbeak, Pheucticus aureoventris
Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
Blue seedeater, Amaurospiza concolor
Blue-black grosbeak, Cyanocompsa cyanoides
Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea (A)
Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea (H)
Dickcissel, Spiza americana (H)
Troupials and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae
The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World which include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Thirty species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (A)
Red-breasted meadowlark, Sturnella militaris
Peruvian meadowlark, Sturnella bellicosa
Scrub blackbird, Dives warczewiczi
Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus
Oriole blackbird, Gymnomystax mexicanus
Velvet-fronted grackle, Lampropsar tanagrinus
Pale-eyed blackbird, Agelasticus xanthophthalmus
Shiny cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis
Giant cowbird, Molothrus oryzivorus
Yellow-backed oriole, Icterus chrysater
White-edged oriole, Icterus graceannae
Yellow-tailed oriole, Icterus mesomelas
Epaulet oriole, Icterus cayanensis
Orange-backed troupial, Icterus croconotus
Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
Yellow-billed cacique, Amblycercus holosericeus
Solitary black cacique, Cacicus solitarius
Ecuadorian cacique, Cacicus sclateri
Scarlet-rumped cacique, Cacicus uropygialis
Yellow-rumped cacique, Cacicus cela
Mountain cacique, Cacicus chrysonotus
Band-tailed cacique, Cacicus latirostris
Red-rumped cacique, Cacicus haemorrhous
Casqued cacique, Cacicus oseryi
Russet-backed oropendola, Psarocolius angustifrons
Green oropendola, Psarocolius viridis
Crested oropendola, Psarocolius decumanus
Chestnut-headed oropendola, Psarocolius wagleri
Olive oropendola, Psarocolius bifasciatus
Finches, euphonias, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Nineteen species have been recorded in Ecuador.
Purple-throated euphonia, Euphonia chlorotica
Orange-crowned euphonia, Euphonia saturata
Thick-billed euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris
Golden-rumped euphonia, Euphonia cyanocephala
Fulvous-vented euphonia, Euphonia fulvicrissa
Golden-bellied euphonia, Euphonia chrysopasta
Bronze-green euphonia, Euphonia mesochrysa
White-vented euphonia, Euphonia minuta
Orange-bellied euphonia, Euphonia xanthogaster
Rufous-bellied euphonia, Euphonia rufiventris
Blue-naped chlorophonia, Chlorophonia cyanea
Chestnut-breasted chlorophonia, Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys
Yellow-collared chlorophonia, Chlorophonia flavirostris
Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria
Andean siskin, Spinus spinescens
Yellow-bellied siskin, Spinus xanthogastrus
Hooded siskin, Spinus magellanicus
Saffron siskin, Spinus siemiradzkii
Olivaceous siskin, Spinus olivaceus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in Ecuador.
House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
Tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca (I)
