Pululahua and Calacalí

The Geobotanic Reserve at Pululahua is where a population of Rusty-breasted Antpitta was recently discovered (so new that you won’t find it in the Ecuador field guide). Other birds include some of those found at Yanacocha and the Upper Tandayapa Valley, such as Ocellated and Blackish Tapaculos, Plushcap, Andean Guan, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, and Chestnut-crowned Antpitta. The dry scrub at Calacalí is home to the globally threatened White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, and other arid-zone birds such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Black-tailed Trainbearer, and Golden-rumped Euphonia. Giant Hummingbird can sometimes be seen when tall Agaves are in bloom too.

Rusty-breasted Antpitta is the main reason that birders visit Pululahua, while the star attraction at Calacali is the rare White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant.