The Crescent-faced Antpitta is a little-known species with a restricted global distribution, found in the Andes of northern Ecuador to central Colombia. It prefers bamboo thickets near the tree-line and, similar to its congeners, is very skulky and difficult to find. Recently however, some enterprising individuals at Hacienda La Bosque near Manizales have been able to coax a pair of these enigmatic birds to visit a feeding station. For around a year and a half, many birders have visited to view this species for the first time – and during the morning of January 25, that is what our group hoped to do as well!
Hacienda El Bosque is well-run and set up perfectly for birders. Upon arrival we were given hot drinks before being transported via pickup truck about 7 minutes up a dirt track to a ridge line flanked by cattle pastures.
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| Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
First on the agenda was an antpitta feeding station in a valley to the north of the ridge where Rufous Antpittas commonly visit. It was a chilly morning as we traversed the path leading down to the creek, but the sun was shining. Anticipation levels were high among the group.
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| Eared Dove - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
A pair of Gray-breasted Mountain-Tanagers were spotted along our walk and we all enjoyed excellent scope views of the individuals. But even better – they flew in to feed in one of the closer trees, and then came even closer. Eventually we were soaking up “face-melting” views of this incredible species.
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| Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
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| Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
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| Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
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| Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
While we waited for the Rufous Antpittas to appear a nice variety of hummingbirds attended the nearby feeder including Black-thighed Puffleg and Sword-billed Hummingbird. But eventually the antpittas appeared at the edge of the clearing.
However, a few Gray-browed Brushfinches clearly knew the routine as well – the local guide appeased the brushfinches with some fat grabs while we waited for the Rufous Antpittas to work up enough courage.
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| Rufous Antpitta - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
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| Gray-browed Brushfinch - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
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| Rufous Antpitta - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
Some people have reservations about antpitta feeding stations. This is often due to concerns that these individuals are habituated and may eventually lose their sense of “wildness” and perhaps their abilities to feed and fend for themselves in the wild. As far as I am concerned, these feeding stations are a great idea since the alternative involves scores of birders tromping through habitats and blasting tape all day long in certain areas in an attempt to sight the rarest antpitta species. Might as well have one or two “sacrificial” antpittas, which allows the other ones to remain unmolested.
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| Rufous Antpitta - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
We had our fill of the Rufous Antpittas (and they had their fill of the worms), meaning it was time for the main attraction. We crossed back over the ridge, seeing a Merlin along the way, and stationed ourselves at the Crescent-faced Antpitta station.
It was almost too easy! Within a minute or two of our arrival, a pair of beautiful little antpittas hopped up into view in a small clearing below us.
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| Crescent-faced Antpitta - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
It was unreal to be finally laying eyes on this species after several unsuccessful searches in other areas, and many longing glances at its page in various field guides. We watched in awe as the antpittas fed while keeping one eye warily on their audience.
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| Crescent-faced Antpitta - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
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| Crescent-faced Antpitta - Hacienda El Bosque, Caldas, Colombia |
We enjoyed another round of hot drinks, found some Paramo Seedeaters (another scarce species that is pretty reliable here) and called in a Barred Fruiteater. We finished off our morning by walking a trail back to the main hacienda that cut through some montane forest. A little mixed flock contained Blue-backed Conebill, Capped Conebill, White-banded Tyrannulet, Pearled Treerunner and more.
We sipped on some more hot drinks at the hacienda, checked out the feeders there, and hit the road. Next up on our agenda – Otún Quimbaya.
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