Banded Ground Cuckoo recently seen in the Canande Reserve

In January 2008, Alejandro Solano, while guiding a group of birdwatchers, saw and identified this magnificent forest roadrunner-like cuckoo. “The Banded Ground Cuckoo, a Choco endemic, was recorded only rarely until 1988, but since, it has been found in three areas in Colombia and four in Ecuador,” says Alejandro, “but with the new trail to the “mirador” (viewpoint) we have seen this magnificent and very rare bird twice.” The trail at the lodge has now been named the Banded Ground Cuckoo trail.

The Choco region has long been a source of timber, but logging has intensified since the mid-1970s. Deforestation is particularly rapid in Ecuador . This is one of the principal reasons Fundación Jocotoco focused on protecting this area with the Rio Canande Reserve, which lies between 100 and 500 meters above sea level. This is a superbbirding area and by far the best site for Choco endemics in Ecuador . The Rio Canande Reserve has a cozy lodge with 4 rooms and private bathrooms, and can accommodate 8 persons.

Banded Ground Cuckoo Identification: 46 cm. Terrestrial. Heavy dusky above and yellow below bill. Large bare blue, ocular area. Blackish glossed blue, prominent crest and hindneck. Black back and underparts with buffy-white scaled or banded appearance. Chestnut wings and lower back. Blackish glossed green, long tail. Voice deep cow-like moo. Similar to Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger. Hint: Follows army ant swarms and groups of large mammals.