If you are near Quito, Ecuador and want to see the female Andean Cock-of-the-Rock nesting then you must go to the Pauma Orquid Reserve.  This place is on the Calacali La Independencia highway which is the main road that you take to go to Mindo.  The nest occurs mostly in the month of November, December and January and once in a while during June and July.  This place is also a great place to see the Beautiful Jay and White-tailed Hillstar.  Since this is reserve is on the way to Mindo it is a very easy to stop which sometimes, can reward you with birds that cannot be easily found elsewhere.

Nesting Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Nesting

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Written by Renato
Renato was born in Quito, Ecuador and quickly flew to the USA to learn all about engineering and climbing company ladders. After getting his engineering degree from the University of Minnesota he worked in the Standard-American-Rat-Race-Company for fifteen years. After climbing the ladder to where he could no longer see the ground, he decided to jump off the ladder and migrate south like all normal birds do. To his surprise home did not look like it did when he left as a young fledgling; the towns were bigger, most of his friends had nests of their own, and the countryside was changed. Shocked by all the change he searched for a new life and a new wife. He stumbled across a vivacious young chick who would accompany him inside a volcanic crater to set up a love nest. So, after eight years of nesting inside the crater a new love for nature and birds has sprung a career in environmental conservation and birding tours. Finally this bird has come home to roost!