Posted by bonesaw on April 15, 2013 at 8:32 pm
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Hylorchilus sumichrasti
Cueva de las Golondrinas, Zongolica, Veracruz, MX
This is quite simply one of the most amazing birds I’ve ever seen. Along with the allopatric Nava’s Wren, this is probably the rarest bird in all of Mexico. It thrives in limestone outcrops of semideciduous/evergreen forests. It is a master of it’s environment, moving through the rocky environment like a ghost, appearing one place, disappearing, and reappearing in a completely different spot. My friend and I briefly looked for the nest, for we had an idea where it was. But inevitably, we found nothing, realizing it was probably hidden in the darkness underneath the limestone. I did not have a flash, nor I do not own one, so even at ISO 1600 this shot was taken at 1/25, which is why it is a little blurry. BUT, nevertheless, an incredible experience for an incredible bird. Also just around this tomb of limestone wall we saw Collared Forest-Falcon, Blue-crowned Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Thicket Tinamou, and a young Tamandua. There are some amazing places out there.