Five years on and they just keep coming!

GVI Amazon has now been working in the Yachana Reserve since January 2006. Throughout this period we have worked hard to produce a detailed species list of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dung beetles, you name it. After five years additions to the list has slowed down, as many species have now already been found and added. This week however, a new species was added to the list following one of our mist-netting surveys targeting inconspicuous under-storey birds.

The Chestnut-belted Gnateater (Conopophaga aurita) is thought to be a particularly uncommon species, that rarely makes any noise, is found only north of the Rio Napo in the north-east of Ecuador at elevations below 300m. We were lucky enough to encounter and band a male this week, which was absolutely stunning. - a rather handsome little bird with a chestnut coloured belt and smart little hidden white ear tufts, which flash out when

these guys get excited. Take a look at the photos and hopefully having the opportunity to see something so beautiful yet uncommon may just make you want to come and spend some time with us out here in Ecuador.

Andrew Whitworth - GVI Amazon Base Manager

Five years on and they just keep coming!