Hi everyone. Unfortunately the camera is offline due to essential maintenance. I am hoping this will amount to no more than a week offline however given the remote location of this install we will just have to keep our fingers crossed!
David Moore - Network and Support Manager for Finetra.
If you are interested in watching a Hummingbird movie, go to pbs.org. The name of the movie is 'Magic in the air'. It's really a great show.It was filmed in different parts of the world. Hope you enjoy it.
Welcome to the first live video streaming from the remote tropical forest of Fundacion Jocotoco's Buenaventura Reserve, Ecuador, South America.
The live video stream is situated in a prime position to show the incredible variety of birds that come to visit strategically placed feeders within the reserve's boundaries. With 235 different species of bird indigenous to this region and over 1500 species recorded in Ecuador as a whole, the opportunity to see some of the most exotic and colourful inhabitants of this astonishing environment is one not to be missed.
The reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from primary predators to a kaleidoscope of colourful (and very vocal) birds, including over 30 near threatened and restricted range (endemic) species of birds. Representing the feline family are Puma and Ocelot, Howler monkeys send a chorus of cries across the forest canopy and Sloths can be seen doing, well, not very much, really! The reserve also plays host to some of the rarest rainforest birds, including the magnificent Pacific Royal Flycatcher, with its distinctive, vivid orange crest and golden plumage. (The female is a little less auspicious than the male, as is common with rainforest birds.)
You may be lucky and catch a glimpse of two species of Toucans native to this region, including the Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan. There are approximately 41 species of Toucan, making up the scientific family 'Ramphastidae'. Their diet consists primarily of fruit, although they supplement it with worms, insects, small reptiles and eggs. Toucans do not build nests, but use the hollows of trees or abandoned nests of other birds. As Toucans spend all their time in or near trees, they are greatly affected by deforestation. Reserves such as this one hold the key to their continued survival in the wild. The hundreds of other species that inhabit this diverse ecosystem are all victims of mankind's impact on the rainforest, which is why reserves such as the Buenaventura Reserve are so vital to their continued survival.
The endearing Coati (a member of the Raccoon family) can sometimes be seen on the platform behind the bird feeder, foraging for food and tasty treats. Similar in size to a large cat, Coatis feed mainly on ground litter invertebrates, rodents, small birds and eggs. In the wild they can live for up to eight years and form tightly-knit family groups of up to 25 individuals, although the young males tend to be more solitary and aggressive.
The huge variety of hummingbirds in this region are just part of the extensive avian population of this small country. The El Oro Parakeets are part of a major conservation project to develop a greater understanding about the habits and range of one of Ecuador's rarest birds. The parakeets are being fitted with radio transmitters as part of a research programme aimed at creating a conservation strategy for this important species, which is almost unknown outside of Buenaventura. By monitoring the movements and behaviour of the birds, environmental experts can give specific recommendations as to how this and other species of rare and endangered birds can be better protected.
Please note that, because of the remote location, power failures are common and therefore affect the live video stream.
Climate Details are not available for this camera.
Efte
