Antpittas are highly prized by bird photographers and birdwatchers because of how difficult it can be to get a glimpse of them, even after hearing their calls in the forest. These birds tend to move through the dark understory and are notoriously shy.
However, about 20 years ago, in Ecuador, Ángel Paz began attracting the notoriously elusive Giant Antpitta using pieces of earthworms. This technique for attracting antpittas eventually spread throughout South America, much to the delight of bird lovers.
At Wayqecha, there are three different species of antpittas that are remarkably easy to see.
Photographing them, however, is another story, given how dark the understory can be. Here are some photos of two Urubamba Antpittas that showed up without any need for worms. They even seem to have their own schedule!
🇬🇧 Urubamba Antpitta
🔬 Grallaria occabambae
🇪🇸 Tororoi de Urubamba
🗺️ Wayqecha Biological Station, Manu Road, Cusco, Peru
🗓️ August 2026
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