Kim the Antpitta

Recently we had a very special day with a guest that we will remember for a long time. Maria made the trek out here by herself, taking her time as she birded. When she arrived at the Cabana, we all sat together having morning coffee and watching the birds come in to their daily plantains. She regaled us with tales of her travels, life, and late husband. Her enthusiasm for birds and new species was clear. She is part of the oldest bird club in Cali, Colombia and, obviously, puts a lot of effort into tracking her new finds. Although it wasn’t always her career, she now gives her time to conservation and education, especially when it comes to birds!

Graham took Maria on a guided bird tour while I did our weekly Club-winged Manakin data collection. She had heard them on her walk into the reserve and requested I get a picture of one while out there. I am happy to say I was able to deliver. After the tour we all had lunch together and chatted with other day visitors. Again, Maria’s dedication to the birds shone through while she gave the other guests an intro to the Merlin bird app and why it has been so important in bird conservation. It appears she convinced some new downloads of the app to happen.

It was such a nice day, sunny and warm, the first in several days, so we decided to go down to Playa de las Ranas for a swim. Not wanting to get her clothes that she would have to hike in wet, she borrowed shorts and t-shirt from Graham to swim in. Walking down to the beach we searched for, but didn’t find, the basilisk lizards and saw many butterflies. As we walked by the Patos campsite, I noticed a small bird standing not two feet from me. I snapped a picture and we all got a good look before it flew into the nearby trees. A Scaled Antpitta! A new and exciting bird for us all, and a good omen for our time at the river. Once there, Maria took some photos of Graham and I, ready to swim, and I took some for her. The water was cold but refreshing, especially with bits of intense sun still peeking out occasionally. As we swam and chatted, we pointed out the usual suspects around the river; the pair of Torrent Ducks, almost out of sight, a couple of Brown Violetears trying to assert dominance over each other and claim this part of the river, and Torrent Tyrannulets, flitting about as usual. All these birds excited her, especially the Tyrannulets and how close they dared to come to us. After the chill chased us out of the water and we were getting ready to leave, a White-capped Dipper graced us with an appearance followed by the Torrent Duck pair swimming right past us to get back up stream. What a lucky day we thought, not knowing it was going to get even better.

As we made our way back to the Cabana, we again encountered the Scaled Antpitta near the campsite. Instead of fleeing into the cover of the jungle, it continued up the path, occasionally stopping to look back at us as we followed on the path very quietly, and to peck for worms (it found several). We got amazing looks and took our time, thinking it would fly off soon. It didn’t. Instead, it continued up the trail, leading us all the way back to the Cabana where it grabbed some worms out of the moss on our front steps before it ducked under the house and back out into the woods.

At this point, it was time to say goodbye. We exchanged info and promised to send photos. She invited us to town for dinner, but alas, we still had work to do. We hugged and waved her off, telling her to let us know when she made it back to town safely.

When we heard from her later that evening, she told us that the Antpitta had crossed her path as soon as she left the Cabana’s yard and guided her to the bridge.  When it got to the bridge, it looked at it briefly, as if to assess its ability to cross it, but then quickly looked at Maria and darted off to the side into the lush vegetation. She couldn’t help but feel her late husband in the actions of this small bird. She had been thinking of him a lot on this trip and asked us to name the Antpitta Kim, in honor of her husband. We complied and think of her every time we see Kim around the yard.

This day and this woman, older in years, but young and feisty in spirit, will be a memory we cherish for a long time. Hearing about her love and care for her late husband is special to a young couple like us, who are getting ready to enter married life ourselves. We had only been on the reserve about a month at this point and had been bickering a lot. Like a lot. Whether it was due to the adjustment period or learning to work together professionally (a challenge for two semi control freaks), finding the balance was, and still can be hard. But we didn’t bicker that day. It was a day of stories and adventures, wonders, and laughter. And every time we see Kim the Antpitta hopping about, we are reminded to appreciate each other and this experience we are privileged to have together.

Thank you Maria and Kim

P.S. Kim spent several weeks living around the Cabana, eating his fill of worms. He has recently moved back down to Patos, but still ventures up to the house every so often.