123 Species of Hummingbirds in Ecuador

It’s no big surprise that we see tributes to the hummingbird everywhere we go in Ecuador, especially so in the capital city of Quito.
The very diverse, artistic culture in the country loves to give extra focus on arguably the most beautiful bird in the world. The image of the hummingbird has been used for centuries as a cultural symbol of the country. Ecuador is particularly known for the vibrant colored variations of the bird.

Although it is not the official bird of the country, Ecuador is home to 123 species of hummingbirds, living in every single climate region from the coast to the glacier peaks. We tried to lure them in to our garden with homemade feeders, but to no avail. We have been told that they may not come near because we have dogs. I have seen just one hummingbird in Ecuador, during our stay at El Quinto Ranch in the Andes at nearly 12,000 feet (when our dogs were not present). It had a stunning cobalt blue head with a black and white penguin colored body. I believe it was the Ecuadorian Hillstar. Unfortunately, I did not get a photo.
These painted sculptures were displayed at the park where we stood on the Equator. Our four-year old daughter was especially crazy for them, as they combined her two true passions: Birds and Art. It was hard to choose a favorite, among 50 or more displays, but these are her top 5 picks. #1 being the rainbow hummingbird,because just like her mother, she finds it impossible to choose a favorite color. Only through the eyes of an artist, can all colors be appreciated in equal wonder!