August 10, 2026

I am light morph Broad-winged Hawk

In Ecuador, I'm probably not breeding

I breed further north, mostly in the US

In spring I join a hawk flock, you might see us leaving.

(As described in the referenced article, the Broad-winged Hawk is one of the few North American raptors that migrates in flocks.)

Location: Refugio Paz de las Aves (Angel Paz), Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brwhaw/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 9, 2026

I am a Purple-bibbed Whitetip

But I'm female, so I a lack a purple bib

I've a white tip on my tail, where my mate has a spot

But he still likes the cut of my jib.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Mindo, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/pubwhi1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 8, 2026

I am a Green-backed Hillstar

My tummy is grey, and my tail’s white and bronze

I have blue neck and my back is green

And “tseee, tsing” are the notes of my song.

Location: La Brisa hummingbird feeders, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/whthil3/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 7, 2026

I am a male (Green) Crowned Woodnymph

You know I'm male cause I have a forked tail

My crown and belly color vary

Based on my location and if I'm male or female.

(This bird has many plumage variations and subspecies.) 

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Nanegalito, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/crowoo1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 6, 2026

I am a female Great Sapphirewing Hummingbird

If I were male, my chest would be greenish-blue

You can find me in the slopes of the Andes

From Venezuela to southern Peru.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gresap1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 5, 2026

I am an Astylus bonplandi

Unlike most Astylus species, you can find me in the páramo

That means that I live above the forest line 

But below the line where it snows.

Location: Quito, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277012785_A_contribution_to_the_genus_Astylus_Laporte_de_Castelnau_1836_in_Ecuador_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species_Coleoptera_Melyridae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A1ramo#/media/File:Paramos.JPG

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 7, 2026

I am a male (Green) Crowned Woodnymph

You know I'm male cause I have a forked tail

My crown and belly color vary

Based on my location and if I'm male or female.

(There are many plumage variations and the specific subspecies are still under discussion.) 

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Nanegalito, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/crowoo1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.