Ecuador Birding with Nature Travel Birding

Your once-in-a-lifetime Ecuador birding adventure begins at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, where a company representative will meet you for a private transfer to your nearby hacienda. This peaceful property provides a comfortable introduction to Ecuador and its remarkable Andean birdlife.

Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity to begin birding around the hacienda grounds. Gardens, native vegetation and surrounding Andean habitats provide a variety of feeding and shelter opportunities, with more than 35 bird species recorded on the property. Early possibilities include Golden-rumped Euphonia, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Sparkling Violetear, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Vermilion Flycatcher, Golden Grosbeak, Western Emerald and Saffron Finch.

Begin the morning at Jimenita Reserve, exploring its feeders and selected viewing points for high-altitude Andean birdlife. In the afternoon, continue to the Peñas Blancas Viewing Point, where the surrounding habitat offers excellent opportunities for hummingbirds including Giant Hummingbird, White-bellied Woodstar and Blue-mantled Thornbill. Other key targets include Giant Conebill, Tawny Antpitta, Pearled Treerunner and Rusty Flowerpiercer, while Spectacled Bear is also possible. Enjoy some time to relax and take in this secluded setting after a rewarding day in Ecuador’s high Andes.

Explore the spectacular Antisana Reserve, where high-Andean páramo, wetlands, volcanic landscapes and montane forest support a remarkable variety of specialised birdlife. At the hummingbird feeders, more than 18 species may be attracted, including Ecuadorian Hillstar, Great Sapphirewing and Shining Sunbeam. From the three-level Condor Tower, look across Secas Lagoon and the Isco River towards the nesting cliffs of the Andean Condor, while Black Flowerpiercer, Carunculated Caracara and Andean Teal are among the other key possibilities. With luck, Spectacled Bear may also appear, adding an unforgettable wildlife encounter to this exceptional high-Andean experience.

Begin in the Pichincha foothills at Zuro Loma Reserve, exploring antpitta hides and hummingbird feeders amid mossy montane and cloud forest. The Sword-billed Hummingbird is a key target, with Equatorial Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo and Golden-breasted Puffleg also possible. Continue along the Old-Nono Mindo Road through the Andean Chocó to Tandayapa Valley, where cloud forest, grassland and highland scrub create varied birding habitat. At Alambi Hummingbird Paradise, more than 90% of the reserve is primary forest. Arrive at the Upper Tandayapa Valley lodge surrounded by lush subtropical cloud forest, with the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan among the highlights at the feeders.

Spend an exceptional morning at Refugio Paz de las Aves in the lush Andean Chocó, beginning at its famous Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek before exploring photography hides for antpittas, tanagers, toucan-barbets and other forest birds. The steep, densely vegetated cloud forest provides a rich setting for species such as the Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Golden Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager and Dark-backed Wood-Quail.

After lunch, continue to the Chocó Toucan Hides and La Victoria Cock-of-the-Rock photography hide, offering another opportunity for close views and photography in the afternoon light. With its specialist hides, rich cloud forest and memorable lek experience, this is a particularly special day in Ecuador’s remarkable Chocó.

Explore the Chocó-Andean foothills at Milpe Bird Sanctuary and Río Silanche, where primary and regenerating forest, pasture, flowering areas and humid lowland forest support an exceptional variety of birds. Milpe’s feeders and trails offer opportunities for Green Thorntail, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Purple-throated Woodstar and Wedge-billed Hummingbird, along with key Chocó species such as Club-winged Manakin, Chocó Trogon and Moss-backed Tanager.

After a packed lunch, continue to Río Silanche for short forest walks and birding from the canopy tower. Look for Pale-mandibled Aracari, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Western White-tailed Trogon and Black-headed Antthrush among the humid western lowland forest. Return to Sacha Tamia Lodge after a rewarding day discovering the lower-elevation birdlife of the Chocó.

Begin in the humid foothill and subtropical forests around Mindo with an early visit to the Long-wattled Umbrellabird Reserve. This elusive Chocó endemic (E), known for the male’s distinctive pendulous throat wattle, is a particularly special target. Continue to Mindo’s hummingbird and toucan feeders, where flowering plants and forest edges provide excellent opportunities for close views and photography.

Key targets include Chocó Toucan (E), Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Orange-breasted Barbet, Blue-whiskered Tanager and Green Honeycreeper, with Plumbeous Hawk and Double-toothed Kite also possible. The combination of specialist viewing sites, feeders and rich Chocó forest makes this a memorable day in one of Ecuador’s finest birding regions.

Follow the Mashpi Road into the Chocó forest for a full day among humid foothill and subtropical forest. At Amagusa Mashpi Reserve, explore the hummingbird garden and feeders, with Empress Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca and White-whiskered Hermit among the highlights. The surrounding forest also offers opportunities for Glistening-green Tanager, Golden Tanager and Flame-faced Tanager.

After a packed lunch, continue to Sachaguatusa Feeders for further Chocó birding, with Moss-backed Tanager, Chocó Vireo, Orange-breasted Fruiteater and Broad-billed Motmot among the key targets. If road conditions allow, the Oilbird Caves may be visited for the chance to see Oilbirds. Return to Quito in the afternoon after an exclusive day exploring one of western Ecuador’s most important Chocó forest landscapes.

Begin at Concierto de Aves in the lush Baeza Valley, exploring hummingbird feeders and viewing hides surrounded by Andean cloud forest. Continue to Quetzal Feeders for more eastern foothill hummingbirds before heading to San Isidro, where steep, forested slopes and middle-elevation cloud forest provide habitat for species including Golden-headed Quetzal, Andean Motmot and White-bellied Antpitta.

Explore the reserve’s forest trails and surrounding roads for Andean Potoo, Black-banded Owl, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher and Black-billed Peppershrike. After dark, venture into the forest in search of owls and other nocturnal wildlife, with Mountain Tapir a rare and memorable possibility.

Begin at the Moth Feeders and White-bellied Antpitta Feeder before exploring the moss-covered cloud forest and higher ridges of San Isidro Reserve. The forest supports mixed-species flocks and a rich variety of mountain birds, with Golden-headed Quetzal, Southern Emerald Toucanet, Masked Trogon and Grass-green Tanager among the key possibilities.

Further targets include White-tailed Antpitta, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Black-billed Peppershrike and Long-tailed Sylph, with Inca Jay and Speckle-faced Parrot also possible. After dark, venture into the forest in search of owls and other nocturnal wildlife, with Mountain Tapir offering an exceptional possibility on this special day in Ecuador’s eastern cloud forests.

Explore the eastern Andean foothills around Wild Sumaco, from the Paradise Tanager Feeders to the lush forest surrounding Hollín Waterfall. At around 1,200 to 1,600 metres, the reserve combines humid foothill forest, forest edges, roadside habitat and fast-flowing water, creating a rewarding variety of birding opportunities. Paradise Tanager, Red-headed Barbet and Black-mandibled Toucan are among the key targets at the feeders and surrounding woodland.

Continue along the Wild Sumaco Birding Road, watching the forest edges and canopy for Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Lineated Woodpecker and Wedge-billed Woodcreeper. At Hollín Waterfall, look for Green-backed Hillstar, Green-fronted Lancebill and Fasciated Tiger-Heron.

Spend a full day exploring Wild Sumaco Reserve, where cloud forest, foothill forest and Amazonian influences meet in a lush subtropical rainforest landscape. Forest trails, roads and mixed-species flocks offer excellent opportunities for species such as Blue-rumped Manakin, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater and Wing-banded Wren, while the uncommon Yellow-throated Spadebill is a special target.

Roadside birding adds the possibility of Coppery-chested Jacamar, Blue-browed Tanager and Yellow-breasted Antwren, with the endangered Military Macaw, rare Spot-winged Parrotlet and Black Hawk-Eagle among the more exceptional possibilities. With luck, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater may also be found before returning to the lodge for dinner and a relaxed evening in this remarkable eastern Andean setting.

Begin the journey back towards Quito with a stop at Concierto de Aves, where feeders and surrounding Andean vegetation provide another opportunity for close views of Ecuador’s highland birdlife. Key possibilities include Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Andean Motmot and White-bellied Antpitta, with Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and Long-tailed Sylph adding further highlights.

Continue to Quito, arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon.

If your flight time allows, enjoy a final morning of birding around Hacienda Jimenita Reserve. The gardens, native vegetation and surrounding Andean habitat offer a peaceful setting for one last opportunity to enjoy Ecuador’s remarkable birdlife.

Later, transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito for your flight home, bringing an unforgettable journey through Ecuador’s spectacular high Andes, cloud forests and eastern foothills to a close.