Ecuador - Southern Endemic Birds

Arrive in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s principal port and coastal city, situated on the banks of the Guayas River. A vibrant commercial hub, Guayaquil offers a dynamic introduction to the country. Transfer to your hotel, settle in, and unwind. Dinner tonight is at your leisure. Night at Oro Verde Guayaquil.

After having an early breakfast, we depart from the bustling city of Guayaquil and begin our first full day in Ecuador with a drive of just over an hour to the Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve. This 50,000-hectare reserve was established in 1979 to protect its vital habitat and diverse wildlife. Mangroves play a crucial role in our planet’s health by storing immense amounts of carbon and providing crucial support for a variety of creatures, including numerous juvenile fish.

Manglares-Churute contains an interesting mix of lagoons, mangroves, and semi-humid forest; we won’t see anything else like this on the remainder of the tour. We will spend our time here looking for the threatened “Pacific” Royal-Flycatcher along with a number of other scarce species including Jet Antbird, Common (Mangrove) Black-Hawk and Orange crowned Euphonia. We’ll also have our first chance at finding some of the more common Tumbesian endemics such as Superciliated Wren and Ecuadorian Trogon. Meanwhile impressive Horned Screamers can be found in nearby rice paddies.

Later in the day, we will drive 120 miles south to the Jocotoco Foundation’s Buenaventura Reserve and the excellent Umbrellabird Lodge near Piñas. We will birdwatch along the way as we travel through wetlands, coastal areas, flooded fields, and patches of forest. Buenaventura Reserve was specifically created to protect the largest known population of the endemic El Oro Parakeet, giving us a good chance to spot a small flock during our two full days in the reserve.

Potential species on this route include Horned Screamer, Muscovy Duck, Magnificent  Frigatebird, various herons & egrets, White Ibis, Rufous-necked Woodrail, Savanna Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Wattled Jacana, various gulls & terns, Ecuadorian and Blue Ground-Doves, Pacific Pygmy-Owl, Ringed & Green Kingfishers, Red-rumped & Black-cheeked Woodpeckers, Peruvian Meadowlark, Jet Antbird, Masked Water-Tyrant, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Superciliated Wren, Lemon-rumped and White-shouldered Tanagers, Crimson-breasted Finch, Variable, Parrot-billed, Yellow-bellied and Chestnut-throated Seedeaters, and Thick-billed & Large-billed Seed Finches. By the time we arrive at Buenaventura for our three-night stay, there should still be enough daylight to observe the hummingbird feeders, where we may spot species such as the Long-billed, White-whiskered and Baron’s Hermits, Brown Violetear, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Emerald-bellied Woodnymph, Green Thorntail, Andean Emerald, Long-billed Starthroat, Purple-crowned Fairy, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-booted Racket-tail and Violet-tailed Sylph.

A feeding table stocked with tropical fruits attracts species such as the Rufous-headed Chachalaca and Pale-mandibled Aracari, while a short yet steep trail descends into a ravine, leading us to a display site for the Long-wattled Umbrellabird—though we might save this for another day. Night at Umbrellabird Lodge. (B, BL, D)

The two primary target species in this impressive reserve are the El Oro Parakeet and the Long-wattled Umbrellabird. In fact, the endemic El Oro Parakeet was discovered here in 1980, and the reserve now safeguards most of its remaining preferred habitat. This species inhabits an incredibly small area, making it one of the more elusive targets on this trip, but we remain hopeful of catching a glimpse of this rare Ecuadorian endemic parrot. However, there is so much to see here, and the day will be packed with non-stop birding action as we explore a road at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters.

Just to give you a taster of what is possible here: Rufous-headed Chachalaca, Barred Hawk, Bronze-winged Parrot, Red-masked Parakeet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Collared Trogon, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Pale-billed Aracari, White-tipped Sicklebill, Emerald-bellied Woodnymph, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Bay Wren, Guayaquil & Golden-olive Woodpeckers, Scaled Fruiteater, Barred Puffbird, Grey-rumped Swift, Club-winged & Golden-winged Manakins, Plain-backed & Ochre-breasted Antpittas, Esmereldas & Zeledon’s Antbirds, Russet & Uniform Antshrikes, Checker-throated & Slaty Antwrens, Andean Solitaire, Uniform Treehunter, Brown-billed Scythebill, Spotted Woodcreeper, Ornate Flycatcher, Ecuadorian Thrush, Brownish Twistwing, Yellow & Rufous-winged Tyrannulets, Gray-breasted and Olive-striped Flycatchers, Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, Song & Whiskered Wrens, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Slaty Becard, White-throated Spadebill, Golden, Rufous-throated, Golden-naped, Silver-throated, Blue-necked & Bay-headed Tanagers, Black-and-white Seedeater, Black-winged Saltator and Dusky Brush-Finch. We will likely spend lunchtime watching the feeders back at the lodge, where hundreds of hummingbirds often gather alongside an amazing variety of other species. It will be hard to tear ourselves away to continue birding along the road. This is sure to be a day we will never forget! Night at Umbrellabird Lodge. (B, L, D)

Today we look for birds on the upper areas of the reserve, our goal will be the Ecuadorian endemic and rare bird, El Oro Tapaculo. As for the umbrellabird, if we didn’t visit its lek yesterday, we will definitely target this species today. To see this cotinga displaying is one of nature’s true marvels. Additionally, we watch for other birds like Brown Inca, and Gorgeted Sunangel. This area is also the habitat for montane birds like Pacific Tuftedcheek, Flame-faced and Ochre-breasted Tanagers, Choce Brushfinch, and rare and endangered raptors like Grey-backed Hawk and Ornate Hawk-Eagle. After lunch we look for birds of the lower areas of the reserve, like White-vented (Ecuadorian) Plumeleteer, Gartered Trogon, and Ochraceous Attila. Much of the birding will be on a moderately inclined dirt track through the forest, as we look for the key mixed-species feeding flocks, but we’ll also take short walks on muddy and sometimes steep trails. Night at Umbrellabird Lodge. (B, BL, D)

After a fabulous time at Buenaventura, we will drive 160 miles in an easterly direction to Copalinga, making a number of stops en route along the old Loja-Zamora Road. We’ll expect to see a number of commoner birds during the journey such as Cliff Flycatcher, Green Jay and Paradise Tanager, although surprises always turn up. In the afternoon we will arrive at Cabañas Ecologicas Copalinga, a lodge found on the northern edge of the Podocarpus National Park (a Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO) and settle in for a 3-night stay. Established in 1999, the lodge is situated on a beautiful reserve of 150 hectares. The grounds of the lodge itself are great for hummingbirds, with species such as Wire-crested Thorntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, and Spangled Coquette being regularly attracted to the feeders and flowering plants. Once we’ve sorted through the hummers we can stroll along a trail to a small hide where Gray Tinamou can be seen while, at night, Band-bellied Owl often calls near the lodge. Night at Copalinga Lodge. (B, BL, D)

On one of our days out from Copalinga we’ll bird an excellent trail just a short drive away, looking for many sought-after or localized species such as Coppery-chested Jacamar, Ecuadorian Piedtail, White-breasted Parakeet, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Foothill Elaenia, Olive Finch, Black-billed Treehunter, Blue-rumped Manakin, and Equatorial Graytail. Other more common birds we may see are Paradise and Green-and-gold Tanager, Andean Motmot, Green Hermit, Red-headed Barbet, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, and Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant. In mid-afternoon, we will return to the lodge, where we can either have some relaxed birding around the lodge, or take a short drive to other nearby sites.

On another day, we can explore some slightly higher elevation forest patches, which are good for spotting species like the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Lined Antshrike, and Olivaceous Greenlet. Farther along this road, we’ll target some scarce species of higher elevations including Vermilion and Blue-browed Tanagers, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, among others.

After three nights at Copalinga, we move on to Tapichalaca Reserve, 100 winding miles to the south. After a three-hour car journey with the possibility of birding en route again, we will arrive at the montane forests where the Jocotoco Antpitta thrives, settling in to our cozy lodge for 2 nights.

While the Jocotoco Antpitta is our main target here, we should see plenty of other good birds along the trails, such as Chestnut-caped and Slate-crowned Antpittas plus there’s a slim chance of Undulated Antpitta too, Chusquea and Ocellated Tapaculos, White-breasted and Golden-plumed Parakeets, Barred Fruiteater, Black-capped Hemispingus, Orange-banded Flycatcher, White-throated Quail-Dove, Andean Potoo, sometimes the reserve rangers know of a day roost for Long-tailed Potoo.

The walk up to the Jocotoco feeding area follows a narrow forest trail with some short, steep sections that can be slippery and muddy. Although the hike is not long, we will take our time, as there are many birding opportunities along the way. However, we will ensure our arrival at the antpitta feeding area coincides with their regular feeding time.

As recently as 1997, a new species of antpitta was discovered here—the Jocotoco Antpitta—leading to the creation of a series of reserves and accommodations by the Jocotoco Foundation. This is the foundation’s premier reserve, spanning altitudes from 1,500m to 2,900m and home to over 400 bird species.

Amidst this stunning, epiphyte-laden forest, there are plenty more birds to look for, such as the Bearded Guan, White-capped Parrot, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Bar-bellied and Powerful Woodpeckers, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Barred Antthrush, Slate-crowned and Rufous Antpittas, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Russet-crowned Warbler, Turquoise Jay, Maranon Thrush, Grey-hooded Bush-Tanager, and the Red-hooded, White-capped, and Grass-green Tanagers.

Continuing the feeder theme throughout this tour, we will find more hummer feeders here, hosting species such as the Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Amethyst-throated and Flame-throated Sunangels, Long-tailed Sylph, and White-bellied Woodstar. Additionally, a compost heap attracts a remarkable variety of species, including the Black-throated Tody-Tyrant. At dusk, we will try for the Swallow-tailed Nightjar and White-throated Screech-Owl near the lodge.

During our stay we may bird along the road below the lodge towards the town of Valladolid where occasionally Chestnut-crested Cotinga can be seen, or else spend more time around the lodge. Night at Casa Simpson. (B, L, D)

On our last full day in southern Ecuador, we will drive approximately 80 miles north to the dry valley of Catamayo, where we will search for endemic birds such as the Tumbes Sparrow, Elegant Crescentchest, Drab Seedeater, Parrot-billed Seedeater, Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Band-tailed Seedeater, Peruvian Meadowlark, and Fasciated Wren. We will spend our final night in the south at Gran Hotel Marcjohns in this valley, where we may even hear the call of the Peruvian Pygmy-Owl. (B, BL, D)

After breakfast, we will head to Catamayo Airport for a short flight to Quito. Upon arrival, we will be greeted and transferred to the open grasslands of Antisana National Park (ranging from 9,000 to over 13,000 feet). This is one of the best places in Ecuador to spot high-altitude birds such as the Andean Condor, Andean Ibis, Silvery Grebe, Aplomado Falcon, Chestnut-winged and Stout-billed Cinclodes, Black-chested Eagle, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Many-striped and Streaked-backed Canasteros, Cinereous Harrier,  Band-tailed Seedeater, Tawny Antpitta, Spot-billed Ground and Black-billed Shrike-Tyrants, White-crested Elaenia, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Red-crested Cotinga, Paramo Pipit, and Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe.

We will enjoy a delicious lunch at Tambo Condor, a small local farm with a fantastic view of the rock walls where Andean Condors roost and nest. This spot also provides an opportunity to see the Giant Hummingbird! After enjoying a hearty Andean lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight home. (B, L)