Country: Ecuador
Categories
Koepcke’s Screech Owl, Loja
An evening in Loja looks for the recently discovered Ecuadorian population of Koepcke's Screech Owl, a species long considered a Peruvian endemic. The owl is sought in the city's surroundings after dark.
Read MorePodocarpus National Park and Tapichalaca Reserve
Podocarpus National Park and the adjoining Tapichalaca Reserve protect cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the southern Ecuadorian Andes. Birding the two areas together targets Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Peruvian Antpitta, Plushcap, Chusquea Tapaculo, Rufous and Plain-tailed Wrens and, with luck, Chestnut-crowned and Undulated Antpittas. Other birds include Masked Mountain Tanager, Neblina Metaltail, Mouse-colored Thistletail, White-throated Tyrannulet, Blue-backed Conebill and Andean Pygmy Owl.
Read MoreSozoranga Road and Utuana Reserve
The Sozoranga Road and Utuana Reserve lie on higher ground between the Tumbesian lowlands and Loja. Birding this higher ground targets Grey-headed Antbird, Piura Hemispingus, Black-cowled Saltator, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Purple-throated Sunangel, Jelski's Chat-Tyrant, Chapman's Antshrike, the localized Loja Tyrannulet, Chestnut-collared Swallow, Bay-crowned and White-winged Brushfinches, Amazilia Hummingbird and Collared Warbling Finch.
Read MoreMacara and Zapotillo Roads / Jorupe Reserve
The Tumbesian zone runs from south-west Ecuador into extreme north-western Peru and is one of the world's most endangered bird habitats. Birding the Macara and Zapotillo Roads and Jorupe Reserve covers dry deciduous and humid evergreen forest and its restricted-range species: Pale-browed Tinamou, Tumbes Hummingbird, Tumbes Pewee, Red-masked and Grey-cheeked Parakeets, Grey-backed Hawk, Pacific Parrotlet, West Peruvian Screech Owl, Blackish-headed Spinetail, Elegant Crescentchest, Watkins's Antpitta, Crimson-breasted Finch, Ecuadorian Trogon, Saffron Siskin, Pacific Elaenia, Red-billed Scythebill, Ochre-bellied Dove, Ecuadorian Piculet and Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner.
Read MoreHacienda Jimenita Wildlife Reserve
The Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife Reserve protects a patch of Andean valley habitat on the outskirts of Quito. A morning on the grounds works the reserve's trails and edges for the birds that use this inter-Andean landscape.
Read MoreBuenaventura Reserve
Buenaventura is a Jocotoco Foundation reserve in El Oro Province on the western Andean slopes. The reserve protects the endangered El Oro Parakeet, Choco Toucan, Ochraceous Attila, Song Wren, Club-winged Manakin, motmots, puffbirds, tanagers, Black-winged Saltator and the secretive El Oro Tapaculo. The reserve's best-known bird is the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, watched at its lek, and feeder sessions add White-tipped Sicklebill, White-booted Racket-tail, Crowned Woodnymph, White-necked Jacobin, Green Thorntail, Brown Violetear, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Green-crowned Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph and Wedge-tailed Hummingbird.
Read MoreHosteria Dos Chorreras
Hosteria Dos Chorreras is a country hotel in the southern Ecuadorian highlands, near the entrance to Cajas National Park.
Read MoreSantuario Hibiscus
Santuario Hibiscus is a small guest property in Giron, Azuay province, close to the Yunguilla Reserve.
Read MoreUmbrellabird Lodge
Umbrellabird Lodge is the lodging inside the Buenaventura Reserve on the western Andean slopes of El Oro province, with hummingbird feeders and direct access to the reserve trails.
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