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Andean Chocó Endemics: The Ultimate 8-Day Ecuador Birding Journey

Guagua Pichincha Volcano © Juan Carlos Crespo

Get ready for the birding adventure of a lifetime! This eight-day itinerary, Northwest Ecuador: From Andean Chocó Highlands to Chocó Lowlands, takes you on a spectacular journey through some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Imagine waking up to the songs of the Andean Cock of the Rock and witnessing the brilliant flash of a Black-breasted Puffleg hummingbird.

Your journey starts high in the Andes at Yanacocha Reserve, home to rare and endemic species. From there, you’ll descend into the enchanting cloud forests of the Tandayapa and Mindo valleys, famous for their stunning variety of hummingbirds and colorful tanagers. You’ll then explore the Chocó lowlands, a unique ecosystem where you’ll look for elusive birds like the Long-wattled Umbrellabird and the Chocó Poorwill.

This is more than just a trip; it’s an immersive experience designed for both seasoned birders and nature lovers alike. With expert guides and carefully chosen locations, you’ll not only see incredible birds but also gain a deep appreciation for Ecuador’s rich natural heritage. Sign up now and prepare to be amazed!.

Day 1: Yanacocha Reserve (Jocotoco) & Hummingbird Ecoroute: High-Andes Avian Exploration

Black-breasted Puffleg © Juan Carlos Crespo

We’ll get an early start this morning, picking you up from your hotel in Quito just before sunrise to begin the hour-long drive to Yanacocha. On the way, we’ll pass the most important mountain in Quito, Pichincha. Its twin peaks, Rucu Pichincha (Old Pichincha) and Guagua Pichincha (Young Pichincha), often shrouded in clouds, dominating the city skyline. Our route will take us along a paved road that winds around this majestic mountain, later transitioning to a dirt road within a peaceful temperate forest where our birding adventures will begin.

By early morning, we’ll arrive to Yanacocha Reserve that’s managed by the Jocotoco Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Ecuador’s birds, this reserve plays a critical role in protecting the fragile Highlands cloud forest ecosystem and its threatened and endemic species like the Black-breasted Puffleg.

Then, we will drive down into the valley through the Hummingbird Ecoroute dirt road, descending to the foothills (5,577 feet above sea level).  This elevation provides a unique opportunity for us to explore the enchanting, subtropical cloud forest habitat, known for its lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. Later this afternoon we’ll arrive at the Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, your first taste of Ecuador’s fabled cloud forests. Situated along the well-known Tandayapa Bird Route, Alambi is renowned for its exceptional birdwatching opportunities making it a favored stop for spotting a wide variety of avian species, including some quetzals, a rainbow of tanagers, and delicate hummingbirds.

Target birds: Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Sword-billled Hummingbird, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Shining Sunbeam, Superciliated Hemispingus, Blue-backed Conebill, Great Sapphirewing, Barred Fruiteater, Golden-crowned Tanager, Andean Guan, Red-crested Cotinga, Andean Lapwing, Brown-backed Chad-Tyrant, White-capped Dipper, Torrent Duck, Red-headed Barbet, White-whiskered Hermit, Silver-throated Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Golden Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Andean Emerald, White-booted raquet-tail, Green-crowned Brilliant, Crowned Woodnymph, Brown Inca, Purple-throated Woodstar and many others.

Meals & Lodging: All meals included. Overnight in Mindo

Day 2: Bellavista Cloud Forest: Chocó Endemics in the Mist

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan © Juan Carlos Crespo

This morning we’ll venture into the Bellavista Cloud Forest reserve rising in the Andean Chocó Biosfera. Particularly one of the best places for spotting the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan and Toucan Barbet two species as the most representatives bird of the Chocó Mountain Forest.  Listen closely, and you may hear the remarkable duets of these avian partners. The rattles and clicks of their amorous exchange can be heard more than a mile away.

As the morning progresses, we’ll look for other colorful species like the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, and Golden-naped Tanager. We will also search for iconic birds such as the Masked Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Green-and-black Fruiteater, and the noisy Powerful Woodpecker, which can often be heard drumming from far away.

Later, we’ll move to the upper part of the reserve to search for elusive species that prefer the dense forest, including the Ocellated Tapaculo, Tanager Finch, White-faced Nunbird, and Andean Pygmy-Owl.

Target birds: Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Tanager Finch, Ocellated Tapaculo, Grass-green Tanager, Golden headed Quetzal, White-faced Nunbird, Powerful Woodpecker, Plushcap, Black-eared Hemispingus, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Striped Woodhunter, Plain-tailed Wren, Common Potoo, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Metallic-green Tanager, Gorgeted Sunangel, Violet-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, and many others.

Meals & Lodging: All meals included. Overnight in Mindo

Day 3: Andean Antpittas & Cloud Forest Wonders: Paz de las Aves & Mindo

Andean Cock-of-the-rock © Juan Carlos Crespo

Very early departure to make our way from Mindo to Paz de las Aves Refuge, where you’re in for a real treat. This morning we’ll visit an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Males gather here to engage in flamboyant displays, showcasing their distinctive red plumage, performing calls, and doing their very best to outshine the competition for discerning females. Once we arrive at the refuge, we’ll head straight to the hide to watch these vibrant males as they continue their courtship displays and show off their striking plumage.

Later, we’ll try to find the most sought-after bird of the refuge, the Giant Antpitta (María). Afterwards, we’ll look for the Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, Common Potoo, Scaled Fruiteater, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, and many colorful tanagers such as the Black-capped Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, among others.

By noon, we’ll head towards Mindo. Nestled where the high and low cloud forest foothills meet, Mindo is celebrated as the “Birding Capital of the World” with more than 400 recorded species. We’ll go birding along different elevational gradients, starting at higher elevations where there are extensive tracts of forest. Once at our spots, we’ll look for the Chocó Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Crested Guan, and Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, among others.

Later, we’ll descend to lower elevations to search for Coopman’s Elaenia, Cinnamon Becard, Olivaceous Piculet, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Sunbittern, and Rufous Motmot. At night, we’ll go owling to find beautiful owls like the Black-and-white Owl and Mottled Owl.

Target birds: Andean-cock-of-the-rock, Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Sunbittern, Chocó Toucan, Coopman’s Elaenia, Pacific Hornero, Pacific Antwren, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Olivaceous Piculet, Yellow-throated Toucan, Crested Guan, Bay Wren, Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, Blue-necked Tanager, Guira Tanager, Lanceolated Monklet, Black and white Owl, Mottled Owl, and many others.

Meals & Lodging: All meals included. Overnight in Mindo

Day 4: Chocó Avian Treasures – Mashpi-Amagusa & Sacha Guatusa Reserves

Rose-faced Parrot © Marcel van der Borden

This early morning’s birding adventure will begin at the Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve, a private local reserve renowned for its incredible diversity of Chocó foothill birds. We’ll be birding at various spots, starting right around the moth light trap in search of species such as Zeledon’s Antbird, Collared Trogon, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Broad-billed Motmot, Black Solitaire, Rose-faced Parrot, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Moss-backed Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Chocó Vireo, Green-fronted Lancebill, White-tipped Sicklebill, etc.

By noon, we’ll move on to another fantastic spot down in the foothills: the Sacha Guatusa Reserve. This small reserve is managed by local people and features a fascinating mix of secondary forest and agricultural areas, allowing us to observe stunning tanagers such as the Emerald Tanager, Gray-and-gold Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Orange-fronted Barbet, and Barred Puffbird, among others.

Later, we’ll leave this lovely reserve and embark on an afternoon of birding along the dirt road connecting La Delicia and Guayabillas, two small villages nestled in the Chocó foothills and lowlands. Here, we’ll search for lower-elevation species such as the Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Yellow-green Tanager, Slate-colored Grosbeak, Russet Antshrike, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, Red-rumped Woodpecker, and Black-tipped Cotinga, among others.

Target birds: Indigo Flowerpiercer, Moss-backed Tanager, Black Solitaire, Esmeraldas Antbird, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Scaled Fruiteater, Glistening-green Tanager, Rose-faced Parrot, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Rufous-throated Tanager, Green-fronted Lancebill, White-tipped Sicklebill, Chocó Vireo, Scarlet and white Tanager, Yellow-green Tanager, Emerald Tanager, Gray-and-Gold Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Orange-fronted Barbet, Slate-colored Grosbeak, Russet Antshrike, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo and many others.

Meals & Lodging: All meals included. Overnight in Mindo

Day 5: Chocó Birding Special: Long-wattled Umbrellabird Quest & Milpe Bird Sanctuary

Long-wattled Umbrellabird © Juan Carlos Crespo

We want to arrive at the Long-wattled Umbrellabird Lek by 6:00 am and it’s a bit of a drive, so we’ll be departing a little earlier than usual this morning. One of the most remarkable features of the male Long-wattled Umbrellabird is its striking long wattle, which dangles from its throat like an elaborate black umbrella, but their ability to fly between tall canopy trees with agility and grace is equally impressive.

During their displays, males may fly between trees to exhibit their agility and strength to attract the attention of females. This behavior adds an extra dimension to their courtship displays, making it not only a visual but also an aerial spectacle.

Later today, we’ll enjoy more birding along the way to Milpe Bird Sanctuary. At Milpe, we’ll spot more species along well-maintained trails that meander past breathtaking views of lush greenery and serene streams.Depending on the weather, we’ll embark on an owling adventure in search of two exquisite species – the Mottled Owl and the Crested Owl, known for its especially pronounced ear tufts.

Target birds: Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Velvet-purple Coronet, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, Chocó Toucan, Club-winged Manakin, Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, Blue-tailed Trogon, Pale-vented Thrush, Club-winged Manakin, Ashy-throated Chlorospingus, Chocó Warbler, Speckled Nightingale Thrush, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Golden-winged Manakin, and more.

Meals & Lodging: All meals included. Overnight in Mindo

Day 6: Exploring the Biodiverse Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary & Vecinities

Blue-whiskered Tanager © Juan Carlos Crespo

We’ll begin our day in the Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, a small patch of Chocoan lowlands forest owned by Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation. One of its notable features is the canopy tower, that will bring us right up into the treetops for a close-up view of many tanagers, trogons, woodpeckers, flycatchers, barbets, parrots, and many other canopy-dwelling in their natural habitat.

We will also have an opportunity to look for manakins, other tanagers, woodcreepers, and antbirds on a short hike through Rio Silanche’s wooded trails, later this morning.We’ll continue birding outside the Sanctuary along the dirthy road on secondary woodlands and agricultural areas by Silanche general area.

By late morning, our birding journey continues near Silanche at Sendero Fruttitour in Pedro Vicente Maldonado. Situated in the heart of the species-rich Chocó lowland rainforest, this location features well-maintained, easy-access trails tailored for birders of all experience levels. Unlike traditional dense forest reserves, Fruttitour operates as an agroforestry haven where productive fruit trees edge native forest. Integrated fruit platforms and active feeding stations along the trail offer intimate, front-row encounters with vibrant Chocó tanagers, dazzling hummingbirds, and active woodpeckers.

Target birds: Rufous-winged Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Gray-and-gold Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Black-faced Dacnis, White-tailed Trogon, Barred Puffbird, Chocó Tyrannulet, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Northern-barred Woodcreeper, Black-striped Woodcreeper, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Tawny-crested Tanager, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Ecuadorian Ground-Dove, Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Dusky Pigeon, Pacific Hornero, White-thighed Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Gray-breasted Martin, Black-breasted Mango, Long-billed Starthroat, Bronzy Hermit, Purple-crowned Fairy, Little Cuckoo, Pacific Antwren, Great Antshrike, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Lineated Woodpecker, Blue Dacnis, Mealy Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot, Long-tailed Tyrant and many others.

By early afternoon begin our drive to Canandé Reserve in Esmeraldas Province for around three hours. Once we arrive at the reserve and do our accomodation, we’ll have a short time birding at the canopy tower by the main area of the reserve before sunset. Here will focus on tanagers mixed flocks, parrots, macaws, some toucans, flycatchers, Tityras, etc.

Meals & Lodging: All meals included. Overnight at Canandé

Day 7: Birding at Canandé Reserve, the ¨Heart¨ of the Chocó Rainforest

Scarlet-breasted Dacnis © Juan Carlos Crespo

Located in northwestern Ecuador, the Canandé Reserve (managed by the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation) stands as one of the last sanctuaries for the threatened lowland rainforests of the Chocó bioregion. Recognized globally as a biodiversity hotspot, this pristine reserve shelters an extraordinary concentration of endemic and critically endangered flora and fauna. Hosting more than 350 bird species, it provides critical refuge for sought-after endemics like the Great Green Macaw, Banded-ground Cuckoo, Lita Woodpecker, Stub-tailed Antbird, amids pristine tropical forests.

Starting just after dawn, we’ll set off on an immersive full-day birding excursion through the upper reaches of the reserve. Covering a few miles on foot, we will venture through varied habitats to spot a rich diversity of understory, midstory, and canopy species.

In the evening, we will embark on a night hike around the main lodge area to target two Chocó bioregion endemics: the Chocó Poorwill and the Chocó Screech-Owl. The Chocó Poorwill is recognized by the male’s loud, rhythmic ‘poor-will’ breeding call. The Chocó Screech-Owl is small and well camouflaged, making visual spots challenging in thick vegetation. However, we will use its distinct calls a combination of fast trills and whinnies to locate this secretive species.

Target birds: Great Green Macaw, Lita Woodpecker, Stub-tailed Antbird, Sapayoa, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Great Tinamou, Velvety Manakin, Dot-winged Antwren, Moustached Antwren, Ocellated Antbird, Spotted Antbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Chocó Manakin, Baudó Guan, Rufous Piha, Great Jacamar, Purple Quail-Dove, Golden-chested Tanager, Banded-ground Cuckoo, Chocó Poorwill, Chocó Screech-Owl, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager and many others.

DAY 8: Rio Canandé Reserve (Lower Section) & Return to Quito

Flame-rumped Tanager © Juan Carlos Crespo

This morning is dedicated to birding along the reserve’s lower trails, targeting understory species like quails, antbirds, wrens, and hummingbirds. Moving up to the mid-story, we’ll keep an eye out for vibrant manakins, tanagers, trogons, and mourners, before heading back up to the canopy tower to scan for canopy specialists.

After an incredible morning discovering the region’s avian life, we’ll enjoy a farewell lunch together. Afterwards, we’ll begin our drive back to Quito, arriving in the late afternoon to drop you off at your hotel or the airport.

Target birds: Blue-whiskered Tanager, Rufous-winged Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Tawny-faced Quail, Bicolored Antbird, White-flanked Antwren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Song Wren, Black-throated Trogon, Blue-tailed Trogon, Red-capped Manakin, Speckled Mourner, and many others.

End of services and see you in another great new adventure!!!!!!!.

IMPORTANT TOUR ISSUES

DOCUMENTS YOU WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE STARTING TOUR

*You will need a current passport valid for at least six months before the expiration date.

If you have any questions or need further assistance about this tour, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you very much for choosing Macaw Birding, and we look forward to providing you with exceptional experience!!!!!.

Contact

Juan Carlos Crespo

Mobile: (+ 593) 985800580
Email: juancarloscrespo@macawbirding.com

Quito, Ecuador