Birdwatching Tours

Birds to Look For
Areas of Interest
Tours & Itineraries
What to Bring
Suggested Reading

Bird diversity varies according to latitude and tropical regions, such as the one Ecuador is located in, contain the greatest number of birds. Due to its several distinct climates, Ecuador has an amazing variety of bird-life. With over 1600 species of birds (twice as many as Europe entirely), Ecuador offers more bird diversity in less space than any other country in the world.

A small country equal to the U.S. State of Colorado, Ecuador contains some of the richest faunal zones on this planet, each with its characteristic birds. Ecuador's Amazonian faunal zone alone has more than 600 species of birds, and several other Ecuadorian zones are nearly as rich.

Bird Watching Tours at San Jorge Botanical Reserve

Our Bird Watching Tours cover 4 climate zones: The Highland Rainforest, High Barren Plains, Cloud Forest and the Subtropical Rain Forest.

Birds to Look For During a Bird Watching Tour at San Jorge Botanical Reserve

Some of the most difficult to spot species of birds have been seen recently in the areas surrounding the San Jorge Eco-Lodge: (Nono-Mindo Road Area)

Andean Lapwing; White-banded Tyrannulet; Superciliared Hemispingus;Curved-billed Tinamou; Barn Owl; Black Vulture; Unicolored Tapaculo; Golden-rumped Euphonia; Chestnut-crowned Antpitta; Rufus Antpitta; Tawny Antpitta; Chestnut-naped Antpitta; Lesser Elaenia; White-crested Elaenia; Spectacle White Star; Plain - colored Seed Eater; Paramo Seed Eater; Band-tailed Seed Eater; Rufous-naped Brush Finch; Choco Toucan; Toucan Barbet; Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan; Crimson-Rumped Toucanet; Sword-Billed Hummingbird, Choco Endemic Hummingbird, Giant Hummingbird; Gorgeted Sunangel; Red Shoulder Hawk; Variable Hawk; White-throated Hawk; High Barren Plain Partridge; Black-Chested Buzzard- Eagle; Carunculated Cara Cara; American Kestrel; Eared Dove; White throated Quail Dove; Band-Tailed Pigeon; Great Horned Owl; Short-eared Owl; Black-tailed Trainbearer; Hooded Siskins; Black Flowerpiercers; Yellow Grosbeak; Black backed Grosbeak; Red crested Cotinga; Shining Sunbeam; Tyrian Metaltail; Viridian Metaltail; Tufted Tit Tyrant; Masked Flowerpiercer; Glossy Flowerpiercer Sparkling Violetar; Band- winged Nightjar; Lyre-Tailed Nightjar; Purple-backed Thornbill; Tricolored Brush Finch; Stripe-headed Brush Finch; Ash colored Tapaculo; Azara´s Spinetail; Rufous collared Sparrow; Rufous spinetail; Great Thrush; Glossy black Thrush; Brown-bellied Swallow; Tourmaline Sunangel; Long-Tailed Sylph; Glowing Puffleg; Sapphire vented Puffleg; Black-Breasted Puffleg; Gross Green Tanager; Blue-Winged Mountain Tanager; Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager; Blue & Yellow Tanager; Golden-crowned Tanager; Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager; Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Hooded Mountain Tanager; Rufous-chested Tanager, Tanager Finch;
ENDANGERED - one of the 50 most difficult species to see in the world: Cock-of-the-Rock; Black-Tailed Trainbearer; Rufous Antpitta; Scaled Fruiteater; Torrent Duck;
HIGHLY ENDANGERED : Crimson-Mantled Woodpecker; Cinerus Conebill

Bird Watching Tour Locals

San Jorge Botanical Reserve & Yanacocha Reserve Bird Watching Tour

Climate: High Barren Plain, Highland Rainforest
Altitude: 10,824 feet/3300 meters
Birds Sighted: Andean Guan; Dark-backed Wood-Quail; Bar-bellied Woodpecker; Great Sapphirewing; Tyrian Metaltail; Short-eared Owl; Band-winged Nightjar; Band-tailed Pigeon; White-throated Tyrannulet; White-banded Tyrannulet; Smoky Bush-Tyrant; Barred Fruiteater
Tandayapa Valley

Tandayapa Valley Bird Watching Tour

Bird watching Tour Itineraries

ECUADOR AN ECOLOGICAL MIRACLE
COCK OF THE ROCK LEK - BIRDING EXPEDITION
(6nights/7 days)

This tour offers complete diversity for birding in Ecuador, all climate steps of the world in 6 days: The High Barren Plains, Highland Rain Forest, Cloud Forest and the Subtropical Rain Forest - our four climate steps from 4,000 mts o.s.l. descending to 500 mts o.s.l. and include areas of travel in Ecuador's world famous birding areas.

Enjoy virgin nature and Ecuadorian tradition at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve, an 18th Century Ecuadorian farm, within a comfortable Eco-Resort environment. Our tours offer practical education on ecology, botanical, ornithology, archeology, and the awareness of the surrounding environment. Our bilingual tours are guided by Dr. George Cruz, of San Jorge Botanical Reserve and the finest guides from the Birdwatching Guide Association in Mindo. San Jorge Botanical Reserve, a 200-acre private native reserve, is located in the Pichincha foothills, 17 minutes from Quito Airport.

San Jorge Eco-Lodge: Double room accommodations, private bath with hot shower, including rustic built in fireplace, lit for comfort and eloquence in the evening. Enjoy our tempered indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish Bath, Jacuzzi, museum, library and explore our beautiful vast gardens. Relax at our festive El Cucayco Restaurant, serving fine national and international gourmet cuisine, and overlooks the valley of Quito.

Itinerary
Day One – Evening transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge
Overnight Lodging San Jorge

Day Two – Early this morning, we will visit our San Jorge Botanical Reserve (highland Rain Forest). Here you will have the opportunity to see the Black Tailed Trainbearer, Rufous Antpitta, Hooded Siskin, Black Flowerpiercer, Variable Hawk, Blue & Yellow Tanager and highly endangered species such as the Cinerus Conebill and the Crimson-Mantled Woodpecker. These are just a few of the over 120 bird species found in this paradise. While walking through the gardens of San Jorge, you will also find several varieties of hummingbirds, eating at their feeders stationed throughout the grounds. (3000 – 3500 mts o.s.l.). After lunch, later in the afternoon, we will visit the surroundings of San Jorge Botanical Reserve viewing Seed Eaters, Yellow Grossbacks, Cottingas and other varieties.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight lodging San Jorge

Day Three – 6:00 am Breakfast; 6:30 am we will leave to visit Yanacocha Reserve and continue birding at Nono Mindo Road and Tandayapa Valley. Spot up to 15 varieties of Hummingbirds, Tanager flocks including Grass-green Tanager, Blue-Winged Mountain Tanager and also Toucan Barbet and Crimson-Rumped Toucanet. Here we will visit the world-famous Hummingbird House. Meals: Breakfast, boxed Lunch, 7:00 pm early Dinner
Overnight lodging in Mindo

Day Four – 7:30 am Breakfast; Early-Mid-morning trek down wide, safe trails through the beautiful Nambillo Waterfalls area. Here you will quickly discover why Mindo is a World-famous birding area; large flocks of Tanagers seem to be everywhere! Other species to look for include Semicollared Hawk, Bicollared Hawk, Empress Brilliant, Hoary Puffleg, Barred Puffbird, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Esmeraldas Antbird, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Scaled Fruiteater, Club-winged Manakin and Black Solitaire.
Meals: Breakfast, boxed Lunch, Dinner
Overnight lodging in Mindo

Optional: Early-morning trip to witness the Cock of the Rock Lek (male congregation) see below.

Day Five – 7:00 am breakfast; 7:30 am – 11:00 am - Rio Cristal area, walking the Cinto River. An area located on the outskirts of Mindo Village, 1,300 mts osl. A network of trails lead us into the Cloud Forest where a wonderful variety of choco-endemics can be spotted: Sunbittern, Barred Puffbird, Barred Hawk, Red-headed Barbet, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Choco Toucan, Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, and Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager, to name just a few. 11– 1:00 pm Free time; 1:00 pm Lunch; 2:00 – 6:00 Mindo Entrance; 7:30 pm Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight lodging in Mindo

Day Six – 6:00 am Boxed Breakfast; Trail birding in San Miguel de los Bancos, 600 mts osl. This area is Subtropical Rainforest, the climate is warm & humid with spectacular foliage. Great opportunities can be found here to spot Tanagers: Moss-Backed; Golden-Hooded; Blue Whiskered; Scarlet and White; Gray- and-Gold, often all in the same flock! We have also seen Lineated Woodpeckers; Horneros; and the elusive Club-Winged Manakin in this region.

In the afternoon, we will return to San Jorge Eco-Lodge.Meals: Boxed breakfast, boxed lunch, Dinner Overnight lodging at San Jorge Eco-Lodge

Day Seven – Early AM transfer to Quito Airport

Tour based on 2 or more people

Options for Day 4 or Day 5:

#1 Visit to the Cock of The Rock Lek: Rising very early in the morning (4 AM) we will take a very special trip to Nambillo Waterfalls to witness the Lek (male congregation) of the brilliant Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Discover the fascinating birds and their amazing dances. 4 – 7:00 am. This is truly one of the most unique birding experiences in all the world.

#2 Night expedition in the Cloud Forest with wild voices, watching Nightjars, Owls, Insects, Bats. 8 – 10:00 pm

Optional Tours (3)

#1 One Extra Day - Birding at Papallacta High Barren Plain, including Hot Springs. The Papallacta area is located in the Central Ecuadorian Andes Chain and belongs to the High Barren Plain (3800 mts OSL). With luck, we will spot the magnificent Andean Condor. Hawks, hummingbirds and tanagers can also be observed.
Includes lodging at San Jorge Eco-Lodge, transportation, bilingual birding guide, 3 meals.

#2 Two Extra Days -Papallacta plus Baeza Cloud Forest area. Baeza is located East of Papallacta and belongs to the Cloud Forest area, containing the same bird species as Mindo. However, a special variety of Woodpecker, as well as Toucanets and Quetzal can also be found here. Surrounded by several National parks, this area seems to be one of the highest bird diversity in Ecuador.
Includes lodging at Guango Lodge or similar & San Jorge Eco-Lodge, transportation, bilingual birding guide, 3 meals.

#3 Four Extra Days - Papallacta, Baeza & Sierra Azul Lodge. Sierra Azul is located in Cosanga Upper Valley (near Baeza), with the same altitude climate and vegetation. Includes lodging at Guango, Sierra Azul (or similar) & San Jorge Eco-Lodge, transportation, bilingual birding guide, 3 meals per day.

What to Bring on a Bird Watching Tour

The most important things to bring are a tape recorder with a directional microphone and good pair of binoculars, 8x or 42, or similar, and/or a spotting scope, 20 x 40 X - 60mm. Tropical forests are dark and wet, so you'll need binoculars with ample water resistance. "Gas-sealed" binoculars and scopes are best; these never suffer from internal condensation, a common problem in damp environments. A rubber-coated or "armored" body is also a preferred feature to look for, as this will make the scope 'shockproof' and helps protect the delicate internals and optics from harsh environments.

Hat, lantern, bug repellent, sunblock, rubber boots, rain coat, warm and cold weather clothes for all climates.

 Suggested Reading List
Ecuador Natural History Tour

For your convenience, San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve has arranged with the Audubon Shop in Madison, Connecticut, USA to provide a 10% discount on all books on its recommended reading list. The Audubon Shop is a full service birding store specializing in international field guides, optics and wildlife art. They may be reached at 888-505-9056, toll-free in the US.

Birds of Ecuador - Robert Ridgely and Paul Greenfield        Cornell Univ. Press, 2001
This long-awaited, monumental work depicts nearly all of the 1,600 species known to have occurred in Ecuador. Ninety-six beautiful color plates, detailed species accounts, covering voice, behavior, habitat, nesting and distribution. Range maps aid in locating specific birds. Because this definitive guide is quite hefty at 760 pages, we recommend "splitting" the book. * For a more portable and convenient alternative to carrying the full field guide, we can "split" your guide. We can remove the 96 plates that occupy the middle section of the book, bind them in a plastic spiral binding, and do the same with the remaining text. One may choose to carry only the plates with the short descriptions while in the field, leaving the text at the lodge to refer to later- eliminating more than 70% of the weight of the book!
760 pages 61/2 x 9 1/2, 96 color illustrated plates; range maps
Normally $50.00 $47.00 with discount paper *add $10.00 to "split" spiralbound

A Neotropical Companion Second Edition - John Kricher Princeton University Press, 1997
This is an extensively expanded and revised edition of the classic originally published in 1989. The geographical focus of the first edition was Central America while the new book is expanded to equally treat South America. It is an extraordinarily readable introduction to the birds, animals, plants and ecosystems of the New World tropics. Krichner presents the complexities of tropical ecology as accessible and nonintimidating with just the right amount of informality and humor. The most comprehensive one volume guide to the neotropics. Highly recommended.
451 pages, 6 x 9, color photographs and line drawings
Normally $19.95 $18.00 with discount paper

Tropical Nature - Adrian Forsythe and Ken Miyata Scribners, 1984
Fascinating introduction to the extraordinary richness of plant and animal life in the lowland rainforests of the neotropics. In 17 chapters, each with a brief essay on tropical nature observed, the authors evoke the magic and wonder of a world completely contained within itself.
248 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/4, b&w illustrations
Normally $13.00 $11.70 with discount paper

Ecuador; The Ecotravelers' Wildlife Guide - Lee Beletsky Academic Press, 2000
This unique guide features nearly 350 of the most common amphibians, reptiles, ammals and birds - the species you are actually likely to see. This beautifully illustrated and easy-to-carry guide provides up-to-date info on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of all of the families of the species described. Common plants and habitats are also covered. While it won't replace any one field guide, Beletsky's book provides a wonderful overview of Ecuador's rich wildlife. Special bonus is a section on the Galapagos Islands with color plates on all the endemics. Highly recommended.
462 pages, 5 3/8 x * 1/2, full-color illustrated plates
List $29.95 $26.95 with discount paper

Map of Ecuador - International Travel Maps and Books
The best map of the country you can get! All major roads, national parks and topography. It's good to know where you've been!
List $14.95 $13.50 with discount

Recordings

Birds of Eastern Ecuador - Peter H. English & Thedore A. Parker III Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 1992
Sounds and calls of 99 Ecuadorian Species.
Normally $10.95 $9.85 with discount cassette

Sounds of Neotropical Rainforest Mammals Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 1998
The two-CD guide presents 109 species of mammals including 54 primates and 55 others, most never before published.
Normally $24.95 $22.45 with discount 2 compact discs

Voices of Amazonian Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2000
Volume 1: Tinamous through Barbets
Volume 2: Toucans through Antbirds
Volume 3: Ground Antbirds through Jays
Recorded in the rainforests of the Amazon Basin, each CD features 99 species on 99 unnarrated tracks making locating an individual bird a snap. The intended geographic range of this set is Southern Peru and Northern Bolivia. The distribution of most of these species extend beyond this area, however, making the set a valuable resource to birders travelling in any lowland rainforest of northern and central South America.
Normally $14.95 *$13.50 with discount CD's with numbered index of scientific and english names
*SPECIAL COMPLETE SET PRICE $36.00 3 compact discs

Voices of Andean Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2000
Volume 1: Birds of the Hill Forest of Southern Peru and Bolivia
Volume 2: Birds of the Cloud Forest of Southern Peru and Bolivia
Volume 1: Hill forest 1300-5000 feet; Volume 2: Cloud Forest 5000-8000 feet. Each CD features 99 species on unnarrated tracks making locating an individual bird a snap. The intended geographic range of this set is Southern Peru and Northern Bolivia. The distribution of most of these species extend beyond this area, however, making the set a valuable resource to birders travelling in any middle to upper elevations of northern and central South America.
Normally $14.95 *$13.50 with discount CD's with numbered index of scientific and english names
*SPECIAL COMPLETE SET PRICE $24.00 2 compact discs