Birdwatching in Ecuador: Explore Tamiaju’s Cloud-Forest
Why Ecuador Is a Birdwatcher’s Paradise:
You want some pretty serious bird diversity? This is your place
Discover Ecuador’s birding hotspots right here at Tamiaju! Nestled in the Eastern Andes’ lush cloud forest, Ecuador may be small—but it’s mighty. The Andes mountains create a biodiversity bonanza that makes this one of the most incredible birding destinations on Earth. Ecuador has more than 1,600 species packed into a country the size of Colorado. With 531 recorded right in our Christmas Bird Count circle—including a jaw-dropping 73 species of tanagers (your field guide’s about to get a workout). From dazzling hummingbirds to elusive antpittas and vibrant flocks of tanagers, Tamiaju is your prime destination for birdwatching in Ecuador. Fun fact: our home province of Napo has more bird species than the entire country of Costa Rica. (Not that it’s a competition—but if it were, we’re winning.)
The secret? Ecuador’s compact geography. You can roll from high-altitude páramo at dawn to Amazon lowlands by lunch, ticking dozens of lifers along the way. Though we do recommend taking it a little slower so you can enjoy what you see. This condensed ecosystem access is what puts Ecuador at the top of every birder’s bucket list—no endless road trips needed.
Here in the Eastern Andes, Tamiaju sits right on that gradient. We’re perched where cool cloud forest meets the slopes dropping toward the Amazon, which makes our little patch of the Quijos Valley a prime stop for Ecuador birding tours.
If you’re into eye candy with feathers, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re chasing lifers or just vibing with the binos we know you’ll love the birdwatching Ecuador has to offer.
Your birding experience at Tamiaju
Hummingbird Platform & Feeder Deck
Rain is part of the adventure when you’re out birdwatching in Ecuador’s cloud forest. That’s why we built a cozy, covered hummingbird deck—so you can stay dry, sip something warm, and watch the aerial acrobatics unfold. It’s the easiest place to tick a dozen dazzling species in one sitting (hello, Long-tailed Sylph). Birding here has never been so comfy—or so caffeinated.
Photo intermission
Trails & Nearby Reserves
Okay, so it stopped raining—now what? Time to go birdwatching on in our private reserves here in Eastern Ecuador. Around our cabins you’ll find options ranging from easy to challenging. The little riverside loop may be small, but it’s mighty—you can easily spend an entire morning spotting birds there. If you’re up for a climb, the upper loop rewards you with some of the best species in the area. And just across the river, our friends at Chontas Birdwatching Spot and the Chontas Nature Reserve (a project of Sembrando Esperanza) offer even more chances to experience Ecuador birdwatching at its finest.
Tamiaju is cool but there’s more!
Tamiaju is in a pretty awesome location, right in the middle of the Eastern andes, it’s a pretty great place to park yourself for a couple of days and explore up and down the range. The eastern slope of the Andes is where altitude meets attitude—an epic birdwatching corridor stretching from icy páramo to steamy lowland rainforest. You can spot high-elevation specialists like the rufous-bellied seedeater in the Papallacta region (14,000 feet), then descend through cloud forest and foothills to the Amazon Basin (1,900 feet), where prehistoric weirdos like the Hoatzin await, all within a couple hours of our lodge.
This elevational gradient is one of the main reasons Ecuadorian birdwatching is world renown. Just don’t try to do it all in a day—unless you like your lifers as fleeting blurs.
You can plan it all yourself or just click the button below and let us do it for you!
This glorious map was whipped up by our bird-nerd besties over at Birdwatchers Valle del Quijos, and it’s basically your cheat sheet to eastern Ecuador’s birdwatching paradise. It showcases all the prime birding spots in the Quijos Valley—aka one of Ecuador’s most overlooked gems for birdwatching.
A lot of these birding sites are in the middle of shifting from cattle ranching to ecotourism. Why’s that a big deal? Because cows and cloud forest don’t mix. Livestock farming here tends to bulldoze biodiversity, while tourism gives locals a reason to protect the forests instead of clear them.
Click it to zoom in, and scroll down for a peek at some top-notch spots to go birding up and down the eastern slope from Tamiaju.
Guango Lodge
Get yer toucan on. This high-altitude hotspot is one of the easiest places in Ecuador to see the Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan. The hummingbird feeders are popping, the cloud forest trails are short but sweet, and the lodge vibe is warm and woodsy. Lunch is a bit on the spendy side, but it’s a pretty strategic stop and the food is top notch.
Concierto de las Aves
Tucked into the lush cloud forest of the Quijos foothills, Concierto de las Aves is a family-run birding hotspot where the soundtrack is 100% feathered—and yes, the star of the show may actually be a quetzal. You’ll wander through private reserves, where hummingbirds, Inca jays, and sometimes an Andean Motmot join the avian ensemble. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect if you want to skip the crowds and score intimate encounters with mountain specialties.
Rio Quijos Ecolodge
Looking for a quick birding fix in Ecuador’s Quijos Valley? Río Quijos Ecolodge is an awesome destination for birdwatchers cruising the eastern slope. With tanagers, hummingbirds, and more practically lining up at the feeders, it’s one of the easiest ways to rack up species without breaking a sweat. Take a trip a few minutes away to their private reserve to experience the Andean cock of the Rock lek.
La Vida Del Kinde
In the foothills near El Chaco, La Vida del Kinde is a cozy, family-run birding reserve in Ecuador’s cloud forest. Kinde is the Quichua word for hummingbird, and here you’ll find one of the best places in Ecuador to see the dazzling Wire-crested Thorntail—once affectionately called the “bull hummingbird” by the owners. Small in size but big in impact, this affordable reserve is a favorite stop for birdwatchers visiting the Quijos Valley. Beyond great views, La Vida del Kinde is helping grow conservation and eco-tourism in Ecuador, showing how protecting an intact forest sustains both birds and local livelihoods.
El Quetzal
Nestled just downslope from Baeza, El Quetzal is a family-run cloud forest reserve dedicated to conservation and reforestation. With over 22 acres of native habitat, it’s a haven for birders looking to spot a spectacular range of species that flock to its trails and feeders. Perfect for birdwatchers, it offers a rare blend of comfortable accessibility and wildlife immersion.
Ama Ecolodge
Looking to dip your toes into the Amazon without committing to a full expedition? Ama Ecolodge, just outside of Misahuallí, is a bit farther afield from Tamiaju—but absolutely worth the drive if you’re chasing lowland species. Spend a day exploring riverside trails and lush gardens that attract everything from Paradise Tanagers to toucans. It’s a scenic and rewarding way to add some Amazon flavor to your highland-heavy eBird list.
From paramo puffballs to Amazon dinosaurs, it’s all within reach.
Use Tamiaju as your launchpad to birdwatch on Ecuador’s richest elevational gradient—without the headache of changing hotels every night. Come for the hummingbirds, stay for the soup, and let the checklist handle itself.
Questions? We’re all ears (and binoculars).