Do you want bird diversity? This is your place.

A little nerdy information for you based on the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count.

Number of bird species in all of Ecuador: 1,634

Possible number of bird species in count circle: 631

Max birds counted in CBC: 531

Number of species of Tanagers recorded in the history of our count circle: 73

Observation platform and bird feeders

If you’re looking for some sunny, warm, tropical place with beaches we want you to rethink. Everyone does beaches we have something different. This place is GREEN, and that’s because it’s wet. But that’s okay! We built you this nice place to chill out and watch birds under a cozy roof. All of the shots of birds below were taken from this platform.

Above: Barred Becard. Right: Green Jay locally know as the Monja (Nun) Images by Andy Wilkes

Chestnut breasted Coroneet (AKA El Kinde Bravo: the angry hummingbird) Image by Andy Wilkes

Lifer! Green Backed Hillstar. Guess who took this image? Yep! Andy Wilkes

The wee lil gal. Gorgina. Gorgeted Woodstar Female. Thanks Andy for the photos!

Okay, so it stopped raining, now what? Time to hit the trails, around our cabins we have several options ranging from easy to difficult. We work together with our friend Fernando Aldaz who runs Chontas Birdwatching Spot which is the trail pictured here across the road from our lodge. If you want to take this loop we suggest a guide, let us know you want to go and we’ll help you out.

Map of birding trails.

BTW, this thing is not to scale. We’re birders not mapmakers.

Hours at platform CHECK, trails by lodge CHECK, Chontas Birdwatching Spot CHECK, now what? I made a little list of cool places you might not know about yet. Their names are searchable on EBird so you can take a look at the species on offer. Every sight except the town of Baeza requires a reservation and charges a small entrance fee. If you plan on visiting them just send us an email and we’ll help you set that up. I have linked to social media sites or websites where possible. If you want more information on any of these places please feel free to reach out.

Map of birdwatching spots close to our cabins.

  1. Finca Los Nogales (Refugio del Aguila Andina): Do you want to see a Black and Chestnut Eagle?

  2. Baeza town and vicinity: There is a trail in a patch of forest behind town or you can take the adventure road to the antennas.

  3. La Brisa: Nice hummingbird feeders!

  4. Rancho San Felipe: A cool little trail outside the town of Borja. Bonus points for the cool waterfall at the end! Extra bonus points for helping local tourism.

  5. Concierto de las aves: Cock of the Rock!

  6. Yanayacu: The reason for all of this IYKYK.

  7. Wayra Reserve: Hummingbird feeders, and local charm.

  8. Narupayacu Hummingbird Garden: Big on diversity!

  9. Rayo Rumi: Just outside the city of Tena, they offer camping to get some cool lowland owls!