This birding adventure through southern Ecuador explores an incredible variety of habitats, ranging from coastal mangroves and tropical dry forests to lush cloud forests and high páramo. We begin in Guayaquil and quickly dive into birding at Manglares Churute and Cerro Blanco, where highlights include Horned Screamer, Least Bittern, Snail Kite, and Wattled Jacana. We then move to Reserva Yunguilla to look for the endemic Pale-headed Brushfinch, along with hummingbirds such as Purple-collared Woodstar and Little Woodstar.

At Umbrellabird Lodge, we have excellent opportunities to see Long-wattled Umbrellabird and spend time enjoying the lodge’s busy feeders. Continuing to Jorupe and Utuana Reserves, we will look for Watkins’s Antpitta, Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner, and a colorful mix of hummingbirds, including Rainbow Starfrontlet, Purple-throated Sunangel, and Piura Hemispingus. These reserves provide us with the opportunity to explore the unique Tumbesian region at a comfortable pace.

Podocarpus National Park and Tipichalaca Reserve offer some of the most beautiful birding in Ecuador. Here, we will search for Jocotoco Antpitta, while evenings may bring sightings of Andean Potoo and Rufous-bellied Nighthawk. Around Copalinga Lodge and Bombuscaro, we will enjoy birds such as Amazonian Umbrellabird, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Highland Motmot, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and a wide variety of tanagers.

We finish in the high Andes at Cerro Arcos and El Cajas National Park. Cerro Arcos is home to the recently described Blue-throated Hillstar, while El Cajas offers a chance for Tit-like Dacnis, Violet-throated Metaltail, Giant Conebill, and Bar-winged and Stout-billed Cinclodes. We will also spend time at Toreadora Lake watching for Andean waterfowl and soaking in the spectacular scenery.