Ecuador (Mainland and Galápagos) Birding Tours

Birding Ecotours has an exciting suite of Ecuador birding tours which include visits to the north, south, the Amazon lowlands and the unique Galapagos Islands.  Due to its relatively small size and the diversity of its natural habitats and unique ecosystems in the Neotropics, such as the high Andean mountains, páramos, volcanos including Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, the Pacific rainforest (Chocó), the Amazon Rainforest, and the legendary Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is one of the most megadiverse countries in the world, making Ecuador birding tours an absolute must for bird and nature lovers.

With a list of 1705 bird species, 13 of them endemic to the mainland and 31 to the Galápagos Islands, and several regional endemics together with the high diversity of wildlife and flora, it has meant Ecuador has been a top location for birders and eco-travelers for at least the last 40 years. Therefore it is not surprising that the country has developed a good birding and eco-tourism infrastructure and that its facilities are pioneering in South America by offering visitors a good selection of private birding reserves, top-quality lodges, and an amazing set of hummingbird feeders all over the country. Ecuador still possesses the record for the most hummingbird species on a birding trip; an amazing 75 species have been recorded during a three-week Ecuador birding tour!

Today one can reach Mariscal Sucre International Airport, serving Quito, with direct flights from several airports in the world, and after just a two-hour drive reach the world-famous Tandayapa Valley, considered one of the top 100 birding sites of the world. With species like Toucan BarbetAndean Cock-of-the-rockWhite-faced NunbirdChoco ToucanPlate-billed Mountain ToucanCrimson-rumped ToucanetMoss-backed TanagerGlistening-green TanagerClub-winged ManakinSunbitternOcellated TapaculoMasked TrogonGolden-headed Quetzal, plenty of striking species of hummingbirds such as Empress BrilliantViolet-tailed SylphVelvet-purple Coronetand  Gorgeted SunangelPowerful WoodpeckerOlivaceous PihaDusky Pigeon, and Black-and-white Owl, to name just a few, this valley located in northern Ecuador is a true birding paradise, where you can spend a week getting lifers, taking photos, or falling in love with Neotropical birds.

Read More About Ecuador – Incl. Galápagos

The Mindo area is similarly famous and species-rich and also synonymous with Mr. Angel Paz, who was the first person who dared to feed one of the most difficult families to observe in the Neotropics, antpittas, to the point that now with a little luck they can be watched only meters from the observer while feeding on earthworms. Giant AntpittaMoustached AntpittaYellow-breasted AntpittaOchre-breasted AntpittaChestnut-crowned Antpitta, and Rufous-breasted Antthrush are frequent visitors to these feeding stations.

Over the famous Papallacta mountain pass one reaches the eastern slope of the Andes to look for the endemic subspecies of Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and visit Antisana Ecological Reserve, where Andean Condor and Andean Ibis are important targets. The famous Cabañas San Isidro host Black-banded Owl (once thought to be a different species, “San Isidro Owl”), White-bellied AntpittaAndean PotooTorrent DuckWhite-capped Tanager, and Crested Quetzal. The Wildsumaco Lodge located in the tropical foothills at the base of the Sumaco volcano is another mega site, providing species such as Scarlet-breasted FruiteaterGrey-tailed PihaGolden-collared HoneycreeperPlain-backed AntpittaChestnut-crowned GnateaterYellow-throated Toucan, a large collection of colorful tanagers, and a fantastic set of hummingbirds including Napo SabrewingEcuadorian Piedtail, and Wire-crested Thorntail.

In addition to this incredible northern Ecuador route the country offers you the chances to do more than one journey, such as the southern Ecuador birding tour, a trip developed for more intrepid birders who are in search of jewels like Long-wattled UmbrellabirdJocotoco AntpittaEl Oro ParakeetOrange-throated TanagerGrey TinamouBearded Guan, and Golden-plumed Parakeet.

A Galápagos Islands cruise is a dream of every birder and naturalist since the times of Charles Darwin. Our Galápagos cruise lets us explore San Cristobal, Floreana, Española Baltra, Santa Fe, Santiago, Bartolomé, Isabela, and Santa Cruz, focusing on the wonders of this archipelago such as large colonies of Waved AlbatrossesSwallow-tailed and Lava GullsBlue-footedNazca and Red-footed BoobiesRed-billed TropicbirdGalapagos PenguinFlightless CormorantGalapagos HawkMagnificent Frigatebird, the amazing set of 14 endemic finches of the islands, Galapagos Dove, the Galápagos subspecies of Short-eared Owl and Marine Iguanas.

The Amazon speaks for itself as the heart of diversity of the planet, and the forest located along the Napo River holds great species of birds, including Black-necked Red CotingaHoatzinSunbitternSungrebeWhite-plumed Antbird, the elusive Zigzag Heron, several canopy dwellers such as Black-headed ParrotWhite-throated ToucanCurl-crested Aracari, and with luck Harpy Eagle.

We invite you to check our selection of Ecuador tours and join our enthusiastic leaders in the next Birding Ecotours adventure. We also run day tours in Ecuador. Please visit our  Ecuador Birding Day Tours page for more info. You can also read through our Neotropical field guides blog to find our recommendation on which field guide to take with you to Ecuador.

Download Ecuador – Incl. Galápagos Itineraries

Ecuador: 3-day Yanacocha Reserve and Angel Paz

Ecuador: The Amazon – Clay Lick & Giant Otters November 2024/2025

Galápagos: Natural History Extravaganza October 2024/2025

Northern Ecuador Birding Paradise – Hummingbird & Antpitta Extravaganza November 2024/2025

Southern Ecuador — A Feast of Endemics March 2025

Ecuador – Incl. Galápagos Gallery

Testimonials from our Ecuador – Incl. Galápagos birding tours

We have travelled with Galo twice and had planned a third trip with him until world problems interfered. We have greatly enjoyed his company and good nature. He has been a tremendous guide with great ear for the bird calls and knowledge of all sites. He is very helpful and patient with us. He seems to anticipate our needs without our asking and adapts to our capabilities and interests. We look forward to travelling with him again.

Barbara and Jim - On Galo and Ecuador

Galo and his driver Nestor were a dream team. They were very experienced and we saw ten times more birds and other wildlife than if we had tried to guide ourselves. We saw over 200 new birds including 49 different hummingbirds. The bird of the trip was the Cock-of-the-Rock (both east and west versions) while the Tayra (east and west versions) and Mountain Tapir showings were amazing. We would highly recommend this trip…and guide team.

Tim and Kay - On Galo and northern Ecuador

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