There are over 1600 species in Ecuador, South America. I would say the entire country is a bird sanctuary because of excellent living conditions for them by way of trees, fruits, preys and water bodies. There is the mighty Amazon rainforest, Andes mountains, one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. It passes through several countries that include:
- Ecuador
- Columbia
- Venezuela
- Peru
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Chile
Andes mountain range comprises of stunning and diverse geography such as volcanoes, glaciers, lakes, forests, and meadows. No wonder the avian species chose to make them as their loving home. Above all, there is the Galápagos Islands, home to a big range of endemic wildlife.
Bird lovers book an avian tour of Ecuador that takes them to:
- Napo river
- Andes highlands
- Chocó rainforest
- Papallacta
- Yasuni National Park
The Yasuni National Park is a vast area of greenery measuring 9823 sq.km and home to over 100,000 species of insects of myriad sizes and colors. They make a feast for the diverse species of birds in this region.
The starting point of the Ecuador bird safari.
The bird safari starts from the Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
The first stop should be the Napo Wildlife Center that is located inside Yasuni National Park which is declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Brace yourself; your tour of Amazon rainforest has started for which you have been looking for years.
Añangu Stream
Your first encounter with true Amazon jungles begins when you take a paddle boat ride in the backwaters of Añangu. Over your head, the sky is barely visible because of a dense canopy. During the two-hour boat ride, you will be able to spot:
- Electric eels ( a kind of fish)
- Stingrays ( ray is a species of fish related to shark)
- Jaguars
- Tapirs ( a large mammal)
- Peccaries ( a 100% vegetarian mammal)
- Anacondas
- Macaws
- Toucans
- Parrots
- Capuchin Monkeys
- Hoatzins (Stinkbird which is a national symbol of Guyana)
- Giant Otters
- Black-caimans ( a kind of crocodile)
Finally, your canoe will enter the waters of Añangu Lake which looks like a true Amazon jungle water body that is home to several fish varieties that include:
- Piranhas
- Lungfish
- Stingrays
- Peacock bass
You would come to the end of your first day of Ecuador bird safari tour.
The next day also, you will enter the Amazon jungle, a bit deeper, on your foot.
Amazon rainforest, Ecuador
Today is the day you will scream with delight at the sight of colorful and majestic macaws, parakeets (various colored budgies that you see in any pet market) and parrots in their natural habitat.
Further up your Ecuador avian tour, you can meet the native of Amazon called Kichwa people.
There is an observation tower inside the forest from where you can focus your binoculars and try to catch some wildlife on its lenses.
You are likely to see the beautiful tanagers, a rather small bird with a striking combination of colors. Of course, you will spot the macaws and toucans as they perch on top the tall trees.
On day three, your bird safari guide will take you to the hot springs of Papallacta. It’s a small town on the Andes, situated at an elevation of over 10,000 feet!
Some of the exotic birds that you can spot in Ecuador:
- Andean condor ( a vulture type)
- Andean ibis
- Carunculated caracara ( a flacon family member)
- Andean lapwing
- Stout-billed cinclodes ( a small sparrow-like bird)
- Tanager
- Ornate flycatcher
- Rufous-fronted wood quail
When you return after this most memorable avian tour of Ecuador, you will feel truly exhilarated.
Find out the best Amazon Bird Safari or Andes Avian Tour operator and plan your most exotic bird safari in the world. While going a birding tour, try to stay in a reputed bird lodge.
3 comments
truly great wild life sharing i loved it
Amazing animals & Birds !! So attractive and beautiful
An array of gorgeous images and interesting info!