4D Ecuador Birding: Choco Highlands & Slopes 2026

Yanacocha, Bellavista: You will be picked up from your hotel in Quito, to be transferred to the first destiny, Yanacocha Reserve, place that boasts excellent montane cloud forest northwest of Quito with lots of montane bird life. If the flocks treat us well, they are frequented by mountain-tanagers (including Golden-crowned Tanager, Hooded, Black-chested, Scarlet-breasted MountainTanagers, fruit-eaters (Barred, Green-and-Black), Brush-Finches (Yellowbellied, White-naped), flowerpiercers (Glossy, Black, Masked, White-sided), etc. We will drive some down the Bellavista Road looking for Platebilled Mountain Toucan, Tanager Finch, Fruiteaters (Barred and Green-andBlack), mixed flocks, etc. in the afternoon.

Silanche & Milpe: Silanche is a classic lowland Chocoan site and one of the best birding spots in the region. The reserve protects a 60-hectare fragment of remnant forest; about 30 years ago this area was part of more than 20,000 hectares of continuous forest before agriculture and heart of palm plantations transformed the landscape. Despite its reduced size, Silanche is incredibly productive for birding. Mixed flocks can be impressive and may include 30 to 40 species moving together through the canopy and mid-levels, offering excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of Choco lowland birds.

After exploring Silanche, we will continue toward Milpe. While Silanche lies below 500 m.a.s.l., Milpe sits at approximately 1000 m.a.s.l., placing it in the foothill zone of the Chocó region. This difference in elevation means that although there may be some overlap in species, many birds will be different, making the visit to both locations particularly rewarding.

Milpe is well known for its excellent feeders, where several hummingbird species and colorful tanagers can often be seen at close range. The forest trails are beautiful and productive, and mixed flocks frequently move through the area. With some luck we may encounter special species such as the Long-wattled Umbrellabird or other Choco endemics. In the evening, if conditions are favorable, we may also look for nocturnal birds such as Black-and-White Owl or Cloudforest Pygmy-Owl.

After a full day of birding, we will head to Sachatamia for the night.

Birdwatcher’s House (Santa Rosa) & Mindo: A retired guide bought a nice piece of land and made it very bird-friendly in the Birdwatcher’s House. We will get there early in order to take full advantage of the light setup which attracts insectivorous birds, which can be quite difficult to see, out into the relative open. There is also a banana feeder station and hummingbird station. Some of the main targets here are also quality views of Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Gorgeted Woodstar, and Blue-capped Tanager.

Paz de los Aves, Alambi & return to Quito:This morning is a real treat. We will be visiting one of the best cock-of-the-rock leks in the country and we don’t want to be late. Darker clothing is best today. After the show is put on by the Cocks of the Rock, we will start looking for other stars of the morning. Wild antpittas and other birds (like Blue-winged and Blackchinned Mountain-Tanagers, Toucan Barbet, Sickle-winged Guan, Crimsonrumped Toucanet) will hopefully present themselves with astonishing ease. After antpitta time, we will focus in on hummingbirds and fruit feeders while having some traditional food ourselves. We will head towards Quito, stopping at Alambi Reserve. This place has an amazingly-bustling garden and a trail giving access to a river very good for White-capped dippers. When the avocado trees are in fruit, this place attracts both species of local quetzal (Crested and Golden-headed).