Ecuador is a Vertical Country. Thanks to the Andes and the Equator line this little but mega-diverse country has almost any climate of the world, from permafrost to equatorial creating the most interesting ecosystems. As a result of all this, Ecuador is home to c.1640 species of resident and migrant birds, there are 33 species endemic to the country (23 of these are restricted to Galapagos), 160 (10.5%) have restricted ranges, 51 are threatened and 65 near-threatened. The 160 restricted-range bird species ocurring in Ecuador are found in just nine endemic bird areas (EBA).
Species with small ranges usually have an elevated risk of extintion, In Ecuador there is a considerable overlap between species whose restricted ranges define EBAs and species regarded as globally threatened.
The Tandayapa and Mindo Vallies, just 84 km northwest of Quito, is one of the best birding sites in South America. Around 430 species have been recorded, with 370 around Mindo alone, the birding here is excellent with species such as : Toucan Barbet, Scaled Antpitta, Spillman`s Tapaculo, Little Woodstar, Long-Wattled Umbrellabird, Tanager-finch, Black-crowned Tityra, Golden-Bellied Warbler, Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, etc.
The town of Mindo is 2-hours driving time from Quito. It is served by various public bus companies and taxi service. The paved road is in very good condition, but the old road Nono-Mindo is recomended because of the good birding conditions but it is a rough and dusty road.
Altitude ranges between 1050-1600 meters. It is mainly covered by premontane cloud forest and is ideally situated at mid-slope, between the upper temperate zone and the lower humid western rain forests. The climate is mild year-round. The main rainy season is March-April , although some rain is likely throughout the year.
The dry season starts around June and September, this time of the year is considered summer. Favorite birding months are September-January as many northern and austral migrants are present in the Mindo area, as well as such local specialties as Yellow-collared Chlorophonia , Club-winged Manakin, Pale-mandibled Araçari, Velvet-purple Coronet, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, White-throated Spadebill and Beautiful jay. However, many resident species, such as antpittas, are more active and easier to see in the rainy season.
REFERENCES. Kirwan and Marlow (1992),R.S.Ridgely (1998),R.S.Ridgely and P.J.Greenfield (2001),P.Leon (2002-2003).
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Tours available:
A unique and extremely diverse family of American birds, they reach their maximum diversity in northwestern South America. In Ecuador they are especially numerous in the Andes. Hummingbird bills are slender, pointed, and quite often proportionately long.
The Western Cloud Forests of Ecuador are among the richest ecosystems in the world for biodiversity and endemisms. This Tour will cover different ranges of altitude covering some of the most impresive birding areas of the country.
XB-03 ANDES, YANACOCHA, TANDAYAPA & MINDO, 7d/6n
OTHER TOURS ARE AVAILABLE, PLEASE SEND E-MAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION TO birding@septimoparaiso.com
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