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Across the Andes: Birding in Ecuador

A Photo tour with David Swain

Explore the extraordinary birds of Ghana.

The small country of Ecuador boasts the highest biodiversity and longest bird list by size of any country on the planet. Only Colombia, Peru, and Brazil have more birds, yet its compact size and unique geography make Ecuador an ideal destination for a birding trip to the Neotropics. The growth of the Andes mountains was the major factor in species diversification, and in Ecuador the Andes forms a relatively narrow range that can be traversed in the course of a day. To the west lies the ultra-humid Chocó bio-region with many endemics, and to the east the Amazon basin, where Ecuador shares many species with it three neighbors. On both slopes of the Andes are perhaps the world’s best places to see hummingbirds, tanagers, skulking antbirds and woodcreepers, and of course, world-famous feeding stations for antpittas. This presentation will gives an overview of birding routes and areas, primarily in Northern Ecuador, and photos of some of the special birds from the Amazon to the coast, including a bit of the Galapagos.

Registration is requested, but not required.

About David

David Swain is Professor of English at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, where he has also taught Field Ornithology for ten years. He lives in Concord, MA, and compiles the Concord Christmas Bird Count and maintains the local historical checklist. He speaks fluent Spanish, loves sub-oscines, and gets to the Neotropics whenever possible.

Presented in partnership with the Menotomy Bird Club.

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