Ecuador is considered one of the top birding destinations in the world with over 1600 species of birds recorded in the country. The variety of habitats from the Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands make Ecuador a birders paradise. However, with so many species, when is the best time to visit Ecuador for birding? Let’s take a look at what makes each month unique for birding in Ecuador.
January
January falls in the drier season in Ecuador. This is a good time to visit the northwest region and the highlands which are normally very wet the rest of the year. You can expect good birding in areas like Mindo which is a biodiversity hotspot. January is a good month to see antpittas and hummingbirds at feeding stations in Mindo. It’s also a good month for photographing birds like toucans and barbets which may be nesting at this time. The dry forests in the northwest support birds like the Esmeraldas Woodstar hummingbird and Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner. January starts the breeding season for many highland species so you have a chance to see displays. Some highlights include Andean cock-of-the-rock near its lek, and the incredible sword-billed hummingbird. You may also catch equatorial endemics like the Ecuadorian hillstar. January is a transitional month weather-wise, and some rains do occur, but overall a dry month good for birding the northwest and highlands.
February
February is still in the drier season making it another excellent month for birding the northwest and highlands of Ecuador. This is probably the best month for finding antpittas at reserves like Mindo and San Isidro. Species like the giant, moustached, and yellow-breasted antpitta are actively calling and easier to locate. February is also excellent for photographic opportunities as birds are active at leks and nests. You can witness incredible displays by Andean cock-of-the-rock and club-winged manakins. Other highlights of birding in February include watching hummingbirds at forest edges and flower-filled meadows in the highlands. Key species to see include the Ecuadorian hillstar, giant hummingbird, and mountain avocetbill. February is a transition to the wetter season so some rain showers occur, mostly in the late afternoon. But the weather is predominantly sunny and ideal for birding the northwest and highlands.
March
March sees increasing rainfall in Ecuador as it further transitions into the wetter season. During March the rainfall is not as persistent as later months, but be prepared for regular showers, especially in the highlands and southwest. The benefit of March is the increased bird activity with migrants arriving from the north and resident species breeding. Fruiting trees become abundant bringing in more tanagers, toucans, and parrots. Hummingbirds are very active at their nests and at flowering plants. March is an excellent month to visit cloud forest reserves like Mindo and San Isidro. Target birds include plate-billed mountain toucan, tanager-finch, powerful woodpecker, and the endemic black-chinned mountain tanager. Rainforest birding peaks in March with species like Lanceolated monklet, golden-headed quetzal, and crimson-rumped toucanet. March starts the nesting season in the Galapagos Islands making it a prime time to see courtship behaviors and young hatchlings.
April
April is one of the peak months for birding in Ecuador. The precipitation continues increasing, especially in the highlands and southern regions. However, the rain generally falls in short bursts rather than all day. April is an ideal time to explore the southern lowlands in reserves near Podocarpus National Park. Temperatures are pleasant for hiking, and migrants are abundant. Target birds for the southern region in April are colorful tanagers, elusive antpittas, and mixed flocks with foliage-gleaners. Must see birds for April include paradise and blue-browed tanagers, ash-colored tapaculo, and the endemic red-faced parrot. April is also excellent for the Amazon rainforest as water levels start rising, bringing congregations of wading birds like herons and egrets. The abundance of fruit and insects also help the peak of migrations. Top rainforest species for April are festive and black-necked aracaris, paradise jacamars, and Pompadour cotinga. April is a world-class month for birding all regions of Ecuador.
May
May continues the bountiful birding opportunities of April in Ecuador. Persistent rain becomes more likely in May which can limit birding activity during wet spells. However, the rains keep fruiting and flowering at their peak. May is the top month to find rare hummingbirds attracted to the abundant flowers and breeding activity. Key species to see are the Ecuadorian piedtail, speckled hummingbird, and the endemic violet-throated metaltail. Tanagers continue to steal the show in May, making it the perfect time to spot colorful feeder flocks. Highlights include blue-necked, silver-throated, flame-rumped, and orange-eared tanagers. Another May highlight is seeing antpitta species like thechestnut and rufous antpittas actively calling and feeding chicks. May is also excellent for photography as birds are decked out in breeding plumage and very active. Some of the best reserves to visit in May are San Isidro, Mindo, Tapichalaca, and Podocarpus National Park.
June
June falls in the wettest time of year in Ecuador’s highlands and southern regions. Expect heavy daily rainfall that limits birding activity. However, you can still find great birding in opportunities in between downpours. Rivers and waterfalls will be at maximum flow bringing in specialties like torrent duck. June is an underrated month to visit the northwest which has minimal rainfall. Reserves near Mindo host active leks of club-winged manakins and striped treehunter flocks. Other northwest highlights are plate-billed mountain toucan, chocolate-vented tyrant, and the rare rufous-crowned tody-flycatcher. If visiting the Amazon in June, prepare for high water levels and flooded forests. But this concentration of food resources packs the rainforest with activity. Target birds are festive and chestnut-capped parakeet, scarlet macaw, and the rare rufous potoo.
July
July is in the midst of Ecuador’s wet season so expect persistent rains. Birding comes with trade-offs in July. Heavy rain curtails activity but keeps fruit abundance and breeding at their peak. July is the ideal time to find rare hummingbird species attracted to the blooms. Target hummingbirds are the violet-throated metaltail, speckled hummingbird, and pink-throated brilliant. Watch for feeding flocks with colorful tanagers too. It’s worth braving the rain to see stunning birds like blue-browed, silver-throated, and flame-rumped tanagers. If you stay dry during a break in precipitation, activity quickly resumes with birds feeding. An exception to the national rainfall is the southern coast which is drier. So consider the Santa Elena peninsula where you can find Peruvian plantcutters and endangered gray-cheeked parakeets. July takes extra effort for birding but with ample rewards.
August
Birding in August means dealing with continuing heavy rain and muddy trails, especially in the highlands. Persistent precipitation peaks in August which can limit activity and access to reserves. However, hardy birders that brave the rain can experience exceptional activity when showers momentarily cease. August is one of the best months for finding feeding flocks overflowing with tanagers, warblers, and flycatchers. Must see species are flame-rumped, blue-necked, silver-throated, and golden tanagers. Hummingbird abundance remains at a peak in August with a chance for rare species like the Esmeraldas woodstar. On rainfall breaks, torrent ducks emerge along rushing rivers in the highlands. The Amazon sees high flood levels in August but still offers great birding along river edges and canopies. Some Amazon specialties in August are festive parrot, blue-and-yellow macaw, and the elusive rufous potoo.
September
September sees the transition into the drier season in Ecuador. Precipitation decreases toward the end of the month especially in the highlands and southern regions. The rains still persist but you can expect more breaks. With sunny spells resuming, birds become active at feeders, fruiting trees, and nests. September is an excellent month to visit the northwest which has minimal rainfall now. Reserves like Mindo and Canand?? host a high diversity of hummingbirds and tanagers. Key species to target in Mindo are the plate-billed mountain toucan,yellow-collared chlorophonia, and immaculate antpitta. Highland reserves also produce great birding as rains decrease. Target birds are masked trogon, chestnut-crowned antpitta, and blue-capped tanager. Weather is variable in September, but ideal during dry spells.
October
October falls in the noticeably drier season in Ecuador making it a top month for birding. Sunny weather predominates through the month with clouds eventually building for some afternoon and evening showers. Bird activity rebounds with the dryness focusing at fruiting trees which become abundant. This reliability of fruit attracts bellbirds, tanagers, toucans, and parrots. October also sees wintering boreal migrants arriving from North America. Target birds are Canada warbler, olive-sided flycatcher, and bay-breasted warbler. October is prime time in the lowlands to find rare antthrush species like the rufous-breasted and bicolored antthrush. Other lowland highlights are spot-winged antshrike, scarlet-hooded barbet, and purple-throated fruitcrow. Comfortable weather and lack of rain helps great birding opportunities throughout Ecuador.
November
November is an exceptional month for birding in Ecuador. The dry season brings sunny weather ideal for bird activity. Migrant activity peaks in November as northern birds flood into Ecuador for the winter. This overlaps with resident breeding, packing the forests and fields. Target migrant species are Canada warbler, olive-sided flycatcher, blackburnian warbler, and chimney swift. For breeders, watch mixed flocks with feeding antwrens, foliage-gleaners, and spinetails. Top reserve choices in November are Yanacocha, Tapichalaca, Podocarpus National Park, and Sani Lodge. Hummingbirds gorge at flowers in the highlands with opportunities to see sword-billed hummingbird. Lowlands host great antbird flocks in November with possibilities for spot-winged antshrike and jet manakin. November provides some of Ecuador’s best birding.
December
December caps the dry season continuing excellent birding weather in Ecuador. Sunny and dry conditions prevail through December into January in most regions. With peak fruit abundance, bird activity remains high at the fruit and berry sources. This provides great opportunities to see colorful tanagers like blue-necked, silver-throated, and flame-rumped tanagers. It’s also the best time to find bellbirds and Andean cock-of-the-rock near fruiting trees. Hummingbird activity stays elevated with chances to see Ecuadorian hillstars, buff-tailed coronets, and the endemic turtle-doves. Bird activity typically wanes slightly in late December with fewer migrants. But December stays active due to ideal dry weather and breeding behavior. It’s a top month for birding the northwest highlands and Amazon lowlands.
Conclusion
In summary, the birding opportunities vary each month in Ecuador based on seasonal rainfall and migration patterns. Here are the key highlights by region:
- Northwest Highlands – Best in January to March for dry weather. April to June brings heavy rain.
- Central and South Highlands – Ideal birding in November for migrants. April to July is very wet.
- Southern Ecuador – Best from October to April for dry weather. July to September brings cold weather.
- Amazon Lowlands – Prime months are March to June for high water and abundance. October to December are ideal for migrant antbirds.
- Galapagos Islands – April to June is peak nesting season. February to March can be rainy.
While you can find great birding in Ecuador year round, the optimal months are April, May, November and December. These balance ideal weather, migrant activity, breeding behavior, and abundance of food resources. However, hardcore birders can rack up huge lists in any month. Booking flexibility around weather and staking out fruiting trees can greatly compensate for increased rain. Whenever you choose to visit Ecuador, be prepared for world-class birding and high diversity!