12-Day Ecuador Bird Photography Tour: Hummingbirds & Antpittas

Day 1

A short drive brings us to one of the Andean foothills' renowned antpitta feeding stations, where patient fieldcraft offers exceptional photographic opportunities. Rufous, Chestnut-crowned, and, with some luck, Chestnut-naped Antpittas may appear at close range, revealing these famously elusive birds. The surrounding gardens are equally rewarding, attracting colorful hummingbirds, mountain tanagers, and other cloud forest specialties throughout the morning. Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from the comfort of the lodge, where feeders and thoughtfully placed natural perches provide excellent opportunities for close-up images. Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and White-bellied Woodstar are among the regular visitors, with changing light offering a variety of creative photographic possibilities. The lodge gardens attract far more than hummingbirds. Between photography sessions, keep an eye out for species such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, all of which may offer rewarding photographic opportunities.

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from the lodge's gardens, where feeders, flowering plants, and carefully selected natural perches create excellent opportunities for clean, intimate images. Regular visitors include Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and White-bellied Woodstar, with activity often increasing as the afternoon light softens. The gardens are equally rewarding for other Andean birds. Between hummingbird sessions, you may photograph species such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush Tyrant as they move through the surrounding vegetation. Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from carefully prepared natural perches around the lodge, where flowering plants and feeders attract a remarkable diversity of species. Western Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Booted Racket-tail, and Violet-tailed Sylph are among the regular visitors, offering a wide variety of colors, behaviors, and photographic opportunities. Those who wish can also explore the nearby forest trails, where the cloud forest may reveal species such as Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Golden-headed Quetzal, White-winged Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive White-faced Nunbird.

Before sunrise, we head to a traditional Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where males gather to perform their remarkable courtship displays. From a well-positioned hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph these brilliant orange birds as they call, display, and occasionally chase one another through the forest. Along with one of Ecuador's most iconic birds, the surrounding forest may also reveal a variety of cloud forest species. In the afternoon, we visit a hummingbird feeding station renowned for close photographic opportunities. This site is especially known for two Andean specialties: the dazzling Empress Brilliant and the iridescent Velvet-purple Coronet, often regarded as one of Ecuador's most spectacular hummingbirds. With birds frequently approaching just a few meters away, there is plenty of time to experiment with different compositions and capture intimate portraits in natural light.

After breakfast, we leave the Andes behind and descend into the Chocó cloud forest, reaching San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe in about an hour. This transition into one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots brings an entirely new set of birds and photographic opportunities, with many species found only in the Chocó region. The lodge's feeders and flowering gardens offer excellent opportunities to photograph a remarkable diversity of Chocó hummingbirds. Regular visitors include White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-necked Jacobin, and, at times, Long-billed Starthroat and Tooth-billed Hummingbird. Natural perches and soft forest light create ideal conditions for intimate portraits and behavioral images. The fruit feeders attract a colorful mix of Chocó specialties throughout the day. Pale-mandibled Aracari, Chocó Toucan, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Red-headed Barbet, Rufous Motmot, Emerald Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Thick-billed and Orange-crowned Euphonias, Buff-throated and Black-winged Saltators are among the regular visitors, while the elusive Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove occasionally appears beneath the feeders. In the afternoon, photograph birds from the lodge's multi-level observation deck overlooking the surrounding forest canopy. This elevated perspective offers opportunities to capture species such as Broad-billed Motmot, Collared and White-tailed Trogons, Blue-necked and Bay-headed Tanagers, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and, with some luck, the remarkable Long-wattled Umbrellabird moving through the treetops.

We visit the bird feeders at Balcón Tumpiki, a rewarding stop on the western slope of the Andes. Set against the cloud forest, these feeders attract a variety of Chocó and Andean species, providing excellent opportunities for close, natural-looking photographs. One of the highlights of the morning is the chance to photograph the striking Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan from a well-positioned hide. The feeders also attract species such as Sickle-winged Guan, Blue-capped Tanager, Dusky Bush Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, and, with a bit of luck, Beryl-spangled Tanager. The hummingbird feeders offer a different collection of western Andean specialties. Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, and Speckled Hummingbird are regular visitors, while the localized Hoary Puffleg occasionally makes an appearance. The combination of natural perches and soft cloud forest light creates excellent conditions for intimate portraits. After returning to the lodge, the afternoon is free to continue photographing the gardens and feeders at your own pace. The hummingbird stations, fruit feeders, and surrounding forest provide another opportunity to work with Chocó specialties or simply enjoy a relaxed session as activity builds toward the late afternoon.

Before sunrise, we head to a traditional lek of the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, one of the Chocó's most distinctive endemic birds. From a dedicated hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph displaying males as they perch, call, and move through the canopy. The surrounding forest may also produce species such as Gartered Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, and, with some luck, Ornate Hawk-Eagle. After lunch, enjoy one final photography session from the lodge's restaurant and gardens. The feeders remain active throughout the afternoon, offering another chance to photograph Chocó hummingbirds and refine compositions.

We spend the morning exploring the roads and viewpoints of Antisana in search of Andean Condors soaring above the breeding cliffs. Along the way, we also look for Ecuadorian Hillstar, Andean Lapwing, Black-faced Ibis, Carunculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Aplomado Falcon, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and Variable Hawk, adapting our route to the day's weather and bird activity. A stop at one of Antisana's high-altitude lagoons provides opportunities to photograph waterbirds and other páramo specialists. Depending on the season and conditions, species may include Andean Ruddy Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Teal, Silvery Grebe, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, and Cinereous Harrier, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Antisana Volcano. In the afternoon, we visit a small hummingbird feeding station overlooking the surrounding Andes. Giant Hummingbird—the world's largest hummingbird—and the impressive Great Sapphirewing are regular visitors, offering a fitting finale to our journey through Ecuador's remarkable diversity of birdlife.

At nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, Papallacta Pass offers exceptional opportunities to photograph some of Ecuador's most specialized high-Andean birds. Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, and Ecuadorian Hillstar are among the highlights, while Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Giant Conebill, Many-striped Canastero, and Andean Tit-Spinetail may also be encountered. The dramatic páramo landscape provides a striking backdrop for both bird and landscape photography. Descending into Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, we explore moss-covered temperate forest rich in localized Andean species. Our focus is on birds such as Black-backed Bush Tanager, Masked Mountain Tanager, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Pluscap, and the vibrant Golden-crowned Tanager, all of which thrive in this cool, humid habitat. The gardens and feeders around Cuyuja attract a new suite of Amazonian-slope hummingbirds. Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Tourmaline Sunangel, and Glowing Puffleg are regular visitors, often allowing prolonged photography from carefully positioned natural perches in soft mountain light. Easy walk along the clear waters of the Cuyuja River, where fast-flowing streams create ideal habitat for Torrent Duck. Depending on conditions, the surrounding forest may also reveal Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Red-hooded Tanager, and, with some luck, the remarkable Andean Potoo before we continue toward our lodge.

Before sunrise, we visit the lodge's Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where males gather to perform their remarkable courtship displays. From a well-positioned hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph these brilliant birds as they call, display, and interact against the backdrop of the eastern cloud forest. The lodge's feeders and flowering gardens attract a diverse collection of eastern-slope hummingbirds. Long-tailed Sylph, Greenish Puffleg, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Speckled Hummingbird, Bronzy Inca, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, and Gorgeted Woodstar are among the regular visitors, providing excellent opportunities for close portraits and behavioral photography. The lodge's balconies overlook fruiting trees and forest edge, attracting a colorful mix of cloud forest birds throughout the day. White-capped Tanager, Yellow-throated Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Vermilion Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, and Black-chested Fruiteater are among the species that may visit within easy photographic range.

A second morning at the lek provides another opportunity to photograph displaying Andean Cock-of-the-rocks under different weather and lighting conditions. Each visit offers a unique combination of behavior, perch selection, and forest atmosphere. In the afternoon, we visit another hummingbird feeding station featuring a different assemblage of eastern Andean species. Highlights may include Collared Inca, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Green-fronted Lancebill, and Green-backed Hillstar, each offering fresh photographic opportunities in a new setting. Before returning to the lodge, we spend time along one of the clear mountain rivers in search of Torrent Duck. These fast-flowing streams also provide opportunities to photograph other riverine birds while enjoying the rugged scenery of Ecuador's eastern Andes.

Beyond the hummingbirds, the reserve's forest edge and gardens attract a rich variety of Amazonian birds. Opportunities may include Red-crested Finch, Silvery-beaked Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Spotted Tanager, and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail. More elusive species such as Military Macaw and Orange-breasted Falcon are occasionally encountered. A short drive brings us to a hummingbird reserve in the lower Guacamayos Valley, where flowering gardens attract an impressive diversity of eastern Andean species. Regular visitors include Wire-crested Thorntail, Napo Sabrewing, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Black-throated Brilliant, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Gould's Jewelfront, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Green Hermit, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Piedtail, and Pink-throated Brilliant. With some luck, the dazzling Spangled Coquette may also make an appearance.

Day 13