Mindo Birdwatching Tour

Birding Tour

Welcome to the Mindo Birdwatching Tour, a journey that promises an extraordinary opportunity to witness the rich diversity of birdlife in just two immersive hours. Here, you’ll have the chance to spot an impressive 70-90 bird species, chosen from the ca. 550 that inhabit this remarkable region.

Mindo, nestled in the heart of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest, stands as a premier destination for bird enthusiasts. Its diverse landscapes and flourishing ecosystem create the perfect stage for an incredible range of birds. As you immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Mindo, you’ll be treated to the mesmerizing sight of hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, woodpeckers, kingfishers, and an array of other remarkable feathered friends.

Spanning a vast expanse of 19,200 hectares within the Mindo-Nambillo Protective Forest, this region is a sanctuary like no other. The significance of Mindo’s birdwatching prowess is underscored by its unwavering participation in the international event “Christmas Bird Count” since 1994. Over the years, this enchanting destination has consistently delivered remarkable results, with bird counts reaching extraordinary heights, including up to 456 species.

Table of Contents

Mindo Birdwatching Tour: Details

To reach the Punto Ornitológico de Mindo, you’ll need to walk approximately 15 minutes from Mindo’s town center and talk with the owner Alcivar to start the tour:

• Highlights: Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Toucans, Kingfishers, and between other 70-90 different species.
• Duration:  2 hours.
• Opening Hours: 06:00-19:00
• Tour Schedule: 07:00-09:00
• Price: 20$ USD.
• Agency: Punto Ornitológico de Mindo.
• Included on this Tour: Binoculars, Free Coffee, and the option for the owner to lend you his Camera if requested, using your own SD Card.

For more information please get in touch with them at: 

Extra info:

Feeding Hummingbirds: If your interest is solely in observing hummingbirds, you have the option to participate in a Hummingbird feeding session priced at 5$. During this session, you are free to explore the reserve at your leisure.

Night Tour: They offer a 15$ Night Tour between 7-9 p.m., allowing you to encounter frogs, reptiles, snakes, owls, armadillos, bats, and more. This tour occurs on a separate property but can be easily booked through them. Notably, you may spot around 12-13 frog species, including the famous crystal frogs in four unique varieties.

Bird Paradise Tours: Another company known as Bird Paradise offers birdwatching tours of varying durations, including 1, 3, 7, and 15-day options. These tours provide opportunities to observe remarkable birds such as the Andean Cock of the Rock and the Umbrella bird, along with other unique avian species found in the Mindo area.

A Sparkling Violetear Hummingbird

Mindo Birdwatching Tour: Curiosities

• Diverse Community: Mindo, a diverse community of around 3,000 residents, is a cultural melting pot with 80% involved in tourism.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Located 79km north of Quito, Mindo is a biodiversity hotspot with a consistent temperature of 18-24°C, year-round.
• Seasonal Patterns: Mindo experiences a rainy season from December to May, with short afternoon showers, and drier, warmer months from June to November.
• Natural Marvel: Nestled in a valley surrounded by the 19,200-hectare Mindo-Nambillo Protective Forest, Mindo hosts over 550 bird species, 200 orchid species, and diverse wildlife.
• Birdwatcher’s Paradise: Mindo is globally recognized as a birdwatcher’s haven, actively participating in the “Christmas Bird Count.”
• Ideal Elevation: Situated at 1,250 meters, Mindo falls within the perfect range for the cloud forest ecosystem.
• Subtropical Climate: With a subtropical climate, Mindo maintains humidity between 60-80%, and the highest rainfall occurs during the rainy season.
• Jungle Experience: Surrounded by lush mountains and rivers, Mindo offers a jungle paradise for exploring waterfalls, ziplining, adventure sports, and birdwatching.
• Visitor-Friendly: Mindo balances infrastructure for visitors, offering accommodation and dining options for those seeking Ecuador’s unique forests and diverse wildlife.

View on Google Maps

A Red Headed Barbet on the Punto Ornitológico reserve

Making the Most of Your Mindo Trip

If you’re visiting Mindo as a day trip from Quito, you’ll want to fit in as much as possible - hummingbirds, waterfalls, toucans, ziplining, the butterfly farm, and a chocolate tour. But figuring it all out on your own can be a challenge -some tours sell out, buses take time, and finding a good tour company at the last minute isn’t always easy.

To save you the trouble, I looked up some really well-rated tours with the best experiences:

What should i bring to the Mindo Birdwatching Tour?

• Sunscreen - Ensure you have a minimum of SPF 50 as the Equator’s sun is more prone to causing burns compared to other regions.
• Camera - For capturing beautiful bird photos during this tour, I suggest bringing a lens with a focal length of at least 100-400mm. (Pro Tip: If you don’t have a camera, be sure to bring an SD Card; the owner kindly lent me a Canon camera because my 70-200mm lens wouldn’t be very effective on this tour due to the birds being quite distant for a 200mm lens.)
• Outfit - Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing and sturdy, grippy shoes, as there may be muddy paths, and the weather in Mindo is typically warm. Consider bringing a hat, and if it happens to be chilly, especially around 7 a.m., pack a compact windshell jacket, although you may not need it for an extended period.
• Mosquito Repellent - Keep in mind that this is a tropical area where mosquitoes are common, so it’s advisable to have mosquito repellent on hand.

Check out my complete guide on What’s in My Backpack - From photography gear, and clothing for Hiking, Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Rainforest, and City-Street Photography.

A Parrotlet in Mindo

My Experience on the Mindo Birdwatching Tour

Due to my limited time and arriving late at the reserve, I made an arrangement with Alcivar, the owner, to opt for a shorter tour instead of the full 2-hour excursion, for which I believe I paid $15. We proceeded to explore the entire reserve together. During this tour, I had the privilege of witnessing birds with an astonishing array of colors that I had never seen up close before. With my trusty Sony camera equipped with a 70-200mm lens, Alcivar kindly loaned me his Canon camera with a 100-400mm lens, correctly pointing out that my equipment wouldn’t capture the close-up shots I desired, for which I’m immensely grateful.

I inserted my SD card into his camera, and with binoculars in hand, we embarked on a private tour, just the two of us. It was truly remarkable to be in the midst of nature and spot so many different bird species in such a short span. Alcivar possessed an incredible knowledge of their sounds and movements, even identifying them from a distance, leaving me deeply impressed.

A Dragonfly

My first Birdwatching Tour

At one point, he retrieved a small speaker and used his phone to reproduce the specific sounds of the birds we sought. This innovative approach seemed to draw the birds closer to us, enabling me to capture their images. It was an intriguing experience, unveiling an entirely new world that I had never before had the pleasure of discovering.

After our tour around the premises, we ascended to the top floor of the main house, where our tour had commenced. Here, I had the delightful opportunity to feed and photograph at least 4-5 different types of hummingbirds. These small, fast, and brilliantly colored birds left me fascinated by their charm and beauty. It was an incredible experience that left me captivated.

My journey into the world of nature photography and birdwatching began on that day. As a result, I decided to create a small gallery of photos, each dedicated to a specific bird I had photographed and identified. For fellow birders, I hope you enjoy these photos and find inspiration in the remarkable avian diversity that can be found here. It was truly a fantastic tour, one that left a lasting impression on me.

Punto Ornitológico de Mindo’s Entrance

Alcivar lecturing me about the birds we were going to spot.

Me with Alcivar’s camera starting the tour

Photo Gallery

Hummingbirds

A Male White Necked Jacobin Hummingbird

A Female White Necked Jacobin Hummingbird

A Brown Violetear and a Male White Necked Jacobin Hummingbird

An Andean Esmerald Hummingbird

A Rufous Tailed Hummingbird

A Sparkling Violetear Hummingbird

A Giant Hummingbird and a Rufous Tailed Hummingbird

Tanagers

A Golden Tanager

A Blue Necked Tanager

A Blue Gray Tanager

A Flame Rumped Tanager

A Silver Throated Tanager

Other Impressive Birds

A Sunbittern

A Ringed Kingfisher

A Pale Mandibled Aracari Toucan

A Lineated Woodpecker

A Brown Bellied Swallow

A Plain Brown Woodcreeper

A Red Faced Spinetail

A Rusty Margined Flycatcher

A Spot Crowned Euphonia

An Orange Bellied Euphonia

A Black Crowned Tityra

A Greyish Piculet

A Tropical Kingbird

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