MACARA AREA
ECUADOR
LOCALE
| # Species*: | 207 |
| # Excl Vagrants*: | 207 |
| # Endemics*: | 0 |
| # Near Endemics*: | 58 |
| *Based on partial or incomplete data. | |
| Habitat: Scrub | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
Macara is really a hub where birders can explore the Tumbesian endemic area near the Ecuador-Peru border. The back roads from Buenaventura south toward Macara go thru canyons and arid scrub. Certain roadside areas are a good place to find Tumbes Hummingbird, Amazilia Hummingbird, and Purple-throated Woodstar. A side road not far before reaching Macara leading toward an agricultural area is a reliable place to find Elegant Crescent-Chest and White-headed Brush-Finch.
East of Macara near the town of Sozorango is the Tambo Negro, an undeveloped reserve 20 minutes from Macara. Reaching the reserve requires wading across a shallow Sabiango River and taking a short path to the communal house that provides access to the forest. A number of interesting birds can be found in the forest including Gray-cheeked Parakeet, Ecuadorian Piculet, Blackish Spinetail, Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Ochraceous Attila, Ecuadorian Thrush, White-tailed Jay, and White-edged Oriole.
The road from Jorupe to Zapotillo leads through agricultural areas and patches of remnant forest near the Peruvian border. The habitat becomes very dry near Zapotillo, and these arid areas are a good place to find Tumbes Swallow and Tumbes Hummingbird. Many raptors can be seen along the road including Hook-billed Kite, Gray Hawk, and Laughing Falcon. Other birds include Red-masked Parakeet, Striped Cuckoo, Pacific Elaenia, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Baird's Flycatcher, Superciliated Wren, and Saffron Finch. A good place to go birding is at the La Ceiba Reserve, where Blackish-headed Spinetail and Elegant Crescent-Chest can be found. A nearby marsh is opfen home to a small population of Comb Duck.
LOCATION OF SITE
Macara is a border town located near the southern border between Ecuador and Peru. It's reached by driving south on Hwy 35 or along back roads from Buenaventura Reserve in southern Ecuador. The best birding is along the road between Jorupe to the east from Macara and the town of Zapotillo, near the Peruvian border.