Milpe Bird Sanctuary is a 62 hectare sanctuary protecting one of the most important remnant forests in the Choco Endemic Area of Ecuador. The sanctuary encompasses a steep forested valley between two small rivers and offers a network of trails along with hummingbird feeders, an orchid nursery, a birding viewpoint, and a visitor center with cafeteria. The reserve is a mixture of primary forest, regenerating forest, and pasture. Since the reserve is some 500 meters lower in elevation than Mindo, it harbors many endemic birds not found in the Mindo Valley. Trails are relatively level and easy walking.
Many birders consider the Milpe Bird Sanctuary one of the finest birding sites on the west slope of the Andes because of the many lowland specialties and Choco endemics that can be seen. Endemics regularly seen in the reserve include Choco Trogon, Choco Toucan, Club-winged Manakin, Choco Warbler, Moss-backed Tanager, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, and Glistening-green Tanager. A number of hummingbirds can be seen visiting the feeders or flowering plants in the more open areas, including the locally distributed Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Green Thorntail, Purple-bibbed White-tip, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, and Purple-throated Woodstar.
