CORDILLERS DEL CONDOR
ECUADOR
LOCALE
| # Species: | 525 |
| # Excl Vagrants: | 525 |
| # Endemics: | 0 |
| # Near Endemics: | 14 |
| Habitat: Subtropical forest | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
The Nangaritza River flows through a 10,000 hectare protected forest area at about 3000 ft elevation on the western slope of Cordillera del Condor near the Ecuador-Peru border. Boat tours offered by Yankuam Lodge allow access to the Miazi and Shaime canyons. An all day, somewhat strenous hike leads to an Oilbird cave and then into primary rainforest where the very rare Orange-throated Tanager is found. Other birds of particular interest regularly seen in the area include Lemon-throated Barbet, Ivory-billed Aracari, Channel-billed Toucan, Dark-breasted Spinetail, White-shouldered Antshrike, Stripe-chested Antwren, Black Antbird, White-backed Fire-eye, Spangled Cotinga, White-necked Thrush, Green-and-gold Tanager, Russet-backed Oropendola, and a wide variety of flycatchers.
At higher elevations is the Tepui or plateau area, reached by a full day hike. The habitat changes from lowland Amazon rainforest to dense elfin forest and sandstone. Specialty birds of the area include Royal Sunangel, Roraiman Flycatcher, Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Vermilion Tanager, and Yellow-throated Tanager.
LOCATION OF SITE
Cordillera del Condor is located in southeastern Ecuador near the Ecuador-Peru border. It is reached by driving about 3¼ hours north and then east from Zamora to the village of Zurmi and then continuing another hour eastwards to the village of Orchideas. Zamora is about an hour and a half east from the city of Loja via a very scenic downhill drive through the eastern Andes.