Quito: a bird capital
With over 1600 species, our country offers the greatest bird biodiversity, in less space, than any other place in the world.
The Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest has 500 of these species. It is located to the northeast of Quito. But there are many other protected areas surrounding the capital of the country, such as Cotopaxi, Cayambe-Coca, Cotacachi-Cayapas. The favourable geographic characteristics have benefited Ecuador, generating a wide array of fauna, one of the richest in the world, with their own endemic bird species.
These areas can be easily accessed from Quito due to the country's developed transportation system. It is also convenient for those who have little time and money. The key to watching many species is to visit as many areas rich in fauna around the city of Quito. However, if the goal is to observe a group of bird from a very close distance, you would get a better experience if you choose only one or two places in order to observe birds closely. But it is not necessary to go too far away. One morning at the Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park will surprise observers with all that can be found there.
1 Vencejo Cuelliblanco "Golondrina Cóndor" / Streptoprocne zonaris
2 Golondrina Azuliblanca / Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
3 Golondrina Ventricafé / Notiochelidon murina
4 Alinaranja Golilistada "Solitario Colorado" / Myiotheretes striaticollis
5 Tórtola Orejuda / Zenaida auriculata
6 Cernícalo Americano "Quilico" / Falco sparverius
7 Picogrueso Amarillo Sureño "Huirac-churo" / Pheucticus chrysogaster
8 Tangara Azuliamarilla "Rigcha" / Thraupis bonariensis
9 Mosquero Bermellón "Pájaro Brujo" / Pyrocephalus rubinus
10 Colaespina de Azara "Pues-pues" / Synallaxis azarae
11 Estrellita Ventriblanca "Quinde Soldado" / Chaetocercus mulsant
12 Metalura Tiria "Quinde Ubillús" / Metallura tyrianthina
13 Orejivioleta Ventriazul "Quinde Herrero" / Colibri coruscans
14 Piranga Roja " Rocoto" / Piranga rubra
15 Colibrí Gigante / Patagona gigas
16 Matorralero Nuquirrufo "Monja" / Atlapetes latinuchus
17 Chingolo "Gorrión" / Zonotrichia capensis
18 Colacintillo Colinegro "Quinde Colilargo" / Lesbia victoriae
19 Cachudito Torito "Torito Chico" / Anairetes parulus
20 Elenia Crestiblanca "Lero" / Elaenia albiceps
21 Carpintero Dorsicarmesí / Piculus rivolii
22 Picocono Cinéreo / Conirostrum cinereum
23 Pinchaflor Pechicanelo / Diglossa sittoides
24 Pinchaflor Negro "Congo" / Diglossa humeralis
25 Frigilo Pechicinéreo "Cabuyero" / Phrygilus plebejus
26 Jilguero Encapuchado / Carduelis magellanica
27 Pinzón Sabanero Común "Triguerito" / Sicalis luteola
28 Mirlo Grande / Turdus fuscater
29 Semillero Colifajeado "Jilguero Pico de Loro" / Catamenia anali
Drawing: Juan Manuel Carrión Source: Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua
Article by: Revista Ecuador Infinito www.ecuadorinfinito.com
