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Category:Ecuador - BirdForum Opus

Paramo habitat
Photo by rdavis
Antisana Ecological Reserve near Quito, Ecuador, November 2009

Overview

Straddling the equator from which it takes its name, Ecuador encompasses an area of 285,561 sq. km. (109,415 sq. mi.). UNESCO designated the capital, Quito, as a World Heritage Site in 1978, along with the Galapagos Islands. Sangay National Park was later designate as a WHS in 1981 and the city of Cuenca in 1999.

In spite of its small size, slightly smaller than the country of Italy, it boasts more species of birds than the United States and Europe combined and has over half of the known species of birds on the continent of South America. With over 1600 species registered, they have 22 avian orders with 82 families represented in the country. Ecuador has 42 endemic species and 77 species that are globally threatened.

In 2005 Ecuador became the first country in the Southern Hemisphere to recognize Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as sites of public interest. The first IBA was recognized in 1997, registering the “Mindo and Northwestern Pichincha Volcano” area. Since then, 106 more areas have been identified in the Galapagos, the coast, the Andean highlands and the Amazon basin.

Birds

Notable Species

Although Ecuador shares over 240 species of endemic birds with Columbia to the north and/or Peru to the south, there are 42 species that are endemic to mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. They are:

Mainland(14):Red-faced Parrot, White-necked Parakeet, El Oro Parakeet, Esmeraldas Woodstar, Black-breasted Puffleg, Violet-throated Metaltail, Neblina Metaltail, Cocha Antshrike, Mouse-colored Thistletail, Bicolored Antpitta, Choco Tapaculo, Chusquea Tapaculo, Narino Tapaculo, Pale-headed Brush-Finch

Galapagos(28):Galapagos Penguin, Waved Albatross, Galapagos Petrel, (Galapagos) Flightless Cormorant, Lava Gull, Swallow-tailed Gull, Lava Heron, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Rail, Galapagos Dove, Large-billed Flycatcher, Galapagos Mockingbird, Floreana Mockingbird, Espanola Mockingbird, San Cristobal Mockingbird, Large Ground-Finch, Medium Ground-Finch, Small Ground-Finch, Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch, Common Cactus-Finch, Large Cactus-Finch, Large Tree-Finch, Medium Tree-Finch, Small Tree-Finch, Woodpecker Finch, Mangrove Finch, Vegetarian Finch, Warbler Finch

Rarities

Areas of Interest

Oriente (Amazon Basin)

The Oriente or Amazon Basin can be divided into two distinct regions; the High Amazon which comprises the foothills of the Andes and the Amazon Lowlands which are further east and provide the river drainage to the Amazon River. The more important of these rivers are the Napo, the Pastaza and the Putumayo. The Oriente is the least densely populated of the four main regions. Because of this the 7 Important Bird Areas cover a much larger territory.

Sierra

The Sierra or Andes Mountain Range divides the mainland from north to south. This in turn is divided into two ranges; the Occidental or Western Range which descends to the coast and the Oriental or Eastern Range which gradually descends to the Amazon Basin. Between these two ranges is the Inter-Andean valley or plateau which can reach altitudes of 3000 meters (10,000 ft.).Throughout this region are numerous volcanoes reaching heights of 6,310 meters (20,800 feet). This is the most diverse area for birding with different species inhabiting various altitude ranges from 1000 meters (3,300 feet) in the coastal and Amazon basin regions to 4000 meters (13,200 feet) in the Andes. There are 59 designated Important Bird Areas throughout the Sierra.

Coast

The coast, or western lowlands, has about 640 km (400 mi.) of coastline as well as several islands. It is comprised of fertile plains, rolling hills and sedimentary basins. Numerous rivers crisscross the region providing habitat for various species of birds. There are 31 designated Important Bird Areas along the coast that accommodate many endemic species as well as several threatened birds. Isla de la Plata, about 30 km (20 mi) off the coast of Puerto Lopez is referred to as 'Little Galapagos' as it provides refuge for many of the more popular birds found on the archipelago such as the Magnificent Frigate bird, Waved Albatross and the Blue-footed Booby.

Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands, also known as the Archipelago of Colón, is situated about 1000 km (625 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. It is a volcanically formed group consisting of 15 main islands, 3 smaller islands and 107 rocks and islets. In all it encompasses 7,880 sq. km (3040 sq. mi.) spread over an area of 45,000 sq. km. (17,000 sq. mi.) of ocean. The temperatures ranges from 22 - 25 C (72 - 77 F) all year round. The entire Archipelago is considered national park and there is a $100 ($6 for nationals) entrance fee to the islands. Altitudes range from sea level to 1,600 meters (5,260 feet).

There are 28 endemic bird species on the islands and BirdLife International has designated 10 areas as Important Bird Areas.

Access and Facilities

External Links

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