Mindo Valley Birdwatching in the cloud forest

The western ranges of the Andes, covered in high-altitude cloudforests offer the greatest diversity of birdlife, with literally hundreds of species of hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers, to name but a few. There are hundreds of endemic species to be spotted high up in the green canopy and amidst the undergrowth.

Mindo, about two hours' drive west of Quito, has repeatedly one the day 'bird-count' contest held every year by BirdLife International. It's a great base from which to bird, with a handful of excellent lodges, and easily-booked bird guides.

High up on the slopes of the western flanks of the Andes, in the transitional zone between the sierra and the lowlands, Ecuador's most exciting forest habitats spread their verdant carpet. At the meeting point of the highlands and the coastal plains, the humid air magically condenses, forming wispy clouds that coat everything in warm moisture. This phenomenon creates a rich and bountiful circle of life, as clouds form, are burnt by the heating sun, ony to return the next day, in an eternal cycle of growth and decay.