Cuyabeno Birdwatching Opportunities with the Kichwa Lodge

During your 5-day / 4-night visit, we will tour a wide-variety of habitats including:

• Our major tributaries the Rio Cuyabeno and the Rio Aguarico
• Seasonal lakes with their ever-adjusting muddy shores
• Quiet black water streams, and
• Unique wetland and forest habitat not found in other Amazonian destinations.

If you would like even more time birdwatching, we suggest requesting our Complete Cuyabeno package and request a birdwatching focus.

…and more Cuyabeno Birdwatching

In addition to birdwatching from our canoe, we will also:

• Climb a 35-meter high tower where a Harpy Eagle often comes to perch
• Meander a loop trail around our lodge where secondary forest gives way to the jungle,
• Observe parrots and parakeets at a local clay lick.
• Hike a long trail that will allow us to compare the Cuyabeno pantano (swamp and wetlands) with the reserve’s higher terrain.

Naturally, if a full-day hike in warm climes is not to your liking, alternate plans include a full-day canoe tour to the Zabalo River. Alternatively, do even more by requesting an additional day or two to your trip!

Along the Shore

During our travels to and from the Cuyabeno Kichwa Lodge, we will find ourselves on the Rio Aguarico. When traveling by motorized canoe, it is possible to spot many different species of birds in trees alongside the river, on stumps sticking out of the water, and on muddy shores and sandbars. Some species we hope to see are: Hoatzin, Long-tailed Potoo , Great Potoo, Sand-colored Nighthawk, Pied Lapwing, and more.

Kichwa Lodge and Trails

Around the lodge and on our loop trail, we have secondary forest that gives way to primary jungle. Within the immediate area, we will many birds that often include: Blue-throated Piping Guan, Solitary Black Cacique, Salvins Curassow, Marbled Wood-quail, Great tinamou, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, White-lored Antpitta, Gilded Barbet, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, and Great Antshrike.

Additionally, in the early morning hours just before dawn, it is very common to observe owls including the striking Crested Owl.

Kichwa Birdwatching Tower

Approximately 35 meters tall with several viewing platforms at differing heights, the Kichwa Birdwatching Tower grants us views into and above the tree canopy.

Therefore, we can spot raptors like Harpy Eagle that hunt for monkeys and sloths, high-soaring Swallow-tailed Kite, and Oropendula clinging to their hanging nests. Likewise, we will observe mixed flocks of fruit eaters that can include Plum-throated Cotinga, Blue-crowned Trogon, Amazonian Trogon, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Blue-backed Manakin, Masked Crimson Tanager, as well as barbets, toucans, and more.

Backwaters

The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a giant wetlands with multiple types of habitats including seasonal lakes and black water steams where we can observe Amazonian Kingfisher, Sunbittern, Drab Water Tyrant, Agami heron, Rufescent Tiger-heron, and Sungrebe, to name a few. Of course, we might see some of these birds on the wider rivers. However, heading into the quieter backwaters without a motor makes them easier to observe and photograph.

Clay Licks

Clay licks are most often found near the river’s edge and contain high deposits of minerals necessary to the diet of several species of birds. A good day at the clay lick means seeing Dusky-headed Parakeet, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Mealy Parrot, and Blue-headed Parrot. 

This Itinerary Includes

• Pick up at the Quito International Airport the day before this trip begins (please inform of us of your flight number and arrival time upon booking)
• One night of lodging in Quito at Hostel Alpachaca BEFORE the official first day of this itinerary.
• Pick up at the Hostel Alpachaca and transport to the Quito Airport for your flight to Coca; further assistance at the airport.
• Flight to and from Quito to Coca
• Land and river transport from/to Francisco Orellana International Airport in Coca to our lodge.
• Tour Guide who speaks English, Spanish, and Kichwa (if you require another language, we can hire another guide at additional cost)
• On the Cuyabeno-Yasuni Combo Tour a local, indigenous guide who knows the flora and fauna of their region will join your group.
• Lodging & Meals, including purified water and hot beverages
• Rain ponchos and rubber boots for your stay.

Not Included

• Professional Birding Guide (available at additional cost)
• Tips for guides, drivers, and staff
• Alcholic beverages
• Travel insurance

Additional Information

Reservation Request for Exceptional Cuyabeno Birdwatching