Laguna Papallacta Area

eBird Hotspot Link: Laguna Papallacta

Species - 230

Checklists - 1313

Projected Time at Site: Brief (<30 minutes)

About the Area: 

Laguna Papallacta, perched at over 3,300 meters in Ecuador’s eastern Andes, is a windswept glacial lake surrounded by high páramo grasslands and temperate forest patches. The lodge grounds near the lake are modest but scenic, offering panoramic views of the water and surrounding ridgelines. Native shrubs and cushion plants dot the landscape, and the crisp mountain air carries the calls of highland birds like the Great Thrush and Rufous-collared Sparrow. Birders often scan the lake’s edge for Andean Teal and Yellow-billed Pintail, while Neotropic Cormorants and Andean Gulls patrol the open water. The area’s stark beauty and quietude make it a peaceful base for exploring the rugged terrain and observing birds adapted to life at altitude.

The surrounding lands are part of the Cayambe-Coca National Park, a protected expanse of páramo, cloud forest, and glacial wetlands that hosts a rich assemblage of Andean birdlife. The steep slopes and misty ridges are home to Scarlet-bellied and Lacrimose Mountain-Tanagers, Pale-naped Brushfinches, and the elusive Tawny Antpitta. Hummingbirds like the Shining Sunbeam and Buff-winged Starfrontlet zip through the flowering shrubs, while raptors such as the Variable Hawk and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle soar overhead. Seasonal migrants and altitudinal specialists add to the diversity, making Laguna Papallacta a rewarding stop for birders seeking highland endemics and dramatic scenery. It’s a place where geology, climate, and avian life converge in a uniquely Andean rhythm.

Top Target Species:

Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Teal, Slate-colored Coot, ANDEAN GULL and Great Thrush.

Recap and Reflections (How it played out)

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