Refugio Paz de las Aves Area

eBird Hotspot Link: Refugio Paz de las Aves

Species - 467

Checklists - 7471

Projected Time at Site: Long (>3 hrs.)

About the Area: 

Refugio Paz de las Aves is a 25-hectare private reserve nestled in the cloud forests of Ecuador’s western Andes, between Mindo and Nanegalito. This is a Private birding sanctuary owned by Angel and Rodrigo Paz, birders and antpitta lovers. The grounds are a masterclass in quiet immersion, with shaded trails winding through moss-laden trees, bromeliad-covered branches, and steep forested slopes. Feeders and fruiting stations near the lodge attract a dazzling array of hummingbirds, including the Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Empress Brilliant. But what sets this refuge apart is its intimate access to deep-forest species—most famously, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, whose lek is just a short walk from the entrance. Carefully guided walks reveal antpittas like the Giant, Moustached, and Yellow-breasted, coaxed into view without playback, thanks to years of patient habituation by the Paz family.

The surrounding lands are part of the Chocó-Andean biodiversity hotspot, one of the most species-rich ecosystems on Earth. The reserve’s mix of primary and secondary forest supports over 430 bird species, thriving in a habitat shaped by persistent mist, steep topography, and dense epiphyte growth. Specialty birds like the Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, and Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl haunt the understory and canopy, while tanagers, toucanets, and flycatchers move through mixed-species flocks. The elevation—around 1,969 meters—creates a transitional zone where subtropical and montane species overlap, offering birders a rare chance to observe evolutionary adaptations in action. Refugio Paz de las Aves is more than a birding site; it’s a living testament to the power of community-led conservation and the quiet magic of cloud forest life.

Top Target Species: 

Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Speckled Hummingbird, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Velvet-purple Coronet, White-booted Racket-tail, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Empress Brilliant, Purple-throated Woodstar, Andean Emerald, Golden-headed Quetzal, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Red-billed Parrot, GIANT ANTPITTA, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Montane Woodcreeper, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Blackburnian Warbler, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager,  Golden-naped Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Golden Tanager.

Recap and Reflections (How it played out)

(Stay tuned...)