Tandayapa Bird Lodge Area

eBird Hotspot Link: Tandayapa Bird Lodge

Species - 450

Checklists - 2799

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

About the Area: 

Tandayapa Bird Lodge is nestled deep within Ecuador’s Chocó cloud forest, a region renowned for its staggering biodiversity and mist-shrouded beauty. The lodge’s garden is a vibrant haven for hummingbirds and tanagers, with feeders strategically placed among flowering plants and moss-draped trees. More than 30 species of hummingbirds—including the dazzling Violet-tailed Sylph and Booted Racket-tail—can be seen flitting through the foliage or hovering at nectar stations just feet from the viewing deck. The garden is designed not only for bird attraction but also for immersive photography, with specialized setups and multiflash techniques available to capture these winged jewels in flight.

Surrounding the lodge, 53 hectares of pristine primary cloud forest and 2 hectares of restored secondary forest stretch across the western slopes of the Andes. Forest trails wind through dense greenery, offering encounters with species like the Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, and even nocturnal mammals like kinkajous and tayras. The lodge’s location makes it a strategic base for exploring nearby hotspots such as Mindo and Mashpi, with over 600 bird species accessible through day trips. Whether you're sipping coffee on the balcony or trekking through the forest, Tandayapa Bird Lodge offers a deeply immersive experience in one of the world’s richest birding regions.

Top Target Species: 

Sparkling Violetear, Brown Violetear, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-booted Racket-tail, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Purple-throated Woodstar, Western Emerald, Andean Emerald, Golden-headed Quetzal, Rufous Motmot, Red-headed Barbet, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Red-billed Parrot, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Montane Woodcreeper, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Blackburnian Warbler, Three-striped Warbler, Russet-crowned Warbler, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager and Golden Tanager.

Hummingbird photography

The lodge is world-famous for its hummingbird spectacle, where dozens of individuals representing numerous species can be seen at any time. This allows photographers to use a range of techniques: 

Multi-flash setup: For the most dramatic and detailed flight shots, Tandayapa offers multi-flash hummingbird photography. Professional photo guides are available to assist with this technique, and equipment—including flashes, tripods, and backdrops—can be rented. This approach freezes the birds' rapid wingbeats and uses multiple flashes to create perfect, shadowless lighting.

Natural light: Photographers can also capture beautiful images of hummingbirds using natural light. The best shots involve birds perching on natural branches or feeding from flowers, creating a more organic and authentic feel. The lodge's balcony provides an excellent vantage point for this.

High-speed photography: Multi-flash setups enable high-speed photography, capturing split-second actions like a hummingbird extending its tongue to feed from a flower. 

Fruit feeder photography

On the other side of the main lodge, fruit feeders stocked with bananas and papayas attract an array of colorful birds. This setup provides excellent, predictable opportunities for both experienced and novice photographers. 

Species diversity: Expect to photograph various species of tanagers, including Golden, Flame-rumped, and Golden-naped Tanagers. Other visitors can include Toucan Barbets, Rufous Motmots, and Crimson-rumped Toucanets.

Recap and Reflections (How it played out)

(Stay tuned...)