Created by Sergio Basantes and Doris Villalba, former farmers who transformed their land into a conservation‑driven eco‑lodge. Supported by Conserva Aves, donors, and community partners, the reserve now protects critical Chocó‑Andean forest, trains local guides, and hosts school groups to build regional conservation culture.
Reserva Mashpi–Amagusa is a world‑class bird photography destination perched in the Chocó foothills of the western Andes. This reserve is famous for its Chocó endemics, tanager concentrations, and rare species that are difficult to find anywhere else in Ecuador. For photographers, it offers a blend of close‑range feeder action, forest‑edge encounters, and deep‑forest surprises.
This guide distills the photographic opportunities and challenges of Mashpi–Amagusa into practical, field‑tested advice.
Mashpi–Amagusa sits between 1,200–1,700 meters, in a lush band of foothill cloud forest where the Chocó meets the Andes. Expect:
Steep, forested slopes with moss‑covered branches
Soft, filtered light through persistent cloud cover
Frequent mist that creates dramatic atmosphere
Fruit feeders that attract rare tanagers
Forest trails where antpittas, quail‑doves, and woodcreepers appear unexpectedly
This is a forest of color and texture — a place where the rare and the beautiful often sit just a few meters away.
The feeders at Mashpi–Amagusa are legendary for their diversity and proximity.
Light: Soft morning light; occasional shafts of sun
Lens: 100–400mm ideal
Tip: Position yourself slightly off‑axis to capture birds on natural perches rather than the feeder itself
Expect:
Glistening‑green Tanager
Moss‑backed Tanager
Flame‑faced Tanager
Black‑chinned Mountain‑Tanager
Rufous‑throated Tanager
Excellent for flycatchers, toucanets, and mixed flocks.
Light: Best early morning and late afternoon
Lens: 100–400mm or 400–600mm
Tip: Watch for birds feeding in Cecropia trees
A realm of antpittas, quail‑doves, and woodcreepers.
Light: Very low; ISO 6400+ common
Lens: 300–600mm
Tip: Look for pockets of light where birds pause — magical moments happen here
A rotating cast of foothill hummingbirds.
Light: Dappled shade
Lens: 70–200mm or 100–400mm
Tip: Use flowers placed near feeders for natural‑looking shots
One of the reserve’s star species.
Use f/5.6–f/7.1 to keep the entire bird sharp
Watch for side‑lighting that enhances iridescence
Shoot bursts — they move quickly between perches
Often visits feeders but moves fast.
Use 1/1600+ sec
Position yourself for clean backgrounds
Look for pre‑landing pauses on mossy branches
A jewel of the foothills.
Perches quietly in mid‑story
Use f/4–f/5.6 to isolate from busy backgrounds
Watch for soft backlight filtering through the canopy
Occasional but spectacular.
Best photographed along the road or forest edge
Use f/6.3–f/7.1 to keep the bill and eye sharp
Look for fruiting trees
Violet‑tailed Sylph, Velvet‑purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant.
Use 1/3200 sec for wing freeze
Or 1/250–1/500 for artistic blur
Position yourself for clean, distant backgrounds
Chestnut‑crowned Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta (rare), quail‑doves.
Low light: f/4–f/5.6, ISO 6400+
Use a monopod for stability
Stay quiet and still — they appear suddenly
Best light for feeders
Tanagers most active
Mist adds atmosphere without killing contrast
Dappled shade in forest
Good for hummingbirds
Understory becomes very dim
Golden light on forest edge
Excellent for toucanets and fruiteaters
Mist often lifts, revealing dramatic backlight
Expect:
High humidity
Frequent drizzle
Lens fogging
Slippery trails
Bring:
Rain covers
Lens cloths
Silica gel
Extra batteries
Mashpi–Amagusa sits between 1,200–1,700 meters, in a lush band of foothill cloud forest where the Chocó meets the Andes. Expect:
Steep, forested slopes with moss‑covered branches
Soft, filtered light through persistent cloud cover
Frequent mist that creates dramatic atmosphere
Fruit feeders that attract rare tanagers
Forest trails where antpittas, quail‑doves, and woodcreepers appear unexpectedly
This is a forest of color and texture — a place where the rare and the beautiful often sit just a few meters away.
The feeders at Mashpi–Amagusa are legendary for their diversity and proximity.
Light: Soft morning light; occasional shafts of sun
Lens: 100–400mm ideal
Tip: Position yourself slightly off‑axis to capture birds on natural perches rather than the feeder itself
Expect:
Glistening‑green Tanager
Moss‑backed Tanager
Flame‑faced Tanager
Black‑chinned Mountain‑Tanager
Rufous‑throated Tanager
Excellent for flycatchers, toucanets, and mixed flocks.
Light: Best early morning and late afternoon
Lens: 100–400mm or 400–600mm
Tip: Watch for birds feeding in Cecropia trees
A realm of antpittas, quail‑doves, and woodcreepers.
Light: Very low; ISO 6400+ common
Lens: 300–600mm
Tip: Look for pockets of light where birds pause — magical moments happen here
A rotating cast of foothill hummingbirds.
Light: Dappled shade
Lens: 70–200mm or 100–400mm
Tip: Use flowers placed near feeders for natural‑looking shots
One of the reserve’s star species.
Use f/5.6–f/7.1 to keep the entire bird sharp
Watch for side‑lighting that enhances iridescence
Shoot bursts — they move quickly between perches
Often visits feeders but moves fast.
Use 1/1600+ sec
Position yourself for clean backgrounds
Look for pre‑landing pauses on mossy branches
A jewel of the foothills.
Perches quietly in mid‑story
Use f/4–f/5.6 to isolate from busy backgrounds
Watch for soft backlight filtering through the canopy
Occasional but spectacular.
Best photographed along the road or forest edge
Use f/6.3–f/7.1 to keep the bill and eye sharp
Look for fruiting trees
Violet‑tailed Sylph, Velvet‑purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant.
Use 1/3200 sec for wing freeze
Or 1/250–1/500 for artistic blur
Position yourself for clean, distant backgrounds
Chestnut‑crowned Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta (rare), quail‑doves.
Low light: f/4–f/5.6, ISO 6400+
Use a monopod for stability
Stay quiet and still — they appear suddenly
Best light for feeders
Tanagers most active
Mist adds atmosphere without killing contrast
Dappled shade in forest
Good for hummingbirds
Understory becomes very dim
Golden light on forest edge
Excellent for toucanets and fruiteaters
Mist often lifts, revealing dramatic backlight
Expect:
High humidity
Frequent drizzle
Lens fogging
Slippery trails
Bring:
Rain covers
Lens cloths
Silica gel
Extra batteries
100–400mm for feeders and forest edge
400–600mm for canopy and distant birds
70–200mm for hummingbirds
Macro lens for insects and orchids
Hand‑holding works well at feeders
Monopod recommended for forest trails
Tripod optional for hummingbird setups
Rain protection
Microfiber cloths
Extra batteries and cards
Bug spray (non‑aerosol)
Arrive early — tanagers hit the feeders first
Choose backgrounds intentionally; they make or break tanager shots
Watch for behavior cycles: many species return to the same perches
Move slowly on trails — understory birds appear close
Scan fruiting trees for toucans and fruiteaters
Keep your camera on continuous AF and high‑speed burst
Avoid blocking access to feeders for other visitors
Use flash sparingly and never repeatedly on the same bird
Respect staff guidance on feeder use
Stay on trails to protect fragile understory
Support local conservation through entrance fees and donations
Habitat: Chocó foothill cloud forest
Light: Soft, variable, atmospheric
Best Lenses: 100–400mm, 400–600mm
Key Species: Glistening‑green Tanager, Moss‑backed Tanager, Orange‑breasted Fruiteater, toucans, hummingbirds
Challenges: Humidity, fast tanagers, low light in forest
Rewards: Rare Chocó endemics, close encounters, dramatic light
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is perched high in the subtropical cloud forests of Ecuador’s western Andes, enveloped by mist and moss in a private reserve that spans over 700 hectares. The lodge grounds are a lush mosaic of native vegetation—tree ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and flowering shrubs—designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest. Feeders and fruiting trees attract a kaleidoscope of hummingbirds, including the Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, and Violet-tailed Sylph, which zip through the air in dazzling displays. From the lodge’s wraparound decks and forest trails, guests can observe tanagers, toucanets, and woodcreepers moving through mixed-species flocks, while the haunting call of the Masked Trogon echoes through the canopy.
The surrounding lands of Bellavista are part of the Chocó-Andean biodiversity hotspot, one of the most species-rich ecosystems on Earth. The cloud forest here is characterized by steep slopes, persistent fog, and dense epiphyte-laden trees that create layered microhabitats for over 300 bird species. Notable residents include the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Golden-headed Quetzal, and the elusive Ocellated Tapaculo, which skulk through the understory. Night walks may reveal Swallow-tailed Nightjars and Common Potoos, while the forest’s upper reaches host raptors like the Barred Hawk and occasional sightings of the Crested Eagle. Bellavista’s commitment to conservation and ecotourism has made it a sanctuary not only for birds, but for the intricate web of life that thrives in this misty montane realm. The Reserve was first established in 1991 by a British/Colombian couple. The area won the Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Americas in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
eBird Hotspot Link: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
Hotspot Species: 460
Hotspot Checklists: 5007
Team Eagle-Eye Fall 2025 Species Observed (6 Nov 2025): 9 Team Eagle-Eye 2025 Checklist(s) Link