- extremely varied topography
- wide spectrum of climates
- diverse habitats
- many endemic bird areas.
Here the Andes rise majestically between the coastal plain and the legendary Amazon basin creating more than 40 major ecosystems and 9 endemic bird areas. We stayed in Ecuador because there is a lot to discover, to protect and to convey to
others about the birds and their environment. Good security, improved infrastructure and accessibility to birding areas has made Ecuador a great place to live and work – and of course to visit! We also design our tours, when at all possible, to stay at lodges which are run by conservation organizations such as the Jocotoco Foundation (the most effective bird conservation group in Ecuador) or hotels which preserve substantial tracks of forest and demonstrate a clear environmental mission. These lodges are more expensive but the proceeds go directly to conservation.
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Our Mission
Andean Birding was founded in order to promote responsible bird tourism. Beyond our commitment to provide you with the best bird trip for a great price, our mission is to foster bird conservation and to further ornithological research in the Andean region through the contribution of 10 percent of our profits to such ends. As well, Jonas and Charlie are involved directly in bird conservation and research projects. Research page. By choosing Andean Birding you will help protect bird species and their habitats in Ecuador. Browse our site for descriptions of our standard tours which offer comfortable opportunities to see hundreds of bird species. Choosing a tour off the beaten path such as Sumaco, will obviously appeal to your sense of adventure, discovery and increase your chances of encountering lesser-known species!
We are both long-term residents of Ecuador who employ Ecuadorians, and all operating expenses support the local economy. We're proud of Ecuador, its people, and its birds! Andean Birding is eager to tackle your specific birding interests and committed to providing you with the best, cost-effective itinerary for your birding pleasure backed by the knowledge and experience we have gained in the Andean region.
Jonas and Charlie look forward to welcoming and guiding you soon! Back to top Ourselves Jonas Nilsson Jonas recording a new tapaculo in Peru |
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A native of southern Sweden, Jonas is a recognized expert on the birds of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia having led dozens of trips throughout the area. He is a regular ornithological lecturer for the Ecology Program for the School for International Training and he has also participated in several scientific expeditions in Ecuador,
Peru and Bolivia. His dedication has led him to discover three new species for Ecuador, one new species for Bolivia, one new species for Argentina, two new species for Ecuadors western slope, the rediscovery of Slaty-tailed Trogon, along with dozens of range extensions for other species (Ridgely and Greenfield, 2001. Birds of Ecuador). His disarming style and sense of humor work well with everybody.Jonas co-published The Birds of Ecuador along with Niels
Krabbe, undoubtedly the most ambitious and comprehensive collection of bird songs in the world. Almost 1200 species are represented! Also, just out, The Birds of Eastern Ecuador Vol. I: The Foothills and Lower Subtropics. Charlie Vogt Charlie teasing out a Blackish-headed Spinetail |
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Born in California but reared in Boston, Charlie is an expert on the birds of Ecuador and has associated
with Jonas on several expeditions in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. He has conducted bird surveys and prepared bird lists for many foundations and protected areas in Ecuador including Yachana Lodge, Maquipucuna and La Perla Reserves and Madidi Natl. Park in Bolivia. His sense of discovery has led him to find one new bird species for Ecuador as well as many new provincial records (3 cited in Ridgely and Greenfield, 2001). Most recently he undertook one of the first ornithological
expeditions to the slopes of Gran Sumaco (a new UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). With a B.S. from Colorado College an M.S. in Evolutionary Biology from NAU and 8 years at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology, Charlie has also obtained a comprehensive knowledge of tropical botany and entomology. He has led tours for Wilderness Travel and Harvard's Museum of Natural History. Rounding out his business sense and teaching abilities, he has also worked for
many years in environmental consulting and most recently served as Academic Director for the Ecology Program with the School for International Training in Ecuador. His easygoing style and humor serves him well with everyone. Roger Ahlman Roger is a native of southern Sweden where he has been an active and respected birder for more than 25 years. He has served on the regional records committee for several years and traveled extensively around the world on both private and organized trips. South America has become his
favorite continent and he has completed birding trips to most countries, in particular, Peru and Ecuador. Roger has been a professional bird guide in Peru for the past year and has led successful trips to all parts of the country.He has rediscovered the Cinnamon Teal in Ecuador with the first record in 65 years. He is known for his patience with inexperienced birders and is great at spotting birds and getting people onto them. Back to top Boris Herrera A native of Quito, Boris has grown up around the birds of Mindo on the west slope. He managed
Canandé lodge for the Jocotoco Foundation in the northwest tropical lowlands for a full year, leading bird tourists to see many Chocó specialties. When not guiding he is working with Jonas on the Wild Sumaco Project, with bird surveys, developing trails and supervising the construction of the lodge. He has an exceptional talent for spotting birds and recognizing their calls. His family farm, called Mindo Loma, has become a popular birder’s lodge with
their active hummingbird feeders attracting such beauties as Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Empress Brilliant. Fruit trays yield the uncommon Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager and the surroundings hold Orange-breasted Fruiteater and Hoary Puffleg. | 
