Ecuador is home to more than 130 hummingbird species – nearly half the world’s total – making it the ultimate destination for photographers seeking to capture these glittering jewels of the avian world. Our exclusive 11-day Hummingbirds of Ecuador photography tour takes you deep into the heart of their misty realm, from Andean highlands to cloud forests, where you’ll photograph these remarkable birds alongside toucans, tanagers & & condors.
Why Ecuador for Hummingbird Photography?
No country offers better opportunities to photograph Hummingbirds of Ecuador in their natural habitat. The convergence of the Andes mountains, Amazon basin & & Pacific coast creates unparalleled biodiversity, with hummingbirds adapting to every ecosystem. Our carefully designed itinerary focuses on prime locations where you can:
- Photograph 30+ hummingbird species including the spectacular Giant Hummingbird, Sword-billed Hummingbird, & Booted Racket-tail
- Use professional multi-flash setups to freeze the Hummingbird’s incredible 50+ wingbeats per second
- Capture unique behaviour’s at specialised feeding stations & natural flower displays
- Learn expert techniques from our experienced bird photography guides
Your Hummingbird Photography Adventure
Our journey begins in Quito, the perfect base to start exploring Hummingbirds of Ecuador. The real magic starts at Guango Lodge, where the first sight of a Velvet-purple Coronet or Tourmaline Sunangel hovering inches from your lens will take your breath away. Our multi-flash photography sessions let you capture these fast-moving subjects with stunning clarity.
As we ascend to Antisana’s highlands, the landscape changes dramatically – & so do the hummingbirds. Here, the Ecuadorian Hillstar thrives in thin air, while the Shining Sunbeam flashes its golden throat in the highland sun. The Papallacta Pass offers more high-altitude specialists, their adaptations to cold environments making fascinating photographic subjects.
Descending into the cloud forests of Tandayapa Valley, we will enter the realm of the Booted Racket-tail with its extraordinary tail feathers & the Violet-tailed Sylph that glows like amethyst in the mist. During the multi-flash photography sessions, you’ll have front-row seats to hummingbird dramas unfolding as they defend territories & & courtmates.
The Mashpi Cloud Forest reveals even more Hummingbirds of Ecuador, including the rare, Purple-bibbed Whitetip & Empress Brilliant. Here, natural perches & carefully positioned feeders create perfect compositional opportunities against lush green backgrounds.
At Zuroloma Reserve, one of Ecuador‘s premier high-altitude birding sites, we will have a rare opportunity to capture the extraordinary Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) – a species that defies belief with its impossibly long beak, longer than its own body. This Andean specialist thrives in the cool mountain air, feeding on deep-throated flowers like Datura & Passiflora that other hummingbirds cannot reach. Photographing this evolutionary marvel requires patience & technique: its rapid wingbeats challenge shutter speeds, while the misty highland light demands careful exposure adjustments. Zuroloma’s strategically placed feeders & natural perches allow for stunning compositions, whether freezing the bird’s hovering flight against dramatic páramo landscapes or capturing intimate portraits showcasing its unique adaptation. As the only bird on Earth whose bill exceeds its body length (up to 4 inches), the Sword-bill becomes a true “bucket list” subject for photographers visiting Ecuador’s Andes.
Among Ecuador’s most photogenic birds, toucans add spectacular bursts of colour to your photography experience. During this tour, you’ll encounter the iconic Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, with its striking yellow, red, & black beak contrasting against emerald cloud forests, along with the smaller but equally vibrant Toucan Barbet. At fruit feeders in the Tandayapa Valley & Mashpi Cloud Forest, we will watch for the Chestnut-mandibled Toucan’s comical antics, the diminutive Crimson-rumped Toucanet & the silhouette of the visiting Aracari. These charismatic birds, with their oversized bills & bold plumage, make for extraordinary photographic subjects—whether captured mid-flight, feeding, or calling from misty perches. Their vivid colours & expressive behaviours perfectly complement the tour’s hummingbird focus, ensuring your portfolio dazzles with Ecuador’s avian diversity.
Beyond Hummingbirds: Ecuador’s Avian Wonders
While focusing on Hummingbirds of Ecuador, you’ll also photograph:
- Toucans with their rainbow beaks at fruit feeders.
- Tanagers in explosions of color at forest edges.
- Andean Condors soaring over volcanic cliffs.
- Caracaras & other raptors of the highlands.
Your Expert-Led Photography Experience
Our trips are designed by photographers, for photographers:
- Small group size (max five guests).
- Professional bird photography guide throughout.
- Dedicated multi-flash hummingbird setups.
- Prime locations at optimal shooting times.
This isn’t just another bird photography trip – this is a masterclass photographing the world’s most dazzling hummingbirds in their natural habitats. With over 30 species possible & expert guidance at every turn, you’ll return home with a portfolio of hummingbird images you never thought possible.
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