Podocarpus National Park in southern Ecuador made it onto my itinerary because it is a reliable place to see White-breasted (white-necked) Parakeets and a host of other amazing birds. A good guide to help plan your visit complete with maps is here. The amazing Copalinga Lodge is only a few km from the Bommuscaro entrance and the owner, Catherine can arrange a birding guide and transportation.
Gotta love the logo on this taxi!
Entrance is now free! Although it says it’s open at 8am, most birders arrive around 6:30 and there is no problem.
The well maintained trail winds slowly uphill.
Beautiful Inca Jay
Squirrel Cuckoo
Our first glimpse of White-breasted Parakeets on the road and the rock face.
A curious little Parakeet inspecting us
Could they get any cuter?
And then they took off.
Ornate Flycatcher
More White-breasted Parakeets!
Eeeeek, a school group! Luckily this was on our way out after seeing our target birds as a large school group is not conducive to peaceful birding!
