The Jorupe Forest Reserve is an approximately 2 sq. mile remnant of the rapidly disappearing Tumbesian Dry Forest of southern Ecuador. The property is owned by the Jocotoco Foundation, which has recently completed construction on a basic lodge where birders can stay instead of in Macara. The relatively open dry forest is characterized by statuesque Ceiba trees and dense underbrush and thickets. A relatively level trail through the open forest and thickets offers excellent birding opportunities.
A primary target bird found in the reserve is the highly threatened endemic Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner. A specialty bird of southern Ecuador and northern Peru, the White-tailed Jay, is quite common. Other notable birds regularly seen in the reserve include Gray-cheeked Parakeet, most commonly seen flying overhead, Ecuadorian Trogon, Ecuadorian Piculet, Blackish-headed Spinetail, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Red-billed Scythebill, Chapman's Antshrike, Baird's Flycatcher, Slaty Becard, Ecuadorian Thrush, Bay-crowned Brush-Finch, White-winged Brush-Finch, and White-headed Brush-Finch.The reserve is an excellent place to find Watkin's Antpitta, a difficult to see near-endemic antpitta found only in southern Ecuador and northwestern Peru.
