The Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest and surrounding areas in the Mindo Valley are some of the best known birding locales in Ecuador. They represent part of the Choco Endemic Bio-region, which extends from northern Ecuador into the Darien Province of western Panama. This entire region and the protected forests within it are critical to the survival of many endemic birds found nowhere else in the world. Every birder visiting Ecuador feels that the Mindo Valley is a place not to be missed.
In addition to the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest, a variety of other locales in the valley are great for birding. One is the hummingbird feeders at Mindo Gardens, an upscale lodge in the valley. Another is the Restaurante Los Colibries which also has feeders in the gradens. 40 km further down the road toward Los Bancos is the Milpe Bird Sanctuary, which is famed especially for the Moss-backed Tanager. Current Exotic Birding tour itineraries do not include visits to this sanctuary because of time constraints in the schedule.
