In 1979, the Ecuadorian government declared the Machalilla National Park a protected area with a total of 55,000 ha in size. It is the only conservation unit in western Ecuador that protects extensive dry and moist forest with large number of endemic flora and fauna. In addition, the Ramsar International Convention of Wetlands declared, the coastal region of Machalilla, a Ramsar site with the aim to protect shallow saltwater marshes, seasonal streams, islands, coral reefs and salt flats zones defined as wetlands. The Ramsar CW considered an area of about 18,700 ha inside the park that is part of a chain of wetlands used by migratory birds along the Pacific coast. In addition, the island of la Plata is one of the most striking seabird sanctuaries on Ecuador's Pacific coast.
Machalilla NP includes a wide variety of ecosystems and habitats that range from rocky cliffs, beaches, islets, islands, seashores, rivers, coastal scrub vegetation, deciduous forest and moist forest making this region a bird heaven. With over 270 species of birds, 25 % of which are endemic to western Ecuador and contiguous northwest Peru, Machalilla has been integrated by BirdLife International into one of the 218 avian centers of endemism in the world. The Endemic Bird Area EBA 045 or Tumbesian center covers an area of about 130,000 Km2 between Ecuador and Peru. Additionally, only the Machalilla National Park and the North-west Peruvian Biosphere Reserve bear the largest remaining forest fragments within the EBA, and therefore appear as being considerably essential for many threatened and endemic species
Isla de la Plata is an important bird sanctuary inhabited by three species of boobies (masked, blue-footed and red-footed), the waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, magnificent frigate birds and many others. It's actually an important breeding and nesting site for these seabirds.
If you enjoy seeing your birds in a small friendly group led by an experienced expert bird tour leader then look no further.
Our different programs will take you to Ecuador's most exciting and enthralling birdwatching journey!!
