Machalilla National Park-Private Birding Tours

Machalilla National Park
Aguas Blancas

It is located in the central coast of Ecuador in the province of Manabi with an extension of 60,000 hectares of which 20,000 of them are in the ocean and include Isla de la Pata. Most of the land is covered by dry tropical forest. This is home of many range restricted Tumbesian birds such as Gray-backed Hawk, Red-masked Parakeet, Pacific Parrolet, Neclaced Spinetail, and many others. The park has been working with the community of Aguas Blancas, which lives inside the park, to train them in conservation and sustainability. The park attracts tourist which visit the community and provide income for the families; this lowers the pressure that the community puts on the park for subsistence farming.

The community of Aguas Blancas has a very interesting museum and burial grounds of the Manteño Cultura that attracts tourists seeking historical information on this very old culture which dates back to 1500 BC. Additionally some local guides have been trained to provide assistance to birdwatchers. Aguas Blanca is found just a few minutes north of Puerto Lopez where you will see a sign with a stone chair on the right hand side of the road.

The Machalilla National Park EC017 is also classified as an Important Bird Area by birdlife international.

BIRDS of Machalilla National Park



Gray Hawk	West Peruvian Dove	Blue-crowned Motmot	Red-masked Parakeet

Neclaced Spinetail	Collared Antshrike	Collared Antshrike	Gray-rumped Swift

Tawny-crowned Pygmy Tyrant	Long-tailed Mockingbird	Tropical Gnatcatcher	White-edged Oriole

Streaked-headed Woodcreeper	Fasciated Wren	Southern-beardless Tyrannulet	Pacific Hornero

Golden-olive Woodpecker	One-colored Becard	Thick-billed Euphonia	Great Egret