What is your favorite bird species?
Changes through time, but Cock-tailed Tyrant has a je ne sais quoi.
What is your name, and where do you live?
Andres Vasquez Noboa, Ecuador
Rainbow Starfrontlet
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
All around Latin America, a couple of spots in Africa, Japan, and eventually Australia. However, as an Ecuadorian, I have seen almost 1500 species in my country, and I love touring all over the country.
How long have you been a bird guide?
22 years
Sword-billed Hummingbird
How did you get into bird guiding?
Started as a naturalist guide in the cloud forests of Tandayapa near Quito, Ecuador, but then I got hooked on birds, and ever since, I have been an avid birder and photographer
What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?
As a birder, it used to be getting my next lifer, but now it really is a pleasure to get a good photo of a difficult bird or a species that is hardly photographed. As a guide, my satisfaction is based on the true satisfaction of the clients I guide. I do not enjoy repeating the same areas over and over, but instead a healthy variation throughout the year.
Three-wattled Bellbird
What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?
In Ecuador: Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Blue-throated Hillstar, Jocotoco Antpitta
In Latin America: Harpy Eagle, Frilled Coquette, Red-legged Seriema, Pompadour Cotinga
Elsewhere: Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Blakiston’s Fish-Owl, Lilac-breasted Roller
Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip
We call it “The Andes Introtout”, an amazing trip based 5 nights in the incredible Tandayapa Bird Lodge, starting and ending in Quito, Ecuador and covering in various day trips all the altitudinal belts on the west slope of the Andes and adjacent lowlands, compiling like that the most impressive bird list (350+sp) while only unpacking once and having incredibly delicious food at a lodge that is super comfortable and amazingly located.
Toco Toucan
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?
Bring clothes for every weather, extra sim cards, and be prepared to be amazed.
If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?
Through Tandayapa Bird Lodge or through Tropical Birding Tours at andres@tropicalbirding.com
White-capped Dipper
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
Ecuador is truly a unique destination, being very small but having, in a small area (roughly the size of Colorado), a huge variety of ecosystems, altitudinal belts (sea level to 15000ft), and a huge amount of birds (1700+) adapted to every niche and accessible in short distances with good roads. All this is complemented by decades of a highly experienced birding culture, offering vast amounts of bird-focused facilities, reserves, feeders, trails, protected areas, lodges, restaurants, guides, and bird clubs. It is truly the epicenter of birding in South America.
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