Mindo Christmas Bird Count! A colorful winter

Are you ready for Christmas already? Wait, are you prepared for a Christmas trip? And most importantly, have you already thought of a destination? If not, we have the perfect option for you all, especially if you are the kind of traveler who loves nature, likes to be involved with their environment, and wants to make a difference: a Christmas Bird Count in Mindo.

How do you like the idea? Not very sure? Either if you are an experienced birdwatcher, a nature lover or somebody who wants new experiences, let us tell you why you should be part of this tradition in Mindo.

How did it start?

If you are a birdwatching connoisseur, you might already know how this tradition originated, but let’s assume you are a novice to this “Bird Counting thing”, and you wonder why and how some people decided to start a birdwatching contest for Christmas. Let us tell you why you should try it at least once.

Well, not so long ago, hunting was quite a common tradition, especially for Christmas. The Christmas “Side Hunt” was a tradition that basically consisted of a hunting competition in which you had to hunt the most birds you could. As you can imagine, the hunt was indiscriminately damaging to local ecosystems, endangered some bird species, and even indirectly led to the extinction of some of them (the Passenger Pigeon was one of them, in case you wonder).

Since efforts in conservation were just taking their first steps, it took the efforts of Mark Chapman to begin a birdwatching initiative to replace the Christmas side hunt. With the help of other conservationists, the Christmas Bird Count started in Audubon and 24 other places in Canada and the US. Nowadays, it is a widely extended practice throughout many countries, including Ecuador. In adition, Ecuador is already famous among birdwatchers for its diversity.

Why is the bird count important?

If you are not convinced about bird counting yet, perhaps learning about its importance might change your mind.  The Christmas Bird Count is not just a hobby for bird lovers. As a matter of fact, its importance is essential for local and global research.

Sure, this tradition started as a way to stop indiscriminate hunting for sport, but there were efforts for conservation from the very beginning. Nowadays, the Christmas Bird Count helps track the behaviour of the birds, letting researchers know if there is any disturbance.

So, besides being a fun competition, this tradition has become an essential asset for researchers all around the American continent.

Why is Mindo the perfect spot for bird counting?

Before answering this question, we should answer another question: why come to Ecuador for bird counting?

Well, to begin, we must talk about how diverse Ecuador is. Despite its size, Ecuador has an exceptional biodiversity, both in plant species and animal species. And, besides the different species you can encounter, Ecuadorian landscapes will impress you with their magnificence.

Now, let’s go back to the previous question: why Mindo?

First, Mindo is simply a convenient location that won't take you too far from Quito so that you don’t feel dragged all around the country. Besides, it is also located in the Andean Choco, so you can easily enjoy the Ecuadorian biodiversity from this spot. There's a reason to why Mindo is recognized as a great sighting point internationally: there are over 1600 bird species in the area.

And even if you are still not interested in the Christmas Bird Count, you can enjoy Mindo's different hotspots just for a pleasant and relaxing trip. From the colorful Butterfly Garden or Mariposario to the mesmerizing waterfalls of the zone, there is no way you will leave Mindo without falling in love with at least one part of it.

So, why miss the chance to come to Mindo and enjoy this unique place with all its wonders and exciting experiences? We especially recommend our 7-day tour: The Best of Ecuador, which includes a complete experience in Mindo and some of Ecuador's most important tourist spots. But if long trips are not what you are expecting, don’t forget to check out our one-day tours.

Written by Juan Fernando Acosta