See the five Toucans in Mindo, Ecuador.
“With luck, you’ll spot all five Toucans in Mindo’s cloud forest in the next 72 hours.”
My guide’s optimism felt as fragile and light as the mosses wisping around a nearby lichenous Ocotea tree. Still, it was 05.30, and the morning light was bringing clarity to an increasingly vocal canopy.
All that was left to do was wait and see.
What Are the Five Species of Toucan in Mindo?
The five species of toucan that attract birdwatchers from around the world to Mindo are:
- Plate-billed Mountain Toucan
- Choco Toucan
- Yellow-throated Toucan
- Crimson-Rumped Toucanet
- Collared Aracari
We’d set up at Mashpi Amagusa, where all four toucans apart from the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan might step out of the mist at the sparkling dew-doused viewing platform.
Spectacular Biodiversity in Ecuador’s Mindo Cloud Forest
Mindo is also home to Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks, antpittas, monkeys, snakes, bears, deers, and scores of amphibians. These fertile lands, criss-crossed with picture-perfect waterfalls and mountain views, are where some of Ecuador’s richest chocolate and coffee grow, their fruity aromas seemingly penetrated by the lush tropical forest fruits.
Our five toucans are among 400 species of birds that populate Mindo, an incredibly biodiverse region. As dawn turned to day, woodpeckers, tanagers, and hummingbirds added their feathery splashes to the forest’s tapestry.
Before we left Mashpi Amagusa, we’d seen two of the five toucans: the Crimson-Rumped Toucanet and the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan.
Amazing Wildlife Abounds
A stoat-like tayra had delighted with a cheeky banana-robbing routine. Check its moves on Instagram.
Later, a pair of hard-to-spot Dark-backed Wood-Quails appeared. This is without mentioning the pyrotechnic display of numerous hummingbirds, tanagers, and barbettes.
We leapt into the car and set off for our next destination to pursue more toucans.
Expect the Unexpected in Mindo
The warmth in the air made for a sleepy return drive to Sachatamia Lodge, a more than comfortable base from which to explore Mindo’s rich cloud forests. The lodge has its own wildlife attractions, from rodent-esque agoutis to frogs to a discerning black and white owl who appears after dusk.
The deserted, bumpy dirt road, expertly handled by our guide in his 4×4, was rocking me to an early siesta. The engine cut.
“Wake up.”
Faster than a hummingbird’s wing beat, the guide was out of the car, binoculars tracking the prize.
“Choco Toucan. In the branches of that tree.”
The Choco Toucan sports a stunning black and yellow bill shaded like two obtuse triangles welded together, a yellow chest, a red tail, and a black body. It posed long enough to be identified and then flew into the canopy.
You truly never know what you will see when you are in Mindo. Three down.
Dancing With Shakira the Ochre-Breasted Antpitta
Mindo is also famous for ground-dwelling birds, particularly Refugio de la Paz in the Chocó Andes.
Here, farmer Angél Paz and his family turned their farm to eco-tourism. Two decades in, Refugio de la Paz boasts 458 recorded bird species, including protected species like the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Giant Antpitta, and the Ochre-breasted Antpitta.
There was no luck finding Andean Cock-of-the-rock. Angél and his family are experts at coaxing the forest-floor birds out, knowing their habits, favourite spots, and timings.
We tried three different branches to find specific must-see species.
A steep forest path led down to a cleft in the hill from which a Rufous-breasted Ant Thrush danced into view. Next, a non-descript roadside verge became a viewing platform for a Giant Antpitta, who responded to Angél’s calls before turning tail and hiding from view.
Finally, the famous Ochre-breasted Antpitta, nicknamed Shakira. This small but beautiful bird is famous for wiggling her body, apparently like the Colombian hip-shaking singer.
The Antpitta duly skipped onto a branch and performed some moves before going about her day. These fantastic hours hadn’t produced any more toucans, though.
Collared Aracari Appears at Frutti Tours
Another day, another eco-lodge bursting with possibilities. Mindo is dotted with reserves, each at different altitudes and unique microclimates that attract specific wildlife.
Leaving the cloud forest mists, we headed below 1,000m/3,330 ft to visit the Frutti Tours coffee plantation. Its guardian, Marcelo, is a hunter-turned-ecologist, a charismatic raconteur who turned his love of hunting into a passion for conservation.
Blue-grey Tanagers are nesting next to his home, and prized species like Bronzy Hermit hummingbirds and Lineated Woodpeckers to spot. But as a short afternoon mist drifted past, ears pricked to an approaching sound.
“Telescope.”
My guide, Javier, had lasered in on a toucan in the distance. Looking down the scope, a beautiful Collared Aracari appeared.
“Look!”
It flew closer and closer still. Within twenty seconds, it was eating fruit about 10 yards from our faces. Four from five, and the closest we’d been to any toucan thus far. Being in such proximity to these beautiful animals in the wild is one of the true privileges Mindo affords guests.
More Cloud Forest Lodges in Mindo
My days were spent blissfully in what became my birdwatching bubble. Early morning starts and carrying packed breakfasts to remote spots before sunrise became the norm.
We’d spend the next four to five hours watching, noting, and listening to dozens of species. Allowing time to reach a standstill made seconds pass like hours while observing birds, many of which obligingly lingered long enough for fantastic photographs.
Yet the hours passed like seconds, and we’d be soon heading to our next cloud forest zone and lodge, which included:
- Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge: toucans, tanagers, hummingbirds
- Maquipucuna: owls, hummingbirds, tanagers
- Sachatamia: owls, hummingbirds, tanagers
- El Monte: birdwatching in the wild
- GuayCapi: toucans, hummingbirds
- Reserva Alambi: hummingbirds, tanagers, +250 species of birds.
- Reserva Zumo Loma: Ocellated Tapaculo, hummingbirds
- San Tadeo: hummingbirds and views
The Yellow-throated Toucan remained elusive. The fifth toucan wasn’t to be seen by these eyes. However, four from five and almost 200 species recorded in a few days, plus tayras, bats, glowworms, countless beetles, ants, and even the cute kinkajou were ample recompense.
And that’s before swimming in waterfalls, hiking in forests that hug your soul, and enjoying unsurpassable Ecuadorian hospitality and food among nature.
Eleven Fun Facts About Toucans
- A Toucan’s identifying large bill is a hollow, keratin-based lightweight tool, four times the size of its head.
- A Toucan bill is perfect for eating fruits, nuts, seeds, small insects, rodents, and birds, but useless in defence if attacked. Their bills also help them cool down.
- The name toucan comes from its croak-like song; some species sound more like a bark, growl, or a braying donkey.
- Like woodpeckers, toucans are zygodactylous: two toes point forward and two backwards, helping them grab and remain stable on branches.
- Tree cavities are Toucan’s preferred nesting sites.
- Eagles, hawks, and owls all eat toucans, while snakes and jaguars may invade their nests.
- Toucans often travel in small flocks but are largely monogamous during breeding season.
- Females lay one to five eggs in each clutch.
- Mountain Toucans live at altitudes up to 3,600m/1,900 feet in the Andes Mountains.
- Toucans are monomorphic, meaning males and females look the same.
- Captured toucans can live up to 18 years; wild toucan lifespans are unknown.
Is Mindo Cloud Forest Worth Visiting?
Mindo is one of Ecuador’s finest attractions. This biodiversity hotspot lies a couple of hours’ drive north of Quito. The roads are generally tarmac, but they turn to dirt roads passable with comfortable 4×4 cars when visiting remote lodges.
Other wildlife hotspots in Ecuador include the Mashpi Reserve, Yasuni National Park, Río Bigal Biological Reserve, and Podocarpus National Park.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Mindo?
Mindo is a year-round destination. Expect rain throughout the year, but June to November gives the driest weather. September to December is the best time to spot spectacled bears.
The wetter months of December to May mean more fruit on trees, attracting more birds. Toucans are present year-round in Mindo.
How Many Toucans Species Live In Ecuador?
There are 17 species of toucan in Ecuador. They are:
- Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus)
- Choco Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)
- Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus)
- Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
- Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris)
- Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca)
- Black-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena nigrirostris)
- White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus)
- Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus)
- Lettered Aracari (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
- Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)
- Many-banded Aracari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
- Ivory-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus azara)
- Southern Emerald-Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta)
- Chestnut-tipped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus derbianus)
- Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis)
- Golden-collared Toucanet (Selenidera reinwardtii)
