F.A.Q

List of Hummingbirds

  1. Amethyst-throated Sunangel -Heliangelus amethysticollis
  2. Andean Emerald — Uranomitra franciae
  3. Baron's Hermit - Phaethornis baroni
  4. Black-tailed Trainbearer — Lesbia victoriae 
  5. Black-throated Brilliant — Heliodoxa schreibersii 
  6. Booted Racket-tail — Ocreatus underwoodii 
  7. Brown Inca — Coeligena wilsoni 
  8. Bronzy Inca - Coeligena coeligena
  9. Buff-tailed Coronet — Boissonneaua flavescens 
  10. Buff-winged Starfrontlet - Coeligena lutetiae
  11. Chestnut-breasted Coronet — Boissonneaua matthewsii 
  12. Collared Inca — Coeligena torquata 
  13. Crowned Woodnymph — Thalurania colombica 
  14. Ecuadorian Hillstar — Oreotrochilus chimborazo 
  15. Empress Brilliant — Heliodoxa imperatrix 
  16. Fawn-breasted Brilliant — Heliodoxa rubinoides
  17. Flame-throated Sunangel  - Heliangelus micraster
  18. Fork-tailed Woodnymph — Thalurania furcata
  19. Giant Hummingbird — Patagona gigas
  20. Glowing Puffleg — Eriocnemis vestita
  21. Golden-breasted Puffleg - Eriocnemis mosquera
  22. Golden-tailed Sapphire — Chrysuronia oenone
  23. Gorgeted Sunangel — Heliangelus strophianus
  24. Gorgeted woodstar - Chaetocercus heliodor
  25. Gould’s Jewelfront — Heliodoxa aurescens
  26. Great Sapphirewing — Pterophanes cyanopterus
  27. Green-crowned Brilliant — Heliodoxa jacula
  28. Green-fronted Lancebill — Doryfera ludovicae
  29. Green Hermit — Phaethornis guy
  30. Green Thorntail — Discosura conversii
  31. Green-tailed Trainbearer — Lesbia nuna
  32. Lesser Violetear — Colibri thalassinus 
  33. Little Woodstar — Chaetocercus bombus
  34. Long-billed Starthroat - Heliomaster longirostris
  35. Long-tailed Sylph — Aglaiocercus kingii 
  36. Many-spotted Hummingbird — Taphrospilus hypostictus
  37.  Mountain Velvetbreast — Lafresnaya lafresnayi 
  38. Napo Sabrewing — Campylopterus villaviscensio 
  39. Peruvian Racket-tail — Ocreatus peruanus 
  40. Purple-bibbed Whitetip — Urosticte benjamini 
  41. Purple-crowned Fairy - Heliothryx barroti
  42. Purple-throated Sunangel — Heliangelus viola 
  43. Purple-throated Woodstar — Philodice mitchellii 
  44.  Rufous-tailed Hummingbird — Amazilia tzacatl 
  45. Sapphire-vented Puffleg — Eriocnemis luciani 
  46. Shining Sunbeam — Aglaeactis cupripennis 
  47. Speckled Hummingbird — Adelomyia melanogenys 
  48. Sparkling Violetear — Colibri coruscans 
  49. Spangled Coquette — Lophornis stictolophus 
  50. Sword-billed Hummingbird — Ensifera ensifera
  51. Tawny-bellied hermit - Phaethornis syrmatophorus
  52. Tyrian Metaltail — Metallura tyrianthina
  53. Velvet-purple Coronet - Boissonneaua jardini
  54. Violet-tailed Sylph — Aglaiocercus coelestis
  55. Violet-fronted Brilliant — Heliodoxa leadbeateri 
  56. Violet-headed Hummingbird — Klais guimeti
  57. Violet-bellied Hummingbird — Chlorestes julie
  58. Western Emerald — Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus 
  59. White-bellied Woodstar — Chaetocercus mulsant
  60. White-booted Racket-tail — Ocreatus underwoodii
  61. White-necked Jacobin — Florisuga mellivora
  62. White-tailed Hillstar — Urochroa bougueri
  63. White-tipped Sicklebill — Eutoxeres aquila 
  64. White-whiskered Hermit - Phaethornis yaruqui
  65. Wire-crested Thorntail — Discosura popelairii
What is included:
  • Bilingual tour leader (English and Spanish).
  • Security from the Airport meeting to the last day
  • Personalized instruction
  • Welcome dinner on the arrival date.
  • Airport transfers in Ecuador.
  • Transportation between lodges and accommodations.
  • Entrance fees to photography sites.
  • Comfortable accommodations (hot water, internet, etc.)
  • All meals at the lodges.
  • Use of multiflash photography and LED equipment
We will provide flowers, props, and perches
What is not included
  • Anything not included in the list.
  • Tips that you want to give voluntarily to the local workers.
  • Bar tab at the lodges.
  • Hospitalizations (God forbid).
  • Evacuation expenses in case of illness.
  • Air transport to and from Quito.
  • Government fees on passports, airport fees, and the like.
  • Laundry and phone fees of the individual participants.
  • International airfare and airport taxes.
  • Items for personal use, such as toiletries, etc.
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended).
     Additional tours are offered in hotels (spa, massage, etc.)
  • Long-distance phone calls.
What to bring:
  • - Shirts with long sleeves- Light shirts with long sleeves- Light long pants- A jacket- Hat or cap- Footwear with good grip- Repellent- 
  • Sunscreen- 
  • Medicines and personal hygiene products
  • - Digital camera and at least a 400 mm lens with tripod and flash
  • -Sandals
  • - Sunglasses
Money-back Guarantee
If I fail to show you more than 50 different species of hummingbirds for you to photograph, I will return your full registration fee within a week, no questions asked.

This demonstrates my good faith, responsibility, and commitment to your goals in taking this photography course.
Fitness requirements
The physical requirements are minimal since all the hummingbird sites are within walking distance.


Photography Skill Level
The tour is aimed at all photographers, from early amateurs to accomplished pros.
Will I have to share a room?
No, all participants will be provided with single rooms.
Will there be internet access?
Yes, Internet access will be available throughout the trip.
Climate in Ecuador:
Ecuador’s climate is as diverse as its hummingbirds. Because the country straddles the equator, temperatures are determined more by altitude than by season — allowing us to experience several climates in a single journey.

Quito (9,350 ft) enjoys crisp mornings and sunny afternoons, with daytime temperatures around 65–70°F and cooler evenings that can dip to 50°F. Light jackets or sweaters are ideal.
The lowest elevation will be at Guayaquil, which is at sea level.

In the northwestern Pichincha cloud forests (4,000–6,000 ft), such as Mindo and Mashpi, the air is warmer and more humid, averaging 70–80°F during the day with occasional mist or showers.

Further south, at the Jocotoco Foundation reserves like Tapichalaca, Buenaventura, and Utuana (3,000–8,500 ft), temperatures vary widely: from 55°F in the high Andean forests to 80°F in the subtropical valleys.

Because of these contrasts, the best advice is simple: dress in layers. A light base layer, a warm fleece, and a waterproof outer shell will keep you comfortable whether you’re photographing under gentle rain or golden sunlight.

How about electricity?
Ecuador has the same 110-120 V electricity as the US and exactly the same sockets, so there is no need for adaptors.
How about Currency
Ecuador uses the same US Dollar, so there is no need to exchange money if you are coming from the US.
Can I bring a non-photographer spouse or friend.
Yes, you can. That person will receive a discount of $1000, and both of you will share a room.