Harpy Eagle in Limoncocha
Harpy Eagle in Avila Viejo
Harpy Eagle Avila Viejo
12 December 2023
Where can I observe the Harpy Eagle Nest in Ecuador?
The Harpy Eagle, is the largest and most powerful raptor in the world, its at the top of the food chain. Its natural habitat is the tropical lowland rainforests, but due to the destruction of its habitat it has caused it to vanish from many places. Now, its a critical endangered bird specie, and fortunately the last 4-years we have found 2 different nests in the Ecuadorian Amazon, close to Yasuni National Park and in Avila Viejo Community.
The 1st Location - Limoncocha Reserve
The First Harpy Eagle Nest was found on February 2021, near Limoncocha Biological Reserve. Throughout the year we have been monitoring this rare and unique specie. Even though the location is quite remote in the Lower Amazon Basin, we were able to visit every 3 months with our birding clients and watch the evolution of the chick to a mature juvenile harpy eagle has been unique!
To be able to observe this specie we needed a Private Canoe transfer from Pompeya Norte to Napo Islands and Limoncocha Reserve. At the Harpy Eagle Reserve its required a small hike through the swamp (in rainy season) or a smooth mud trail (in dry season). Now (December 2022), it is still possible to observe the Adult Harpy Eagle at the reserve and we have recently discover that the Adult Harpies are building another nest in the same area. Hopefully next year in 2023 we will have a new Harpy and new hope to this rare specie.
2nd Location - Upper Amazon Basin Avila Viejo Community
The Second Harpy Eagle Nest was found in the Summer of 2022 at a indigenous community near Loreto Town. To access this nest it requires an early start at 4:30am, as the start of the trail is around 1 hour from the town. From here its a short hike for about 1 hour that requires crossing 2-small-streams in rainny season. We aim early birding to try to observe the Harpy Adults as well. Now, the Juvenile Harpy Eagle is frequently observe near the nest, as its learning to fly. We hope to see this specie until July 2023 at this location.
If you want to observe this specie please contact us! The reserve is about 5 hours from Quito. We usually visit this reserve on our 12 Days East Slope Tour, 15 Days Birding Tour or Extension to Limoncocha Reserve, only when the harpy eagle nest is active. Check with our team if there is an active nest in the current days.
3rd Location - Sacha Lodge
In late 2023 a 3rd nest was found near Sacha Lodge, but unfortunately the Egg was infertile. The adults remain in the area and its still possible to observe the Harpy Eagle in this reserve.
Next Steps?
- Request if there is an active Harpy Eagle Nest with our Tour Manager Diego Cruz.
- If not, is still possible to observe it in Limoncocha Lagoon in our Amazon Birding Tours, as this is their habitat and due to the open spaces of the lagoon it could be easier to spot it, rather than in the amazonian forest trails.
- Book one of our Tailor-made Birding and Wildlife Tours in Ecuador
How can I contact my Tour Manager?
- You can reach Diego Cruz, our tour manager and organizer, 24/7 via WhatsApp at +593 993732879 or by email at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . He will be in constant communication with our guides and staff to run a smooth birding tour for you.
We look forward to have you with us and thanks for Choosing Ecuador Birds Tours. If you have any questions please let us know.
