Limoncocha National Biological Reserve

Localization

Northeast Ecuador; 210 km east of Quito, east of Coca (No. 10 in the map on Ecuador introducing page)

Access

Easy, by boat.

Characteristic

53 km², Lowland region in a drainage basin of Napo river. Part of the reserve is permanently or periodically flooded. Typical ecosystems: tropical rain forest, gallery forest, lagoons and wetlands, river biotopes. Extraordinary biodoversity of fauna and flora.

Fauna + Flora

Mammals:

Marsupials - Opossums (Didelphidae): Brown-eared Woolly Opossum

Bats - Bulldog Bats (Noctilionidae): Greater Bulldog Bat

- New World Leaf-nosed Bats (Phyllostomidae): Large Fruit-eating Bat

Primates - New World Monkeys (Cebidae): White-fronted Capuchin; South American Squirrel-Monkey; Black-mantled Tamarin; Golden-mantled Tamarin

- Titis, Sakis and Uakaris (Pitheciidae): Red-crowned Titi

- Spider Monkeys and Wooly Monkeys (Atelidae): Red Howler Monkey

- Night Monkeys (Aotidae): Noisy Night Monkey

Edentata - Anteaters (Myrmecophagidae): Giant Anteater

- Megalonychid Sloths (Megalonychidae): Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

- Three-toed Sloths (Bradypodidae): Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth; Pale-throated Three-toed Sloth

- Armadillos (Dasypodidae): Giant Armadillo; Nine-banded Armadillo

Lagomorphs - Rabbits and Hears (Leporidae): Forest Rabbit

Rodents - Squirrels (Sciuridae): Northern Amazon Red Squirrel

- Guinea Pigs (Caviidae): Capybara

- Agoutis and Acuchis (Dasyproctidae): Green Acuchi; Black Agouti; Kalinowski´s Agouti

- Pacas (Agoutidae): Paca

Carnivores - Weasels, Otters, Badgers (Mustelidae): Giant Otter

- Procyonids (Procyonidae): Kinkajou

- Cats (Felidae): Jaguar; Ocelot; Puma

Dugongs and Manatees - Manatees (Trichechidae): Amazonian Manatee

Odd-toed Ungulates - Tapirs (Tapiridae): South American Tapir

Even-toed Ungulates - Peccaries (Tayassuidae): Colared Peccary; White-lipped Peccary

Birds:

450 bird species

Tinamiformes - Tinamous (Tinamidae): Cinereous Tinamou; Undulated Tinamou; Variegated Tinamou

Pelecaniformes - Anhingas (Anhingidae): Anhinga

- Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoarcidae): Neotropic Cormorant

Ciconiiformes - Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (Ardeidae): Cattle Egret; Snowy Egret; Great White Egret; Agami Heron; Great Blue Heron; Capped Heron; Cocoi Heron; Striated Heron; Rufescent Tiger-Heron

- Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae): Roseate Spoonbill

Anseriformes - Gees, Swans and Ducks (Anatidae): Muscovy Duck

Birds of Prey - American Vultures (Cathartidae): American Black Vulture; King Vulture; Turkey Vulture; Greater Yellow-headed Vulture

- Ospreys (Pandionidae): Osprey

- Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Kites and Old World Vultures (Accipitridae): Roadside Hawk; Black Hawk-Eagle; Ornate Hawk-Eagle; Plumbeous Kite; Slender-billed Kite; Swallow-tailed Kite

- Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae): Black Caracara; Yellow-headed Caracara; Bat Falcon; Lined Forest-Falcon

Galliformes - Chachalacas, Guans and Curassows (Cracidae): Specled Chachalaca; Spix's Guan

- Quails (Odontophoridae): Marbled Wood-Quail

Gruiformes - Rails, Crakes, Coots and Gallinules (Rallidae): Grey-breasted Crake; Azure Gallinule; Purple Gallinule; Grey-necked Wood-Rail

- Finfoots and Sungrebes (Heliornithidae): Sungrebe

- Sunbitterns (Eurypygidae): Subittern

Charadriiformes - Jacanas (Jacanidae): Wattled Jacana

- Wading Birds (Scolopacidae): Spotted Sandpiper; White-rumped Sandpiper; Greater Yellowlegs

- Plovers (Charadriidae): Pied Lapwing; Collared Plover

- Terns (Sternidae): Large-billed Tern; Yellow-billed Tren

- Skimmers (Rhynchopidae): Black Skimmer

Columbiformes - Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae): Gray-fronted Dove; White-tipped Dove; Ruddy Ground-Dove; Ruddy Quail-Dove; Pale-vented Pigeon; Plumbeous Pigeon

Psittaciformes - Parrots (Psittacidae): Blue-and-yellow Macaw; Chestnut-fronted Macaw; Red-bellied Macaw; Scarlet Macaw; Cobalt-winged Parakeet; Dusky-headed Parakeet; Maroon-tailed Parakeet; Black-headed Parrot; Mealy Parrot; Orange-cheeked Parrot; Orange-winged Parrot; Yellow-crowned Parrot; Blue-winged Parrotlet; Dusky-billed Parrotlet; Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet

Strigiformes - Owls (Strigidae): Band-bellied Owl; Black-banded Owl; Tawny-bellied Screech Owl; Tropical Screech Owl; Spectacled Owl; Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl

Cuculiformes - Cuckoos, Anis, Coucals and Roadrunners (Cuculidae): Greater Ani; Smooth-billed Ani; Black-bellied Cuckoo; Squirrel Cuckoo

Opisthocomiformes - Hoatzins (Opisthocomidae): Hoatzin

Goatsuckers - Nightjars (Caprimulgidae): Sand-colored Nighthawk; Short-tailed Nighthawk

- Potoos (Nyctibiidae): Common Potoo; Great Potoo; Long-tailed Potoo

Apodiformes - Swifts (Apodidae): Fork-tailed Palm-Swift; Chestnut-collared Swift; Pale-rumped Swift; Short-tailed Swift; White-collared Swift

- Hummingbirds (Trochilidae): Pale-tailed Barbthroat; Glittering-throated Emerald; Black-eared Fairy; Great-billed Hermit; White-bearded Hermit; Olive-spotted Hummingbird; Bronzy Inca; White-necked Jacobin; Black-throated Mango; Grey-breasted Sabrewing; Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Trogoniformes - Trogons (Trogonidae): Black-tailed Trogon; Violaceous Trogon; White-tailed Trogon

Coraciiformes - Kingfishers (Alcedinidae): Amazon Kingfisher; Green Kingfisher; Green-and-rufous Kingfisher; American Pygmy Kingfisher; Ringed Kingfisher

- Motmots (Momotidae): Blue-crowned Motmot; Rufous Motmot

Galbuliformes - Jacamars (Galbulidae): Brown Jacamar; Great Jacamar; Purplish Jacamar; White-chinned Jacamar; Yellow-billed Jacamar

- Puffbirds (Bucconidae): Black-fronted Nunbird; White-fronted Nunbird; Brown Nunlet; Collared Puffbird; Swallow-wing Puffbird; White-necked Puffbird

Piciformes - Barbets (Capitonidae): Gilded Barbet; Lemon-throated Barbet; Scarlet-crowned Barbet

- Toucans (Ramphastidae): Chestnut-eared Aracari; Ivory-billed Aracari; Lettered Aracari; Many-banded Aracari; Channel-billed Toucan; Red-billed Toucan; Golden-collared Toucanet

- Woodpeckers, Wrynecks and Piculets (Picidae): Lafresnaye's Piculet; Chestnut Woodpecker; Cream-colored Woodpecker; Crimson-crested Woodpecker; Golden-green Woodpecker; Little Woodpecker; Red-stained Woodpecker; Scaly-breasted Woodpecker; Spot-breasted Woodpecker; White-throated Woodpecker; Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

Perching Birds - Woodcreepers (Dendrocolapidae): Red-billed Scythebill; Barred Woodcreeper; Buff-throated Woodcreeper; Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper; Elegant Woodcreeper; Long-billed Woodcreeper; Plain-brown Woodcreeper; Straight-billed Woodcreeper; Striped Woodcreeper; Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

- Ovenbirds or Horneros (Furnariidae): Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner; Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner; Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner; Chestnut-winged Hookbill; Lesser Hornero; Black-tailed Leaftosser; Point-tailed Palmcreeper; Orange-fronted Plushcrown; Ash-browed Spinetail; Plain-crowned Spinetail; Speckled Spinetail; Striped Woodhaunter

- Antshrikes (Thamnophilidae): Black-and-white Antbird; Black-faced Antbird; Blackish Antbird; Dot-backed Antbird; Grey Antbird; Plumbeous Antbird; Scale-backed Antbird; Silvered Antbird; Sooty Antbird; Spot-backed Antbird; Warbling Antbird; White-plumed Antbird; White-shouldered Antbird; Barred Antshrike; Black-throated Antshrike; Castelnau’s Antshrike; Cinereous Antshrike; Cocha Antshrike; Fasciated Antshrike; Mouse-colored Antshrike; Plain-winged Antshrike; Spot-winged Antshrike; Undulated Antshrike; Dugland´s Antwren; Grey Antwren; Long-winged Antwren; Plain-throated Antwren; Pygmy Antwren; Rufous-tailed Antwren; White-flanked Antwren; Black-spotted Bare-eye

- Antbirds (Formicariidae): Thrush-like Antpitta; Black-faced Antthrush; Rufous-capped Antthrush

- Antpipits and Gnateaters (Conopophagidae): Chestnut-belted Gnateater

- Cotingas (Cotingidae): Purple-throated Cotinga; Spangled Cotinga; Fiery-throated Fruiteater; Bare-necked Fruitcrow; Purple-throated Fruitcrow; Cinereous Mourner; Black-necked Red-Cotinga; Screaming Piha

- Manakins (Pipridae): Blue-crowned Manakin; White-crowned Manakin; Wire-tailed Manakin; Wing-barred Piprites

- Tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae): Rusty-belted Tapaculo

- Tyrants (Tyrannidae): Bright-rumped Attila; Cinnamon Attila; Black-capped Becard; Chestnut-crowned Becard; Pink-throated Becard; White-winged Becard; Grey-crowned Flatbill; Dusky-chested Flycatcher; Grey-capped Flycatcher; Piratic Flycatcher; Rufous-breasted Flycatcher; Sepia-capped Flycatcher; Short-crested Flycatcher; Crowned Slaty Flycatcher; Social Flycatcher; Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher; Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher; Willow Flycatcher; Yellow-margined Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Tropical Kingbird; White-throated Kingbird; Great Kiskadee; Lesser Kiskadee; Greyish Mourner; Greater Schiffornis; Sirystes; White-throated Spadebill; Black-tailed Tityra; Spotted Tody-Flycatcher; Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher; White-eyed Tody-Tyrant; River Tyrannulet; Slender-footed Tyrannulet; Long-tailed Tyrant; River Tyrannulet; Eastern Wood-Pewee; Drab Water-Tyrant

- Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae): Brown-chested Martin; Southern Rough-wing Swallow; White-banded Swallow; White-winged Swallow

- Crows and Jays (Corvidae): Violaceous Jay

- Thrushes and Chats (Turdidae): Black-billed Thrush; Hauxwell’s Thrush; Lawrence’s Thrush; Swainson's Thrush; White-necked Thrush

- Wrens (Troglodytidae): Black-capped Donacobius; White-breasted Wood-Wren; Coraya Wren; Thrush-like Wren

- Tanagers (Thraupidae): Black-faced Dacnis; Blue Dacnis; White-bellied Dacnis; Orange-bellied Euphonia; Rufous-bellied Euphonia; Thick-billed Euphonia; White-lored Euphonia; Purple Honeycreeper; Blue-grey Tanager; Flame-crested Tanager; Green-and-gold Tanager; Grey-headed Tanager; Masked Crimson Tanager; Magpie Tanager; Opal-crowned Tanager; Palm Tanager; Paradise Tanager; Scarlet Tanager; Silver-beaked Tanager; Spotted Tanager; Swallow Tanager; Turquoise Tanager; Yellow-bellied Tanager

- Blackbirds, Orioles and Cowbirds (Icteridae): Oriole Blackbird; Solitary Cacique; Yellow-rumped Cacique; Giant Cowbird; Shiny Cowbird; Great-tailed Grackle; Velvet-fronted Grackle; Pampas Meadowlark; Moriche Oriole; Casqued Oropendola; Crested Oropendola; Russet-backed Oropendola

- Cardinals and Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae): Red-capped Cardinal; Buff-throated Saltator; Greyish Saltator; Streaked Saltator

- Vireos (Vireonidae): Dusky-capped Greenlet; Red-eyed Vireo; Yellow-green Vireo

- Warblers (Parulidae): Blackpoll Warbler; Northern Waterthrush

- Bananaquits (Coerebidae): Bananaquit

- Buntings, American Sparrows, Juncos, etc. (Emberizidae): Black-and-white Seedeater; Caquetá Seedeater; Chestnut-bellied Seedeater; Yellow-browed Sparrow

Reptiles:

Lizards and Snakes - Whiptails and Tegus (Teiidae): Common Tegu (Tupinambis teguixin)

Crocodilia - Alligators (Alligatoridae): Black Caiman

Amphibians:

Plethodontoidea - Cave Salamanders (Plethodontidae): Bolitoglossa equatoriana

Non-cartilaginous Fishes:

Batoidei - River Stringrays (Potamotrygonidae): Potamotrygon hystrix

Fish:

41 fish species

Knifefishes - Nakebacked Knifefishes (Gymnotidae): Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus)

Characiformes - Characins (Characidae): Black Piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus)

Plants:

Dicotyledons:

Magnoliales - Myristicaceae: Virola (Virola sp.)

Malvales - Bombacaceae: Cotton Tree (Bombax sp.); Quararibea sp.

Rosales - Moraceae: Fig (Ficus sp.)

Monocotyledons:

Alismatales - Aroids (Araceae): Aninga (Montrichardia linifera) - dominant wetland species

Arecales - Arecaceae: Bactris Palm (Bactris sp.); Mauritia sp.; Mauritiella aculeata - dominant tree in periodically flooded areas

Possible activities

Excellent birwatching possibilities

Fishing on piranhas

Note

Region is continually threatened by increasing oil activity.

Opportunity to visit several local people communities

Best time to visit XII-II