Yanacocha, is located on the northwest flank of Volcán Pichincha at ca. 3200-3400 m above sea level on the northwestern flank of the volcano remained one of the more reliable remaining locations for the Critically Endangered hummingbird, the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), who has a tiny world range centred on and near Volcán Pichincha, the volcano that towers over Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. In 2005 the puffleg was adopted as the ‘emblematic bird of Quito’ and the reserve declared as a ‘natural patrimonio’ of the city. This forest has provided water for Quito since pre-Columbian times, and today it remains an important source of water to northern Quito and the town of Nono.

Key species:

Sapayoa, Great

Green Macaw,

Banded

Ground-cuckoo,

Long-wattled

Umbrellabird,

Brown-headed

Spider Monkeys.