127th Audubon Christmas Bird Count
ECSY – Shiripuno Lodge, Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Orellana, Ecuador
Count Birds. Celebrate Nature. Protect the Amazon.
A Community Science Initiative in the Heart of Yasuni
A New Chapter for Bird Conservation in Yasuní
Join an extraordinary bird-counting initiative in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Discover the extraordinary birdlife of Yasuní alongside local naturalist guides, international birdwatchers and a community-approved conservation initiative.
A New Chapter for Bird Conservation in Yasuní
Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, in the heart of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Shiripuno Lodge is contributing to a global tradition of community science: the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
For the 2026–2027 season, Shiripuno Lodge is an active Christmas Bird Count circle, identified in historical Audubon documentation as ECSY – Shiripuno Lodge, Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Orellana, Ecuador.
With Indigenous community approval, this initiative brings together local knowledge, naturalist guides, international birdwatchers and conservation-minded visitors to document the extraordinary birdlife of one of the world’s most biodiverse rainforest regions.
But this is more than an annual bird count.
It is an opportunity to establish a lasting contribution to biodiversity knowledge in Yasuní and to connect the Christmas Bird Count with the development of the Shiripuno Wildlife Research Program.
Count birds today. Monitor biodiversity for generations.
From the heart of Yasuní, we join a hemispheric community counting birds for conservation.
THE AUDUBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
The Christmas Bird Count began in 1900 as a conservation alternative to traditional Christmas bird hunting.
What started as a small initiative has grown into one of the world’s longest-running community science programs.
Every year, thousands of volunteers across the Americas participate in organized bird censuses, collecting information that helps researchers understand changes in bird populations and distributions.
The 127th Christmas Bird Count season takes place from December 14, 2026, through January 5, 2027.
Each count circle conducts its census on one designated day within this period.
By participating, birdwatchers contribute observations to a long-term scientific record that supports research and conservation throughout the Americas.
Learn more about the official program:
https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
SHIRIPUNO: AN ACTIVE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT CIRCLE
The Shiripuno Lodge count circle represents an opportunity to document bird diversity in a remote Amazonian rainforest landscape.
Located in the Yasuní region of Ecuador, the circle provides access to a variety of tropical habitats, including:
- Terra firme rainforest.
- Seasonally flooded forests.
- River margins and riparian vegetation.
- Oxbow lakes and wetlands.
- Natural forest clearings.
- Secondary vegetation and forest edges.
These environments support diverse bird communities and provide opportunities to observe species with different ecological requirements.
Our counting activities will be organized according to the established Audubon circle boundaries and official counting methodology.
Bird observations will include species identification, individual counts, observation locations and the effort information required by the official protocol.
We aim to encourage participation by experienced birdwatchers, local observers, researchers, students and visitors interested in tropical biodiversity.
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY APPROVAL AND PARTICIPATION
Conservation in Yasuní cannot be separated from the people and communities who inhabit this landscape.
The Christmas Bird Count initiative at Shiripuno has received Indigenous community approval, providing an important foundation for developing community-supported biodiversity observation and conservation activities.
We recognize the Waorani people’s deep knowledge of the rainforest, its wildlife, plants, rivers and ecological relationships.
Our approach seeks to connect scientific observation with local knowledge while respecting Indigenous rights, territorial governance and cultural values.
The initiative promotes:
- Community-supported bird monitoring.
- Participation of local observers and naturalist guides.
- Recognition of traditional ecological knowledge.
- Educational opportunities for younger generations.
- Responsible nature tourism.
- Long-term biodiversity documentation.
We believe that conservation becomes stronger when local communities are recognized as essential participants in understanding and protecting their territories.
EXPLORE THE BIRDLIFE OF YASUNÍ
The rainforest surrounding Shiripuno offers opportunities to observe an extraordinary variety of tropical birds.
Among the groups that visitors may encounter are:
Macaws and parrots
Colorful parrots and macaws moving through the forest canopy and along river corridors.
Toucans and aracaris
Distinctive rainforest birds associated with fruiting trees and forest habitats.
Antbirds and woodcreepers
Specialized forest species often observed following mixed-species flocks and exploring the understory.
Hoatzins and aquatic birds
Characteristic birds of oxbow lakes, flooded vegetation and river environments.
Kingfishers and riverside specialists
Birds associated with the rivers, streams and wetlands of the Amazon.
Nocturnal birds
Owls and other nocturnal species that can be investigated through responsible night observations and acoustic monitoring.
Every observation contributes to a better understanding of the diversity of life in this region.
Join the 27th Audubon Christmas Bird Count ECSY – Shiripuno Lodge, Yasuní - Ecuador
JOIN THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
MORE THAN A BIRD COUNT: THE BEGINNING OF LONG-TERM BIODIVERSITY MONITORING
The Shiripuno Christmas Bird Count is connected to a broader scientific vision.
We are developing the Shiripuno Wildlife Research Program, an initiative dedicated to documenting and monitoring biodiversity in the Yasuní rainforest.
Birds provide an important starting point for understanding tropical ecosystems, but our scientific ambitions extend beyond ornithology.
The research program aims to develop complementary monitoring activities involving:
Bird diversity monitoring
Systematic bird surveys, species inventories, habitat observations and long-term records.
Our vision is to connect community science, scientific research and long-term conservation through a shared biodiversity monitoring framework.
The Christmas Bird Count can become an annual opportunity to reconnect participants with the forest and contribute to a growing history of observations.
JOIN THE EXPEDITION
We invite international birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, naturalists, researchers and students to experience the Yasuní rainforest and participate in this initiative.
An expedition to Shiripuno is an opportunity to explore a remote part of the Amazon through birdwatching, nature observation and local guiding.
Possible activities include:
- Early-morning birdwatching.
- Participation in organized count activities.
- Rainforest walks with naturalist guides.
- Canoe excursions along the Shiripuno River.
- Exploration of oxbow lakes.
- Wildlife observation and photography.
- Nocturnal rainforest exploration.
- Discussions about tropical ecology and biodiversity conservation.
The official Christmas Bird Count takes place on its designated calendar day. Additional activities can be organized before and after the census.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Experienced birdwatchers
Contribute identification skills and knowledge of tropical bird communities.
Wildlife photographers
Explore opportunities to document birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats.
Researchers and students
Connect with field-based biodiversity monitoring and explore opportunities for future research collaboration.
Naturalists and nature enthusiasts
Discover the extraordinary diversity of the Amazon, even without professional ornithological experience.
Participants must coordinate in advance with the circle compiler and follow the official count arrangements.
A REMOTE RAINFOREST EXPERIENCE
Shiripuno Lodge is a simple, remote field lodge designed for visitors who value wilderness, wildlife and exploration.
Our facilities are basic and functional. The experience is centered on access to remote rainforest environments, knowledgeable local guides, river transportation and opportunities to discover the extraordinary biodiversity of Yasuní.
We offer arrangements for:
- Birdwatching expeditions.
- Nature and wildlife tours.
- Wildlife photography.
- Educational and university groups.
- Research visits and field projects.
- Customized private expeditions.
Accommodation, meals, guiding and transportation can be arranged separately from participation in the official bird count.
BE PART OF A GROWING CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
The Christmas Bird Count is more than a single day of observation.
It is a tradition connecting generations of people who believe that understanding nature is an essential part of protecting it.
At Shiripuno, we want to build on this tradition by developing a long-term relationship between community participation, scientific research and rainforest conservation.
We invite you to become part of this initiative.
Whether you are an experienced birder, a researcher, a photographer or simply someone who loves nature, there is a place for you in this growing community.
COUNT BIRDS. CELEBRATE NATURE. PROTECT YASUNÍ.
JOIN US IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON
SHIRIPUNO LODGE
127th Audubon Christmas Bird Count 2026–2027
Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Ecuador
Official count date: To be confirmed by the circle compiler.
Contact us for participation, expedition arrangements and research opportunities.
Website: https://www.shiripunolodge.com/
Welcome to the diversity of life.