Machalilla National Park

🇪🇨 Ecuador

🐦 Blue-footed Boobies on Isla de la Plata
🌍 #76 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in South America #29 in Tropical Forest
Pacific Coast, Ecuador 854 spp. recorded

Machalilla National Park stretches along the rugged Pacific coast of Ecuador, protecting a rare tropical dry forest where cactus-studded ridges drop directly into the ocean. This coastal sanctuary stands apart from typical rainforest reserves through its arid woodlands, dry brush, and secluded sandy bays. Trails wind through gnawed tree trunks and drought-resistant brush, leading hikers past hidden coves and panoramic ocean viewpoints.

-1.566° S   80.693° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Humpback Whale ★
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

50–60% · Likely
Blue-footed Booby ★
LC

Blue-footed Booby

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sula nebouxii

30–40% · Possible
Green Turtle ★
LC

Green Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelonia mydas

40–50% · Likely
Magnificent Frigatebird ★
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Southern House Wren

Southern House Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Troglodytes musculus

60–70% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

60–70% · Likely
Brown Pelican
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely
Scrub Blackbird
LC

Scrub Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dives warczewiczi

60–70% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

50–60% · Likely
Knobbed Pacific Iguana
LC

Knobbed Pacific Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Microlophus occipitalis

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Gnatcatcher
LC

Tropical Gnatcatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polioptila plumbea

50–60% · Likely
Saffron Finch
LC

Saffron Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis flaveola

50–60% · Likely
Emerald Hummingbird
LC

Emerald Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilis amazilia

50–60% · Likely
Tumbes Round Ray

Tumbes Round Ray

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Urobatis tumbesensis

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Humpback Whale ★
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Southern Sea Lion
LC

Southern Sea Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Otaria byronia

20–30% · Possible
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

20–30% · Possible
Guayaquil Squirrel
LC

Guayaquil Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus stramineus

20–30% · Possible
Northern Ghost Bat
LC

Northern Ghost Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diclidurus albus

10–20% · With luck
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
LC

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Stenella attenuata

Insufficient data
Tayra
LC

Tayra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eira barbara

Insufficient data
Bottlenose Dolphin
LC

Bottlenose Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tursiops truncatus

Insufficient data
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

Insufficient data
Crab-eating Raccoon
LC

Crab-eating Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon cancrivorus

Insufficient data
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

Insufficient data
Common Opossum
LC

Common Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis marsupialis

Insufficient data
Ocelot
LC

Ocelot

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leopardus pardalis

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Blue-footed Booby ★
LC

Blue-footed Booby

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sula nebouxii

30–40% · Possible
Magnificent Frigatebird ★
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Southern House Wren

Southern House Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Troglodytes musculus

60–70% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

60–70% · Likely
Brown Pelican
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely
Scrub Blackbird
LC

Scrub Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dives warczewiczi

60–70% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Gnatcatcher
LC

Tropical Gnatcatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polioptila plumbea

50–60% · Likely
Saffron Finch
LC

Saffron Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis flaveola

50–60% · Likely
Emerald Hummingbird
LC

Emerald Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilis amazilia

50–60% · Likely
Eared Dove
LC

Eared Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida auriculata

40–50% · Likely
Gray-breasted Martin
LC

Gray-breasted Martin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Progne chalybea

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Green Turtle ★
LC

Green Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelonia mydas

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Knobbed Pacific Iguana
LC

Knobbed Pacific Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Microlophus occipitalis

50–60% · Likely
Bocourt's Ameiva
LC

Bocourt's Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Medopheos edracanthus

40–50% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

40–50% · Likely
Shieldhead Gecko
LC

Shieldhead Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes caudiscutatus

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

20–30% · Possible
Seven-lined Ameiva
LC

Seven-lined Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus septemlineatus

20–30% · Possible
Peters' Leaf-toed Gecko
LC

Peters' Leaf-toed Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Phyllodactylus reissii

10–20% · With luck
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

Insufficient data
Trans-Andean Vine Snake

Trans-Andean Vine Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Oxybelis transandinus

10–20% · With luck
Mastigodryas reticulatus
NT

Mastigodryas reticulatus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Mastigodryas reticulatus

10–20% · With luck
West Ecuadorian Whorl-tailed Iguana
LC

West Ecuadorian Whorl-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stenocercus iridescens

10–20% · With luck
Peru Desert Tegu
LC

Peru Desert Tegu

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dicrodon guttulatum

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Machalilla Poison Frog
LC Endemic

Machalilla Poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Epipedobates machalilla

20–30% · With luck
Cachabi Robber Frog
LC

Cachabi Robber Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pristimantis achatinus

20–30% · With luck
Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog
LC

Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boana rosenbergi

10–20% · With luck
Pacific Horned Frog
VU

Pacific Horned Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ceratophrys stolzmanni

10–20% · With luck
Jordan's Casque-headed Tree Frog
LC

Jordan's Casque-headed Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Trachycephalus jordani

10–20% · With luck
Guayaquil Dwarf Frog
LC

Guayaquil Dwarf Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Engystomops pustulatus

Insufficient data
Montubio Bully Foam Frog
LC Endemic

Montubio Bully Foam Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Engystomops montubio

Insufficient data
Chocoan milky frog
LC Endemic

Chocoan milky frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Trachycephalus quadrangulum

Insufficient data
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

Insufficient data
Chimbo Rocket Frog
VU Endemic

Chimbo Rocket Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyloxalus infraguttatus

Insufficient data
Pimocha White-lipped Frog
LC

Pimocha White-lipped Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Leptodactylus labrosus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Tumbes Round Ray

Tumbes Round Ray

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Urobatis tumbesensis

40–50% · Likely
longtail stingray

longtail stingray

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Hypanus longus

30–40% · Possible
Gorgona Guitarfish

Gorgona Guitarfish

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Pseudobatos prahli

30–40% · Possible
equatorial skate

equatorial skate

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Raja equatorialis

20–30% · Possible
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Rhincodon typus

Insufficient data
Southern Banded Guitarfish

Southern Banded Guitarfish

☀️🌙 Day & Night Shark / Ray

Zapteryx xyster

Insufficient data
Pacific Eagle Ray

Pacific Eagle Ray

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Aetobatus laticeps

Insufficient data
thorny stingray

thorny stingray

☀️🌙 Day & Night Shark / Ray

Urotrygon rogersi

Insufficient data
Bigeye Thresher Shark

Bigeye Thresher Shark

☀️🌙 Day & Night Shark / Ray

Alopias superciliosus

Insufficient data
Humpback Smooth-hound

Humpback Smooth-hound

Shark / Ray

Mustelus whitneyi

Insufficient data
Oceanic Manta Ray

Oceanic Manta Ray

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Mobula birostris

Insufficient data
fox shark

fox shark

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Alopias pelagicus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐋

Humpback Whale Breeding Season

JunJulAugSepOct

Humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to breed and calve in the park's warm coastal waters

Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

50–60% · Likely
🐟

Giant Manta Ray Aggregation

JunJulAugSep

Hundreds of oceanic manta rays gather around Isla de la Plata drawn by the nutrient-rich Humboldt current — one of the world's largest known giant manta aggregations, best in .

Oceanic Manta Ray

Oceanic Manta Ray

☀️ Diurnal Shark / Ray

Mobula birostris

Insufficient data
🐦

Seabird Nesting on Isla de la Plata

JunJulAug

Blue-footed boobies court and nest along the island trails , alongside Nazca booby and frigatebird colonies — Isla de la Plata is one of mainland Ecuador's only nesting sites for these seabirds.

Magnificent Frigatebird
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

70–80% · Very likely
Nazca Booby
LC

Nazca Booby

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sula granti

10–20% · With luck
Blue-footed Booby
LC

Blue-footed Booby

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sula nebouxii

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Humpback Whale
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
60–70
60–70
80–90
50–60
40–50
20–30
5–10
Blue-footed Booby
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
10–20
60–70
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
10–20
Green Turtle
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
20–30
30–40
60–70
20–30
Magnificent Frigatebird
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Black Vulture
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Southern House Wren
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
Turkey Vulture
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Brown Pelican
60–70
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
Scrub Blackbird
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Blue-gray Tanager
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
Knobbed Pacific Iguana
50–60
70–80
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
60–70
70–80
60–70
Tropical Kingbird
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
Tropical Gnatcatcher
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
Saffron Finch
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
Emerald Hummingbird
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
20–30
20–30
40–50
50–60
20–30
60–70
Tumbes Round Ray
70–80
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
60–70
90–100
80–90
40–50
60–70
80–90
Animal Events
🐋 Humpback Whale Breeding Season
🐟 Giant Manta Ray Aggregation
🐦 Seabird Nesting on Isla de la Plata

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐦 Blue-footed Boobies on Isla de la Plata

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
554
🐒 Mammals
174
🦎 Reptiles
89
🐸 Amphibians
24
🦈 Sharks & Rays
13
854 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
45 Threatened 50 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
59%
📊
Coverage (229 species at ≥5% of 854 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
27%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 1 reptile, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
39%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
160
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
11
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
24

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Machalilla National Park?

The most likely sightings are Magnificent Frigatebird (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Black Vulture (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Southern House Wren (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Turkey Vulture (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Brown Pelican (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 854 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Machalilla National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Humpback Whale in Machalilla National Park?

Yes — about 51% of wildlife watchers report a Humpback Whale sighting in Machalilla National Park, based on 63 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Blue-footed Booby in Machalilla National Park?

Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Blue-footed Booby sighting in Machalilla National Park, based on 275 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Green Turtle in Machalilla National Park?

Yes — about 41% of wildlife watchers report a Green Turtle sighting in Machalilla National Park, based on 42 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Magnificent Frigatebird in Machalilla National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a Magnificent Frigatebird sighting in Machalilla National Park, based on 677 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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