A New Life

My family originates from Baños de Agua Santa. Forty-five years ago we migrated to northwest Pichincha to seek better job opportunities. My father Manuel Paz and my mother Teresa Villafuerte, raised seven children, managoing to send each of us to primary school. Some of us had to work from an early age, thus losing our childhood and adolescence. However, we learned from our parents respect, honesty, integrity, and perserverance to fight for our dreams. Their dream was to have a family and work in agriculture, livestock, logging and hunting; for a long time we were able to survive by doing these activities.

An Awakening From Illusions

Upon waking up one morning in 2005, Rodrigo’s and my lifestyle would take a change. After working in agriculture, livestock, timber extraction and hunting, we would become entrepreneurs and innovators of avitourism, becoming the Antpitta men. We knew that the protection of birds would now feed our families.

God’s Miracle

Refugio Paz de Las Aves was created on August 10, 2005. In the beginning we built a trail that would lead to the lek of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. We wondered, “Will it be possible that foreigners come to our farm to see these birds?” After a month, the trails were already deteriorating and there were no foreigners. After another month and one week, the first tourist would arrive to observe the Cock-of-the-Rock. We were all surprised, because for the first time a foreigner would come to our farm. He stayed 4 hours and paid $10, money that for us equaled a full day of work in agriculture or cutting wood. Thus, the miracle began to happen. It only took one tourist for the Refugio Paz de las Aves to become the most visited place in northwest Pichincha for bird watching and become internationally renowned.

The Antpitta Man

While I was hiking the trail to the Cock-of-the-Rock lek, a dark bird with a light brown chest, long legs, and a thick beak was eating earthworms on the new trail. I decided to approach her, but she fled into the forest. The next day, I said to myself, “That bird with long legs and a big beak must become my friend.” I started to follow her into the forest. I kept offering her worms and she didn’t accept anything. Days went by and the forest became my home because I spent most of the time trying to make this bird my friend. The big day finally arrived. I got her to accept me as her friend! Since that moment, we are good friends, so I named her after my wife Maria. Since that day, the Giant Antpitta Maria is the one who welcomes all to the Refugio Paz de las Aves.

Pas de Laz Aves in 2022

After several years of work, we have became a specialized place for bird watching. We are currently conserving the habitat of 5 species of Antpittas and more than 188 species of birds in a territory of 49 hectares.

Fundraiser Achieved 2022

A Foundation for the Future

The creation of Fundación Paz de Las Aves is a labor of love.

The dream of protecting the land where 185 species of birds live has become a reality. More than 1,300 people made their contribution without asking for anything in return. However, the Paz family understood the importance of protecting the home of these birds, especially Maria the Giant Antpitta, a species that is in danger of extinction. Today, she has a forever home thanks to the creation of FUNDACIÓN PAZ DE LAS AVES.

On Monday, September 25, 2023, Dario Fernando Cueva Valdez of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition in Quito, Ecuador signed the agreement recognizing and approving Fundación Paz de Las Aves.