Towering over western South America, the Tropical Andes are the most biodiverse terrestrial region on Earth. Cloud-drenched elfin forests, páramo grasslands, inter-Andean dry valleys, rare and unique Polylepis highland woodland; this mountain range is a haven for an extraordinary array of life, including over 1,500 species of birds, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet. But this natural wonder is also one of the most threatened: habitat destruction, climate change, and human development put countless species at risk, making conservation efforts in the region not just urgent but essential. Fortunately, for more than three decades, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has been at the forefront of those efforts.
ABC’s work in the Tropical Andes spans multiple countries, dozens of partners, and thousands of species. Through collaborations with local communities, scientific institutions, and governmental agencies, ABC has helped create protected areas, restore vital habitats, and support sustainable livelihoods that benefit both people and wildlife. One of ABC’s key strategies has been supporting local conservation organizations, groups that are already deeply embedded in their communities and best positioned to protect nearby habitats. With ABC’s help, this approach has led to the creation and protection of some of the region’s most important reserves.
In Peru, the Abra Patricia Reserve, which is managed by ABC’s longtime partner ECOAN, safeguards a stretch of montane cloud forest teeming with life. Among its rare inhabitants are the dazzling White-bellied Woodstar and the subtly striking Cactus Canastero, both of which Owen has photographed in this spectacular setting.
In Ecuador, the Tapichalaca Reserve, established with ABC’s support and managed by Fundación Jocotoco, is world-renowned as the home of the critically endangered Jocotoco Antpitta, a charismatic, ground-dwelling bird that was unknown to science until the late 1990s. This same forest hosts a remarkable diversity of hummingbirds, woodcreepers, and flycatchers, many of which Owen has captured on camera during his visits.
In the lowland Chocó rainforest of coastal Ecuador further north lies the Río Canandé Reserve. Also managed by Jocotoco with ABC’s backing, this reserve protects a slice of one of the most threatened and biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Here, birds like the bizarre yet beautiful Long-wattled Umbrellabird serve as unforgettable symbols of the region’s richness and fragility.
ABC also leads initiatives to control invasive species, reduce threats from pesticide use, and educate local populations about the ecological and cultural importance of their native birds. After all, conservation is not just about saving birds, but also about protecting entire ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
Out of this deep commitment to the Andes came the idea to capture the stunning beauty and diversity of its birdlife in a second collaboration between friends Owen and Mike Parr, President of the ABC. Birds of the Tropical Andes features over 200 images, bringing readers face-to-face with some of the region’s most iconic and elusive birds, and each photo is accompanied by notes that blend ornithological insight with personal observation.
ABC’s work in the region is a model of collaboration between conservationists and local communities, between science and art, and now between a non-profit and two individuals who believe deeply in the power of birds to inspire change. By donating 100% of royalties to the ABC, this vivid tribute aims to both inspire and support ongoing conservation efforts and all the work still yet to be done.
