Adventure Jun 18, 2026 3 min
As the first light reaches Peru’s landscapes, its wilderness awakens in song. From the mist-covered cloud forests surrounding Machu Picchu, to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, countless birds celebrate the beginning of a new day.
On Global Big Day, this daily symphony becomes part of something larger. Organized each year by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology through eBird, the event brings together birdwatchers, researchers, and nature enthusiasts from around the world with a shared purpose: to document as many bird species as possible within 24 hours.
On May 9th this year, Inkaterra’s Explorer Guides joined the initiative within two of Peru’s most remarkable ecosystems.
159 Bird Species in One Day
From Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel to Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, our Explorer Guides spent the day observing and recording the remarkable diversity of Peru’s avian life.
By sunset, 159 species had been recorded, including sightings of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s national bird.
These observations formed part of Peru’s outstanding achievement during this year’s Global Big Day. With 1,439 species recorded in a single day, the country ranked second worldwide, reaffirming its position as one of Earth’s greatest destinations for bird diversity.
Home to nearly 20% of the world’s bird species, Peru offers an unparalleled variety of habitats—from the Pacific coast and Andean highlands to cloud forests and the Amazon Basin—making it a global hotspot for birdwatching and scientific research.
A Commitment Beyond the Event
Global Big Day is more than an annual celebration; it reflects an ongoing commitment to conservation, research, and habitat protection.
Within the grounds of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel alone, 317 species have been recorded through eBird. Across Inkaterra’s areas of influence, more than 900 species have been documented—an extraordinary concentration of biodiversity comparable to that of entire countries.
Together with Inkaterra Asociación, these efforts extend beyond observation through long-term bird monitoring and banding initiatives that generate valuable scientific data for conservation. This ongoing work deepens the understanding of avian ecology and population dynamics while supporting the establishment of local conservation areas, engaging local communities in the protection of endemic species, and helping safeguard migratory routes for seasonal bird populations.
Each observation contributes to a broader understanding of Peru’s ecosystems and reinforces long-term efforts to protect the habitats upon which these species depend.
Following the Birds
For travelers, Global Big Day offers a glimpse into experiences that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Many of the species recorded during the event can also be observed through Inkaterra’s guided birdwatching experiences, led by Explorer Guides whose deep knowledge of local ecosystems transforms each encounter into a deeper connection with place.
Whether in the cloud forests surrounding Machu Picchu or the depths of the Amazon rainforest, every walk offers an opportunity to discover the extraordinary biodiversity that defines Peru’s natural heritage and continues to inspire conservation, research, and exploration.
