Few birders think of Bolivia when considering an international birding trip, but that may only be because the country does a poor job in promoting itself as a birding destination. Spectacularly diverse in ecosystems, topography, wildlife, and cultures, this country has the largest bird list for any landlocked country in the world, despite being only about the size as the Four Corners states together. Were it to regain a bit of its former Pacific coastline, it would have the largest bird list of any country in the world and in any event should be one of the world’s top birding destinations, especially now that it has its own field guide. Rich Hoyer began exploring Bolivia in 2000 as a budding professional leader. Two decades and many tours later, he continues to be enthralled by this fascinating country.

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Rich Hoyer’s first job after obtaining a B.S. in Zoology and a B.A. in German at Oregon State University in 1994 was conducting point count surveys of birds in the southeastern Arizona sky islands for a US Forest Service study. But by then he already knew that he wanted to lead tours for a career, and in summer 1996 he got his first job as a guide on St. Paul Island in Alaska. He then lived in Arizona for the next 23 years while leading birding and natural history tours throughout the Neotropics. He now lives in Eugene, in his home state of Oregon. He hopes to continue leading tours for WINGS when then current virus pandemic clears from the air.

Image: The Red-fronted Macaw is one of two species of endemic macaws in Bolivia and one of of most beautiful members of the genus Ara. Photo by Rich C. Hoyer