Colombia is famed for its extraordinary diversity of birds. Thanks to its wide variety of landscapes and climates, Colombia is a megadiverse country with some of the highest biodiversity on the planet. Regardless of size, Colombia holds almost 20% of all birds in the planet (1,944 species, with new species still being discovered). Robert Holt, Lynne and I traveled together for 5 days, visiting some birding sites in the Eastern Andes and the Mid-Magdalena´s Valley looking for some endemic and special birds of this areas. In overall the trip was fast paced, designed to visit as much birding sites as we could of these two very different kind of environments. That also forced us to be in the car for long hours most of the days. We recorded 235 species (47 families), including 11 endemic bird species and 7 near-endemics. This was in spite of the complicated conditions mentioned before.
TOUR SUMMARY:
Day 1. Chingaza National Park and Hummingbirds Observatory.
We left the hotel at 0430 to be in the Chingaza National Park as soon as we could (1.5 hours far from the Hotel). We went straight for the highest elevations, to the Paramo of the park, our first bird of the day there was the White-chinned Thistletail, followed by Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Paramo Seedeater, and the near-endemics Rufous-browed Conebill and Bronze-tailed Thornbill. We also got a brief look of the uncommon Crowned Chat-tyrant. We followed the road searching for the endemic Brown-breasted Parakeet, while looking for it we saw Andean Pygmy-Owl, Black-crested Warbler, Black-capped and Oleaginous Hemispingus, among other commoner species. At the end, we didn´t see the Parakeet, so we start the way back and did another stops on the way. One of those stops was to try the endemic Silvery-throated Spinetail, which we heard as soon we jump out the car and saw quite easily. We also heard Pale-bellied Tapaculo and Tawny Antpitta. We had time for the last mix flock in Chingaza before go to have Lunch, that one was composed by Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, Black and Masked Flowerpiercers, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Golden-fronted Redstart and Andean Siskin and other ones. After lunch, we head to a very nice place located in “La Calera” a in between Chingaza National Park and Bogotá. This place is known as “Hummingbirds Observatory” have a nice setup of feeders that facilitate the viewing and the photography of some good species as the near-endemic Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Green-tailed Trainbearer (Picture right), Black-tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail, Glowing puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird (Picture in the first page), Great Sapphirewing and White-bellied Woodstar. While we were leaving the Hummingbirds Observatory we managed to an Eastern Medowlark from the car.
Day 2. La Florida Park, El Tabacal Lagoon and the Enchanted Garden.
We started again early in the morning to go to La Florida Park, a wetland area located in the northwestern part of Bogotá at 2600 meters above sea level. Although it has been heavily impacted by development, the area still contains small remaining natural areas which are an excellent place to find the secretive and endemic Bogota Rail. We had the endemic Apolinar’s Wren in the same marshes where we heard the Also endemic Bogota Rail, plus Ruddy Duck, Least Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Black-crowned Night-heron, Purple Galinulle, America Coot, Southern Lapwing, Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Wattle Jacana and Yellow-hooded Blackbird among others. Afterwards, we went to El Tabacal Lagoon, where we saw the endemic Velvet-fronted Euphonia and the near-endemic Bar-crested Antshrike, beside Barred Antshrike, Blue-lored Antbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Rufous-naped Greenlet and Scrub Greenlet. Also some good new tanager as Gray-headed, Crimson-backed, Blue-gray and Blue-necked. In the Lagoon we had Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Neotropic Cormorant, Striated Heron and others. We postponed our lunch for a bit to visit another incredible site with hummingbird feeders, the place is called “Enchanted Garden” located northwest of Bogotá. They have placed 35 hummingbird feeders, the activity there is incomparable and the number of individuals is incredible. Our main target there, the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird (Picture below) happens to be one of the most common ones, also we had the amazing Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Gorgeted Woodstar, White-necked Jacobin, , Black-throated Mango, White-vented Plumeleteer and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Finally, after lunch we started our way to Rio Claro Reserve, we only did one stop along the road where we saw Cocoi heron, Great-blue Heron, Crested caracara, Yellow-crowned Parrot among others.
Day 3. Full day birding at Rio Claro Reserve
Rio Claro is one of the most notable birding hotspots in Colombia. Thanks to its interesting geography and geographical history. In its tropical rain forests the vegetation and the fauna are adapted to a very unique ecosystem niche, characterized by limestone and marble soil, and rich in calcium and other minerals. The high degree of biological endemism is due precisely to the uniqueness of these ecosystems. We spent a full day in Rio Claro looking for the endemic and some specialties. We started in the early morning trying to find owls while it was dark still, we didn´t have any owl but we had an odd and mysterious Oilbird instead! Roosting in a branch in front of our cabins. We were supposed to look for them at night that same day in the cave where they usually roost, but clearly this was not necessary. We birded along the main road and explored two trails. This resulted an exciting day with lots of birds. We added to our list new species that were very common there as Dusky-faced Tanager and Chestnut-backed Antbird. Plus some really good looks of the endemics White-mantled Barbet (Picture below), Sooty Ant-Tanager, Magdalena Antbird (Picture above) and Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant. Other highlights included: Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Greater Ani, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Collared Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Black-crowned Antshrike, Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Tawny-crested Tanager and Orange-billed Sparrow.
Day 4. Rio Claro Reserve and El Paujil Reserve.
We went out again in Rio Claro for the last two hours before head to El Paujil Reserve, our main target this last two hours was the endemic Beautiful Woodpecker. We saw some other good birds but we missed the woodpecker, although we still had our last chance in the next reserve. One of the better-known birding destinations in the Mid-Magdalena Valley is El Paujil. This protected area is located in the Sierra de las Quinchas (150 to 1.200 m.s.n.m.), in the departments of Boyacá and Santander, more precisely, between the towns of Puerto Boyacá, Bolívar and Scimitara respectively. The reserve is named after the enigmatic and endemic Blue-billed Curassow (El Paujil), which we saw as soon as we arrived to the reserve. Before arrive to the reserve we made a couple stops on the way. In those stops we saw the near-endemic Northern Screamer right from the car, and when we pull over to see it better, we saw other nice species: Pale-legged Hornero, Pied Water-Tyrant, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, and Long-tailed Tyrant, among others. Once in the reserve, the first bird that we saw was the endemic and critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow (Picture below) followed by the near-endemic Black-billed Flycatcher. After lunch we went out mainly to look for the endemic beautiful Woodpecker (that we missed in Rio Claro) and the Striped Manakin. First, we went to an observation tower, where we finally had the endemic woodpecker, plus White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Barred Puffbird (heard), Golden-hooded Tanager, Masked Tityra, Yellow Oriole and a Black Hawk-Eagle soaring around. Afterwards we head to a little stream that were almost dry for that season to look for the Manakin, we heard them, but because of the vegetation, they were really hard to spot and only had a couple of brief looks at it. Heading back to the reserve, we stopped in a little lagoon where we saw Wattle Jacana and the Russet-crowned Crake. While we were there we also saw a couple of Blue-and-yellow Macaw flying, Buff-rumped Warbler, and Cocoa Woodcreeper among others.
Day 5. El Paujil Reserve and transfer to Bogotá
We spent our last morning in El Paujil Reserve. It was a very productive morning. We started in the main road beyond the reserve´s gate and walked the way back to the lodge. The highlights of this last morning were the endemic Colombian Chachalaca, an spectacular show of a couple of the fairly uncommon White-fronted Nunbird, the near-endemic Southern Bentbill, Little Tinamou (heard), Marbled Wood-Quail (heard), King Vulture, Swallow-tailed Kite, White-tailed Trogon (Picture right), Broad-billed Motmot, Collared Aracari, Red-lored, Yellow-crowned and Mealy Parrots, Plain Xenops and White-bearded Manakin.
Photo Gallery at flickr
Common Names, Scientific Names
Tinamous Tinamidae
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui
Screamers Anhimidae
Northern Screamer Chauna chavaria
Ducks & Teals Anatidae
Blue-winged teal Spatula discors
Masked duck Nomonyx dominicus
Black-bellied Whistling-duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Guans & Currasows Cracidae
Colombian Chachalaca Ortalis columbiana
Blue-billed Currasow Crax alberti
New world Quail Odonthophoridae
Marbled Wood-Quail Odontophorus gujanensis
Grebes Podicipedidae
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Herons and alies Ardeidae
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma flineatum
Great Egret Ardea alba
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Cocoi Heron Ardea Cocoi
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Ibis Threskiornithinae
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
Vultures Cathartidae
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
Kites, Hawks and Eagles Accipitridae
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris
Crakes, Rails and Gallinules Rallidae
Bogota Rail Rallus semiplumbeus
Gray-necked Wood-rail Aramidea cajanea
Russet-crowned Crake Anurolimnas viridis
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
American Coot Fulica americana
Plovers & lapwings Charadriidae
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Snipes, Sandpipers and allies Scolopacidae
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa falvipes
Jacana Jacanidae
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Terns Laridae
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex
Doves & Pigeons Columbidae
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Cuckoos and allies Cuculidae
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia
Owls Strigidae
Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata
Andean Pygmy-owl Glaucidium jardinii
Nightjars and allies Caprimulgidae
Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris
Oilbird Steatornithidae
Oilbird Steatornis caripensis
Swifts Apodidae
White-collared Swift treptoprocne zonaris
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Hummingbirds Trochilidae
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri
Tawny-bellied Hermit Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Long-billed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris
Pale-bellied Hermit Phaethornis anthophilus
Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans
Indigo-capped Hummingbird Amazilia cyanifrons
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird Chrysolampis mosquitus
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
Amethyst-throated sunangel Heliangelus amethysticollis
Black-tailed trainbearer Lesbia victoriae
Green-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia nuna
Bronze-tailed Thornbill Chalcostigma heteropogon
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
Glowing Puffleg Eriocnemis vestita
Shining Sunbeam Aglaeactis cupripennis
Blue-throated Starfrontlet Coeligena helianthea
Sword-billed hummingbird Ensifera ensifera
Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus
White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus mulsant
Crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
White-vented Plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii
Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia amabilis
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Trogons Trogonidae
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus
White-tailed Trogon Trogon chionurus
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
Motmots Momotidae
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
Kingfishers Alcedinidae
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Jacamar & Puffbirds Galbulidae
Barred Puffbird Nystalus radiatus
White-fronted Nunbird Monasa morphoeus
Barbets Capitonidae
White-mantled Barbet Capito hypoleucus
Toucans and allies Ramphastidae
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus
Yellow-throated Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus
Woodpeckers and allies Picidae
Beautiful Woodpecker Melanerpes pulcher
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos
Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Parrots, parakeets and Macaws Psittacidae
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Speckle-faced Parrot Pionus tumultuosus
Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala
Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
Spectacled Parrotlet Forpus conspicillatus
Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna
Antshrikes, Antbirds and allies Thamnophilidae
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Bar-crested Antshrike Thamnophilus multistriatus
Black-crowned Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
Checker-throated Antwren Epinecrophylla fulviventris
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Chestnut-backed Antbird Poliocrania exsul
Magdalena Antbird Sipia palliata
Blue-lored Antbird Hafferia immaculata
Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys bicolor
Woodcreepers and allies Furnariidae
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus
Silvery-throated Spinetail Synallaxis subpudica
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens
Flycatchers and allies Tyrannidae
Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion brunneicapillus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus
Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant Phylloscartes lanyoni
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Streak-necked Tyrannulet Mionectes striaticolis
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis atricapillus
Southern Bentbill Oncostoma olivaceum
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher Poecilotriccus sylvia
Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Black-billed Flycatcher Aphanotriccus audax
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Manakin Pipridae
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Striped Manakin Machaeropterus regulus
Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala
Tityras and allies Tityridae
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
One-colored Becard Pachyramphus homochrous
Vireos and allies Vireonidae
Rufous-naped Greenlet Hylophilus semibrunneus
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes
Jays Corvidae
Black-collared Jay Cyanolyca armillata
Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis
Swallows Hirundinidae
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Wrens Troglodytidae
Apolinar's Wren Cistothorus apolinari
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Black-bellied Wren Pheugopedius fasciatoventris
Bay Wren Cantorchilus nigricapillus
Gnatcatchers and allies Polioptilidae
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Thrushes Turdidae
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Mockingbird Mimidae
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichlidae
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea
Warblers and allies Parulidae
Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis
Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea
Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Buff-rumped Warbler Myiothlypis fulvicauda
Black-crested Warbler Myiothlypis nigrocristata
Golden-fronted Redstart Myioborus ornatus
Canada Warbler ardellina canadensis
Tanagers and allies Thraupidae
Black-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus atropileus
Oleaginous Hemispingus Hemispingus frontalis
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
Plain-colored Tanager Tangara inornata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Rufous-browed Conebill Conirostrum rufum
Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis
Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossa cyanea
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor
Paramo Seedeater Catamenia homochroa
Pale-naped Brush-finch Atlapetes pallidinucha
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii
Cardinals, Grosbeaks and allies Cardinalidae
Sooty Ant-Tanager Habia gutturalis
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Oropendolas and allies Icteridae
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri
Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Yellow-hooded Blackbird Chrysomus icterocephalus
Red-breasted Meadowlark Sturnella militaris
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Siskins, Euphonias and allies Fringillidae
Andean Siskin Carduelis spinescens
Velvet-fronted Euphonia Euphonia concinna
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Fulvous-vented Euphonia Euphonia fulvicrissa