Santa Marta & Perijá Birding: Colombia Endemics Tour Report

A Quest for Endemics: Triumph in the Santa Marta, Guajira, and Perijá Mountains (October 2018)

Endemics of the Evolutionary Islands

We are thrilled to share the highlights from this spectacular 10-day Colombia birding trip. Our four adventurous clients—Tony, Tom, Dale, and Daniel—joined us for a challenging but rewarding extension, targeting the “Big 3” specialties across Colombia’s northern ranges: the Santa Marta Mountains, the Guajira Peninsula, and the Perijá Mountains. This itinerary is a true showcase of Colombia endemic birds tours. Our team of Expert birding guides Colombia specializes in these unique regions, ensuring our guests from around the world experience the world-class biodiversity that makes us the choice for premier Birding tours Colombia. This Colombia birding itinerary offers an unparalleled neotropical birding tour experience.

Trip Summary: The Northern Endemics Quest

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: An Ascent to Endemism

Our expedition began immediately after landing in Santa Marta. A quick stop at El Vale yielded views of a group of seven Chestnut-winged Chachalacas, an endemic to northern Colombia. We also spotted Crested Bobwhites and Groove-billed Anis.

Our initial stay at Hotel Minca provided a pleasant base for Birding in Minca Colombia. The feeders were buzzing with ten hummingbird species, including White-necked Jacobin, Long-billed Hermit, Lesser Violetear, White-vented Plumeleteer, Steely-vented Hummingbird, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. We also enjoyed sightings of Black-chested Jays, Bicolored Wrens, and Streak-headed Woodcreepers.

Day 2: El Dorado Lodge and Roadside Gems

The following morning, we drove up the steep mountain road towards ProAves’s El Dorado Lodge. This climb is a vital part of the Santa Marta birding tour, offering a perfect altitude gradient for endemic species. Stopping along the way, we successfully located the near-endemic Red-billed Emerald. More importantly, we found several key Santa Marta endemics: Santa Marta Foliage-Gleaner, Santa Marta Antbird, and Santa Marta Tapaculo.

At the Baticola stop, we were rewarded with the beautiful Santa Marta Blossomcrown, the Bang’s subspecies of Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, and a gorgeous Keel-billed Toucan. Other sightings included a pair of Crested Guans, a singing pair of Rufous-breasted Wrens, and a duet of Rufous-and-white Wrens.

Guide’s Moment: Recognizing the Mixed Flock

The forest was quiet, but I recognized the faint alarm call of an unseen bird, which often means a mixed flock is nearby. I told the group to get their binoculars ready. Sure enough, we began picking up species like Cocoa Woodcreeper, Whooping Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-bearded Manakin, and several flycatchers, followed by tanagers like the White-lined and Crimson-backed Tanagers.

After a late lunch at the lodge, the feeders provided quality birds: the endemic Sierra Nevada (Colombian) Brush-Finch, endemic Santa Marta Brush-Finch, endemic White-tailed Starfrontlet, and near-endemic Band-tailed Guan. Later, a short hike near the lodge provided views of the endemic White-lored Warbler and, thrillingly, the endemic Santa Marta Screech-Owl at night.

Day 3: Triumph on San Lorenzo Ridge

We had an early start (4:00 AM) to reach the San Lorenzo Ridge birding site. Birding was challenging, but our expertise ensured we gradually found most of our targets.

The trophies for the morning included the endemic Santa Marta Antpitta, Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Streak-capped Spinetail, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta (Hermit) Wood-Wren, Black-cheeked (Santa Marta) Mountain-Tanager, and Santa Marta Warbler. We had close looks at a juvenile Solitary Eagle, and saw Plushcap and Tyrian Metaltail. Back at the lodge, we enjoyed great looks at 15 Band-tailed Guans and found a group of four Black-fronted Wood-Quails.

Day 4: Farewell to the Sierra Nevada

Our descent was highlighted by a spectacular show: four female White-tipped Quetzals being courted by two splendid males, right in the parking lot! We also found the endemic Santa Marta Woodstar and the near-endemic Golden-winged Sparrow.

All happy to be at the top of San Lorenzo ridge with a good day!

La Guajira Peninsula: The Dry Scrub Specialties

We settled in Camarones for a two-night stay, meeting our good friend José Luis Pushaina, an expert guide in this region. Our early start was crucial due to the midday heat.

Day 5: Desert Trophies and Coastal Flocks

We successfully located near-endemics like the Tocuyo Sparrow, Chestnut Piculets, three striking Vermilion Cardinals, and two White-whiskered Spinetails. We also found Buffy Hummingbirds and the Slender-billed Tyrannulet. Raptor highlights included an astounding Hook-billed Kite and a beautiful Crane Hawk.

At Boca de Camarones, the American Flamingos were the stars, with a flock of over 200 individuals. We saw a huge number of waders and aquatics, including Reddish Egrets, White Ibises, and three brilliant Scarlet Ibises.

Day 6: Cari-Cari Road

Birding the Cari-Cari road, we achieved second views of Orinocan Saltators, Vermilion Cardinals, and Glaucous Tanagers. We also added Russet-throated Puffbirds, Buff-breasted Wrens, and Scrub Greenlet. The afternoon was spent driving to Valledupar.

Excitement came with the extraordinary views of the endemic Perijá Thistletail.

The Perijá Mountains: Conquering the Final Frontier

Near midday, we started our ascent to the Perijá Mountains. A stop at Los Besotes private nature reserve secured the highly sought-after Red-legged Tinamou. On the climb, we added the endemic Perijá Tapaculo and near-endemic Gray-throated Warbler. The feeders at the lodge were busy with Speckled Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, and Tyrian Metaltail.

Day 8: Páramo de Sabana Rubia

The challenges were waiting for us up at Páramo de Sabana Rubia, a high-altitude area that provides a true test for Andes birding tours. Initially, we struggled to locate the target, but our patience and expertise were compensated with extraordinary views of the rare Perijá Thistletail. Soon after, we saw our first Perijá Metaltail and the Perijá (Rufous) Antpitta. A splendid Andean Condor soared high above us.

Other birds included Merlin, Red-crested Cotingas, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanagers, Blue-capped Tanagers, and Bluish Flowerpiercer. Before dark, we saw a pair of Golden-headed Quetzals and a Band-winged Nightjar below the lodge.

Day 9: Final Endemic Success

On the final day of the birding portion, we had a close encounter with a pair of the endemic Perijá (Phelp’s) Brush-Finch. We also saw a group of three Black-fronted Wood-Quails, Southern Emerald Toucanets, and several Perijá Tapaculos.

The group at Los Besotes reserve, after seing the Red-legged Tinamou. From left to right: Daniel, Tony, Dale, Tom and José Luis Ropero (local guide). Guess who bought the colorful Guajira bag the day before?

 Species  recorded across the three regions. Endemic (E) and Near-Endemic (NE) species are highlighted.

Full List of Species Observed

Start Your Colombian Adventure

This 10-day extension was a phenomenal success, securing spectacular sightings of Colombia’s rarest species. If you, like Tony, Tom, Dale, and Daniel, are ready to check off your own list of Colombia endemic birds or secure incredible shots on a Colombia bird photography tour, we invite you to join us.

Explore our scheduled tours and custom birding trips across Colombia’s Andes and Chocó region. Book birding tours Colombia by contacting us today to build your dream private tour.