Colombia Birding Trip Report: Western & Central Andes 2025

A Private Tour for Trudy & Julie Karlson and Doug Overacker

Dates: November 3 – 16, 2025.

Total Species: 387.

Complete eBird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/432788

A Quest for Colombia’s Avian Jewels

Welcome to the latest installment of the Birding Tours Colombia Trip Series. This report chronicles a joyful private Colombia birding trip designed for Trudy, Julie, and Doug, three passionate birders from the USA. Spanning the biodiversity hotspots of the Western and Central Andes—from the salsa capital of Cali to the misty peaks of Manizales—our itinerary was crafted to maximize diversity of habitats, ecosystems and bird species.
Over 12 nights, our expert birding guides led the group to a staggering total of 387 species, including 48 hummingbirds, 43 flycatchers, 13 wrens, 10 woodpeckers, 9 antpittas, and 7 tapaculos. For Trudy, this Colombia birding itinerary was a triumph, delivering 187 life birds, far exceeding initial expectations. Julie & Doug expected to see 30 life birds – instead, they totalled 85 lifers!

Trip Summary

From left to right: Trudy, Daniel, Julie and Doug. 

Day 1: The Multicolored Tanager at La Minga Ecolodge (1,994m)

Trudy, Julie, and Doug arrived in Cali the night before the official start, resting comfortably at the Hotel Dann Carlton. Our guide, Daniel Uribe, drove from Armenia early in the morning to meet the group at 10:00 AM, ensuring a punctual start to our private birding tours Colombia adventure. We immediately transferred to La Minga Ecolodge in Dapa, a 50-minute drive into the cloud forest.

Weather: Cloudy and misty with light afternoon rain.

We wasted no time beginning our search for Trudy’s highly wanted targets, specifically the endemic Multicolored Tanager and Red-headed Barbet. The lodge’s front porch, famous among Colombia bird photography tours, offered a front-row seat to active feeders.

Morning Highlights:

The activity was intense. We quickly secured stunning views of two male Long-tailed Sylphs in full plumage. The feeders were a battleground for dominance among Bronzy Inca, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Crowned Woodnymph, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Andean Emerald, Buff-tailed Coronet, and Steely-vented Hummingbird.

The gardens provided excellent views of the White-throated Daggerbill on Aphelandra flowers, while Verbenas attracted Speckled Hummingbird, the near-endemic Purple-throated Woodstar, and White-booted Racket-tail. A Green Hermit patrolled the Heliconias.

The Stars of the Show:

• Endemic Multicolored Tanager
• Red-headed Barbet
• Crimson-rumped Toucanet
• Endemic Colombian Chachalaca
• Flame-rumped Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, near-endemic Scrub Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia and Green Honeycreeper.

Afternoon Highlights:

A gentle walk along the gravel road through the cloud forest produced the vocal but shy near-endemic Nariño Tapaculo. We spotted Montane Woodcreeper, Variegated Bristle-tyrant, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Whiskered Wren, Andean Solitaire, Ashy-throated Chlorospingus, a family of Green Jays, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, plus Blackburnian and Canada Warbler.

The day ended with a gorgeous Mottled Owl called in just 80 yards from the parking lot.

Day 2: Iconic Feeders of the Western Andes: La Minga Ecolodge & Finca Alejandría

Early morning rains turned the foliage into bath time for the hummingbirds. We watched twelve White-necked Jacobins and other species bathing in the rain—a magical moment typical of Andes birding tours.

Morning Highlights:

• Endemic Chestnut Wood-quail: A family of five fed on cornstarch just 6 feet from the porch.
• Endemic Colombian Chachalaca (2) and Sickle-winged Guan.
• Metallic-green Tanager.
• Other notables included Blue-necked Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Rufous-crested Tanager, Black-winged Saltator, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Red-faced Spinetail, Uniform Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Streaked Xenops, Spotted Barbtail, and Golden-bellied Flycatcher.

Afternoon Highlights:

We transferred to Finca La Florida. Along the road, we spotted Andean Motmot, Blue-capped Tanager, Squirrel Cuckoo, and Acadian Flycatcher. At Finca Alejandría we enjoyed second views of the endemic Multicolored Tanager, alongside Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Red-headed Barbet, Andean Motmot and the endemic Colombian Chachalaca.

Hummingbirds were very active as usual, with the presence of  White-necked Jacobin, Green Hermit, Brown Violetear, Long-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-booted Racket-tail, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, near-endemic Purple-throated Woodstar, Steely-vented Hummingbird and Andean Emeral.

Day 3: Chocó Endemics at Doña Dora’s

We started early with birds attracted to the night lights: Plain Antvireo, Russet-crowned Warbler, Andean Motmot, Gray-breasted Wood-wren, and Southern House Wren.

Before leaving La Florida, three endemic Chestnut Wood-quails crossed the trail, offering superb views.

Doña Dora’s Highlights (Chocó Specialties):

This location is essential for any Colombia endemic birds tour.

• Toucan Barbet (Chocó endemic): A family of four grooming just 9 feet away.
• Endemic Parker’s Antbird (male & female).
• Glistening-green Tanager (Chocó endemic).
• Rufous-throated Tanager (near-endemic/Chocó endemic).
• Indigo Flowerpiercer (Chocó endemic): An important lifer for Doug and Julie.
• Chocó Brushfinch (near-endemic) and Spot-crowned Barbet (Chocó endemic).
• Silver-throated Tanager, Golden Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Red-headed Barbet, Bay Wren, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Red-faced Spinetail, and Olive-striped Flycatcher.

Hummingbird Highlights:

The feeders attracted specific Chocó specialties: Near-endemics White-whiskered Hermit, Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Velvet-purple Coronet, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, and Empress Brilliant. We also listed Green Thorntail, Crowned Woodnymph, Andean Emerald, Brown Violetear, and White-necked Hummingbird.

On the return to La Florida, we stopped for a massive 30-species mixed flock. We enjoyed the Rusty-winged Barbtail, Red-headed Barbet, Streak-capped Treehunter, Spotted Barbtail, Barred Becard, Variegated Bristle-tyrant, Black-billed Peppershrike, Three-striped Warbler, Blue-winged Mountain-tanager, endemic Multicolored Tanager, Streaked Xenops, and Montane Woodcreeper, among many others.

At Atuncela´s dry forest: Doug, Julie, Trudy and local guide Olga.

Day 4: Dry Forest Specialties at Atuncela & El Vínculo Reserve.

We met our local guide, Olga Arango, to explore the Dagua Canyon dry forest enclave.

Morning Highlights:

• Endemic Apical Flycatcher.
• Near-endemic Bar-crested Antshrike.
• Ruby-topaz Hummingbird: A top target for Julie.
• Striped Cuckoo, White-rumped Hawk, Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher, Southern-beardless Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia (nesting), Chivi Vireo, Orange-crowned Euphonia, and Yellow Oriole.

Afternoon at El Vínculo:

We observed White-tailed Hawk (two birds), Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Parula, and Crimson-backed Tanager, among others.

Day 5: Sonso Marsh & Transfer to Montezuma

Joined by local guide Jhonathan Bedoya, we explored the scrublands and wetlands.

Highlights:

• Ruby-topaz Hummingbird: Two males offering magnificent views.
• Horned Screamer: Scope views of two individuals. A lifer for all three of the US birders.
• Endemic Apical Flycatcher: Second views.
• Guira Tanager (male) and Great Antshrike.
• Little Cuckoo, Common Potoo, Buff-necked Ibis, Cocoi Heron, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Spectacled Parrotlet, Yellow Oriole, and Oriole Blackbird.
• Lineated, Spot-breasted, and Red-crowned Woodpecker.

We then transferred to Cerro Montezuma, stopping in Pueblo Rico for provisions.

From left to right: Fernando, Julie, Doug, Trudy and Daniel, above Cajones at Cerro Montezuma.

Day 6: Montezuma Mid-Elevations

To avoid crowding with another group, we strategically focused on the mid-section of the mountain.

Morning Highlights:

• Near-endemic Beautiful Jay.
• Yellow-collared Chlorophonia (Chocó endemic).
• Near-endemic Chocó Brushfinch.
• Near-endemic Black-chinned Mountain-tanager and Purplish-mantled Tanager.
• Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Black-throated Tody-tyrant, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Bluish Flowerpiercer, and Beryl-spangled Tanager.

Hummingbird List:

Violet-tailed Sylph, Greenish Puffleg, Brown Inca, Collared Inca, Velvet-purple Coronet, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Empress Brilliant, Purple-throated Woodstar, Green-crowned Brilliant, and Tawny-bellied Hermit.

Afternoon Highlights:

• Endemic Gold-ringed Tanager.
• Near-endemic Orange-breasted Fruiteater (male).
• Near-endemic Uniform Treehunter and Fulvous-dotted Treerunner.
• Dusky Chlorospingus, Chocó Warbler, Glistening-green Tanager, Handsome Flycatcher, and White-capped Dipper.

Back at the lodge, we visited a nesting Endemic Grayish Piculet and saw a pair of Blackish Rails with juveniles.

The Tatamá Peak, seen from the top of Cerro Montezuma.

Day 7: Montezuma High Elevations

A fresh 5:30 AM start took us to the top of the mountain for breakfast.

Summit Highlights:

• Endemic Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (2).
• Endemic Munchique Wood-wren (2).
• Endemic Black-and-gold Tanager (4).
• Endemic Gold-ringed Tanager.
• Near-endemic Tanager Finch.
• Near-endemic Purplish-mantled Tanager.
• Near-endemic Nariño Tapacuo (Adult feeding juvenile).
• Toucan Barbet (4).
• Pacific Tuftedcheek (Chocó endemic).
• Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren, Plushcap, Scaled Fruiteater, Golden-fronted Redstart, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Rufous Spinetail, Slaty Antwren, Ornate Flycatcher, Cinnamon Flycatcher, and Streak-necked Flycatcher.
• Hummingbirds: Tourmaline Sunangel, Buff-tailed Coronet, and Violet-tailed Sylph at close range.

Doug sheltering below the anthurium leaves, under light rain in Cerro Montezuma.

Day 8: Montezuma Low Elevations & Apía

Morning Highlights (Montezuma):

• Near-endemic Club-winged Manakin (male).
• Near-endemic Chocó Tapaculo and Sooty-headed Wren.
• Zeledon´s Antbird, Barred Hawk, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Black-headed Brushfinch, Russet-backed Oropendola, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Western Emerald, Stripe-throated Hermit, Northern Plain-Xenops, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Plumbeous Pigeon, and Olive-striped Flycatcher.
• Migrants: Robust numbers of Cerulean, Mourning, Bay-breasted, Tennessee, Black-and-white, and Blackburnian Warblers.

Afternoon Highlight:

Our visit to Apía Birding was a success, granting us close views of the endemic Tatamá Tapaculo carrying food.

The Otún River at Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 9: Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary & Cameguadua Marsh

Morning Highlights (Otún-Quimbaya):

• Endemic & endangered Cauca Guan: Once thought extinct, seen along the road.
• Endemic Parker´s Antbird: A pair seen singing in duet.
• Prolonged and close views of Torrent Duck (male & female), White-capped Dipper, and Torrent Tyrannulet along the river.
• A gracious Green-fronted Lancebill catching insects in flight over the torrential water of the Otún River.
• White-crowned Tapaculo, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Bronze-winged Parrots, Black-and-white Seedeater, Andean Motmot, Green Jay, Western Wood-Pewee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Broad-winged Hawk, White-winged Becard, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, and others.

Afternoon Highlights (Cameguadua Marsh):

A productive stop en route to Manizales yielded 52 species, including Blue-winged Teal (120), Blackish Rail (6), Purple Gallinule (4), Black-necked Stilt (16), Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Neotropic Cormorant (35), Bare-faced Ibis (250), Black-crowned Night Heron (3), Yellow Oriole, Yellow-backed Oriole, and Olive-gray Saltator.

Day 10: The Antpittas of Río Blanco

This reserve is a premier destination for Colombia antpitta feeding stations.

Morning Highlights:

• Endemic Brown-banded Antpitta.
• Chestnut-crowned Antpitta and Slate-crowned Antpitta.
• Masked Saltator: Prolonged views of this rare bird feeding on berries.
• Grass-green Tanager: A main target for Trudy.
• Black-billed Mountain-toucan (3) and Southern Emerald-toucanet.
• Masked Trogon, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Montane Woodcreeper, Pearled Treerunner, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Chestnut-bellied Chat-tyrant, Flavescent Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-flycatcher, Mountain Wren, Sharpe´s Wren, Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush, Northern Slaty Brushfinch, Black-capped Hemispingus, Superciliaried Hemispingus, Blue-capped Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Pink-billed Cnemoscopus, Masked Flowerpiercer, White-sided Flowerpiercer, and Cinnamon Flycatcher.

Hummingbird Highlights:

Sparkling Violetear, Lesser Violetear, Tourmaline Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, and Fawn-breasted Brilliant.

The road to the Visitor´s Center at Los Nevados National Park.

Day 11: High Andes at Los Nevados National Park

We explored the stunning Páramo ecosystem amidst mist and rock cliffs.

Highlights:

• Endemic Buffy Helmetcrest: A male seen in the high Páramo.
• Near-endemic Golden-breasted Puffleg.
• Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (male & female).
• Shining Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, Viridian Metaltail.
• Lacrimose Mountain-tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Masked Flowerpiercer, Grass Wren, Plain-colored Seedeater, and Andean Teal.
• Mixed flock sightings included White-banded Tyrannulet, White-throated Tyrannulet, Superciliaried Hemispingus, Golden-fronted Redstart, and Páramo Tapaculo.

Daniel, Trudy, Doug and Julie at Hacienda El Bosque.

Day 12: Hacienda El Bosque

We joined Cristian, the local guide and “Antpitta Master”.

Highlights:

• Equatorial Antpitta (2).
• Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan (2).
• White-browed Spinetail (2): Feeding on worms at the antpitta station.
• Gray-browed Brushfinch and Northern Slaty Brushfinch.
• Blue-capped Tanager, Black-crested Warbler, Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Mountain Wren, Grass Wren, Sickle-winged Guan, Andean Guan, White-throated Quail-dove, Black Flowerpiercer, Masked Flowerpiercer, Scaly-naped Amazon, and Band-tailed Pigeon.

Hummingbird Highlights:

We added four new species for the trip: Sword-billed Hummingbird, near-endemic Black-thighed Puffleg, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Mountain Velvetbreast. Also seen were Shining Sunbeam, Collared Inca, Sparkling Violetear, and Tourmaline Sunangel.

Restaurante El Bosco at Hacienda El Bosque (3,300mt)

Day 13: Finale at Tinamú Lodge & transfer to Pereira´s airport

Our final day was a celebration of Colombia birding tours, featuring excellent feeding stations and local guides Fernando and Brayan.

Highlights:

• Blue-lored Antbird: Spectacular views of a female and male feeding on worms.
• Jet Antbird: A male appeared from the dense lianas.
• Great Antshrike and Bar-crested Antshrike: Both males seen at close range.
• Golden-collared Manakin: Two males displaying at a lek.
• Moustached Puffbird and Gray-headed Dove.
• Speckle-breasted Wren, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Common Tody-flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Streaked Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Acadian Flycatcher.
• The gardens were alive with White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, White-vented Plumeleteer, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Flame-rumped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Blue-and-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Summer Tanager, Clay-colored Thrush, Black-billed Thrush, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Green Honeycreeper, and Bananaquit.

The birding comes to an end at El Vínculo dry forest.

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