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.

A Quest for Eastern Andes Endemics: A Private Tour

Colombia Birding Trip Report: Eastern Andes near Bogota (October 2018) 

Welcome to our latest Colombia birding trip report , a series where we share the highlights from our world-class expeditions. As expert birding guides in Colombia , we specialize in connecting passionate birdwatchers  with the planet’s highest avian diversity. Our Colombia birding tours are designed to deliver unforgettable experiences, whether you join a scheduled departure or embark on a custom Colombia birding trip. We celebrate the joy of birding  and are thrilled to showcase the results of our recent adventures. Explore the possibilities for your own journey with Birding Tours Colombia.

A Custom Tour for Expert Listers

From October 9–18, 2018, we organized a specialized private birding tour for Tony Menart, Thomas Heatley & Dale Manor—three exceptional birders with life lists exceeding 6,500 species each. This marked their second Colombia birding trip with us, so our objective was clear: focus exclusively on their most-wanted target birds   

Our custom Colombia birding itinerary was designed to maximize their opportunities, covering the very best birding sites near Bogota and the eastern slope of the Eastern Andes. We explored a diverse range of habitats, from cloud forest and páramo to the foothills near Villavicencio. Sites visited included Laguna de Pedro Palo , Chicaque Park , Bosque Bavaria (Orange-breasted Falcon Reserve) , Monterredondo , and the high-altitude páramos of Chingaza National Park and Sumapaz.

Trip Highlights

The success of this trip lay in securing close views of several of the region’s most sought-after and difficult species:

• Tawny-breasted Tinamou: A ridiculously close, memorable encounter at Monterredondo.
• Bogotá Rail (E): Two individuals were seen very well at the Siecha gravel pits, though more than five others were heard calling from the reedy marsh.
• Brown-breasted (Flame-winged) Parakeet (E): Close views of a group of seven endemic parakeets perched at Monterredondo.
• Crestless Curassow: A surprising and delightful sighting of a male at Lagos de Menegua, a new and productive site.
• Hummingbird Heaven: The feeders at the Observatorio de Colibríes lived up to their legendary reputation, bustling with near-endemics like the Blue-throated Starfrontlet and the spectacular Sword-billed Hummingbird

Key Species Observed by Region

Laguna de Pedro Palo

Our birding at Laguna de Pedro Palo yielded the endemic and vulnerable Black Inca , alongside Spectacled Parrotlet, Gray-rumped Swift, White-tipped Swift, the near-endemic Gorgeted Woodstar, Crowned Woodnymph, Booted Racket-Tail, Andean Emerald, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Olivaceus Piculet, Streaked Xenops, Ash-browed Spinetail, Brown-capped Vireo, Black-capped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, and Yellow-backed Oriole.

Chicaque Park

At Chicaque Park, we were delighted by the gorgeous near-endemic Golden-bellied Starfrontlet, spotting one male and two females. The hummingbird activity was excellent, with Tourmaline Sunangel, Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Lesser Violetear, and Sparkling Violetear. We also tracked down a Whiskered Wren in the dense bamboo stands.

Bosque Bavaria (Orange-breasted Falcon Reserve)

Bosque Bavaria proved to be a great forest for birding. Our search produced Gray-chinned Hermit, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Green-backed Trogon, Amazonian Motmot, Yellow-billed Nunbird, Gilded Barbet, Channel-billed Toucan, Lettered Aracari, Scaled Piculet, Northern Slaty-Antshrike, Black-faced Antbird, Spot-winged Antbird, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, White-necked Thrush, Speckled Tanager, Paradise Tanager, and Pectoral Sparrow

Lagos de Menegua: An Eastern Llanos Detour

Having successfully found our targets at Bosque Bavaria , the group opted to scout Lagos de Menegua, a new site for our company. This area, with its scrubby secondary forest, wetlands, and fishing ponds, proved to be a wonderful location for Eastern Llanos specialties. We were surprised by a male Crestless Curassow. As a bonus, we added Striated Heron, Undulated Tinamou, Horned Screamer, Black-collared Hawk, Snail Kite, Hoatzin, Greater Ani, Sulphury Flycatcher, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Striped-necked Tody-Tyrant, and Red-capped Tanager.

Monterredondo

At Monterredondo, we had a ridiculously close encounter with a Tawny-breasted Tinamou walking along the road’s edge. We also achieved fantastic perched views of a group of seven endemic Brown-breasted (Flame-winged) Parakeets and very close views of the vocal Lined-Quail Dove. The forest was alive with birds, including: Speckled Hummingbird, Bronzy Inca, Green-bellied Hummingbird, Golden-headed Quetzal, Montane Foliage-Gleaner, Pearled Treerunner, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Cliff Flycatcher, Black-collared Jay, Spectacled Thrush, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, a pair of the uncommon Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Blue-capped Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Capped Conebill, Bluish Flowerpiercer, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch, Golden-fronted Whitestart, and Mountain Cacique. We also heard over seven Cundinamarca Antpittas calling, but they remained elusive this time.

Páramo de Sumapaz

In the high-altitude Paramo de Sumapaz , access restrictions meant we only saw the endemic Green-bearded Helmetcrest once, at a great distance. However, we secured close views of two pairs of the endemic Apolinar´s Wren and had good scope views of Andean Teal and Andean Duck on the lake .We also easily found Tawny Antpitta, Andean Tit-Spinetail, and Plumbeous Sierra-Finch.

Chingaza National Park

Birding in Chingaza National Park , we had another brief, distant view of a male Green-bearded Helmetcrest hovering over Espeletia flowers. We were more successful with other high-Andean targets, getting good views of the endemics Pale-bellied Tapaculo and Silvery-throated Spinetail, as well as the near-endemics Bronze-tailed Thornbill and Rufous-browed Conebill. Our checklist here also included Andean Guan, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, White-chinned Thistletail, Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet, Red-crested Cotinga, Superciliared Hemispingus, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Plushcap, Paramo Seedeater, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Black-backed Grosbeak, Golden-fronted Whitestart, and Andean Siskin.

The Hummingbird Observatory at La Calera

The gardens at the Observatorio de Colibríes (The Hummingbird Observatory) are always beautifully kept by its owner. This stop on our Colombia hummingbird tour  did not disappoint. The feeders were as busy as ever, with delightful views of the near-endemic Blue-throated Starfrontlet (male and female), Black-tailed Trainbearer (male and female), Green-tailed Trainbearer, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Saphirewing, Tyrian Metaltail, Glowing Puffleg, Sparkling Violetear, and Lesser Violetear.

Páramo Grande and Vereda Concepción

Both Páramo Grande and Vereda Concepción (with the Bioandina & La Guajira private reserves) hold great expanses of well-preserved habitat. We did well, finding the near-endemics Bronze-tailed Thornbill and Rufous-browed Conebill for a second time. We also had good repeat sightings of Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Andean Guan, Tyrian Metaltail, and Glowing Puffleg. Other notable birds included Streaked Tuftedcheek, White-browed Spinetail, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, White-capped Dipper, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, and Andean Siskin.

Guasca and Siecha Gravel Pits

At the Siecha gravel pits, we focused on marsh specialties. We successfully saw two individuals of the endemic Bogota Rail and heard at least five others calling from the reeds. We also found Noble Snipe, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Grassland Yellow-Finch, Striated Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Band-tailed Seedeater.

Enchanted Gardens of San Francisco

As always, the Enchanted Gardens were truly enchanting, with hectic activity at the feeders. This site was key for the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird. We also saw two male and one female Gorgeted Woodstar, White-necked Jacobin, White-bellied Woodstar, Andean Emerald, White-vented Plumeleteer, Black-throated Mango, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear, and Sparkling Violetear.

Laguna de Tabacal

We can never overstate how good the birding is at Laguna de Tabacal. This site holds a high number of quality birds, specialties, and skulkers. We found many great species here, including the endemic Velvet-fronted Euphonia and the near-endemics Short-tailed Emerald, Bar-crested Antshrike, and Scrub Tanager. Other highlights included Ruddy Quail-Dove, Striped Hermit, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Jet Antbird, Blue-lored Antbird, White-bellied Antbird, Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner, Ash-browed Spinetail, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Cinereous Becard, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Black-bellied Wren, Speckle-breasted Wren, Long-billed Gnatwren, Gray-headed Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Rosy-thrush Tanager, and Black-striped Sparrow. We also enjoyed repeated views of the Rusty-breasted Antpitta and Red-billed Scythebill.

From left to right: Victoria Lizarralde, Dale Manor, Tony Menart and Thomas Heatley, at the Hummingbird Observatory.

This successful journey highlights the incredible birding possibilities in Colombia’s Eastern Andes. We are passionate about crafting unforgettable expeditions for birders and photographers. If this report inspires you, we invite you to explore our scheduled departures or contact us to design your own custom Colombia birding trip. Our expert guides are ready to show you the best of Birding Tours Colombia.

Triumph in the Andes: Chasing Colombia’s Rarest Endemics in Putumayo & Huila

Trip Report: Private ‘Southeastern Regions’ Tour (Jan 14 – 24, 2018) with Hans Jornvall

This specialized, tailor-made journey through the rugged southeastern regions of Putumayo and Huila was a tremendous success.  Designed specifically for Hans Jornvall from  Sweden , the trip saw him add nine new species to his impressive life list, which already boasted over 9,200 species. More than just a birding tour, this expedition was a rewarding immersion into Colombia’s rich Andean and Amazonian foothills, yielding unforgettable experiences and stunning views of highly sought-after avifauna.

Trip Summary 

Hans Jornvall after returning from the mid-Magdalena Valley. We stopped at a typical restaurant entering Bogota.

Trip Highlights

The challenging terrain and focused effort paid off with spectacular sightings:

• Andean Endemics: Obtaining great views of the magnificent Chestnut-bellied Cotinga (Doliornis remseni) and Masked Mountain-Tanager (Buthraupis wetmorei) while visiting Paramo de Bordoncillo was a thrilling start.
• The Sicklebill Prize: A major highlight was successfully seeing the Buff-tailed Sicklebill (Eutoxeres condamini) at the beautiful Isla Escondida private nature reserve.
• Tinamous & Tapaculos: A true stroke of luck was finding a Highland Tinamou (Nothocercus bonapartei) sitting on a nest after a challenging ascent by horse near Pitalito. Near this same location, in dense Chusquea bamboo, the group enjoyed excellent views of the endemic Upper Magdalena Tapaculo (Scytalopus rodriguezi).
• Brush-Finches & Antbirds: The group was excited to find both the stunning White-rimmed Brush-Finch (Atlapetes leucopis) at El Trampolín de Las Aves and the endemic Dusky-headed Brush-Finch (Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus) along the road from Mocoa to Pitalito. The gorgeous pair of East Andean Antbird (Drymophila caudata) seen in the bamboo stands was another memorable sighting.
  

The picturesque poirt at Laguna de La Cocha.

Key Species Observed

Here is a selection of the most notable species sighted (or heard) during the expedition, demonstrating the region’s incredible biodiversity:

A second view of El Puerto, at Laguna de La Cocha.

The Andean Foothills: Pasto, Bordoncillo & Mocoa

The journey began with a flight into Pasto, followed by a picturesque overnight stay at Laguna de La Cocha. The real climbing started the following day at Paramo de Bordoncillo, a stunning high-altitude ecosystem, or páramo, where the air is crisp and the species are magnificent. We obtained great views of the magnificent Chestnut-bellied Cotinga (Doliornis remseni) and the Masked Mountain-Tanager (Buthraupis wetmorei).

On our descent towards Mocoa, we birded El Trampolín de Las Aves, where the group enjoyed splendid views of the White-rimmed Brush-Finch (Atlapetes leucopis). Near Mocoa, along the Campucana Trail, we were successful with the White-streaked Antvireo (Dysithamnus leucostictus) but only heard the elusive Black Tinamou (Tinamus osgoodi).

Isla Escondida & the Amazonian Transition

The mid-point of the tour was spent at Isla Escondida, a private nature reserve set by co-author of Birdwatching in Colombia, Jurgen Beckers. Here, the team found a major success by seeing well the highly wanted Buff-tailed Sicklebill (Eutoxeres condamini). The dense cover also revealed the very shy Chestnut-headed Crake (Anurolimnas castaneiceps), heard only a few meters away from us.

The Pitalito Highlands: Tapaculos and Tinamous

The most challenging section of the itinerary proved the most rewarding for endemics. Near Pitalito, we had essential support from local guides Jorge Peña and Roso Ortiz. A strenuous, yet successful, ascent by horse to a steep mountain near the town led to an incredible discovery: a Highland Tinamou (Nothocercus bonapartei) sitting on a nest.

Targeted birding in the dense bamboo stands (Chusquea spp.) yielded excellent views of the endemic Upper Magdalena Tapaculo (Scytalopus rodriguezi). This habitat was equally fruitful for another spectacle: a gorgeous pair of the East Andean Antbird (Drymophila caudata). Finally, along the road from Mocoa back toward Pitalito, we located the endemic Dusky-headed Brush-Finch (Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus).

The group flew out of Pitalito back to Bogotá on Avianca, concluding an extremely focused and successful expedition.

We extend our deep gratitude to our local support team:

• Brayan Coral Jaramillo: Provided excellent logistical organization and additional guidance throughout the main trip.
• Jorge Peña and Roso Ortiz: Gave crucial support near Pitalito, ensuring success in a challenging area.

This adventure stands as a testament to the incredible, untouched birding opportunities found across Colombia’s interior regions. From high-altitude paramo to dense bamboo stands, the landscapes were as rewarding as the birds themselves, especially when a lifer is waiting!

If you’re inspired by Hans Jornvall’s success and are ready to tackle the elusive tapaculos, antbirds, and unique endemics of Putumayo and Huila, let Birding Tours Colombia design your next tailor-made expedition. Come find your next nine lifers with us!

In the previous week (January 7 – 13), we birded the Rio Claro canyon & Bellavista Forest in mid-Magdalena Valley for White-bearded Manakin (Corapipo leucorrhoa) & Saffron-headed Parrot (Pyrilia pyrilia) (having seen the manakin, but missing the parrot), and Hato La Aurora in the Orinoco region of Colombia for Crestless Curassow (Mitu tuberosum) & Masked Cardinal (Paroaria nigrogenis) (having seen both).

Quest for the Curassow: A Target-Driven Triumph in Colombia’s Eastern Llanos

Trip Report: Private Eastern Llanos Tour at Hato La Aurora (January 2018) with Hans Jornvall

 Our Birding Tours Colombia itineraries are designed to maximize field time, targeting the most sought-after endemics and regional specialties. Whether you join a scheduled departure or one of our custom Colombia birding trips, our expert birding guides Colombia use their deep local knowledge to connect you with the birds you’ve traveled to see. This report showcases the results of that dedication.

The Client’s Quest

This special, short trip was a private birding tour designed for Hans Jornvall. Hans, an exceptionally experienced birder with over 9,200 species on his life list, had traveled with us before. He had already seen nearly every bird at Hato La Aurora, but two species had consistently eluded him. This custom Colombia birding trip had a clear, focused mission: to find his two remaining targets, the Crestless Curassow and the Masked Cardinal.

A Birder’s Paradise: Hato La Aurora

Hato La Aurora is a paradise for birdwatching in Colombia, a vast reserve in the Eastern Llanos harboring a huge collection of species. Some are restricted to the Orinoco region, such as the Pale-headed Jacamar, Orinoco Goose, Purple-throated Euphonia, and White-bearded Flycatcher.

The lowland savannas and gallery forests here are filled with amazing birds, including the Jabiru, Maguari Stork, Horned Screamer, Sunbittern, Scarlet Ibis, Double-striped Thick-Knee, Hoatzin, Dwarf Cuckoo, Great Horned Owl, Black-and-white Owl, Burrowing Owl, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Russet-throated Puffbird, and Wire-tailed Manakin.

Day 1: January 11 – Arrival and the First Search

We flew from Bogotá to Yopal early on January 11th and met our driver for the four-hour journey to the ranch. Local guides had seen the curassow in previous days, so we immediately headed to the exact location.

The Crestless Curassow is an uncommon and elusive bird. Its seasonal behaviors are dictated by rain, water levels, and food availability, making it highly unpredictable.  Despite our best efforts, we had to return to the lodge at nightfall without a sighting.

Even so, the day provided fantastic highlights, including two Brazilian Teals, two Speckled Chachalacas, four Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures, a Crane Hawk, a Pied Lapwing, two Double-striped Thick-knees, eight Nacunda Nighthawks, and two Pale-headed Jacamars. We also found a White-bearded Hermit, Blue-tailed Emeralds, a Chestnut-eared Aracari, two White-bearded Flycatchers, a Black-faced Tanager, an Orange-crowned Oriole, and two Purple-throated Euphonias.

Day 2: January 12 – Success with the Curassow

The next day, we shifted strategy and visited a second site where the curassow had been seen visiting a plantain crop, likely attracted by fallen fruit. The site was promising: a small stream ran nearby, edged by a thin but dense gallery forest.

We waited silently for about an hour. Suddenly, a beautiful male Crestless Curassow emerged, walking slowly and almost leisurely between the forest and the plantation. It was a tense and thrilling 30 minutes. The bird would stand still, nervously looking around, then calmly preen its tail feathers. We had ample time for magnificent scope views—a fantastic reward for a difficult-to-find target.

With our main target secured, we used the rest of the day to find the Masked Cardinal, which quickly showed up near the lodge.

The day was filled with other wetland and forest specialties, including five Horned Screamers, three Orinoco Geese, two Rufous-vented Chachalacas, a Rufescent Tiger-Heron, four Whistling Herons, six Scarlet Ibises, two Sharp-tailed Ibises, and three Jabirus. We also recorded an Aplomado Falcon, a Sunbittern, ten Chestnut-fronted Macaws, four Hoatzins, a Glittering-throated Emerald, two more Pale-headed Jacamars, and two Crimson-crested Woodpeckers.

In just this short, focused visit, we registered 131 species, with 127 species seen and 4 heard-only.

This focused, target-driven itinerary highlights the value of our private birding tours in Colombia. If you have a specific “nemesis bird” or a list of targets, contact Birding Tours Colombia. We can design a custom Colombia birding trip to help you find it. Explore our scheduled tours for 2026 and 2027 to see what adventures are waiting.

This was a short visit to a wonderful birding paradise in the Orinoco region of Colombia, where savannas, gallery forests and wetlands form a prodigious landscape home to an amazing fauna.

First day of trip begun with an early morning (6:03 departure) domestic flight from Bogota to Yopal. Immediately after landing, the ranch´s driver picked us up and we drove to Paz de Ariporo, continuing to Montañas del Totumo & Lodge Juan Solito at Hato La Aurora. Birding this day was done along the road, and in the lodge´s gardens and nearby forests.

Second day was a full day trip from the lodge to the ranch´s main house, traversing open savannas and wetlands.

Third day was a shorter day trip, from the lodge to Mata de Palma, a wetland midways to the ranch´s main house. Fourth and last day was mostly rainy, driving back to Yopal´s airport for our 18:45 flight back to Bogota.

The trip was customized around Todd´s and Mark´s target birds, which were just a few: Orinoco Goose, Sharp-tailed Ibis, Crestless Curassow, Pale-headed Jacamar and White-bearded Flycatcher. The Amazonian Black-Tyrant & Pinnated Bittern apparently have been registered at this locality, but they are both extremely uncommon.

Special birds seen at Hato La Aurora and along the roads were: Horned Screamer, Orinoco Goose, Brazilian Teal, Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Crested Bobwhite, Maguari Stork, Jabiru, Anhinga, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Cocoi Heron, Striated & Whistling Heron, Capped Heron, Scarlet Ibis, Sharp-tailed & Bare-faced Ibis, Buff-necked Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Black-collared Hawk, Crane  & Savanna Hawk, Great Black Hawk, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Purple Gallinule, Limpkin, Double-striped Thick-Knee, Black-necked Stilt, Pied Lapwing, Collared Plover, Wattled Jacana, Large-billed Tern, Pale-vented Pigeon, Scaled Dove, Blue Ground-Dove, White-tipped Dove, Gray-fronted Dove, Striped & Little Cuckoo, Dwarf & Squirrel Cuckoo, Black-and-white Owl, Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl, Nacunda Nighthawk, Common Pauraque, White-tailed Nightjar, White-bearded Hermit, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Blue-tailed & Glittering-throated Emerald, Russet-throated Puffbird, Pale-headed & Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Scaled Piculet, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Aplomado Falcon, Yellow-crowned & Orange-winged Parrot, Spectacled Parrotlet, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Blue-crowned & Brown-throated Parakeet, Black-crested & Barred Antshrike, White-fringed Antwren, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Rusty-backed & Pale-breasted Spinetail, Mouse-colored & Yellow Tyrannulet, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Short-crested & Brown-crested Flycatcher, Lesser Kiskadee, White-bearded Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Wire-tailed Manakin, Black-crowned Tityra, White-winged Becard, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Violaceous Jay, White-winged Swallow, Bicolored & Buff-breasted Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Spectacled & White-necked Thrush, Cocoa Thrush, Yellowish Pipit, Masked Cardinal, Silver-beaked Tanager, Orange-fronted Yellow-Finch, Yellow-browed Sparrow, Eastern & Red-breasted Meadowlark, Oriole Blackbird, Venezuelan Troupial, Yellow Oriole, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Crested Oropendola and Purple-throated Euphonia, among others.

In total, we registered 161 species, including a nice set of range-restricted species that were new to either Todd or Mark, including Orinoco Goose, Sharp-tailed Ibis, Pale-headed Jacamar, White-bearded Flycatcher & Purple-throated Euphonia. Sadly, we missed the Crestless Curassow this time.

Family group of Burrowing Owls at the Eastern Llanos of Colombia.

After landing in Bogota on a direct flight from USA, Anthony took a domestic flight to Pereira with Avianca (July 14, 2017). Soon after landing in Pereira, we met and drove to Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, lodging there for two nights. We then drove to Manizales, birding en route Cameguadua marsh. The following days we visited Los Nevados National Park and Rio Blanco. Afterwards, we traveled to Tinamu Birding Lodge and Cerro Montezuma, finishing back at Pereira´s airport for a domestic flight back to Bogota and connections back home.

Special birds seen in Otún-Quimbaya included 14 Cauca Guans, 4 Chestnut Wood-Quails, 4 Sickle-winged Guans, 6 Bronze-winged Parrots, 1 Colombian Screech-Owl, 1 Mottled Owl (heard), 2 Rufous-bellied Nighthawks, 1 Speckled Hummingbird, 1 Bronzy Inca, 1 Booted Racket-Tail, 1 Western Emerald (male), 2 Collared Trogons, 4 Highland Motmots, 1 Red-headed Barbet, 4 Southern Emerald Toucanets, 1 Grayish Piculet, 9 Acorn Woodpeckers, 1 Golden-olive Woodpecker (heard), 4 Bar-crested Antshrikes, 4 Moustached Antpittas (heard), 2 Chestnut-crowned Antpittas (heard), 1 Hooded Antpitta, 1 Stiles´s Tapaculo, 2 Strong-billed Woodcreepers, 3 Montane Woodcreepers, 2 Streaked Xenops, 2 Rusty-winged Barbtails, 2 Spotted Barbtails, 1 Lineated Foliage-Gleaner, 2 Streak-capped Treehunters, 2 Red-faced Spinetails, 1 Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, 4 Torrent Tyrannulets, 2 Variegated Bristle-Tyrants, 4 Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrants, 1 Streak-necked Flycatcher, 3 Rufous-breasted Flycatchers, 2 Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrants, 4 Golden-crowned Flycatchers, 3 Dusky-capped Flycatchers, 1 Pale-edged Flycatcher, 9 Red-ruffed Fruitcrows, 1 Barred Becard (male), 1 Black-billed Peppershrike, 1 Rufous-naped Greenlet, 10 Green Jays, 3 Whiskered Wrens, 2 Chestnut-breasted Wrens, 1 White-capped Dipper, 1 Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, 3 White-capped Tanagers, 2 Oleaginous Hemispinguses, 8 Flame-rumped Tanagers, 3 Fawn-breasted Tanagers, 4 Black-capped Tanagers, 3 Scrub Tanagers, 4 Blue-necked Tanagers, 3 Metallic-green Tanagers, 4 Rusty Flowerpiercers, 7 Black-winged Saltators, 2 Chestnut-capped Brush-Finches, 6 White-naped (Yellow-throated) Brush-Finches, 1 Ashy-throated Bush-Finch, 2 Russet-crowned Warblers, 2 Three-striped Warblers, 4 Yellow-bellied Siskins, 7 Lesser Goldfinches and 7 Orange-bellied Euphonias.

The birding at Cameguadua marsh was brief (2 hours) but good as usual, with 8 Striated Herons, 2 Blackish Rails, 6 Purple Gallinules, 6 Spectacled Parrotlets, 12 Blue-headed Parrots, 3 Steely-vented Hummingbirds, 3 Ringed Kingfishers, 1 Green Kingfisher, 1 Great Antshrike (male), 2 Bar-crested Antshrikes, 2 Slaty Spinetails, 6 Vermilion Flycatchers, 2 Pied Water-Tyrants, 4 Rusty-margined Flycatchers, 2 Gray Seedeaters, 1 Rudy-breasted Seedeater (male), 2 Grayish Saltators, 1 Streaked Saltator and 1 Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, among others.

Los Nevados National Park holds special high-altitude birds, and in our day visit we saw 3 Andean Teals, 1 Andean Duck (male), 2 Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles, 1 Andean Pygmy-Owl (heard), 1 Tourmaline Sunangel, 2 Rainbow-bearded Thornbills (male & female), 1 Buffy Helmetcrest (male), 3 Tyrian Metaltails, 5 Viridian Metaltails, 3 Black-thighed Pufflegs, 5 Golden-breasted Pufflegs, 8 Shinning Sunbeams, 1 Collared Inca, 3 Buff-winged Starfrontlets, 2 Mountain Velvetbreasts, 1 Sword-billed Hummingbird, 5 Great Saphirewings, 2 Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans, 1 Yellow-vented Woodpecker, 1 Rufous Antpitta, 1 Tawny Antpitta, 1 Ash-colored Tapaculo, 1 Paramo Tapaculo, 2 Stout-billed Cinclodes, 1 Andean Tit-Spinetail, 3 White-browed Spinetails, 1 Many-striped Canastero, 2 White-banded Tyrannulets, 4 White-throated Tyrannulets, 2 Brown-backed Chat-Tyrants, 8 Brown-bellied Swallows, 6 Sedge Wrens, 1 Hooded Mountain-Tanager, 2 Lacrimose Mountain-Tanagers, 4 Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, 2 Blue-backed Conebills, 2 Glossy Flowerpiercers, 5 Plumbeous Sierra-Finches, 8 Plain-colored Seedeaters, 4 Paramo Seedeaters, 1 Gray-browed Brush-Finch, 4 Pale-naped Brush-Finches, 2 Slaty Brush-Finches, 2 Black-crested Warblers, 4 Golden-fronted Whitestarts and 6 Andean Siskins, among others.

The paramo vegetation at the Visitor´s Center of Los Nevados National Park is one of the best sites to see the

endemic Buffy Helmetcrest.

We birded Rio Blanco for one full day plus one morning. Rio Blanco holds a wonderful mid-elevation forest and our birding covered an altitudinal gradient from 2100 meters to 2900 meters. We saw many birds, and will mention here just the most interesting of all. We enjoyed seeing 7 Sickle-winged Guans, 3 Chestnut Wood-Quails, 10 Golden-plumed Parakeets, 30 Scarlet-fronted Parakeets, 2 White-throated Screech-Owls, 1 Rufous-banded Owl (heard), 1 Lyre-tailed Nightjar (male), 1 White-throated Wedgebill, 3 Tourmaline Sunangels, 2 Speckled Hummingbirds, 5 Long-tailed Sylphs, 3 Bronzy Incas, 5 Collared Incas, 4 Fawn-breasted Brilliants, 6 White-bellied Woodstars, 4 Golden-headed Quetzals, 1 Masked Trogon, 1 Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, 2 Bar-bellied Woodpeckers, 2 Crimson-mantled Woodpeckers, 2 Powerful Woodpeckers, 2 Streak-headed Antbirds, 5 Chestnut-crowned Antpittas, 1 Bicolored Antpitta, 1 Chestnut-naped Antpitta (heard), 2 Brown-banded Antpittas, 1 Slate-crowned Antpitta, 1 Ocellated Tapaculo, 5 Ash-colored Tapaculos (heard), 3 Blackish Tapaculos (one seen, two heard), 4 Spillmann´s Tapaculos (one seen, three heard), 1 Tyrannine Woodcreeper, 2 Montane Woodcreepers, 5 Streaked Xenops, 9 Pearled Trerunners, 3 Black-capped Tyrannulets, 2 Mountain Elaenias, 2 White-tailed Tyrannulets, 3 Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatchers, 4 Cinnamon Flycatchers, 1 Smoky Bush-Tyrant, 2 Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrants, 1 Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, 4 Rufous-breasted Flycatchers, 2 Pale-edged Flycatchers, 1 Green-and-black Fruiteater, 4 Barred Becards, 4 Black-billed Peppershrikes, 4 Brown-capped Vireos, 3 Pale-footed Swallows, 4 Mountain Wrens, 6 Rufous Wrens, 8 Sharpe´s Wrens, 1 White-capped Dipper, 1 Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush,  6 White-capped Tanagers, 4 Black-capped Hemispinguses, 14 Gray-hooded Bush-Tanagers, 2 Grass-green Tanagers, 4 Lacrimose Mountain-Tanagers, 12 Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers, 5 Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanagers, 1 Fawn-breasted Tanager, 2 Blue-capped Tanagers, 4 Blue-and-black Tanagers, 3 Beryl-spangled Tanagers, 8 Capped Conebills, 4 Plushcaps, 1 Masked Saltator, 1 Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, 3 Gray-browed Brush-Finches, 4 White-naped (Yellow-throated) Brush-Finches, 4 Slaty Brush-Finches, 2 Black-crested Warblers, 4 Russet-crowned Warblers, 1 Slate-throated Whitestart, 4 Golden-fronted Whitestarts, 3 Mountain Caciques (heard), 4 Yellow-billed Caciques (heard) and 2 Yellow-bellied Siskins.

We birded one afternoon and one morning at Tinamu Birding Lodge, and we managed to add more nice birds to a growing list, including 2 Little Tinamous (heard), 2 Buff-necked Ibises (fly overs), 2 Pale-vented Pigeons, 4 Gray-headed Doves, 2 Spectacled Parrotlets, 15 Blue-headed Parrots, 2 Squirrel Cuckoos, 2 Striped Cuckoos, 1 Tropical Screech-Owl (heard), 2 Common Potoos, 10 White-necked Jacobins, 1 Stripe-throated Hermit, 6 Green Hermits, 8 Lesser Violetears, 1 Sparkling Violetear, 11 Black-throated Mangos, 1 Long-billed Starthroat, 6 White-vented Plumeleteers, 12 Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, 10 Steely-vented Hummingbirds, 1 Highland Motmot, 2 Moustached Puffbirds, 2 Acorn Woodpeckers, 3 Red-crowned Woodpeckers, 1 Smoky-brown Woodpecker, 1 Spot-breasted Woodpecker, 1 Lineated Woodpecker, 1 Great Antshrike, 1 Bar-crested Antshrike, 2 Parker´s Antbirds, 2 Jet Antbirds, 2 Blue-lored Antbirds, 2 Scaled Antpittas (heard), 1 Plain-brown Woodcreeper, 2 Cocoa Woodcreepers, 4 Streak-headed Woodcreepers, 2 Pale-breasted Spinetails, 2 Slaty Spinetails, 4 Sooty-headed Tyrannulets, 1 Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, 2 Golden-faced Tyrannulets, 2 Ochre-bellied Flycatchers, 1 Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, 2 Yellow-olive Flycatchers, 1 Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, 2 Vermilion Flycatchers, 2 Streaked Flycatchers, 3 Golden-collared Manakins, 2 Cinereous Becards, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Rufous-naped Greenlets, 2 Scaly-breasted Wrens, 2 White-breasted Wood-Wrens, 2 Clay-colored Thrushes, 3 Gray-headed Tanagers, 2 White-shouldered Tanagers, 2 Crimson-backed Tanagers, 2 Bay-headed Tanagers, 3 Green Honeycreepers, 2 Thick-billed Seed-Finches, 2 Streaked Saltators, 2 Buff-rumped Warblers and 2 Golden-crowned Warblers, among many others.

Food is good and abundantly served in Colombia. As an example, this dish is the representative plate for the Andean region of Colombia in the Central Andes, called the “Bandeja Paisa”.

Our final birding locality was Cerro Montezuma, on the Pacific slope of the Western Andes. This is an outstanding site for mountain-Choco specialties. The number of species we registered in two days is very high, and we will mention here just the specialties. We saw 1 Tawny-breasted Tinamou, 1 Wattled Guan, 2 Plumbeous Pigeons, 1 White-throated Quail-Dove, 30 Scaly-naped Parrots, 1 Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, 2 Tawny-bellied Hummingbirds, 3 Green-fronted Lancebills, 8 Violet-tailed Sylphs, 1 Greenish Puffleg, 1 Brown Inca, 7 Velvet-purple Coronets, 2 Booted Racket-Tails, 8 Rufous-gaped Hillstars, 2 Purple-bibbed Whitetips, 2 Green-crowned Brilliants, 4 Empress Brilliants, 20 Purple-throated Woodstars, 6 Andean Emeralds, 2 Golden-headed Quetzals (heard), 1 Collared Trogon, 2 Toucan Barbets, 2 Golden-olive Woodpeckers, 2 Uniform Antshrikes, 3 Bicolored Antvireos, 1 Parker´s Antbird, 1 Plain-backed Antpitta (heard), 1 Yellow-breasted Antpitta, 1 Ochre-breasted Antpitta, 2 Tatama Tapaculos, 2 Choco Tapaculos, 3 Nariño Tapaculos, 2 Wedge-billed Woodcreepers, 1 Spotted Woodcreeper, 1 Brown-billed Scythebill, 1 Buffy Tuftedcheek, 1 Streaked Tuftedcheek, 2 Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaners, 2 Uniform Treehunters, 6 Fulvous-dotted Treerunners, 2 Red-faced Spinetails, 2 Rufous Spinetails, 2 Black-capped Tyrannulets, 1 Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, 1 Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, 1 Streak-necked Flycatcher, 2 Black-throated Tody-Tyrants, 4 Handsome Flycatchers, 1 Scaled Fruiteater, 1 Golden-winged Manakin, 1 Club-winged Manakin, 1 Barred Becard, 2 Beautiful Jays, 2 Black-chested Jays, 2 Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireos, 2 Munchique Wood-Wrens, 1 Chestnut-breasted Wren, 6 Black Solitaires, 2 Glossy-black Thrushes, 2 Black-and-gold Tanagers, 5 Gold-ringed Tanagers, 2 Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers, 2 Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers, 1 Purplish-mantled Tanager, 2 Glistening-green Tanagers, 1 Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, 4 Dusky-faced Tanagers, 1 Buff-throated Saltator, 2 Black-headed Brush-Finches, 4 Olive Finches, 5 Tricolored Brush-Finches, 3 Dusky Bush-Finches, 4 Crested Ant-Tanagers, 2 Ochre-breasted Tanagers, 2 Golden-fronted Redstarts, 3 Orange-bellied Euphonias, 12 Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias and 2 Yellow-collared Chlorophonias.

Overall, this was a very nice trip, with 377 species registered in 8 days of birding, of which 75 were lifers for Anthony.

Michelle (Leopoldina) & Anthony, having breakfast in the field, on top of Cerro Montezuma.

This was a private birding tour for Allan Hale, Ian Black, Ray Gribble & Malcolm Rains from UK. Starting in Bogota, tour covered the Eastern Andes near Bogota, visiting Chingaza National Park, Siecha gravel pits, the Hummingbird Observatory at La Calera, La Florida Park, Tabacal Lagoon and the Enchanted Gardens of San Francisco at La Vega.

The mid-Magdalena Valley was represented by the Bellavista Forest at Victoria, El Dosymedio near Puerto Boyaca, El Refugio at Rio Claro canyon, the road to Puerto Nare near Doradal, and the adjacent road to El Palacio de Los Frisoles in Cocorna.

The second leg of the tour saw us visiting La Romera Ecopark at Sabaneta in the Medellin suburbs, the Quebrada Sinifana near Bolombolo, the road to Ventanas´s Pass, and Morro Amarillo near Jardin.

Finally, the itinerary covered comprehensively the Central Andes in the coffee region of the country, with great birding at Los Nevados National Park, the hummingbird feeders at Hotel Termales del Ruiz, Rio Blanco, Tinamu Birding Lodge, Cameguadua marsh and Otun-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary. Flight back to Bogota was through Pereira´s airport.

As a result, Malcolm had 112, Allan 88 and Ray 120 lifers, not counting the “heards only”.

In the Eastern Andes section of the tour (days 1 & 2) some of the special birds recorded included Andean Teal, Andean Duck, Lesser Scaup, White-tailed Kite, Black-Hawk Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Bogota Rail, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Noble Snipe, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Spectacled Parrotlet, Stripe-throated Hermit, Sparkling Violetear, Black-throated Mango, Black-tailed & Green-tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail, Glowing & Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Saphirewing, White-bellied & Gorgeted Woodstar, Red-billed Emerald, White-vented Plumeleteer, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Red-crowned & Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, White-chinned Thistletail, Silvery-throated & Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Pale-bellied Tapaculo, Yellow-bellied & Mountain Elaenia, White-throated Tyrannulet, Subtropical Doradito, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Cattle Tyrant, Pyratic & Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Striolated & White-bearded Manakin, Brown-bellied Swallow, Gray-breasted Martin, Long-billed Gnatwren, Swainson´s & Pale-breasted Thrush, Black-billed Thrush, Tropical Mockingbird, Superciliaried & Black-headed Hemispingus, Crimson-backed Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Rufous-browed Conebill, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Black Flowerpiercer, Masked Flowerpiercer, White-sided Flowerpiercer, Grayish & Streaked Saltator, Rosy Thrush-Tanager (heard), Grassland Yellow-Finch, Ruddy-breasted & Band-tailed Seedeater,  Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Black-backed Grossbeak, Golden-fronted Redstart, Black-crested & Rufous-capped Warbler, Yellow-backed Oriole, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Andean Siskin and Golden-rumped Euphonia, among many others.

From left to right: Allan, Ian, Ray & Malcolm, on Ventanas´s Pass after seeing the endemic Yellow-eared Parrots cruising by as they flew from their roosting sites to distant feeding grounds.

Special birds of the mid-Magdalena Valley leg of the trip (days 3, 4 & 5) included Northern Screamer, Colombian Chachalaca, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Striated Heron, Cocoi Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Savanna Hawk, Russet-crowned Crake (heard), Yellow-billed Tern, Wattled Jacana, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Spectacled Parrotlet, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Mealy Parrot, Greater Ani, Oilbird, White-collared Swift, Gray-rumped Swift, Short-tailed Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Pale-bellied Hermit, Purple-crowned Fairy, Long-billed Hermit, Blue-chested Hummingbird, White-tailed Trogon, Green Kingfisher, Broad-billed Motmot (heard), Rufous Motmot, Pied Puffbird, Barred Puffbird, White-whiskered Puffbird, White-mantled Barbet,  Channel-billed (Citron-throated) Toucan, Collared Aracari, Olivaceous Piculet, Beautiful Woodpecker, Russet-throated Puffbird, Cinnamon & Lineated Woodpecker, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Bar-crested & Black-crowned Antshrike, Pacific & Slaty Antwren, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Magdalena Antbird, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Olivaceous Flatbill, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Pied Water-Tyrant, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Streaked Flycatcher, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Panama Flycatcher, Bright-rumped Attila, White-bibbed Manakin, Striolated Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Rufous Piha, Cinereous & Cinnamon Becard, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Scrub Greenlet, White-thighed Swallow, Southern Rough-Winged Swallow, Gray-breasted Martin, White-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Band-backed Wren, Bicolored Wren, Black-bellied Wren, Bay Wren, White-breasted Wood-Wren, Sooty-headed Wren, Gray-headed Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Black-faced Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Dusky-faced Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Black-striped Sparrow, Tennessee Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Canada Warbler, Golden-crowned Warbler, Buff-rumped Warbler, Crested Oropendola, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Oriole, Red-breasted Blackbird, Velvet-fronted Euphonia and Fulvous-vented Euphonia.

Happy birders at Victoria after spotting the endemic Beautiful Woodpecker on scattered trees in the middle of an Avocado plantation.

From Sabaneta to Jardin we also had a good set of specialties, including Sickle-winged Guan, Colombian Chachalaca, Yellow-eared Parrot, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Speckle-faced & Bronze-winged Parrot, Green Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Booted Racket-Tail, Western & Andean Emerald, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Highland Motmot, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Grayish Piculet, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Rufous & Red-faced Spinetail, Pearled Treerunner, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Bar-crested & Black-crowned Antshrike,  Parker´s Antbird, Ocellated Tapaculo, Blackish Tapaculo, Stiles´s Tapaculo, Spillmann´s Tapaculo, Sooty-headed & Black-capped Tyrannulet, Greenish & Mountain Elaenia, Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Black-throated Pygmy-Tyrant, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-olive & Cinnamon Flycatcher, Smoke-colored Pewee, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Golden-crowned & Pale-edged Flycatcher, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Barred & White-winged Becard, Black-chested & Green Jay, Whiskered & Antioquia Wren, Tropical Gnatcatcher, White-capped Dipper, Andean Solitaire, Flame-rumped & Blue-capped Tanager, Lacrimose & Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager, Guira Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Black-winged Saltator, White-naped (Yellow-throated) Brush-Finch, Slaty Brush-Finch, Common Bush-Finch, Hepatic Tanager, Citrine & Three-striped Warbler, Russet-backed Oropendola, Mountain Cacique, Yellow-backed Oriole, Red-bellied Grackle, Giant Cowbird, Yellow-bellied Siskin and Thick-billed Euphonia.

The high paramo ecosystem, from the road to Los Nevados National Park.

As always, the last leg of the trip at the Central Andes (days 9 – 14) was very productive. Highlights included Torrent Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Andean & Cauca Guan, Sickle-winged Guan, Crested Bobwhite, Chestnut Wood-Quail, White-rumped Hawk, Sharp-shinned (Plain-breasted) Hawk, Purple Gallinule, Gray-headed Dove, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Bronze-winged Parrot, Dwarf & Striped Cuckoo, Colombian & White-throated Screech-Owl, Mottled Owl, Common Potoo, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, White-throated Wedgebill, Tourmaline Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Buffy Helmetcrest, Viridian Metaltail, Black-thighed & Golden-breasted Puffleg, Shinning Sunbeam, Bronzy & Collared Inca, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Saphirewing, Booted Racket-Tail, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Long-billed Starthroat, White-bellied Woodstar, Western Emerald, Golden-headed Quetzal, Collared & Masked Trogon, Highland Motmot, Moustached Puffbird, Southern Emerald Toucanet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Grayish Piculet, Yellow-vented & Golden-olive Woodpecker, Crimson-mantled & Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Slaty Spinetail, Streak-capped & Flammulated Treehunter, Streaked Xenops, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Strong-billed & Black-banded Woodcreeper, Cocoa & Montane Woodcreeper, Great & Bar-crested Antshrike, Parker´s & Jet Antbird, Blue-lored (Immaculate) Antbird, Moustached Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, Tawny Antpitta, Brown-banded Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta, Ash-colored Tapaculo, Blackish Tapaculo, Spillmann´s Tapaculo, Paramo Tapaculo (heard), Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, White-tailed & White-banded Tyrannulet, Torrent Tyrannulet, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Variegated & Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Slaty-backed & Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Black-billed Peppershrike, Brown-capped Vireo, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Black-collared Jay, Brown-bellied Swallow, Sedge Wren, Speckle-breasted Wren, Rufous & Sharpe´s Wren, Chestnut-breasted Wren, White-capped Dipper, Clay-colored Thrush, Black-capped Hemispingus, Superciliaried Hemispingus, Oleagineous Hemispingus, Black-eared Hemispingus, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Gray-headed Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Scarlet-bellied & Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Golden Tanager, Capped Conebill, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Plushcap, Black-winged Saltator, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Slaty Finch, Plain-colored Seedeater, Paramo Seedeater, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Gray-browed Brush-Finch, Slaty Brush-Finch, Common Bush-Finch, Ashy-throated Bush-Finch, Tropical Parula, Golden-fronted Redstart, Citrine Warbler, Russet-crowned Warbler, Andean & Yellow-bellied Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, Orange-bellied Euphonia and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.

Upper montane forest at 3,000 meters, from the Old Road to Los Nevados.

The lovely city of Manizales, seen from El Mirador de Rio Blanco.

Ian, Malcolm, Ray & Allan, birding the cloud forest at Rio Blanco.

Hans Jörnvall has a life-list over 9,200 species, and in previous trips we have been finding the most wanted species, adding now more than 120 species to his life list.

In this occasion we birded the Anchicayá Valley (along the Old Road to Buenaventura), San Cipriano & Aguaclara, covering a big altitudinal gradient from the high mountains to the foothills of the Western Andes. And we added a quick run to the Central Andes in search of the endemics Fuerte´s Parrot & Rufous-fronted Parakeet, plus the range restricted Gray-headed Dove.

In the first leg of the trip we were joined at different localities by Jose Luna, Anderson Muñoz and Andres Mauricio Henao, all birding guides with great knowledge on the places we were visiting. Our strategy for birding the Old Road to Buenaventura worked very well, achieving thirteen of the much desired targets. At the Anchicaya Valley we had great views of the near-endemics Moss-backed & Golden-chested Tanagers, Lita Woodpecker, near-endemic & near-threatened Choco Poorwill, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Esmeraldas Antbird, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Green Manakin & Pacific Flatbill. At San Cipriano we were rewarded by finding the near-endemics Pallid Dove & Five-colored Barbet, the Black-headed Antthrush and the Stub-tailed Antbird. In spite of much effort and having them really close, the Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail & near-endemic Berlepsch´s Tinamou went into the list as “heard only”.

The second leg of the trip was very productive too. Above Santa Rosa de Cabal we had great scope views of the Fuerte´s Parrot, at Hotel Tinamu we found the Gray-headed Dove and at Los Nevados we met with a group of five Rufous-fronted Parakeets.

Overall, 16 new birds plus 2 birds heard-only for a very large +9,200 life list. A productive trip!

The near-endemic Moss-backed Tanager seen with Hans Jörnvall at El Danubio (low Anchicaya Valley).

This is one of the most wanted birds in Colombia & Ecuador.

A 13-day birding trip through the Eastern Andes of Colombia, with emphasis on recording bird vocalizations of new species unknown to Terry Morgan & Karen Walz from USA. First days were devoted to localities near Bogota, including Laguna de Pedro Palo, Chicaque Ecopark, Monterredondo, Chingaza National Park, Paramo de Guasca & Siecha gravel pits. Moving north, we visited Laguna de Fúquene, Rogitama Nature Reserve & Paramo de la Rusia, including a 3-day stay at Soata where we birded the dry scrublands of the Chicamocha Canyon and the Oak Forests above town. Returning to Bogota, we visited the Enchanted Gardens of San Francisco and Laguna de Tabacal.

Covering 2,385 kilometers of mountain roads on the Eastern & Western sides of the Bogota plateau, we registered 303 species of which 55 were new to Terry & Karen. Highlights for the tour included the endemics Bogota Rail, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Black Inca, Chestnut-bellied & Indigo-capped Hummingbirds, Cundinamarca Antpitta (taped only), Silvery-throated Spinetail, Apical Flycatcher, Apolinar´s & Niceforo´s Wrens, and the rare Mountain Grackle. Among the near-endemics we enjoyed seeing well the Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Golden-bellied & Blue-throated Starfrontlets, Red-billed & Short-tailed Emeralds, Pale-bellied (Matorral) Tapaculo, Rufous-browed Conebill and Gray-throated Warbler. True specialties included the Noble Snipe, Spectacled Parrotlet, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Amethyst-throated (Longuemare´s Sunangel), Purple-backed Thornbill, Lazuline Sabrewing, Moustached Puffbird, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Bar-crested Antshrike, Blue-lored Antbird, Undulated Antpitta (taped only), Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Ash-browed Spinetail, Black-headed Hemispingus, Black-chested & Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-crowned & Scrub Tanagers, Ochre-breasted & Yellow-breasted Brush-Finches, among others.

From September 1-20 (2016) we birded the Western & Central Andes of Colombia, starting tour in Cali and finishing in Medellin. Moving from south to north, we visited the best birding localities the country has to offer in this section of the Andes. This includes, of course, the following: Kilometro 18 above Cali (with Finca Alejandria, Bosque de San Antonio & the road to Dapa), Laguna de Sonso, Madrevieja El Conchal & El Vinculo semi-dry forest near Buga, Cerro Montezuma, Otun-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, Cameguadua marsh, Los Nevados National Park, Rio Blanco, Ecohotel Tinamu, semi-dry forests at Quebrada Sinifana near Bolombolo, Jardin (including Ventanas´s Pass, Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve, Cock-of-the-Rock Lek & Morro Amarillo), Las Tangaras reserve at Carmen de Atrato, La Romera Ecopark in Sabaneta, and Arrierito Antioqueño (Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve in English) in the Northern Central Andes.

Endemics seen (21): Cauca Guan, Colombian Chachalaca, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Yellow-eared Parrot, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Buffy Helmetcrest, White-mantled Barbet, Grayish Piculet, Parker´s Antbird, Brown-banded Antpitta, Alto de Pisones Tapaculo, Stiles´s Tapaculo, Apical Flycatcher, Antioquia Wren, Munchique Wood-Wren, Black-and-Gold Tanager, Gold-ringed Tanager, Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Crested Ant-Tanager and Red-bellied Grackle.

Near-endemics seen (32): Colombian Screech-Owl, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Purple-throated Woodstar, Black-thighed Puffleg, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Brown Inca, Toucan Barbet, Bar-crested Antshrike, Bicolored Antvireo, Bicolored Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Hooded Antpitta, Nariño Tapaculo, Uniform Treehunter, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Vireo, Beautiful Jay, Sooty-headed Wren, Black Solitaire, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Dusky Bush-Finch, Golden-fronted Whitestart and Yellow-collared Chlorophonia.

From left to right: Katy Krigbaum, Daniel Uribe & Birgit Felser after seeing the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest at Los Nevados National Park.

Specialties seen included the following: Horned Screamer, Cinnamon Teal, Andean Teal, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Sickle-winged Guan, Blackish Rail, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Spectacled Parrotlet, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Gray-headed Dove, White-throated Screech-Owl, Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, Band-winged Nightjar, Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Tourmaline Sunangel, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Greenish Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, White-tailed Hillstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Blue-headed Saphire, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Yellow-vented & Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Jet & Blue-lored Antbird, Chestnut-naped, Chestnut-crowned, Rufous, Tawny, Ochre-breasted & Slate-crowned Antpittas, Black-banded, Brown-billed & Cocoa Woodcreepers, Greater Scythebill, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner, Striped, Streak-capped & Flammulated Treehunters, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, Rufous-tailed Tyrant, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Olivaceous Piha, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Wing-barred Piprites, Black-billed Peppershrike, Chestnut-breasted & Speckle-breasted Wrens, White-capped Dipper, Rufous-crested Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager and Masked Saltator, among many others.

The near-threatened Greater Scythebill (Drymotoxeres pucheranii) is the Holy Grail of all woodcreepers in the neotropics. Extremely rare and seldom seen, it is found in humid cloud forests of Colombia, Ecuador & Peru between 900 – 3,450 meters. Photographed here while solitary, exploring very low mossy branches at the site known as “Cajones” in Cerro Montezuma, Pacific slope of the Western Andes of Colombia. Arguably the rarest bird seen in this tour!