Central & Western Andes: A Colombia Bird Photography Tour Trip Report.

Our clients at www.birdingtourscolombia.com live and breathe the avian wonders of this extraordinary country. Colombia, a land of unparalleled biodiversity, offers an experience that transcends mere birdwatching; it’s an immersive journey into a vibrant tapestry of life, a photographer’s dream, and a birder’s ultimate quest. We are thrilled to share highlights from a recent bespoke private bird photography tour in Colombia undertaken by Janet Zinn and Alan Baratz, from July 14-27, 2025, traversing the rich landscapes of the Central and Western Andes.

Dates: July 14 – 27, 2025

Total Species: 320

Complete eBird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/434739

This 14-day expedition, a meticulously crafted custom Colombia birding trip, showcased the incredible avian wealth of Colombia, with a potential to encounter up to 687 species. In this opportunity, our focus was on providing good photographic opportunities for Janet & Alan.

A Journey Through Avian Paradises: A Colombia Birding Itinerary Unveiled

Our adventure began in Cali, the gateway to Western Andes birding. After a restful pre-tour day, we plunged into the verdant Upper Anchicayá Valley on Day 1. Here, at Doña Dora’s renowned site, we immediately immersed ourselves in the world of Mountain Chocó endemics and specialties. The feeders and gardens provided incredible close-up photographic opportunities, allowing us to capture the vibrant hues of species like the Toucan Barbet, Glistening-green Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager (lemon rumped), Choco Brushfinch, Golden Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Green Honeycreeper. On the upper deck of the house, photographs were taken in flight of the White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Black-throated Mango, Green Thorntail, Crowned Woodnymph and Andean Emerald. We sighted the Plumbeous Pigeon and Red-headed Barbets feeding on fruits of a large Ficus tree and Common Tody-Flycatcher & Slaty-capped Flycatcher foraging the leaves for insects. We concluded our day with more photos at the rich hummingbird & tanager feeders of the charming & comfortable Araucana Lodge, a haven for birders with its own impressive array of feeder birds. Here, ample images were taken of the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet & Lineated Woodpecker; and flight shots of the Steely-vented & Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Purple-throated Woodstar, Andean Emerald and Brown Violetear.

Days 2 and 3 saw us exploring more treasures at Finca La Florida (Km 18), where we encountered the elusive endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail and the dazzling endemic Multicolored Tanager, true jewels of the Andes. Highlights at the feeders included the Andean Motmot, Red-headed Barbet, Flame-rumped Tanager (flame rumped), Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Saffron-Crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager and Acorn Woodpecker. Momentarily, the banana feeders were assaulted by Sickle-winged Guans & endemic Colombian Chachalacas. Two Ornate Hawk-Eagles circled while calling above our heads. A nice set of hummingbird feeders offered the right amount of light inside the forest, providing flight photos of the White-booted Racket-Tail, Long-tailed Sylph, Sparkling Violetear, Purple-throated Woodstar, Crowned Woodnymph, Greenish Puffleg, Bronzy Inca, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Speckled Hummingbird, Black-throated Mango, Brown Violetear, White-necked Jacobin and Fawn-breasted Brilliant, among others. Deep inside the forest, the White-throated Quail-Dove stood calmly for close-up photos. 

Our visits to Finca San Felipe Birding and Finca Alejandría further enriched our experience, offering more feeder action and diverse photographic subjects such as the shy Little Tinamou, the elegant Chestnut-capped Brushfinch and second great images of the endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail. Also, the Black-capped, Blue-necked & Scrub Tanager, Black-winged Saltator, Andean Motmot and beautiful Scarlet-fronted Parakeet. Along the road to Dapa we met with the Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Montane Woodcreeper, Lineated Foliage-Gleaner and Black-billed Peppershrike, among others. All walks were designed to be short and easily accessible, maximizing observation and photography time.

Mid-tour, we ventured into new ecological zones. Day 4 led us to the sub-xerophytic forest at Atuncela, where we enjoyed the Hook-billed Kite, Crested & Yellow-headed Caracaras, Spectacled Parrotlet, Dwarf Cuckoo, Dark-billed Cuckoo, endemic Apical Flycatcher and the splendid Ruby-topaz Hummingbird & Vermilion Flycatcher. Highlights here also included the Ultramarine Grosbeak, Orange-crowned Euphonia, Bar-crested & Great Antshrike, Northern Mouse-Colored Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Dull-colored & Yellow-faced Grassquit, Streaked Saltator and Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet. We then had a smooth drive to Buga, followed by a brief visit to El Vínculo dry forest with close views of the Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Rufous-naped Greenlet and photos of the Jet Antbird and Cocoa Woodcreeper. These transitions brought new species into view, showcasing Colombia’s remarkable habitat diversity. 

Day 5 was dedicated to the wetlands of Laguna de Sonso, a vital habitat for riparian birds, waterbirds and marsh specialists. A long list of birds was obtained thanks in great part to the enthusiasm of our expert birding guide Jhonathan Bedoya. We started with good telescope views of a Horned Screamer, followed by much closer views of Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Buff-necked Ibis, Snail Kite, Limpkin, Anhinga, Neotropical Cormorant, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Striated Heron, Cocoi Heron, Glossy & Bare-faced Ibis, Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret. A nicely feathered Gray-cowled Wood-Rail provided amazing views from the vehicle. The list was followed by Purple Gallinule, Collared Plover, Black-necked Stilt, Wattled Jacana, Pale-vented Pigeon, Blue-headed Parrot and Yellow-crowned Amazon. Highlights included a beautiful Little Cuckoo, Common Potoo and a pair of roosting Tropical Screech-Owls, all at close range.

Other birds seen and photographed at Sonso marsh included three species of Kingfishers – the Ringed, Amazon & Green Kingfishers, along with Red-crowned, Spot-breasted & Lineated Woodpeckers. Not to forget the photo opportunities for Common Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-Olive Flatbill, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Guira & Crimson-backed Tanager, Yellow Oriole and Oriole Blackbird.

A Chocó Birding Tour Highlight: Cerro Montezuma

The true pinnacle of our Western Andes exploration unfolded over three magnificent days (Days 5-8) at Cerro Montezuma, a site globally recognized as one of Colombia’s premier birding localities and a key part of any Chocó birding tour. Staying at the hospitable Cerro Montezuma Rainforest Lodge, we had unparalleled access to its incredible avian bounty. Each day focused on different altitudinal ranges, maximizing our chances for diverse encounters.

Montezuma is a stronghold for Chocó endemics and near-endemics. At higher altitudes we were privileged to photograph the stunning endemics Gold-ringed Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer and a singular trio of Munchique Wood-Wrens with incredible sightings. More specialties followed with the near-endemics Black Solitaire, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Uniform Treehunter, Glistening-green Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Dusky Chlorospingus, Ochre-breasted Tanager and Yellow-collared Chlorophonia. On lower terrain we saw the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager.

Local guide Fernando Guarín did an extraordinary job finding the birds, sometimes under very difficult sunny or misty circumstances. We encountered the Golden-headed Quetzal, Collared Trogon, Green-fronted Lancebill, Lanceolated Monklet and the rare Rusty-winged Barbtail; also the Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, Ornate Flycatcher, Olive-striped Flycatcher, Handsome Flycatcher, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Striolated Manakin, Masked Tityra, White-winged Becard, Beryl-spangled & Metallic-green Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Bluish Flowerpiercer, and Golden-bellied (Choco) Warbler. 

Highlights included photographing the near-endemic female Bicolored Antvireo, the very special Yellow-vented Woodpecker and the stunning male & female Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, arguably the most beautiful bird in this forest.

Outside our rooms we saw the Blackish Rail with chicks, the Squirrel Cuckoo and heard the Wattled Guan calling late at night and early mornings. Hummingbirds were a constant spectacle outside the dining room, with iridescent species such as the near-endemics Purple-throated Woodstar, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Brown Inca and the majestic Empress Brilliant. Also present were the Green-crowned Brilliant, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-booted Racket-Tail, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip and the Western & Andean Emerald, all gracing the feeders and flowering bushes.

The Coffee Axis: An Andean Birding in Colombia Experience

Leaving the Choco region, we journeyed to Manizales (Day 8), the main headquarter for Central Andes birding. Our base at Hotel Estelar El Cable provided comfortable lodging for our excursions. Days 9-11 were dedicated to exploring the rich cloud forests and high-altitude páramos around Manizales, a prime region for Andean birding in Colombia. Birding Rio Blanco Reserve we experienced the magic of antpitta feeding stations, where the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta, and the Chestnut-crowned and Slate-crowned Antpitta made memorable appearances all along with the very rare Masked Saltator, the graceful Green-and-black Fruiteater and the seldom seen Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush. Walking along the nice paths of the mountain ridge we encountered the beautiful Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker (no doubt one of the most beautiful woodpeckers in the world), Streak-headed Antbird, Montane Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Pearled Treerunner, Azara’s Spinetail, Mountain Elaenia, Rufous-crowned Tody Flycatcher, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Sharpe´s Wren, White-capped Dipper, Andean Guan, Glossy-black Thrush and Black-eared Hemispingus. A nice surprise was seeing a nice male Slaty Finch feeding on seeded bamboo (Chusquea spp.).

More joy came with the good views of the tanagers, especially the Grass-green, Blue-capped, Black-capped, Blue-and-black, Beryl-spangled and Saffron-crowned Tanagers. On the lodge gardens we saw the rare White-throated Daggerbill and the elegant Slaty Brushfinch, and we had time for photos of the Masked & White-sided Flowerpiercers, as well as flight shots of the visiting hummingbirds including the Collared Inca, White-bellied Woodstar, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Bronzy Inca, Sparkling Violetear, Tourmaline Sunangel, Specked Hummingbird and Buff-tailed Coronet. 

Hacienda El Bosque offered joyful photographic encounters with the incredibly rare Crescent-faced Antpitta, alongside the impressive Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and a variety of high-altitude hummingbirds including the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Sparkling Violetear, Shining Sunbean, Tourmaline Sunangel and Buff-tailed Coronet, among others. Any serious Colombia Antpitta guide would consider this a must-visit location.

Prior to calling in the Crescent-faced Antpitta, the local guide Cristian fed worms to the charming Grass Wren, and a Red-crested Cotinga perched briefly at the top of a nearby tree. The antpitta feeder was graced with the visits of a pair of Slaty Brushfinches, a pair of Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrants and a pair of the beautiful Barred Fruiteaters. Also, three Mountain Wrens joined the feeding frenzy. On the other side, the toucan feeder was visited by the Andean & Sickle-winged Guans, Gray-browed Brushfinches, Eared Doves, Great Thrushes and Rufous-collared Sparrows. 

While photographing the toucan, a mixed flock crossed in front of the hide, with the striking Golden-fronted Redstart, Blue-backed Conebill, Masked & Black Flowerpiercers and a pair of White-banded Tyrannulets. And nearby bloomed bushes were visited by a stunning male Purple-backed Thornbill.

Alan has a passion for orchids and a visit to Finca La Romelia (below Manizales at La Cabaña, 1,300m) merited dropping from the high páramo to the warmer foothills of the Central Andes. Here, we had a very pleasant 3-hr visit to the collection of orchids guided by their owners. 

Birding Los Nevados National Park brought us into the realm of specialized páramo birds and more high-altitude hummingbirds, including the stunning endemic Buffy Helmetcrest, the charming Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant and the playful Stout-billed Cinclodes. We had telescope views of Andean Teal & Andean Duck at Laguna Negra. In spite of moderate constant wind, and while searching for the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest at Las Brisas, an Andean Condor (male) glided graciously providing great views. A Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle cruised fast not far from us. The weather worsened with thunder, rain and mist. Nonetheless we were able to see & photograph well the Andean Tit-Spinetail, near-endemic Golden-breasted Puffleg, Shining Sunbeam & Plain-colored Seedeater, among others. Brown-bellied Swallows were nesting on rocky cliffs.

Our journey continued with a morning visit to Tinamu Lodge (Day 12), a mid-elevation coffee farm turned into an island of forest and secondary regrowth known to attract and protect a diverse avifauna. Big highlights included photographing for a long time the Blue-lored Antbird as a new feeder with worms has been established inside the forest. Otherwise, this bird is often heard but seldom seen and even more infrequently photographed due to his shy and concealed behavior. A couple came to the calls given by local guide Brayan Giraldo, and soon after two young birds came in to be fed by their parents. After a very comfortable photographic session we visited the lek of the Golden-collared Manakin with great views and photos. 

Other birds that we managed to see and/or photograph included the Bay-headed Tanager, Spectacled Parrotlet, Andean Motmot, Moustached Puffbird, Plain-brown & Cocoa Woodcreeper, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Streaked Flycatcher, White-winged Becard, Rufous-naped Greenlet, White-breasted Wood-Wren, Crimson-backed Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Streaked Saltator, Golden-crowned Warbler and Thick-billed Euphonia, among many others. 

Finally, we moved into the Jardín area (afternoon of Day 12), a picturesque town nestled in the Western Andes. We had to divert from our main route because a huge landslide had destroyed the main road. The best option was to head towards Riosucio and spend the night there, reversing the direction for birding the road to Ventana’s Pass and visiting Doña Lucía’s place at Peñas Blancas, which we did the following day. A first stop along the road aiming for the endemic Yellow-headed Brushfinch allowed us for views of the Azara´s Spinetail, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Flame-rumped, Black-capped, Bay-headed and Golden Tanagers along with the Green Honeycreeper & Black-winged Saltator. Immediately after arriving at Doña Lucías Place we saw & photographed the Margay that has been habituated to come close to the main house. The hummingbirds were very active at the feeders and Martín – Doña Lucías son – arranged a photographic setup with flowers under appropriate light & background. This allowed for flight shots of the Long-tailed Sylph, Sparkling & Lesser Violetear, Tourmaline Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird, Collared Inca and Fawn-breasted Brilliant.

Pouring rain prevented us from visiting the antpitta station for the Chestnut-naped & Chami Antpittas. Along the way to Jardín we faced the frustrating intermittence of rain and thick mist that kept the birds hidden and quiet. We managed to find the Black-capped Hemispingus, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Green Jay, Mountain Elaenia, Roadside Hawk, Red-headed Barbet, Russet-backed Oropendola, Scarlet-rumped Cacique and Sharpe´s Wren, but unfortunately the dense clouds turned into strong rain and thick mist, preventing us from making contact with most of the main targets such as the endemic Yellow-eared Parrot and Red-bellied Grackles. We arrived in Jardin at 3pm, checked in the hotel and took a mototaxi but torrential rain hampered our visit to the Cock-of-the-Rock lek near town.

The grand finale on Day 14 brought us to Medellín/Rionegro. Before our farewell, we visited Alma del Bosque, a specialized orchid farm in Rionegro. This unique addition to the itinerary provided a beautiful botanical interlude, showcasing Colombia’s floral diversity and offering a different kind of majestic beauty.

The Birding Tours Colombia Difference

This private birding tour in Colombia for Janet and Alan exemplifies the Birding Tours Colombia commitment to excellence. Our tours are characterized by:

• Expert Guidance: A highly experienced team of the best birding guides in Colombia. Our bilingual (English-Spanish) professional birding guides will be with you. We know the terrain and how to move smoothly through the regions and localities we visit. We know the local people and, most importantly, we work with the best local guides available. With them, you are assured of unparalleled local knowledge and keen eyes & ears for finding even the most elusive species.
• Comfort and Convenience: All transport is via modern Vans or private 4×4 vehicles (Toyota Land Cruiser), ensuring comfortable and reliable travel across diverse terrains. Our chosen hotels and lodges are selected for their comfort to rest, hospitality and proximity to the birding spots.
• Photographer-Friendly Design: We prioritize locations with excellent photographic potential, including feeder stations and accessible trails, allowing you to capture stunning images of Colombia’s avian wonders.
• Comprehensive Experience: From all meals and accommodations to entrance fees for nature reserves and local guide fees, every detail is meticulously arranged, allowing you to focus solely on the birds.
• Unrivaled Biodiversity: With a route potential of 687 species, our itinerary for the Central & Western Andes of Colombia offers an extraordinary opportunity to expand your life list and witness an incredible array of endemic, near-endemic, and specialty birds.

Colombia is calling. If you are an experienced birder or a passionate bird photographer seeking an unforgettable adventure into one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, a private tour with Birding Tours Colombia is your answer. Let us craft your bespoke journey, where every moment is a discovery and every photograph tells a story.

Contact us at birdingtourscolombia@gmail.com to plan your Colombia birding holiday.

Key Avian Highlights: A Deeper Dive

This tour offered great opportunities to encounter a remarkable diversity of species. Here are some of the most important and sought-after birds observed, categorized by their significance and group:

Colombia Endemic Birds Tour Highlights (Crown Jewels):

• Chestnut Wood-Quail: An elusive endemic, often heard but rarely seen, making its sighting at Finca La Florida a true highlight. Its secretive nature makes it a prized photographic subject.
• Multicolored Tanager: A true showstopper endemic, this highly photogenic tanager is a specialty best seen in the Western Andes, known for its dazzling array of colors.
• Gold-ringed Tanager: A spectacular endemic of the Chocó region, this vibrant tanager with its distinctive gold rings is a top target for any birder visiting Montezuma. Its striking plumage & calm behavior makes it incredibly photogenic.
• Munchique Wood-Wren: A highly localized endemic, this small, skulking wren is a true specialty of the Mountain Chocó cloud forests.
• Crested Ant-Tanager: A beautiful endemic with a distinctive crest and rich coloration, often joining mixed flocks and with a distinctive call.
• Crescent-faced Antpitta: An incredibly rare and localized near-endemic, its sighting at Hacienda El Bosque is a great highlight. 
• Buffy Helmetcrest: This striking high-altitude hummingbird is an endemic jewel of the páramo, with its crest, violet throat and unique appearance.

Specialties & Rare/Scarce Species:

• Toucan Barbet: A charismatic Chocó specialty, its vibrant colors and unique bill make it a favorite for photographers.
• Ornate Flycatcher: A vibrant and active flycatcher, adding a splash of color to the forest.
• Uniform Treehunter: A unique and interesting species, often found foraging in the mid-story of the cloud forest.
• Orange-breasted Fruiteater: A colorful and captivating species, adding a tropical flair to the forest.
• Black Solitaire: A somber but melodious thrush, its haunting song is a characteristic sound of the Mountain Chocó cloud forest.
• Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia: A small, vibrant, and highly photogenic species, its brilliant colors make it a joy to observe.
• Brown-banded,Chestnut-crowned & Slate-crowned Antpittas: These antpittas, seen at Rio Blanco, are key targets for their elusive nature and unique behaviors at feeding stations.
• Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan: A magnificent and impressive toucan of the high Andes, its vibrant bill and striking plumage are a photographer’s delight.

Colorful & Photogenic Groups:

• Hummingbirds: Colombia is the hummingbird capital of the world, and this Colombia hummingbird tour delivered an incredible array of 43 species. These tiny jewels provided endless photographic opportunities at feeders and flowering plants.
• Tanagers: Beyond the endemic Gold-ringed and Multicolored Tanagers, the diverse tanager family offered a riot of colors, making them incredibly rewarding for both observation and photography.
• Quetzals & Trogons: Iconic and vibrantly colored birds, though their elusive nature makes them a special treat.
• Antpittas: These ground-dwelling and often secretive birds, including the Crescent-faced, Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned and Slate-crowned Antpittas, represent some of the most challenging and rewarding species to find.
• Flycatchers: The diverse family of flycatchers showcased a range of behaviors and plumages.

The Central & Western Andes birding itinerary offers a route potential of 687 species! Colombia is calling. If you are an experienced birder wanting to expand your life list and witness an incredible array of endemic, near-endemic and specialty birds, or a passionate bird photographer seeking an unforgettable adventure into one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, a private tour with Birding Tours Colombia is your answer. Let us craft your bespoke journey, where every moment is a discovery and every photograph tells a story.