Overview
With almost 1900 species, Colombia is the world's most bird-rich nation. It also boosts 76 endemics and 109 near-endemics of the 1,880 species recorded. So why is this not the Mecca of the birding world? Since the 1960s a narco-guerrilla war across Colombia has deterred all visitors and given Colombia a bad reputation. However, for the past decade Colombians voted in hard line politicians that have turned the country around and largely destroyed the guerrilla, pushing them back into the most remote areas (like what Peru did in the 1990s). Recent years has seen a large resurgence of birders safely visiting sites across Colombia, with over 20 national and international birding companies [1] leading the way.
Colombia has so much to offer, not just spectacular landscapes and more birds than any other country! What is most impressive about Colombia is the people - despite suffering decades of bloody war (the longest running civil conflict in the Americas no less) they are the most friendly people, embracing and welcoming foreigners and visitors. Now is the time to start birding in Colombia.
Despite few foreign birders visiting Colombia, Colombians have been busy birding and build up a long list of birding sites to find rare and endemic birds. Facilities at many sites remain quite rustic and it is not as comfortable as birding in Ecuador, Kenya and other typical tropical birding destinations.
As there is no guide to the birding sites in Colombia, this page will be dedicated to the top "must visit birding sites" with the most specialist species to help guide first visitors to Colombia. We have asked experienced members of the forum to recommend and detail their top five birding sites in Colombia one should/must visit with the highest number of endemics, but also considering birding facilities, e.g. trails, proximity to hotels/lodges, etc. Based on forum member recommendations, we shall detail the top sites and provide future visitors with extra information.
Top five birding sites in Colombia:
Based on recommendations from many birders and public contributions from Robert Giles, Avery Bartels and Trevor Ellery, the following five areas are the places to visit to see Colombia's many endemics:
1. El Dorado Bird Reserve and Lodge in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains (20 endemics) 2. Las Tangaras and Colibri del Sol Reserves in Antioquia/Choco (16 endemics) 3. Cerulean Warbler and Pauxi Pauxi Reserve in Santander (12 Endemics) 4. Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve in Antioquia (9 Endemics) 5. Paujil Reserve in Boyaca (6 Endemics)
Secondary areas: 6. Parque La Florida, Bogota: 3 endemics (Bogotá Rail, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Apolinar's Wren) 7. Monterredondo, Cundinamarca: 2 endemics (Cundinamarca Antpitta and Brown-breasted Parakeet). 8. Bahia Solano: one endemic (Baudo Oropendola). Plus many other great sites with endemics and good facilities, for example: La Suiza lodge, El Paujil reserve, Rio Blanco reserve, Colourful Puffleg reserve, La Victoria, El Cairo, Fuertes reserve, La Florida park, Los Flamencos sanctuary, Chingaza national park, etc., with species overlapping at sites above.
1) El Dorado bird reserve: 20 endemics (all but one Sierra Nevada endemic), 18 threatened species, 333 bird species, with a birding lodge, trails, hummingbird and antpitta feeders, and 4 hours from Barranquilla International airport.
2) Cerulean Warbler bird reserve: 10 endemics (most , 13 threatened, 359 species, with a bird lodge, trails, hummingbird feeders (with Chestnut-bellied Hummer); 3-4 hours from Bucaramanga airport.
3) Chestnut-capped Piha bird reserve: 8 endemics, 14 threatened, 254 species, with a bird lodge, trails, hummingbird feeders; 4 hours from Medellin.
4) Las Tangaras bird reserve: 6+ endemics, 14+ threatened, 200+ species (just started a list). Trails and hummingbird feeders. A bird lodge is being constructed here (ready early 2011); 4 hours from Medellin.
5) Colibri del Sol bird reserve: 4 endemics (sole location to see the new Fenwick's Antpitta, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Paramillo Tapaculo, and key for Dusky Starfrontfront), 6 threatened and 121 bird species. Basic bird lodge and trails. Hard walking or horse ride from road; 5 hours from Medellin.
El Dorado Bird Reserve and Lodge
in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains
Endemic and notable birds
20 endemics
Access and Facilities
Map of location
Pending
Las Tangaras and Colibri del Sol Reserves
in Antioquia/Choco
Endemic and notable birds
16 endemics
Access and Facilities
Map of location
Pending
Cerulean Warbler and Pauxi Pauxi Reserve
Endemic and notable birds
12 endemics
Access and Facilities
Map of location
Pending
Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve
Endemic and notable birds
9 endemics
Access and Facilities
Map of location
Pending
Paujil Reserve
Endemic and notable birds
6 endemics
Access and Facilities
Map of location
Pending
