AveryBartels
Well-known member
Hello Birdforum world,
Colombia is a country near and dear to me and as I have a fairly consistent finger on the pulse of the birding scene down there I thought I would start a thread to update what birds are now gettable that have been off-limits/are new to science. The first installment will be dedicated to three species and note that these are all considered perfectly safe to visit at this time:
1. Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi) - There is a new site for this enigmatic species near the city of Tame in Arauca (flights Friday and Monday from Bogota, with Satena). The site is called Finca Altamira (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L28124073 and Finca Altamira y Nido del Pauxi - Orniverse) and basic accommodation and meals are available on site, or you could probably stay in a hotel in/near Tame. I don't know exactly the logistics of getting the Curassow but my understanding is that there is a trail at the finca that goes through good forest and that they are seen regularly/reliably here with some patience. I know of several Colombian birders and at least one tourist who have been to see it. Note also that there are apparently sight records of Andean Laniisoma at this site!
The local guide to arrange a visit to Finca Altamira is Steven Rodriguez Gonzales, contact via whatsapp at +57 316 471-1289
2. Yellow-knobbed Curassow (Crax daubentoni) - With almost it's entire range in Venezuela this is something of a logistical endemic for Colombia but it is apparently quite easy near the border city of Arauca and would pair well with a trip for the Helmeted Currasow. Jaguar is also apparently seen regularly in the area.
The local guide to see this bird is John Edison Alvarez and can be contacted on whatsapp at +57 317 699-9459
3. Colorful Puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis) - a new site for this species was found in January, 2024 just outside of the major city of Cali! This is roughly 80-90km north of it's previous known range and while the reliability of this site is yet to be determined, it makes this species, at least in theory much more gettable! The site for it is called Mirador Verdeplata (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L21012793) and it is about a ~1.5hr drive from Cali, a 4x4 is necessary to get to the accommodation/trailhead for the Puffleg. The accommodation looks basic but serviceable in one cabaña with a double bed and two dorms (3 and 4 beds respectively). Meals are offered as well and they can arange transport from Cali.
To get to the area with the Puffleg, a ~2.5hr hike is required. Having not been here I cannot comment on this but the local guide did say that it is not easy, so come prepared for a n adventure.
The local guide is named Oswaldo Suarez Gonzalez and he can be reached on whatsapp at +57 300 346-2599
Please feel free to message me here or privately for more info.
Colombia is a country near and dear to me and as I have a fairly consistent finger on the pulse of the birding scene down there I thought I would start a thread to update what birds are now gettable that have been off-limits/are new to science. The first installment will be dedicated to three species and note that these are all considered perfectly safe to visit at this time:
1. Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi) - There is a new site for this enigmatic species near the city of Tame in Arauca (flights Friday and Monday from Bogota, with Satena). The site is called Finca Altamira (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L28124073 and Finca Altamira y Nido del Pauxi - Orniverse) and basic accommodation and meals are available on site, or you could probably stay in a hotel in/near Tame. I don't know exactly the logistics of getting the Curassow but my understanding is that there is a trail at the finca that goes through good forest and that they are seen regularly/reliably here with some patience. I know of several Colombian birders and at least one tourist who have been to see it. Note also that there are apparently sight records of Andean Laniisoma at this site!
The local guide to arrange a visit to Finca Altamira is Steven Rodriguez Gonzales, contact via whatsapp at +57 316 471-1289
2. Yellow-knobbed Curassow (Crax daubentoni) - With almost it's entire range in Venezuela this is something of a logistical endemic for Colombia but it is apparently quite easy near the border city of Arauca and would pair well with a trip for the Helmeted Currasow. Jaguar is also apparently seen regularly in the area.
The local guide to see this bird is John Edison Alvarez and can be contacted on whatsapp at +57 317 699-9459
3. Colorful Puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis) - a new site for this species was found in January, 2024 just outside of the major city of Cali! This is roughly 80-90km north of it's previous known range and while the reliability of this site is yet to be determined, it makes this species, at least in theory much more gettable! The site for it is called Mirador Verdeplata (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L21012793) and it is about a ~1.5hr drive from Cali, a 4x4 is necessary to get to the accommodation/trailhead for the Puffleg. The accommodation looks basic but serviceable in one cabaña with a double bed and two dorms (3 and 4 beds respectively). Meals are offered as well and they can arange transport from Cali.
To get to the area with the Puffleg, a ~2.5hr hike is required. Having not been here I cannot comment on this but the local guide did say that it is not easy, so come prepared for a n adventure.
The local guide is named Oswaldo Suarez Gonzalez and he can be reached on whatsapp at +57 300 346-2599
Please feel free to message me here or privately for more info.
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