Colombia is one of the most important countries in the Americas for observing migratory birds. Its geographic position between two hemispheres and two oceans makes it a place of arrival, passage, and seasonal refuge for millions of birds every year.

Understanding when migrations begin, which regions receive birds first, and what species are involved allows birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts to plan their observations with greater intention. Below is an overview of the main bird migration patterns that pass through Colombia and the key dates associated with them.

Boreal migration: from the north to the south

Boreal migration is the most widely recognized and numerically significant movement of birds. It involves species that breed in North America (Canada and the United States) and migrate south to spend the winter months.

Start: late August to September
Peak arrival in Colombia: September to November
Return north: March to May

The first signs of boreal migration in Colombia are often detected along the Caribbean coast. Beaches, mangroves, and coastal wetlands serve as critical resting and feeding areas after long overwater flights across the Caribbean Sea.

Key regions for early arrivals include:

• Caribbean beaches and coastal zones
• Mangrove ecosystems and estuaries
• Coastal wetlands and lagoons

From these entry points, many species continue inland, occupying riverbanks, Andean wetlands, agricultural landscapes, and secondary forests throughout the country.

Raptor migration: large movements across the sky

One of the most striking expressions of boreal migration is the movement of birds of prey. Thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons travel south using thermal currents, forming impressive aerial streams.

Main migration window: September to October
Spring return: March and April

While the largest raptor counts take place in Central America, Colombia receives significant numbers, particularly in:

• The Caribbean region
• The Magdalena River valley
• Mountain corridors where thermal lift is concentrated

For observers, raptor migration offers the opportunity to record high numbers of individuals in relatively short periods of time, often in dramatic visual conditions.

Austral migration: movements from southern South America

Less widely known but equally important are austral migrations. These involve species that breed in southern South America—such as Argentina, Chile, and Patagonia—and move north during the austral winter.

Start: May to June
Presence in Colombia: June to August
Return south: September

In Colombia, austral migrants are commonly found in:

• Interior wetlands
• Flooded savannas
• Open landscapes and forest edges

Although these movements involve fewer individuals than boreal migration, they add an important seasonal layer to Colombia’s birdlife.

Key dates for planning bird observation

Several dates and periods have become international reference points for observing migratory birds:

• February – March: preparation for boreal spring migration
• May: World Migratory Bird Day (spring migration)
• September – October: peak arrival of boreal migrants
• October: World Migratory Bird Day (autumn migration)

Keeping track of these moments helps observers connect individual sightings to broader continental movements.

Following the rhythms of the natural year

For those who wish to organize these migration periods—along with other nature-related dates—into a single reference, projects such as Motmot Nature have developed an Environmental Calendar 2026 that brings together key moments for bird migration, conservation, and seasonal change.

Rather than functioning as a static list, this type of calendar allows the year to be experienced as a living process, following the arrival and departure of migratory birds across Colombian landscapes.

Observing migratory birds is ultimately a way of learning to read time. It reminds us that the places we inhabit are connected to distant regions, and that each season carries its own stories across the sky.