Birding Adventure in Southern Colombia
Join us in a journey through the Colombian Massif, where the Andes split into the three mountain ranges from Colombia. This region is not only the source of Colombia’s most important rivers, such as the Magdalena and Cauca, but it also boasts an astonishing variety of bird species, including 12 endemics. As you explore the cloud forests and dry inter-Andean valleys, you’ll be immersed in a world of vibrant avifauna and rich cultural heritage, all while savoring some of the finest coffee from the region.
Embark on a 10-day birding journey through Southern Colombia, a region of unparalleled biodiversity. From the towering Andes to the Amazon lowlands, this tour offers a chance to witness an extraordinary range of bird species, including numerous endemics and rarities. Ideal for both seasoned birders and nature enthusiasts, this expedition immerses you in the vibrant ecosystems of Colombia, with expert guides leading the way.
Birding Adventure in Southern Colombia
Highly coveted bird species include all the endemic gems: Large Headed Flatbill, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Tolima Dove, Dusky-headed Brush Finch, Apical Flycatcher, Colombian Chachalaca, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Tolima Blossomcrown, Huila Parakeet, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Magdalena Tapaculo, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Cotinga, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill and any, many more!
- Macizo Colombiano: Discover the source of Colombia’s major rivers, with opportunities to spot over 12 endemic bird species.
- Amazon Slopes & Lands: Experience the unique avifauna of the Amazon foothills, where mountain forests meet the lowlands.
- Pitalito Wetlands: Search for waterfowl and rare species like the Large Headed Flatbill.
Day 1: Arrival and Pitalito Wetlands
- Morning: Fly from Bogotá to Pitalito. Begin your birding adventure in the wetlands around Pitalito, home to species like the Large Headed Flatbill, Velvet Fronted Euphonia, and various waterfowl.
- Afternoon: Explore additional wetland areas for sightings of the Barn Owl and Northern Mouse-colored Tyrannulet.
- Evening: Transfer to El Encanto Nature Reserve for overnight stay.
Day 2: El Encanto Nature Reserve
- Full Day: Explore El Encanto, located in Palestina. This reserve offers sightings of endemic species like the Tolima Dove, Dusky Headed Brush Finch, and Colombian Chachalaca. The reserve features tanager, dove, and hummingbird feeders, making it a prime birding spot. Overnight at El Encanto.
Day 3: La Drymophila Nature Reserve
- Full Day: Visit La Drymophila Nature Reserve, just 8 km from El Encanto. Birders can expect to see high-altitude species such as the Hooded Antpitta, Tolima Blossomcrown, and the Huila Parakeet. Enjoy views from the canopy tower, providing a unique perspective of the Andean forest. Return to El Encanto for the night.
Day 4: Villa Lobos Road
- Morning: Travel along Villa Lobos Road, a birding hotspot connecting the Andes to the Amazon slopes. Target species include the rare Speckled Prickletail, Magdalena Tapaculo, and Orange-eared Tanager.
- Afternoon: Continue birding along the road, which offers a diverse range of species due to its varied elevation. Overnight at Verdeyaco.
Day 5: Verdeyaco Reserve
- Full Day: Spend the day at Verdeyaco Reserve, located along the road between Pitalito and Mocoa. Birders can spot species like the Wire-crested Thorntail, Black-throated Brilliant, and the recently discovered Olive-chested Flycatcher. Transfer to Mocoa in the evening.
Day 6: Trampolín de las Aves
- Full Day: Birding along the Trampolín de las Aves road, famous for its dramatic altitude changes from 600 to 3000 meters. This road offers incredible diversity, with target species including the Black Tinamou, Foothill Stipplethroat, and Gray Mantle Wren. Transfer to Villa Garzón for the night.
Day 7: El Escondite Nature Reserve
- Full Day: Explore El Escondite Nature Reserve, located in Villa Garzón. This reserve offers sightings of Amazon lowland species such as the Orange-eyed Flatbill, Great Potoo, and Spangled Cotinga. Overnight in Puerto Asís.
Day 8: Puerto Asís
- Full Day: Birdwatching in the tropical forests around Puerto Asís, where the Andes meet the Amazon. Species to look for include the Oranged Fronted Plushcrown, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, and White-lored Antpitta. Continue exploring the area’s dense rainforests, with opportunities to spot both birds and primates. Overnight in Puerto Asís.
Day 9: Puerto Asís
- Full Day: Continue birding in the surrounding areas of Puerto Asís, targeting species such as the Lafresnaye’s Piculet and Cream-colored Woodpecker. This area provides excellent opportunities to see a mix of Amazonian and Andean species. Prepare for an evening transfer to Pasto.
Day 10: Bordoncillo Páramo and La Cocha Lagoon
- Morning: Visit Bordoncillo Páramo, a high-altitude ecosystem near Pasto. Here, you can spot the rare Chestnut-bellied Cotinga, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill.
- Afternoon: Continue to La Cocha Lagoon, a stunning high-altitude lake offering opportunities to see the Subtropical Doradito, Yellow-billed Pintail, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the area. Return to Bogotá in the evening.
Tour Bird Gallery
Highly coveted bird species!
Hooded Antpitta / Grallaricula cucullata
Rare antpitta known only from a few scattered sites. Small and quite distinctive with a chestnut hood and yellow bill contrasting with its otherwise brown and gray plumage. Inhabits cloud forest understory, and unlike most larger antpittas, it spends very little time on the ground, typically perching about three to six feet up. Typical vocalization is a shrill, high-pitched whistle given once every five to ten seconds.
Black-chested Fruiteater / Pipreola lubomirskii
Scarce fruiteater found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador, southern Colombia, and northern Peru. Male has a solid black hood that is not bordered by yellow on the neck. Female is mostly green with yellow streaking on her belly. Yellow eyes and dark legs are also useful features in both sexes to separate them from similar species. Feeds on berries at middle to upper levels in the forest. Gives very high-pitched whistles, some very short and others long and drawn out.
Tolima Blossomcrown / Anthocephala berlepschi
Small hummingbird mostly confined to Colombia’s central Andes, also reaching the eastern Andes in the southern part of the country. Both sexes have a large, white teardrop behind the eye and pale tips to the tail. Male has a chestnut crown that becomes white where it reaches the bill. Inhabits cloud forest and feeds on small flowers at low levels. Sometimes gives a series of soft chips while perched.
Velvet-fronted Euphonia / Euphonia concinna
Uncommon within restricted range of the Magdalena Valley of central Colombia, from around 200 to 1,000 m. Occurs in open woodlands. Males are dark steely-blue above and rich yellow below, with a yellow forecrown. Note entirely dark throat and dark underside of tail. Female is dull grayish olive above and yellow below. Note yellow forecrown on female. Could be confused with Orange-bellied Euphonia; male Orange-bellied has white underside of tail and females are grayer below.
Maroon-tailed Parakeet (Huila) / Pyrrhura melanura chapmani
Long-tailed parakeet of lowland and foothill rainforest. Green with conspicuous white scaling on breast and neck, maroon tail, and red patches in the wings. Usually encountered in small flocks that fly rapidly from tree to tree giving shrill, raspy calls. Feeds on fruit, usually high in the canopy.
Rufous-tailed Tyrant / Knipolegus poecilurus
Medium-sized flycatcher found in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru as well as the tepuis of Venezuela and Brazil. Grayish-brown overall with a distinctive red eye, pale tawny belly, and tawny or grayish wingbars. Sexes similar. Found at the edge of montane forest from around 900–2,200 m. Usually perches conspicuously.
Tolima Dove / Leptotila conoveri
Shy dove found only in Andean cloud forest in central Colombia. The dull reddish-purple color on neck and breast, gray crown, and pale eye separate it from the much more common and widespread White-tipped Dove. Usually stays well hidden, but sometimes comes out into the open in clearings and along quiet roads, especially early in the morning. Gives low, well-spaced coos.
Rufous-vented Whitetip / Urosticte ruficrissa
Rare hummingbird of cloud forest on the east slope of the Andes. Male is mostly green with darker throat and white tips to the inner tail feathers that combine to form a round spot. On female, note green scaling on white underparts, white mustache stripe, white tail corners, and buff tinge on vent (but not on thighs). Female very similar to female Booted Racket-tail but is more heavily scaled on throat and has white thighs. Typically found at forest edge or in clearings, feeding at any height, and occasionally visits feeders.
Gorgeted Woodstar / Chaetocercus heliodor
Woodstars are tiny hummingbirds that fly like bumblebees. Gorgeted Woodstar is found in the subtropical and temperate zone of the Andes from Venezuela to Ecuador, where it inhabits cloud forest, edges, and second growth. Males are deep emerald-green (more of a bluish tone than other woodstars) with a glittering wine-colored throat and white patches on the sides of the rump. Females are trickier; note the rufous rump and tail with a black band at the base, extremely small size, short tail, and buffy infusion on the throat. On both sexes, bill often appears slightly decurved, more than other woodstars. Sometimes seen singly feeding in the canopy or at lower patches of flowers. Visits feeders.
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird / Chrysolampis mosquitus
Small hummingbird with a rather large range across northeastern South America and eastern Panama. Male is unmistakable with a golden throat, a ruby-red crown, and an orange tail with dark tips. Female is trickier to identify, but note the pale gray underparts, white-tipped tail feathers, and dull grayish green upperparts. The short and slightly decurved bill should also help identify the female. Fairly common in open habitats, including savannah, forest edge, and gardens.
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