Sampling almost every major habitat occurring in Colombia, this trip serves up a gourmet’s delight in colorful and endem ic birds—and in generous portions! It’s widely known that Colombia hosts th e world’s richest avifauna in an area covering less than one percent of the earth’s surface. Aside from a staggering 70 endemic species of birds, more than 1800 additional species are known from an area smaller than Alaska. O ur tour of Colombia will be unique. Essentially describing three loops, one in the highlands around the capital, Bogotá, one in the tropical lowlands of the Magdalena Valley, and one along the Caribbean coast and in the Sierr a Santa Marta, we will transect a kaleidoscope of bird communities. But, un like any other commercial birding tour that surveys this much of Colombia, there are simply no frustrating all-day-long drives on winding highways whe re delays, detours, and truck traffic are the norm. We will fly. Beginning with Flame-winged (Brown-breasted) Parakeets and possible Ocellated Tapacul o in Chingaza National Park, up to 20 species of hummingbirds at private fe eders, and the highly localized Bogotá Rail in Parque La Florida, along wit h other birds such as Subtropical Doradito, Apolinar’s Wren, and Rosy Thrus h-Tanager, our first loop in the immediate precincts of Bogotá will only wh et our appetites. Next we will criss-cross the upper Magdalena Valley, visi ting a series of nature preserves that between them are home to more than 5 00 species of birds. Among the available Magdalena Valley delicacies are en demic Tolima Dove, Blossomcrown, White-mantled Barbet, Beautiful Woodpecker , Yellow-headed Manakin, and the near endemic Northern Screamer. We may als o have the opportunity to savor Pheasant Cuckoo, Tody Motmot, and Oilbird. A short flight to Santa Marta on the Caribbean saves us an aggregate of thr ee travel days. Soaring above are the 19,000’ high, snow-clad summits of th e world’s tallest coastal mountain range. Isolated by hundreds of miles fro m the Andes, the Sierra Santa Marta is globally recognized as a center of e ndemism. Hence there are birds with names like Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Screech-Owl, Santa Marta Metaltail, Santa Marta Antpitta, Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta Warbler, Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager, and Santa Marta Brush-Finch—among others. The Antpitta a nd Brush-Finch are actually common on the grounds of our mile-high lodge, w here temperatures are perfect for both birding and sleeping. Three nights a re planned for this comfortable and birdy location. While visiting the Cari bbean we will also wander to Los Flamencos National Park and the adjacent d esert. Los Flamencos is dedicated to conserving a population of American Fl amingos, but among other birds we hope to see here are Scarlet Ibis and gem s of the cactus forest like Vermilion Cardinal. No nation on earth harbors as many birds as Colombia. On this tour you will learn why.
