Eastern Andes and Mid-Magdalena Valley

We will make an early start to venture in to the hills, ascending l high into elfin forest in the huge Chingaza National Park which is 53,000 ha, and provides the majority of the drinking water for Bogota. You will find most of the Eastern Andean Highland near endemics here. The short stunted trees and nearby paramo habitat encourages small mixed roving flocks and amongst these we will search for Rufous-browed Conebill, Silvery-throated Spinetail, the skulking Pale-bellied Tapaculo. The White–faced form of Golden-fronted Whitestart, Black-chested, Buff-breasted, and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanagers, Red-crested Cotinga, Pale-naped Brush-finch, Rufos Wren, Superciliared, Black-eared, Black-headed, and Oleaginous Hemispingus, and other delights, such as Plushcap, Black-crested Warbler, White-throated Tyrannulet, Rufous Antpitta, Glowing and the near endemic Coppery-bellied Puffleg.

We may even entice an Andean Pygmy-owl to show itself and if we are very lucky we could find Bronze-tailed Thornbills. The endemic Brown-breasted Parakeet is one of the targeted species and artificial nest boxes have been set up in the area for the continued survival of this endemic species. Making our way higher in elevation we can continue searching for Tyriant Metaltail, Glossy and Masked Flowerpiercer, Barred Fruiteater, Slaty Brus-finch, White-chinned Thistletail, Streak-throated Bush-tyrant.

In the afternoon we will visit some Hummingbird feeders where we have good chances to see the Sword-billed Hummingbirds, Great Sapphirewing Green violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Amethyst-throated Sunangel,  Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Purple-backed Thornbill, Glowing Puffleg, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Shining Sumbeam, Blue-throated Starfronlet, Mountain Velvet-breast and White-bellied Woodstar.

La Florida Park is a wetland area located in the northwestern part of Bogotá at 2600 meters above sea level. Although it has been heavily impacted by city development, the region still contains small remaining natural areas which are an excellent place to find the secretive and endemic Bogota Rail. Other target species including: the endemic Apolinar’s Wren, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, and small numbers of Spot-flanked Gallinule. Rufous-browed Conebill can also occasionally be found in the surrounding Eucalyptus trees and parkland.

El Tabacal is a small lagoon located in La Vega municipality, nearby Bogotá. We will explore the natural park looking for the rare Gray-throated Warbler, endemic Velvet-fronted Euphonia, near-endemic Bar-crested Antshrike, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Blue-lored Antbird and the tricky Rosy Thrush-Tanager. Commoner species include Olivaceous Piculet, Plain Antvireo, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-Olive Flycatcher, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Cinereous Becard, White-shouldered Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater.

In the afternoon we will head to Jardin Encantado (Enchanted Garden), one of the biggest hummingbird feeders in Colombia. Main targets there will be the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Ruby topaz Hummingbird, Gorgeted Woodstar (the smallest of the woodstars) and Red-billed Emerald. 

In the afternoon we will be transfered to Rio Claro Reserve

Rio Claro is one of the most notable birding hotspots in Colombia. Thanks to its interesting geography and geographical history. Its tropical rain forests are very special forests, where the vegetation and the fauna are adapted to a very unique ecosystem niche, characterized by limestone and marble soil, and rich in calcium and other minerals. The high degree of biological endemism is due precisely to the uniqueness of these ecosystems.

The main attraction at Cañon del Rio Claro are the odd and mysterious Oilbirds, which we can easily see in a cave along the river where they roost.

Also, we will look for 5 more endemic birds: Magdalena Antbird, Antioquia Bristle-tyrant, Beautiful Woodpecker, White-mantled Barbet and Sooty Ant-tanager; plus the near-endemic Saffron-headed Parrot. Other targets include Grey-cheeked Nunlet, Broad-billed Motmot, Barred Puffbird, Slaty-winged Foilage-Gleaner, Pacific Antwren, One-colored Becard and striking White-bearded Manakin.

After spend the morning of day 4 birding around Rio Claro Reserve and looking for the species that we could have missed the day before, we will head towards the astonishing El Paujil Reserve stopping for Northern Screamer and other interesting species during the drive.

One of the better-known birding destinations in the Mid-Magdalena Valley is El Paujil. This protected area is located in the Sierra de las Quinchas (150 to 1.200 m.s.n.m.), in the departments of Boyacá and Santander, more precisely, between the towns of Puerto Boyacá, Bolívar and Scimitara respectively. The reserve is named after the enigmatic and endemic Blue-billed Curassow (El Paujil), which can be found within the reserve.

Our main targets there will be the endemic Blue-billed Curassow, who are shy and were seldom seen, but recently have started coming sporadically to a feeding station. Also, we will look for another endemic species as the White-mantled Barbet, Beautiful Woodpecker and Sooty Ant-Tanager. Other species include Black-chested Jay, Bare-crowned Antbird, White-bearded Manakin, Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo, Black-bellied Wren, Plain-colored Tanager, and Orange-crowned Oriole.

We will spend the first hours of our last day birding in El Paujil Reserve before head back to Bogotá.