CLASSIC COLOMBIA TOUR REPORT 2025

20 February - 16 March 2025

Trevor Ellery

The 2025 Classic Colombia tour was once again a comprehensive sample of all that Colombia has to offer. We criss-crossed the country taking in the three Andean ranges, the Cauca and Magdalena Valleys, the endemic rich Santa Marta massif and the semi-deserts of the Guajira. We targeted a host of mouth-watering endemics and specialities with great success and also took time to look at some of South America’s most iconic birds. The stunning Colombian scenery, vibrant culture and some special mammals, all combined with the incredible avian diversity made it a truly epic adventure!

Our tour started with the obligatory early morning departure in Bogota.  The traffic in this expanding and bustling mega city builds quickly, so it was imperative that we reached the outskirts well before dawn.  Once we had negotiated our way across virtually the length of the city, we winded our way gradually upwards and reached the wild and windswept Paramos of Sumapaz NP, just on the cusp of dawn.  We were soon enjoying good looks at the much desired Noble Snipe, with several seen in flight and a couple scoped on the deck, as they skulked in the marsh.  A garrulous group of Apolinar’s Wren (of the high elevation race) showed well and the marsh also held Andean Teal, the endemic Boyaca Antpitta, our first Great Thrushes, Rufous-collared Sparrows, Southern Lapwings and a Greater Yellowlegs.  We also began the mammal list, with a single Cavi (Brazilian Guinea Pig) scurrying around at the edges.  A single male Merlin was something of a surprise, as it is a rather scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to Colombia.

The endemic Green-bearded Helmetcrest was one of our principal targets and a short stop at a patch of scrubby Paramo produced several birds, including a dazzling male.  The near endemic Bronze-tailed Thornbill was less obliging, just perching briefly.  Other species seen included a lovely near endemic  Rufous-browed Conebill, while a Paramo Ground Tyrant that flicked around a nearby cliff-face, was much appreciated.  We also added plenty of commoner species including Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Andean Duck, American Coot, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Andean Tit-Spinetail, an obliging Many-striped Canastero, a pair of Tawny-rumped Tyrannulets and some confiding Pale-naped Brushfinches.

We moved on to another spot, where Chestnut-winged Cinclodes showed well.  It was then endemic Rail time and after a short wait, a Bogota Rail gave superlative views.  This species can often be rather skulking, so to watch a single individual parading around in full view was a huge bonus.  We also found our first Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant of the trip, along with Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager and Plain-coloured Seedeater.

With all of our main targets located we dropped down to lower elevations, where Silvery-throated Spinetails were seen at a couple of spots but were always skulking.  We also took a roadside picnic lunch and noted a few commoner species including Black-crested Warbler, Golden-fronted Whitestart, White-throated Tyrannulet , Superciliaried Hemispingus, a fly by Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and a brief Paramo Seedeater. We then descended from the Paramo and trundled our way through the hustle and bustle of Bogota, with this slightly onerous task being relieved by the endless street scenes that always make any journey in Colombia fascinating.  We also racked up a few commoner species including Feral Pigeon, Eared Dove, Bare-faced Ibis, Cattle Egret, Black Vulture and Tropical Kingbird.

Our destination for the afternoon was a sliver of Cloud forest, which still clung on at the lip of the meeting point of the plateau and the steep drop down off the Andes, into the Magdalena valley.  More especially we were visiting some hummingbird feeders, with the endemic Golden-bellied Starfrontlet as our main objective.  Commoner hummingbirds visiting the feeders included Lesser Violetear, a male Tourmaline Sunangel, a male Collared Inca, and Buff-tailed Coronet. We also enjoyed good looks at two female Golden-bellied Starfrontlets, that dashed in and out and perched in nearby trees.  Diminutive but attractive White-bellied Woodstars buzzed in and we also teased out a female, of the much more local, Gorgeted Woodstar, an erratic visitor at these higher elevations.  We then once again crossed Bogota as we returned to the Hotel, adding a couple of White-tailed Kites on the journey.

The next day we visited the edge of Chingaza National Park. Much time was spent at the productive hummer feeders, where we saw the near endemic Blue-throated Starfrontlet and the localised Lounguemare’s Sunangel.  Breaks in the showers allowed us to visit a feeder, where a Pale-bellied Tapaculo performed superbly and we also had an obligatory look at the local Andean Potoo. Perseverance allowed us to find Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Northern Mountain Cacique, Smoke-coloured Pewee, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Slaty Brushfinch , Eastern Meadowlark,  Blackburnian Warbler and both Bluish and Masked Flowerpiercers.  The rain persisted through to the afternoon, severely restricting birding opportunities but after some persistence, we did manage to locate a couple of Flame-winged Parakeets, which were the main endemic target. We then gradually made our way back to Bogota, stopping for some more obliging Silvery-throated Spinetails at a lagoon.  This small lake was very productive and held the endemic and highly localised race of Spot-flanked Gallinule, along with Blue-winged Teal, Common Gallinule, Neotropic Cormorant and Great Egret.

A final stop at some hummer feeders near Bogota, added Sword-billed Hummer, Glowing Puffleg, Black-tailed Trainbearer and Sparkling Violetear, while non hummers included a nice pair of Streak-throated Bush Tyrants and our first Black Flowerpiercers. We then descended onto the plateau and the gradually twinkling lights of Bogota as the day faded into dusk.

The following day we left Bogota early once again but this time with luggage in tow, as it was going to be many days before we returned to the capital. We dropped off the plateau and descended into the upper reaches of the Magdalena Valley. A stop at some fairly high remnant cloud forest was very birdy and after a wait, we enjoyed good scope views of the endemic Turquoise Dacnis. New species came thick and fast here including Ash-browed and  Stripe-breasted Spinetails, Plain Antvireo, Smooth-billed Ani , Broad-winged Hawk, Red-headed Barbet,  a single White-throated Toucanet, Band-tailed Pigeon and our first Acorn Woodpeckers, plus a single Lineated Woodpecker. Flycatchers were well represented with Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Black Phoebe and Acadian, Rusty-margined, Golden-bellied and Dusky-capped Flycatchers. The canopy flocks held our first Rufous-naped Greenlets, Brown-capped Vireos and Slate-throated Whitestarts.  Migrants visiting the fruiting trees included Swainson’s Thrush, Canada Warbler and plentiful Summer Tanagers. A single Moustached Brushfinch was much appreciated and we also began to increase our tanager list, with Blue-necked, Scrub, Bay-headed and Golden all seen well. A Black Inca that was seen briefly was a bonus as this is a hard bird at this site.

We then dropped down into the hot lowlands of the Magdalena Valley and an afternoon stop in some dry forest, soon produced the endemic double of Apical Flycatcher and Velvet-fronted Euphonia. We also added a whole slew of new species here including Grey Seedeater, Black-striped Sparrow, Groove-billed Ani, Ruddy Ground and White-tipped Doves, a pair of Olivaceous Piculets, Shining-green Hummingbird and our first Red-crowned Woodpeckers. A Red-rumped Woodpecker showed briefly while noisy Spectacled Parrotlets perched on  wires and a pale morph Short-tailed Hawk soared overhead.  The birding was very busy and we also picked up Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Greenish Elaenia and both Boat-billed and Panama Flycatchers. A couple of Rufous-browed Peppershrikes were enticed in and were scolded by our first Scrub Greenlets and a Tropical Gnatcatcher. Pale-breasted Thrushes were abundant and we also added a pair of Chestnut-capped Warblers, Streaked Saltator, both Black-faced and Blue-black Grassquits and White-shouldered and Crimson-backed Tanagers. Several Grey-pileated Finches were watched at a drinking spot, while the wonderfully named Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant showed well. Further poking around deep in the dry forest eked out Northern White-fringed Antwren, some showy Barred Antshrikes and a lovely male White-bellied Antbird.

The following morning we ascended high onto the eastern flank of the central Andes. It was another wet morning but with patience and perseverance we managed to find a mouth-watering selection of localised species. The feeders held Black-thighed Puffleg, Buff-wing Starfrontlet, our first Shining Sunbeam, a single Mountain Velvetbreast and more Sword-billed Hummers. Mixed flocks were active and we added Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Hooded Mountain Tanager and Golden-fronted Whitestart (of the Yellow-fronted form). Red-crested Cotinga were scoped on some distant trees and small groups of Scaly-naped Amazons flew past, while a male Purple-backed Thornbill was much appreciated. Further sifting through the flocks brought Agile Tit-tyrant, Black-headed Hemispingus, Blue-backed Conebill, Mountain Wren and Blue-and-black Tanager, with an Andean Pygmy Owl scoped on a distant ridge as a superb bonus.

Although we did see our main quarry, the critically endangered Fuertesi Parrot briefly, we had to hike into the forest before we obtained satisfactory views, with a small flocks feeding silently in the overhead bromeliads. We also picked up a skulking Blackish Tapaculo and a lovely Chestnut-naped Antpitta. Having been somewhat delayed while searching for the Parrot, we took our picnic lunch at the wonderful new Lodge and added Grass Wren and Brown-bellied Swallow. We then gradually descended adding a few commoner species including Masked Trogon, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, Barred Becard, White-banded Tyrannulet , Cinnamon Flycatcher, Black-capped Hemispingus, Capped Conebill, Buff-breasted and Lacrimose Mountain Tanagers, Blue-capped Tanager and both Andean and Sickle-winged Guans. A late afternoon stop at some of the endemic Palm groves was highly productive with plentiful Golden-plumed Parakeets and Yellow-eared Parrots. Despite the continued gloom of what had been a damp day in the Andes, we enjoyed fantastic views of this pssittacidae bonanza, before retracing our steps to the delightful town of Cajamarca and our humble but friendly hotel.

Early the next morning we birded at much lower elevations closer to the town and soon found the endemic Yellow-headed Brushfinch, plus our first Torrent Tyrannulet and a couple of skulking Whiskered Wrens. We then visited a lovely hummingbird garden, where the endemics came thick and fast with Tolima Blossomcrown, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Colombian Chachalaca and Tolima Dove, all seen well from the veranda! The garden was very birdy and we also added Green Hermit, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, White-vented Plumleteer, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Andean Motmot, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Bare-faced Ibis, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Black-billed Thrush,  Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Montane Woodcreeper, Lesser Goldfinch, Tropical Parula, Rusty Flowerpiercer and Chestnut-capped Brushfinch . A confiding Central American Agouti at the feeders was a bonus and Chestnut-collared and White-collared Swifts cruised overhead.

We then crossed the central Andes and moved on to Otun Quimbaya.  A random lunch stop at a roadside restaurant was surprisingly birdy with Long-billed Starthroat, Cattle Tyrant, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Vermilion Flycatcher and Bronze-winged Parrot. We arrived at Otun to heavy downpours and despite our best efforts; we were heavily rained out for the afternoon.  An attempt to bird the forest did produce our first Cauca Guans, Red-ruffed Fruitcrows and White-capped Dippers, before we were beaten back by the deluge.

The next morning it was up even earlier for some pre-dawn Owling and we found a very obliging Rufescent (Colombinaus) Screech Owl and a brief Mottled Owl, plus our first Common Potoo of the trip. We headed up the road and managed to connect with the very local Hooded Antpitta, a species that has become very hard to find in recent years. We also enjoyed a garrulous group of White-capped Tanagers, a lone Crested Ant Tanager, a skulking Streak-capped Treehunter, Variegated and Marble-faced Bristle Tyrants, Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet and Rufous-breasted Flycatcher. A Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren did its best to remain invisible but satisfactory views were eventually obtained and a Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush scurried along the roadside. Endemic Cauca Guans were plentiful and we also encountered several gorgeous Red-ruffed Fruitcrows, a species which is far easier to see here than perhaps anywhere else in its range. After some effort a Chestnut Wood Quail was encouraged to cross the road, little did we know what views lay in store for us later in the trip. We rounded off the day with another visit to the nearby fast flowing Rio Otun, where we were finally greeted with good scope views of the iconic Torrent Duck.

The following day was spent in the wonderful Andean cloud forests of Rio Blanco. Some pre-dawn owling only produced brief views of White-throated Screech Owl but superb looks at a male Lyre-tailed Nightjar. As the dawn gradually came up we found a confiding Flammulated Treehnuter and a couple of Chestnut-bellied Chat-Tyrants. We then climbed to the lodge where Andean Guan and Andean Motmot were visiting the fruit feeders and we also saw Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca and Speckled Hummingbird at the hummer feeders. White-throated Wedgebills visited the flowers, Blue-and-white and Brown-bellied Swallows hawked around the eaves and a couple of Yellow-bellied Siskins could be seen from the balcony.

It was then time for Antpitta feeding and we visited various stations where we saw Chestnut-crowned, Slaty-crowned and Brown-banded Antpittas very well. In between the antpittas we also managed some birding with a couple of the enigmatic Masked Saltator showing well. We also added Black-collared Jay, Streak-headed Antbird, Russet-crowned Warbler, Grey-hooded Tanager, Rufous-crowned Tody Flycatcher, Smoky Bush Tyrant, Pale-edged Flycatcher and Black-capped Tyrannulet. A small group of the enigmatic Pale-footed Swallow were a real highlight, though as often with this species, they were almost ephemeral shapes in the mist with the diagnostic call and bat-like jizz being key to the identification. In the late afternoon birding at slightly lower elevations produced Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Oleaginous and Black-eared Hemispingus. Streaked Xenops, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager and Beryl-spangled Tanager.

The following morning we ascended to HDA Bosque where we visited various feeding stations. These allowed us good views of White-browed Spinetail, Slaty and Grey-browed Brushfinches, Mountain and Grass Wrens, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant and some lovely Grey-breasted Mountain Toucans. We also enjoyed the antpitta show with Equatorial Antpitta and the incomparable Crescent-faced Antpitta. With all of these species providing point blank views the cameras were busy but it was the diminutive and delightful pair of Crescent-faced Antpittas that stole the show and which were eventually voted ‘Bird of the trip’, not for the first time on this tour!. Other species seen included a female Powerful Woodpecker and a Tyrannnine Woodcreeper. In the afternoon we ascended to a rather hot and quiet Nevado del Ruiz. With activity low on a clear sunny afternoon, we quickly dropped back down to the feeders at Termales, where we enjoyed good views of Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Viridian Metaltail and Great Sapphirewing.

The following morning we made a return to Los Nevados so as to be present in the more active early morning. Starting pre-dawn we had a couple of Band-winged Nightjars and we followed this with three endemic Buffy Helmetcrests and quite a showy Paramo Tapaculo. Stout-billed Cinclodes were common, Andean Siskin showed briefly and we eventually found an obliging Tawny Antpitta.

We then made the long drive to Montezuma, with a brief stop at some dry forest in the Cauca valley producing Dwarf and Striped Cuckoos and Greater Ani. While it may have been a longish drive it was truly spectacular, as we descended from around four thousand metres in the central Andes, to around four hundred metres where we crossed the Cauca river. We then climbed out to the western Andes, passing through lots of coffee plantations and some wonderful well preserved colonial fincas and villages.

Our first day at the legendary Montezuma began with a bumpy ascent to the military base. We were soon enjoying the endemic Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer and then birded down the road finding Rufous Spinetail, endemic Munchique Wood Wren, a lovely pair of Tanager Finches, Greenish Puffleg, White-throated Quail Dove, Glossy-black Thrush and Crested Quetzal. Mixed flocks held Spotted Barbtail, Handsome and Ornate Flycatchers, Orange-breasted and Barred Fruiteaters, Black Solitaire, Choco Brushfinch, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Dusky Chloropsingus, Three-striped Warbler, Purplish-mantled Tanager and the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager.  Skulkers included Olive Finch, a surprisingly showy Yellow-breasted Antpitta and a couple of the endemic Tatama Tapaculo. We managed the double of both Chestnut-breasted and Yellow-collared Chlorophonias, with the stunning male Chestnut-breasted giving especially good views. The feeders around the lodge held plentiful White-necked Jacobins and Green Thontails plus Violet-tailed Sylph, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Velvet-Purple Coronet, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Green-crowned and Empress Brilliants, Purple-throated Woodstar, Crowned Woodnymph and Steely-vented Hummingbird. Some late afternoon birding near the Lodge produced a superb Lanceolated Monklet, a Western Emerald at some flowers, Buff-throated Saltator and Lemon-rumped and Silver-throated Tanagers.

Our second day at Montezuma was spent at lower down, as we targeted species of the mid elevations. This was very successful and we added Toucan Barbet, Uniform Treehunter, several Ochre-breasted Antpittas, Narino Tapaculo, Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant, Olivaceous Piha, Golden-winged and Club-winged Manakins, Beautiful Jay, Sepia-brown Wren, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager and Golden-collared Honeycreeper. We also located a pair of the enigmatic Bicoloured Antvireos, a single Black-throated Tody Tyrant and managed to scope a furtive singing Pale-eyed Thrush. A final highlight was good views of our second endemic Bangsia tanager, the lovely Black-and-gold Tanager. Some afternoon birding in the lodge vicinity produced Blackish Rail, Red-faced Spinetail, Sooty-headed Wren, Black-throated Mango, Black-winged Saltator and the endemic Greyish Piculet.  A lovely Black-cheeked Woodpecker, a few Russet-backed Oropendolas, Green Honeycreeper, Flame-rumped Tanager and Tennessee warbler were observed at the feeders.

Our third day at Montezuma was a mix of birding the lower elevations and targeting missing species.  We managed to find Stripe-throated Hermit, Plumbeous Pigeon, Swallow-tailed Kite, a lovely pair of Moustached Puffbirds, Spotted and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Pacific Tuftedcheek and Buff-fronted and Ruddy Foliage-gleaners.  We had missed Fulvous-dotted Treerunner on the previous two days but managed to connect with several in mixed flocks. We also added Bar-crested Antshrike, Parker’s and Zeledon’s Antbirds, a couple of Choco Tapaculos, Streak-necked Flycatcher and a couple of Fulvous-breasted Flatbills. A flock of Lemon-browed Flycatchers were typically noisy overhead and a Slaty-capped Shrike Vireo perched in the canopy. A couple of the scarce Choco Vireo were much appreciated, while the understorey held Yellow-throated Chlorospingus, Buff-rumped and Choco Warblers and Ochre-breasted Tanager. A flock of Chestnut-headed Oropendolas also moved through and Tooth-billed Tanager was seen near the Lodge.

Then next morning we bade our farewells to the magnificent Montezuma and headed out well before dawn. We had planned a stop at Apia birding Lodge, which lay on our route back to the Cauca valley. We arrived at dawn and after a hearty al-fresco breakfast on the lodge balcony, we were led to some more feeders. It took a while but a lovely group of five Chestnut Wood Quail eventually emerged from the forest and provided superb views, as they scurried along some well-placed mossy logs.  We then spent much of the morning waiting at a fruiting tree, which had recently been attracting Multicoloured Tanager. We had no luck with the Tanager but did add Andean Solitaire, Squirrel Cuckoo, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Ashy-throated Chloropsingus and Metallic-green Tanager. We also took some time to visit another feeder, where rather amazingly a Tatama Tapaculo came in and some of the group also saw White-tipped Sicklebill at some nearby flowers.

We then made the fairly long drive to Rio Sucio with one brief stop at some secondary forest in the foothills of the Cauca Valley. This produced Laughing Falcon, Chivi Vireo and Streaked Flycatcher. We arrived at Rio Sucio in the late afternoon with time to get organised for our next few days in the mountains.

The following morning it was another early start as we climbed out of the Cauca Valley and up into the mountains again. We arrived at Finca El Roble just at dawn and were amazed to find a Norther Oncilla quietly sitting on a log outside the kitchen window! It seemed like it was waiting for us but in reality it was waiting to be fed. This particular individual has become semi-habituated at this site but can go missing for several weeks at a time, so we were very fortunate to connect with one of its erratic visits. We followed this with perhaps the most sumptuous breakfasts of the trip and enjoyed some of the hummers. Not long after dawn the rain had begun to hammer down and it kept going all morning. We tried visiting the Antpitta feeding station but in such condition it was not surprising that nothing came in. With little sign of the weather easing, we decided to head on towards Jardin, in search of more birds and better weather. This was fairly successful on both counts. We managed to find a couple of the highly desirable Chestnut-crested Cotingas at one spot. We then followed this with a skulking Ocellated Tapaculo, which only allowed glimpses. Mixed flocks held many of the commoner Andean species, with a couple of Pluchcaps being a real bonus.

In the late afternoon we descended off the mountain to the pleasant town of Jardin and we rounded off the day at the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek. At this site Andean Cock-of-the Rocks perform better than anywhere else in the world. Having multiple gaudy males strutting their stuff just above our heads was a very special experience!

The following day a planned pre-dawn ascent of the mountains near Jardin was scuppered with news of a problem on the road. The alternative was some birding around the hotel and a rare sit down breakfast. The hotel grounds produced a showy Blackish Rail, some nice Bronze-winged Parrots and our first Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Pale-vented Pigeon and Scarlet-fronted Parakeet. Great-tailed Grackles were common but unlikely to be of natural origin so far from the coast. We then walked a short distance to a new site, where some feeders produced the endemic Red-bellied Grackle and some nice White-naped Brushfinches. A trek down into a steep canyon and a walk across a somewhat precarious bridge (while wearing safety harnesses) and we were face to face with the enigmatic Oilbird. It really was a pleasure to see this species close up and in natural light. A very tame female Cock of the Rock was trying to build a nest on a cliff below us and an obliging Green-fronted Lancebill perched overhead.  As we walked out a couple of Yellow-headed Caracaras passed over in hot pursuit of a large Owl and amazingly we were able to locate what turned out to be a Spectacled Owl, perched on a cliff side. Despite the attentions of various mobbing birds including Black-chested Jays and a male Andean Cock-of-the Rock, it steadfastly clung to the vertical edge, glaring menacingly around and looking somewhat bewildered. With this bonus bird under our belts, we returned to the van and set off on the long drive to Rio Claro. We broke it up with lunch and some birding in the Cauca valley, where we saw our first Bicoloured Wrens, American Kestrel, Black-crowned Antshrike, Yellow Warbler and several endemic Antioquia Wrens. Much of the rest of the day was spent winding up and down through the Andes and crossing Medellin, Colombia’s second largest City. We arrived at Rio Claro after dark but not too late and settled in to the much more tropical climate, after many days in the cooler Andes.

We started our birding in earnest along a road above Rio Claro and soon achieved scope views of the endemic Beautiful Woodpecker, we also added Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Purple-crowned Fairy, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Sooty-headed and Yellow-crowned Tyrannulets and Plain-coloured Tanager. A call about an issue led us to change plans and we descended to the main canyon. This proved fortuitous, as the sometimes tricky endemic Antioquia Bristle Tyrant was seen well. A small ant swarm held Bicoloured Antbird and Grey-headed Tanager and we also added Collared Aracari, Pacific Antwren and Western Olivaceous Flatbill. We then tried another road, where we found White-whiskered and Barred Puffbirds, Bay Wren, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Sepia-capped and Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers, Northern Plain Xenops and Rufous Motmot. A key endemic target was White-mantled Barbet and we located a group of three, which perched overhead. We also found a very obliging pair of Cinnamon Woodpeckers that gave superb views.

We took lunch in the heat of the middle of the day, though that was somewhat interrupted by a couple of Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, a scarce migrant in Colombia. After lunch we descended another canyon and after a little searching were scoping the much desired Grey-cheeked Nunlet in the subcanopy. As we walked back to the van we added Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, White-thighed and White-winged Swallows, Savanna Hawk, Black-headed Tody Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tyrant, Piratic Flycatcher, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, a lovely Yellow-tufted Dacnis and plentiful Yellow-rumped Caciques, at a mixed colony with Chestnut-headed Oropendolas. A return trip to one of the other roads and staying out until after dark, produced a few extra species including Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher and Cinnamon Becard but was generally quiet for nocturnal birding, although we did see Mottled Owl.

Our final morning in the Magdalena Valley started with some pre-dawn owling which produced Spectacled Owl but little else. We only really had an hour for further birding after dawn broke but this allowed us a close encounter with a lovely male Magdalena Antbird and our only looks at White-tailed Trogon.  A couple of Chestnut-fronted Macaws at the hotel were a last minute bonus. We headed off towards Bogota but made one quick stop at some marshes where we added Yellow-hooded Blackbird, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Russet-throated Puffbird, Grey-rumped Swift, Wattled Jacana, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Caribbean Hornero, Pied Water Tyrant, Barn Swallow and Black-bellied Whistling Duck. It was then a long climb back to the capital and just time for dinner and lunch before an evening flight to Santa Marta and a very quick arrival and check in at our hotel, which was appreciated.

Our first day on the north coast was to begin on the cusp of dawn at some remnant coastal scrub. Despite the degraded habitat we were quickly picking out the endemic Chestnut-winged Chachalaca in the half light, even scoping some perched on roadside powerlines well before the sun came up. Once we had obtained satisfactory views we birded the dry forest roadside and added Northern Mouse Coloured and Southern Beardless Tyrannulets, Pale-bellied Hermit, Red-billed Emerald, Brown-throated Parakeet, Black-crested Antshrike, Ochre-lored Flatbill, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Olive-grey Saltator and Yellow Oriole.

It was then time to begin a slow ascent into the Santa Marta Mountains and El Dorado Lodge. It proved to be one of those days where frequent birding at different elevations, brings an endless procession of new and exciting species. Starting below Minca we soon found Trilling Gnatwren, Whooping Motmot, Black-backed Antshrike, Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, Golden-fronted Greenlet, Blue Dacnis and our only Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. Climbing higher we added Scaled Piculet, Scaled Pigeon, Gartered Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white Wrens, American Redstart, Streaked Saltator and a Rosy-Thrush Tanager. We had to go yet higher still to find our first Santa Marta endemic, the dashing Santa Marta Antbird.

A problem with our planned lunch stop meant a hastily planned alternative had to be found. This proved fortuitous as a Santa Marta Blossomcrown visited flowers next to where we were eating.  A short distance up the road we enjoyed both Santa Marta and Sierra Nevada Brushfinches. We also located Santa Marta Tapaculo, Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner and White-lored Warbler, a hat trick of endemics. Red-billed Parrots dashed overhead and a lovely Blue-naped Chlorophonia was seen at a fruit feeder. We visited some feeders where Brown Violetear was common and a Lazuline Sabrewing dashed in and out. A Masked Tityra was seen briefly and we also got good looks at a couple of Yellow-legged Thrushes and a Dull-coloured Grassquit, while White-lined and Black-headed Tanagers were seen in the garden. We arrived at El Dorado Lodge in the late afternoon where we glimpsed Band-tailed Guan and Rusty-headed Spinetail.

The following morning we ascended to the San Lorenzo ridge, a key site in the Santa Marta mountains. Arriving just on dawn a single Santa Marta Parakeet flew in and perched in a favoured tree. Everyone enjoyed satisfactory views but all too quickly it was gone. The endemics then came thick and fast with Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Hermit Wood Wren, Streak-capped Spinetail and Santa Marta Mountain Tanager. A quick diversion was made to a feeder where we enjoyed superb views of Santa Marta Antpitta. A walk along a trail added our only Santa Marta Bush Tyrant plus a fine couple of White-tipped Quetzals but Brown rumped Tapaculo proved challenging. The rest of the morning was spent birding along the ridge and we eked out Santa Marta Warbler and Sierra Nevada Antpitta, while enjoying plenty of noisy and garrulous Scaly-naped Amazons and Scarlet-fronted Parakeets. Tyrian Metaltails (form districta) were seen at some feeders. We had arranged lunch at a small hostel high on the ridge and this was very productive, as multiple dazzling White-tailed Starfrontlets visited the feeders and Santa Marta Mountain Tanagers also came in to some fruit.

The rest of the afternoon was spent trying for a few extra endemics with only limited success. We did add Santa Marta Toucanet, Golden Grosbeak and Strong-billed Woodcreeper, before we descended to the lodge. Despite it being a long day we still headed out into the darkness to try for Santa Marta Screech Owl and were successful fairly quickly, with good views obtained after a bit of cat and mouse.

The following morning we birded well below the lodge, starting in the foothill zone allowed us to add a whole slew of new species.  A stakeout for Santa Marta Woodstar allowed us good looks at this diminutive endemic. Spectacled and Coopman’s Tyrannulets were seen well and we also found several Rusty-breasted Antpittas and a brief but showy Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush. The incredibly gaudy Keel-billed Toucans (perhaps the best toucan) put on quite a show and we finally saw a Yellow-backed Oriole, having previously only heard it at multiple locations.  Gradually climbing back to the lodge allowed us to fish out a showy Grey-throated Leaftosser and we enjoyed good looks at a Groove-billed Toucanet. We also added our final fruiteater of the trip, with a lovely male Golden-breasted showing well. The late afternoon we spent on some lovely trails behind the lodge which added little although Santa Marta Toucanet was seen especially well and a Black-banded Woodcreeper obliged at dusk. Those who remained around the lodge enjoyed close looks at Lined Quail Dove and Band-tailed Guan on the feeders.

Although we had done very well on the San Lorenzo ridge we still had a couple of endemics that were missing, so once again we ascended high into the mountain. A first stop needed a little patience but we then enjoyed good looks at a couple of Black-backed Thornbills that perched up briefly. This species tends to like higher elevations and is only an erratic wanderer to the San Lorenzo ridge, so we were especially lucky to find this species on the tour. We then climbed a little further and enjoyed a singing male Carriker’s Mountain Tanager, a new Colombian endemic, following a three way split of the Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager complex. With this important species under the belt we began to descend but did not forget some unfinished business with Brown-rumped Tapaculo, which had eluded us on the previous day. After a bit of searching we eventually found a single typically skulking individual but managed to obtain satisfactory views. What goes up must come down and our very successful time in the high Sierra had come to an end. We needed to get down to Minca but we had most of the rest of the day to do this. We dropped back down to the lodge to pick up a couple of the group who had decided on a more relaxed morning’s birding and bade our farewells to El Dorado Lodge.

Our gradual descent was interrupted with a few birdings stops which added Cocoa Woodcreeper, Plumbeous Kite and Golden-crowned Warbler.  We arrived at Hotel Minca in the later afternoon – ample time to settle in and enjoy the commoner Hummers at the feeders and even to partake of some rather lovely Ice Creams. The last hour of the day was spent a short distance below the Lodge where, after a fair wait, we enjoyed distant views of some Military Macaws, coming in to roost. Unfortunately they had decided to roost behind one of the more distant ridges rather than in a visible location. We also added a Grey-lined hawk and a Bat Falcon at dusk.

The next day we had a little unfinished business above Minca. Several checks had failed to find Black-and-white Owl at their preferred day roost, so it was time for option two, a night search. This was spectacularly successful very quickly, as we enjoyed a magnificent individual just overhead. With some darkness still left we tried another spot where we finally saw (not just heard) a Pauraque and added a showy Tropical Screech owl, a species that had somehow eluded us up to this point. We climbed a little higher and after quite some searching, added a rather brief Coppery Emerald. We then descended and took a side road to some new feeders, where both Golden-winged Sparrow and a lovely male Blue Ground Dove showed well. We also enjoyed fine looks at Black-chested Jay and Russet-backed Oropendola and a Zone-tailed Hawk soared overhead. It was then time to grab our stuff and begin the long, winding but rather lovely drive north east along the fringes of the Caribbean and out to the Guajira peninsula.

We made a couple of opportune stops en-route and despite it being the heat of the day, a search in some gallery forest added Orange-crowned Oriole, One-coloured Becard, Trinidad Euphonia, Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, Forest Elaenia,  Brown-capped Tyrannulet , Black-whiskered Vireo , Red-legged Honeycreeper, Buff-breasted Wren and a lovely male Lance-tailed Manakin.  A second short stop produced the hoped for Blue-crowned Parakeets while a third stop was less productive but we did finally see some obliging Colombian Red Howlers, having heard them almost daily in the Santa Marta Mountains.

We arrived at the lagoon at Camarones in the late afternoon but it was absolutely thronging with birds, many new for the trip. Laughing Gulls were abundant, while Terns included many Royal, Caspian and Cabot’s and we picked out a couple of the Cayenne form of Cabot’s in the throng. Large numbers of Brown Pelicans were in the melee, while Magnificent Frigatebirds cruised overhead and Black Skimmers sailed past. Waders were well represented with many Willet, plentiful Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, flocks of Hudsonian Whimbrel and Short Billed Dowitcher,  small groups of Sanderling, Grey Plover and Ruddy Turnstone  and a couple of American Oystercatcher. Distant scoping added American Flamingo and Roseate Spoonbill, while American White Ibis and Reddish Egret performed much closer. Scanning of the nearby village produced flocks of Green-rumped Parrotlets flying into roost, our first Grey Kingbirds and some House Sparrows (a scarce bird in Colombia). Last but not least, one of the closest birds was a Grey-headed Gull. This species may be widespread but it is very rare in Colombia and was much appreciated by the group leader! We just about caught the last rays of the sunset on the beach, before heading to our hotel in the bustling Rioacha. With the town clearly in party mode on a Friday night, we opted to order a pizza and had an al fresco dinner and list in the hotel lobby, which seemed the quietest option.

Our penultimate morning began with our now obligatory early morning stop. This successfully netted us several showy Rufous-vented Chachalacas. After this it was time to plunge into the ‘proper’ Guajira scrub where the many specialities and endemics came thick and fast. We quickly found White-whiskered Spinetail, Orinoco Saltator, the stunning Chestnut Piculet and Glaucous Tanager. A little bit more persistence was needed to eke out the sometimes tricky Tocuyo Sparrow but eventually one obliged.  Flycatchers were represented by both Pale-tipped and Slender-billed Inezia’s, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant and Northern Scrub Flycatcher. After a rather lovely sit down breakfast in the nearby village (a bit of a luxury on this tour) we headed to a feeding station. A few shakes of a seed filled bottle by our local guide and the area was transformed from almost empty, to frenetic activity within minutes. Scaled Doves and Black-faced Grassquits soon came in and fed virtually at our feet. The star of the show though were several Vermilion Cardinal, with a male posing especially well. Some nearby flowers also attracted the localised Buffy Hummingbird which performed very well. A quick stop nearby produced a Double-striped Thick-knee sheltering in the shade.

We retired back to the lagoon and something of a novelty was taking a short boat trip with a couple of the local fishermen. The main target was Mangrove Rail, a widespread species but one that has only been possible to see in Colombia very recently. A single hulking individual came lumbering out of the mangroves, scattering waders in all directions and generally looking rather menacing. It put on quite a performance. The boat trip also allowed close views of some of the waders, Tricolored Herons, our only Yellow-crowned Night Herons and our only Osprey. A quick scan through the still packed mouth of the lagoon added Common Tern and Semipalmated Plover but little else, although we did get good looks at a Pearl Kite on nearby wires.

We then retraced our steps back along the coast to Santa Marta. We made another stop at the gallery forest and after a fair bit of searching, located a lovely White-necked Puffbird. A Little Tinamou was also seen briefly. We arrived at the hotel in Santa Marta reasonably early and enjoyed a nice early supper in a pleasant restaurant by the swimming pool.

Our final morning and we were once again trundling through the pre-dawn darkness (surprise surprise). This time we were heading west towards the large coastal city of Barranquilla but first we had to cross the length of Salamanca NP. As the waves pounded against the shore to our right, the still slumbering marshes stretched away inland, a true wilderness of northern Colombia.

We made our first stop at some mangroves, where our friendly local guide was waiting and he took us to a special spot, where we quickly enjoyed a lovely male Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird. With both Sapphire-throated and Sapphire bellied occurring at this site, we wanted to be sure it really was a Sapphire-bellied. The somewhat gloomy early morning light didn’t help but with some careful manoeuvring, we were all able to see that the Sapphire tones did indeed reach down well onto the belly. It would have been nice to spend more time with this endemic but we needed to hurry, hurry. The heat rises rapidly on this part of the Caribbean Coast, so if we were to enjoy the early morning burst of activity we needed to move along.

Our second stop was much more open but, as always, very birdy and filled with the sounds and sights of marshland species. Limpkin and Purple Gallinule were quickly added but we also focused on some key targets, with a couple of Turquoise-winged Parrotlets showing well and Stripe-backed Wren proving common. A fly over pair of Orange-winged Amazon and a couple of Northern Orioles were somewhat unusual for this site.  More normal species included Common Ground Dove, Solitary Sandpiper and a Peregrine Falcon. A pair of Northern Screamers rounded off the early morning with the heat really starting to beat down, it was time to retrace our steps. A short stop at a nearby truckstop provided another key target – several Bronze-brown Cowbirds fed with their commoner Shiny brethren, various Grackles and the chickens! We then headed back into the mangroves for a more thorough search. Prothonotary warblers proved common, Bicolored Conebills showed well and after some persistence we found a lovely male Golden-green Woodpecker. We also added a showy American Pygmy Kingfisher and finally saw (rather than just heard) Slaty-headed Tody Flycatcher. Panama Flycatcher gave their best views yet and we logged our only Back-necked Stilt of the trip. A final mammal was a Colombian Speckled Tree rat, that skulked under the eaves of one of the administrative buildings. By late morning it was time to head for a hotel near the airport for showers, packing and a final lunch. We still managed to add one species, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, spotted by one of the group from the departure lounge of Barranquilla airport!

Then it was a wrap, always something of a sense of sadness to say goodbye to a group with whom so many amazing wildlife experiences had been shared. Weather and some (out of our control) logistical issues had made it a challenging tour at times but we had still managed to see the vast majority of key targets and we really had sampled some of the best that Colombia can offer. The magical Oncilla and the gorgeous Crescent-faced Antpitta stood out as trip highlights but a whole slew of species were listed among birds of the trip by the members of the group, showing the incredible depth and breadth of avian diversity that Colombia possesses. At the end of such a three week tour it is hard not to be impressed with such a vibrant and friendly country that is bursting at the seams with fantastic wildlife and jaw dropping scenery.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).
The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follow Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2025. IOC World Bird List (v15.1).

BIRDS
Grey Tinamou ◊  Tinamus tao  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains.
Tawny-breasted Tinamou ◊  Nothocercus julius  Heard at Jardin and Bosque Guajira.
Little Tinamou  Crypturellus soui  Heard at Rio Claro and glimpsed by some on the north coast.
Northern Screamer  Chauna chavaria  A lovely pair in the Barranquilla marshes.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis  One at Puerto Trunfio and few at Barranquilla..
Torrent Duck  Merganetta armata  A single seen well at Otun.
Blue-winged Teal  Spatula discors  Small numbers in wetlands near Bogota and at Barranquilla.
Andean Teal ◊ (Merida Speckled T)  Anas [andium] altipetens  Seen at Sumapaz and near Guasca.
Andean Teal (A Speckled T)  Anas [andium] andium  A single at Los Nevados.
Andean Duck  Oxyura ferruginea  Fifteen on the lake at Sumapaz NP.
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis garrula  Good views of around twenty on the north coast.
Rufous-vented Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis ruficauda  Good views in the Guajira.
Colombian Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis columbiana  Seen at Cajamarca and Jardín.
Band-tailed Guan ◊  Penelope argyrotis  Seen on several days in the Santa Marta mountains.
Andean Guan ◊  Penelope montagnii  Seen commonly in the Andes with superb views at feeders.
Cauca Guan ◊  Penelope perspicax  Multiple individuals seen well at Otun Quimbaya.
Sickle-winged Guan ◊  Chamaepetes goudotii  Seen commonly in the Andes with superb views at feeders.
strong>Black-fronted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus atrifrons  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains.
Chestnut Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus hyperythrus  A single at Otun and then a lovely covey at Apia Birding Lodge.
Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis  Heard commonly in the lowlands and seen above Minca.
Band-winged Nightjar  Systellura longirostris  Seen at Los Nevados, Jardin and El Dorado Lodge.
Lyre-tailed Nightjar  Uropsalis lyra  A male showed well at Rio Blanco.

Oilbird  Steatornis caripensis  Good views in the canyon at Jardin.

Common Potoo  Nyctibius griseus  Singles at Otun and Rio Blanco, the latter a high elevation for this species.

Andean Potoo ◊  Nyctibius maculosus  A single roosting bird near Bosque Guajira.

Chestnut-collared Swift  Streptoprocne rutile  Seen at Cajamarca, Apia and the Santa Marta mountains.

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris  Fairly common in the highlands.

Grey-rumped Swift  Chaetura cinereiventris  A couple at Puerto Trunfio and seen at Minca

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift  Panyptila cayennensis  Seen above Jardin and Minca.

White-necked Jacobin  Florisuga mellivora  Common on the feeders at Montezuma and Minca.

White-tipped Sicklebill Eutoxeres aquila  A single seen by some at Apia Birding Lodge.

Rufous-breasted Hermit (Hairy H)  Glaucis hirsutus  A single at Rio Claro.

Stripe-throated Hermit  Phaethornis striigularis  Seen at Rio Claro.

Pale-bellied Hermit  Phaethornis anthophilus  Seen at Rio Claro and the Santa Marta lowlands.

Green Hermit  Phaethornis guy  On the flowers at El Retorno de los Colibris and at Apia Lodge.

Tawny-bellied Hermit ◊  Phaethornis syrmatophorus  On the feeders at Montezuma

Long-billed Hermit (Western Long-tailed H)  Phaethornis longirostris  Heard in the SM Mountains.

Green-fronted Lancebill ◊  Doryfera ludovicae  A single at the Oilbird canyon at Jardin.

White-throated Daggerbill  Schistes albogularis  A couple showed well at Rio Blanco

Brown Violetear  Colibri delphinae  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.

Lesser Violetear  Colibri cyanotus  Seen commonly in the Andes throughout the tour.

Sparkling Violetear  Colibri coruscans  Seen commonly in the Andes.

Purple-crowned Fairy  Heliothryx barroti  A couple at Rio Claro.

Black-throated Mango  Anthracothorax nigricollis  Small numbers at Montezuma and common at Minca.

Longuemare’s Sunangel ◊  Heliangelus Clarisse  Seen at Bosque Guajira and the Observatorio de los Colibris.

Tourmaline Sunangel ◊  Heliangelus exortis  Seen at multiple Andean sites through the tour.

Green Thorntail  Discosura conversii  Common on the feeders at Montezuma.

Speckled Hummingbird  Adelomyia melanogenys  Seen well at Rio Blanco.

Long-tailed Sylph  Aglaiocercus kingie  Seen at Rio Blanco, Apia and Jardin.

Violet-tailed Sylph ◊  Aglaiocercus coelestis  Common at Montezuma.

Black-tailed Trainbearer  Lesbia victoriae  Good views at the Observatorio de los Colibris.

Black-backed Thornbill ◊  Ramphomicron dorsale A couple in the Santa Marta mountains.

Purple-backed Thornbill ◊  Ramphomicron microrhynchum  A male at the Fuertesi reserve, a female at HDA Bosque.

Buffy Helmetcrest ◊  Oxypogon stuebelii  Three seen at Los Nevados.

Green-bearded Helmetcrest ◊  Oxypogon guerinii  A minimum of three, including a lovely male, at Sumapaz NP.

Bronze-tailed Thornbill ◊  Chalcostigma heteropogon  A single briefly at Sumapaz NP.

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill ◊  Chalcostigma herrani  A couple seen well at Termales.

Tyrian Metaltail  Metallura tyrianthina  Seen commonly in the Andes and the Santa Marta mountains.

Viridian Metaltail  Metallura williami  Seen well at Termales and Nevado del Ruiz.

Greenish Puffleg  Haplophaedia aureliae  Small numbers at Montezuma.

Glowing Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis vestita  Seen well at the Observatorio de los Colibris.

Black-thighed Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis derbyi  Seen well on the feeders at the Fuertesi Parrot Reserve.

Golden-breasted Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis mosquera  Seen well at Termales.

Shining Sunbeam ◊  Aglaeactis cupripennis  Seen commonly in the central Andes.

Bronzy Inca  Coeligena coeligena  Seen at Otún, Rio Blanco and Jardín.

Brown Inca ◊  Coeligena wilsoni  A single at Montezuma.

Black Inca ◊  Coeligena prunellei  A single was seen briefly at Pedro Palo. A very erratic species at that site.

Collared Inca  Coeligena torquata  This handsome species was seen at several Andean sites through the tour.

White-tailed Starfrontlet ◊  Coeligena phalerata  Several in the Santa Marta mountains.

Buff-winged Starfrontlet  Coeligena lutetiae  Seen commonly in the central Andes.

Golden-bellied Starfrontlet ◊  Coeligena bonapartei  A couple of females at Chicaque.

Blue-throated Starfrontlet ◊  Coeligena helianthea  Common on the feeders at Bosque Guajira and Obs de Colibris.

Mountain Velvetbreast  Lafresnaya lafresnayi  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Sword-billed Hummingbird  Ensifera ensifera  Seen well at several Andean sites.

Great Sapphirewing  Pterophanes cyanopterus  A single at Termales.

Buff-tailed Coronet ◊  Boissonneaua flavescens  Seen commonly at several highland sites through the tour.

Velvet-purple Coronet ◊  Boissonneaua jardini  Common at Montezuma.

White-booted Racket-tail  Ocreatus underwoodii  Seen at Otun and Montezuma.

Rufous-gaped Hillstar ◊  Urochroa bougueri  On the feeders at Montezuma.

Purple-bibbed Whitetip ◊  Urosticte benjamini  On the feeders at Montezuma.

Fawn-breasted Brilliant ◊  Heliodoxa rubinoides  Seen at several sites in the Andes.

Green-crowned Brilliant  Heliodoxa jacula  On the feeders at Montezuma.

Empress Brilliant ◊  Heliodoxa imperatrix  Common at Montezuma.

Long-billed Starthroat  Heliomaster longirostris  A single at the lunch stop on the way to Otun.

Purple-throated Woodstar ◊  Philodice mitchellii  Common at Montezuma.

White-bellied Woodstar ◊  Chaetocercus mulsant  Seen commonly at highland sites throughout the tour.

Gorgeted Woodstar ◊  Chaetocercus heliodor  A single female at the feeders at Chicaque.

Santa Marta Woodstar ◊  Chaetocercus astreans  A single bird in the Santa Marta mountains.

Western Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus  Seen well at Montezuma, Apia and Jardin.

Red-billed Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon gibsoni  Common on the north coast.

Coppery Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon russatus  A single briefly in the Santa Marta foothills.

Santa Marta Blossomcrown ◊  Anthocephala floriceps  At flowers in the Santa Marta mountains.

Tolima Blossomcrown ◊  Anthocephala berlepschi  A couple in the garden at El Retorno

Lazuline Sabrewing ◊  Campylopterus falcatus  On the feeders at El Dorado and Mountain House.

White-vented Plumeleteer  Chalybura buffonii  Common on the feeders at El Retorno and Hotel Minca.

Crowned Woodnymph ◊ (Violet-crowned W)  Thalurania [colombica] colombica  Common Santa Marta mountains.

Crowned Woodnymph ◊ (Green-crowned W)  Thalurania [colombica] fannyae  Small numbers at Montezuma.

Buffy Hummingbird ◊  Leucippus fallax  Several seen well in the Guajira.

Steely-vented Hummingbird  Saucerottia saucerottei  On the feeders at Montezuma and Santa Marta.

Indigo-capped Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia cyanifrons  Common on the feeders at El Retorno.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  Amazilia tzacatl  Seen on multiple days through the tour.

Andean Emerald ◊  Uranomitra franciae  Common at feeders at several Andean locations.

Shining-green Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia goudoti  Seen at Coello and on the north coast.

Sapphire-throated Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia coeruleogularis  Seen at a couple of sites on the north coast.

Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia lilliae  A nice male at Salamanca.

Blue-chested Hummingbird  Polyerata amabilis  A couple seen at Rio Claro.

Greater Ani  Crotophaga major  A couple seen in the Cauca valley.

Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris  Seen at Coello and on the north coast.

Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naeviae  Heard at Coello and seen well in the Cauca Valley.

Dwarf Cuckoo ◊  Coccycua pumila  Seen well in the Cauca valley and on the north coast.

Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana  Scattered sightings through the tour.
Rock Dove (introduced) (Feral P)  Columba [livia] var_domestica  Common around towns and cities throughout.

Scaled Pigeon  Patagioenas speciose  Common in the Santa Marta foothills.

Bare-eyed Pigeon ◊  Patagioenas corensis  Common in the Guajira.

Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata  Seen commonly in the highlands.

Pale-vented Pigeon  Patagioenas cayennensis  Common on the north coast and seen at Jardin.

Plumbeous Pigeon  Patagioenas plumbea  Heard at Otun and seen at Montezuma

Ruddy Pigeon  Patagioenas subvinacea  Heard at Rio Claro.

Scaled Dove  Columbina squammata  Common on the north coast.

Common Ground Dove  Columbina passerine  A couple in the Barranquilla marshes.

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti  Seen commonly in the lowlands.

Blue Ground Dove  Claravis pretiosa  Lovely views at feeders above Minca.

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi  Seen at a number of sites through the tour.

Tolima Dove ◊  Leptotila conoveri  A couple showed well at El Retorno de los Colibris.

White-throated Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon frenata  Heard at Hacienda del Bosque and seen on the road at Montezuma.

Lined Quail-Dove* ◊  Zentrygon linearis  Seen on the feeder at El Dorado Lodge.

Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata  Omnipresent in open country in the Andes, sometimes ranging into forested sites.

Blackish Rail  Pardirallus nigricans  Seen well at Montezuma and Jardin.

Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus  A single glimpsed by some of the group at El Retorno.

Mangrove Rail  Rallus longirostris  A single seen well at Camarones.

Bogota Rail ◊  Rallus semiplumbeus  A single bird gave superb views at Sumapaz NP.

Spot-flanked Gallinule ◊  Porphyriops melanops  Five seen well on a lagoon near Guasca.

Sora  Porzana carolina  A couple seen in the Barranquilla marshes.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata  Seen near Guasca and the Barranquilla marshes.

American Coot  Fulica Americana  Seen at several wetlands in the Bogota area.

Purple Gallinule (American P G)  Porphyrio martinica  Small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.

Limpkin  Aramus guarauna  A single in the Barranquilla marshes.

American Flamingo (Caribbean F)  Phoenicopterus ruber  Three distant birds at Camarones.

Double-striped Thick-knee  Hesperoburhinus bistriatus  Seen well in the Guajira.

American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliates  A couple at Camarones.

Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus  A single at Salamanca.

Grey Plover   Pluvialis squatarola  Small numbers on the north coast.

Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus  A single at Camarones.

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis  Seen commonly throughout the tour.

Wattled Jacana  Jacana jacana  A couple near Rio Claro and common Barranquilla marshes.

Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius hudsonicus  Common on the north coast.

Short-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus griseus  Common on the north coast.

Noble Snipe ◊  Gallinago nobilis  Five were seen at Sumapaz and we even managed some coped perched views!

Spotted Sandpiper   Actitis macularius  Small numbers on the north coast.

Solitary Sandpiper   Tringa solitaria  Small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.

Lesser Yellowlegs   Tringa flavipes  Common on the north coast.

Willet (Eastern W)  Tringa [semipalmata] semipalmata  Common on the north coast.

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca  A single at Sumapaz and seen commonly on the coast.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres  Small numbers on the north coast.

Sanderling Calidris alba  Small numbers on the north coast.

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla  Small numbers on the north coast.

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri  Small numbers on the north coast.

Black Skimmer  Rynchops niger Small numbers at Camarones.

Large-billed Tern  Phaetusa simplex  A couple in the Barranquilla marshes.

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia  Fairly common at Camarones.

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo  Around twenty at Camarones.

Cabot’s Tern ◊  Thalasseus acuflavidus  Common at Camarones.

Cabot’s Tern (Cayenne T)  Thalasseus [acuflavidus] acuflavidus  A couple at Camarones.

Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus  Common at Camarones.

Grey-headed Gull  Choricocephalus cirrocephalus  A single vagrant at Camarones.

Laughing Gull  Leucophaeus atricilla  Common at Camarones.

Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens  Common on the north coast.

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum  Abundant on the coast and scattered sighting elsewhere.

Buff-necked Ibis  Theristicus caudatus  Multiple sightings through the tour mark a distinct uptick for this species.

Bare-faced Ibis (Whispering I)  Phimosus infuscatus  Abundant throughout the tour.

American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus  Small numbers at Camarones and Barranquilla.

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus  Common in the Barranquilla marshes.

Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja  Seen at Camarones and Barranquilla.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea  Several at Camarones.

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  A couple at Pedro Palo and a single at Camarones.

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea  Common on the north coast.

Tricolored Heron  Egretta tricolor  Common on the north coast.

Reddish Egret  Egretta rufescens  Several at Camarones.

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula  Common at wetlands.

Green Heron  Butorides virescens  Seen near Rio Claro and in the Barranquilla Marshes.

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta  Commonly seen through the tour.

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis  Abundant throughout the tour.

Great Blue Heron  Ardea Herodias  Several at Camarones.

Cocoi Heron (White-necked H)  Ardea cocoi  Seen near Rio Claro and in the Barranquilla marshes.

Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis  Common at Camarones.

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus  Abundant throughout the tour.

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura  Seen commonly through the tour.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture  Cathartes burrovianus  Seen near Rio Claro and on the north coast.

Osprey  Pandion [haliaetus] carolinensis  A single on the north coast.

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus  A couple from the bus on the edge of Bogota.

Pearl Kite  Gampsonyx swainsonii  A couple of roadside sightings with best views at Los Flamencos.

Swallow-tailed Kite (American S-t K)  Elanoides forficatus  Seen overhead at Montezuma, Rio Claro and Minca.

Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus  Heard at Montezuma.

Plumbeous Kite  Ictinia plumbea  Small numbers in the Santa Marta foothills

Snail Kite  Rostrhamus sociabilis  Small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.

Common Black Hawk  Buteogallus anthracinus  Seen in the Barranquilla marshes.

Savanna Hawk  Buteogallus meridionalis  Seen at Rio Claro.

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris  Scattered sightings through the tour.

White-tailed Hawk  Geranoaetus albicaudatus  A single near Jardin.

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus  A single at Sumapaz and seen at Nevado del Ruiz.

Grey-lined Hawk  Buteo nitidus  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Broad-winged Hawk  Buteo platypterus  Scattered sightings in the highlands.

Short-tailed Hawk  Buteo brachyurus  Soaring birds seen on several days during the tour.

Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus  A couple seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium nubicola  Heard distantly at Montezuma.

Andean Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium jardinii  A single bird was scoped at the Fuertesi Parrot Reserve.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum  Seen below Minca.

White-throated Screech Owl ◊  Megascops albogularis  Glimpsed at Rio Blanco.

Tropical Screech Owl  Megascops choliba  Seen well above Minca.

Rufescent Screech Owl ◊ (Colombian S O)  Megascops [ingens] colombianus  A single gave stunning views at Otun.

Santa Marta Screech Owl ◊  Megascops gilesi  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Spectacled Owl  Pulsatrix perspicillata  Seen well at Jardin and Rio Claro.

Mottled Owl  Strix virgate  A couple seen at Otun and a single at Rio Claro, heard Santa Marta.

Black-and-white Owl ◊  Strix nigrolineata  Seen well above Minca.

Golden-headed Quetzal  Pharomachrus auriceps  A single male at Rio Blanco and heard at Montezuma.

White-tipped Quetzal ◊  Pharomachrus fulgidus  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Crested Quetzal  Pharomachrus antisianus  A single at Montezuma.

White-tailed Trogon (Western W-t T)  Trogon chionurus  Seen at Rio Claro.

Gartered Trogon (Northern Violaceous T)  Trogon caligatus  Seen at several sites on the north coast.

Masked Trogon  Trogon personatus  Seen at several highland sites.

Amazon Kingfisher  Chloroceryle amazon  Seen in the Barranquilla marshes.

American Pygmy Kingfisher  Chloroceryle aenea  Seen well at Salamanca.

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle Americana  Seen on the north coast.

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata  Scattered sightings and common on the coast.

Whooping Motmot  Momotus subrufescens  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills and on the north coast.

Andean Motmot (Highland M)  Momotus aequatorialis  Seen commonly in the Andes.

Rufous Motmot  Baryphthengus martii  A single at Rio Claro.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar  Galbula ruficauda  Seen at Rio Claro and commonly on the north coast.

White-necked Puffbird  Notharchus hyperrhynchus  Seen well on the north coast.

Pied Puffbird  Notharchus tectus  Seen well at Salamanca.

Barred Puffbird ◊  Nystalus radiates  Seen well at Rio Claro.

Russet-throated Puffbird ◊  Hypnelus ruficollis Seen well in the Magdalena valley and north coast.

White-whiskered Puffbird  Malacoptila panamensis  Several seen well at Rio Claro.

Moustached Puffbird ◊  Malacoptila mystacalis  A pair seen well at Montezuma.

Lanceolated Monklet  Micromonacha lanceolate  A single showed well at Montezuma

Grey-cheeked Nunlet ◊  Nonnula frontalis  Seen well at Rio Claro.

White-mantled Barbet ◊  Capito hypoleucus  Seen well at Rio Claro.

Red-headed Barbet ◊  Eubucco bourcierii  Seen fairly commonly in the Andes.

Toucan Barbet ◊  Semnornis ramphastinus   A group were seen well at Montezuma.

White-throated Toucanet ◊ (Santa Marta T)  Aulacorhynchus [albivitta] lautus  Seen well Santa Marta mountains.

White-throated Toucanet ◊ (Grey-throated T)  Aulacorhynchus [albivitta] griseigularis  Seen at several Andean sites. 

White-throated Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus [albivitta] albivitta  A single at Pedro Palo.

Groove-billed Toucanet ◊ (Yellow-billed T)  Aulacorhynchus [sulcatus] calorhynchus  Seen well at Santa Marta.

Collared Aracari  Pteroglossus torquatus  Seen at Rio Claro and above Minca.

Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan ◊  Andigena hypoglauca  Seen at HDA Bosque and the Fuertesi Reserve.

Black-billed Mountain Toucan ◊  Andigena nigrirostris  Multiple individuals seen at several Andean sites.

Citron-throated Toucan ◊  Ramphastos citreolaemus  Heard at Rio Claro.

Keel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos sulfuratus  Fairly common in the Santa Marta foothills.

Yellow-throated Toucan (Chestnut-mandibled T)  Ramphastos [ambiguus] swainsonii  Heard Rio Claro.

Scaled Piculet  Picumnus squamulatus  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.

Olivaceous Piculet  Picumnus olivaceus  Two were seen well at Coello.

Greyish Piculet ◊  Picumnus granadensis  A single near the Lodge at Montezuma.

Chestnut Piculet ◊  Picumnus cinnamomeus  Seen at Salamanca and the Guajira.

Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus  Seen at several sites in the Andes.

Beautiful Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes pulcher  Good scopes views at Rio Claro.

Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani  On the feeders at Montezuma.

Red-crowned Woodpecker  Melanerpes rubricapillus  Seen commonly in the lowlands.

Yellow-vented Woodpecker ◊  Veniliornis dignus  Seen at Rio Blanco and Montezuma.

Red-rumped Woodpecker  Veniliornis kirkii  Seen at Coello, Rio Claro and Salamanca.

Smoky-brown Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus fumigatus  Seen at Montezuma.

Golden-green Woodpecker  Piculus chrysochloros  Seen well at Salamanca.

Golden-olive Woodpecker  Colaptes rubiginosus  Seen or heard in the subtropics at several sites.

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker  Colaptes rivolii  Seen at several Andean sites.

Spot-breasted Woodpecker  Colaptes punctigula  Seen well at Jardin and in the Barranquilla marshes.

Cinnamon Woodpecker  Celeus loricatus  Good views of a pair at Rio Claro.

Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus  Singles at Coello and Isla Salamanca and heard at Montezuma.

Powerful Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus pollens  A single female at Hacienda del Bosque.

Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Yellow-headed Caracara  Milvago chimachima  Seen commonly throughout the tour.

Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans  Seen near Apia and heard on a couple of other days.

Barred Forest Falcon  Micrastur ruficollis  Seen by some of the group in the Santa Marta mountains.

Collared Forest Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus  Heard at Pedro Palo and in the Santa Marta mountains.

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius  A couple seen in the Cauca Valley.

Merlin  Falco columbarius  A male at Sumapaz and another on the San Lorenzo ridge in the Santa Marta mountains.

Bat Falcon  Falco rufigularis  Seen below Minca.

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus  A single in the Barranquilla marshes.

Barred Parakeet  Bolborhynchus lineola  Heard at Montezuma and Apia birding Lodge.

Orange-chinned Parakeet  Brotogeris jugularis  Common in the lowlands.

Rose-faced Parrot ◊  Pyrilia pulchra  Heard at Montezuma.

Fuertes’s Parrot ◊  Hapalopsittaca fuertesi  About fifteen were eventually seen at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Red-billed Parrot  Pionus sordidus  Fairly common in the Santa Marta mountains.

White-capped Parrot  Pionus seniloides  Heard at Bosque Guajira.

Blue-headed Parrot  Pionus menstruus  Seen at Rio Claro and below Minca.

Bronze-winged Parrot  Pionus chalcopterus  A couple flew past during lunch at Otun and seen at Jardin.

Scaly-naped Amazon (S-n Parrot)  Amazona mercenaries  Seen commonly in the highlands.

Orange-winged Amazon (O-w Parrot)  Amazona amazonica  Seen at Rio Claro and the Barranquilla marshes.

Turquoise-winged Parrotlet ◊  Forpus spengeli  Seen well in the Barranquilla marshes.

Green-rumped Parrotlet  Forpus passerines  Seen well in the Guajira.

Spectacled Parrotlet ◊  Forpus conspicillatus  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Santa Marta Parakeet ◊  Pyrrhura viridicata  A single seen well on the San Lorenzo ridge.

Flame-winged Parakeet ◊  Pyrrhura calliptera  A couple were eventually seen in the rain at Bosque Guajira.

Brown-throated Parakeet  Eupsittula pertinax  Common on the north coast.

Chestnut-fronted Macaw  Ara severus A couple at Rio Claro.

Military Macaw  Ara militaris  Distant views in the Santa Marta foothills.

Golden-plumed Parakeet ◊  Leptosittaca branickii  About forty below the Fuertesi Reserve and heard at Rio Blanco.

Yellow-eared Parrot ◊  Ognorhynchus icterotis  Seen below the Fuertesi Reserve and at Jardin.

Blue-crowned Parakeet  Thectocercus acuticaudatus  Seen on the north coast.

Scarlet-fronted Parakeet  Psittacara wagleri  Common in the Santa Marta mountains and a couple at Jardin

Grey-throated Leaftosser  Sclerurus albigularis  Several seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus  Heard at Rio Claro.

Tyrannine Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla tyrannina  Seen at Hacienda del Bosque and Jardin.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla fuliginosa  Seen at Montezuma and Rio Claro.

Black-banded Woodcreeper  Dendrocolaptes picumnus  A single in the Santa Marta mountains.

Strong-billed Woodcreeper  Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus  Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Cocoa Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus susurrans  Heard commonly at Rio Claro and seen on the north coast.

Spotted Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus erythropygius  Seen at Montezuma.

Olive-backed Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus triangularis  Seen at Montezuma.

Straight-billed Woodcreeper  Dendroplex picus  Seen at several lowland sites.

Brown-billed Scythebill  Campylorhamphus pusillus  Two Seen at Montezuma.

Streak-headed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes souleyetii  Seen at Rio Claro.

Montane Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger  Seen in the Andes and Santa Marta mountains.

Northern Plain Xenops  Xenops mexicanus  A single at Rio Claro.

Streaked Xenops  Xenops rutilans  Seen at Rio Blanco and in the Santa Marta mountains.

Pacific Tuftedcheek ◊  Pseudocolaptes johnsoni  Seen at Montezuma.

Streaked Tuftedcheek  Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii  Seen well at several Andean sites.

Caribbean Hornero ◊  Furnarius longirostris  Seen in the Magdalena Valley and north coast.

Chestnut-winged Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes albidiventris  Several showed well at Sumapaz.

Stout-billed Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes excelsior  Seen commonly at Nevado del Ruiz.

Montane Foliage-gleaner  Anabacerthia striaticollis  Seen in the Andes and Santa Marta mountains.

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner  Dendroma rufa  Seen at Montezuma.

Ruddy Foliage-gleaner  Clibanornis rubiginosus  A skulking bird at Montezuma.

Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner ◊  Clibanornis rufipectus  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Uniform Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes ignobilis  Several were seen at Montezuma.

Flammulated Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes flammulatus  Seen at Rio Blanco and Montezuma and heard Santa Marta.

Streak-capped Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes virgaticeps A skulking bird at Otun and a showy bird at Apia Lodge.

Spotted Barbtail  Premnoplex brunnescens  Seen at Montezuma.

Star-chested Treerunner ◊ (Fulvous-dotted T)  Margarornis stellatus  Seen at Montezuma.

Pearled Treerunner  Margarornis squamiger  Scattered sightings in the Andes.

Andean Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura andicola  Seen at Sumapaz and Nevado del Ruiz.

White-browed Spinetail ◊  Hellmayrea gularis  On the feeder at HDA Bosque and heard at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Many-striped Canastero ◊  Asthenes flammulata  A single showed well at Sumapaz and heard at Nevado del Ruiz.

Red-faced Spinetail  Cranioleuca erythrops  Several seen at Montezuma and Apia Birding Lodge.

Streak-capped Spinetail ◊  Cranioleuca hellmayri  Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Ash-browed Spinetail  Cranioleuca curtata  A single at Pedro Palo.

Yellow-chinned Spinetail  Certhiaxis cinnamomeus  Seen in the Barranquilla marshes.

Slaty Spinetail  Synallaxis brachyuran  Heard at Montezuma.

Silvery-throated Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis subpudica  Several below Sumapaz and an obliging bird near Guasca.

Azara’s Spinetail  Synallaxis azarae  Scattered sightings in the Andes.

White-whiskered Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis candei  Seen well in the Guajira.

Rusty-headed Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis fuscorufa  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Rufous Spinetail  Synallaxis unirufa  Seen well at Montezuma.

Stripe-breasted Spinetail  Synallaxis cinnamomea  A couple at Pedro Palo.

Checker-throated Stipplethroat  Epinecrophylla fulviventris  Three were seen at Rio Claro.

Pacific Antwren ◊ (P Streaked A)  Myrmotherula pacifica  Seen at Rio Claro.

Slaty Antwren  Myrmotherula schisticolor  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains.

Northern White-fringed Antwren  Formicivora intermedia  Seen at Coello and commonly on the north coast.

Yellow-breasted Antwren ◊  Herpsilochmus axillaris  Heard at Montezuma but unresponsive.

Plain Antvireo  Dysithamnus mentalis  Several seen at Pedro Palo.

Bicolored Antvireo ◊ (Western Antshrike)  Dysithamnus occidentalis  A skulking pair were seen at Montezuma.

Black-backed Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus melanonotus  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.

Barred Antshrike  Thamnophilus doliatus  A couple showed well at Coello.

Bar-crested Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus multistriatus  Heard at El Retorno and seen at Montezuma.

Uniform Antshrike  Thamnophilus unicolor  Heard at Montezuma.

Black-crowned Antshrike (Western Slaty A)  Thamnophilus atrinucha  Heard at Coello and seen in the Cauca valley.

Black-crested Antshrike  Sakesphorus Canadensis  Seen at several sites on the north coast.

Bicolored Antbird  Gymnopithys bicolor  Seen well at Rio Claro.

Santa Marta Antbird ◊  Drymophila hellmayri  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Streak-headed Antbird ◊  Drymophila striaticeps  Seen at Rio Blanco and head at Montezuma.

Parker’s Antbird ◊  Cercomacroides parkeri  Seen at Montezuma.

Chestnut-backed Antbird  Poliocrania exsul  Seen at Rio Claro.

Magdalena Antbird ◊  Sipia palliate  Seen well at Rio Claro.

White-bellied Antbird  Myrmeciza longipes  A superb male at Coello.

Zeledon’s Antbird ◊  Hafferia zeledoni  Seen at Montezuma.

Undulated Antpitta  Grallaria squamigera  Heard at the Fuertesi Reserve and Jardin.

Moustached Antpitta ◊  Grallaria alleni  A couple briefly on the road at Otun.

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta  Grallaria ruficapilla  Heard at several Andean sites and seen well at Rio Blanco. 

Santa Marta Antpitta ◊  Grallaria bangsi  Seen at a feeding station in the Santa Marta mountains.

Chestnut-naped Antpitta ◊  Grallaria nuchalis  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve, heard Jardin.

Yellow-breasted Antpitta ◊  Grallaria flavotincta  Seen well at Montezuma.

Sierra Nevada Antpitta ◊  Grallaria spatiator  A single seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Muisca Antpitta ◊  Grallaria rufula  Heard at Bosque Guajira but unresponsive in heavy rain.

Bicolored Antpitta ◊  Grallaria rufocinerea  Heard at Rio Blanco but not visiting the feeding station.

Chami Antpitta ◊  Grallaria alvarezi  Heard at Jardin and Montezuma.

Equatorial Antpitta ◊  Grallaria saturate  Seen at HDA Bosque and heard at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Tawny Antpitta ◊ (Western T A)  Grallaria quitensis  Seen at Nevado del Ruiz and heard at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Boyaca Antpitta ◊  Grallaria alticola  A minimum of five on the Paramo at Sumapaz.

Brown-banded Antpitta ◊  Grallaria milleri  Seen well at Rio Blanco.

Ochre-breasted Antpitta  Grallaricula flavirostris  Three were seen at Montezuma!

Hooded Antpitta ◊  Grallaricula cucullata  A single seen well at Otun.

Rusty-breasted Antpitta ◊  Grallaricula ferrugineipectus  Several seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Slaty-crowned Antpitta  Grallaricula nana  Seen well at Rio Blanco and heard at a few other sites.

Crescent-faced Antpitta ◊  Grallaricula lineifrons  A pair showed very well at HDA Bosque.

Ocellated Tapaculo ◊  Acropternis orthonyx  A skulking bird seen at Jardin and heard at Montezuma.

Ash-coloured Tapaculo ◊  Myornis senilis  Heard at several Andean sites.

Paramo Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus opacus  Seen well at Nevado del Ruiz.

Santa Marta Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus sanctaemartae  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.

Blackish Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus latrans  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Narino Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus vicinior  Seen at Montezuma.

Choco Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus chocoensis  A couple were seen at Montezuma.

Stiles’s Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus stilesi  Despite much effort only heard at Otun.

Tatama Tapaculo ◊ (Alto Pisones T)  Scytalopus alvarezlopezi  Seen at Montezuma and at a feeding station at Apia.

Pale-bellied Tapaculo ◊ (Mattoral T)  Scytalopus griseicollis  Heard at Sumapaz, seen at a feeder near Chingaza.

Brown-rumped Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus latebricola  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Spillmann’s Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus spillmanni  Heard at a couple of Andean sites.

Wing-barred Piprites  Piprites chloris  A single subliminal bird was a leader only at Pedro Palo.

Sooty-headed Tyrannulet  Phyllomyias griseiceps  Heard and seen at several sites through the tour.

Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet ◊  Phyllomyias plumbeiceps  A single high in the canopy at Otun.

Black-capped Tyrannulet  Tyranniscus nigrocapillus  Seen at Rio Blanco and in the Santa Marta mountains.

Ashy-headed Tyrannulet  Tyranniscus cinereiceps  Seen at Rio Blanco.

Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet ◊  Tyranniscus uropygialis  A couple were seen at Sumapaz.

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet  Tyrannulus elatus  Seen at Rio Claro.

Forest Elaenia  Myiopagis gaimardii  Seen at Rio Claro and the north coast.

Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata  A couple were seen at Coello and a single on the north coast.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia  Elaenia flavogaster  Heard and seen widely through the tour.

Mountain Elaenia  Elaenia frantzii  Heard and seen in the highlands throughout the tour.

Brown-capped Tyrannulet  Ornithion brunneicapillus  Seen well on the north coast.

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum  Seen well on the north coast.

White-throated Tyrannulet  Mecocerculus leucophrys  Seen commonly at many Andean sites.

White-banded Tyrannulet  Mecocerculus stictopterus  Seen at several Andean sites.

Agile Tit-Tyrant  Uromyias agilis  A single seen well at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Torrent Tyrannulet  Serpophaga cinerea  Seen at several sites in the Andes.

Northern Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet  Nesotriccus incomtus  Seen on the north coast.

Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant  Pseudotriccus pelzelni  A single at Montezuma.

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant ◊  Euscarthmus meloryphus  A couple of this delightfully named bird at Coello.

Spectacled Tyrannulet ◊  Zimmerius improbus  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Golden-faced Tyrannulet ◊  Zimmerius chrysops  Common at multiple sites through the tour.

Coopmans’s Tyrannulet ◊  Zimmerius minimus  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Variegated Bristle Tyrant  Pogonotriccus poecilotis  A single at Otun.

Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant  Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus  Seen at Otun and Montezuma.

Antioquia Bristle Tyrant ◊  Pogonotriccus lanyoni  A single seen well at Rio Claro.

Streak-necked Flycatcher  Mionectes striaticollis  Seen at Montezuma and Apia Birding Lodge.

Olive-striped Flycatcher  Mionectes galbinus  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher  Mionectes oleaginous  Seen at Rio Claro.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher  Leptopogon amaurocephalus  Seen at Rio Claro and heard at Santa Marta.

Slaty-capped Flycatcher  Leptopogon superciliaris  Seen at a couple of sites in the Andes.

Rufous-breasted Flycatcher ◊  Leptopogon rufipectus  A couple at Otun.

Northern Scrub Flycatcher  Sublegatus arenarum  Seen on the north coast.

Slender-billed Inezia ◊  Inezia tenuirostris  Seen well in the Guajira.

Pale-tipped Inezia ◊ (P-t Tyrannulet)  Inezia caudate  Seen well in the Guajira.

Bran-coloured Flycatcher  Myiophobus fasciatus  A single in the Santa Marta foothills.

Handsome Flycatcher ◊  Nephelomyias pulcher  Common at Montezuma.

Ornate Flycatcher ◊  Myiotriccus ornatus  Heard at Otun and seen at Montezuma.

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant  Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer  Seen well in the Guajira.

Black-throated Tody-Tyrant ◊  Hemitriccus granadensis  Seen at Montezuma and the Santa Marta mountains.

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant  Lophotriccus pileatus  A single at Coello.

Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant  Atalotriccus pilaris  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.

Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus ruficeps  Seen at Rio Blanco.

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus sylvia  Heard at several sites and eventually seen at Salamanca.

Common Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum cinereum  Heard and seen commonly through the tour.

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum nigriceps  Seen at Rio Claro, heard north coast.

Fulvous-breasted Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus  Seen well at Montezuma.

Western Olivaceous Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus aequinoctialis  Seen at Rio Claro.

Ochre-lored Flatbill (O-l Flycatcher)  Tolmomyias flaviventris  Seen well on the north coast.

White-throated Spadebill  Platyrinchus mystaceus  Seen at Montezuma.

Cinnamon Flycatcher  Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus  Seen in the Andes and the Santa Marta mountains.

Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Smoke-coloured Pewee  Contopus fumigatus  Seen or heard at several Andean sites.

Acadian Flycatcher  Empidonax virescens  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus obscurus  Seen on the way to Otun and in the Cauca Valley.

Paramo Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola alpinus  A single was seen well at Sumapaz.

Streak-throated Bush Tyrant  Myiotheretes striaticollis  A couple seen well at Obs de Colibris.

Santa Marta Bush Tyrant ◊  Myiotheretes pernix A single in the Santa Marta mountains.

Smoky Bush Tyrant  Myiotheretes fumigatus  Seen at Rio Blanco and Montezuma.

Pied Water Tyrant  Fluvicola pica  Seen near Rio Claro and in the Barranquilla marshes.

White-headed Marsh Tyrant  Arundinicola leucocephala  Seen near Rio Claro and B/quilla marshes.

Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant ◊  Silvicultrix diadema  Seen in the Andes and the Santa Marta mountains.

Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant ◊  Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris  A couple seen well at Rio Blanco.

Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca rufipectoralis  Seen at several Andean sites.

Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca fumicolor  Seen commonly at several highland sites.

Long-tailed Tyrant  Colonia colonus  Seen at Rio Claro.

Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa  A single at a lunch stop on the way to Otun and a single at Jardin.

Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius  Heard and seen at several lowland sites.

Rusty-margined Flycatcher  Myiozetetes cayanensis  Seen commonly throughout the tour.

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis  Seen on the north coast.

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus  Seen commonly throughout the tour.

Lemon-browed Flycatcher ◊  Conopias cinchoneti  A small flock at Montezuma.

Golden-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes hemichrysus  Seen in the subtropical zone at several sites.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes luteiventris  A couple at Rio Claro. A rather scarce migrant in Colombia.

Streaked Flycatcher  Myiodynastes maculatus  Fairly common in the lowlands.

Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua  Seen at Coello.

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus  Seen commonly throughout the tour.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savanna  A single from the departure lounge at Barranquilla airport!

Grey Kingbird  Tyrannus dominicensis  Seen well in the Guajira.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer  Scattered sightings in the subtropics.

Panama Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus panamensis  Seen at Coello, Rio Claro, Salamanca.

Apical Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus apicalis  A single showed well at Coello.

Pale-edged Flycatcher  Myiarchus cephalote  Seen well at Rio Blanco.

Great Crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus crinitus  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.

Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus  Seen on the north coast.

Bright-rumped Attila ◊ (Flammulated A)  Attila spadiceus  Heard at Rio Claro and on the north coast.

Scaled Fruiteater ◊  Ampelioides tschudii  A single at Montezuma.

Orange-breasted Fruiteater ◊  Pipreola jucunda  Several were seen at Montezuma.

Golden-breasted Fruiteater ◊  Pipreola aureopectus  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Barred Fruiteater  Pipreola arcuate  A pair at Montezuma.

Green-and-black Fruiteater  Pipreola riefferii  Seen at several Andean sites with one at a feeder at Finca El Roble.

Olivaceous Piha ◊  Snowornis cryptolophus  A couple were seen at Montezuma.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock  Rupicola peruvianus  Heard at Otun and seen at a couple of sites at Jardin.

Red-crested Cotinga ◊  Ampelion rubrocristatus  Four scoped distantly at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Chestnut-crested Cotinga ◊  Ampelion rufaxilla  A couple were seen well at Jardin.

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow  Pyroderus scutatus  Multiple individuals seen at Otun.

Dusky Piha ◊  Lipaugus fuscocinereus  Heard very distantly at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Lance-tailed Manakin  Chiroxiphia lanceolate  Seen well on the north coast.

Golden-winged Manakin ◊  Masius chrysopterus  Seen at Montezuma.

White-bearded Manakin  Manacus manacus  Seen at Rio Claro and heard in the Santa Marta foothills.

Club-winged Manakin ◊  Machaeropterus deliciosus  Seen at Montezuma.

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher  Terenotriccus erythrurus  Seen at Rio Claro.

Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Barred Becard  Pachyramphus versicolor  Seen on a couple of days in the Andes.

Cinnamon Becard  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus  Seen at Rio Claro, heard on the north coast.

White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus  Head or seen at several sites during the tour.

One-coloured Becard  Pachyramphus homochrous  A couple seen in gallery forest on the north coast.

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis  A couple at Coello and seen at El Valle.

Black-billed Peppershrike ◊  Cyclarhis nigrirostris  Heard and seen at several sites in the Andes.

Slaty-capped Shrike Vireo  Vireolanius leucotis  A single at Montezuma.

Scrub Greenlet  Hylophilus flavipes  Seen at Coello and on the north coast.

Golden-fronted Greenlet  Pachysylvia aurantiifrons  Seen at several sites on the north coast.

Rufous-naped Greenlet ◊  Pachysylvia semibrunnea  Seen in the subtropical zone at several sites.

Yellow-green Vireo  Vireo flavoviridis  Seen at Rio Claro.

Black-whiskered Vireo  Vireo altiloquus  A single in gallery forest on the north coast.

Chivi Vireo  Vireo chivi  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Brown-capped Vireo  Vireo leucophrys  Seen in the subtropical zone at several sites.

Yellow-throated Vireo  Vireo flavifrons  A single at Rio Claro.

Choco Vireo ◊  Vireo masteri  A couple seen at Montezuma.

Black-collared Jay ◊  Cyanolyca armillata  A couple showed well at Rio Blanco and heard at Jardin.

Beautiful Jay ◊  Cyanolyca pulchra  A couple were seen at Montezuma.

Inca Jay  Cyanocorax yncas  A couple at the feeders near Cajamarca and seen at Jardin.

Black-chested Jay ◊  Cyanocorax affinis  Common in the lowlands, especially the north coast.

White-winged Swallow  Tachycineta albiventer  Seen at Rio Claro.

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea  Seen at Rio Claro and the lowlands in the north.

Southern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx ruficollis  Common at lowland sites.

White-thighed Swallow  Atticora tibialis  Seen at Rio Claro.

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca  Common in the Andes.

Pale-footed Swallow  Orochelidon flavipes  Four swirling about in the mist at Rio Blanco.

Brown-bellied Swallow  Orochelidon murina  Seen commonly in the high Andes.

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica  Seen near Rio Claro and on the north coast.

Band-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus zonatus  Seen at Rio Claro.

Stripe-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus nuchalis  Common in the Barranquilla marshes.

Bicolored Wren  Campylorhynchus griseus  Seen in the Cauca Valley and common on the north coast.

Sepia-brown Wren (Sharpe’s W)  Cinnycerthia olivascens  Seen at Montezuma and Jardin.

Apolinar’s Wren ◊ (A Marsh W)  Cistothorus apolinari  Four were seen well at Sumapaz NP.

Grass Wren (Grass W)  Cistothorus platensis  Seen commonly in the central Andes including at feeders.

Sooty-headed Wren ◊  Pheugopedius spadix  Seen at Montezuma.

Black-bellied Wren ◊  Pheugopedius fasciatoventris  Heard at Rio Claro.

Whiskered Wren  Pheugopedius mystacalis  Seen near Cajamarca and heard at Apia and Jardin.

Rufous-breasted Wren  Pheugopedius rutilus  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Speckle-breasted Wren ◊ (Colombian W)  Pheugopedius [sclateri] columbianus  Heard at Pedro Palo.

Rufous-and-white Wren  Thryophilus rufalbus  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Antioquia Wren ◊  Thryophilus sernai  Seen in the Cauca Valley.

Buff-breasted Wren  Cantorchilus leucotis  Heard at Coello and seen on the north coast.

Bay Wren  Cantorchilus nigricapillus  Seen well at Rio Claro.

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus  Heard and seen commonly throughout the tour.

Mountain Wren  Troglodytes solstitialis  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve, HDA Bosque and Rio Blanco.

White-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucosticte  Heard at a couple of lowland sites.

Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys  Heard and seen commonly throughout the tour.

Hermit Wood Wren ◊  Henicorhina anachoreta  Seen well on the San Lorenzo ridge.

Munchique Wood Wren ◊  Henicorhina negreti  A couple at Montezuma.

Southern Nightingale-Wren  Microcerculus marginatus  Heard at Montezuma and Rio Claro.

Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren ◊  Cyphorhinus dichrous  Seen at Otun,heard Montezuma and Apia.

Trilling Gnatwren  Ramphocaenus melanurus  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Tropical Gnatcatcher  Polioptila plumbea  A single at Coello and common on the north coast.

Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Andean Solitaire  Myadestes ralloides  Heard commonly in the Andes and seen at Apia.

Black Solitaire ◊  Entomodestes coracinus  Seen on several days at Montezuma.

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris  Heard at Jardin and seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus fuscater  Seen at Otun and Rio Blanco and heard Santa Marta.

Swainson’s Thrush  Catharus ustulatus  Fairly common in the subtropics.

Grey-cheeked Thrush  Catharus minimus  Seen at Pedro Palo and Rio Claro.

Pale-eyed Thrush  Turdus leucops  A singing bird seen at Montezuma.

Glossy-black Thrush  Turdus serranus  Heard at the Fuertesi Reserve and seen at Montezuma.

Black-hooded Thrush ◊  Turdus olivater  Fairly common in the Santa Marta mountains.

Great Thrush  Turdus fuscater  Common in the highlands throughout the tour.

Black-billed Thrush  Turdus ignobilis  Seen at multiple sites in the Andes.

Yellow-legged Thrush  Turdus flavipes  Fairly common in the Santa Marta mountains.

White-necked Thrush  Turdus albicollis  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains.

Pale-breasted Thrush  Turdus leucomelas  Very common in the lowlands and subtropics.

White-capped Dipper  Cinclus leucocephalus  Seen at Otun and Montezuma

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus  Seen at Camarones.

Lesser Goldfinch  Spinus psaltria  Seen at a couple of sites.

Yellow-bellied Siskin  Spinus xanthogastrus  A couple at Rio Blanco and a couple at Apia.

Andean Siskin ◊  Spinus spinescens  A single briefly at Nevado del Ruiz.

Golden-rumped Euphonia  Chlorophonia cyanocephala  A single seen by one of the group at Pedro Palo.

Blue-naped Chlorophonia  Chlorophonia cyanea  Seen at Pedro Palo and commonly in the Santa Marta mountains.

Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys  Seen well at Montezuma.

Yellow-collared Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia flavirostris  Seen at Montezuma.

Velvet-fronted Euphonia ◊  Euphonia concinna  This endemic showed well at Coello.

Trinidad Euphonia ◊  Euphonia trinitatis  Seen well in the Guajira.

Thick-billed Euphonia  Euphonia laniirostris  Widespread.

Fulvous-vented Euphonia ◊  Euphonia fulvicrissa  A single at Rio Claro.

Orange-bellied Euphonia  Euphonia xanthogaster  Seen at several sites in the Andes

Rosy Thrush-tanager  Rhodinocichla rosea  Heard at Pedro Palo and seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Tanager Finch ◊  Oreothraupis arremonops  A pair showed well at Montezuma.

Yellow-throated Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus flavigularis  Seen at Montezuma.

Ashy-throated Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus canigularis  Seen at Apia Birding Lodge.

Dusky Chlorospingus (Dusky-bellied B T)  Chlorospingus semifuscus  Common at Montezuma.

Black-striped Sparrow ◊  Arremonops conirostris  Seen at Coello and in the Cauca valley and heard Santa Marta.

Tocuyo Sparrow ◊  Arremonops tocuyensis  A single in the Guajira.

Sierra Nevada Brushfinch ◊  Arremon basilicus  Several seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Black-headed Brushfinch ◊  Arremon atricapillus  A couple at Montezuma.

Grey-browed Brushfinch  Arremon assimilis  Seen commonly in the Andes.

Golden-winged Sparrow ◊  Arremon schlegeli  Good looks above Minca.

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch  Arremon brunneinucha  Seen at several sites in the Andes, including at feeders.

Olive Finch ◊  Arremon castaneiceps  A skulking bird showed well at Montezuma.

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis  Common in the highlands throughout the trip.

White-naped Brushfinch  Atlapetes albinucha  Seen well at Jardin.

Moustached Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes albofrenatus  A single showed well at Pedro Palo.

Santa Marta Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes melanocephalus  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.

Yellow-headed Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes flaviceps  A pair showed well above Cajamarca.

Choco Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes crassus  Common at Montezuma.

Slaty Brushfinch  Atlapetes schistaceus  Seen commonly in the Andes, very confiding at feeding stations.

Pale-naped Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes pallidinucha  Seen at several sites in the Andes.

Eastern Meadowlark  Sturnella magna  Heard at Sumapaz and seen below Bosque Guajira.

Chestnut-headed Oropendola  Psarocolius wagleri  Common at Montezuma and Rio Claro.

Russet-backed Oropendola  Psarocolius angustifrons  Small numbers at Montezuma and Jardin.

Crested Oropendola  Psarocolius decumanus  Common in the Santa Marta foothills.

Yellow-rumped Cacique  Cacicus cela  Common at Rio Claro and seen on the north coast.

Mountain Cacique ◊ (Northern M C)  Cacicus [chrysonotus] leucoramphus  Seen at Bosque Guajira and Jardin.

Yellow-backed Oriole  Icterus chrysater  Heard at several sites and eventually seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.

Yellow Oriole  Icterus nigrogularis  Common on the north coast.

Baltimore Oriole  Icterus galbula  A couple in the Barranquilla marshes.

Orange-crowned Oriole  Icterus auricapillus  A couple in gallery forest on the north coast.

Giant Cowbird  Molothrus oryzivorus  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis  Seen commonly throughout the trip.

Bronze-brown Cowbird ◊  Molothrus armenti  Several seen well in the Barranquilla marshes.

Carib Grackle  Quiscalus lugubris  See from the highlands to the coast, a widespread species in Colombia.

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus  Some at Jardin of dubious origin. Common on the coast.

Red-bellied Grackle ◊  Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster  Seen well at Jardin.

Yellow-hooded Blackbird  Chrysomus icterocephalus  Seen near Rio Claro and on the north coast.

Northern Waterthrush  Parkesia noveboracensis  Seen or heard at a couple of sites.

Golden-winged Warbler  Vermivora chrysoptera  A single seen briefly by one of the group in the SM Mountains.

Black-and-white Warbler   Mniotilta varia  Small numbers in the subtropics.

Prothonotary Warbler   Protonotaria citrea  Common in mangroves and dry forest on the coast.

Tennessee Warbler   Leiothlypis peregrine  Small numbers in the subtropics.

Mourning Warbler  Geothlypis philadelphia  Seen at Rio Claro.

American Redstart   Setophaga ruticilla  Small numbers in the Santa Marta foothills.

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi  Heard at Pedro Palo and seen at El Retorno.

Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea  Very common in the Magdalena valley.

Blackburnian Warbler  Setophaga fusca  Abundant at subtropical elevations throughout the tour.

American Yellow Warbler  Setophaga aestival  Scattered sightings mainly in the lowlands.

Santa Marta Warbler ◊  Myiothlypis basilica  Several groups seen on the San Lorenzo ridge.

Black-crested Warbler  Myiothlypis nigrocristata  Seen or heard at several sites in the Andes.

Buff-rumped Warbler  Myiothlypis fulvicauda  Seen at Montezuma and Rio Claro

Choco Warbler ◊  Myiothlypis chlorophrys  Seen well at Montezuma.

White-lored Warbler ◊  Myiothlypis conspicillata  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Russet-crowned Warbler  Myiothlypis coronate  Heard at Otun and seen at Rio Blanco.

Chestnut-capped Warbler ◊  Basileuterus delattrii  Seen at Coello and in the Santa Marta foothills.

Golden-crowned Warbler  Basileuterus culicivorus  A couple in the Santa Marta foothills.

Three-striped Warbler  Basileuterus tristriatus  Common at Montezuma.

Canada Warbler  Cardellina Canadensis  Fairly common in the subtropics.

Slate-throated Whitestart (S-t Redstart)  Myioborus miniatus  Seen at multiple sites in the subtropics.

Yellow-crowned Whitestart ◊ (Y-c Redstart)  Myioborus flavivertex  Quite common in the Santa Marta mountains.

Golden-fronted Whitestart ◊ (Yellow-f W)  Myioborus [ornatus] ornatus  Seen commonly in the central/western Andes.

Golden-fronted Whitestart ◊  Myioborus [ornatus] chrysops  Seen well at Bosque Guajira.

Dusky-faced Tanager  Mitrospingus cassinii  Seen by some of the group at Rio Claro.

Tooth-billed Tanager (Highland Hepatic T)  Piranga lutea  Seen at Montezuma and Apia.

Summer Tanager  Piranga rubra  Fairly common, mainly in the subtropics but also in the lowlands.

Sooty Ant Tanager ◊ Driophlox rubriceps  Heard at Rio Claro.

Crested Ant Tanager ◊  Driophlox cristata  A single at Rio Blanco and several at Montezuma.

Ochre-breasted Tanager ◊  Chlorothraupis stolzmanni  A single at Montezuma.

Golden Grosbeak  Pheucticus chrysogaster  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus  Seen at El Retorno and Apia.

Vermilion Cardinal ◊  Cardinalis phoeniceus  Seen well in the Guajira.

Blue-black Grosbeak  Cyanoloxia cyanoides  Heard on the north coast and Santa Marta foothills.

Plushcap (Plush-capped F)  Catamblyrhynchus diadema  A couple were seen above Jardin

White-capped Tanager ◊  Sericossypha albocristata  A nice group at Otun.

Green Honeycreeper  Chlorophanes spiza  Seen at Montezuma, Apia and Rio Claro.

Golden-collared Honeycreeper ◊  Iridophanes pulcherrimus  A single at Montezuma.

Swallow Tanager  Tersina viridis  Seen at Rio Claro and in the Santa Marta foothills.

Red-legged Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes cyaneus  Seen in dry forest on the north coast.

Blue Dacnis  Dacnis cayana  Seen on the north coast.

Turquoise Dacnis ◊  Dacnis hartlaubi  A pair gave good scope views at Pedro Palo.

Yellow-tufted Dacnis ◊  Dacnis egregia  Seen well at Rio Claro.

Orinoco Saltator ◊  Saltator orenocensis  Seen well in the Guajira.

Olive-grey Saltator  Saltator olivascens  Common on the north coast.

Streaked Saltator  Saltator striatipectus  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Buff-throated Saltator  Saltator maximus  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Black-winged Saltator ◊  Saltator atripennis  Seen well at Montezuma and Apia.

Masked Saltator ◊  Saltator cinctus  A couple seen at Rio Blanco.

Bananaquit  Coereba flaveola  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Yellow-faced Grassquit  Tiaris olivaceus  Good views at a lunch stop on the way to Otun.

Black-faced Grassquit  Melanospiza bicolor  A couple at Coello and common in the Guajira.

Dull-coloured Grassquit  Asemospiza obscura  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Grey-headed Tanager  Eucometis penicillata  Seen at Rio Claro and the Santa Marta foothills.

White-shouldered Tanager  Loriotus luctuosus  Seen at Coello, Montezuma and Rio Claro.

Grey Pileated Finch  Coryphospingus pileatus  Several at Coello and common in the Guajira.

White-lined Tanager  Tachyphonus rufus  Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.

Flame-rumped Tanager ◊  Ramphocelus flammigerus  Seen at Jardin, Apia and Montezuma.

Lemon-rumped Tanager ◊  Ramphocelus icteronotus  A mix of hybrids and pure birds at Montezuma.

Crimson-backed Tanager ◊  Ramphocelus dimidiatus  Common in the lowlands throughout the tour.

Grey Seedeater  Sporophila intermedia  A single at Coello and a couple in the Cauca valley.

Yellow-bellied Seedeater  Sporophila nigricollis  Seen on several days during the tour.

Thick-billed Seed Finch  Sporophila funereal  Seen at Rio Claro and in the Santa Marta foothills.

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta  Seen at Rio Claro.

Grey-hooded Bush Tanager  Cnemoscopus rubrirostris  Seen at Rio Blanco

Black-headed Hemispingus ◊  Pseudospingus verticalis  A single at the Fuertesi Parrot Reserve.

Black-capped Hemispingus  Kleinothraupis atropileus  Seen at several Andean sites.

Oleaginous Hemispingus  Sphenopsis frontalis  Seen at Rio Blanco.

Black-eared Hemispingus  Sphenopsis melanotis  Seen at Rio Blanco.

Superciliaried Hemispingus  Thlypopsis superciliaris  Seen below Sumapaz and at HDA Bosque.

Bicolored Conebill  Conirostrum bicolor  Seen well in the mangroves at Salamanca.

Capped Conebill  Conirostrum albifrons  Seen at several Andean Sites.

Blue-backed Conebill  Conirostrum sitticolor  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve and HDA Bosque.

Rufous-browed Conebill ◊  Conirostrum rufum  A couple showed well at Sumapaz NP.

Saffron Finch  Sicalis flaveola  Common in the lowlands throughout the tour.

Plumbeous Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis unicolor  Seen at Sumapaz and Nevado del Ruiz.

Plain-coloured Seedeater  Catamenia inornata  Seen at Sumapaz, Fuertesi Reserve and Los Nevados.

Paramo Seedeater  Catamenia homochroa  A single briefly at Sumapaz and a single at HDA Bosque.

Bluish Flowerpiercer  Diglossa caerulescens  Seen at several Andean sites.

Masked Flowerpiercer  Diglossa cyanea  Fairly common and widespread in the Andes.

Indigo Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa indigoticaI  Several seen at Montezuma.

Rusty Flowerpiercer  Diglossa sittoides  Seen well at El Retorno and in the Santa Marta mountains.

Glossy Flowerpiercer  Diglossa lafresnayii  Seen at several Andean Sites.

Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa gloriosissima  A single showed well at Montezuma.

White-sided Flowerpiercer  Diglossa albilatera  Seen fairly commonly in the Andes.

Black Flowerpiercer  Diglossa humeralis  Seen at Obs de Colibris and Nevado del Ruiz.

Purplish-mantled Tanager ◊  Iridosornis porphyrocephalus  Seen on a couple of days at Montezuma.

Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager  Dubusia taeniata  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve and in the Santa Marta mountains.

Hooded Mountain Tanager  Buthraupis montana  A couple were seen at the Fuertesi Reserve.

Blue-capped Tanager  Sporathraupis cyanocephala  Scattered sightings in the highlands.

Grass-green Tanager  Chlorornis riefferii  Heard at Rio Blanco

Blue-winged Mountain Tanager  Anisognathus somptuosus  Seen at Rio Blanco and Apia.

Black-chinned Mountain Tanager ◊  Anisognathus notabilis  Seen at Montezuma.

Santa Marta Mountain Tanager ◊  Anisognathus melanogenys  Fairly common in the Santa Marta mountains.

Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager  Anisognathus igniventris  Seen at multiple Andean sites.

Lacrimose Mountain Tanager  Anisognathus lacrymosus  Seen at multiple Andean sites.

Glistening-green Tanager ◊  Chlorochrysa phoenicotis  Seen on several days at Montezuma.

Multicolored Tanager ◊  Chlorochrysa nitidissima  Leader only at Otun and glimpsed by some at Montezuma.

Gold-ringed Tanager ◊  Bangsia aureocincta  Seen well at Montezuma.

Black-and-gold Tanager ◊  Bangsia melanochlamys  A couple seen at Montezuma.

Grey-and-gold Tanager  Poecilostreptus palmeri  Seen briefly at Montezuma

Blue-grey Tanager  Thraupis episcopus  Common throughout the tour.

Glaucous Tanager ◊  Thraupis glaucocolpa  Seen in the Guajira and Barranquilla.

Palm Tanager  Thraupis palmarum  Common throughout the tour.

Black-headed Tanager ◊  Stilpnia cyanoptera  Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.

Black-capped Tanager  Stilpnia heinei  Seen at Montezuma and Apia, heard Santa Marta.

Golden-hooded Tanager  Stilpnia larvata  Seen at Rio Claro.

Blue-necked Tanager  Stilpnia cyanicollis  Scattered sightings through the tour.

Scrub Tanager ◊  Stilpnia vitriolina  Seen commonly at several sites during the tour.

Blue-and-black Tanager  Tangara vassorii  Seen at several Andean Sites.

Beryl-spangled Tanager  Tangara nigroviridis  Fairly common in the subtropics.

Metallic-green Tanager ◊  Tangara labradorides  Leader only at Otun and seen well at Apia Lodge.

Bay-headed Tanager  Tangara gyrola  Common at several sites in the subtropics.

Saffron-crowned Tanager  Tangara xanthocephala  A single at Rio Blanco.

Flame-faced Tanager  Tangara parzudakii  A couple at Montezuma.

Golden Tanager  Tangara arthus  Common in the Andes.

Silver-throated Tanager  Tangara icterocephala  Seen well at Montezuma.

Plain-coloured Tanager ◊  Tangara inornata  Seen at Rio Claro.

MAMMALS
Andean White-eared Opossum  Didelphis pernigra  An opossum seen at Rio Blanco was most probably this species.
Crab-eating Fox  Cerdocyon thous  A family party at Rio Blanco and seen at Montezuma, Otun and north coast.
Western Mountain Coati  Nasua olivacea  A family party seen by most of the group at Jardin.
Tayra  Eira Barbara  A single seen by most of the group at Montezuma.
Colombian Red Howler  Alouatta seniculus  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains and seen on the north coast.
Andean Tapeti  Sylvilagus andinus  A couple were seen by some at Los Nevados.
Central American Agouti  Dasyprocta punctata  Seen at El Retorno, Montezuma and in the SM Mountains.
Brazilian Guinea Pig  Cavia aperea  A single at Sumapaz NP.
Western Dwarf Squirrel  Microsciurus mimulus  Sightings at Rio Blanco and Montezuma probably this species.
Andean Squirrel  Sciurus pucheranii  Seen at several Andean sites.
Red-tailed Squirrel (Tropical Red S)  Syntheosciurus granatensis  Seen commonly at lower elevations.
Northern Oncilla Leopardus tigrinus  A single at Finca El Roble was a major trip highlight!
Colombian speckled tree rat Pattonomys semivillosus A single hiding under the eaves at Salamanca NP.