CLASSIC COLOMBIA TOUR REPORT 2026

20 February – 16 March 2026

Trevor Ellery

The 2026 Birdquest Classic Colombia tour was once again a roaring success and perhaps one of the best editions ever.  We journeyed the length and breadth of the country taking in the three Andean cordilleras, the distinct Magdalena and Cauca Valleys, the Choco lowlands, the sky island massif of the mighty Santa Marta mountains, the arid semi desert scrub of the Guajira peninsula and the humid mangrove wetlands near Barranquilla.  We managed to see 66 Colombian endemics and a slew of specialities, while the trip list totalled 742 species.  We also took in some mammals, with Northern Oncilla once again being a highlight and a bird of the trip contender! Aside from the aforementioned endemics, the specialities we encountered included some of the rarest and most enigmatic South American species: White-faced Nunbird, Andean Potoo, Tanager Finch, Masked Saltator, Hooded Antpitta, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Northern Screamer, Black-fronted Wood Quail, Dwarf Cuckoo, Buffy Hummingbird, Vermilion Cardinal, Noble Snipe, Tocuyo Sparrow, Black-thighed Puffleg, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Military Macaw, Red-rumped Bush Tyrant, Bicoloured Antvireo, Choco Vireo, Beautiful Jay and Indigo Flowerpiercer, represent just a small selection of the non-endemic specialities that we encountered.  We also took some time to see iconic species such as Andean Cock-of-the Rock, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Torrent Duck, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Ocellated Tapaculo, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Oilbird, White-tipped Sicklebill, Andean Pygmy Owl, both Grey-breasted and Black-billed Mountain Toucans, King Vulture, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Golden-headed and White-tipped Quetzals, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Chestnut-crowned and Chestnut-naped Antpittas, Orange-breasted and Scaled Fruiteaters, Brown-billed Scythebill, Cerulean Warbler and Plushcap, to name just a few.

The sixty six endemics included memorable experiences with Baudo Oropendola, Indigo-winged Parrot, Black-backed Thornbill, two coveys of Chestnut Wood Quail, some showy Bogota Rails, both Blossomcrowns and both possible Helmetcrests, a lovely group of Rufous-fronted Parakeets, some very confiding Turquoise-winged Parrotlets, Tatama Tapaculo at a feeder, an especially obliging Santa Marta Tapaculo, a very showy Crested Ant-Tanager and a nice Multicoloured Tanager. It was especially pleasing to connect with all the Santa Marta endemics that were possible on this particular itinerary.

The tour started with an early morning trundle through the deserted streets of Bogota, before we climbed into the mountains high above the city.  We crisscrossed the paramos and ridges that form the spine of the eastern cordillera and spent much of the day birding in patches of high elevation temperate forest.  Our first target was the endemic Flame-winged Parakeet, a beautiful Psittacidae endemic to Colombia and confined to the high elevation forests of the eastern Andes near Bogota.  An early start paid off, as we located several typically mobile and restless parties just after dawn.  We also noted our first Black-billed Mountain Toucans, a species that we were to see on multiple days through the tour, while a noisy group of Northern Mountain Caciques entertained us.  We then visited our first (of many) antpitta feeding stations, where another eastern cordillera speciality, the lovely Muisca Antpitta performed superbly.  A short walk through the elfin forest allowed us to visit a roosting Andean Potoo, a much-desired species that is scarce, erratic and hard to find throughout its Andean range.  We also squeezed in some time at the hummingbird feeders, where the simply jaw-dropping Blue-throated Starfrontlet stole the show.  It did face stiff competition from the always iconic Sword-billed hummingbird and the localised Longuemare’s Sunangel.  Some further forest birding allowed us to tease out a Pale-bellied Tapaculo, while the often tricky Coppery-bellied Puffleg, performed well as it frequently returned to a favoured perch.  A couple of Whistling Herons were a surprise, a lowland species that seems to be gradually spreading uphill into the eastern Andes.  Mixed flocks held Smoky Bush Tyrant, White-banded and White-throated Tyrannulets, Pearled Treerunner, Golden-fronted Whitestart, Superciliaried Hemispingus and Black-crested Warbler.  Tawny-breasted Tinamous vocalised from the forest understorey, while Tyrannine Woodcreeper and both Slaty and Pale-naped Brusfinches showed well.  A brief Rusty-backed Oropendola was at a very high elevation for this subtropical species and a new addition to the Muisca Reserve list!  We also enjoyed something of a Flowerpiercer bonanza, with Black, White-sided, Masked and Bluish Flowerpiercers, all seen at some point during the morning.  Tanagers were also well represented and we logged Blue-capped, Blue-and-black, Beryl-spangled and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager.

Lunch was taken at a second hummingbird garden, where we added a few common species including Glowing Puffleg and Great Sapphirewing, before we made a brief stop for the endemic Silvery-throated Spinetail.  A roadside lagoon allowed good scope views of the isolated bogotensis race of Spot-flanked Gallinule and the colombiana race of American Coot.  Commoner species included (Merida) Andean Teal and a short visit to some reed beds added a pair of the endemic Bogota Rail.

We rounded off the day at a third hummingbird garden, which produced a second male Coppery-bellied Puffleg and some nice Black-tailed Trainbearers, before the short descent back into the sprawling metropolis of Bogota.

The following morning we once again left well before dawn and in fact arrived at Paramo Sumapaz slightly early.  We turned this to our advantage as judicious use of a thermal imager allowed us to locate Tapeti, Cavi and Highland Small Rice Rat – the latter a new species for the tour.

At dawn we crept down to a lagoon and enjoyed good views of multiple Noble Snipes, a much-desired species.  We then spent the morning birding the open Paramo which produced several Green-bearded Helmetcrests, including a dazzling male.  Boyaca Antpittas merrily skipped over the short turf almost between our feet and groups of Apolinar’s Wrens ranged through the dense bamboo clumps.  Overhead several Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles cruised past and further scanning of the wetlands added some Andean Ruddy Ducks and a couple of vocal Greater Yellowlegs.  A Bronze-tailed Thornbill perched up briefly and an obliging Chestnut-winged Cinclodes and a Paramo Ground Tyrant scurried around amongst the rocks.  Plain-coloured Seedeaters and Plumbeous Sierra Finches were common along the roadside, while some patient waiting allowed us to add the spectacular Red-rumped Bush Tyrant.  Species diversity is low at this high elevation but mixed flocks held Andean Tit-Spinetail, a skulking White-chinned Thistletail, Andean Siskin, Buff-banded Mountain Tanager and the near-endemic Rufous-browed Conebill.  A final highlight was a wonderfully showy Many-striped Canastero.

A short stop at a local garden to enjoy our lunch, out of the intense high elevation sun, produced a lovely Green-tailed Trainbearer and a couple of Black-backed Grosbeaks, along with better views of some obliging Superciliaried Hemispingus.

We rounded off the day at a set of hummingbird feeders, where we soon found our main target, the near endemic Golden-bellied Starfrontlet.  A selection of commoner species were also visiting, including our first Collared Incas and Fawn-breasted Brilliant.  It was then time for a slow drive back into Bogota, with a few widespread species spotted from the bus, the most exciting of which was our first White-tailed Kite.

Our third day once again found us in darkness of predawn as we wended our way out of Bogota.  This morning though we had all our luggage on board and we knew that we would not be returning to the capital for many days.  It truly felt like our Colombia adventure was beginning, after our exciting introduction to Andean birding around the fringes of the capital.

We began a rapid descent into the subtropical zone above the Magdalena valley and spent a morning birding some remnant forest patches.  Our main target, the endemic, Turquoise Dacnis, took a bit of patience but eventually a dazzling male was scoped at the top of a favoured tree.  While waiting for the Dacnis we had begun to rack up the migrants and trip ticks and new species came thick and fast.  A pair of Rufous-naped Greenlets were much appreciated, while we also found Red-headed Barbet, Southern Emerald Toucanet, Acorn Woodpecker, Acadian and Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Plain Antvireo, Lineated and Montane Foliage-gleaners, Ash-browed and very skulking Stripe-breasted Spinetails, Brown-capped and Yellow-throated Vireos, Swainson’s, Black-billed and Pale-breasted Thrushes and a surprise pair of Yellow-bellied Siskins.  Migrant and resident Warblers including Tennessee, Cerulean, Blackburnian and Chestnut-capped Warblers, Tropical Parula and Slate-throated Whitestart.  Our tanager list was once again very diverse with Summer, Fawn-breasted, Bay-headed, Golden, Black-capped, Scrub and Blue-necked Tanagers all seen well.

We then dropped down into the sweltering heat of the Magdalena Valley and spent the late afternoon birding a couple of dry forest sites.  These produced the hoped for endemic Apical Flycatcher and Velvet-fronted Euphonia.  We also added Short-tailed Hawk, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Slaty-headed and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrants, Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant, Great-crested Flycatcher, Northern White-fringed Antwren, Barred Antshrike, White-bellied Antbird, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Scrub Greenlet, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and Tropical Gnatcatcher.

Towards the end of the afternoon we crossed the Magdalena River and ascended into the central Andes.  Arriving at the pleasant rural town of Cajamarca, we transferred into jeeps and climbed high into the mountains, for two nights at the remote Fuertesi Parrot Lodge.

The following morning we climbed above the lodge and staked out a tower, from where we hoped to see one of the world’s rarest parrots.  While we were waiting the hummer feeders allowed us to log our first Black-thighed Pufflegs, Buff-winged Starfrontlets and Shining Sunbeams. A male Purple-backed Thornbill perched on a nearby tree was much appreciated and a vocal Andean Pygmy Owl showed well.  We also saw some distant Grey-breasted Mountain Toucans and Speckle-faced Parrots, while a Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant was more obliging.  After quite some wait our quarry finally appeared and we had a lovely Indigo-winged Parrot in a nearby tree, giving superb scope and even better flight views.  The walk back to the lodge was punctuated with a brief but quite showy Chestnut-naped Antpitta and a skulking Blackish Tapaculo.  A rather showy Tawny Antpitta performed well and we also added our first Red-crested Cotinga and some skulking Grass Wrens.

We then spent much of the day birding down through the forest below the reserve adding Sickle-winged Guan, Masked Trogon, Andean Motmot and Cinnamon Flycatcher.  A lovely Ocellated Tapaculo was eked out and we enjoyed not one but two of the often tricky Masked Saltator.  Managing to connect with this elusive and erratic Andean speciality was a trip highlight.  We completed a hat trick of Tapaculos with a brief Spillman’s, while mixed flocks held Barred Becard, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Capped Conebill, Grass-green Tanager and Lacrimose Mountain Tanager.  A raucous group of noisy Golden-plumed Parakeets were very obliging, feeding just in front of us and allowing close approach, a truly spectacular experience.

In the late afternoon we visited some stands of wax palms where we enjoyed good views of Bronze-winged parrot and the endemic and iconic Yellow-eared Parrot. With the thick clouds and rain rolling in once again, it was time to beat a retreat to the Lodge.  It had been a sometimes cold and sometimes wet day but one in which we had managed to find a selection of some of the most iconic Andean species, in truly wonderful surroundings.

A pre-dawn start was needed the next morning and as we descended the mountain, we ran into several obliging Rufous-banded Owls.  A fallen tree somewhat delayed our descent but while a local chainsaw was organised, we carried on walking down and increased our total of Rufous-banded Owls to an amazing five!  We also picked up our first Strong-billed Woodcreeper and Golden-bellied Flycatchers before our Jeeps duly arrived.

We then dropped down to lower elevations where we managed to find a roadside pair of Yellow-headed Brushfinches and our first Colombian Chachalacas, both Colombian endemics.

After this we spent some time in the garden of a very pleasant lodge, which was especially birdy.  The feeders held the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird while another endemic, the Tolima Blossomcrown, visited the flowing bushes.  It took a while but after a wait, a rather furtive, endemic Tolima Dove showed at the seed-feeders.  The garden also held White-tipped Sicklebill, which was visiting the flowers and Green Hermit, White-vented Plumleteer, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and Andean Emerald which were all visiting the feeders.  Noisy Orange-chinned Parakeets squabbled overhead and the surrounding coffee plantations held Streaked Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Hepatic, Crimson-backed and Saffron-crowned Tanagers and smart Rusty Flowerpiercers.

We then crossed the central Andes and spent the late afternoon birding at Otun Quimbaya.  This produced a lovely pair of Torrent Ducks and several Torrent Tyrannulets along the river.  The tall forest played host to our first Cauca Guans, which were quite common along the road and a couple of resplendent Red-ruffed Fruitcrows, dazzled in the low evening sun.  A bit of searching allowed us superb views of a pair of Parker’s Antbirds, while a real surprise was a rather showy Multicoloured Tanager, a species which is often hard to find at this site.  We were also kept busy with Golden-olive Woodpecker, Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant, Ornate Flycatcher, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Red-faced Spinetail and Three-striped Warbler.  We stayed out late and enjoyed superb views of Rufescent Screech Owl (of the endemic colombianus subspecies), while a Mottled Owl was also seen briefly.

The following day we were again out early and managed to locate a single very furtive Hooded Antpitta.  We then spent the morning birding down the road and managed to find Tawny-bellied Hermit, Speckled Hummingbird, Golden-headed Quetzal, several Collared Trogons, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Variegated Bristle Tyrant and Alder Flycatcher.  We worked on the skulkers with both White-crowned and Stiles’s Tapaculos seen, while furnarids included Montane Woodcreeper, Spotted Barbtail and Streak-capped Treehunter.  It was a busy morning and we also enjoyed good looks at White-naped Brushfinch, Russet-crowned Warbler, Metallic-green Tanager and a roadside Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush.

The following day was spent entirely in the Rio Blanco reserve.  An early start allowed us to find a couple of Lyre-tailed Nightjars at dawn, including a spectacular displaying male.  A vocal Streak-headed Antbird emerged from the bamboo and we then spent much of the day looking at Antpittas, with Chestnut-crowned, Slaty-crowned and Brown-banded all seen visiting feeders.  The high elevation forest was alive with birds including Andean Guan, Bronzy Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Flavescent Flycatcher, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Azara’s Spinetail, and a lovely pair of Black-collared Jays.  We were to spend all day birding the traffic free roads in the reserve and were further rewarded with Sepia-brown Wren, Glossy-black Thrush and Grey-browed Brushfinch, while impressive mixed flocks held Black-capped, Oleaginous and Black-eared Hemsipingus, a lovely Plushcap, and our first Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers.  We finished the day with Green-fronted Lancebill, better views of White-capped Dipper and a nice Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant.

The following morning was to be, in elevational terms, the high point of the trip.  We climbed to four thousand metres, high along the spine of the central Andes and in the shadow of the spectacular Nevado Del Ruiz volcano.  The, by now obligatory, pre-dawn arrival, allowed us superb views of a Band-winged Nightjar.  It was time then time to wait and see if any Rufous-fronted Parakeets emerged from a roost site.  It quickly became apparent that no Parakeets were present, so we moved on to another spot, where we located a small flock.  This group proved very obliging as they fed and fussed on some steep rocky outcrops. Having seen this often tricky endemic we were able to set about exploring the lovely open Paramo.  Our first Viridian Metaltails danced around our feet as they fed on roadside flowers and after some effort we found several of the spike crested Buffy Helmetcrests, including a particularly obliging male.  We also added a much more showy White-chinned Thistletail, plentiful Stout-billed Cinclodes and some rather obliging Tawny Antpittas.

We then descended to some nearby thermal springs, picking up White-browed Spinetail and Crowned Chat-Tyrant enroute.  Some feeders at the springs attracted the incomparable Rainbow-bearded Thornbill and our only Golden-breasted Puffleg.

Our final day in the high mountains of the central Andes was spent at the wonderful Hacienda del Bosque.  While we waited for a sumptuous breakfast we found several Paramo Seedeaters and enjoyed a few commoner species.  We then visited a feeder where a pair of Equatorial Antpittas gave superlative views.  After this a Grass Wren also performed well.  Another station allowed close up views of Slaty and Grey-browed Brushfinches, Mountain Wren and Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, while a male Barred Fruiteater skulked in the background. A final feeder allowed close views of the clown like Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Andean Guan and a lovely Andean Squirrel.

In the afternoon we transferred across to the western Andes and took 4×4 transport into Montezuma Lodge, which was to be our base for the next four nights.  Enroute we stopped in some coffee plantations adding Bar-crested Antshrike, Masked Tityra, Chivi Vireo, Black-chested Jay, White-breasted Wood Wren and Black-and-white and Golden-crowned Warblers.  We also paused at a colony of Chestnut-headed Oropendolas.

Our first morning at Montezuma started with an early morning ascent to the military base high on the mountain.  Here we were able to watch Velvet-purple Coronets and Dusky Chlorospingus, while enjoying a packed breakfast and one of the most spectacular views in Colombia.

We then spent much of the day descending the mountain, using a combination of walking and driving, so as to sample the full elevational range and its birdlife.  Beginning at the upper elevations allowed us to find Rufous Spinetail, endemic Munchique Wood Wrens and the endemic Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer.  It was busy and birdy all day and other highlights included Greenish Puffleg, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, White-tailed Hillstar, Violet-tailed Sylph, and a majestic Swallow-tailed Kite soaring overhead.  Mixed flocks produced Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, plentiful Handsome Flycatchers, Smoke-coloured Pewee, Brown-billed Scythebill, Star-chested Treerunner, Choco Brushfinch, Black-billed Peppershrike and some lovely Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias.  New Tanagers included Black-chinned Mountain, Glistening-green, the endemic Gold-ringed, Flame-faced and Silver-throated.

We did not neglect the understorey and diligent searching allowed us to connect with some brief Bicoloured Antvireos, Uniform Antshrike, Narino Tapaculo and a Yellow-breasted Antpitta.

In the late afternoon birding around and near the lodge allowed us to add Blackish Rail (an impressive three individuals), an endemic Greyish Piculet and a skulking Sooty-headed Wren.  The hummer feeders were swarming and new species included Purple-throated Woodstar, Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-whiskered Hermit and Crowned Woodnymph, while Western Emeralds buzzed around the flowers.

The next day we headed downslope and undertook some birding in the warm pacific lowlands.  Our main target was the endemic Baudo Oropendola and soon after dawn we had obtained reasonable flight and perched scope views.  We added a slew of lowland species before returning to the nearby village for breakfast.  As we sat down to enjoy our coffees, the restaurant owner casually pointed out a Baudo Oropendola in a palm tree in his neighbour’s garden!  This provided fantastic views and was part of a flock that moved through the village.  The other surprise of the morning was a Chestnut-sided Warbler, a scarce bird on the Colombian lowland, especially this far from the coast.  Other species that we encountered included Pacific Antwren, Cinnamon Becard, Bay Wren, Slaty Spinetail, Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-margined Flatbill, a wonderful perched Double-toothed Kite, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blue Dacnis, Buff-throated Saltator, Thick-billed Seed Finch, Variable Seedeater and both Plain-coloured and Golden-hooded Tanagers.

As the day heated up and the activity dropped off, we retraced our steps back up to Montezuma, where we birded the lower slopes of the mountain.  This allowed us to add the endemic Crested Ant Tanager, along with Moustached Puffbird, Choco Tapaculo, Yellow-throated Chlorospingus, Choco Warbler and Ochre-breasted, Rufous-throated and Black-and-gold Tanagers.

On our third day at Montezuma we once again headed up the mountain but this time started birding at lower elevation.  We still had a whole suite of targets to look for and we once again spent much of the day birding down the road.  The absolute highlight of the day was locating a single White-faced Nunbird.  This species is tricky, enigmatic and hard to catch up with throughout its Andean range.  Other highlights included a brief Black Hawk-Eagle, a lovely pair of Toucan Barbets, both Scaled and Orange-breasted Fruiteaters, Yellow-breasted Antwren, a superb pair of Tanager Finch, a couple of Choco Vireos ranging with an overhead flock and a skulking Chami Antpitta, We also called in a Dusky Leaftosser and enjoyed good looks at Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Pacific Tuftedcheek and a super pair of Beautiful Jays.  A couple of skulking Northern Chestnut-breasted Wrens allowed glimpses as did a brief Black Solitaire.  A single Slaty Finch along the road was a surprise and a lucky sighting of this erratic and nomadic species.  We also caught up with a lovely male Indigo Flowerpiercer and a couple of Purplish-mantled Tanagers showed well.

The following morning we departed early and visited a new lodge near Montezuma.  Here we were quickly able to enjoy an obliging Yellow-breasted Antpitta that was being fed.  We then had spectacular views of some tame Chestnut Wood Quail and a showy Chestnut-capped Brushfinch.  We took an alfresco balcony breakfast that was interrupted by a Whiskered Wren visiting a feeder, while an Andean Solitaire sang from a nearby perch.

Our final stop produced the amazing site of a Tatama Tapaculo coming to take worms, along with a showy Grey-breasted Wood Wren.  A little birding along the road gave our best views of Metallic-green Tanager and we then stopped in the coffee zone, picking up some more Turquoise Dacnis and a Slaty-capped Flycatcher.

A visit to some cane fields and dry forest in the Cauca valley produced a lovely pair of Dwarf Cuckoo.  The open, cultivated habitat was not unproductive on the avian front and we also added Pale-vented Pigeon, Yellow Oriole, Spectacled Parrotlet, Large-billed Seed Finch and both Grey and Ruddy-breasted Seedeaters.

The following morning we once again climbed high into the Andes and visited the remote Finca of Dona Lucia.  While we waited for a lavish breakfast we enjoyed some of the birds in her garden.  The real highlight though was a visit by a semi-habituated Northern Oncilla, that came in to take an offering of meat, a real candidate for bird of the trip!  A surprise second covey of Chestnut Wood Quail fed around our feet, some Green Jays visited briefly and several flocks of Yellow-eared Parrots cruised overhead.

Once we had had our fill of hot chocolate and arepas, we made the short transfer to a feeding station, where a very obliging Chestnut-naped Antpitta performed superbly. A couple of Streak-throated Bush Tyrant in the canopy overhead were a bonus.

We then spent much of the rest of the day birding our way to Jardin, with mixed flocks adding Flammulated Treehunter Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Citrine Warbler and Grey-hooded Bush Tanager.  A judicious roadside stop produced two Chestnut-crested Cotingas at a fruiting tree.  They were joined by a Red-crested Cotinga and it was quite a sight to see the two species together. A single Black-and-chestnut Eagle that passed over the road was much appreciated.

After this we dropped down to Jardin where the obligatory visit to the Cock-of-the-rock lek was made. Numerous males performed their stylised dancing and raucous croaking, while a group of endemic Red-bellied Grackle at the fruit feeders were a real bonus and we also added Clay-coloured Thrush. Some post dinner owling in the hotel grounds produced our only Tropical Screech Owl of the trip.

The following morning we walked to a site near our hotel where we plunged down into a deep canyon and enjoyed a small group of nesting Oilbirds. In order to see the birds we had to wear a climbing harness and walk out on a narrow suspension bridge, a rather interesting experience!

We then worked our way back across to the Magdalena valley but not first without stopping at some dry forest in the Cauca valley. This produced the endemic Antioquia Wren, while commoner species included Yellow-olive Flatbill, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, both Forest and Greenish Elaenia’s and Black-crowned Antshrike.

Some late afternoon birding in the Magdalena Valley added White-mantled Barbet, Pale-breasted Spinetail and Yellow-tufted Dacnis. As we returned to the bus an overhead flock of migrating raptors was spotted, including 500 Swainson´s Hawks and 250 Broad-winged Hawks, a truly spectacular sight and something of a trip highlight.

Our full day in the Magdalena valley began with some birding along a remote back road. It took a little while but we were to enjoy good looks at Beautiful Woodpecker and Sooty Ant Tanager, both Colombian endemics. Other species we found in the lowland forest patches included Purple-crowned Fairy, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Striolated, White-bearded and Golden-headed Manakins, Long-tailed Tyrant, Scarlet, Yellow-backed and White-shouldered Tanagers, Red-legged and Purple Honeycreepers Olivaceous Piculet, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Southern Bentbill, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Northern Plain Xenops, Band-backed Wren and White-vented Euphonia.

We spent a while searching a nearby canyon, where we found three roosting Spectacled Owls, Lesser Greenlet, Collared Aracari, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Western Olivaceous Flatbill and Buff-rumped Warbler, while our lunch stop produced a showy Bicoloured Wren.

We then followed a streambed down to another canyon, picking up Greater Ani, White-thighed and White-winged Swallows, a group of Chestnut-fronted Macaws and some noisy Yellow-rumped Caciques. A quick look at another Oilbird cave produced more atmospheric views of these nocturnal creatures.

On our final morning we had enough time to revisit one of the canyons briefly, where we added Blue-black Grosbeak, White-tailed Trogon, Bright-rumped Attila, Citron-throated Toucan, Dot-winged Antwren and Wedge-billed Woodcreeper.

We then began the long drive up to Bogota. A single stop at some wetlands early in the journey was rather productive and we found Pied and Russet-throated Puffbirds, Caribbean Hornero, Pied Water Tyrant, Wattled Jacana, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-breasted Meadowlark and Black-crowned Tityra.

Despite heavy rain and a partial landslide we reached Bogota airport with plenty of time for dinner and the list, before catching our mid-evening flight to Santa Marta. We arrived at our hotel in the late evening and settled in for a brief night, before the start of our coastal adventures.

Next day was the day that we would ascend to the endemic rich sky island massif represented by the Santa Marta Mountains, the highest mountains in Colombia and one of the world’s great endemism hotspots. Before that though we had a little business to attend to on the coast and the half dawn light found us spilling out of the jeeps, onto a little used road through some dry scrub. It didn’t take long to locate our main target, the endemic Chestnut-winged Chachalaca and while initially skulking, we soon obtained excellent views. Having now left the Andes and changed to a completely different biome, the new birds came thick and fast. Brown-throated Parakeets passed overhead and the scrub held our first Ochre-lored Flatbills, Black-crested Antshrikes, Groove-billed Anis and Common Ground Doves.  An obliging pair of Mouse-coloured Tyrannulets were appreciated and we also added Brown-crested Flycatcher, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Buff-breasted Wren, Whooping Motmot and Olive-grey Saltator.  A pair of Yellow-crowned Amazons were our only ones of the trip and a few Grey Kingbirds moved overhead.

As the morning warmed it was time to head up into the relatively cooler Santa Marta foothills. A stop on the lower slopes allowed us to add Black-backed Antshrike, Golden-fronted Greenlet, Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, Rufous-and-white Wren, Crested Oropendola and our first Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, while a Grey-headed Kite soared overhead. The coffee zone added Scaled Piculet, furtive Rosy-thrush Tanager, noisy Rufous-breasted Wrens, showy Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Chestnut-capped Warbler, Dull-coloured Grassquit and a couple of very brief Coppery Emeralds. Once we arrived in the subtropical zone it was time to start on the endemics and an initial pause allowed us to find both Santa Marta Antbird and a showy Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner. We then followed a path deeper into the forest, where a Santa Marta Tapaculo was typically subliminal, while White-lored Warbler and Sierra Nevada Brushfinch were much more obliging.

We took lunch at a lodge about halfway up the mountain, with the feeders adding Brown Violetear and the flowers holding the endemic Santa Marta Blossomcrown. We also added Black-headed Tanager, Yellow-legged Thrush and a migrant Olive-sided Flycatcher.

We arrived at El Dorado lodge to find a pair of White-tipped Quetzals excavating a nest in the car park and we enjoyed superlative views of these wondrous beasts. Some birding around the grounds allowed us to pick up Groove-billed Toucanet (a surprisingly high elevation for this species), Lined Quail-Dove, Band-tailed Guan, Streak-headed Spinetail, Hooded Thrush and the ubiquitous Santa Marta Brushfinches.

The following morning we climbed high to the San Lorenzo ridge, with a Santa Marta Screech Owl gave brief views enroute. We were to spend the whole day along the ridge gradually eking out the endemics. An early highlight was a worm fed Santa Marta Antpitta and we also added Hermit Wood Wren, Yellow-crowned Whitestart, skulking Rusty-headed Spinetails and a surprisingly showy Brown-rumped Tapaculo.  Seeing the endemics up at these high elevations can take perseverance and we gradually managed to connect with Santa Marta Warbler and some rather furtive Santa Marta Bush Tyrants. At lunch we enjoyed Santa Marta Mountain Tanagers and the incomparable White-tailed Starfrontlet at feeders. Although Scarlet-fronted Parakeets and Scaly-naped Amazons were common overhead, it took us until almost the end of the day to find a single individual of the increasingly rare Santa Marta Parakeet. Once found though it proved surprisingly confiding and allowed the awestruck group some close-range views. We also logged fly over Zone-tailed and White –rumped Hawks, on what had proved to be a rather sunny day.

The following morning we made a return trip up the mountain and managed to connect with a couple of the erratic and rare Black-backed Thornbill and a singing Carriker’s Bush Tanager. Much effort was then put in before we finally all managed good views of an obliging Sierra Nevada Antpitta. We also picked up a singing Golden Grosbeak. The afternoon we spent at lower elevations looking for Santa Marta Woodstar to no avail, though we did add Scaled Pigeon, overhead Plumbeous Kite and migrant Osprey.

Our final morning dawned on the higher mountain and it was clear that we needed to make a repeat attempt for the Woodstar. This proved very successful, as we managed great views of a single individual early in the morning. We then picked up Coopmans’s and Spectacled Tyrannulets, Keel-billed Toucan and a lovely Crimson-crested Woodpecker. After this we spent some time working on the skulkers with good views of Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Grey-throated Leaftosser and Slaty Antwren. A male Golden-breasted Fruiteater overhead was our fifth and last Fruiteater of the trip, while some mixed flocks held Streaked Xenops and Montane Foliage-gleaner.

We descended further and dodged the rain showers before checking in to a lower elevation lodge. Some birding in the garden there produced Golden-winged Sparrow, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, White-lined Tanager and fly over King Vulture and Bat Falcon. We finished the day on the lower slopes and managed to connect with a few high flying flocks of Military Macaws, which were winging their way to roost from distant feeding grounds. We also added our only Lesser Swallow-tailed Swifts of the trip.

Our last morning on the mountain involved a change of plan based on new information. We climbed back to a site in the foothills and were led to a feeding station, where we were able to enjoy a spectacular Rufous-necked Wood Rail. An Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush also visited and a small covey of Black-fronted Wood Quail came close but didn’t quite emerge to feed.

We then descended to the Caribbean coast, picking up Lineated Woodpecker and made our way out to the Guajira peninsula. A mid-afternoon stop in some gallery forest was rather quiet though we did find a White-chinned Sapphire. A second stop however soon began to produce all sorts of goodies with a surprise Tocuyo Sparrow the highlight. We also added Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Chestnut Piculet, Pale-tipped Inezia, Northern Scrub Flycatcher Trinidad Euphonia and a fly over Crane Hawk, while our second Chestnut-sided Warbler of the trip was a real surprise.

Further birding in the scrub nearby produced White-whiskered Spinetail, Bare-eyed Pigeon and Glaucous Tanager.

We arrived at the Camarones lagoon late afternoon, where the trip ticks came thick and fast, as we added a plethora of waders, herons, gulls and terns. Black Skimmers, Magnificent Frigatebirds and Brown Pelicans were plentiful and we also picked out our first Green-rumped Parrotlets in the nearby trees.

The penultimate day of the tour involved birding around the Los Flamencos NP area, where we worked on the species that we were lacking, visited a feeding station and even took a boat ride. We were able to catch up with Buffy Hummingbird, Vermilion Cardinal, Orinoco Saltator, Red-billed Emerald, Slender-billed Inezia, Grey Pileated Finch, Black-faced Grassquit and many others, with the feeding station allowing especially good views. On the boat trip we were successful with Mangrove Rail, while the close-up views of American Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill, along with some bonus Yellow-crowned Night Herons and Wood Storks, were much appreciated. We also made a short stop for Double-striped Thick-knee and one of the group located a single Knot, a rare bird in Colombia and a country tick for the leader!

On the drive back to Santa Marta we again stopped in some gallery forest and managed to add Lance-tailed Manakin and some obliging Gartered Trogons. Our final dinner was taken in a pleasant hotel near Santa Marta but the birding was not over yet!

The final morning found us once again heading out in the pre-dawn darkness, as we journeyed SW towards Barranquilla, one of Colombia’s largest cities. We stopped short of the urban sprawl though and began some birding with a local guide in the Isla de Salamanca NP. Our first target was the endemic Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird and a singing male obliged, as it sang from a low perch just on the cusp of dawn. We then moved on to a truck stop, which allowed us to add a second endemic, the Bronze-brown Cowbird, which is generally regarded as a full species and which is only found in Colombia. With the day heating up we headed out into the marshes and added another slew of species including Stripe-backed Wren, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, a singing Striped Cuckoo, a showy Grey-cowled Wood Rail, plentiful Purple Gallinules, a few flocks of Glossy Ibis, some Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures and quite a few Snail Kites.  Several Northern Screamers were much appreciated and a small group of Sapphire-rumped Parrotlets were to be our last endemic of the trip.  It is testament to the sheer avian diversity of Colombia that despite 24 days on the road and despite it being our last morning, we still managed a hat trick of endemics at the eleventh hour.  As the sun and the heat intensified, we retired to the shadier and slightly cooler mangroves.  A short walk here allowed us to add Bicolored Conebill, plentiful Prothonotary Warblers, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Black-collared Hawk, several Panama Flycatchers and a lovely pair of Golden-green Woodpeckers.

It was then time to head to the airport but not without time for one short diversion to the Malecon, where we added our last bird of the trip, Large-billed Tern and further close up views of Northern Screamers.  We also squeezed in a quick, obligatory look at the Shakira statue!  A brief hotel stop to shower and change and a leisurely lunch and final list at the airport and it was then time to say our farewells.  The Colombia tour had been a blast, 24 days that featured plenty of intense birding, lots of laughs, fantastic scenery, great food and friendly and welcoming Colombians wherever we went.  We had racked up an impressive list of endemics and specialities, seen a few choice mammals and also experienced so much more, that makes this vibrant, colourful, energetic country, such a popular birding destination.

BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1st: Hooded Antpitta
2nd: Chestnut-crested Cotinga
3rd: Ocellated Tapaculo
4th: Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
5th: Rainbow-bearded Thornbill & Oncilla

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 Avilist v2025 (AviList Core Team 2025. AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025).

BIRDS
Tawny-breasted Tinamou ◊  Nothocercus Julius  Heard at Chingaza.
Grey Tinamou ◊  Nothocercus bonapartei  Non Leader – A single seen by two of the group at El Dorado.
Little Tinamou  Crypturellus soui  Heard at Santa Cecilia.
Northern Screamer ◊  Chauna chavaria  Multiple individuals in the Barranquilla area.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis  Small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.
Fulvous Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna bicolor  A pair in the Barranquilla marshes.
Ruddy Duck (Andean D)  Oxyura [jamaicensis] ferruginea  Thirty three at Sumapaz.
Torrent Duck  Merganetta armata  Four near Otun Quimbaya.
Blue-winged Teal   Spatula discors  A small group in the Barranquilla marshes.
Andean Teal ◊ (Merida Speckled T)  Anas [andium] altipetens  Small number in wetlands near Bogota.
Sickle-winged Guan ◊  Chamaepetes goudotii  Widespread in the subtropics.
Band-tailed Guan ◊  Penelope argyrotis  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.
Andean Guan ◊  Penelope montagnii  Seen on three days in the highlands.
Cauca Guan ◊  Penelope perspicax  Endemic. Common at Otun Quimbaya.
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis garrula  Endemic. Seen Santa Marta and Barranquilla.
Rufous-vented Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis ruficauda  Small numbers on the edge of the Guajira.
Colombian Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis columbiana  Endemic.  Recorded on five days in the Andes.
Crested Bobwhite ◊  Colinus cristatus  Some furtive individuals in the Guajira.
Black-fronted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus atrifrons  A small group in the Santa Marta foothills.
Chestnut Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus hyperythrus  Endemic. Seen at Apia and Penas Blancas.
American Flamingo (Caribbean F)  Phoenicopterus ruber  Quite common at Camarones.
Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps  Non Leader – A single seen by some near Bogota.
Greater Ani  Crotophaga major  Several groups at Rio Claro.
Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani  Scattered sightings.
Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris  Small numbers on the north coast.
Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia  Heard in the Cauca valley and seen near Barranquilla.
Dwarf Cuckoo ◊  Coccycua pumila  Seen in the Cauca valley and heard near Barranquilla.
Common Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana  Recorded on five days, with a couple seen.
Blue Ground Dove  Claravis pretiosa  A single fly-by in the Santa Marta foothills.
Common Ground Dove  Columbina passerine  Common on the north coast.
Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti  Widespread.
Scaled Dove  Columbina squammata  Common on the north coast.
White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi  Widespread and especially common on the north coast.
Tolima Dove ◊  Leptotila conoveri Endemic.  Good but brief views near Cajamarca.
Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata  Widespread.
Lined Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon linearis  Good looks at El Dorado Lodge.
Pale-vented Pigeon  Patagioenas cayennensis  Seen in the Cauca valley and north coast lowlands.
Scaled Pigeon  Patagioenas speciosa  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.
Bare-eyed Pigeon ◊  Patagioenas corensis  Common in the Guajira and seen near Santa Marta.
Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata  Common in the highlands.
Plumbeous Pigeon  Patagioenas plúmbea  Heard at Montezuma.
Rock Dove (introduced) (Feral P)  Columba [livia] var_domestica  Widespread.
Limpkin  Aramus guarauna  Heard in the Cauca valley and seen commonly north coast wetlands.
Blackish Rail  Pardirallus nigricans  Up to three at Montezuma.
Rufous-necked Wood Rail  Aramides axillaris  A lovely pair in the Santa Marta Mountains.
Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus  Heard Pedro Palo, seen Rio Claro and Barranquilla.
Mangrove Rail  Rallus longirostris  A pair showed well at Camarones.
Bogota Rail ◊  Rallus semiplumbeus  Endemic. A pair showed well in the Bogota marshes.
Spot-flanked Gallinule ◊  Porphyriops melanops  Three in the Bogota marshes.
Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata  Small numbers Bogota and Barranquilla.
American Coot  Fulica Americana  Small numbers around Bogota.
Purple Gallinule (American P G)  Porphyrio martinica  Quite common in the Barranquilla marshes.
Russet-crowned Crake  Rufirallus viridis  Heard Rio Claro.
White-throated Crake  Laterallus albigularis  Heard at Santa Cecilia.
Double-striped Thick-knee  Hesperoburhinus bistriatus  Seen well at Camarones.
Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus  Small numbers on the north coast.
American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliates  Small numbers at Camarones.
Grey Plover   Pluvialis squatarola  Small numbers at Camarones.
Semipalmated Plover   Charadrius semipalmatus  Small numbers at Camarones
Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis  Widespread.
Wilson’s Plover  Anarhynchus wilsonia  A single at Camarones.
Wattled Jacana  Jacana jacana  Seen near Rio Claro and in the Barranquilla marshes.
Hudsonian Whimbrel   Numenius hudsonicus  Small numbers at Camarones.
Short-billed Dowitcher   Limnodromus griseus  A single at Camarones.
Noble Snipe ◊  Gallinago nobilis  Up to nine at Sumapaz.
Spotted Sandpiper   Actitis macularius  Small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.
Solitary Sandpiper   Tringa solitaria  A couple in the Barranquilla marshes.
Lesser Yellowlegs   Tringa flavipes  Small numbers on the north coast.
Willet (Eastern W)  Tringa [semipalmata] semipalmata  Fairly common at Camarones.
Greater Yellowlegs   Tringa melanoleuca  Two at Sumapaz and a few on the north coast.
Ruddy Turnstone   Arenaria interpres  Three at Camarones
Red Knot   Calidris canutus  A single at Camarones, a real surprise!
Sanderling   Calidris alba  Small numbers at Camarones.
Semipalmated Sandpiper   Calidris pusilla  Common at Camarones.
Western Sandpiper   Calidris mauri  Non leader – A single at Camarones.
Least Sandpiper   Calidris minutilla  Small numbers at Camarones and Barranquilla.
Black Skimmer  Rynchops niger  A couple near Rio Claro and common at Camarones.
Large-billed Tern  Phaetusa simplex  A few along the Malecon at Barranquilla. Our last trip bird!
Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia  Common at Camarones.
Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica  Non leader – A single at Camarones.
Sandwich Tern (Cabot’s T)  Thalasseus [sandvicensis] acuflavidus  Small numbers at Camarones.
Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus  Common at Camarones.
Laughing Gull   Leucophaeus atricilla  Common at Camarones.
Wood Stork  Mycteria Americana  Four at Camarones and one at Barranquilla.
Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens  Common on the north coast.
Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum  Scattered sightings and common on the north coast.
Scarlet Ibis  Eudocimus ruber  Small numbers at Camarones
American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus  Common Camarones and Barranquilla.
Bare-faced Ibis (Whispering I)  Phimosus infuscatus  Widespread.
Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus  Common Barranquilla marshes.
Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja  Common Camarones.
Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis  Common on the coast.
Whistling Heron  Syrigma sibilatrix  A couple near Chingaza and one near Bogota.
Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea  Common on the north coast with a couple of sightings elsewhere.
Tricolored Heron  Egretta tricolor  Small numbers at Camarones.
Reddish Egret  Egretta rufescens  Small numbers at Camarones.
Snowy Egret  Egretta thula  Common on the north coast.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea  A couple at Camarones.
Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  A single leader only sighting near Barranquilla.
Striated Heron  Butorides striata  A single at Barranquilla and seen on one other day.
Green Heron  Butorides virescens  A single in the mangroves at Salamanca.
Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta  Widespread though commonest on the north coast.
Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis  Omnipresent except at very high elevations.
Cocoi Heron (White-necked H)  Ardea cocoi  A single near Barranquilla.
Great Blue Heron  Ardea Herodias  Small numbers at Camarones.
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk ◊  Lurocalis rufiventris  Non leader – A single at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis  Seen commonly near Montezuma and heard at one other site.
Lyre-tailed Nightjar  Uropsalis lyra  A nesting female and a displaying male at Rio Blanco.
Band-winged Nightjar  Systellura longirostris  Great looks at Nevado del Ruiz heard at the Fuertesi.
Lesser Nighthawk  Chordeiles acutipennis  A brief single at dawn near Santa Marta.
Oilbird  Steatornis caripensis  Three at Jardin and eight at Rio Claro.
Common Potoo  Nyctibius griseus  Heard at Manizales and a lovely roosting bird at Montezuma.
Andean Potoo ◊  Nyctibius maculosus  A roosting bird in the Andes near Bogota on our first day.
Chestnut-collared Swift  Streptoprocne rutile  Seen in the highlands on two days.
White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris  Scattered sightings.
Grey-rumped Swift  Chaetura cinereiventris  Seen at Rio Claro and Barranquilla.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift  Panyptila cayennensis  A couple in the Santa Marta foothills.
White-necked Jacobin  Florisuga mellivora  Common at Montezuma and nearby Coffee zone.
White-tipped Sicklebill  Eutoxeres Aquila  A single at El Recuerdo de los Colibrís.
Rufous-breasted Hermit (Hairy H)  Glaucis hirsutus  A single at Rio Claro.
White-whiskered Hermit  Phaethornis yaruqui  On the feeders at Montezuma.
Green Hermit  Phaethornis guy  On the feeders at Apia.
Tawny-bellied Hermit ◊  Phaethornis syrmatophorus  Seen at Otun and Montezuma.
Long-billed Hermit (Western Long-tailed H)  Phaethornis longirostris  Seen Rio Claro and SM.
Green-fronted Lancebill ◊  Doryfera ludovicae  A single at Rio Blanco.
White-throated Daggerbill  Schistes albogularis  Non leader – Seen at Rio Blanco and Apia.
Sparkling Violetear  Colibri coruscans  Widespread.
Brown Violetear  Colibri delphinae  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.
Lesser Violetear  Colibri cyanotus  Widespread.
Purple-crowned Fairy  Heliothryx barroti  A couple at Rio Claro.
Black-throated Mango  Anthracothorax nigricollis  Non leader – Seen at Montezuma.
Greenish Puffleg  Haplophaedia aureliae  Fairly common at higher elevations at Montezuma.
Glowing Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis vestita  Seen at several sites near Bogota.
Black-thighed Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis derbyi  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Coppery-bellied Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis cupreoventris  Seen at a couple of sites near Bogota.
Golden-breasted Puffleg ◊  Eriocnemis mosquera  A single at Termales del Ruiz.
Mountain Velvetbreast  Lafresnaya lafresnayi  Scattered sightings in the highlands.
Shining Sunbeam ◊  Aglaeactis cupripennis  Common in the central Andes.
Bronzy Inca  Coeligena coeligena  A single at Rio Blanco.
Brown Inca ◊  Coeligena wilsoni  Small numbers at Montezuma.
Black Inca ◊  Coeligena prunellei  Endemic. Non leader – A single seen briefly at Pedro Palo.
Collared Inca  Coeligena torquata  Scattered sightings in the Andes.
White-tailed Starfrontlet ◊  Coeligena phalerata  Endemic. Lovely views on the San Lorenzo ridge.
Buff-winged Starfrontlet  Coeligena lutetiae  Seen at several sites in the central Andes.
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet ◊  Coeligena bonapartei  A couple near Bogota.
Blue-throated Starfrontlet ◊  Coeligena helianthea  Seen at a couple of sites near Bogota.
Sword-billed Hummingbird  Ensifera ensifera  Scattered sightings in the Andes.
Great Sapphirewing  Pterophanes cyanopterus  Scattered sightings in the Andes.
Buff-tailed Coronet ◊  Boissonneaua flavescens  Widespread sightings in the Andes.
Velvet-purple Coronet ◊  Boissonneaua jardini  Common at Montezuma.
Purple-bibbed Whitetip ◊  Urosticte benjamini  Small numbers at Montezuma.
White-booted Racket-tail  Ocreatus underwoodii  Scattered sightings in the Andes.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar ◊  Urochroa bougueri  Common at Montezuma.
Fawn-breasted Brilliant ◊  Heliodoxa rubinoides  Scattered sightings in the Andes.
Green-crowned Brilliant  Heliodoxa jacula  Common at Montezuma.
Empress Brilliant ◊  Heliodoxa imperatrix  Common at Montezuma.
Green Thorntail  Discosura conversii  Common at the lodge at Montezuma.
Longuemare’s Sunangel ◊  Heliangelus Clarisse  Small numbers near Bogota.
Tourmaline Sunangel ◊  Heliangelus exortis  Widespread in the Andes.
Speckled Hummingbird  Adelomyia melanogenys  Seen on three days in the Andes.
Long-tailed Sylph  Aglaiocercus kingie  Seen at Rio Claro and Penas Blancas.
Violet-tailed Sylph ◊  Aglaiocercus coelestis  Common at Montezuma.
Black-backed Thornbill ◊  Ramphomicron dorsale  Endemic. A couple above El Dorado!
Purple-backed Thornbill ◊  Ramphomicron microrhynchum  A male at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Black-tailed Trainbearer  Lesbia victoriae  A single near Bogota.
Green-tailed Trainbearer  Lesbia nuna  Seen at a couple of sites near Bogota.
Tyrian Metaltail  Metallura tyrianthina  Widespread sightings involving more than one subspecies.
Viridian Metaltail  Metallura williami  Common at Nevado del Ruiz.
Green-bearded Helmetcrest ◊  Oxypogon guerinii  Endemic. Great looks at Sumapaz.
Buffy Helmetcrest ◊  Oxypogon stuebelii  Endemic. Several seen at Nevado del Ruiz.
Bronze-tailed Thornbill ◊  Chalcostigma heteropogon  A brief individual at Sumapaz.
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill ◊  Chalcostigma herrani  A showy individual at Termales del Ruiz.
Purple-throated Woodstar ◊  Philodice mitchellii  Common at Montezuma.
White-bellied Woodstar ◊  Chaetocercus mulsant  Widespread in the Andes.
Santa Marta Woodstar ◊  Chaetocercus astreans  Endemic. A single in the Santa Marta mountains.
Red-billed Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon gibsoni  A single in the Guajira.
Coppery Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon russatus  A couple seen briefly in the Santa Marta foothills.
Western Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus  Seen at Cajamarca, Montezuma and Apia.
Santa Marta Blossomcrown ◊  Anthocephala floriceps  Endemic. Seen well at Santa Marta.
Tolima Blossomcrown ◊  Anthocephala berlepschi  Endemic. In the garden at El Recuerdo.
White-vented Plumeleteer  Chalybura buffonii  Recorded on three days.
Crowned Woodnymph ◊ (Violet-crowned W)  Thalurania [colombica] colombica  SM and Cajamarca.
Crowned Woodnymph ◊ (Green-crowned W)  Thalurania [colombica] fannyae  Montezuma.
Buffy Hummingbird ◊  Leucippus fallax  Great views in the Guajira.
Steely-vented Hummingbird  Saucerottia saucerottei  Scattered sightings.
Indigo-capped Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia cyanifrons  Endemic. Common at El Recuerdo.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  Amazilia tzacatl  Widespread sightings.
Andean Emerald ◊  Uranomitra franciae  Scattered sightings
Shining-green Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia goudoti  A couple of sightings on the north coast.
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia coeruleogularis  A single briefly at Salamanca.
Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia lilliae  Endemic. A single male at Salamanca.
Blue-chested Hummingbird  Polyerata amabilis  A single at Rio Claro.
White-chinned Sapphire  Chlorestes cyanus  Seen on two days on the north coast.
Andean Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium jardinii  A single at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum  Seen Minca, in the Guajira and near Barranquilla.
Tropical Screech Owl  Megascops choliba  Nice looks in the Hotel grounds at Jardin.
Rufescent Screech Owl ◊ (Colombian S O)  Megascops [ingens] colombianus  Seen well at Otun
Santa Marta Screech Owl ◊  Megascops gilesi  Endemic. A brief individual at Santa Marta.
Spectacled Owl  Pulsatrix perspicillata  Three on a day roost at Rio Claro.
Mottled Owl  Strix virgata  Brief individuals at Otun and El Dorado Lodge.
Rufous-banded Owl  Strix albitarsis  Five at the Fuertesi Reserve and a day roosting bird at Rio Blanco.
King Vulture  Sarcoramphus papa  A single in the Santa Marta foothills.
Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus  Omnipresent.
Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura  Widespread.
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture  Cathartes burrovianus  Common Barranquilla, a single elsewhere.
Osprey   Pandion [haliaetus] carolinensis  Several north coast, including migrants over the mountains.
Pearl Kite  Gampsonyx swainsonii  A couple along the Caribbean coast.
White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus  Recorded on four days including around Bogota.
Grey-headed Kite  Leptodon cayanensis  A single in the Santa Marta foothills.
Swallow-tailed Kite (American S-t K)  Elanoides forficatus  Recorded four days including a flock of six.
Black Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus tyrannus  A single over Montezuma.
Black-and-chestnut Eagle ◊  Spizaetus isidori  A single above Jardin.
Double-toothed Kite  Harpagus bidentatus  A lovely perched bird at Santa Cecilia.
Plumbeous Kite  Ictinia plumbea  Seen on a couple of days in the Santa Marta foothills.
Crane Hawk  Geranospiza caerulescens  A single in the Guajira.
Black-collared Hawk  Busarellus nigricollis  A single in the Mangroves at Salamanca.
Snail Kite  Rostrhamus sociabilis  Fairly common in the Barranquilla marshes.
Common Black Hawk  Buteogallus anthracinus  A single in the Guajira.
Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris  Widespread sightings.
White-rumped Hawk ◊  Parabuteo leucorrhous  A single near Montezuma and two at El Dorado.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus  Chingaza, Sumapaz and Los Nevados.
Broad-winged Hawk   Buteo platypterus  Scattered sightings and a migrant flock over Rio Claro.
Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus  A single over the San Lorenzo ridge.
Short-tailed Hawk  Buteo brachyurus  One near Coello.
Swainson’s Hawk  Buteo swainsoni  A migrant flock of five hundred over Rio Claro was a trip highlight.
Golden-headed Quetzal  Pharomachrus auriceps  Seen at Otun Quimbaya and Rio Blanco.
White-tipped Quetzal ◊  Pharomachrus fulgidus  Lovely views of a nesting pair at El Dorado.
White-tailed Trogon (Western W-t T)  Trogon chionurus  Heard in the Choco lowlands and Rio Claro.
Gartered Trogon (Northern Violaceous T)  Trogon caligatus  Seen Rio Claro and north coast.
Collared Trogon  Trogon collaris  Three seen at Otun Quimbaya.
Masked Trogon  Trogon personatus  Scattered sightings.
Rufous Motmot  Baryphthengus martii  Seen at Rio Claro.
Whooping Motmot  Momotus subrufescens  Seen on the north coast.
Andean Motmot (Highland M)  Momotus aequatorialis  Widespread sightings in the Andes.
Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata  Recorded on four days, commonest at Barranquilla.
Amazon Kingfisher  Chloroceryle amazon  Small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.
American Pygmy Kingfisher  Chloroceryle aenea  A single in the mangroves at Salamanca.
Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle Americana  Common Barranquilla and also seen Rio Claro.
Rufous-tailed Jacamar  Galbula ruficauda  Common on the north coast and heard Rio Claro.
Moustached Puffbird ◊  Malacoptila mystacalis  A single showed well at Montezuma.
White-faced Nunbird ◊  Hapaloptila castanea  A single at Montezuma was a trip highlight.
Russet-throated Puffbird ◊  Hypnelus ruficollis  A single near Rio Claro, common on the north coast.
Pied Puffbird  Notharchus tectus  A couple near Rio Claro, small numbers in the Barranquilla marshes.
Red-headed Barbet ◊  Eubucco bourcierii  Scattered sightings in the Andes.
White-mantled Barbet ◊  Capito hypoleucus  Endemic. A single near Rio Claro.
Toucan Barbet ◊  Semnornis ramphastinus  A couple showed well at Montezuma.
Yellow-throated Toucan (Chestnut-mandibled T)  Ramphastos [ambiguus] swainsonii  Heard RC.
Keel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos sulfuratus  Small numbers in the Santa Marta foothills.
Choco Toucan ◊  Ramphastos brevis  Heard at Montezuma.
Channel-billed Toucan ◊ (Citron-throated T)  Ramphastos [vitellinus] citreolaemus  Seen Rio Claro.
Collared Aracari  Pteroglossus torquatus  Seen Rio Claro and Santa Marta mountains.
Southern Emerald Toucanet ◊ (Santa Marta T)  Aulacorhynchus [albivitta] lautus  Heard Santa Marta.
Southern Emerald Toucanet ◊ (Grey-throated T)  Aulacorhynchus [albivitta] griseigularis  Five days.
Southern Emerald Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus [albivitta] albivitta  Seen at Pedro Palo.
Groove-billed Toucanet ◊ (Yellow-billed T)  Aulacorhynchus [sulcatus] calorhynchus  Seen SM.
Crimson-rumped Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus haematopygus  A single at Montezuma.
Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan ◊  Andigena hypoglauca  Fuertesi Reserve and HDA Bosque.
Black-billed Mountain Toucan ◊  Andigena nigrirostris  Recorded on four days in the Andes.
Scaled Piculet  Picumnus squamulatus  Great views in the Santa Marta foothills.
Olivaceous Piculet  Picumnus olivaceus  Small numbers at Rio Claro.
Greyish Piculet ◊  Picumnus granadensis  Endemic. Seen well at Montezuma.
Chestnut Piculet ◊  Picumnus cinnamomeus  Seen well in the Guajira.
Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus  A single Santa Marta foothills and heard on one other day.
Cinnamon Woodpecker  Celeus loricatus  Several seen well at Rio Claro.
Golden-green Woodpecker  Piculus chrysochloros  A pair in the mangroves at Salamanca.
Golden-olive Woodpecker  Colaptes rubiginosus  Scattered sightings throughout.
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker  Colaptes rivolii  Seen Rio Blanco and heard on a couple of other days.
Spot-breasted Woodpecker  Colaptes punctigula  Common in the Barranquilla marshes.
Crimson-crested Woodpecker  Campephilus melanoleucos  A nice male at Santa Marta.
Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus  Scattered sightings.
Beautiful Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes pulcher  Endemic. A lovely pair at Rio Claro.
Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani  Seen in the Choco lowlands and at Montezuma.
Red-crowned Woodpecker  Melanerpes rubricapillus  Common in the lowlands.
Smoky-brown Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus fumigatus  Recorded on two days.
Red-rumped Woodpecker  Veniliornis kirkii  Seen near Coello, at Rio Claro and at Salamanca.
Yellow-vented Woodpecker ◊  Veniliornis dignus  Seen at Montezuma.
Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans  Heard on a couple of days.
Collared Forest Falcon  Micrastur semitorquatus  Heard on a couple of days.
Barred Forest Falcon  Micrastur ruficollis  Heard at Montezuma.
Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway  Widespread.
Yellow-headed Caracara  Daptrius chimachima  Widespread.
American Kestrel  Falco sparverius  Recorded on four days.
Merlin  Falco columbarius  Non leader – A single in the Santa Marta mountains.
Bat Falcon  Falco rufigularis  A single in the Santa Marta foothills.
Barred Parakeet  Bolborhynchus lineola  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains.
Rufous-fronted Parakeet ◊  Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons Endemic. Seen well at Nevado del Ruiz.
Blue-fronted Parrotlet  Touit dilectissimus  Heard overhead at Montezuma.
Turquoise-winged Parrotlet ◊  Forpus spengeli  Very good views near Barranquilla on our final morning.
Green-rumped Parrotlet  Forpus passerines  Quite common in the Guajira.
Spectacled Parrotlet ◊  Forpus conspicillatus  Seen on four days, often in the vicinity of buildings.
Orange-chinned Parakeet  Brotogeris jugularis  Common in the lowlands.
Fuertes’s Parrot ◊  Hapalopsittaca fuertesi  Seen well at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Red-billed Parrot  Pionus sordidus  Plentiful in the Santa Marta mountains, an isolated subspecies.
Speckle-faced Parrot (White-capped P)  Pionus [tumultuosus] seniloides  Four Fuertesi Reserve.
Blue-headed Parrot  Pionus menstruus  Common in the lowlands.
Bronze-winged Parrot  Pionus chalcopterus   Small numbers near Cajamarca and Jardin.
Yellow-crowned Amazon (Y-c Parrot)  Amazona ochrocephala  A couple on the north coast.
Scaly-naped Amazon (S-n Parrot)  Amazona mercenaries  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.
Santa Marta Parakeet ◊  Pyrrhura viridicata  Superb views of a single at El Dorado.
Flame-winged Parakeet ◊  Pyrrhura calliptera  Several flocks in the Andes near Bogota.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw  Ara severus  A group of six at Rio Claro.
Military Macaw  Ara militaris  Fourteen seen heading to roost in the Santa Marta foothills.
Brown-throated Parakeet  Eupsittula pertinax  Common on the north coast.
Yellow-eared Parrot ◊  Ognorhynchus icterotis  Endemic. Fifteen Cajamarca, overhead flocks at Jardin.
Golden-plumed Parakeet ◊  Leptosittaca branickii  Common Fuertesi Reserve and six at Rio Blanco.
Blue-crowned Parakeet  Thectocercus acuticaudatus  A single at a stakeout on the north coast.
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet  Psittacara wagleri  Common at Santa Marta, a few seen elsewhere.
Golden-winged Manakin ◊  Masius chrysopterus  Non leader. A single at Montezuma.
Lance-tailed Manakin  Chiroxiphia lanceolate  An immature male on the north coast.
White-bearded Manakin  Manacus manacus  Small numbers at Rio Claro and Santa Marta.
Striolated Manakin ◊  Machaeropterus striolatus  A couple at Rio Claro.
Golden-headed Manakin  Ceratopipra erythrocephalam  A single male briefly at Rio Claro.
Scaled Fruiteater ◊  Ampelioides tschudii  Seen at Montezuma and Apia Birding Lodge.
Green-and-black Fruiteater  Pipreola riefferii  Seen on four days in the Andes.
Barred Fruiteater  Pipreola arcuate  A single at HDA Bosque.
Golden-breasted Fruiteater ◊  Pipreola aureopectus  A lovely male at Santa Marta,
Orange-breasted Fruiteater ◊  Pipreola jucunda  Several seen at Montezuma.
Andean Cock-of-the-rock  Rupicola peruvianus  Common Jardin lek, heard at Otun and Montezuma.
Red-crested Cotinga ◊  Ampelion rubrocristatus  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve and Jardin.
Chestnut-crested Cotinga ◊  Ampelion rufaxilla  A lovely pair near Jardin.
Red-ruffed Fruitcrow  Pyroderus scutatus  Lovely views at Otun Quimbaya.
Black-crowned Tityra  Tityra inquisitor  A couple near Rio Claro.
Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata  Seen at Montezuma and the Choco lowlands.
Barred Becard  Pachyramphus versicolor  Recorded on three days in the Andes.
Cinnamon Becard  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus  Seen Rio Claro, Choco lowlands and Santa Marta.
White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus  Recorded on five days.
Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant  Pseudotriccus ruficeps  Seen well above Jardin.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher  Leptopogon superciliaris  Seen near Apia Birding Lodge.
Rufous-breasted Flycatcher ◊  Leptopogon rufipectus  Seen at Otun and heard on one other day.
Streak-necked Flycatcher  Mionectes striaticollis  Recorded on two days in the Andes.
Olive-striped Flycatcher  Mionectes olivaceus  Recorded on two days.
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher  Mionectes oleaginous  Seen at Rio Claro and in the Santa Marta foothills.
Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant  Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus  Seen on a couple of days.
Variegated Bristle Tyrant  Pogonotriccus poecilotis  Seen at Otun Quimbaya.
Western Olivaceous Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus aequinoctialis  Seen at Rio Claro.
Yellow-olive Flatbill (Y-o Flycatcher)  Tolmomyias sulphurescens  Seen Cauca valley and SM.
Yellow-winged Flatbill (Y-margined Flycatcher)  Tolmomyias flavotectus  Seen well at Santa Cecilia.
Ochre-lored Flatbill (O-l Flycatcher)  Tolmomyias flaviventris  Seen commonly on the north coast.
Common Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum cinereum  Widespread sightings.
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum nigriceps  Seen Choco and Rio Claro, heard,north coast.
Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus ruficeps  Seen Rio Blanco.
Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus Sylvia  Seen near Coello and in the Cauca valley.
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant  Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer  Seen near Coello and in the Guajira.
Black-throated Tody-Tyrant ◊  Hemitriccus granadensis  Seen at Montezuma.
Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant  Atalotriccus pilaris  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.
Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant  Lophotriccus pileatus  Heard.
Southern Bentbill ◊  Oncostoma olivaceum  A single at Rio Claro.
Cinnamon Flycatcher  Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus  Seen in the Andes and Santa Marta mountains.
Ornate Flycatcher ◊  Myiotriccus ornatus  Scattered sightings.
Handsome Flycatcher ◊  Nephelomyias pulcher  Common at Montezuma.
Spectacled Tyrannulet ◊  Zimmerius improbus  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.
Golden-faced Tyrannulet ◊  Zimmerius [chrysops] chrysops  Widespread.
Golden-faced Tyrannulet ◊ (Coopmans’s T)  Zimmerius [chrysops] minimus  Seen well at SM.
Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant ◊  Euscarthmus meloryphus  Seen Coello and heard in the Guajira.
Slender-billed Inezia ◊  Inezia tenuirostris  Seen in the Guajira.
Pale-tipped Inezia ◊ (P-t Tyrannulet)  Inezia caudate  Seen in the Guajira.
Black-capped Tyrannulet  Tyranniscus nigrocapillus  A single at Rio Blanco.
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet  Tyrannulus elatus  Heard on four days.
Forest Elaenia  Myiopagis gaimardii  Seen at Rio Claro and the north coast lowlands.
Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata  Heard at Coello and seen in the Cauca valley.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia  Elaenia flavogaster  Widespread.
Mountain Elaenia  Elaenia frantzii  Widespread in the highlands.
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet  Phyllomyias griseiceps  Recorded on five days.
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (Northern M-c T)  Nesotriccus [murinus] incomtus  Cauca valley, coast.
White-banded Tyrannulet  Mecocerculus stictopterus  A single near Chingaza.
White-throated Tyrannulet  Mecocerculus leucophrys  Common in the highlands.
Torrent Tyrannulet  Serpophaga cinerea  Seen on six days, always near water.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer  Widespread sightings.
Panama Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus panamensis  Common in the Mangroves at Salamanca.
Apical Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus apicalis  Endemic. Seen in both the Magdalena and Cauca valleys.
Pale-edged Flycatcher  Myiarchus cephalotes  Recorded on three days.
Great Crested Flycatcher   Myiarchus crinitus  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.
Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus  Seen on two days in the coastal lowlands.
Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius  Widespread in the lowlands.
Bright-rumped Attila ◊ (Flammulated A)  Attila spadiceus  Seen at Rio Claro.
Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa  Scattered sightings.
Lesser Kiskadee  Philohydor lector  Non leader – Recorded on one day.
Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus  Widespread in the lowlands.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher  Myiozetetes cayanensis  Widespread in the lowlands.
Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis  A couple seen on the north coast.
Golden-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes hemichrysus  Seen on five days in the Andes.
Streaked Flycatcher  Myiodynastes maculatus  Widespread in the lowlands.
Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua  Seen at Rio Claro and the Santa Marta foothills.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savanna  Seen on a couple of days.
Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus  Widespread.
Grey Kingbird  Tyrannus dominicensis  Common on the north coast.
Flavescent Flycatcher ◊  Myiophobus flavicans  A single at Rio Blanco.
Crowned Chat-Tyrant  Silvicultrix frontalis  Seen well at Los Nevados.
Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant ◊  Silvicultrix diadema  Seen at HDA Bosque and Santa Marta.
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant ◊  Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris  Seen at Rio Blanco and Jardin.
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca rufipectoralis  Seen above Jardin.
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca fumicolor  Recorded at high elevations on three days.
Northern Scrub Flycatcher  Sublegatus arenarum  Seen in the Guajira and Barranquilla marshes.
Long-tailed Tyrant  Colonia colonus  Several at Rio Claro.
White-headed Marsh Tyrant  Arundinicola leucocephala  Seen in the Barranquilla marshes.
Pied Water Tyrant  Fluvicola pica  Seen near Rio Claro, the Guajira and Barranquilla marshes.
Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus rubinus  Seen on a couple of days.
Fuscous Flycatcher  Cnemotriccus fuscatus  Non leader – A single seen in the Santa Marta foothills.
Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans  Scattered sightings.
Acadian Flycatcher   Empidonax virescens  Widespread.
Alder Flycatcher  Empidonax alnorum  A single at Otun Quimbaya.
Olive-sided Flycatcher   Contopus cooperi  A single in the Santa Marta foothills.
Smoke-colored Pewee  Contopus fumigatus  Seen on three days.
Paramo Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola alpinus  A single showed well at Sumapaz.
Red-rumped Bush Tyrant ◊  Cnemarchus erythropygius  A single showed well at Sumapaz.
Streak-throated Bush Tyrant  Myiotheretes striaticollis  A couple in the mountains near Jardin.
Santa Marta Bush Tyrant ◊  Myiotheretes pernix  Endemic. A couple after much searching at El Dorado.
Smoky Bush Tyrant  Myiotheretes fumigatus  Seen near Chingaza and at Montezuma.
Dot-winged Antwren  Microrhopias quixensis  A couple at Rio Claro.
Checker-throated Stipplethroat  Epinecrophylla fulviventris  A brief bird at Rio Claro.
Pacific Antwren ◊ (P Streaked A)  Myrmotherula pacifica  Common at Santa Cecilia and Rio Claro.
Slaty Antwren  Myrmotherula schisticolor  Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.
Northern White-fringed Antwren  Formicivora intermedia  Seen at several lowland sites.
Plain Antvireo  Dysithamnus mentalis  Seen at Pedro Palo and recorded on a couple of other days.
Bicolored Antvireo ◊ (Western Antshrike)  Dysithamnus occidentalis  Three at Montezuma.
Yellow-breasted Antwren ◊  Herpsilochmus axillaris  Seen in the canopy at Montezuma.
Black-crested Antshrike  Sakesphorus canadensis Seen commonly on the north coast.
Barred Antshrike  Thamnophilus doliatus  Seen near Coello and the Guajira.
Bar-crested Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus multistriatus  A pair near Apia.
Black-crowned Antshrike (Western Slaty A)  Thamnophilus atrinucha  Seen in the Cauca valley.
Uniform Antshrike  Thamnophilus unicolor  Seen at Montezuma.
Black-backed Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus melanonotus  Nice views in the Santa Marta foothills.
Parker’s Antbird ◊  Cercomacroides parkeri  Endemic. A pair at Otun Quimbaya.
Santa Marta Antbird ◊  Drymophila hellmayri  Endemic. Fairly common in the Santa Marta foothills.
Streak-headed Antbird ◊  Drymophila striaticeps  Seen at Rio Blanco.
Chestnut-backed Antbird  Poliocrania exsul  Recorded on three days.
White-bellied Antbird  Myrmeciza longipes  Seen at Coello and on the north coast.
Zeledon’s Antbird ◊  Hafferia zeledoni  A couple were seen at Montezuma.
Hooded Antpitta ◊  Grallaricula cucullata  A single showed well in the central Andes.
Rusty-breasted Antpitta ◊  Grallaricula ferrugineipectus  A couple in the Santa Marta foothill’s
Slaty-crowned Antpitta  Grallaricula nana  A single at a feeder at Rio Blanco.
Undulated Antpitta  Grallaria squamigera  Heard at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Moustached Antpitta ◊  Grallaria alleni  Heard at Otun Quimbaya.
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta  Grallaria ruficapilla  Seen at Rio Blanco and heard at other sites.
Santa Marta Antpitta ◊  Grallaria bangsi  Endemic. Seen well at a feeder at El Dorado.
Chestnut-naped Antpitta ◊  Grallaria nuchalis  Seen at the Fuertesi reserve and at a feeder near Jardin.
Yellow-breasted Antpitta ◊  Grallaria flavotincta  Seen at Montezuma and Apia.
Sierra Nevada Antpitta ◊  Grallaria spatiator  Endemic. A single after much effort at El Dorado.
Bicolored Antpitta ◊  Grallaria rufocinerea  Heard at the Fuertesi Reserve and Rio Blanco.
Muisca Antpitta ◊  Grallaria rufula  Seen well near Bogota.
Chami Antpitta ◊  Grallaria alvarezi  Endemic. Seen briefly at Montezuma.
Equatorial Antpitta ◊  Grallaria saturate  Seen well at HDA Bosque.
Boyaca Antpitta ◊  Grallaria alticola  Endemic. Several seen well at Sumapaz.
Tawny Antpitta ◊ (Western T A)  Grallaria quitensis  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve and Los Nevados.
Brown-banded Antpitta ◊  Grallaria milleri  Endemic. Seen well at Rio Blanco.
Ocellated Tapaculo ◊  Acropternis orthonyx  Seen well at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Ash-colored Tapaculo ◊  Myornis senilis  Recorded on three days but only seen by the leader.
Paramo Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus opacus  A skulking bird seen at Nevado del Ruiz.
White-crowned Tapaculo  Scytalopus atratus  A single showed well at Otun.
Santa Marta Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus sanctaemartae  Endemic. Seen in the SM foothills!
Blackish Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus latrans  Seen briefly at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Narino Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus vicinior  Seen at Montezuma.
Choco Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus chocoensis  Seen near Montezuma Lodge.
Stiles’s Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus stilesi  Endemic. Seen in the central Andes.
Tatama Tapaculo ◊ (Alto Pisones T)  Scytalopus alvarezlopezi  Endemic. Superb views at Apia feeder!
Pale-bellied Tapaculo ◊ (Mattoral T)  Scytalopus griseicollis  Seen at a couple of sites near Bogota.
Brown-rumped Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus latebricola  Endemic. Seen El Dorado Reserve.
Spillmann’s Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus spillmanni  Seen below the Fuertesi reserve.
Black-faced Antthrush  Formicarius analis  Heard at Rio Claro.
Rufous-breasted Antthrush ◊  Formicarius rufipectus  Glimpsed at Montezuma.
Dusky Leaftosser ◊  Sclerurus obscurior  A showy individual at Montezuma.
Grey-throated Leaftosser  Sclerurus albigularis  A showy individual in the Santa Marta foothills.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper  Glyphorynchus spirurus  Seen at Rio Claro.
Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus  Seen at Rio Claro.
Tyrannine Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla tyrannina  Seen near Chingaza and at Rio Blanco.
Plain-brown Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla fuliginosa  Seen above Minca.
Black-banded Woodcreeper  Dendrocolaptes picumnus  Seen at Rio Blanco.
Strong-billed Woodcreeper  Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus  Recorded on five days.
Cocoa Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus susurrans  Seen at Rio Claro and heard on the north coast.
Straight-billed Woodcreeper  Dendroplex picus  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.
Brown-billed Scythebill  Campylorhamphus pusillus  Seen at Montezuma.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes souleyetii  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.
Montane Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger  Seen on four days in the highlands.
Northern Plain Xenops  Xenops mexicanus  Seen at Rio Claro and heard on the north coast.
Streaked Xenops  Xenops rutilans  Seen at Rio Claro and in the Santa Marta mountains.
Spotted Barbtail  Premnoplex brunnescens  Seen at Otun Quimbaya.
Star-chested Treerunner ◊ (Fulvous-dotted T)  Margarornis stellatus  Seen at Montezuma.
Pearled Treerunner  Margarornis squamiger  Seen on four days in the Andes.
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner  Anabacerthia variegaticeps  Seen at Montezuma.
Montane Foliage-gleaner  Anabacerthia striaticollis  Seen in the Andes and Santa Marta mountains.
Lineated Foliage-gleaner  Syndactyla subalaris  Seen at Pedro Palo.
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner  Dendroma rufa  Seen on two days in the Andes.
Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner ◊  Clibanornis rufipectus  Endemic. Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.
Uniform Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes ignobilis  Seen at Montezuma.
Flammulated Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes flammulatus  Seen well above Jardin
Streak-capped Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes virgaticeps  Seen at Otun and heard at Apia.
Pacific Tuftedcheek ◊  Pseudocolaptes johnsoni  Seen at Montezuma.
Streaked Tuftedcheek  Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii  Seen on five days in the Andes.
Caribbean Hornero ◊  Furnarius longirostris  Seen near Rio Claro and on the north coast.
Chestnut-winged Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes albidiventris  Fairly common at Sumapaz.
Stout-billed Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes excelsior  Common at Nevado del Ruiz.
Andean Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura andicola  Seen at Sumapaz and Nevado del Ruiz.
White-browed Spinetail ◊  Hellmayrea gularis  Seen at Nevado del Ruiz and HDA Bosque.
Many-striped Canastero ◊  Asthenes flammulata  Nice looks at Sumapaz.
White-chinned Thistletail ◊  Asthenes fuliginosa  Seen at Sumapaz and a showy bird at Los Nevados.
Red-faced Spinetail  Cranioleuca erythrops  Seen on three days in the Andes.
Streak-capped Spinetail ◊  Cranioleuca hellmayri  Endemic. Small numbers at Santa Marta.
Ash-browed Spinetail  Cranioleuca curtata  Seen well at Pedro Palo.
Yellow-chinned Spinetail  Certhiaxis cinnamomeus  Seen near Rio Claro and at Barranquilla
Slaty Spinetail  Synallaxis brachyuran  Seen well at Santa Cecilia.
Silvery-throated Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis subpudica  Endemic. Seen well near Bogota.
Pale-breasted Spinetail  Synallaxis albescens  Seen in the Magdalena valley.
Azara’s Spinetail  Synallaxis azarae  Seen at Rio Blanco and heard on other days.
White-whiskered Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis candei  Several in the Guajira -.the best Spinetail?
Rusty-headed Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis fuscorufa  Endemic. Typically skulking at El Dorado.
Rufous Spinetail  Synallaxis unirufa  Great looks above Montezuma.
Stripe-breasted Spinetail  Synallaxis cinnamomea  A skulking pair at Pedro Palo.
Black-billed Peppershrike ◊  Cyclarhis nigrirostris  Great looks at Montezuma.
Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis  Seen near Coello, Rio Claro and the north coast.
Scrub Greenlet  Hylophilus flavipes  Seen near Coello and on the north coast.
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo  Vireolanius leucotis  Heard at Monetzuma.
Lesser Greenlet  Pachysylvia decurtata  Seen at Rio Claro.
Golden-fronted Greenlet  Pachysylvia aurantiifrons  Santa Marta foothills and coastal gallery forest.
Rufous-naped Greenlet ◊  Pachysylvia semibrunnea  Recorded on five days.
Brown-capped Vireo  Vireo leucophrys  Recorded on five days.
Red-eyed Vireo  Vireo olivaceus  Migrants seen at Rio Claro and Santa Marta.
Chivi Vireo  Vireo chivi  Widespread at lowland and foothill sites.
Yellow-throated Vireo   Vireo flavifrons  Singles seen on four days.
Choco Vireo ◊  Vireo masteri  A pair high in the canopy at Montezuma.
Beautiful Jay ◊  Cyanolyca pulchra  A lovely pair at Montezuma.
Black-collared Jay ◊  Cyanolyca armillata  A pair at Rio Blanco.
Green Jay  Cyanocorax yncas  A very fleeting group above Jardin.
Black-chested Jay ◊  Cyanocorax affinis  Common in the lowlands especially in the north.
White-winged Swallow  Tachycineta albiventer  Seen at Rio Claro.
Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybean  Seen on five days.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx ruficollis  Widespread.
White-thighed Swallow  Atticora tibialis  Seen at Rio Claro.
Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca  Widespread in the subtropics.
Brown-bellied Swallow  Orochelidon murina  Common in the highlands.
Barn Swallow   Hirundo rustica  Fairly widespread in the lowlands.
Trilling Gnatwren  Ramphocaenus melanurus  Seen near Minca and on the north coast.
Tropical Gnatcatcher  Polioptila plumbea  Seen Coello and on the north coast.
Southern Nightingale-Wren  Microcerculus marginatus  Heard on four days.
Band-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus zonatus  Several at Rio Claro.
Stripe-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus nuchalis  Common in the Barranquilla marshes.
Bicolored Wren  Campylorhynchus griseus  Seen in the Magdalena lowlands and north coast.
Grass Wren (Grass W)  Cistothorus platensis  Seen Fuertesi Reserve, Los Nevado and HDA Bosque.
Apolinar’s Wren ◊ (A Marsh W)  Cistothorus apolinari  Endemic. Seen well at Sumapaz.
Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus  Widespread.
Mountain Wren  Troglodytes solstitialis  Seen on three days in the highlands.
Sooty-headed Wren ◊  Pheugopedius spadix  Seen at Montezuma and Cocorna.
Black-bellied Wren ◊  Pheugopedius fasciatoventris  Heard at Rio Claro.
Whiskered Wren  Pheugopedius mystacalis  On a feeder at Apia and heard elsewhere.
Rufous-breasted Wren  Pheugopedius rutilus  Common in the Santa Marta foothills.
Rufous Wren  Cinnycerthia unirufa  Heard at the Fuertesi Reserve and Montezuma.
Sepia-brown Wren (Sharpe’s W)  Cinnycerthia olivascens  Seen Rio Blanco, Montezuma and Jardin.
Bay Wren  Cantorchilus nigricapillus  Seen in the Choco and at Rio Claro.
Buff-breasted Wren  Cantorchilus leucotis  Heard at Coello and seen on the north coast.
White-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucosticte  Seen near Apia and heard at Rio Claro.
Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys  Widespread in the subtropics.
Hermit Wood Wren ◊  Henicorhina anachoreta  Endemic. Lovely views at El Dorado.
Munchique Wood Wren ◊  Henicorhina negreti  Endemic. Lovely views at Montezuma.
Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren ◊  Cyphorhinus dichrous  Heard at Otun and seen at Montezuma.
Rufous-and-white Wren  Thryophilus rufalbus  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.
Antioquia Wren ◊  Thryophilus sernai  Endemic. A couple seen in Cauca valley dry forest.
Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus  Recorded on seven days.
White-capped Dipper  Cinclus leucocephalus  Seen at Otun and Jardin.
Andean Solitaire  Myadestes ralloides  Seen well at Apia and heard on many other days.
Black Solitaire ◊  Entomodestes coracinus  A couple at Montezuma but rather scarce there.
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris  Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.
Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus fuscater  Seen at Otun and heard Santa Marta.
Swainson’s Thrush   Catharus ustulatus  Widespread.
Grey-cheeked Thrush   Catharus minimus  Seen on two days.
Glossy-black Thrush  Turdus serranus  Seen Rio Blanco and heard on a few other days.
Great Thrush  Turdus fuscater  Common in the highlands.
Black-hooded Thrush ◊  Turdus olivater  Common at Santa Marta.
Black-billed Thrush  Turdus ignobilis  Widespread.
Yellow-legged Thrush  Turdus flavipes  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.
White-necked Thrush  Turdus albicollis  Heard in the Santa Marta mountains.
Pale-breasted Thrush  Turdus leucomelas  Widespread especially on the north coast.
Clay-colored Thrush  Turdus grayi  Seen Jardin, Cauca valley and north coast.
Blue-naped Chlorophonia  Chlorophonia cyanea  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys  Several seen at Montezuma.
Yellow-collared Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia flavirostris  Non Leader – A single at Montezuma.
Velvet-fronted Euphonia ◊  Euphonia concinna  Endemic. Seen well in the Magdalena valley.
Trinidad Euphonia ◊  Euphonia trinitatis  Seen on the north coast.
White-vented Euphonia  Euphonia minuta  A pair at Rio Claro.
Thick-billed Euphonia  Euphonia laniirostris  Widespread.
Fulvous-vented Euphonia ◊  Euphonia fulvicrissa  Seen in the Choco and at Rio Claro.
Orange-bellied Euphonia  Euphonia xanthogaster  Scattered sightings in the subtropics.
Lesser Goldfinch  Spinus psaltria  A small flock near Bogota.
Andean Siskin ◊  Spinus spinescens  Seen on three days in the highlands.
Yellow-bellied Siskin  Spinus xanthogastrus  Seen at Pedro Palo and Jardin.
Hooded Siskin  Spinus magellanicus  Non leader – A single at HDA Bosque.
Rosy Thrush-tanager  Rhodinocichla rosea  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.
Tanager Finch ◊  Oreothraupis arremonops  A lovely pair at Montezuma.
Yellow-throated Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus flavigularis  Seen at Montezuma.
Ashy-throated Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus canigularis  Seen near Cajamarca.
Dusky Chlorospingus (Dusky-bellied B T)  Chlorospingus semifuscus  Common at Montezuma.
Black-striped Sparrow ◊  Arremonops conirostris  Heard in the Cauca Valley.
Tocuyo Sparrow ◊  Arremonops tocuyensis  Nice looks in the Guajira.
Sierra Nevada Brushfinch ◊  Arremon basilicus  Endemic. Fairly common Santa Marta mountains.
Grey-browed Brushfinch  Arremon assimilis  Recorded on four days in the Andes.
Golden-winged Sparrow ◊  Arremon schlegeli  Seen well in the Santa Marta foothills.
Chestnut-capped Brushfinch  Arremon brunneinucha  Seen well at Apia Lodge.
Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis  Abundant in the highlands.
White-naped Brushfinch  Atlapetes albinucha  Seen at Otun Quimbaya.
Santa Marta Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes melanocephalus  Endemic. Common Santa Marta mountains.
Yellow-headed Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes flaviceps  Endemic. A couple seen near Cajamarca.
Choco Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes crassus  Several groups at Montezuma.
Slaty Brushfinch  Atlapetes schistaceus  Common in the highlands.
Pale-naped Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes pallidinucha  Seen near Chingaza, Sumapaz and Los Nevados.
Eastern Meadowlark  Sturnella magna  A few seen near Bogota.
Red-breasted Meadowlark  Leistes militaris  Non leader – Seen near Rio Claro.
Yellow-billed Cacique  Amblycercus holosericeus  Non leader – Seen briefly at the Fuertesi Reserve.
Russet-backed Oropendola  Psarocolius angustifrons  Montezuma and Chingaza, the latter a surprise.
Crested Oropendola  Psarocolius decumanus  Common in the Santa Marta mountains.
Chestnut-headed Oropendola  Psarocolius wagleri  Seen Montezuma, Choco lowlands and Rio Claro.
Baudo Oropendola ◊  Psarocolius cassini  Endemic. Several groups at Santa Cecilia.
Yellow-rumped Cacique  Cacicus cela  Small numbers Rio Claro.
Mountain Cacique ◊ (Northern M C)  Cacicus [chrysonotus] leucoramphus  Chingaza and Jardin.
Yellow-backed Oriole  Icterus chrysater  Scattered sightings.
Yellow Oriole  Icterus nigrogularis  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.
Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis  Widespread.
Bronze-brown Cowbird ◊  Molothrus armenti  Endemic. Around ten in the Barranquilla marshes.
Giant Cowbird  Molothrus oryzivorus  Seen on three days.
Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus  Common on north coast and at Jardin.
Carib Grackle  Quiscalus lugubris  Widespread.
Red-bellied Grackle ◊  Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster  Endemic. A small group on the feeders at Jardin.
Yellow-hooded Blackbird  Chrysomus icterocephalus  Seen Rio Claro and Barranquilla marshes.
Northern Waterthrush   Parkesia noveboracensis  A couple on the north coast.
Black-and-white Warbler   Mniotilta varia  Seen on three days.
Prothonotary Warbler   Protonotaria citrea  Common in the mangroves at Salamanca.
Tennessee Warbler   Leiothlypis peregrine  Widespread.
American Redstart   Setophaga ruticilla  Several in the Santa Marta foothills.
Cerulean Warbler   Setophaga cerulean  Recorded on five days.
Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi  Scattered sightings.
Blackburnian Warbler   Setophaga fusca  Widespread in the subtropics.
Bay-breasted Warbler   Setophaga castanea  Widespread in the lowlands.
Chestnut-sided Warbler  Setophaga pensylvanica  Singles in the Choco lowlands and the Guajira.
American Yellow Warbler   Setophaga aestival  Scattered sightings.
Santa Marta Warbler ◊  Myiothlypis basilica  Endemic. A couple of groups in the El Dorado Reserve.
Citrine Warbler  Myiothlypis luteoviridis  In mixed flocks above Jardin.
Black-crested Warbler  Myiothlypis nigrocristata  Seen on seven days in the Andes.
Buff-rumped Warbler  Myiothlypis fulvicauda  Seen at Rio Claro.
Choco Warbler ◊  Myiothlypis chlorophrys  Seen at Montezuma.
White-lored Warbler ◊  Myiothlypis conspicillata  Endemic. Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.
Russet-crowned Warbler  Myiothlypis coronate  Seen at Otun and recorded on a couple of other days.
Chestnut-capped Warbler ◊  Basileuterus delattrii  Seen near Coello and in the Santa Marta mountains.
Golden-crowned Warbler  Basileuterus culicivorus  Seen on two days.
Three-striped Warbler  Basileuterus tristriatus  Seen on five days in the Andes.
Canada Warbler   Cardellina Canadensis  Seen on five days.
Slate-throated Whitestart (S-t Redstart)  Myioborus miniatus  Common in the subtropics.
Yellow-crowned Whitestart ◊ (Y-c Redstart)  Myioborus flavivertex  Endemic. Seen at Santa Marta.
Golden-fronted Whitestart ◊ (Yellow-f W)  Myioborus [ornatus] ornatus  Central and western Andes.
Golden-fronted Whitestart ◊  Myioborus [ornatus] chrysops  Seen at two sites near Bogota.
Golden Grosbeak  Pheucticus chrysogaster  A singing bird in the Santa Marta mountains.
Black-backed Grosbeak  Pheucticus aureoventris  A couple of males below Sumapaz.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak   Pheucticus ludovicianus  Seen on three days.
Blue-black Grosbeak  Cyanoloxia cyanoides  Seen at Rio Claro.
Ochre-breasted Tanager ◊  Chlorothraupis stolzmanni  Seen at Montezuma.
Vermilion Cardinal ◊  Cardinalis phoeniceus  Lovely looks in the Guajira.
Sooty Ant Tanager ◊  Driophlox gutturalis  Endemic. A showy group at Rio Claro.
Crested Ant Tanager ◊  Driophlox cristata  Endemic. Superb views at Montezuma.
Summer Tanager   Piranga rubra  Widespread.
Hepatic Tanager (Tooth-billed T)  Piranga [flava] lutea  Seen on two days.
Scarlet Tanager  Piranga olivacea  A couple of males at Rio Claro.
Dusky-faced Tanager  Mitrospingus cassinii  Seen at Montezuma and heard at Rio Claro.
Swallow Tanager  Tersina viridis  Seen at Rio Claro and on the north coast.
Purple Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes caeruleus  A couple at Rio Claro.
Red-legged Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes cyaneus  Seen on the north coast.
Black-faced Dacnis ◊ (Yellow-tufted D)  Dacnis [lineata] egregia  Seen at Rio Claro.
Turquoise Dacnis ◊  Dacnis hartlaubi  Endemic. Seen at Pedro Palo and near Apia.
Blue Dacnis  Dacnis cayana  Scattered sightings in the lowlands.
Golden-collared Honeycreeper ◊  Iridophanes pulcherrimus  Non leader – A single at Montezuma.
Green Honeycreeper  Chlorophanes spiza  Scattered sightings.
Yellow-backed Tanager  Hemithraupis flavicollis  Seen at Rio Claro.
Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina  Seen on four days.
White-shouldered Tanager  Loriotus luctuosus  Seen at Rio Claro.
Grey Pileated Finch  Coryphospingus pileatus  Seen in the Guajira.
White-lined Tanager  Tachyphonus rufus  A single in the Santa Marta foothills.
Flame-rumped Tanager ◊  Ramphocelus [flammigerus] flammigerus  Small numbers at Montezuma
Flame-rumped Tanager ◊ (Lemon-r T)  Ramphocelus [flammigerus] icteronotus  Montezuma, RC.
Crimson-backed Tanager ◊  Ramphocelus dimidiatus  Widespread.
Bicolored Conebill  Conirostrum bicolor  Common in the Mangroves near Barranquilla.
Blue-backed Conebill  Conirostrum sitticolor  Seen at Nevado del Ruiz.
Capped Conebill  Conirostrum albifrons  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve and Rio Blanco.
Rufous-browed Conebill ◊  Conirostrum rufum  Seen at Sumapaz.
Saffron Finch  Sicalis flaveola  Widespread.
Plumbeous Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis unicolor  Seen at Sumapaz and Los Nevados.
Slaty Finch ◊  Haplospiza rustica  A single at Montezuma.
Plain-colored Seedeater  Catamenia inornata  Seen at Sumapaz and in the central Andes.
Paramo Seedeater  Catamenia homochroa  Seen at HDA Bosque.
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa gloriosissima  Endemic. Several at Montezuma.
Glossy Flowerpiercer  Diglossa lafresnayii  Seen on three days in the highlands.
Black Flowerpiercer  Diglossa humeralis  Scattered sightings in the highlands.
White-sided Flowerpiercer  Diglossa albilatera  Widespread in the subtropics.
Indigo Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa indigotica  A male showed well at Montezuma.
Rusty Flowerpiercer  Diglossa sittoides  Seen near Cajamarca and in the Santa Marta mountains.
Bluish Flowerpiercer  Diglossa caerulescens  Seen on two days.
Masked Flowerpiercer  Diglossa cyanea  Widespread in the highlands.
Buff-throated Saltator  Saltator maximus  Widespread in the lowlands and subtropics.
Black-winged Saltator ◊  Saltator atripennis  On the feeders at Montezuma.
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.
Masked Saltator ◊  Saltator cinctus  A couple below the Fuertesi reserve, a trip highlight.
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta  Seen in the Cauca valley.
Thick-billed Seed Finch  Sporophila funereal  Seen in the Choco lowlands and Cauca valley.
Large-billed Seed Finch ◊  Sporophila crassirostris  Seen in the Cauca valley.
Variable Seedeater  Sporophila corvina  Fairly common around Santa Cecilia.
Grey Seedeater  Sporophila intermedia  Seen in the Cauca valley.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater  Sporophila nigricollis  Widespread.
Grey-hooded Bush Tanager  Cnemoscopus rubrirostris  Seen at Jardin.
Black-capped Hemispingus  Kleinothraupis atropileus  Seen at Rio Blanco and Jardin.
Oleaginous Hemispingus  Sphenopsis frontalis  Seen briefly at Rio Blanco.
Black-eared Hemispingus  Sphenopsis melanotis  Seen at Rio Blanco.
Superciliaried Hemispingus  Thlypopsis superciliaris  Seen near Bogota and Cajamarca.
Plushcap (Plush-capped F)  Catamblyrhynchus diadema  Seen Rio Blanco, Jardin and Santa Marta.
Bananaquit  Coereba flaveola  Widespread.
Yellow-faced Grassquit  Tiaris olivaceus  Non leader – Seen on one day.
Black-faced Grassquit  Melanospiza bicolor  Seen near Coello and in the Guajira.
Dull-colored Grassquit  Asemospiza obscura  Seen in the Santa Marta foothills.
Purplish-mantled Tanager ◊  Iridosornis porphyrocephalus  Seen at Montezuma and Jardin.
Fawn-breasted Tanager  Pipraeidea melanonota  Seen on two days.
Buff-banded Mountain Tanager  Dubusia taeniata  Scattered sightings in the highlands.
Carriker’s Mountain Tanager  Dubusia carrikeri  Endemic. Seen well in the Santa Marta mountains.
Blue-capped Tanager  Sporathraupis cyanocephala  Widespread in the subtropics.
Hooded Mountain Tanager  Buthraupis montana  Seen at the Fuertesi Reserve and HDA Bosque.
Grass-green Tanager  Chlorornis riefferii  Seen on four days in the highlands.
Santa Marta Mountain Tanager ◊  Anisognathus melanogenys  Endemic. Seen well El Dorado.
Lacrimose Mountain Tanager  Anisognathus lacrymosus  Seen on three days in the Andes.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager  Anisognathus igniventris  Widespread in the Andean highlands.
Blue-winged Mountain Tanager  Anisognathus somptuosus  Seen at several subtropical sites.
Black-chinned Mountain Tanager ◊  Anisognathus notabilis  Seen at Montezuma.
Glistening-green Tanager ◊  Chlorochrysa phoenicotis  Seen at Montezuma.
Multicolored Tanager ◊  Chlorochrysa nitidissima  Endemic. Seen at Otun and Montezuma.
Black-and-gold Tanager ◊  Bangsia melanochlamys  Endemic. Great looks at Montezuma.
Gold-ringed Tanager ◊  Bangsia aureocincta  Endemic. Great looks at Montezuma.
Blue-and-black Tanager  Tangara vassorii  Seen on three days in the Andean highlands.
Beryl-spangled Tanager  Tangara nigroviridis  Seen on four days in the subtropics.
Metallic-green Tanager ◊  Tangara labradorides  Seen at Otun, Rio Blanco and Apia.
Plain-colored Tanager ◊  Tangara inornata  Seen in the Choco lowlands and at Rio Claro.
Bay-headed Tanager  Tangara gyrola  Widespread.
Saffron-crowned Tanager  Tangara xanthocephala  A couple near Cajamarca.
Flame-faced Tanager  Tangara parzudakii  Seen at Montezuma.
Golden Tanager  Tangara arthus  Scattered sightings in the subtropics.
Silver-throated Tanager  Tangara icterocephala  Seen at Montezuma.
Blue-grey Tanager  Thraupis episcopus  Widespread.
Glaucous Tanager ◊  Thraupis glaucocolpa  Seen in the Guajira and Barranquilla marshes.
Palm Tanager  Thraupis palmarum  Widespread.
Rufous-throated Tanager  Ixothraupis rufigula  Seen at Montezuma.
Black-headed Tanager ◊  Stilpnia cyanoptera  Seen in the Santa Marta mountains.
Black-capped Tanager  Stilpnia heinei  Seen on three days in the subtropics.
Scrub Tanager ◊  Stilpnia vitriolina  Widespread.
Golden-hooded Tanager  Stilpnia larvata  Seen in the Choco lowlands and at Rio Claro.
Blue-necked Tanager  Stilpnia cyanicollis  Seen at four sites.

MAMMALS
Northern Oncilla  Leopardus tigrinus  Great looks at El Roble.
Crab-eating Fox  Cerdocyon thous  Seen at Otun, Montezuma and the Santa Marta mountains.
Kinkajou  Potos flavus  A single spotlighted at Santa Marta.
Tayra  Eira Barbara  Non leader – A single seen briefly at Rio Blanco.
Lesser Sac-winged Bat (L White-lined B)  Saccopteryx leptura  Some roosting Santa Marta foothills.
Colombian Red Howler  Alouatta seniculus  Heard at Santa Marta.
Andean Tapeti  Sylvilagus andinus  Seen at Sumapaz and Los Nevados.
Central American Agouti  Dasyprocta punctata  Seen around several Lodges.
Lowland Paca  Cuniculus paca  A single briefly pre-dawn at Otun Quimbaya.
Brazilian Guinea Pig  Cavia aperea  Seen at Sumapaz.
Western Dwarf Squirrel  Microsciurus mimulus  Seen Otun, Rio Blanco and Montezuma.
Red-tailed Squirrel (Tropical R S)  Sciurus granatensis  Widespread especially in the north.
Andean Squirrel  Sciurus pucheranii  Seen at several sites including the HDA Bosque feeders.
Highland Small Rice Rat  Microryzomys altissimus  A couple pre-dawn at Sumapaz.