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Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 1
GEOFFREY CARPENTIER Avocet Nature Services
11 Strattonville Crescent, Port Perry, ON L9L 1W7 (905) 852-2011
www.avocetnatureservices.com
Colombia 2018 Expedition
Trip Report
by
Geoff Carpentier
Our journey to Colombia began in mid-January 2018 where we planned to spend the next couple
of weeks exploring the mountains, deserts and valleys of central and northern Colombia. Despite
some unsettling issues at the Toronto airport (everyone but me!) arrived in Bogota by the 16th
to
begin our tour. I was diverted and eventually arrived the next day after an involuntary visit to
Lima, Peru.
While the group waited for me, Roger Rodriguez, our Nature Colombia guide, did an admirable
job of ensuring we would safely get to our starting destination and see as much as possible as the
trip commenced.
Day 1: January 16, 2018 – Start of
main tour: Nine guests joined Roger
on the first day as they travelled to
Chingaza National Park, high above
the city of Bogota. An early start was
necessary to avoid the crushing
traffic of this large metropolis.
However, the group was soon outside
the city and travelling to the
highlands to look for specialty birds
near the treeline. The landscape up
there is harsh but exciting – certainly
very different than what most of us
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 2
had ever seen before. Rocky outcrops, lush grassy vegetation and scattered fields of bright yellow
flowers on dismal gray stalks (i.e. Espletia sp.) typified the habitat.
One of our targets was a
tiny hummingbird, the
Bearded Helmetcrest (see above) that fed
almost exclusively on
Espletia blooms in the
elfin forest zones of the
region. The hummer
avoided us, but many
other birds delighted the
group, such as White-
chinned, Silvery-
throated & White-
browed Spinetails,
Tawny & Pale-bellied
Tapaculo, Scarlet-
bellied Mountain-
tanager and Plumbeous
Sierra-finch.
Later in the day, the group travelled back toward Bogota and
stopped at the Las Observatorio de Colibries gardens to view the
hummingbirds there. This was an exciting stop and one that
introduced us to the first of the almost 50 species of hummers we
would eventually see on the trip! Here beauties like Green &
Black-tailed (see
photo to the right)
Trainbearers,
Glowing Puffleg,
Tyrian Metaltail,
Blue-throated
Starfrontlet, and
White-bellied
Woodstar (pictured
to the left), along
with Red-crested
Cotinga adding a
nice colorful touch!
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 3
Day 2: January 17, 2018: Refreshed after a great night at the Blue Suites Hotel, we were up early
and on our way to explore a large wetland within the city limits of Bogota. La Florida is a
spectacular example of how a city
can preserve a large wetland habitat,
make it appealing to thousands of
city dwellers, while ensuring wildlife
has a chance! Here we would see
hundreds of water birds of many
species, such as Bare-faced Ibis,
Spot-flanked Gallinule (see photo at
right), Andean Teal, Yellow-
hooded Blackbird, Wattled
Jacana, and much more. However,
we did come here to see two
speciallty species – the Apolinar
Wren and the Bogota Rail, and we
were not disappointed. Although we
had only fleeting glimpses of the rail,
we had killer views of the wren as it
came into the open and sang from the
reeds right in front of us.
Lunch was a great event at Chicaque N.P. enroute back to Bogota. As we waited for lunch to be
prepared, we were treated to myriad wonderful birds in their lush gardens. Amongst these were
Tourmaline Sunangel, Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (see photo below), Collared Inca, White-
bellied Woodstar, and Sparkling & Lesser Violetear along with Masked Flowerpiercers
working the flowers around the lodge.
Later we walked the roadway, and despite the
continuing rain, added many new species,
including Emerald Toucanet, Chestnut-
crowned Antpitta, Black-capped & Black-
eared Hemispingus, Blue-backed & Capped
Conebill, Plushcap, and Chestnut-capped,
Slaty & Gray-browed Brush-finch.
The drive back took sometime but the
welcoming ambiance of the hotel and a great
birding day set us at ease as we prepared to do
our list and have a delicious Colombian dinner
and maybe a cervesa?!?.
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 4
Day 3/4: January 18-19, 2018: Today
was to be a travel day as we departed
early for the airport for our flight to
Medellin. Norm and Mary’s lost luggage
finally arrived, but mine was still
mysteriously missing. Once in Medellin
we began the long drive to the Chestnut-
capped Piha Reserve, where we would
stay the next two nights. Once there, the
lush grounds and the wonderful
hummingbird and tanager feeders
occupied our thoughts and would lead to
long-lasting memories for all of us. So
many birds showed themselves to us that
it was often hard to keep track. The lodge
layout was simple – comfortable but
Spartan rooms, set amongst nature and
all she had to offer. Several feeders were
located just beyond where we would take
our meals and the views of the valleys and hills beyond were breathtaking.
It’s hard to single out any one bird that caught our attention so I’ll just list some of the species we
saw at this lodge: King Vulture, Tropical Screech-owl (photo above), White-necked Jacobin.
Green-fronted Lancebill, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Woodstar, Golden-
headed Quetzal, Highland Motmot, Collared & Masked Trogon, Crimson-rumped
Toucanet, Azara’s, Slaty & Pale-breasted Spinetail, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Mountain
Elaenia, Marble-faced Bristle-tyrant, Black-chested and Inca Jay, and at least 16 species of
tanagers! Oh and we missed the piha despite many tries ... can’t win them all!
Day 5: January 20, 2018: This turned out to be our longest
travel day. Thinking it would take only a few hours as we
crossed over Medellin to get to our lodge west of there, it
took almost 11 hours in total, with only two brief birding
stops enroute. As we left the Piha Reserve, we wanted to try
for a rare barbet along the main road and after a few
minutes were successful in coaxing out two White-mantled
Barbets. To the left a male barbet sings is odd guttural
hooting song with throat extended.
Stopping for a leg stretch and washroom break, we
stumbled onto a great flock of birds by the roadside. Hard to
leave them, but not before we did we spotted some goodies:
Yellow-headed Caracara, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Bar-
crested Antshrike, Vermillion Flycatcher, Streaked &
Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Rufous Wren, Blue-necked
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 5
Tanager and Orange-bellied Euphonia. Once we arrived at Tangaras Reserve, we all rushed to
our rooms, dropped our bags and then headed to the gardens where Sickle-winged and Wattled
Guans greeted us. Myriad tanagers, hummingbirds and fruit bats also put on a show for us as dusk
settled over us!
Day 6/7: January 21-22, 2018: On our first day at Tangaras, we drove up high into the
surrounding hills to look for mid-altitude birds, and we were certainly not disappointed. Along the
route, we stopped periodically for wave after wave of exciting neo-tropical birds. At one point, we
went to a shelter overlooking several hummingbird feeders. Birds were everywhere – alighting,
fighting and delighting as they dashed from feeder to feeder
enjoying the sugary mix offered by reserve personnel. Birds
enjoyed on this sojourn included Plumbeous Kite, Cloud-
forest Pygmy-Owl, Long-tailed Hermit, Speckled
Hummingbird, Long-tailed & Violet-tailed Sylph,
Greenish Puffleg, Brown Inca, Buff-tailed & Velvet-
purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, White-tailed Hillstar,
White-bellied (see photo at right) & Purple-throated
Woodstar, and Toucan Barbet (see next page center and
top respectively) & Red-headed Barbet. The following day
we went to the same general area and the group split as some wanted to climb higher while the rest
wanted to have new looks at some of yesterday’s finds.
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 6
No one was disappointed. Several of the same
birds were seen, but new additions included
Yellow-vented & Golden-olive Woodpecker,
Red-faced Spinetail, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Red-
billed Scythebill, Yellow-breasted Antpitta,
Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Barred & White-
winged Becard, Flame-rumped Black-and-Gold
Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-tanager,
Glistening-green Tanager, and the ultimate
target bird – Gold-ringed Tanager! This is a
hugely rich avifaunal stop on our route, and we
know we only touched the surface of what was
actually there. Many more wonders await if we
come back this way again!
Day 8: January 23, 2018: The next stop along our route was at Jardin (pronounced Hardeen), a
lovely little town, enshrouded in history with beautiful markets and friendly people. Nestled along
the edge of town, near a fast-flowing river is a hidden gem. We hiked down a fairly steep incline
to a large wooden gate that hid the wonders beyond. Soon we were greeted and welcomed in and
what a sight it was! About a dozen male Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock were on full display at their
lek, only a few meters from our
vantage point. The lookouts were
comfortable and gave great views
of these wonderful birds. All
through the 2+ hours we were
here, they huffed and puffed and
tried to attract invisible females.
But they weren’t the only birds
there, for Green Honeycreeper,
White-capped Dipper (on the
river below the blinds), Torrent
Tyranulet, Band-tailed
Barbthroat, Andean Motmot,
Yellow-backed Oriole, Black-
winged Saltator and 11 species
of tanagers delighted us. Back at
our hotel, situated beside the town
square, we enjoyed a sampling of
Colombian culture as people and music blended in perfect harmony.
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 7
Day 9: January 24, 2018: From our base in Jardin, we got up and left at 5:15 so we could reach
the nearby Yellow-eared Parrot Preserve (see next page). Only about 1500 of these colorful
parrots persist in the wild so to see any would be a treat. We saw about 50! Small flocks moved
back and forth at dawn, giving us at first distant, then eventually great looks as they passed
overhead. Situated nearby was a small hostel that served us a great breakfast, surrounded by the
highland landscape, so different to anything we had experienced so far. Sitting on small tables, we
were surrounded by hummingbirds and flowerpiercers. The list was long and included Sword-
billed Hummingbird (see next page upper right), Buff-tailed Coronet, Mountain Velvetbreast,
Black-mandibled Mountain-toucan, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Band-winged Nightjar, and
Streak-throated Bush-tyrant to name a few. Other nice finds for the day included Pearled
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 8
Treerunner, four species of mountain-tanager, Black-
capped & Superciliared Hemispingus, Acorn
Woodpecker, Mountain Cacique, and Common
Chlorospingus.
Day 10: January
25, 2018: Today
we left the
western Andes
and flew north to
Santa Marta for
the last leg of the main tour. The flight was seamless but
bird numbers and variety were understandably minimal.
We spent the day either exploring Santa Marta or going
to the hotel in Minca. It was a scorching day so bird
activity was low. Nonetheless, by nightfall, we had
tallied some nice finds, including Whooping Motmot,
White-necked Jacobin, White-chinned Sapphire,
White-vented
Plumeleteer,
Streaked
Flycatcher, Keel-billed Toucan, Sqyuirrel Cuckoo
(right bottom), Swallow Tanager and the boisterous
Bicolored Wren. It was a day for reflection as the
journey would pick up speed gain tomorrow as we
climbed up into the Santa Marta highlands.
Day 11-13: January 26-28, 2018: The drive by jeep up
to El Dorado Lodge was a bit bumpy so to speak. My
back might never be the same! LOL. However the slow
climb was worth it as we caught our first glimpse of our
home for the next 3 nights. The welcoming atmosphere
of the lodge, the rustic cabins and myriad wildlife
grasped us immediately. We shared the lodge with two
other birding groups. The grounds were amazing as we
watched hummers buzzing about and in the valley beside
the deck, while prehistoric looking guans rooted in the
waste fruit pile for scraps. The next day, we descended
the mountain slightly to visit Palo Alto, a small B&B on
the mountainside. Here we looked for and found the
Santa Marta Blossomcrown and Santa Marta
Woodstar - two key hummingbird species we had hoped to find. Returning to the lodge, we
birded (some of us walked most of the way) back to El Dorado Lodge. Highlights of the days here
included Black-fronted Wood-quail, Red-billed Parrot, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Santa
Marta Screech-owl, Black-and-White Owl, Tyrian Metaltail, White-tailed Starfrontlet,
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 9
Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Band-tailed Guan (photo below),White-tipped Quetzal,
Groove-billed Toucanet, Gray-throated Leaftosser,
Strong-billed & Montane Woodcreeper, Santa Marta
Antbird, Slaty Antwren, Black-throated Tody-tyrant,
Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Bang’s & Santa Marta
(Hermit) Wood-wren, White-lored Warbler, Lined
Quail-dove, Blue-naped Chlorophonia (photo at right)
and Sierra Nevada Brush-finch. Wow!
On the last day
of this part of
the trip, we got
in the jeeps for a
very bumpy pre-
dawn ride to the
top to see Cerro
Kennedy, a
popular tourist destination. The views from here were
amazing – 360 spectacular! We had several target birds
here as well and got almost everyone … successes
included: Santa Marta Parakeet, Scaly-naped Parrot,
Black-backed Thornbill (see below right), Santa
Marta Toucanet, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Brown-
rumped Tapaculo, Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant, Santa
Marta Mountain-tanager, Santa Marta Warbler,
Santa Marta Brush-finch and Yellow-crowned
Whitestart. In addition to the birds, we had killer views
of a Kinkajou and a Gray-footed Night-monkey at the
lodge. On the way back down to the lodge we stopped at
the San Lorenzo Experimental Station where we searched for the Santa Marta Antpitta. It is
being fed by the researchers and comes out at 9 a.m. for breakfast every day. It didn’t disappoint
us today! Geoff Stimpson took this great photo of the bird (see photo gallery).
Day 14: January 29, 2018: The main tour was to
end today, but as we travelled to Santa Marta we
still had a few surprises in store as we worked our
way down the mountain. Crimson-crested
Woodpecker, Barred Antshrike, Santa Marta
Foliage-gleaner and White-chinned Sapphire
added zest to the day! At this point we dropped
Rick, Mary and Norm off for their flight back to
Bogota and Lydia, who had decided to stay in
Santa Marta to enjoy the cultural side of this
wonderful city. The rest of us headed out to do
the Extension.
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 10
Day 14: January 29, 2018 – Extension: A bit weary but
nonetheless enthused, we head north and east to the Guajira
Peninsula to sample the desert birds there. The 2.5 hour drive
seemed short as the roads were excellent and hundreds of
birds lined the roadway. Straight as an arrow, the highway
pieced the desert landscape on our way to Riohacha, where
would spend the night. We hit one flock of birds that
shocked us by its variety and the numbers of birds involved.
Included in it were Savanna Hawk, Fork-tailed
Flycatcher, Common Black-hawk, Blue-crowned &
Brown-throated Parakeet, Glaucous Tanager and Yellow
Oriole. Later, along the same route we added Double-
striped Thick-knee, Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Swallow-
tailed Kite, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Greater Ani, Lesser
Nighthawk, Rufous-tailed Jacamar (photo at right),
Piratic & Brown-crested Flycatcher and Gray Kingbird.
Day 15: January 30, 2018: We were on the road early again
to head back towards Santa Marta and little did we know
what wondrous sights were in store for us! Our first target was the super rare Tocuyo Sparrow,
always a tricky target as its numbers were so low and it didn’t seem to stay in one place very long.
Our driver knew a spot where they had been seen recently. Within minutes of our arrival, I spotted
one deep inside a mimosa bush that eventually gave us all great looks but did not pose for our
cameras. In the same area, as we walked with our indigenous guide through the Los Flamencos
park, we found Bare-eyed Pigeon, Buffy & Shining-green Hummingbird, Russet-throated
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 11
Puffbird, Chestnut Piculet (photo at left),
White-whiskered Spinetail, Vermillion
Cardinal and Pale-legged Hornero. It was
surprising how many birds we found in this
seemingly arid landscape. We lunched in the
indigenous Wayuú village (see photo of child
below – taken with permission) beside the sea,
enjoying the marine fare. From here we
embarked on an adventure that left us wanting
less! LOL. What was supposed to be a short boat
ride to find flamingos and shorebirds, turned into
a 3-hour tour (remember Gilligan’s Island!)
where we struggled to stay comfortable in the
oppressive heat. We certainly felt pity for the
boatmen who had to pole our boat against the
wind for almost 2 hours to get us back safely
to shore. Surprisingly (other than the
flamingos), also most everything we saw of
interest was near the point where we started.
At one point, I had to disembark from the boat
with
two of
the
guides
to pull
us
ashore
after we
grounded out on a sandbar. Hmmm maybe that extra piece
of fish at lunch should have been avoided! The upside is
that we did get to see a very different side of this northern
region of Colombia and enjoyed the hospitality of the
Wayuú people.
Day 16: January 31, 2018: After spending the night at the
magnificent La Jorara Finca, we headed out for the last
time after a leisurely morning onsite where we lazed or
birded the grounds and climbed to a spectacular mirador
overlooking the Caribbean. We didn’t add much today, but
it allowed us a few hours to reflect and enjoy the wonders
and the wonderful people of Colombia.
We of course saw more than birds on our journey. Myriad
agoutis, White-faced Capuchin, Black Howler Monkeys,
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 12
bats, a Cavia (a small rat-like rodent), Crab-eating Fox,
Colombian Dwarf & Red-tailed Squirrels, butterflies & moths,
lizards, tarantulas, herptiles, flowers, massive trees, coffee
plantations, rivers, canyons, snow-capped peaks and so much
more caught and held our attention as we visited this wondrous
country. I for one can’t wait to go back! Thank-you to all of you
who shared this adventure with me!
Participants: Ann and Neil Gray, Geoff Stimpson. Lydia
Elizabeth, Mary and Norm Pomfrett, Rick Lauzon, Bob and Noël
Wright
Guides: Geoff Carpentier (Avocet Nature Services), Roger
Rodriguez (Nature Colombia) and Jonah (Wayuú indigenous
peoples).
Logistics: Luisa Contra (Nature Colombia)
Main Drivers: Leonardo, Joey, and Virgilio
Left to right: Geoff Stimpson, Lydia Elizabeth, Roger Rodriguez, Bob Wright, Neil Gray, Noel
Wright, Rick Lauzon, Ann Gray, Mary Pomfrett, Norm Pomfrett and Geoff Carpentier
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 13
Species List:
Colombia 2018 - Avocet Nature Services
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
1 Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
2 Mallard (domestic type) Anas platyrhynchos Rare/Accidental
3 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
4 Andean Teal Anas andium
5 Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Rare/Accidental
6 Masked Duck Nomonyx dominicus
7 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
GALLIFORMES: Cracidae
8 Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda
extension only
9 Colombian Chachalaca Ortalis columbiana Endemic
10 Band-tailed Guan Penelope argyrotis
11 Wattled Curassow Crax globulosa Endangered
12 Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii
13 Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
extension only
GALLIFORMES: Odontophoridae
14 Black-fronted Wood-Quail Odontophorus atrifrons Vulnerable
15 Chestnut Wood-Quail Odontophorus hyperythrus
Endemic Near-threatened
PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae
16 Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae
17 American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
extension only
CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae
18 Wood Stork Mycteria americana
extension only
SULIFORMES: Fregatidae
19 Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae
20 Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae
21 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
22 Great Egret Ardea alba
23 Snowy Egret Egretta thula
24 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
extension only
25 Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor extension
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 14
only
26 Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens Near-threatened
extension only
27 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
28 Striated Heron Butorides striata
extension only
PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae
29 White Ibis Eudocimus albus
extension only
30 Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber
extension only
31 Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
32 Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
extension only
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Cathartidae
33 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
34 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
35 Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
extension only
36 King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae
37 Osprey Pandion haliaetus
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae
38 White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
39 Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
40 Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea
41 Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
extension only
42 Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor
43 Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
extension only
44 Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
extension only
45 Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris
46 Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
47 Bogota Rail Rallus semiplumbeus
Endemic Endangered
48 Rufous-necked Wood-Rail Aramides axillaris
49 Blackish Rail Pardirallus nigricans
50 Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus
51 Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata
52 American Coot Fulica americana
53 Spot-flanked Gallinule Porphyriops melanops
GRUIFORMES: Aramidae
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 15
54 Limpkin Aramus guarauna
extension only
CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae
55 Double-striped Thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus
extension only
CHARADRIIFORMES: Haematopodidae
56 American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
extension only
CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae
57 Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
extension only
58 Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
59 Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
extension only
CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae
60 Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
61 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
62 Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
63 Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
64 Willet Tringa semipalmata
extension only
65 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
extension only
66 Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Near-threatened
extension only
67 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
extension only
68 Sanderling Calidris alba
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
69 Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla
70 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
extension only
71 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
extension only
72 Common Tern Sterna hirundo
extension only
73 Sandwich (Cabot's) Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
extension only
74 Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
extension only
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
75 Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
76 Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 16
77 Bare-eyed Pigeon Patagioenas corensis
extension only
78 Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
79 Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea Vulnerable
80 Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
81 Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
82 Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
83 White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
84 Lined Quail-Dove Zentrygon linearis
85 Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
86 Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
87 Greater Ani Crotophaga major
extension only
88 Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
89 Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
90 Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba
91 Santa Marta Screech-Owl Megascops gilesi
92 Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nubicola Vulnerable
93 Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
94 Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
extension only
95 Band-winged Nightjar Systellura longirostris
96 Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
extension only
APODIFORMES: Apodidae
97 White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
98 Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
APODIFORMES: Trochilidae
99 White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
100 White-tipped Sicklebill Eutoxeres aquila
101 Long-billed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris
102 Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae
103 Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae
104 Lesser Violetear Colibri cyanotis
105 Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans
106 Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
107 Tourmaline Sunangel Heliangelus exortis
108 Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
109 Santa Marta Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps Endemic
110 Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingii
111 Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 17
112 Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia victoriae
113 Green-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia nuna
114 Black-backed Thornbill Ramphomicron dorsale
Endemic
Endangered
115 Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
116 Greenish Puffleg Haplophaedia aureliae
117 Glowing Puffleg Eriocnemis vestita
118 Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni
119 Collared Inca Coeligena torquata
120 White-tailed Starfrontlet Coeligena phalerata Endemic
121 Blue-throated Starfrontlet Coeligena helianthea
122 Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi
123 Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera
124 Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens
125 Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini
126 Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii
127 White-tailed Hillstar Urochroa bougueri
128 Purple-bibbed Whitetip Urosticte benjamini
129 Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
130 Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix
131 White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus mulsant
132 Santa Marta Woodstar Chaetocercus astreans Endemic
133 Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii
134 Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
135 Red-billed Emerald Chlorostilbon gibsoni Endemic
136 White-vented Plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii
137 Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
138 Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
139 Buffy Hummingbird Leucippus fallax
extension only
140 Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
141 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
142 Steely-vented Hummingbird Amazilia saucerottei
143 Shining-green Hummingbird Lepidopyga goudoti
extension only
144 White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus
145 Golden-bellied Starfrontlet Coeligena bonapartei
146 Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides
TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae
147 White-tipped Quetzal Pharomachrus fulgidus
148 Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps
149 Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
150 Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
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CORACIIFORMES: Momotidae
151 Whooping Motmot Momotus subrufescens
152 Andean Motmot Momotus aequatorialis
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
153 Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
GALBULIFORMES: Bucconidae
154 Russet-throated Puffbird Hypnelus ruficollis
extension only
GALBULIFORMES: Galbulidae
155 Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
PICIFORMES: Capitonidae
156 White-mantled Barbet Capito hypoleucus Endemic Vulnerable
157 Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
PICIFORMES: Semnornithidae
158 Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus Near-threatened
PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae
159 Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
160 Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus
161 Emerald (Santa Marta) Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus
162 Groove-billed Toucanet Aulacorhynchus sulcatus
163 Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
164 Black-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena nigrirostris
PICIFORMES: Picidae
165 Chestnut Piculet Picumnus cinnamomeus
166 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
167 Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
168 Yellow-vented Woodpecker Veniliornis dignus
169 Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus
170 Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
171 Crimson-bellied Woodpecker Campephilus haematogaster
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
172 Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus
173 Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
174 Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
175 American Kestrel Falco sparverius
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae
176 Yellow-eared Parrot Ognorhynchus icterotis Endangered
177 Blue-crowned Parakeet Thectocercus acuticaudatus
178 Scarlet-fronted Parakeet Psittacara wagleri
179 Brown-throated Parakeet Eupsittula pertinax
180 Santa Marta Parakeet Pyrrhura viridicata
Endemic Endangered
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181 Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus
182 Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
193 Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
184 Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
185 Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus
186 Scaly-naped Parrot Amazona mercenarius
PASSERIFORMES: Thamnophilidae
187 Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis
extension only
188 Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
189 Bar-crested Antshrike Thamnophilus multistriatus
190 Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor
191 White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes
192 Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
193 White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea
extension only
194 Santa Marta Antbird Drymophila hellmayri Endemic
PASSERIFORMES: Grallariidae
195 Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla
196 Santa Marta Antpitta Grallaria bangsi Endemic Vulnerable
197 Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta
198 Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis
PASSERIFORMES: Rhinocryptidae
199 Ash-colored Tapaculo Myornis senilis
200 Santa Marta Tapaculo Scytalopus sanctaemartae Endemic
201 Brown-rumped Tapaculo Scytalopus latebricola Endemic
202 Spillmann's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni
203 Pale-bellied Tapaculo Scytalopus griseicollis Endemic
PASSERIFORMES: Furnariidae
204 Gray-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus albigularis Near-threatened
205 Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
206 Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans
207 Olive-backed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus triangularis
208 Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus
extension only
209 Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris
210 Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
211 Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
212 Buffy Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes lawrencii
213 Pale-legged (Caribbean) Hornero Furnarius leucopus
extension only
214 Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufum
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215 Montane Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia striaticollis
216 Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Clibanornis rufipectus
Endemic Near-threatened
217 Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps
218 Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
219 White-chinned Thistletail Asthenes fuliginosa
220 Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
221 Streak-capped Spinetail Cranioleuca hellmayri Endemic
222 Silvery-throated Spinetail Synallaxis subpudica Endemic
223 Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae
224 Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens
225 Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa
226 Rusty-headed Spinetail Synallaxis fuscorufa Endemic Vulnerable
227 Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura
228 White-whiskered Spinetail Synallaxis candei
extension only
PASSERIFORMES: Tyrannidae
229 Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
230 Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
231 Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii
232 White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys
233 Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea
234 Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
235 Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant Phylloscartes ophthalmicus
236 Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus
237 Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
238 Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum
extension only
239 Slender-billed Tyrannulet Inezia tenuirostris
extension only
240 Pale-tipped Tyrannulet Inezia caudata
extension only
241 Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus
242 Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
243 Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant Atalotriccus pilaris
extension only
244 Black-throated Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus granadensis
245 Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus sylvia
246 Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
247 Handsome Flycatcher Nephelomyias pulcher
248 Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus
249 Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
250 Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
251 Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
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252 Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
253 Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
254 Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis
255 Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica
extension only
256 Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca diadema
257 Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
258 Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosa
259 Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
260 Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
261 Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
extension only
262 Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
263 Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
264 Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
265 Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
266 Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
267 Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis extion only 268 Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana
269 Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
270 Pale-edged Flycatcher Myiarchus cephalotes
371 Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
extension only
PASSERIFORMES: Cotingidae
272 Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii
273 Golden-breasted Fruiteater Pipreola aureopectus
274 Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristatus
275 Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruvianus
276 Olivaceous Piha Snowornis cryptolophus
PASSERIFORMES: Pipridae
277 Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus
278 White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
PASSERIFORMES: Tityridae
279 Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor
extension only
280 Cinereous Becard Pachyramphus rufus
281 White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae
282 Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
283 Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
284 Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes
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285 Lesser Greenlet Pachysylvia decurtata
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
286 Black-collared Jay Cyanolyca armillata
287 Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis
288 Green (Inca) Jay Cyanocorax yncas
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
289 Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
290 Brown-bellied Swallow Orochelidon murina
291 White-thighed Swallow Atticora tibialis
292 Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
293 Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
294 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae
295 (Southern) House Wren Troglodytes aedon
296 Apolinar's Wren Cistothorus apolinari
Endemic
Endangered
297 Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus
298 Sooty-headed Wren Pheugopedius spadix
288 Buff-breasted Wren Cantorchilus leucotis
extension only
300 Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
301 Sharpe's Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens
302 Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
303 Bang's Wood-wren Henicorhina bangsi
304 Santa Marta (Hermit) Wood-wren Henicorhina anachoreta
PASSERIFORMES: Cinclidae
305 White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
PASSERIFORMES: Polioptilidae
306 Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
extension only
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
307 Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides
308 Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater
309 Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
310 Black Solitaire Entomodestes coracinus
311 Yellow-legged Thrush Turdus flavipes
312 Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
313 Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis
314 Black-hooded Thrush Turdus olivater
315 Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
316 Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus
PASSERIFORMES: Mimidae
317 Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
PASSERIFORMES: Parulidae
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318 Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis
319 Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
320 Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina
321 American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
322 Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea Vulnerable
323 Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi
324 Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea
325 Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca
326 Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia
327 Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata
328 Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
329 Santa Marta Warbler Myiothlypis basilica Endemic Vulnerable
330 White-lored Warbler Myiothlypis conspicillata
Endemic Near-threatened
331 Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis
332 Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
333 Yellow-crowned Redstart Myioborus flavivertex Endemic
334 Golden-fronted Redstart Myioborus ornatus
335 Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
336 Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
PASSERIFORMES: Thraupidae
337 Black-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus atropileus
338 Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris
339 Oleaginous Hemispingus Hemispingus frontalis
340 Black-eared Hemispingus Hemispingus melanotis
341 Gray-hooded Bush Tanager Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
342 Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
343 White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
344 Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
345 Flame-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus flammigerus
346 Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
347 Glaucous Tanager Thraupis glaucocolpa
extension only
348 Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
349 Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
350 Black-and-gold Tanager Bangsia melanochlamys Endemic Vulnerable
351 Gold-ringed Tanager Bangsia aureocincta
Endemic Endangered
352 Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana
353 Black-cheeked (Santa Marta)Mountain-Tanager
Anisognathus melanogenys Endemic
354 Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus lacrymosus
355 Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris
356 Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus
356 Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii
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358 Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus notabilis
359 Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata
360 Purplish-mantled Tanager Iridosornis porphyrocephalus
Near-threatened
361 Golden-crowned Tanager Iridosornis rufivertex
362 Glistening-green Tanager Chlorochrysa phoenicotis
363 Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
364 Scrub Tanager Tangara vitriolina
365 Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
366 Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
367 Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii
368 Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis
369 Metallic-green Tanager Tangara labradorides
370 Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
371 Saffron-crowned Tanager Tangara xanthocephala
372 Golden Tanager Tangara arthus
373 Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
374 Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
375 Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
376 Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
377 Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor
378 Capped Conebill Conirostrum albifrons
379 Rusty Flowerpiercer Diglossa sittoides
380 Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis
381 Bluish Flowerpiercer Diglossa caerulescens
382 Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossa cyanea
383 White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera
384 Plushcap Catamblyrhynchus diadema
385 Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
386 Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus
387 Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
388 Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis
389 Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
390 Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus
391 Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor
392 Orinocan Saltator Saltator orenocensis
extension only
393 Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor
394 Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
395 Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
396 Black-and-white Seedeater Sporophila luctuosa
397 Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
398 Pileated Finch Coryphospingus pileatus
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PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae
399 Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
400 Sierra Nevada Brushfinch Arremon basilicus Endemic
401 Tocuyo Sparrow Arremonops tocuyensis
extension only
402 Golden-winged Sparrow Arremon schlegeli
403 Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis
404 Chestnut-capped Brushfinch Arremon brunneinucha
405 Gray-browed Brushfinch Arremon assimilis
406 Santa Marta Brushfinch Atlapetes melanocephalus Endemic
407 Common Chlorospingus (Bush-tanager) Chlorospingus flavopectus
408 Dusky Chlorospingus (Bush-tanager) Chlorospingus semifuscus
409 Slaty Brushfinch Atlapetes schistaceus
PASSERIFORMES: Cardinalidae
410 Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
411 Golden Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
412 Vermilion Cardinal Cardinalis phoeniceus
extension only
PASSERIFORMES: Icteridae
413 Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons
414 Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
415 Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
416 Mountain Cacique Cacicus chrysonotus
417 Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus
418 Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater
419 Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
420 Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis
421 Red-bellied Grackle Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster
Endemic Vulnerable
422 Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
423 Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
424 Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
425 Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae
426 Andean Siskin Spinus spinescens
427 Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
428 Trinidad Euphonia Euphonia trinitatis
extension only
429 Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
430 Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala
431 Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
432 Hooded Siskin Spinus magellanicus
433 Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea
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Mammals
Red Howler Monkey Alouatta seniculus White-faced Capuchin Cebus capucinus
Gray-handed Night-monkey Aotus griseimembra
Kinkajou Potos flavus
Brazilian Guinea Pig Cavia aperea
fruit bat sp.
Colombian Dwarf Squirrel Microsciurus
santanderensis
Red-tailed Squirrel Sciurus granatensis
Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata
Crab-eating Fox Cerdocyon thous
Photo Gallery: All photos copyrighted by Geoff Carpentier (except for the antpitta below)
View from the mountain above Tangaras
Santa Marta Antpitta
(Geoff Stimpson)
Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report
Page 27
Blue-headed Parrot – Rufous-capped Piha Reserve (below left)
Unknown Grasshopper - Las Tangaras
(below)
Tarantula sp. (below)