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Colombia Trip Report 1000 Birds Mega Tour 22Nd November to 20Th December 2013 (28 Days)

Colombia Trip Report 1000 Birds Mega Tour 22Nd November to 20Th December 2013 (28 Days)

Colombia Trip Report 1000 Mega Tour 22nd November to 20th December 2013 (28 days)

White-capped by Adam Riley

Tour Leader(s): Forrest Rowland and Trevor Ellory

Top 10 Tour Highlights (as voted by participants): 1. Santa Marta Screech-Owl 2. Guianan Cock-of-the-rock 3. -crested 4. Azure-naped 5. White-tipped

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6. White-capped 7. Black-and-white Owl 8. Black 9. Crested Tanager 10. Bare-crowned Antbird

Tour Intro Colombia has become iconic among Neotropical enthusiasts…that is to say, anybody who has ever seen a Cock-of-the-rock, Manakin lek, or feeding station in the ! It is impossible to avoid falling in love with this diverse, impressive, stunning part of the world – and Colombia has the best of it. Guianan shield, , three Andean ranges, tropical valleys, coastlines, and the famed Santa Marta Mountains are only what is NOW recognized as accessible. As time passes, access increases, and Colombia (rather than becoming more mundane) just becomes more mysterious as new reveal themselves and new habitats become known, and we look to ever more remote parts of this complex nation. The mystery and wonder of Colombia, perhaps more than any other country, begged a challenge: is it possible for a commercial tour to record more than 1000 species of birds in less than a month? If so, Colombia was obviously the place to do it!

The following is a much abbreviated account of one of the most spectacular journeys this author has ever embarked upon, and cannot possibly do justice to the marvelous sights, sounds, smells, and tastes one encounters after spending a whole month in Birder’s Paradise – Colombia!

Tour Summary We all congregated in Colombia’s cosmopolitan capitol city Santa Fe de Bogota, on November 22nd, 2013. A few of the participants had entered Colombia early, for arranged pre-tour events ranging from a visit to Mundo Nuevo, cultural tours around the city, and, for one participant, a week-long excursion to the distant corners of Northwest Colombia in search of Urrao Antpitta, Baudo , Sooty-capped , and others. The first birding day of the tour, and the official kick-off, was at 4:30am, the following day. It was dark, it was early, and we were excited for our first of 27 days in the field!

As a group, we spent the following day visiting an assortment of habitats and elevations accessible from Bogota. One of the most amazing things about being based in Bogota is how much diversity you can access with relatively little travel time, despite the enormity of the metropolitan area. Habitats we visited included the elfin and paramo of PNN Chingaza, temperate forests around BioAndino, and the temperate wetland habitats and White-tipped Quetzal by Adam Riley agricultural setting around Huasca.

We had a decent array of highland birds, despite being a bright, sunny, day (the worst weather you could hope for at elevation!) and set a nice pace for this epic tour. Some of the more exciting bird encounters included amazing looks at several Bogota Rails, -breasted Parakeets perched at eye-level, Pale-bellied Tapaculo, several species of stunning tanagers including -bellied and Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers, rare Black-headed Hemispingus, even a nest (perhaps the first for science?) of the near-endemic -tailed Thornbill!

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Due to a major logistical hiccup (our confirmed airline reservations were mysteriously lost by Satena Air), we were forced to leave extremely early from Bogota, headed to Villavicencio, for a new chartered flight to reach our most-anticipated destination – Mitu. After arriving at the hangar, and finally deciphering that we were looking at another indeterminate delay getting off the ground, we decided to make the best of it nevertheless. We went birding! I’ve never birded around Villavicencio, but co-leader Trevor Ellory has. We spent brief time in two locations, both of which yielded some amazing birds. was, by far, the biggest surprise. And the individual in question was incredibly obliging! This was the first major range extension we produced during our tour, but not the last by a mile. Other good birds during our delay at Villavicencio included Blackish Antbird (another huge range extension), White- chinned , Spot-winged and White- browed , a dapper male -fronted Lancebill, and a singing male Purple-throated (very local in Colombia…not known Napo Sabrewing by Jonathan Rossouw from the area). Finally, at around 2PM, we departed for Mitu in a pristinely-kept DC-3. Flying at low altitude in a DC-3 still decorated in original D-Day decals over the llanos and Amazon of Colombia was, we all agreed, one of the best experiences of the trip!

Mitu was, in a nutshell, fabulous. It is impossible to put into the words the allure of a place so little- known, the thrill the potential for new discovery conveys, and the actuality of seeing rare and splendid birds at every turn! Mitu was that place for us. We spent time at 4 conventional sites, and one new site. Our hope-for-misses were and White-bellied Dacnis. Heard-only targets were Grey-legged , Black Manakin, White-naped Seedeater (which, admittedly hurt a little) and Brown-banded Puffbird. Of the other 314 species we encountered in 3.5 days, the list of incredible birds we found is far too long to list! First, the surprises: Dark- breasted Spinetail, Short-billed Leaftosser, Western Striped Manakin, and Coraya and Musician were all relative surprises, as they had not been recorded in this area, definitively, before. The highest quality birds we encountered were: Gray-bellied Hawk (my second only!), 4 species of macaw, Orange- cheeked , Black-bellied Thorntail, - tailed Goldenthroat, all 4 (Yellow- billed, Bronzy, Paradise, Great), - tufted Toucanet (surprisingly ornate), Guianan Cock-of-the-rock by Jonathan Rossouw , Yellow-throated and Scaly-breasted , Ruddy Spinetail, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, 5 species of Foliage-Gleaner, both -tailed and Slender-billed Xenops, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Pompadour Cotinga, Blackish-gray Antshrike, Stipple-throated, Rufous-tailed, Cherrie’s, Yellow-throated, and Spot- backed Antwrens, Gray-bellied, White-plumed, and Chestnut-crested (AMAZING!) Antbirds,

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Amazonian Tyrannulet, Double-banded Pygmy-Tyrant, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Yellow-crested Manakin, Brown-headed Greenlet, Azure-naped Jay, Shrike-Tanager, and Short-billed Honeycreeper. The list doesn’t really do it justice, as birding was consistently interesting, with only a few dull moments at all. The landscape, habitats, and people were all fascinating! We were all reluctant to leave…but we had another 650 species to find!

The following morning, before our flights heading northwest into the Magdalena drainage, we hit the environs of Parque La Florida. Renovation efforts have made this part much nicer, and safer, to visit, though some of the best birds we had were at a site nearby. An incredible responsive pair of Apolinar’s Wrens, Subtropical Doradito, gorgeous Rufous-browed Conebills, no less than 3 Noble Snipe out in full view (!!!), and lengthy views of a foraging Silvery-throated Spinetail, among other great birds. We then embarked for Bucarramanga…

Two full days at the Cerulean Warbler Preserve (owned and operated by ProAves) were almost enough to do it justice. We had some rainy moments, but managed most of our target birds nonetheless. A morning around the gardens and in the plantations below the preserve yielded incredible, eye- level, close views of the stunning namesake of the Preserve Indigo-capped Hummingbird by itself. Indigo-capped and Chestnut-bellied , Adam Riley Bar-crested Antshrike, Turquoise and Yellow-tufted Dacnises, several species of tanagers, White-eared Conebill, Black-headed Brush-, Slate- headed Tody-Flycatcher, and the endemic Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo were all highlights from the lower elevations. The best two birds, certainly, of the plantations were the inconspicuous Sooty Grassquit (seldom seen on a tour anywhere!) and an excited pair of Niceforo’s Wrens.

After an uphill slog through cow pastures in early morning light, we made it to the forests of the Lengerke Trail, and the heart of birding in the area. Black Incas, Gorgeted Wood-, and Golden-winged Manakins were around the recently-abandoned feeding station, but the best birds frequented the mixed flocks of the , with a few skulking exceptions like Parker’s Antbird, and the Upper Magdalena Tapaculo, which we eventually had nice looks at! The lovely endemic White-mantled Barbet, Brown-billed Scythebill, Uniform Antshrike, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Wing-barred Piprites, Plumbeous-crowned and Rufous-browed Tyrannulets, Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, Whiskered , Black-capped, Speckled, Metallic-green, and Saffron-crowned Tanagers, and the rare Colombian Mountain Grackle all appeared for us. After night fell, we attempted a Parker’s Antbird by Adam Riley calling Cinnamon Screech-Owl, and enjoyed the prehistoric, indescribable, calls of Wattled Guans on the return hike to the lodge.

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The drive, and subsequent boat ride, to El Paujil (also owned by ProAves) is a long one. The roads are iffy, at best, and there are often complications. Luckily, for us, it was uneventful! We even managed to pick up many nice species en route, including Jet Antbird, Northern Screamer, Long- winged Harrier (range extension), Tree Swallow (very rare in Colombia), and an impressive host of waders and waterfowl. The spectacular, local race of Boat-billed Herons, which appear to be nearly entirely white, showed for us on the boat ride in, as well as several nice Spectacled Caiman.

The mythical Blue-knobbed Curassow, despite “reports” of being “reliable” at a “feeder”, showed for us as it does for most groups that visit El Paujil – meaning that it didn’t show at all. Alas! We heard a foraging flock, and wheezing male from roost post, but won no looks. Despite the miss, Paujil harbours an incredible array of tropical species, many of which we wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. Two special birds that put on a great show for us were the inconspicuous Black-billed Flycatcher, and the scarce but noisy endemic Sooty Ant Tanager. We had great views of each! A bit of trail walking, and a nearly full morning on the upper dirt road produced the following exciting species: Marbled Wood- Quail (two coveys), Black Hawk-Eagle, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, -lored Amazon, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Stripe-throated Hermit, endemic Shining-green Hummingbird, Black-tailed, White-tailed, and Gartered , Rufous , Cinnamon , Black- striped , Black Antshrike, Black-faced Sooty Ant Tanager by Adam Riley (Magdalena) Antthrush, Southern Bentbill, Flycatcher, Russet-winged Schiffornis, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, and Yellow-backed Tanager. Two highlights here were encountering, both endemic diurnal monkeys: Brown Monkey and White-faced Capuchin.

From Paujil we headed further South and West into the wet foothills of the Central Andes where, despite seeming very similar to El Paujil (which is in the lowest most tropical part of the Magdalena Valley), there seems to be a remnant area of tropical , home to a few endemics and several species of both Panamanian and Choco habitats. This area is centered around the Canon Rio Claro recreation site. Inviting to eco-tourists and birders alike, the area boasts forest hiking trails, gorgeous waterfalls, zip- lining, and the like. We were happy to be there on a weekday, needless to say…

Our first birding in the area focused on the famous Oilbird cave, which is fascinating to be in and involves a lovely short walk up an idyllic stream. Gray Seedeater and White- -ringed Tanager by Adam Riley whiskered were bonus birds on the excursion. We devoted the better part of a day to birding Canon Rio Claro proper. It was as productive as ever! Not only did the endemics Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant and Magdalena Antbird show, but we had some incredible flock

Trip Report - RBT Colombia Mega 2013 6 activity. Tanagers included Dusky-faced, Tawny-crested, Grey-headed, and Scarlet-browed!!! Broad-billed Motmot, Pacific Antwren, Olivaceous Flatbill, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Western Striped and Red-headed Manakins, and both Cinnamon and One-colored Becards were all seen spectacularly well. Perhaps the highlights of our entire time in this area came during the brief (90 minutes) period we had to bird a nearby quarry reserve. In less than two hours we managed point- blank views of Beautiful Woodpecker (!!!), Gray-cheeked Nunlet (my second only!), - throated Foliage-Gleaner, Red-billed Scythebill, Bare-crowned Antbird (nearly at our feet), and even better views of Sooty Ant-Tanager. We ended our time on a truly fantastic note.

The next destination on the itinerary was the famed Arrierito Antioqueno (Chestnut-capped Piha) preserve owned and operated by ProAves. The nearest town to the site is Anori, which is usually what we refer to the preserve as. One hates to leave the site without the namesake bird. We didn’t have to this time. After some searching, we had a Chestnut-capped Piha show! We mostly birded the compliment of trails within the preserve. There are several amazing species to be seen here, and we saw nearly all, with a few bonus birds thrown in. Best sightings included 6 Chestnut Wood-Quail in full view, White-tailed Nightjar, at no more than 4m distance, right on top of us, White- crowned and Stiles’s Tapaculos (heard), Rufous-browed Tyrannulets (giving ridiculously good looks), Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Golden-winged Manakin, a pair of Sooty-headed Wrens duetting in full view, an extremely vocal flock of 10 Red-bellied Grackles that followed us all morning, and our Chestnut-capped Piha by Adam first (but not last) looks at brightly patterned Multicolored Riley Tanagers and neon Indigo Flowerpiercers. Many mixed flocks were encountered, with the full array of Furnariids, tanagers, flycatchers, and the like. It was a wonderful day!

Nothing in Antioquia is what one would consider “close” to the next thing. And our drive to Las Tangaras was far, but went smoothly, though it allowed for very little time to bird en route. We spent only a few minutes on the morning of our departure in the forest, and managed to pull out a gorgeous male Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, which stayed put for great views less than 5m away.

Las Tangaras was fabulous, as always. Given the range of elevations one can reach from the site, the bird list for the area is predictably long. In our two days there, I reckon we logged well over 200 species. Amazing! We spent one full day, and the following afternoon, birding the preserve trail and the road to it. One morning was dedicated to birding the high elevation pass between Carmen del Atrato and the city of Urrao, known as La “M”. Again, despite some weather issues (raining when we didn’t want it to, sunny when we would’ve preferred rain) we managed to locate nearly all of our desired birds, with a healthy dose of Barbet by Jonathan Rossouw

Trip Report - RBT Colombia Mega 2013 7 surprises thrown in.

We began by heading straight to the Preserve Trail. We were out of the car less than 5 seconds before I spotted a mixed flock of Yellow-collared and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias not 20 feet from the vehicles! Nice start, and the action continued. Orange-breasted Fruiteater and Toucan Barbet were located in the same tree, shortly thereafter, and a male Golden-collared Honeycreeper put in a lengthy appearance for us, as well. After we bagged our first of a dozen Black-and-gold Tanagers we would encounter, accompanied by eye-level Glistening-green and Rufous-throated Tanagers, we headed onto the trail at last. In a parasitic fruiting plant next to the trail we had great views of Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager and Choco Brush-, while the flowers of the same plant attracted Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, Violet- tailed Sylph, and Velvet-purple Coronets. This was how our entire time at Las Tangaras was to go. The lengthy list of species found includes such sought-after birds as Pygmy-Owl (good scope views), Gold-ringed Tanager (great looks!), Choco Vireo (a whopping 6 sightings!), Finch, Uniform Treehunter (eye-level, 3m distance), -breasted and Yellow-breasted Purplish-mantled Tanager by Adam Antpittas, full-on views of both Narino and the recently Riley described Alto Pisones Tapaculos, Black Solitaire, Beautiful Jay, Crested Ant-Tanager, Rufous-crested Tanager, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner…we saw everything one could possibly hope for at the site, with the exception of Bicolored Antvireo. It was insane! The feeders attracted Greenish Puffleg, White-tailed Hillstar, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Purple-throated Woodstars, and more…. It was certainly one of the best days at the preserve I have ever had. Sooty-headed Wrens on territory and a loose group of Golden-bellied (choco) Warblers were our surprises for this area, though our time at La “M” was impressive, as well. In one morning at higher elevations, we found a flock of 16 Yellow-eared (!!!), White-rumped Hawk, Flammulated Treehunter (in the open at roadside…crazy!), Andean Pygmy-Owl, a few endemic Munchique Wood-Wrens, many Purplish-mantled Tanagers, White-browed and Rufous Spinetails, Barred Fruiteater, Plushcap, as well as having my personal best encounter with a typically skulking species – Tanager Finch. This pair of Tanager Finches was just incredible! They came out just below eye-level, right at the side of the road, after we heard them mousing around in the understory. The male sat up and sang for us. It couldn’t have been better, unless a Chestnut-crested Cotinga had appeared, which wasn’t out of the Tanager Finch by Tim Boucher question but is never to be expected.

A very early departure from Las Tangaras gave us opportunity to arrive early at our site for the Cauca specialties, including the newly (2013) described Antioquia Wren…which just happened to

Trip Report - RBT Colombia Mega 2013 8 be the first bird we heard while stepping out of the bus. I had them whistled in within 2 minutes, for great views! proved little more difficult, and just a short uphill walk before we were on to two calling Apical Flycatchers. If only every day was so easy! Yellow-green Vireo and Black-striped Sparrow were among the other birds of note here.

Most of the remainder of the day was spent getting to our accommodations at Rio Blanco. Once settled in, we did a little birding down the road and found Strong-billed Woodcreeper, a wonderfully confiding pair of Andean , and both Wedge- billed Hummingbird and Bronzy Inca at the lower feeders. Before calling it a night, we tried a known spot for Lyre-tailed Nightjar. We had one come in within a few minutes of dark! The local guide at Rio Blanco then told me to play Swallow-tailed Nightjar, claiming that both turn up. Sure enough, a female came in, landing nearly at our feet. Incredible stuff!

Rio Blanco is hard to beat. Clear mountain air, quaint accommodations, short, easy trails, and killer birding. Despite the fact that it had been raining for nearly 2 weeks, solid, before we turned up, the weather played well for us. And so did the birds: no fewer than 25 Rusty-faced Parrots were eating acorns off the tree in the front yard, and a Masked Saltator sat up in view, and sang, to start the day off right. Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned, Bicolored, and Slate-colored Antpittas all came in to worms, as by Forrest did an Ocellated Tapaculo (which waited in the surrounding Rowland bamboo, giving views, for us to leave before sneaking in) and three very confused Green-and-black Fruiteaters. Spillman’s and Blackish Tapaculos, Andean Guan, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Dusky Piha, Powerful Woodpecker, and a flock of 8 Golden-plumed Parakeets all put in grand appearances away from mixed flocks, though the mixed flocks were in full swing, indeed. Black- billed Mountain-Toucan, Black-collared Jay, Grass-green and Red-hooded Tanagers, Buff- breasted and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Blue-backed and Capped Conebills, Black-eared, Black- capped, and Oleaginous Hemispinguses, Plushcap, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, and many more gave great views as we leisurely watched the parades of birds flow past. To end our time at Rio Blanco, we went owling. Though we dipped on Rufous-banded, one manically brave White-throated Screech-Owl flew in and landed less than 7 feet over our heads! Band- winged Nightjar turned up on the lawn, eventually, as well.

The highest elevations we birded were at PNN Los Nevados, though there was some overlap with the birding on the first day of our tour, at Chingaza, near Bogota. The weather was Bearded Helmetcrest by Adam Riley uncooperative, and we found ourselves battling blinding fog and a bit of sleety mist. Nevertheless, Tawny Antpitta, White-chinned Thistletail, Many-striped Canastero, and…the prize of paramo birding in Colombia…Bearded Helmetcrest (now split into FOUR species!) all cooperated brilliantly. The Helmetcrest is truly a lovely,

Trip Report - RBT Colombia Mega 2013 9 endearing bird. We called a Paramo Tapaculo out into full view, while both Brown-backed Chat- Tyrants and Stout-billed Cinclodes were near. The elfin forests and cliffs did not produce the difficult, enigmatic, Rufous-browed Parakeet, unfortunately; however, we did have Crowned Chat- Tyrant and some great flock encounters, aside the lovely hummingbird show. Black-thighed Puffleg teed up for us twice! Golden-breasted Puffleg, Shining Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, and the metaltails were around us almost constantly, though we did have to call in Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. One individual flew in immediately to our playback, and perched at eye-level within 5m. It was a great morning, despite conditions.

Our last “mainland” (I always think of the Santa Marta and Guajira being a country of their own) birding was at Otun- Quimbaya, home to the Cauca Guan. We had 4 on the drive in to the site, some 5kms before we even hit the Sanctuary! A lovely pair of Torrent Ducks were also a fine treat on the drive to the Sanctuary as we had little time that afternoon, due to rain, for birding. We did have nearly one full morning (3.5 hours) to bird the road through the preserve, before our internal flight from Pereira to Barranquilla. It was action packed! Below the lodge we had our first looks at some nice male Red-ruffed Fruitcrows (as well as more Cauca Guans), when a Green-fronted Lancebill popped in unexpectedly. Driving well above the lodge, and working down, we at last caught up with one of the most prized Andean species of all – White-capped Tanager. After some running around, a group of 6 descended right on top of us. We, literally, had White-capped Tanagers within reach from us! This magical experience was possibly the highlight of the tour, outside Mitu, for most participants and myself. Time allowed us to bird Gauca Guan by Adam Riley just one mixed flock we heard, which gave us improved and repeat views of Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant Tanager, and several other species, before pressing on to the airport.

The Santa Marta region of Colombia is one of the most recognized areas for endemism in the Western Hemisphere, and has been labelled a Natural Heritage Site, as well one of the largest, continuous-area IBAs. The Santa Marta range is old and its highest peak juts some 5700m above sea level. Santa Marta, on the coast, is but a mere 29.6 miles away. In a very real sense, the Santa Marta range is an island of evolution that has fascinated biologists for decades. Birders continue to describe new , while scientists continue to label known subspecies as species unto themselves. Our time in the Santa Marta area allowed for little time birding the more widespread habitats of coastal mangrove and scrub, though we did bird these habitats heavily en route to Minca, from Barranquilla.

Starting out just West of Barranquilla, we hit a known roost area for Chestnut-winged Chachalacas, which produced Crested Red-ruffed Fruitcrow by Adam Riley Bobwhite as a bonus! We then skirted the

Trip Report - RBT Colombia Mega 2013 10 congested metropolis of Barranquilla and went directly to the PNN Islamanca boardwalk area. We nailed all of our targets birds, including the difficult Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird. , Venezuelan Flycatcher, Black-crested Antshrike, and the endemic xanthochloros subspecies of Golden-green Woodpecker all played along nicely. We then backtracked to a little- known street heading off into some marshy scrub. Russet-throated Puffbird, Stripe-backed Wren, Caribbean Hornero, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, and Bronzy-brown Cowbird were all found here, as well as some commoner wetland species, including our only Glossy Ibis and Fulvous Whistling Ducks of the tour. Heading back down the road we found a Sapphire-throated Hummingbird at a roadside stop, and several species of shorebirds, waders, and waterfowl along the strip of land dividing Cienaga Grande from the Caribbean. After one of the best lunches of the tour, we headed up to Minca, birding en route for Black-backed Antshrike, Rufous- breasted Wren, Blue-black Grosbeak, Northern White-fringed Antwren, and Chestnut-winged Chachalaca by Adam Riley others, which all showed well.

Birding from Minca the entire way to the end of the road, above El Dorado, is good…pretty much the whole way. But one has to focus on a few select spots. We chose wisely on the drive up to ProAves’ El Dorado preserve. Though Rosy -Tanager gave looks to only a few of our party, Scaled Piculet, Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-winged Sparrow, Black-headed Tanager, Golden-fronted Greenlet, Black-hooded Thrush, Black-and-white Owl, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Santa Marta Antbird, and Santa Marta Foliage-Gleaner, among others, all gave stunning looks on the way up! Near the lodge, White-lored Warbler, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Black-fronted Wood-Quail, Sierra Nevada and Santa Marta Brush-Finch, White-tailed Starfrontlet, Sickle- winged Guan, Band-tailed Guan, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Grey-throated Leaftosser, Slaty- backed Nightingale-Thrush, and Santa Marta Toucanet all showed well at the various feeding stations, or on the trails leading into the forest nearby. We only had one morning for the high elevation birds, which are proving much more difficult, every year, to encounter, due to the intense playback pressure focused on the site. Being the only accessible high-elevation habitat in the range, all visiting birders are forced to bird the same spots, essentially. It showed, as we missed Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant entirely, and managed, after some difficulty, decent though brief views of both Santa Marta and Santa Marta Rufous Antpittas. Two skulkers that did show amazingly for us, up high, were Brown-rumped Tapaculo and Santa Marta Warbler, the latter of which is now often missed by visiting groups. All of the other high-elevation species, including Santa Marta Parakeet, were seen wonderfully! Mixed flocks yielded everything from the local Montane Woodcreeper subspecies sure to be split, to two responsive White-tipped Santa Marta Toucanet by Adam Riley

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Quetzals. Though quiet much of the day, we did very well. So well, in fact, we decided to return to the lodge for some birding, which included seeing the #1 bird of the tour, as voted by participants – Santa Marta Screech-Owl. It was on a day roost!!! We had an incredible run at the Santa Marta endemics, but that wasn’t over just yet…

We struck out early from the lodge in to bird the way down the mountain and have some spare time in the wetter scrub before heading out onto the Guajira Peninsula. Our first stop was for Santa Marta Woodstar which, conveniently, sits atop a high tree singing and displaying for females! We also stopped at a known Blossomcrown lek, where we had stunning views of that tricky hummer, as well. After some work, we all managed close, full views of Rusty-breasted Antpitta, and by following the activity in a mixed flock lower down, we found the recently split Coopman’s Tyrannulet. Two Yellow- billed (Groove-billed) Toucanets were sitting quietly, eating palm fruits roadside for us, and, finally, after three stops in preferred scrub for the hard-to-locate Coppery Emerald, we found some host plants this near-endemic feeds from, and had both a male and female appear for us! That was just the morning…. A stop at one of Trevor’s “secret” spots provided only the second recent record of Gray-capped Cuckoo for Colombia, as well as unparalleled views of Lance-tailed Manakin, White-bellied Antbird, and Trinidad Euphonia. We ended the day with a Colombia bird for both Trevor and I White-tailed Starfrontlet by Adam – Blue-crowned Parakeet! Riley The final morning of the tour was spent on the Guajira Peninsula. Though it holds no endemics in terms of political borders, conditions in mean that, for all intents and purposes, Riohacha and the Colombian side of the Guajira is the place to be for the special birds of the Peninsula. This final morning was up to par with all of the wonderful days we had spent on this great tour. Thousands of Flamingos, numerous species of Gulls and Shorebirds, not to mention all the scrub specialists were out in force for us. Chestnut Piculet, White-whiskered Spinetail, Vermilion Cardinal, and Orinoco Saltator were among the showiest of the special birds, though Bare-eyed Pigeon, Slender-billed and Pale-tipped Tyrannulets, Northern Scrub Flycatcher, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Pileated Finch, and Ruby-topaz Hummingbird were all great birds. The “Best bird of the Day” award went to the Tocuyo Sparrow that came right in, diligently, to our Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl playback. This reclusive species sat up in full view for us! Birding this arid habitat along the pleasant Caribbean coast couldn’t have provided a more fitting end to the tour.

Upon returning to Bogota, we rested, cleaned up, and headed out for a fine, fancy, farewell meal. Champagne compliments of yours truly, who couldn’t have asked for a more perfect group of individuals for this long, intense tour that, though trying on our nerves at times, was among the best I’ve ever had the privilege of guiding! Cheers again, to you group, for joining us for the world’s only 1000 bird species tour!!

Trip List Total Bird Species Recorded: 1015 (Including 61 Endemics & 40 Near-endemics)

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TINAMOUS 6 – heard White-throated Tinamou – heard Tawny-breasted Tinamou - heard - heard Grey-legged Tinamou - heard - heard

CHACHALACAS, CURRASSOWS & GUANS 10 Chestnut-winged Chachalaca (E) – several seen near roost site west of Barranquilla Rufous-vented Chachalaca – heard Speckled Chachalaca Colombian Chachalaca (E) – seen on various days Band-tailed Guan (NE) – a few coming to feed and roost near El Dorado Andean Guan Cauca Guan (E, En) – numerous at Otun-Quimbaya Wattled Guan - heard Sickle-winged Guan Blue-billed Curassow (E,Cr) – 3-4 heard making a variety of calls and squeaks very nearby

NEW WORLD 5 Crested Bobwhite – flushed near Barranquilla and heard in the area Marbled Wood Quail Black-fronted Wood Quail (NE, Vu) – 11 individuals coming in to feed at El Dorado Chestnut Wood Quail – a covey of 6 coming to feeder at Arrierito Gorgeted Wood Quail – brief views only at Reinita Azul

SCREAMERS 1 Northern Screamer (NE) – several seen on the main highway between Honda and Puerto Berrio

DUCKS & GEESE 8 Fulvous Whistling Duck Black-bellied Whistling Duck Torrent Duck – an obliging pair seen on a rock, roadside, near Otun-Quimbaya Blue-winged Teal White-cheeked Pintail Andean Teal Merida Speckled Teal Andean (Ruddy) Duck – seen at Huasca, Parque Florida, and Laguna Sonsa

GREBES 2 Least Grebe Pied-billed Grebe

FLAMINGOS 1 American Flamingo – thousands at Los Camarones

STORKS 1 Wood Stork

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IBISES & SPOONBILLS 4 Green Ibis Bare-faced Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill

BITTERNS & HERONS 15 Rufescent Tiger-Heron Boat-billed Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Green Heron Striated Heron Western Cattle Egret Great Blue Heron Cocoi Heron Great Egret Capped Heron Reddish Egret Tricoloured Heron Little Blue Heron Snowy Egret

FRIGATEBIRDS 1 Magnificent Frigatebird

PELICANS 1 Brown Pelican

CORMORANTS 1 Neotropic Cormorant

ANHINGAS, DARTERS 1 Anhinga

NEW WORLD VULTURES 5 Vulture Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Black Vulture King Vulture – several nice views!

OSPREYS 1 Western Osprey

KITES, HAWKS & EAGLES 25 White-tailed Kite Pearl Kite

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Grey-headed Kite – two of these scarce deep forest birds seen on the tour! Swallow-tailed Kite Black Hawk-Eagle – soaring low overhead at Paujil Grey-bellied Hawk – a stunning surprise, perched on high voltage power lines near Mitu!!! Long-winged Harrier – seen near Paujil regularly, though not shown in field guides Double-toothed Kite Plumbeous Kite Black-collared Hawk – a pair seen at PNN Isla Salamanca Snail Kite Crane Hawk Common Black-Hawk Savanna Hawk Great Black Hawk Harris's Hawk Roadside Hawk White-rumped Hawk – one calling, perched, for scope views White-tailed Hawk Variable Hawk Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Broad-winged Hawk Short-tailed Hawk Zone-tailed Hawk

CARACARAS, FALCONS 13 Black Caracara Red-throated Caracara Northern Crested Caracara Yellow-headed Caracara Laughing Falcon Barred Forest Falcon – heard Lined Forest Falcon – brief views of a responsive bird in the white sand forests of Mitu Collared Forest Falcon American Kestrel Aplomado Falcon Merlin Falcon Peregrine Falcon

RAILS, CRAKES & COOTS 9 Russet-crowned Crake - heard White-throated Crake – heard Bogota Rail (E, En) – several nice views at Huasca! Gray-necked Wood Rail - heard Sora – two seen at Huasca Blackish Rail – heard Purple Gallinule Common Gallinule Spot-flanked Gallinule – seen very well at Huasca and Parque Florida American Coot - the local, disjunct colombiana subspecies

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LIMPKIN 1 Limpkin

THICK-KNEES 1 Double-striped Thick Knee - great views of two adults with young at Los Flamencos

OYSTERCATCHERS 1 American Oystercatcher

STILTS, AVOCETS 1 Black-necked Stilt

PLOVERS 5 Southern Lapwing Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Wilson’s Plover Collared Plover

JACANAS 1 Wattled Jacana

SANDPIPERS, SNIPES 15 Wilson's Snipe Noble Snipe – two at less than 15m distance at Parque Florida Short-billed Dowitcher Whimbrel Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Willet Spotted Sandpiper Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper – two seen amongst many shorebirds near Barranquilla

GULLS & TERNS 11 Laughing Gull American Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Cabot's (Sandwich) Tern Yellow-billed Tern Common Tern

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Large-billed Tern Black Skimmer

PIGEONS & DOVES 17 Rock Dove Scaled Pigeon Bare-eyed Pigeon (NE) Band-tailed Pigeon Pale-vented Pigeon Plumbeous Pigeon Ruddy Pigeon Eared Dove Scaled Dove Common Ground Dove Ruddy Ground Dove Blue Ground Dove White-tipped Dove Grey-fronted Dove Lined Quail-dove – heard White-throated Quail-Dove – brief views Ruddy Quail-dove – heard

PARROTS 33 Blue-and-yellow Macaw Scarlet Macaw – seen daily at Mitu! Red-and-Green Macaw – two pairs near Mitu Chestnut-fronted Macaw Red-bellied Macaw Yellow-eared Parrot (E, En) – one flock of 16 at La “M”, unexpected! Blue-crowned Parakeet – local in Colombia Scarlet-fronted Parakeet Brown-throated Parakeet Golden-plumed Parakeet (En) – We watched a group of 14 foraging, cavorting, and making a general ruckus for several minutes! Santa Marta Parakeet (E, En) – A flock of 30 nearby gave incredible views!!! -tailed Parakeet Brown-breasted Parakeet (E, En) – numerous individuals observed, at length, as they foraged in nearby trees. Better views could not be had! Green-rumped Parrotlet Spectacled Parrotlet Orange-chinned Parakeet Cobalt-winged Parakeet Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet – heard Blue-fronted Parrotlet – heard Black-headed Parrot Orange-cheeked Parrot – great views near Mitu! Rusty-faced Parrot (NE, Vu) – up to 25 feeding in an Oak in front of the lodge at Rio Blanco! Blue-headed Parrot Red-billed Parrot White-capped Parrot

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Bronze-winged Parrot Red-lored Amazon – a few seen at Paujil Festive Amazon – heard only, as seen in the poorest of light possible Yellow-crowned Amazon Orange-winged Amazon Scaly-naped Amazon Mealy Amazon Red-fan Parrot – nice flight views near Mitu

CUCKOOS 6 Greater Ani Smooth-billed Ani Groove-billed Ani Striped Cuckoo Squirrel Cuckoo Gray-capped Cuckoo – a great find, alas it was heard only…exceedingly rare in Colombia!

OWLS 10 Tropical Screech Owl – heard in three locations, but due to obstinence, non-responsive Santa Marta Screech Owl (E, Cr) – a gorgeous, obliging, individual perched on a day roost!!! Cinnamon Screech-Owl - heard White-throated Screech Owl – landed right above our heads! Rufous-banded Owl – heard Mottled Owl - heard Black-and-White Owl – seen on a day roost in the Santa Marta range Andean Pygmy Owl – great scope views! Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl – put on a chase, but we managed fine scope views at last Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

OILBIRD 1 Oilbird – dozens inhabiting the Oilbird Cave near Rio Claro

NIGHTJARS 9 Lesser Nighthawk Short-tailed Nighthawk Rufous-bellied Nighthawk Blackish Nightjar – several on the road at Mitu Common Pauraque Band-winged Nightjar Swallow-tailed Nightjar – one at Rio Blanco Lyre-tailed Nightjar – two at Rio Blanco White-tailed Nightjar – one near Arrierito

SWIFTS 8 Chestnut-collared Swift White-collared Swift Band-rumped Swift Grey-rumped Swift Chimney Swift – two seen at Mitu Short-tailed Swift

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Neotropical Palm Swift Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

HUMMINGBIRDS 82 Rufous-breasted Hermit Green Hermit Long-billed Hermit Great-billed Hermit Tawny-bellied Hermit Straight-billed Hermit Pale-bellied Hermit Reddish Hermit Stripe-throated Hermit Blue-fronted Lancebill – seen at Villavicencio Green-fronted Lancebill Grey-breasted Sabrewing – seen around Mitu Napo Sabrewing – one male photographed at Villavicencio, a huge range extension! White-necked Jacobin Brown Violetear Green Violetear Sparkling Violetear Black-throated Mango Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird – seen on the Guajira Blue-chinned Sapphire Black-bellied Thorntail – seen at Mitu! Blue-tailed Emerald Western Emerald Red-billed Emerald – a few seen at various locations Coppery Emerald (NE) – two seen very well above Minca!!! Short-tailed Emerald Violet-crowned Woodnymph Green-crowned Woodnymph Fork-tailed Woodnymph Violet-bellied Hummingbird Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (NE) – seen near Isla Salamanca Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird (E,Cr) – one beautiful male seen close at PNN Isla Salamanca Shining Green Hummingbird (E) – one seen at Paujil Green-tailed Goldenthroat – great views at Mitu Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird (E, En) – one coming to bushes and feeders at Reinita Azul Versicolored Emerald Andean Emerald Indigo-capped Hummingbird (E) Blue-chested Hummingbird Steely-vented Hummingbird Blossomcrown (E, En) – a few seen in the Santa Marta range! White-vented Plumeleteer Speckled Hummingbird -breasted Brilliant Green-crowned Brilliant

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Empress Brilliant - a few of this stunning Choco endemic seen White-tailed Hillstar – one seen at feeders at Tangaras Buff-tailed Coronet Velvet-purple Coronet – several of this striking hummer seen Shining Sunbeam Mountain Velvetbreast Bronzy Inca Brown Inca Black Inca (E, Vu) – we had great views of this unique endemic at Reinita Azul Collared Inca White-tailed Starfrontlet (E) Buff-winged Starfrontlet Great Sapphirewing Tourmaline Sunangel Amethyst-throated Sunangel – one “Langemaure’s” subspecies seen at Chingaza Glowing Puffleg – a few seen at various places Golden-breasted Puffleg – great looks at PNN Los Nevados Black-thighed Puffleg (NE) – two gave great views at PNN Los Nevados! Greenish Puffleg Purple-bibbed Whitetip Booted Racket-tail – a few seen at various locations Purple-backed Thornbill – two seen at Rio Blanco Bearded Helmetcrest – we had several great encounters with 2 or 3 individuals at PNN Los Nevados! Tyrian Metaltail Viridian Metaltail Bronze-tailed Thornbill (NE) – stunning views of this rare bird, attending a nest, no less!!! Rainbow-bearded Thornbill – one flew in and perched, eye-level, <10m away…awesome Long-tailed Sylph Violet-tailed Sylph Wedge-billed Hummingbird Purple-crowned Fairy – one seen at Rio Claro Black-eared Fairy – at Mitu! Long-billed Starthroat Purple-throated Woodstar White-bellied Woodstar Santa Marta Woodstar (E) – perched beautifully for us!

TROGONS 10 Golden-headed Quetzal – heard White-tipped Quetzal – a dramatic encounter with a pair Black-tailed White-tailed Trogon Green-backed Trogon Blue-crowned Trogon - heard

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KINGFISHERS 4 American Pygmy Kingfisher Green Kingfisher Amazon Kingfisher Ringed Kingfisher

MOTMOTS 5 Andean Motmot Rufous Motmot Broad-billed Motmot – amazing close views at Rio Claro

JACAMARS 6 Yellow-billed Jacamar – a lovely pair seen at Mitu White-chinned Jacamar – a pair at Villavicencio, quite a surprise! Rufous-tailed Jacamar Bronzy Jacamar – eye-popping views of this handsome bird at Mitu Paradise Jacamar – always a treat to see!!! Great Jacamar – up-close views of a male at Mitu

PUFFBIRDS 10 Brown-banded Puffbird – heard only… a shame that it didn’t respond! Pied Puffbird Russet-throated Puffbird White-whiskered Puffbird Moustached Puffbird (NE) – great views of this scarce bird at Arrierito Lanceolated Monklet – one incredibly responsive bird put on quite the show at Arrierito Grey-cheeked Nunlet – perched low, less than 10m away…a tough bird! White-fronted Nunbird Swallow-winged Puffbird

NEW WORLD BARBETS 4 White-mantled Barbet (E, Vu) – several good views Gilded Barbet Lemon-throated Barbet - heard Red-headed Barbet

TOUCAN BARBET 1 Toucan Barbet – clear, close views of this gorgeous bird

TOUCANS 15 Grey-throated Toucanet White-throated Toucanet Santa Marta Toucanet (E) – several seen in the higher elevations of the Santa Marta range Yellow-billed Toucanet (NE) – two seen very well! -rumped Toucanet Lettered Aracari

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Ivory-billed Aracari Many-banded Aracari Collared Aracari Tawny-tufted Toucanet (NE) – great binocular and scope looks at a pair of these beauties! Black-billed Mountain Toucan – seen in the distance at Rio Blanco -throated Toucan (NE) Keel-billed Toucan – two of these gorgeous birds seen point blank at Minca White-throated Toucan Black-mandibled Toucan

WOODPECKERS 27 Lafresnaye’s Piculet – one seen in Villavicencio Orinoco Piculet (NE) – several of these range-restricted birds seen well around Mitu! Scaled Piculet – point blank looks at a family group above Minca Greyish Piculet (E) – one seen very well en route to Tangaras from Arrierito Chestnut Piculet (NE) – we had crushing views of this wonderful bird on the Guajira Acorn Woodpecker Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Beautiful Woodpecker (E) – two of these ornate woodpeckers put on a show for us Red-crowned Woodpecker Smoky-brown Woodpecker – heard Yellow-vented Woodpecker Bar-bellied Woodpecker Little Woodpecker Red-rumped Woodpecker Red-stained Woodpecker Yellow-throated Woodpecker Golden-green Woodpecker – the xanthochloros subspecies at PNN Isla Salamanca Crimson-mantled Woodpecker - a real stunner! Golden-olive Woodpecker Spot-breasted Woodpecker Cinnamon Woodpecker – fabulous looks at Paujil Scaly-breasted Woodpecker – great views at Mitu! Chestnut Woodpecker Lineated Woodpecker Powerful Woodpecker – gorgeous male, very close! Crimson-crested Woodpecker

OVENBIRDS 70 Stout-billed Cinclodes Caribbean (Pale-legged) Hornero Andean Tit-spinetail White-chinned Thistletail Many-striped Canastero White-whiskered Spinetail (NE) – this fantastic species showed well on the Guajira Rufous Spinetail Rusty-headed Spinetail (E, Vu) – great views of this handsome bird in the Santa Marta range Silvery-throated Spinetail (E) – we coaxed out an individual at La Florida for killer views! Azara's Spinetail

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Pale-breasted Spinetail Dark-breasted Spinetail - heard Ruddy Spinetail – a pair in tangles at Mitu Slaty Spinetail – heard White-browed Spinetail Red-faced Spinetail Streak-capped Spinetail (E) – seen well at the upper elevations in the Santa Marta range Ash-browed Spinetail Speckled Spinetail – a pair feeding young in a mixed flock at Mitu! Yellow-chinned Spinetail Double-banded Greytail - heard Rusty-winged Barbtail Spotted Barbtail Star-chested Treerunner (NE) – a good number seen at Tangaras Pearled Treerunner Pacific (Buffy) Tuftedcheek – two seen in separate mixed flocks at Cerro Montezuma Streaked Tuftedcheek – a few seen at Rio Blanco Point-tailed Palmcreeper – great views at Mitu! Montane Foliage-gleaner Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Lineated Foliage-gleaner Chestnut-winged Hookbill Western Woodhaunter – one surprised us, with eye-level close views at Arrierito Rufous-tailed Foliage-Gleaner Chestnut-winged Foliage-Gleaner Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner – a few seen at Anori Uniform Treehunter – great views at Tangaras! Striped Treehunter – heard Streak-capped Treehunter – a nice pair at Otun-Quimbaya Flammulated Treehunter – the most confiding individual of this species, in the open, 5m away Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner – heard Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner (E) – eye-level views, in full song! Gray-throated Leaftosser – wonderful views of this skulker in the Santa Marta range Short-billed Leaftosser – one male gave quite a chase, a huge range extensions for the species!! Rufous-tailed Xenops – great views of a pair! Slender-billed Xenops – one observed, foraging, at length, in the white sand forests Plain Xenops Streaked Xenops Tyrannine Woodcreeper Plain-brown Woodcreeper Ruddy Woodcreeper - heard Olivaceous Woodcreeper – a few subspecies at various sites Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Strong-billed Woodcreeper Northern Barred Woodcreeper - heard Black-banded Woodcreeper Straight-billed Woodcreeper Striped Woodcreeper – responded well at Mitu! Ocellated Woodcreeper – in most mixed flocks at Mitu

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Elegant Woodcreeper Buff-throated Woodcreeper Cocoa Woodcreeper Black-striped Woodcreeper Spotted Woodcreeper Olive-backed Woodcreeper Streak-headed Woodcreeper Montane Woodcreeper – many, including several of the Santa Marta subspecies, a sure split Red-billed Scythebill – great views! Brown-billed Scythebill – brief views of a pair behaving oddly, perhaps near nest

ANTBIRDS 60 Fasciated Antshrike – heard Great Antshrike Black-crested Antshrike – seen at PNN Isla Salamanca and again on the Guajira Black-backed Antshrike (NE) – a pair came out for great, close, views below Minca Barred Antshrike Bar-crested Antshrike (E) Black Antshrike – amazing views at Paujil Blackish-grey Antshrike – splendid experience with a pair of this scarce species at Mitu Uniform Antshrike Plain-winged Antshrike Mouse-colored Antshrike Western Slaty Antshrike Amazonian Antshrike Recurve-billed Bushbird (NE, En) - heard Plain Antvireo – seen at both Mana Dulce and Laguna Tabacal Dusky-throated Antshrike Cinereous Antshrike Spot-winged Antshrike Stipple-throated Antwren – a family group at Mitu Rufous-tailed Antwren – great views at Mitu Plain-throated Antwren Moustached Antwren Pygmy Antwren Pacific Antwren – seen at Rio Claro and near the Oilbird Cave Cherrie’s Antwren – several at Mitu Yellow-throated Antwren – two seen at Mitu White-flanked Antwren Slaty Antwren Long-winged Antwren Grey Antwren Spot-backed Antwren – great scope views of this canopy dweller Yellow-breasted Antwren Northern White-fringed Antwren – two subspecies seen on this tour, almost sure to be split! Santa Marta Antbird (E, Vu) – seen wonderfully in the Santa Marta Mountains Streak-headed Antbird Rufous-rumped Antwren – seen well at Anori and again at Cerro Montezuma Grey Antbird Dusky Antbird

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Parker's Antbird (E) – great views of male and females of this endemic at Reinita Azul Blackish Antbird – a responsive pair at Villavicencio, another huge range extension! Jet Antbird White-browed Antbird Black-faced Antbird Imeri Warbling Antbird – fantastic views of a family group Yellow-browed Antbird Black-chinned Antbird Bare-crowned Antbird – stunning male came to within 5m, sat, and sang below eye-level!!! Black-headed Antbird – close, in the open views as a male perched trailside at Mitu! Spot-winged Antbird White-bellied Antbird – my best encounter with this species yet! Chestnut-backed Antbird Magdalena (Dull-mantled) Antbird (E) – hopping on the rocks, giving full views at 7m! Blue-lored (Immaculate) Antbird – heard Grey-bellied Antbird (NE) – fine views of a family group of this rare, white sand specialist Black-throated Antbird White-plumed Antbird – always a beauty!!! Bicolored Antbird Chestnut-crested Antbird (NE) – possibly THE bird of the tour! Spectacular views… Dot-backed Antbird - heard Common Scale-backed Antbird

ANTTHRUSHES 2 Rufous-capped Antthrush – seen at Mitu Black-faced Antthrush – glimpsed by a few participants, heard well

ANTPITTAS 15 Moustached Antpitta (Vu) – heard Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Santa Marta Antpitta (E, Vu) – we coaxed a couple individuals out of the dense understory Bicoloured Antpitta (NE, Vu) – one coming to worms at Rio Blanco!! Chestnut-naped Antpitta – one seen by some participants Yellow-breasted Antpitta – one seen by some participants White-bellied Antpitta - heard Rufous Antpitta Santa Marta Rufous Antpitta (E, Vu) Tawny Antpitta Brown-banded Antpitta (E) – a few coming in to worm feeders at Rio Blanco! Awesome Thrush-like Antpitta - heard Ochre-breasted Antpitta – seen without playback, twice, at Tangaras! Rusty-breasted Antpitta (NE) - allowed wonderful views Slate-crowned Antpitta – at a worm feeder at Rio Blanco!

GNATEATERS 1 Chestnut-crowned Gnateater – amazing views of a male at 4m distance

TAPACULOS 13 Ocellated Tapaculo – glimpsed by some, seen very well by others, Rio Blanco Ash-coloured Tapaculo – heard

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Northern White-crowned Tapaculo Santa Marta Tapaculo (E) – seen well at middle elevation in the Santa Marta Mountains Narino Tapaculo – stunning views on 3 occasions at Tangaras! Upper Magdalena Tapaculo (E, En) – fine views at Reinita Azul Stiles's Tapaculo (E) – heard Brown-rumped Tapaculo (E) – three different individuals seen by our group allowing good looks Spillmann's Tapaculo Pale-bellied Tapaculo (E) Paramo Tapaculo Alto Pisones Tapaculo (E) – seen well, finally, at Tangaras! Blackish Tapaculo

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS 114 Wing-barred Piprites Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet Black-capped Tyrannulet Ashy-headed Tyrannulet - heard Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Forest Elaenia Grey Elaenia - heard Greenish Elaenia – heard Yellow-bellied Elaenia Large Elaenia Plain-crested Elaenia Mountain Elaenia Brown-capped Tyrannulet White-lored Tyrannulet - Mitu Southern Beardless Tyrannulet White-tailed Tyrannulet White-banded Tyrannulet White-throated Tyrannulet Torrent Tyrannulet Yellow Tyrannulet Subtropical Doradito Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant Slender-footed Tyrannulet – Mitu Golden-faced Tyrannulet Coopman’s Tyrannulet – seen at middle elevation in Santa Marta Range Variegated Bristle Tyrant – seen very well at Reinita Azul Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant Antioquia Bristle Tyrant (E, En) – seen well, finally, after diligent search at Rio Claro Rufous-browed Tyrannulet – seen very well at Arrierito Streak-necked Flycatcher Olive-striped Flycatcher Ochre-bellied Flycatcher -capped Flycatcher Slaty-capped Flycatcher Rufous-breasted Flycatcher Northern Scrub Flycatcher

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Slender-billed Inezia (NE) – had equally nice looks at this species, as the previous Amazonian Inezia Pale-tipped Inezia Flavescent Flycatcher Bran-colored Flycatcher Handsome Flycatcher Ornate Flycatcher White-eyed Tody-Tyrant Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Black-throated Tody-Tyrant – nominate subspecies, and lehame subspecies in SM mountains Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant – heard Southern Bentbill – heard Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant Double-banded Pygmy-Tyrant Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant Rufous-crowned Tody-flycatcher Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher Common Tody-flycatcher Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher – see low in roadside scrub, which is bizarre for this canopy bird Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Olivaceous Flatbill Yellow-olive Flatbill Zimmer’s Flatbill - heard Yellow-margined Flatbill Ochre-lored (Yellow-breasted) Flatbill Olive-faced (Yellow-breasted) Flatbill – seen at Villavicencio Cinnamon Flycatcher - a few in various locations, including the Santa Marta subspecies Cliff Flycatcher – near Villavicencio Black-billed Flycatcher – amazing experience with this rare bird at Paujil! Fuscous Flycatcher – duidae subspecies seen at Mitu, another sure split Black Phoebe Olive-sided Flycatcher (Vu) Smoke-coloured Pewee Western Wood Pewee Eastern Wood Pewee Tropical Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Vermilion Flycatcher Water Tyrant Smoky Bush Tyrant Pied Water Tyrant White-headed Marsh Tyrant Crowned Chat-Tyrant Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant Slaty-backed Chat-tyrant Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant Brown-backed Chat-tyrant Long-tailed Tyrant Cattle Tyrant

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Piratic Flycatcher Rusty-margined Flycatcher Social Flycatcher Dusky-chested Flycatcher – great views of two perched low at Mitu Great Kiskadee Lesser Kiskadee Yellow-throated Flycatcher – a pair seen well at Mitu Golden-crowned Flycatcher Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Streaked Flycatcher Boat-billed Flycatcher Sulphury Flycatcher Tropical Kingbird Fork-tailed Flycatcher Grey Kingbird – seen on the Guajira Greyish Mourner Rufous Mourner – seen at Paujil Dusky-capped Flycatcher Venezuelan Flycatcher – seen well on the Guajira Panama Flycatcher – a pair at Paujil Short-crested Flycatcher Apical Flycatcher (E) – incredible looks at a feisty individual Pale-edged Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Brown-crested Flycatcher Citron-bellied Attila - heard Bright-rumped Attila

COTINGAS 15 Red-crested Cotinga Green-and-black Fruiteater Barred Fruiteater Golden-breasted Fruiteater Orange-breasted Fruiteater – point blank views of this gorgeous bird! Guianan Cock-of-the-rock – 6 males on lek at Mitu! Spangled Cotinga Chestnut-capped Piha (E, En) Dusky Piha Screaming Piha Olivaceous Piha Pompadour Cotinga – scope views of a lovely male Purple-throated Fruitcrow Red-ruffed Fruitcrow – a good number seen at Otun-Quimbaya - scope views of a male at Mitu

MANAKINS 12 Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin – one loosely associating with mixed flock at Mitu Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin – always fun to spend a few minutes finding the singing male… Golden-winged Manakin Western Striped Manakin – great views at Paujil

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Blue-crowned Manakin White-bearded Manakin Lance-tailed Manakin – eye-level views of two beautiful males Black Manakin - heard Yellow-crested (crowned) Manakin – great views very close! Red-capped Manakin – one at Rio Blanco, quite a surprise! White-crowned Manakin Golden-headed Manakin

TITYRAS, BECARDS 14 Whiskered – one at Mitu Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Black-crowned Tityra Black-tailed Tityra Masked Tityra Russet-winged Schiffornis – brief views at Paujil of a responsive male White-browed Purpletuft Barred Becard Cinereous Becard Chestnut-crowned Becard Cinnamon Becard White-winged Becard Black-and-white Becard – heard One-colored Becard

VIREOS & GREENLETS 14 Rufous-browed Peppershrike Black-billed Peppershrike Yellow-browed Shrike Vireo (E) – great views near San Vicente Yellow-throated Vireo Choco Vireo (NE, En) – one of the prize birds of the trip Brown-capped Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Yellow-green Vireo Brown-headed Greenlet – great looks at this range-restricted white sand specialist Rufous-naped Greenlet Golden-fronted Greenlet Dusky-capped Greenlet Scrub Greenlet Lesser Greenlet

CROWS & JAYS 6 Black-collared Jay (NE) – some great views at Rio Blanco! Beautiful Jay (NE) – stunning views! Violaceous Jay – at Villavicencio Black-chested Jay – seen below Anori and around Minca Azure-naped Jay (NE) – A great bird!!! Several seen around Mitu Inca Jay – seen well at Anori

SWALLOWS & MARTINS 10

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Tree Swallow – a small group seen over the wetlands near Puerto Berrio. Very rare in Colombia! White-winged Swallow Grey-breasted Martin Brown-chested Martin Blue-and-white Swallow Brown-bellied Swallow White-banded Swallow White-thighed Swallow Southern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow

WRENS 27 White-headed Wren – good looks at small family group at Tangaras Band-backed Wren Stripe-backed Wren Bicoloured Wren Rufous Wren Sepia-brown (Sharpe’s) Wren Sedge Wren – sitting out, in full song, at PNNs Chingaza Apolinar's Wren (E, En) – great views of this skulky wren sitting out, singing, at Parque Florida Sooty-headed Wren (NE) – great views at Arrierito, and a surprise pair at Tangaras Black-bellied Wren Whiskered Wren Coraya Wren – a few heard at Mitu, constituting a range extension! Rufous-breasted Wren Speckle-breasted [Colombian] Wren – heard Rufous-and-white Wren Niceforo’s Wren (E, Cr) – great views after quite an effort to pull a pair into view Antioquia Wren (E, Cr) – known from only three sites, I whistled a pair into full, close view Buff-breasted Wren – heard Bay Wren House Wren Mountain Wren White-breasted Wood Wren Grey-breasted Wood Wren Munchique Wood Wren (E, Cr) – full-on views at La “M” near Tangaras! Southern Nightingale-Wren - heard Musician Wren – lengthy views of a male that burst into song right next to us – range extension!!! Chestnut-breasted Wren – glimpsed at Otun-Quimbaya

DONACOBIUS 1 Black-capped Donacobius

GNATCATCHERS 3 Collared Gnatwren - heard Long-billed Gnatwren – seen very well! Tropical Gnatcatcher

MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHES 2 Gray Catbird – a very rare migrant!

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Tropical Mockingbird

THRUSHES 17 Andean Solitaire – heard in many places but only seen once, well, at Cerro Montezuma Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush – one seen near Minca Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush – one seen above Minca Grey-cheeked Thrush – one seen at Reinita Azul Swainson's Thrush Black Solitaire (NE) – amazing views at Tangaras, for most Yellow-legged Thrush Pale-vented Thrush – one at Reinita Azul Great Thrush Glossy-black Thrush Black-hooded Thrush – two seen well at middle elevations of Santa Marta Mountains Pale-breasted Thrush Black-billed Thrush Lawrence’s Thrush - heard Spectacled Thrush White-necked Thrush Clay-coloured Thrush

FINCHES 16 Lesser Goldfinch – a few seen in several locations Yellow-bellied Siskin – a few seen at Anori and Rio Blanco Andean Siskin (NE) Plumbeous Euphonia - heard Purple-throated Euphonia – one responsive male at Villavicencio, another range extension! Trinidad Euphonia – a pair seen well near the Guajira Thick-billed Euphonia Golden-rumped Euphonia Fulvous-vented Euphonia White-lored (Golden-bellied) Euphonia White-vented Euphonia Orange-bellied Euphonia Rufous-bellied Euphonia - heard Yellow-collared Chlorophonia – great views in a mixed flock with Chestnut-breasted! Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia

NEW WORLD WARBLERS 29 Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush – heard Golden-winged Warbler – male at Reinita Azul! Black-and-white Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Tennessee Warbler Masked – heard Mourning Warbler American Redstart Cerulean Warbler (Vu) – several gorgeous males seen well

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Tropical Parula Bay-breasted Warbler Blackburnian Warbler American Yellow Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Citrine Warbler Black-crested Warbler Buff-rumped Warbler Choco Warbler – one family group in a mixed flocks below Tangaras White-lored Warbler (E) Russet-crowned Warbler Rufous-capped Warbler Golden-crowned Warbler Three-striped Warbler Santa Marta Warbler (E, Vu) – two seen well at high elevation in the Santa Marta Mountains Canada Warbler Slate-throated Whitestart Golden-fronted Whitestart (NE) Yellow-crowned Whitestart (E) – several at high elevation in the Santa Marta Mountains

OROPENDOLAS, ORIOLES & BLACKBIRDS 25 Crested Oropendola Chestnut-headed Oropendola – a few seen near Rio Claro Russet-backed Oropendola Olive Oropendola Yellow-rumped Cacique Subtropical Cacique – in flight views Mountain Cacique - heard Yellow-billed Cacique – a few seen at Rio Blanco and Cerro Montezuma Yellow-tailed Oriole Epaulet Oriole Orange-crowned Oriole Yellow-backed Oriole Yellow Oriole – seen on the Guajira Baltimore Oriole Colombian Mountain Grackle (E, En) – in flight views, briefly perched at Reinita Azul Red-bellied Grackle (E, En) – an impressive flock we came across several times at Arrierito Yellow-hooded Blackbird Giant Cowbird Bronze-brown Cowbird (E) – a pair on the Guajira Shiny Cowbird Carib Grackle Great-tailed Grackle Red-breasted Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark

BANANAQUIT 1 Bananaquit

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BUNTINGS, NEW WORLD SPARROWS & ALLIES 21 Rufous-collared Sparrow Yellow-browed Sparrow Tocuyo Sparrow (NE) – one seen well on the Guajira, a very rare bird! Black-striped Sparrow Pectoral Sparrow Orange-billed Sparrow – heard Golden-winged Sparrow (NE) – several of these stunning birds seen near and above Minca Chestnut-capped Brush Finch Black-headed Brush Finch (NE) Sierra Nevada Brush Finch (E) – a few seen at El Dorado Grey-browed Brush Finch Olive Finch – one came right out in the open at Tangaras! White-naped Brush Finch Santa Marta Brush Finch (E) – numerous in the Santa Marta range Pale-naped Brush Finch Choco Brush Finch – numerous at Tangaras Slaty Brush Finch Common Bush Tanager Dusky Bush Tanager Yellow-throated Bush Tanager Ashy-throated Bush Tanager

TANAGERS & ALLIES 110 Tanager White-capped Tanager – a noisy, wonderfully close group of these stunners at Otun-Quimbaya Rufous-crested Tanager – a pair in mixed flock at Tangaras Dusky-faced Tanager – several at Rio Blanco! Black-capped Hemispingus Superciliaried Hemispingus Oleaginous Hemispingus Black-eared Hemispingus Black-headed Hemispingus Grey-hooded Bush Tanager Grey-headed Tanager Flame-crested Tanager Fulvous-crested Tanager White-shouldered Tanager Tawny-crested Tanager White-lined Tanager Fulvous Shrike Tanager Crimson-backed Tanager Silver-beaked Tanager Flame-rumped Tanager (E) Lemon-rumped Tanager Blue-grey Tanager Glaucous Tanager (NE) – a few seen very well on the Guajira Blue-capped Tanager Palm Tanager Black-and-gold Tanager (E, Vu) – many great views of this special bird at Tangaras

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Gold-ringed Tanager (E, En) – good, close, views of this special bird at Tangaras Hooded Mountain Tanager Black-chested Mountain Tanager – views of this handsome, colorful bird near PNN Chingaza Santa Marta Mountain Tanager (E) – several seen close! Lacrimose Mountain Tanager Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager Blue-winged Mountain Tanager Black-chinned Mountain Tanager Grass-green Tanager Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager Purplish-mantled Tanager (NE) – several seen in various places! Golden-crowned Tanager – great looks at this beauty Glistening-green Tanager – a number of these showy birds at Tangaras Multicoloured Tanager (E, Vu) – seen extremely well at Anori, and again at Otun-Quimbaya Plain-coloured Tanager Turquoise Tanager Paradise Tanager – a close pair of these ridiculously ornate birds at Mitu! Green-and-Gold Tanager Golden Tanager Silver-throated Tanager Saffron-crowned Tanager Yellow-bellied Tanager Speckled Tanager Rufous-throated Tanager – a few seen well at Tangaras Bay-headed Tanager Scrub Tanager Metallic-green Tanager Blue-necked Tanager Golden-hooded Tanager Masked Tanager Beryl-spangled Tanager Blue-and-black Tanager Black-capped Tanager Black-headed Tanager - one of these scarce birds seen in the Santa Marta range Opal-rumped Tanager Swallow Tanager Yellow-tufted (Black-faced) Dacnis – stunning views! Yellow-bellied Dacnis Turquoise Dacnis (E, Vu) – numerous eye-level looks Blue Dacnis Short-legged Honeycreeper – one seen at Mitu Purple Honeycreeper Red-legged Honeycreeper Green Honeycreeper Golden-collared Honeycreeper – a fine male seen at close range at Tangaras Scarlet-browed Tanager Yellow-backed Tanager Guira Tanager White-eared Conebill – nice looks at a male near Reinita Azul Bicoloured Conebill – several seen at PNN Isla Salamanca

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Rufous-browed Conebill (NE) – a pair near Parque Florida Blue-backed Conebill Capped Conebill Rusty Flowerpiercer Glossy Flowerpiercer Black Flowerpiercer White-sided Flowerpiercer Indigo Flowerpiercer (NE) – crushing looks of neon blue at Arrierito and Tangaras Bluish Flowerpiercer Masked Flowerpiercer Tanager Finch (NE, Vu) – crippling views of a responsive pair that came right out in the open! Grey Pileated Finch Plumbeous Sierra Finch Saffron Finch Grassland Yellow Finch – many flocks coming out of the reedbeds near La Florida Blue-black Grassquit Grey Seedeater Black-and-White Seedeater Yellow-bellied Seedeater Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Chestnut-bellied seedeater Thick-billed Seed Finch Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch Large-billed Seed Finch – seen at Mitu White-naped Seedeater - heard Band-tailed Seedeater Plain-coloured Seedeater Paramo Seedeater Dull-coloured Grassquit – seen near Minca Yellow-faced Grassquit Black-faced Grassquit – one pair on the Guajira Sooty Grassquit – lengthy view of this enigmatic, rare, species near Reinita Azul Rosy Thrush-tanager – good views for some participants Plushcap – several seen point blank range at Rio Blanco and La “M”

GROSBEAKS, SALTATORS & ALLIES 19 Highland Hepatic Tanager Scarlet Tanager Summer Tanager White-winged Tanager - heard Red-hooded Tanager – nice scope views at Rio Blanco! Sooty Ant Tanager (E) – great looks of this skulker at Paujil Crested Ant Tanager (E) – great views at both Tangaras and Otun-Quimbaya Southern Yellow (Golden-bellied) Grosbeak Rose-breasted Grosbeak Vermilion Cardinal (NE) – several on the Guajira Yellow-green Grosbeak – a few glimpsed at Mitu Slate-colored Grosbeak - heard Buff-throated Saltator Black-winged Saltator

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Greyish Saltator Orinocan Saltator – seen very well on the Guajira Masked Saltator – two seen in full view at Rio Blanco! Streaked Saltator Blue-black Grosbeak

MAMMALS Total Mammal Species Recorded: 20 (Including 5 Endemic, 2 Near-endemics)

Greater White-lined Bat Leaf-nosed Bat sp.? Lesser Speckled Spiny Tree Rat (NE) Red-tailed Squirrel Andean Squirrel (E) – seen at Rio Blanco Amazon Dwarf Squirrel Central American Dwarf Squirrel – seen in a few places Western Dwarf Squirrel (NE) – seen in the Santa Marta Mountains Venezuelan Red Howler Monkey – heard Brown (Magdalena) Spider Monkey (E) - Paujil White-faced Capuchin (E) - Paujil Grey-handed Night Monkey (E) - Paujil White-footed [Silvery Brown] Tamarin (E) – around Rio Claro Colombian “Domestic” Cavy Black Agouti Central American Agouti Crab-eating Fox – a pair came in to raid the trash at Rio Blanco Mountain Coati – one at Rio Blanco! Jaguarundi – seen briefly as it crossed the road a Rio Blanco!

Rockjumper Birding Tours Worldwide Birding Adventures PO Box 13972, Cascades, 3202, South Africa Tel: +27 33 394 0225 Fax: +27 88 033 394 0225 Email: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected] Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com

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