COLOMBIA IS MAGICAL REALISM ENDEMICS COLOMBIA THE ANCHICAYA ROAD, WESTERN AND CENTRAL ANDES, CAUCA VALLEY, SANTA MARTA MOUNTAINS AND CARIBBEAN KM 18 - Anchicaya - Sonso Lagoon - Mont- ezuma Lodge - Otun Quimbaya - Rio Blanco Reserve - Los Nevados National Park - Isla Salamanca - Minca - El Dorado Lodge - Tay- rona NP - Los Flamencos NP 2020 22 November 15 - December 6 DAYS 2021 November 15 - December 6 2022 November 15 - December 6 WWW.COLOMBIABIRDWATCH.COM Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Colombia is the birdiest country on earth, with Fruiteater, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias and Christopher Calonje more than 1,950 species (almost 20% of the world’s Golden-headed and Crested Quetzal. total). There are more species of birds in this country This tour also takes you to a prolific wetland area than on any other. It is easy to see why. Colombia is in the Cauca Valley in search of an assortment of dry tropical, yet it also has ample elevation changes due forest species as well as shorebirds and aquatic birds. to the Andes, furthermore it has both the Pacific and The Sonso Lagoon is one of Colombia’s largest wet- Caribbean coasts. Lots of different habitats ensure land reserves and home to Little and Dwarf Cuckoos, an abundance of bird species. To be exact, 1.930 Jet Antbird, Blackish Rail and even the elusive Horned species (almost 20% of the world’s total in 1% of the Screamer. With luck one may encounter endemics landmass), with new species still being discovered. such as Bar-crested Antshrike, and the endemics Api- and new records being announced often. cal Flycatcher and Grayish Piculet. The Old Buenaventura Road which descends At the Montezuma Lodge in the Choco Bioregion, from the western Andes to the Pacific Ocean along a biodivesity hotspot, chances for the endemic Gold- the Anchicaya River watershed is one of Colombia’s ringed Tanager and Munchique Wood-wren, as well newest destinations to open up to birding. The bird- as the recently discovered Alto Pisones Tapaculo. ing along this gradient of insurmountable diversity is Montezuma is revered as one of the best birding sites such that it inspired Steve Hilty to start work on Field in Colombia, specially if you are in the hunt for Choco Guide to the Birds of Colombia, the first ornithologi- endemics such as Black Solitaire, Violet-tailed Sylph cal field guide for South America. and Orange-breasted Fruiteater. Another area of equal importance in Colombia’s The route then climbs to the central Andean ornithological history is the KM 18 and San Antonio range, the Otun-Quimbaya Sanctuary in search of the Cloud Forest. More than 100 years ago, Frank Chap- endemic Cauca Guan and for the best views in the man, of the American Museum of Natural History, world of Red-ruffed Fruitcrow. At the world-renown spent some time researching the bird diversity of this Rio Blanco Reserve near Manizales, there are excel- forest. The birding is amazing, with mixed-species lent chances for some of the antpittas, plus many flocks of Multicolored, Purplish-mantled, Scrub and other cloud forest and montane birds. After more as- Golden-naped Tanagers foraging along side Scaled cending, one can soak in hot springs overlooking the scenic Central Andes, and look for species adapted COST to high elevations in Los Nevados National Park with $ 6,450 per (Double Occupancy). Single Supple- the beautiful Nevado del Ruiz as a backdrop. ment $900 USD Then itinerary then boards flights towards Colom- AIRFARE bia’s Caribbean coast. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest coastal mountain in the world Approximately $900 from the USA, or $1400 from and one of the most important endemism centers London, depending on origin, (quoted August 2017). in the world, with 22 species of birds restricted to it. Join us on a search for many of these endemics in- GROUP SIZE cluding Santa Marta Screech-owl, Antpitta, Mountain- Maximum 8 tanager, Tapaculo, Foliage-gleaner, Brush-finch, Para- keet, Bush-tyrant, Seedeater, Warbler, and a plethora NUMBER OF DAYS more! 22 days total, including estimated travel time. This trip will also take us to Isla Salamanca and Fla- mencos National Parks, where birding through man- ACCOMMODATIONS groves and coastal wetlands, along the ocean and in Lodging will consist of a mix of 3-4 star hotels in cit- dry scrub forest should yield species such as the near ies, a basic lodge in Montezuma, a top-notch birding endemic Buffy Hummingbird, the endemic Chestnut- lodge in El Dorado, and the beach front eco lodge winged Chachalaca, Russet-throated Puffbird, the Barlovento, that is touted as one of the best spots near endemic Chestnut Piculet, Bicolored Conebill to stay in Colombia by the Lonely Planet. There is a and Panama Flycatcher. river near the lodge at Montezuma and Barlovento, and a pool at the hotels in Buga, Buenaventura, and Baranquilla, so pack your swim wear! We expect rel- TOUR LEADERS ative comfort, hot showers, and excellent local food and provide a nice variety of snacks and purified or bottled drinking water available throughout the trip. Hot water is not available in Barlovento. ANGEL ORTIZ Angel Ortiz is from Santa Marta, Colombia. He be- gan guiding in 2007 and has led hundreds of tours to Tayrona National Park and the surrounding Santa Marta region. He is a recent graduate of Audubon’s bird guide training program delivered in partner- JOSE LUNA ship with Calidris. Since taking the course Angel has Jose Luna was born and raised in the western become one of the region’s “go to” birding guides. Andes of Colombia, and has been birding since he Angel worked previously with Aviatur and is a huge was 16. He is the lead local guide for Colombia Bird- soccer fan. watch, and has shined amongst his colleagues for his proficiency in English and his ability to find birds. He enjoys birding and studying birds on his free time, is an avid e-birder, and has worked as a field biologist in numerous thesis projects and expeditions in the Colombia Andes and Choco Bioregion. DAY 1 Arrive in Cali Guests will be picked up at the airport. Lodging: Hotel Araucana DAY 2 The Infamous Km 18 and Cock-of-the-rock Lek Today we spend the morning around the famous El 18, located on an 1800-meter (5,900-foot) pass 18 kilometers (11 miles) northwest of Cali along the road that connects Cali with the port city of Buenaventura. Birding can be very productive here, and we will look for four endemics – Chestnut Wood-Quail, Colom- bian Chachalaca, Grayish Piculet and the spectacular Multicolored Tanager. This area is a tanager paradise, where we have a good chance to see Purplish-man- tled, Summer, Beryl-spangles, Flame-rumped, Golden, Metallic-green, Saffron-crowned, and Golden-naped tanagers as well as Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager. We hope to be dazzled by an impressive show of hummingbirds at a private house along the same road, including the beautifully ornate Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Rackettail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Green Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hum- mingbird, White-necked Jacobin. Brown Violetear and Tawny-bellied Hermit. Birding the forest can also produce many near-endemics such as Scrub Tanager, Purple-throated Woodstar, Nariño Tapaculo, Purplish- mantled Tanager and Yellow-headed Manakin. Here we will may see striking birds such as Green- Crested Quetzal Christopher Calonje and-black Fruiteater, Chestnut-breasted and Blue- naped Chlorophonia, the inconspicuous Golden- headed Quetzal, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted and Rusty-winged Barbtails, Streaked Xenops, and the noisy, inquisitive Crimson-rumped Toucanet. We will also listen and search for species with interesting calls and songs, like the hawk-like whistle of the Scaled Fruiteater, warbling song of Black-billed Pep- pershrike, and beautiful flute-like song of Andean Soli- taire. Other species we may find are Chestnut-breasted Wren, Greenish Puffleg, Montane Woodcreeper, Scale- crested Pygmy-tyrant, and the hyperactive Cinnamon Flycatcher. After birding we head to an afternoon visit to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, which requires a 35 minute hike. Lodging: Hotel La Araucana Multicolored Tanager Juan Jose Arango Slaty-capped Shrike-vireo Saffron-crowned Tanager Juan Jose Arango Juan Jose Arango DAY 3 Green and Black Fruiteater Slaty-capped Shrike-vireo Christopher Calonje Juan Jose Arango El Descanso Feeders and Anchicaya Watershed Perhaps Colombia’s most famous birding location, the Anchicaya watershed is located along the edge of the Farallones National Park, one of the most di- verse parks on the planet. The birding begins just 40 minutes from the hotel via a paved road that can offer many of the Choco endemics that this mega diverse locality has to offer. Our day on the Anchicaya road will allow time to enjoy the upper portion of the road and some very well-maintained feeders at our break- fast spot where Rufous-throated, Glistening-green Blue-naped Chlorophonia and Silver-throated Tanagers are known to occur. Christopher Calonje The road will surely yield many highly prized species Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-whiskered Puffbird, Uniform Treehunter, Sooty-headed Wren, Green Thorntail and White-tailed Hillstar.. One of the main targets main targets is Toucan Barbet, sporting 5 different colors elegantly while still having a tough demeanor. We will search the skies for Barred Hawk, Ornate Hawk-eagle and Swallow- tailed Kites, whilst keeping an eye out for the attrac- tive Ornate Flycatcher feeding on low branches. An- other mega target is the recently described Pisones Tapaculo. The road can be extremely productive as it rarely disappoints. Crimson-rumped Toucanet Lodging: Araucana Lodge Christopher Calonje Toucan Barbet DAY 4 Juan Jose Arango Lower Anchicaya Watershed Birding again on this day is done along a lightly traveled road, but this time having the opportunity to explore the lower portion of the road.