: BOGOTÁ, EASTERN , & THE MAGDALENA VALLEY

FEBRUARY 1–16, 2018

LEADERS: STEVE HILTY & CHRISTIAN DAZA LIST COMPILED BY: STEVE HILTY

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM COLOMBIA: BOGOTÁ, EASTERN ANDES, & THE MAGDALENA VALLEY February 1–16, 2018

By Steve Hilty

Our birding route included several traditional sites in the Magdalena Valley and, for the second year in a row, also a circular loop down the eastern slope of the Eastern Andes to the bustling city of Villavicencio and a return to Bogotá via the picturesque little mountain city of Santa María. This route includes some terrific forest birding sites as well as access to the high páramo of Sumapaz National Park, which is the largest contiguous páramo in the world. Botanists describe it as a tropical alpine , but that hardly conveys the beauty of this fairyland of strange and unusual plants dominated by rosette- shaped (Asteraceae) and an interesting variety of . It is a region Lewis Carroll would surely have loved.

We had great birding almost everywhere and experienced rain only one morning at the little Bellavista Reserve near the town of La Victoria. Top birding days would surely include the old Bavaria Beer Company forest near Villavicencio, a morning near the military bases below Santa María, the high montane forest above the city of Ibague, and that last remarkable morning at the Río Claro Reserve where we spent almost an hour and a half at one site, moving little more than a few steps as we watched woodpeckers, trogons, antwrens, woodcreepers, flycatchers, becards, wrens, thrushes, a variety of colorful tanagers (including Swallow Tanagers close at hand), caciques, oropendolas, euphonias, and much more at close range. Remarkably, we also observed a large number of species carrying nest material, building nests, incubating eggs, or searching for suitable nest sites.

After our birding loop on the eastern slope of the Eastern Andes, we left Bogotá and began a series of stops westward, descending down into the Magdalena Valley, eventually ending at the Río Claro Reserve and a drive to the Medellín airport for a short flight back to Bogotá to conclude the trip. Each person will have their special moments to remember on this trip, but the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek above Santa María, and a morning near the river below Santa Maria with a Fasciated Tiger-Heron, wood-rails, ibises, Chestnut-vented Conebills, and oropendolas, and flycatchers amidst a background of red-flowering Erythrina trees will likely be included. For some also, the wonderful elfin-like vegetation of Sumapaz National Forest was a highlight, as was the exquisite little lichen-covered nest that a Yellow-bellied Elaenia was so carefully building at the Mana Dulce Reserve, or the incredible colors of a male Chestnut-bellied Chlorophonia above Ibague. The variety of colorful tanagers was impressive everywhere, and we had an unusual number of opportunities to observe gorgeous little Striped Manakins and almost everywhere. Also impressive was an afternoon in ranchland and marshes of the central Magdalena Valley with Northern Screamers, Fork-tailed Flycatchers, flocks of Yellow-hooded Blackbirds, and many other species almost all at once.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018

Several of you spent a day or two prior to the trip visiting sights (and doing some birding in Bogotá where you saw Black-tailed Trainbearers and a Sword-billed ) with Diana Balcázar. But, beyond birding, it soon became evident to everyone that Colombia is a country at work. Road construction projects are in progress everywhere (and can sometimes cause delays for travelers), large heavy trucks are ubiquitous, the economy is varied and booming, and the country is generally clean and surprisingly cognizant of conservation issues. There also were many recreational cyclists, impressive by almost any standards. Bogotá suffers growing pains like any large metropolitan area (major traffic congestion) but the city is attempting to ameliorate congestion and smog in various ways including private bus lanes; a proliferation of bicycle lanes; an odd-even license plate number system for alternate day driving; Sunday closing of many streets to all but bicycles and foot traffic, and even closing the city to all automobiles one day a year. Road signs throughout the country urge people to take care of the environment (could those of us from wealthier countries learn something here?). For a country that has struggled to rid itself of crippling political and social problems, the transformation is remarkable. The statistics are undeniable—about 1,970+ species of birds (slightly more or less depending upon the followed) have been recorded in Colombia including more than seventy endemics and many more that are almost endemics. A recent (2018) National Geographic issue largely devoted to birds quotes prominent conservationist Thomas Lovejoy, who once said . . . “If you take care of the birds, you take care of most of the big problems in the world.” In this regard, Colombia is doing its share and more.

And finally, a popular slogan in Colombia says that the only danger in Colombia now is wanting to stay. And that just may be true. We hope you will want to return and see more of this remarkable country.

ITINERARY (major sites)

Day 1. Vicinity of Chingaza National Park; hummingbird feeders near Calera, dept. of Cundinamarca Day 2. Laguna Tabacal; San Francisco (Jardín Enchanted; late evening Parque La Florida) Day 3. Sumapaz National Park and eastern Andean slope to Villavicencio. Day 4. Bavaria Forest (near Villavicencio) and drive to Santa María (Boyacá) Days 5-6-7. Santa María and last afternoon to Bogotá Day 8. Chicaque Reserve near Bogotá, dept. of Cundinamarca Day 9. Mana Dulce Natural Reserve Day 10. Vicinity of Ibague and afternoon to Mariquita Day 11. Reserva Natural Bellavista, dept. of Caldas; afternoon drive to Río Claro EcoReserve, dept. of Antioquia with stops in ranchland Days 12-13-14. Río Claro EcoReserve and evening flight to Bogotá the last day

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Heard = species only heard (preceded by (*) [ ] = seen/heard only by SH (Hilty) or CD (Christian Daza) Boldface and underlined (blue and boldface) = endemics and near endemics (loosely defined as any found mainly in Colombia) Boldface and black = scarce or local or unusual for various reasons red = migrants from

BIRDS : are provided for a select few species for which there are known taxonomic issues. For additional information and comments, interested persons are encouraged to visit the SACC web page; and the ProAves web site http://www.proaves.org/rubrique.php?id_rubrique=372. Other taxonomic information can be found at the IOU (International Ornithological Union) website.

TINAMIDAE *Little Tinamou, Tinamus soui, heard at Río Claro

ANHIMIDAE Northern Screamer, Chauna chavaria , total of five in ranchland of middle Magdalena Valley

ANATIDAE, Ducks and other waterfowl Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis, pair and 4 immatures en route to Río Claro Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors , Guasca and Parque La Florida Andean Teal, Anas andium, 12 at Sumapaz Ruddy Duck (Andean form and some with completely white cheeks), Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea, apparently all were resident forms; Guasca (1) and La Florida (a dozen+)

CRACIDAE *Colombian Chachalaca, Ortalis columbiana (endemic), Mana Dulce; Bellavista; Río Claro; previously regarded as a subspecies of Speckled Chachalaca, O. guttata columbiana ; now split by SACC Speckled Chachalaca, Ortalis guttata, Santa María area Andean Guan, Penelope montagnii, Chicaque

PODICIPEDIDAE Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus, a few on Laguna Tabacal Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, 1 also at Laguna Tabacal

PHALACROCORACIDAE Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, various lower elevation sites with water

ARDEIDAE Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Tigrisoma fasciatum , 1 on river near Santa María (Boyacá)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Great Egret, Ardea albus, near water in lowlands Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, wetlands on Magdalena Valley Little Blue Heron, Egretta tricolor, wetlands on Magdalena Valley Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, all lower- and mid-elevations Striated Heron, Butorides striata, La Florida; Magdalena Valley (dozens on one lagoon) Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, 1 at La Florida

THRESKIORNITHIDAE Bare-faced (Whispering) Ibis, Phimosus infuscatus, almost all areas and elevations up to at least 3000m

CATHARTIDAE, Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, all days Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, almost all days (but not at high elevations); resident birds (with white neck patch); no northern migrants noted Lesser Yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes burrovianus, 1 or 2 in Magdalena wetlands near Río Claro

ACCIPITRIDAE White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus, above Bogotá; en route to Villavicencio Gray-headed Kite, Leptodon cayanensis , 1 soaring for some time below Santa María Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus, Santa María area; Río Claro (flock of ca. 12) Black Hawk-Eagle, Spizaetus tyrannus , 1 seen close up below Santa María Double-toothed Kite, Harpagus bidentatus, Bavaria forest (pair following Squirrel Monkeys; Santa María area Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus, 1 above Villavicencio (1500m el); also Chicaque Reserve Savanna Hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis, Magdalena ranchland near Río Claro Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris, seen almost daily at low to mid-elevation sites Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus, pair at Sumapaz; 1 bird carrying a stick in bill as it flew and then lit on a large rock

RALLIDAE White-throated Crake, Laterallus albigularis, pair seen well at Laguna Tabacal by SH and two group members *Bogotá Rail, Rallus semiplumbeus, heard at Guasca (several) and La Florida Gray-cowled (formerly -necked) Wood-Rail, Aramides cajaneus, Santa María (pair); Mana Dulce (pair) Spot-flanked Gallinule, Gallinula melanops, 1 distant at Guasca Common Gallinule, Gallinule galeata, Guasca American Coot, Fulica americana , Guasca and Parque La Florida (where quite common)

CHARADRIIDAE Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis, Guasca; Parque La Florida; Sumapaz; llanos near Villavicencio; Magdalena lowlands

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 JACANIDAE Wattled Jacana, Jacana jacana melanopygia, Magdalena lowlands (this “black” race unlike birds east of Andes)

SCOLOPACIDAE Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius , 2 at Parque La Florida Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria , 10 at Parque La Florida; 1 at Santa María; 1 in Magdalena wetlands Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca , 12 at Parque La Florida (2600 m); 1 at Sumapaz; unidentified Tringa sp. in Magdalena wetlands

COLUMBIDAE Rock Pigeon, Columba livia, towns and cities Pale-vented Pigeon, Patagioenas cayennensis, Magdalena wetlands Scaled Pigeon, Patagioenas speciosa, near Río Claro Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata, above Santa María; Chicaque; above Ibague; Ruddy Pigeon, Patagioenas subvinacea, heard at Río Claro Ruddy Ground-Dove, Columbina talpacoti, most days in lowlands and foothills Scaled Dove, Columbina squammata, Santa María *Blue Ground-Dove, Claravis pretiosa, heard 2 at Mana Dulce Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana, 1 flushed across road in front of us at Bellavista Reserve White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi, Mana Dulce and near Río Claro *Gray-fronted Dove, Leptotila rufaxilla, heard in Bavaria Forest; 1 seen in flight by SH Lined Quail-Dove, Zentrygon linearis, 1 on private forest road near Santa María (seen by some briefly in scope) Eared Dove, Zenaida auriculata, seen along electric wires in highlands; in Bogotá; and in various settled areas

CUCULIDAE Greater Ani, Crotophaga major, Magdalena wetlands where we saw one flock of 20; another seen along the Río Claro upriver from lodge Smooth-billed Ani, Crotophaga ani, most humid lower elevations especially Magdalena Valley Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris, dry pastures near Mana Dulce a trio observed in scope Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana, Santa María area

STRIGIDAE *Crested Owl, Lophostrix cristata, heard at Río Claro Band-bellied Owl, Pulsatrix melanota , pair (initially heard) and later seen near military base below Santa María; previously reported here and a significant range extension *Mottled Owl, Ciccaba virgata, heard on two mornings at Río Claro Black-and-white Owl, Ciccaba nigrolineata , three below Santa María (Wow!) all seen at the same time!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 STEATORNITHIDAE Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis , 1 (or 2?) seen very close twice in spotlight right from the restaurant at Río Claro

APODIDAE White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris Santa María; Chicaque; Río Claro Gray-rumped Swift, Chaetura cinereiventris, a single bird below Santa María

TROCHILIDAE (44 species) Rufous-breasted Hermit, Glaucis hirsutus, Río Claro (2 birds building nests; 1 near main lodge; a second one in small palm 150m north of La Mulata building White-bearded Hermit, Phaethornis hispidus, seen twice below Santa María Green Hermit, Phaethornis guy, 1 by river at Santa María (seen by CD and some of clients) Long-billed Hermit, Phaethornis longirostris, Río Claro (1 briefly along road north of La Mulata building) Pale-bellied Hermit, anthophilus, 1 at Mana Dulce Stripe-throated Hermit, Phaethornis striigularis, Río Claro (including last morning) Green-fronted Lancebill, Doryfera ludovicae, 1 at Santa María Lesser (Green) Violetear, Colibri thalassinus, Monteredonde Road; Chicaque; above Ibague Sparkling Violetear, Colibri coruscans, above Calera; San Francisco; Santa María Purple-crowned Fairy, Heliothryx barroti, 1 seen last day at Río Claro (but only SH) Black-throated Mango, Anthracothorax nigricollis, widespread hummer; San Francisco; Monteredondo road; Santa María (all three days); near Río Claro Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Heliangelus amethysticollis, Chingaza area (1M) Tourmaline Sunangel, Heliangelus exortis, 6+MM above Ibague (2450m-2650m) [Wire-crested Thorntail, Discosura popelairii, a male, possibly this species, was seen by Addie at ca. 1400m el near the Chivor dam above Santa María; bird was not seen by either SH or CD but based on her description this is a reasonable guess. If valid this would be near the upper limit of the elevational distribution for this species and also near the northern end of its overall range. Lacking documentation this sighting is hypothetical] Speckled Hummingbird, Adelomyia melanogenys, 1 above Ibague Tolima Blossomcrown, Anthocephala berlepschi (endemic) , 1 seen repeatedly above Ibague Long-tailed Sylph, Aglaiocercus kingi, above Ibague Black-tailed Trainbearer, Lesbia victoriae, near Calera (male and female) Wow! Green-tailed Trainbearer, Lesbia nuna, near Calera (1-2 females) Purple-backed Thornbill, Ramphomicron microrhynchum , 1 above Ibague seen only by CD Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Oxypogon guerinii (endemic) , at least 20 seen at Sumapaz including extended scope studies Tyrian Metaltail, Metallura tyrianthina, near Chingaza (mainly MM) Glowing Puffleg, Eriocnemis vestita, near Chingaza; above Calera (2-4 each place); 1F at Chicaque

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Coppery-bellied Puffleg Eriocnemis cupreoventris (endemic), seen at hummingbird observatory above Calera (photos by Neal); may not have been seen by others of the group who left prior to Neal Collared Inca, Coeligena torquata, above Ibague (8 or more)near Calera; we saw both male and female; spectacular colors when seen well Sword-billed Hummingbird, Ensifera ensifera , near Calera (female); male above Ibague Buff-tailed Coronet, Boissonneaua flavescens, Chicaque; above Ibague (2650m) Booted Racket-tail, Ocreatus underwoodii, below Santa María (1F); above Santa María (1M at ca. 1400m) Violet-fronted Brilliant, Heliodoxa leadbeateri, above Santa María (1 female at 1400m) White-bellied Woodstar, Chaetocercus mulsant, Above Calera; San Francisco feeders; above Ibague Gorgeted Woodstar, Chaetocercus heliodor , San Francisco feeders (1M and probably 1 female) Western Emerald/Red-billed Emerald, (melanorhynchus /gibsoni ), above Ibague at ca. 2000m el (known distribution should probably be Red-billed Emerald but Western Emerald might be possible. In light of identification difficulties I prefer to leave this bird unidentified. White-vented Plumeleteer, Chalybura buffonii, feeders at San Francisco; Santa María; Río Claro Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Thalurania furcata, 1F at Bavaria forest; male and female below Santa María Glittering-bellied Emerald, Amazilia fimbriata, 1 below Santa María Blue-chested Hummingbird, Amazilia amabilis, Río Claro (1F; 2 MM) Steely-vented Hummingbird, Amazilia saucerrottei, San Francisco feeders; Río Claro Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanifrons (endemic), feeders at San Francisco (perhaps 30 or more present) Green-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia viridigaster, seen near Guayabetal (east slope of Andes); also Bavaria Forest and Santa María (elevations of ca. 800-1200m); may be relatively common within its small east slope range in Colombia Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl, San Francisco feeders (many); Mana Dulce; Río Claro Golden-tailed Sapphire, Chrysuronia oenone, below Santa María (distant scope view in large flowering Erythrina by SH and a few others) Glittering-throated Emerald, Amazilia fimbriata, Santa María

TROGONIDAE (2 spp.) White-tailed Trogon, Trogon chionurus , Río Claro (common; including the confiding pair that sat stoically, quite close to their nest hole, and allowed all of us to photograph this pair from as close as ca. 3m!; we remained with this pair for at least 20 minutes) and it is shown here in boldface because of the incredible experience we had with this remarkable pair of trogons Green-backed Trogon, Trogon viridis, Bavaria Forest

MOMOTIDAE (4 spp.)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Amazonian , momota, 2 seen in Bavaria forest , Momotus subrufescens Mana Dulce; formerly called Blue-crowned Motmot ( M. momota ) now split into several species; Andean (formerly Highland) Motmot, Momotus aequatorialis, above Ibague on El Silencio road (formerly lumped with Blue-crowned Motmot and then split (and disputed) but now regarded as a distinct species; it occurs at high elevations in the Andes and is larger than Whooping Motmot and greener below (less brownish) Rufous Motmot, Baryphthengus martii, 1 at Bellavista (scope views); heard near Río Claro

ALCEDINIDAE (3 spp.) Ringed Kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata, Laguna Tabacal; Mana Dulce (small pond); wetlands in Magdalena Valley near Río Claro Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona, Río Claro (on zip line) Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana, Laguna Tabacal; Mana Dulce; Magdalena wetlands

BUCCONIDAE (6 species; a remarkable number for any Andean tour) Barred Puffbird, Nystalus radiatus, Mana Dulce (scope views); heard at Reserve; Río Claro *White-whiskered Puffbird, Malacoptila panamensis, seen twice at and near Río Claro) Moustached Puffbird, Malacoptila mystacalis, Laguna Tabacal (in forest) White-chested Puffbird, Malacoptila fusca , 1 seen very well (and photographed) at Bavaria forest; infrequently seen Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Nonnula frontalis, 1 seen repeatedly at Río Claro Yellow-billed Nunbird, Monasa flavirostris, Bavaria Forest

GALBULIDAE (2 spp.) Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Galbula ruficauda, Mana Dulce Reserve; Río Claro White-chinned Jacamar, Galbula tombacea, Bavaria Forest; Santa María

CAPITONIDAE (3 spp.) White-mantled Barbet, Capito hypoleucus (endemic), pair at Bellavista Reserve; 2 more seen in large Ficus at Río Claro where they were checking hanging curled dead leaves Gilded Barbet, Capito auratus, Bavaria Forest (great scope views) and Santa María Red-headed Barbet, Eubucco bourcierii, below Santa María (700m)

RAMPHASTIDAE (7 species) Emerald Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus, above Ibague Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Andigena nigrirostris , near Chingaza National Park; pair above Ibague at c. 2650m) Collared Araçari, Pteroglossus torquatus, Bellavista; Río Claro Chestnut-eared Araçari, Pteroglossus castanotis, Santa María Lettered Araçari, Pteroglossus inscriptus, Bavaria Forest (a surprise to see this spp.) Yellow-throated (formerly Chestnut-mandibled) Toucan, Ramphastos ambiguous,

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 abbreviatus at Río Claro; Black-mandibled ( T. ambiguous ) and Chestnut-mandibled toucans are now merged Channel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos vitellinus (citreolaemus ), Bavaria Forest; also Río Claro where this Citron-throated race will probably remain merged with Channel- billed Toucan (of east of the Andes); wonderfully close scope views above Río Claro

PICIDAE (11 spp.) Scaled Piculet, Picumnus squamulatus, Santa María (several) Olivaceous Piculet, Picumnus olivaceus, Mana Dulce; Río Claro Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cruentatus, Santa María Beautiful Woodpecker, Melanerpes pulcher (endemic) , 1 in scope at Bellavista Red-crowned Woodpecker, Melanerpes rubricapillus, almost all lower elevations Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Picoides fumigatus, Bavaria Forest; Chicaque Red-stained Woodpecker, Veniliornis affinis, pair at Bavaria Forest (strongly responsive to playback in forest canopy) Red-rumped Woodpecker, Veniliornis kirkii, Río Claro (several) Red-stained Woodpecker, Veniliornis affinis, 2 in Bavaria Forest Cinnamon Woodpecker, Celeus loricatus, Río Claro Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus, Santa María (1200m)

FALCONIDAE (5 spp.) Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway, floor of the Magdalena Valley between Honda and Pto. Boyacá Yellow-headed Caracara, Milvago chimachima, llanos north of Villavicencio; Santa Maria; Mana Dulce and generally from Ibague to Río Claro Laughing Falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans, Santa María area (twice); near Pto. Boyacá American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, above Calera; near Sumapaz (3000m); Magdalena Valley between Ibague and Mariquita Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis, 1 near Chivor dam above Santa María (1400-1500m)

PSITTACIDAE (8 spp.) Orange-chinned Parakeet, Brotogeris jugularis, Mana Dulce (1 flock of 6-7); heard at Río Claro *Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Brotogeris cyanoptera, heard at Bavaria Forest; Santa María *Blue-headed Parrot, Pionus menstruus, heard at Bellavista and Río Claro *Yellow-crowned Parrot, Amazona ochrocephala, heard at Mana Dulce Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica, Mana Dulce (pairs three times in flight) Spectacled Parrotlet, Forpus conspicillatus (near endemic) , almost all lowland and foothills areas from Santa María onward through Magdalena Valley Brown-breasted Parakeet, Pyrrhura calliptera (endemic), flock of 10 near Santa María (1200m el) Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Ara severus, pair in flight near Pto. Triunfo

THAMNOPHILIDAE (18 spp.) *Great Antshrike, Taraba major, heard at Santa María and Río Claro Barred Antshrike, doliatus, Mana Dulce (male and female)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Bar-crested Antshrike, Thamnophilus multistriatus (near endemic ), Laguna Tabacal Lined Antshrike, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus, Santa María (pair at 750m el) Black-crowned Antshrike, Thamnophilus atrinucha, Laguna Tabacal; Río Claro [formerly called Slaty Antshrike but now split into multiple species] Northern Slaty-Antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus, Bavaria Forest (1 female) Plain Antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis, Laguna Tabacal (1 male) Pacific Antwren, Myrmotherula pacifica, Río Claro White-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula axillaris, Río Claro White-fringed Antwren, Formicivora grisea, Mana Dulce (1 male) Dusky , Cercomacroides tyrannina, Bavaria Forest; Santa María Jet Antbird, Cercomacra nigricans, Mana Dulce (400m); also heard at Laguna Tabacal (750m) White-browed Antbird, Myrmoborus leucophrys, Santa María (750m) Black-faced Antbird, Myrmoborus myotherinus, Bavaria Forest White-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza longipes, Laguna Tabacal (1 male; 1400m el) Chestnut-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza exsul, common at Río Claro although we only saw one Magdalena Antbird, Myrmeciza palliata (endemic), Río Claro 1 seen super close for extended period of time; split from Dull-mantled Antbird Myrmeciza laemosticta , and now a Colombian endemic; see SACC checklist (web site) for details of this recent change; differs only a little in voice and plumage from Dull-mantled Antbird (now west of W Andes) *Blue-lored Antbird Hafferia immaculate, heard at Laguna Tabacal (1400m el)

GRALLARIIDAE *Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Grallaria ruficapilla, heard at entrance to Chicaque Reserve (SH only as CD was purchasing entrance tickets) Tawny Antpitta, Grallaria quitensis, Sumapaz (seen rather briefly crossing road and later moving down slope through rocky area, ca. 3400m el *Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Grallaricula ferrugineipectus, Laguna Tabacal (likely not very responsive due to excessive playback by visiting birders)

RHINOCRYPTIDAE Blackish Tapaculo, Scytalopus latrans, Chicaque Reserve (1 seen) *White-crowned Tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus, 1 heard near Santa María (1200m)

FURNARIIDAE (19 spp. plus one DOR) Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Glyphorynchus spirurus, Río Claro Cocoa Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus susurrans , Mana Dulce (hd); Río Claro Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Dendroplex picus, Mana Dulce; near Río Claro and at Río Claro Red-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris , Mana Dulce Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes souleyetii, Santa María ; Mana Dulce; Río Claro Montane Woodcreeper, Anabacerthia striaticollis , Chicaque Reserve; Plain Xenops, Xenops minutus, Río Claro

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Streaked Xenops, Xenops rutilans, Chicaque Reserve Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii, 1 above Ibague (2650m el) Montane Foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia striaticollis, Chicaque Reserve Andean Tit-Spinetail, Leptasthenura andicola, Sumapaz (2 seen; ca. 3600m el) [Many-striped Canastero, Asthenes flammulata, heard at Sumapaz and we found the remains of a dead one on the road] White-chinned Thistletail, Asthenes fuliginosa, Sumapaz (2 at ca. 3600m el) Crested Spinetail, Cranioleuca subcristata, Santa María (1 at 750-800m el) Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Cranioleuca cinnamomeus, Pto. Triunfo/Pto. Boyacá area Silvery-throated Spinetail, Synallaxis subpudica, above Calera (1 along road; ca. 2800m el) *Azara’s Spinetail, Synallaxis azarae, heard above Ibague Pale-breasted Spinetail, Synallaxis albescens, near Río Claro (800m el) Rufous Spinetail, Synallaxis unirufa, Chicaque Reserve *Plain-crowned Spinetail, Synallaxis gujanensis, Santa María (heard at 750m but unresponsive)

TYRANNIDAE (57 species) Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum, 1 below Santa María (ca. 700 m el); another briefly at Mana Dulce White-tailed Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus poecilocercus, 1 at Chicaque (lower zone at ca. 2400m); another above Ibague (2650m el) White-throated Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus leucophrys, Chicaque Reserve (mostly at 2600m el) Yellow Tyrannulet, Capsiempis flaveola, pair at Mana Dulce Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Tyrannulus elatus, heard and seen at numerous lower elevation sites; best seen in scopes (with crown patch flared) in forest canopy at Río Claro Forest Elaenia, Myiopagis gaimardii, heard at various places including Bavaria Forest (where also seen); Santa María; Mana Dulce and Río Claro Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster, widespread and seen in most lower elevation sites; one bird (female?) building exquisite lichen-covered nest on horizontal branch fork about 5m up in tree in front of the Mana Dulce lodge Mountain Elaenia, Elaenia frantzii, above Santa Maria (1400m); Chicaque (2600m) and above Ibague (2000-2650m) Torrent Tyrannulet, Serpophaga cinerea, at a restaurant above Villavicencio (1700m el); river below Santa María; above Ibague Streak-necked Flycatcher, Mionectes striaticollis, apparently 1 near Chivor Reservoir (not seen by SH); this would be at extreme lower end of elevational range Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus, Laguna Tabacal; heard at Bellavista; 1 seen at Río Claro (last day) Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Leptopogon amaurocephalus, apparently 1 at Bellavista (900m) which seems a little above the normal elevational range for this species; identification of this bird here needs confirmation Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris, a couple near Santa María (1200- 1400m); 1 above Ibague (2200 m); apparently 2 also at Río Claro (although this

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 seems below the normal elevational range for this bird (and this species is easily confused with Sepia-capped Flycatcher); identification of this bird in the Río Claro valley (400m) needs further confirmation Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Leptopogon rufipectus, 1 at Chicaque (250m el) Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, Phylloscartes poecilotis, 1 seen well at Chicaque (2400m el) Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Phylloscartes ophthalmicus 2 at Chicaque (2400m) in same mixed species flock with Variegated Bristle-Tyrant Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias griseiceps, pair seen close at Laguna Tabacal (1400m el); Río Claro Black-capped Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias nigrocapillus, Chicaque (2600m el) Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Zimmerius chrysops, Santa María Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Atalotriccus pilaris, Mana Dulce Southern Bentbill, Oncostoma olivaceum, seen well by La Mulata Lodge at Río Claro by SH and Neal; then by everyone near Río Claro a day later (described by one observer on our trip as a bird with bill that looks like a bad toenail) Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Poecilotriccus ruficeps, 1 at Chicaque (in dense undergrowth below a passing mixed species flock) 2500m el; seen by almost everyone; very cute! Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Poecilotriccus sylvia, Santa María (750m); Mana Dulce Common Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum cinereum, most lower elevations; great observations of tail wagging display etc. at Río Claro *Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum nigriceps, pair heard last day at Río Claro but stayed very high in canopy where essentially remained “heard” birds despite being seen flying to a second tree canopy; not an uncommon experience for this species Olivaceous Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus olivaceus , Río Claro (several); 1 building nest Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Tolmomyias sulphurescens, Río Claro (along road; 1 air building black fiber nest) [White-throated Spadebill, Platyrinchus mystaceus, 1 seen by CD near second military base below Santa María, 750m el; was not seen by anyone else in group and accidentally left off daily checklist] Cinnamon Flycatcher, Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus, Chicaque Reserve; above Ibague Cliff Flycatcher, Hirundinea ferruginea, Santa María (4 on cliff!) Flavescent Flycatcher, Myiophobus flavicans, Chicaque Reserve; 1 at Land Rover loading zone on our walk down to lodge; a rather undistinguished little flycatcher that lives a quiet life Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi , 1 at Bavaria Forest (where perched high in open) Smoke-colored Flycatcher, Contopus fumigatus, 1 at Santa María; another above Ibague Tropical Pewee, Contopus cinereus (or Contopus sp. ), 1 near Santa María (ca. 1100m el; very plain and seemed to lack the pale loral area; identification provisional ; bird photographed Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens , heard at Laguna Tabacal and Río Claro; 1 seen close to La Mulata building by SH and Neal Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans, many lower elevation areas including Río Claro; near water; all are resident birds

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, 1 female at Laguna Tabacal parking lot; another in Magdalena Valley between Ibague and Mariquita; all are resident birds here Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Myiotheretes striaticollis, one well studied in scope above Ibague (2650m); the “dog whistler” Pied Water-Tyrant, Fluvicola pica, Magdalena Valley wetlands near Pto. Boyacá and Pto. Triunfo White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Arundinicola leucocephala, Magdalena Valley wetlands near Pto. Boyacá and Pto. Triunfo; I think we saw 3-4 females (males?) Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Ochthoeca fumicolor, Sumapaz (pair) at 3650m Long-tailed Tyrant, Colonia colonus, Santa María and Río Claro Cattle Tyrant, Machetornis rixosa, Magdalena wetlands near Río Claro (a pair) *Bright-rumped Attila, Attila spadiceus, heard at Bavaria Forest and Río Claro Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer, Bavaria Forest; above Ibague Panama Flycatcher, Myiarchus panamensis, Magdalena wetlands near Pto. Triunfo (only 1 seen) *Short-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus ferox, Santa María (heard at 700m el) Apical Flycatcher, Myiarchus apicalis (endemic) , Mana Dulce (great studies of two different birds; photos etc.) Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus , common at Río Claro Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, most lower elevations Boat-billed Flycatcher, Megarynchus pitangua, Santa María; Bellavista etc. Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis, all lower elevation sites (up to ca.1750m) from Laguna Tabacal onward Social Flycatcher, Myiozetetes similis, several below Santa María were the only ones seen (these also were calling); one pair (or 3?) were with several Rusty-margined Flycatchers and two Gray-capped Flycatchers with all of them busily sallying for insects at dusk (725m) in a small clearing in front of the first military base Streaked Flycatcher, Myiodynastes maculatus, Río Claro (where pair were building a stick platform nest in the side of a building where the bricks were broken) Piratic Flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius, heard almost everywhere at lower elevations; seen above Guayabetal on east slope of Andes Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus, daily at all lower and mid elevations; the first bird to call (a high rising trill) predawn, e.g. at Santa María as we walked to breakfast Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savanna, large numbers in wetland/ranchland area near Pto. Triunfo; scattered individuals elsewhere in Magdalena Valley; the large number of birds suggests some of these (all?) could be pre-migratory activity prior to moving northward into Central America; all appeared to be fully adult with long tails;

COTINGIDAE Green-and-black Fruiteater, Pipreola riefferii, Chicaque (pair seen) Red-crested Cotinga, Ampelion rubrocristatus, Chingaza (2 seen) Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruvianus , above Santa María (3-4 males displaying; several females and an immature male also seen

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 PIPRIDAE Lance-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia lanceolata, male seen at Mana Dulce White-bearded Manakin, Manacus manacus, numerous lower elevation sites but mostly females; males at Laguna Tabacal and Río Claro Striped Manakin, Machaeropterus regulus , Bellavista (900m); Río Claro area (up to half dozen seen one morning at ca. 800m; others at 400m el) Golden-headed Manakin, Certopipra erythrocephala, female at Bavaria forest; male at Bellavista Wing-barred Piprites, Piprites chloris , splendid views near Río Claro (at 800m including photos); pair also seen at Río Claro (400m el). The name Piprites is derived from Pipra (=a of manakin) and the Greek ending . . oides (ites) meaning to resemble (thus to look like a manakin)

TITYRIDAE AND ALLIES Black-crowned Tityra, Tityra inquisitor, Río Claro Masked Tityra, Tityra semifasciata, 1 female near Santa María; pair at Río Claro. (Tityra=Latin Tityrus an aristocratic hooligan, a reference to the aggressive bullying behavior of these birds) Cinereous Becard, Pachyramphus rufus, Laguna Tabacal (male seen well) Cinnamon Becard, Pachyramphus cinnamomeus, most lower elevation sites including Santa María and Río Claro White-winged Becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus, 2 below Santa María (700m) One-colored Becard, Pachyramphus homochrous, pair gathering nest material (wind-born seeds from a bromeliad) at Río Claro

VIREONIDAE Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis, heard in most areas; seen above Santa María Black-billed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis nigrirostris, 2 seen at Chicaque (2400m el); a colder, grayer and upper elevation version of Rufous-browed Peppershrike Scrub Greenlet, Hylophilus flavipes, Laguna Tabacal (hd); Santa María; Mana Dulce (mostly heard but singing constantly) Brown-capped Vireo, Vireo leucophrys, Chivor Reservoir; Chicaque Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, 1 at Bellavista was probably this species (and not Yellow-green) as it had a well-marked facial pattern (and only a tinge of yellow on lower underparts); shown here as a likely northern migrant although this may have been a resident subspecies

CORVIDAE Black-chested Jay, Cyanocorax affinis, Mana Dulce (hd); Río Claro Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas cyanodorsalis, Chingaza (beautiful group of 5); heard near Santa María; also seen close above Ibague; Andean races (Inca Jay) are a likely a future split from Central American forms (there are 3 races in Colombia but all are quite similar) Violaceous Jay, Cyanocorax violaceus, Bavaria Forest; Santa María

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018

HIRUNDINIDAE (surprisingly few this trip) Blue-and-white Swallow, Pygochelidon (formerly Notiochelidon ) cyanoleuca, middle- elevations in mts.; most numerous around the hotel at Ibague where they were swooping rapidly through the breezeway by the elevators Brown-bellied Swallow, Notiochelidon murina, at high elevations including Chingaza and Sumapaz (mainly >2600m el) Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, Santa María; Magdalena Valley and Magdalena Valley wetlands/ranchland Gray-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea, Santa María (hotel; scattered birds through middle Magdalena Valley Brown-chested Martin, Progne tapera, Santa María (1 at hotel)/ this bird was the resident (not austral) subspecies White-winged Swallow, Tachycineta albiventer, near Pto. Triunfo Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica , Magdalena Valley near Pto. Triunfo (several flocks of 20-30)

TROGLODYTIDAE (12 species) *Scaly-breasted Wren, Microcerculus marginatus taeniatus, heard at Santa María; also Bellavista and Río Claro; taxonomy of various forms not resolved; expect future changes House Wren, Troglodytes aedon, most low and mid-elevations Mountain Wren, Troglodytes solstitialis, 1 above Ibague at 2650m Apolinar’s Wren, Cistothorus apolinari (endemic), Sumapaz (pair) Band-backed Wren, Campylorhynchus zonatus, Río Claro Black-bellied Wren, Pheugopedius fasciatoventris, Laguna Tabacal; heard in several other places in Magdalena Valley; seen at Río Claro where we watched a pair repeatedly carrying small sticks and other material to a nest (and always returning to the same place to collect the nest material) *Whiskered Wren, Pheugopedius mystacalis, heard above Santa María; also heard at Chicaque Rufous-breasted Wren, Pheugopedius rutilus, Santa María (pair seen very well) Speckle-breasted Wren, Pheugopedius sclateri , pair briefly at Laguna Tabacal where difficult to see; a likely split from population in SW and NW ; this northern population will then be a Colombian endemic Bay Wren, Cantorchilus nigricapillus, Río Claro (super-energetic bird) Buff-breasted Wren, heard at Mana Dulce; seen by a few persons White-breasted Wood-Wren, Henicorhina leucosticta, heard at Mana Dulce; 1 seen there by SH Grey-breasted Wood-Wren, Henicorhina leucophrys, heard at virtually all highland sites; seen near Chivor Reservoir

POLIOPTILIDAE *[Long-billed Gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus, Laguna Tabacal (hd)j by SH & CD]

TURDIDAE (7 spp.)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Andean Solitaire, Myadestes ralloides, 1 seen at Chicaque Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus dryas, 1 heard near Santa Maria (1200m; seen flying across trail twice but remained elusive) Swainson’s Thrush, Catharus ustulatus , Laguna Tabacal; Santa María (several); Bellavista (at least 25) Pale-breasted Thrush, Turdus leucomelas, widespread lowland and foothill bird; Black-billed Thrush, Turdus ignobilis, widespread; occupies foothills and mid-elevations in central Magdalena Valley and is largely replaced at lower elevations and northward in the lower part of the valley and Santa Marta area by Pale-breasted Thrush Spectacled Thrush, Turdus nudigenis, Guayabetal (3) on east slope; Santa María (several) Great Thrush, Turdus fuscater, highlands above ca. 2400m

MIMIDAE Tropical Mockingbird, Mimus gilvus, numerous open areas

PARULIDAE (18 spp.; 10 North American breeding migrants) Northern Waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis , 1 near Santa María Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia , 2 near Santa María Tennessee Warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina , above Guayabetal; Santa María; Bellavista Mourning Warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia , Santa María (1) seen by 1 or 2 people American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla , Laguna Tabacal (female); Santa María (at least 12-15)) Cerulean Warbler, Setophaga cerulea, Santa María (at least 10 seen slightly above Santa María on two separate days); ca. 1000-1100m el Tropical Parula, Setophaga pitiayumi, Laguna Tabacal (900m el) Bay-breasted Warbler, Setophaga castanea , 1 below Santa María (probably unusual here); Bellavista; Río Claro (winters mainly at low elevations west of Andes) Blackburnian Warbler, Setophaga fusca , all higher elevations (above ca. 900m but most common above 1500m); males consistently at higher elevations (above ca. 2000m with very bright male above Ibague at 2650m); females lower but overlap males at mid-elevations); up to 12 seen some days and the commonest wintering North American migrant warbler to Colombia Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata, 1 at Bavaria Forest (ca. 650m); 3 near Santa María (ca. 750-800m) Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons, 1 spritely bird foraging on paved road at Laguna Tabacal; several at Mana Dulce Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus, 1 at Santa María (ca. 1100m) Black-crested Warbler, Myiothlypis nigrocristata, Chicaque Reserve (2550m); above Ibague Buff-rumped Warbler, Myiothlypis fulvicauda, Mana Dulce (several); Río Claro (daily) Gray-throated Warbler, Myiothlypis cinereicollis, 1 briefly (moved up high into vines) at Laguna Tabacal where it was difficult to see Canada Warbler, Cardellina canadensis , Laguna Tabacal (female); Santa María (2-3 daily) Slate-throated Redstart, Myioborus miniatus, mid-elevations mainly at Santa María and Chicaque

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Golden-fronted Redstart, Myioborus ornatus ornatus, Ibague; (race with all yellow face)

THRAUPIDAE (ca. 57spp.) Black-faced Tanager, Schistochlamys malanopis, 1 seen by Neal near Guayabetal (ca. 1500m; in old brushy pasture) Magpie Tanager, Cissopis leverianus, Guayabetal 3) and Santa María Black-capped Hemispingus, Hemispingus atropileus, 6+ at Chicaque (in mixed species flock) Gray-headed Tanager, Eucometis penicillata, Bellavista; at army ants at Río Claro White-shouldered Tanager, Tachyphonus luctuosus, Santa María; Mana Dulce (1male) White-lined Tanager, Tachyphonus rufus, pair near Guayabetal Silver-beaked Tanager, Ramphocelus carbo, Santa María area Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus, all lower and mid-elevation sites from Laguna Tabacal onward Grass-green Tanager, Chlorornis riefferii, Chicaque Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Anisognathus lacrymosus, 1 above Ibague Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Anisognathus igniventris, Chingaza; Sumapaz Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Anisognathus somptuosus, above Ibague Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, all low and mid-elevations Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum, almost all lower elevations Blue-capped Tanager, Thraupis cyanocephala, widespread in highlands Black-capped Tanager, Tangara heinei, Chicaque; 1 above Ibague Burnished-buff Tanager, Tangara cayana, Santa María (1 bird on nest at Santa María) Scrub Tanager, Tangara vitriolina, Laguna Tabacal; Mana Dulce Golden-hooded Tanager, Tangara larvata, Río Claro Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis, near Santa María (1 small group) Turquoise Tanager, Tangara mexicana, Santa María (pair near hotel) Blue-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanicollis, widespread in foothills including Santa María Speckled Tanager, Tangara guttata, Santa María Blue-and black Tanager, Tangara vassorii, Chicaque Reserve Beryl-spangled Tanager, Tangara vassorii, Chicaque Reserve Plain-colored Tanager, Tangara inornata, Río Claro Bay-headed Tanager, Tangara gyrola, near Santa María (here with blue underparts) Saffron-crowned Tanager, Tangara xanthocephala, above Santa María; above Ibague Swallow Tanager, Tersina viridis Santa María (1F); pair very close at Río Claro; also above Río Claro Blue Dacnis, Dacnis cayana, Bavaria Forest & Santa María Purple Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus, Bavaria Forest & Santa María Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus, Santa María (at Hotel Esmeraldas and a minor range extension) Green Honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza, Bavaria Forest; Santa María; female above Río Claro Guira Tanager, Hemithraupis guira, Bellavista, male below Santa María (ca. 700m) Chestnut-vented Conebill, Conirostrum speciosum , Santa María (seen twice very well) White-eared Conebill, Conirostrum leucogenys, pair at Mana Dulce; male near Pto. Triunfo

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Capped Conebill, Conirostrum albifrons, above Ibague (difficult to see) Glossy Flowerpiercer, Diglossa lafresnayii, Chingaza; Sumapaz Black Flowerpiercer, Diglossa humeralis, above La Calera; Chicaque; above Ibague (generally at a little lower elevation than the previous species) White-sided Flowerpiercer, Diglossa albilatera, Chicaque Bluish Flowerpiercer, Diglossa caerulescens, Chicaque Masked Flowerpiercer, Diglossa cyanea, Chicaque Plumbeous Sierra-, Phrygilus unicolor, Sumapaz (males and female) Saffron Finch, Sicalis flaveola, widespread in lower more open areas and especially at Santa María (where they are fed!) Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Sporophila minuta, Mana Dulce; Magdalena ranchland near Pto. Boyacá/Pto. Triunfo Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch, Sporophila angolensis, 1singing male at Mana Dulce (with full chestnut-belly) Gray Seedeater, Sporophila intermedia, Santa María Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis, Laguna Tabacal; Santa María; ranchland in Magdalena Valley Gray Seedeater, Sporophila intermedia, Santa María (edge of river below town); Mana Dulce [Slate-colored Seedeater, Sporophila schistacea, possibly 1 male seen below Santa María ca. 700m (bird perched in open in saddle between two columns of vines and with bamboo nearby; looked darker than normal Gray Seedeater and with small white neck-side spots; no vocalizations. Identification provisional and not positive] Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola, San Francisco (hummingbird garden); and most other lowland sites below ca. 1600m el [Coerebidae family no longer valid although still maintained in some checklists Dusky-faced Tanager, Mitrospingus cassinii, Río Claro (some large noisy flocks) *Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Rhodinocichla rosea, Laguna Tabacal (heard; and probably little responsive here now from excessive exposure to song playback by visiting birders) Buff-throated Saltator, Saltator maximus, Santa María; Bellavista; Río Claro Grayish Saltator, Saltator coerulescens, Santa María at ca. 700m Streaked Saltator, Saltator striatipectus, scattered drier foothill and mid-elevation locations

EMBERIZIDAE Common Chlorospingus (formerly Bush-Tanager), Chlorospingus ophthalmicus, Chicaque; above Ibague Ashy-throated Chlorospingus, Chlorospingus canigularis, Chicaque (2 or more in mixed species flock) Black-striped Sparrow, Arremonops conirostris, Mana Dulce (2) Gray-browed Brushfinch, Arremon assimilis, Chicaque Reserve Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis, all higher elevations Moustached Brushfinch, Atlapetes albofrenatus , Chicaque Reserve (several) Yellow-headed Brushfinch, Atlapetes flaviceps (endemic), above Ibague (pair ca. 2600m) Slaty Brushfinch, Atlapetes schistaceus, Chingaza; Sumapaz

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018

CARDINALIDAE Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava, Santa María (900 & 750m); Ibague (>2000m) Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra , Laguna Tabacal (male); Santa María (1-2 daily); Mana Dulce (1) Sooty Ant-Tanager, Habia gutturalis (endemic) , 2-3 seen above Río Claro (ca. 850m) Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus , Laguna Tabacal (4-5 males and 1 female); surprisingly scarce this trip *Blue-black Grosbeak, Cyanocompsa cyanoides, heard at Río Claro

ICTERIDAE Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna, Chingaza; Sumapaz Red-breasted Meadowlark, Sturnella militaris, ranchland near Pto. Triunfo Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Chrysomus icterocephalus, Parque La Florida; llanos between Villavicencio and Santa María; dozens in ranchland/wetlands near Pto. Triunfo and Pto. Boyacá Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis, lower elevations (e.g. below c.1600 m) Giant Cowbird, Molothrus oryzivorus, 1 at Bellavista (apparently the only one we saw) Orange-crowned Oriole, Icterus auricapillus, Mana Dulce (brief view); another at Bellavista (in scope) Yellow Oriole, Icterus nigrogularis, Mana Dulce Yellow-rumped Cacique, Cacicus cela, Santa María; Río Claro Russet-backed Oropendola, Psarocolius angustifrons, common on east slope above and below Santa María Crested Oropendola, Psarocolius decumanus, near Guayabetal; Villavicencio; Santa María; one heard at Río Claro (and may have been seen here as well) Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Psarocolius wagleri, Río Claro (1 in scope the last morning)

FRINGILLIDAE Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Euphonia concinna (endemic), Mana Dulce (pair close to lodge); also heard at Laguna Tabacal Thick-billed Euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris, the “common” euphonia on this trip; most areas below c. 1750 m Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Euphonia fulvicrissa, Río Claro (seen best the last morning) Golden-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia chrysopasta, Bavaria forest Orange-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia xanthogaster, Santa María *Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia cyanea, heard near Santa María (1100-1200m) Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys, 1 male above Ibague (El Silencio area) at 2650m (spectacular in scope) , psaltria, near Santa María (700m) , Spinus spinescens, Chingaza; Sumapaz; above Ibague

Bird list for February 15 (last day, 0700-10:40 am) Río Claro road from La Mulata buildings to building half way to highway (checklist not completed): Noteworthy is the large number of species for which breeding evidence was documented:

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018

Little Tinamou (hd); Black Vulture; Turkey Vulture; Roadside Hawk; Rufous-breasted Hermit (2); Stripe-throated Hermit (1); Purple-crowned Fairy (SH only); White-tailed Trogon (hd); Gray-cheeked Nunlet (1); White-mantled Barbet (2); Collared Araçari (2 in flight); Red-crowned Woodpecker; Red-rumped Woodpecker; Cinnamon Woodpecker (1); Yellow-headed Caracara; Pacific Antwren (2); Chestnut-backed Antbird (hd); Bicolored Antbird (hd near La Mulata); Wedge-billed Woodpecker (1); Cocoa Woodcreeper (hd); Plain Xenops (1); Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (hd); Forest Elaenia (hd); Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (1-2 seen); Slaty-capped Flycatcher (apparently this species seen); Sooty-headed Tyrannulet (hd; seen building nest in high fork 2 days ago); Common Tody-Flycatcher (1 unfinished nest); Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher (2 heard and seen distantly flying from top of one canopy tree to another); Yellow-olive Flycatcher (1 unfinished black-fiber nest); Acadian Flycatcher (hd); Black Phoebe; Long- tailed Tyrant; Great Crested Flycatcher (several; vocal); Streaked Flycatcher (building nest in side of brick building); Piratic Flycatcher; Tropical Kingbird (carrying nest material); White-bearded Manakin (1female); Striped Manakin (1 briefly); Cinnamon Becard (hd); One-colored Becard (pair carrying nest material); Southern Rough-winged Swallow; Scaly-breasted Wren (hd); Black-bellied Wren (pair in area where they were building a nest 2 days ago); Bay Wren; Pale-breasted Thrush (incubating eggs on nest on road bank); Bay-breasted Warbler (still in non-breeding plumage); Buff-rumped Warbler; Gray-headed Tanager; Crimson-backed Tanager (pair); Blue-gray Tanager (carrying nest material); Palm Tanager; Swallow Tanager (3 close birds; 2 appeared to be nest site searching); Bananaquit (very dull plumaged bird building nest by stealing from another nest; possibly an immature bird); Dusky-faced Tanager (a noisy mob); Yellow-rumped Cacique; Chestnut-headed Oropendola (1 in scope); Thick-billed Euphonia (including incubating inside domed nest on road bank).

MAMMALS AND CRITTERS:

Grison, Galictis vittata, a quick and rare view of three of these low-slung with whitish bands across foreheads, running across the highway in Magdalena Valley (rice growing area) near junction of Ibague-Bogotá highway with the highway north to Honda. This was the first time I have seen this species in Colombia although these weasels are relatively widespread in South America, occurring from to and are more numerous in the Chaco of northern Argentina. White-footed Marmoset, Saguinus leucopus , several near Río Claro (very cute) Red-tailed Squirrel, Sciurus granadensis, many areas (the forms in the central part of Colombia have grayish bodies, rufous tails and whitish bellies Squirrel Monkey , Saimiri sciureus, group of 15 or more in Bavaria Forest (and were being “shadowed” by a pair of Double-toothed Kites) Domestic Guinea Pig (Cavy sp. or Cavia porcellus ), Parque La Florida; apparently these small fur-bearing mammals are Domestic Guinea-Pigs that are feral; the wild ancestor of Guinea-Pigs is unknown. A very large bat (fruit-eating bat?) swooping around low between the buildings and over swimming pool and at the edge of the open-air restaurant at the La Ermita Hotel in

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018 Mariquita; this huge bat was as large as some of the smaller fruit bats (flying foxes) in Asia Geckos (several species including House Gecko; a large mottled gray one (at the La Mulata buildings at Río Claro); and a smallish one with a bright orange head (=Orange-headed Gecko) on some limestone rocks at Río Claro Iguana, Iguana iguana , Magdalena ranchland and wetland (1 fairly one, mix of gray and green suggesting it was nearly fully adult Amevia ameiva, several of these lizards, Rio Claro; males mainly spotted whitish on green or brown body; females less green than males and show prominent dark brown (or dusky) and yellow stripe on either side of body with central band of brown down mid-back Anolis spp., several including one unusually slender one (about 8” long) with a broad whitish stripe down back that was clinging head down and about 2 m up on the side of a trunk Leaf-litter toad (spp.?) was seen at Mana Dulce Common Basilisk, Basiliscus basiliscus, varies in color from brown to olive but can also be bright green or any intermediate shade of green to brown. Juveniles are brighter. Seen at Río Claro Forest Reserve; Note that the Emerald Basilisk (lizard), Basiliscus plumifrons, (which some of you reported seeing at Río Claro) is not known to occur here. Its normal range is to western Panama (mainly on Atlantic side) “Garfield” the orange cat at Río Claro (of previous years) was not to be seen this year although a rather mottled/grizzled black and buff one was at the lodge

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Colombia: Bogota, Eastern Andes, and the Magdalena Valley, 2018