Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report

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GEOFFREY CARPENTIER Avocet Nature Services

11 Strattonville Crescent, Port Perry, ON L9L 1W7 (905) 852-2011

www.avocetnatureservices.com

avocetnatureservices@gmail.com

Colombia 2018 Expedition

Trip Report

by

Geoff Carpentier

Our journey to Colombia began in mid-January 2018 where we planned to spend the next couple

of weeks exploring the mountains, deserts and valleys of central and northern Colombia. Despite

some unsettling issues at the Toronto airport (everyone but me!) arrived in Bogota by the 16th

to

begin our tour. I was diverted and eventually arrived the next day after an involuntary visit to

Lima, Peru.

While the group waited for me, Roger Rodriguez, our Nature Colombia guide, did an admirable

job of ensuring we would safely get to our starting destination and see as much as possible as the

trip commenced.

Day 1: January 16, 2018 – Start of

main tour: Nine guests joined Roger

on the first day as they travelled to

Chingaza National Park, high above

the city of Bogota. An early start was

necessary to avoid the crushing

traffic of this large metropolis.

However, the group was soon outside

the city and travelling to the

highlands to look for specialty birds

near the treeline. The landscape up

there is harsh but exciting – certainly

very different than what most of us

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had ever seen before. Rocky outcrops, lush grassy vegetation and scattered fields of bright yellow

flowers on dismal gray stalks (i.e. Espletia sp.) typified the habitat.

One of our targets was a

tiny hummingbird, the

Bearded Helmetcrest (see above) that fed

almost exclusively on

Espletia blooms in the

elfin forest zones of the

region. The hummer

avoided us, but many

other birds delighted the

group, such as White-

chinned, Silvery-

throated & White-

browed Spinetails,

Tawny & Pale-bellied

Tapaculo, Scarlet-

bellied Mountain-

tanager and Plumbeous

Sierra-finch.

Later in the day, the group travelled back toward Bogota and

stopped at the Las Observatorio de Colibries gardens to view the

hummingbirds there. This was an exciting stop and one that

introduced us to the first of the almost 50 species of hummers we

would eventually see on the trip! Here beauties like Green &

Black-tailed (see

photo to the right)

Trainbearers,

Glowing Puffleg,

Tyrian Metaltail,

Blue-throated

Starfrontlet, and

White-bellied

Woodstar (pictured

to the left), along

with Red-crested

Cotinga adding a

nice colorful touch!

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Day 2: January 17, 2018: Refreshed after a great night at the Blue Suites Hotel, we were up early

and on our way to explore a large wetland within the city limits of Bogota. La Florida is a

spectacular example of how a city

can preserve a large wetland habitat,

make it appealing to thousands of

city dwellers, while ensuring wildlife

has a chance! Here we would see

hundreds of water birds of many

species, such as Bare-faced Ibis,

Spot-flanked Gallinule (see photo at

right), Andean Teal, Yellow-

hooded Blackbird, Wattled

Jacana, and much more. However,

we did come here to see two

speciallty species – the Apolinar

Wren and the Bogota Rail, and we

were not disappointed. Although we

had only fleeting glimpses of the rail,

we had killer views of the wren as it

came into the open and sang from the

reeds right in front of us.

Lunch was a great event at Chicaque N.P. enroute back to Bogota. As we waited for lunch to be

prepared, we were treated to myriad wonderful birds in their lush gardens. Amongst these were

Tourmaline Sunangel, Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (see photo below), Collared Inca, White-

bellied Woodstar, and Sparkling & Lesser Violetear along with Masked Flowerpiercers

working the flowers around the lodge.

Later we walked the roadway, and despite the

continuing rain, added many new species,

including Emerald Toucanet, Chestnut-

crowned Antpitta, Black-capped & Black-

eared Hemispingus, Blue-backed & Capped

Conebill, Plushcap, and Chestnut-capped,

Slaty & Gray-browed Brush-finch.

The drive back took sometime but the

welcoming ambiance of the hotel and a great

birding day set us at ease as we prepared to do

our list and have a delicious Colombian dinner

and maybe a cervesa?!?.

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Day 3/4: January 18-19, 2018: Today

was to be a travel day as we departed

early for the airport for our flight to

Medellin. Norm and Mary’s lost luggage

finally arrived, but mine was still

mysteriously missing. Once in Medellin

we began the long drive to the Chestnut-

capped Piha Reserve, where we would

stay the next two nights. Once there, the

lush grounds and the wonderful

hummingbird and tanager feeders

occupied our thoughts and would lead to

long-lasting memories for all of us. So

many birds showed themselves to us that

it was often hard to keep track. The lodge

layout was simple – comfortable but

Spartan rooms, set amongst nature and

all she had to offer. Several feeders were

located just beyond where we would take

our meals and the views of the valleys and hills beyond were breathtaking.

It’s hard to single out any one bird that caught our attention so I’ll just list some of the species we

saw at this lodge: King Vulture, Tropical Screech-owl (photo above), White-necked Jacobin.

Green-fronted Lancebill, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Woodstar, Golden-

headed Quetzal, Highland Motmot, Collared & Masked Trogon, Crimson-rumped

Toucanet, Azara’s, Slaty & Pale-breasted Spinetail, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Mountain

Elaenia, Marble-faced Bristle-tyrant, Black-chested and Inca Jay, and at least 16 species of

tanagers! Oh and we missed the piha despite many tries ... can’t win them all!

Day 5: January 20, 2018: This turned out to be our longest

travel day. Thinking it would take only a few hours as we

crossed over Medellin to get to our lodge west of there, it

took almost 11 hours in total, with only two brief birding

stops enroute. As we left the Piha Reserve, we wanted to try

for a rare barbet along the main road and after a few

minutes were successful in coaxing out two White-mantled

Barbets. To the left a male barbet sings is odd guttural

hooting song with throat extended.

Stopping for a leg stretch and washroom break, we

stumbled onto a great flock of birds by the roadside. Hard to

leave them, but not before we did we spotted some goodies:

Yellow-headed Caracara, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Bar-

crested Antshrike, Vermillion Flycatcher, Streaked &

Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Rufous Wren, Blue-necked

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Tanager and Orange-bellied Euphonia. Once we arrived at Tangaras Reserve, we all rushed to

our rooms, dropped our bags and then headed to the gardens where Sickle-winged and Wattled

Guans greeted us. Myriad tanagers, hummingbirds and fruit bats also put on a show for us as dusk

settled over us!

Day 6/7: January 21-22, 2018: On our first day at Tangaras, we drove up high into the

surrounding hills to look for mid-altitude birds, and we were certainly not disappointed. Along the

route, we stopped periodically for wave after wave of exciting neo-tropical birds. At one point, we

went to a shelter overlooking several hummingbird feeders. Birds were everywhere – alighting,

fighting and delighting as they dashed from feeder to feeder

enjoying the sugary mix offered by reserve personnel. Birds

enjoyed on this sojourn included Plumbeous Kite, Cloud-

forest Pygmy-Owl, Long-tailed Hermit, Speckled

Hummingbird, Long-tailed & Violet-tailed Sylph,

Greenish Puffleg, Brown Inca, Buff-tailed & Velvet-

purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, White-tailed Hillstar,

White-bellied (see photo at right) & Purple-throated

Woodstar, and Toucan Barbet (see next page center and

top respectively) & Red-headed Barbet. The following day

we went to the same general area and the group split as some wanted to climb higher while the rest

wanted to have new looks at some of yesterday’s finds.

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No one was disappointed. Several of the same

birds were seen, but new additions included

Yellow-vented & Golden-olive Woodpecker,

Red-faced Spinetail, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Red-

billed Scythebill, Yellow-breasted Antpitta,

Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Barred & White-

winged Becard, Flame-rumped Black-and-Gold

Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-tanager,

Glistening-green Tanager, and the ultimate

target bird – Gold-ringed Tanager! This is a

hugely rich avifaunal stop on our route, and we

know we only touched the surface of what was

actually there. Many more wonders await if we

come back this way again!

Day 8: January 23, 2018: The next stop along our route was at Jardin (pronounced Hardeen), a

lovely little town, enshrouded in history with beautiful markets and friendly people. Nestled along

the edge of town, near a fast-flowing river is a hidden gem. We hiked down a fairly steep incline

to a large wooden gate that hid the wonders beyond. Soon we were greeted and welcomed in and

what a sight it was! About a dozen male Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock were on full display at their

lek, only a few meters from our

vantage point. The lookouts were

comfortable and gave great views

of these wonderful birds. All

through the 2+ hours we were

here, they huffed and puffed and

tried to attract invisible females.

But they weren’t the only birds

there, for Green Honeycreeper,

White-capped Dipper (on the

river below the blinds), Torrent

Tyranulet, Band-tailed

Barbthroat, Andean Motmot,

Yellow-backed Oriole, Black-

winged Saltator and 11 species

of tanagers delighted us. Back at

our hotel, situated beside the town

square, we enjoyed a sampling of

Colombian culture as people and music blended in perfect harmony.

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Day 9: January 24, 2018: From our base in Jardin, we got up and left at 5:15 so we could reach

the nearby Yellow-eared Parrot Preserve (see next page). Only about 1500 of these colorful

parrots persist in the wild so to see any would be a treat. We saw about 50! Small flocks moved

back and forth at dawn, giving us at first distant, then eventually great looks as they passed

overhead. Situated nearby was a small hostel that served us a great breakfast, surrounded by the

highland landscape, so different to anything we had experienced so far. Sitting on small tables, we

were surrounded by hummingbirds and flowerpiercers. The list was long and included Sword-

billed Hummingbird (see next page upper right), Buff-tailed Coronet, Mountain Velvetbreast,

Black-mandibled Mountain-toucan, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Band-winged Nightjar, and

Streak-throated Bush-tyrant to name a few. Other nice finds for the day included Pearled

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Treerunner, four species of mountain-tanager, Black-

capped & Superciliared Hemispingus, Acorn

Woodpecker, Mountain Cacique, and Common

Chlorospingus.

Day 10: January

25, 2018: Today

we left the

western Andes

and flew north to

Santa Marta for

the last leg of the main tour. The flight was seamless but

bird numbers and variety were understandably minimal.

We spent the day either exploring Santa Marta or going

to the hotel in Minca. It was a scorching day so bird

activity was low. Nonetheless, by nightfall, we had

tallied some nice finds, including Whooping Motmot,

White-necked Jacobin, White-chinned Sapphire,

White-vented

Plumeleteer,

Streaked

Flycatcher, Keel-billed Toucan, Sqyuirrel Cuckoo

(right bottom), Swallow Tanager and the boisterous

Bicolored Wren. It was a day for reflection as the

journey would pick up speed gain tomorrow as we

climbed up into the Santa Marta highlands.

Day 11-13: January 26-28, 2018: The drive by jeep up

to El Dorado Lodge was a bit bumpy so to speak. My

back might never be the same! LOL. However the slow

climb was worth it as we caught our first glimpse of our

home for the next 3 nights. The welcoming atmosphere

of the lodge, the rustic cabins and myriad wildlife

grasped us immediately. We shared the lodge with two

other birding groups. The grounds were amazing as we

watched hummers buzzing about and in the valley beside

the deck, while prehistoric looking guans rooted in the

waste fruit pile for scraps. The next day, we descended

the mountain slightly to visit Palo Alto, a small B&B on

the mountainside. Here we looked for and found the

Santa Marta Blossomcrown and Santa Marta

Woodstar - two key hummingbird species we had hoped to find. Returning to the lodge, we

birded (some of us walked most of the way) back to El Dorado Lodge. Highlights of the days here

included Black-fronted Wood-quail, Red-billed Parrot, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Santa

Marta Screech-owl, Black-and-White Owl, Tyrian Metaltail, White-tailed Starfrontlet,

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Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Band-tailed Guan (photo below),White-tipped Quetzal,

Groove-billed Toucanet, Gray-throated Leaftosser,

Strong-billed & Montane Woodcreeper, Santa Marta

Antbird, Slaty Antwren, Black-throated Tody-tyrant,

Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Bang’s & Santa Marta

(Hermit) Wood-wren, White-lored Warbler, Lined

Quail-dove, Blue-naped Chlorophonia (photo at right)

and Sierra Nevada Brush-finch. Wow!

On the last day

of this part of

the trip, we got

in the jeeps for a

very bumpy pre-

dawn ride to the

top to see Cerro

Kennedy, a

popular tourist destination. The views from here were

amazing – 360 spectacular! We had several target birds

here as well and got almost everyone … successes

included: Santa Marta Parakeet, Scaly-naped Parrot,

Black-backed Thornbill (see below right), Santa

Marta Toucanet, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Brown-

rumped Tapaculo, Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant, Santa

Marta Mountain-tanager, Santa Marta Warbler,

Santa Marta Brush-finch and Yellow-crowned

Whitestart. In addition to the birds, we had killer views

of a Kinkajou and a Gray-footed Night-monkey at the

lodge. On the way back down to the lodge we stopped at

the San Lorenzo Experimental Station where we searched for the Santa Marta Antpitta. It is

being fed by the researchers and comes out at 9 a.m. for breakfast every day. It didn’t disappoint

us today! Geoff Stimpson took this great photo of the bird (see photo gallery).

Day 14: January 29, 2018: The main tour was to

end today, but as we travelled to Santa Marta we

still had a few surprises in store as we worked our

way down the mountain. Crimson-crested

Woodpecker, Barred Antshrike, Santa Marta

Foliage-gleaner and White-chinned Sapphire

added zest to the day! At this point we dropped

Rick, Mary and Norm off for their flight back to

Bogota and Lydia, who had decided to stay in

Santa Marta to enjoy the cultural side of this

wonderful city. The rest of us headed out to do

the Extension.

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Day 14: January 29, 2018 – Extension: A bit weary but

nonetheless enthused, we head north and east to the Guajira

Peninsula to sample the desert birds there. The 2.5 hour drive

seemed short as the roads were excellent and hundreds of

birds lined the roadway. Straight as an arrow, the highway

pieced the desert landscape on our way to Riohacha, where

would spend the night. We hit one flock of birds that

shocked us by its variety and the numbers of birds involved.

Included in it were Savanna Hawk, Fork-tailed

Flycatcher, Common Black-hawk, Blue-crowned &

Brown-throated Parakeet, Glaucous Tanager and Yellow

Oriole. Later, along the same route we added Double-

striped Thick-knee, Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Swallow-

tailed Kite, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Greater Ani, Lesser

Nighthawk, Rufous-tailed Jacamar (photo at right),

Piratic & Brown-crested Flycatcher and Gray Kingbird.

Day 15: January 30, 2018: We were on the road early again

to head back towards Santa Marta and little did we know

what wondrous sights were in store for us! Our first target was the super rare Tocuyo Sparrow,

always a tricky target as its numbers were so low and it didn’t seem to stay in one place very long.

Our driver knew a spot where they had been seen recently. Within minutes of our arrival, I spotted

one deep inside a mimosa bush that eventually gave us all great looks but did not pose for our

cameras. In the same area, as we walked with our indigenous guide through the Los Flamencos

park, we found Bare-eyed Pigeon, Buffy & Shining-green Hummingbird, Russet-throated

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Puffbird, Chestnut Piculet (photo at left),

White-whiskered Spinetail, Vermillion

Cardinal and Pale-legged Hornero. It was

surprising how many birds we found in this

seemingly arid landscape. We lunched in the

indigenous Wayuú village (see photo of child

below – taken with permission) beside the sea,

enjoying the marine fare. From here we

embarked on an adventure that left us wanting

less! LOL. What was supposed to be a short boat

ride to find flamingos and shorebirds, turned into

a 3-hour tour (remember Gilligan’s Island!)

where we struggled to stay comfortable in the

oppressive heat. We certainly felt pity for the

boatmen who had to pole our boat against the

wind for almost 2 hours to get us back safely

to shore. Surprisingly (other than the

flamingos), also most everything we saw of

interest was near the point where we started.

At one point, I had to disembark from the boat

with

two of

the

guides

to pull

us

ashore

after we

grounded out on a sandbar. Hmmm maybe that extra piece

of fish at lunch should have been avoided! The upside is

that we did get to see a very different side of this northern

region of Colombia and enjoyed the hospitality of the

Wayuú people.

Day 16: January 31, 2018: After spending the night at the

magnificent La Jorara Finca, we headed out for the last

time after a leisurely morning onsite where we lazed or

birded the grounds and climbed to a spectacular mirador

overlooking the Caribbean. We didn’t add much today, but

it allowed us a few hours to reflect and enjoy the wonders

and the wonderful people of Colombia.

We of course saw more than birds on our journey. Myriad

agoutis, White-faced Capuchin, Black Howler Monkeys,

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bats, a Cavia (a small rat-like rodent), Crab-eating Fox,

Colombian Dwarf & Red-tailed Squirrels, butterflies & moths,

lizards, tarantulas, herptiles, flowers, massive trees, coffee

plantations, rivers, canyons, snow-capped peaks and so much

more caught and held our attention as we visited this wondrous

country. I for one can’t wait to go back! Thank-you to all of you

who shared this adventure with me!

Participants: Ann and Neil Gray, Geoff Stimpson. Lydia

Elizabeth, Mary and Norm Pomfrett, Rick Lauzon, Bob and Noël

Wright

Guides: Geoff Carpentier (Avocet Nature Services), Roger

Rodriguez (Nature Colombia) and Jonah (Wayuú indigenous

peoples).

Logistics: Luisa Contra (Nature Colombia)

Main Drivers: Leonardo, Joey, and Virgilio

Left to right: Geoff Stimpson, Lydia Elizabeth, Roger Rodriguez, Bob Wright, Neil Gray, Noel

Wright, Rick Lauzon, Ann Gray, Mary Pomfrett, Norm Pomfrett and Geoff Carpentier

Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report

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Species List:

Colombia 2018 - Avocet Nature Services

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

1 Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

2 Mallard (domestic type) Anas platyrhynchos Rare/Accidental

3 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors

4 Andean Teal Anas andium

5 Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Rare/Accidental

6 Masked Duck Nomonyx dominicus

7 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

GALLIFORMES: Cracidae

8 Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda

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9 Colombian Chachalaca Ortalis columbiana Endemic

10 Band-tailed Guan Penelope argyrotis

11 Wattled Curassow Crax globulosa Endangered

12 Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii

13 Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

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GALLIFORMES: Odontophoridae

14 Black-fronted Wood-Quail Odontophorus atrifrons Vulnerable

15 Chestnut Wood-Quail Odontophorus hyperythrus

Endemic Near-threatened

PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae

16 Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae

17 American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

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CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae

18 Wood Stork Mycteria americana

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SULIFORMES: Fregatidae

19 Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens

PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae

20 Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae

21 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

22 Great Egret Ardea alba

23 Snowy Egret Egretta thula

24 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea

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25 Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor extension

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only

26 Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens Near-threatened

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27 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

28 Striated Heron Butorides striata

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PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae

29 White Ibis Eudocimus albus

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30 Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber

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31 Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus

32 Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

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ACCIPITRIFORMES: Cathartidae

33 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

34 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

35 Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus

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36 King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

37 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

38 White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus

39 Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus

40 Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea

41 Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

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42 Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor

43 Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus

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44 Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis

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45 Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris

46 Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

47 Bogota Rail Rallus semiplumbeus

Endemic Endangered

48 Rufous-necked Wood-Rail Aramides axillaris

49 Blackish Rail Pardirallus nigricans

50 Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus

51 Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

52 American Coot Fulica americana

53 Spot-flanked Gallinule Porphyriops melanops

GRUIFORMES: Aramidae

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54 Limpkin Aramus guarauna

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CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae

55 Double-striped Thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus

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CHARADRIIFORMES: Haematopodidae

56 American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

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CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

57 Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola

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58 Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis

59 Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

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CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae

60 Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae

61 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius

62 Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria

63 Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

64 Willet Tringa semipalmata

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65 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

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66 Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Near-threatened

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67 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

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68 Sanderling Calidris alba

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae

69 Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla

70 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

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71 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

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72 Common Tern Sterna hirundo

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73 Sandwich (Cabot's) Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

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74 Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus

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COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

75 Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species

76 Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis

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77 Bare-eyed Pigeon Patagioenas corensis

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78 Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata

79 Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea Vulnerable

80 Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina

81 Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti

82 Scaled Dove Columbina squammata

83 White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi

84 Lined Quail-Dove Zentrygon linearis

85 Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

86 Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana

87 Greater Ani Crotophaga major

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88 Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani

89 Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

90 Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba

91 Santa Marta Screech-Owl Megascops gilesi

92 Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nubicola Vulnerable

93 Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

94 Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis

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95 Band-winged Nightjar Systellura longirostris

96 Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis

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APODIFORMES: Apodidae

97 White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris

98 Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris

APODIFORMES: Trochilidae

99 White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora

100 White-tipped Sicklebill Eutoxeres aquila

101 Long-billed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris

102 Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae

103 Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae

104 Lesser Violetear Colibri cyanotis

105 Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans

106 Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis

107 Tourmaline Sunangel Heliangelus exortis

108 Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys

109 Santa Marta Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps Endemic

110 Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingii

111 Violet-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus coelestis

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112 Black-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia victoriae

113 Green-tailed Trainbearer Lesbia nuna

114 Black-backed Thornbill Ramphomicron dorsale

Endemic

Endangered

115 Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina

116 Greenish Puffleg Haplophaedia aureliae

117 Glowing Puffleg Eriocnemis vestita

118 Brown Inca Coeligena wilsoni

119 Collared Inca Coeligena torquata

120 White-tailed Starfrontlet Coeligena phalerata Endemic

121 Blue-throated Starfrontlet Coeligena helianthea

122 Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi

123 Sword-billed Hummingbird Ensifera ensifera

124 Buff-tailed Coronet Boissonneaua flavescens

125 Velvet-purple Coronet Boissonneaua jardini

126 Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii

127 White-tailed Hillstar Urochroa bougueri

128 Purple-bibbed Whitetip Urosticte benjamini

129 Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula

130 Empress Brilliant Heliodoxa imperatrix

131 White-bellied Woodstar Chaetocercus mulsant

132 Santa Marta Woodstar Chaetocercus astreans Endemic

133 Purple-throated Woodstar Calliphlox mitchellii

134 Western Emerald Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus

135 Red-billed Emerald Chlorostilbon gibsoni Endemic

136 White-vented Plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii

137 Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica

138 Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi

139 Buffy Hummingbird Leucippus fallax

extension only

140 Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae

141 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl

142 Steely-vented Hummingbird Amazilia saucerottei

143 Shining-green Hummingbird Lepidopyga goudoti

extension only

144 White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus

145 Golden-bellied Starfrontlet Coeligena bonapartei

146 Fawn-breasted Brilliant Heliodoxa rubinoides

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae

147 White-tipped Quetzal Pharomachrus fulgidus

148 Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps

149 Collared Trogon Trogon collaris

150 Masked Trogon Trogon personatus

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CORACIIFORMES: Momotidae

151 Whooping Motmot Momotus subrufescens

152 Andean Motmot Momotus aequatorialis

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae

153 Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata

GALBULIFORMES: Bucconidae

154 Russet-throated Puffbird Hypnelus ruficollis

extension only

GALBULIFORMES: Galbulidae

155 Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae

156 White-mantled Barbet Capito hypoleucus Endemic Vulnerable

157 Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii

PICIFORMES: Semnornithidae

158 Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus Near-threatened

PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae

159 Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus

160 Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus

161 Emerald (Santa Marta) Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus

162 Groove-billed Toucanet Aulacorhynchus sulcatus

163 Crimson-rumped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus haematopygus

164 Black-billed Mountain-Toucan Andigena nigrirostris

PICIFORMES: Picidae

165 Chestnut Piculet Picumnus cinnamomeus

166 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus

167 Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus

168 Yellow-vented Woodpecker Veniliornis dignus

169 Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus

170 Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus

171 Crimson-bellied Woodpecker Campephilus haematogaster

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

172 Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus

173 Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway

174 Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima

175 American Kestrel Falco sparverius

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae

176 Yellow-eared Parrot Ognorhynchus icterotis Endangered

177 Blue-crowned Parakeet Thectocercus acuticaudatus

178 Scarlet-fronted Parakeet Psittacara wagleri

179 Brown-throated Parakeet Eupsittula pertinax

180 Santa Marta Parakeet Pyrrhura viridicata

Endemic Endangered

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181 Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus

182 Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis

193 Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus

184 Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus

185 Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus

186 Scaly-naped Parrot Amazona mercenarius

PASSERIFORMES: Thamnophilidae

187 Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis

extension only

188 Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus

189 Bar-crested Antshrike Thamnophilus multistriatus

190 Uniform Antshrike Thamnophilus unicolor

191 White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes

192 Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor

193 White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea

extension only

194 Santa Marta Antbird Drymophila hellmayri Endemic

PASSERIFORMES: Grallariidae

195 Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla

196 Santa Marta Antpitta Grallaria bangsi Endemic Vulnerable

197 Yellow-breasted Antpitta Grallaria flavotincta

198 Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis

PASSERIFORMES: Rhinocryptidae

199 Ash-colored Tapaculo Myornis senilis

200 Santa Marta Tapaculo Scytalopus sanctaemartae Endemic

201 Brown-rumped Tapaculo Scytalopus latebricola Endemic

202 Spillmann's Tapaculo Scytalopus spillmanni

203 Pale-bellied Tapaculo Scytalopus griseicollis Endemic

PASSERIFORMES: Furnariidae

204 Gray-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus albigularis Near-threatened

205 Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus

206 Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans

207 Olive-backed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus triangularis

208 Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus

extension only

209 Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris

210 Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger

211 Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans

212 Buffy Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes lawrencii

213 Pale-legged (Caribbean) Hornero Furnarius leucopus

extension only

214 Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufum

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215 Montane Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia striaticollis

216 Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Clibanornis rufipectus

Endemic Near-threatened

217 Streak-capped Treehunter Thripadectes virgaticeps

218 Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger

219 White-chinned Thistletail Asthenes fuliginosa

220 Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops

221 Streak-capped Spinetail Cranioleuca hellmayri Endemic

222 Silvery-throated Spinetail Synallaxis subpudica Endemic

223 Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae

224 Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens

225 Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa

226 Rusty-headed Spinetail Synallaxis fuscorufa Endemic Vulnerable

227 Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura

228 White-whiskered Spinetail Synallaxis candei

extension only

PASSERIFORMES: Tyrannidae

229 Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster

230 Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis

231 Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii

232 White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys

233 Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea

234 Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops

235 Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant Phylloscartes ophthalmicus

236 Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus

237 Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris

238 Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum

extension only

239 Slender-billed Tyrannulet Inezia tenuirostris

extension only

240 Pale-tipped Tyrannulet Inezia caudata

extension only

241 Ornate Flycatcher Myiotriccus ornatus

242 Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus

243 Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant Atalotriccus pilaris

extension only

244 Black-throated Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus granadensis

245 Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus sylvia

246 Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum

247 Handsome Flycatcher Nephelomyias pulcher

248 Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus

249 Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus

250 Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus

251 Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans

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252 Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus

253 Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus

254 Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis

255 Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica

extension only

256 Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca diadema

257 Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris

258 Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosa

259 Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius

260 Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis

261 Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis

extension only

262 Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus

263 Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus

264 Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus

265 Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua

266 Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus

267 Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis extion only 268 Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana

269 Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer

270 Pale-edged Flycatcher Myiarchus cephalotes

371 Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus

extension only

PASSERIFORMES: Cotingidae

272 Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii

273 Golden-breasted Fruiteater Pipreola aureopectus

274 Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristatus

275 Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruvianus

276 Olivaceous Piha Snowornis cryptolophus

PASSERIFORMES: Pipridae

277 Golden-winged Manakin Masius chrysopterus

278 White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus

PASSERIFORMES: Tityridae

279 Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor

extension only

280 Cinereous Becard Pachyramphus rufus

281 White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus

PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae

282 Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys

283 Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

284 Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes

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285 Lesser Greenlet Pachysylvia decurtata

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

286 Black-collared Jay Cyanolyca armillata

287 Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis

288 Green (Inca) Jay Cyanocorax yncas

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

289 Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

290 Brown-bellied Swallow Orochelidon murina

291 White-thighed Swallow Atticora tibialis

292 Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

293 Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea

294 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae

295 (Southern) House Wren Troglodytes aedon

296 Apolinar's Wren Cistothorus apolinari

Endemic

Endangered

297 Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus

298 Sooty-headed Wren Pheugopedius spadix

288 Buff-breasted Wren Cantorchilus leucotis

extension only

300 Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa

301 Sharpe's Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens

302 Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys

303 Bang's Wood-wren Henicorhina bangsi

304 Santa Marta (Hermit) Wood-wren Henicorhina anachoreta

PASSERIFORMES: Cinclidae

305 White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus

PASSERIFORMES: Polioptilidae

306 Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea

extension only

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae

307 Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides

308 Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater

309 Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus

310 Black Solitaire Entomodestes coracinus

311 Yellow-legged Thrush Turdus flavipes

312 Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas

313 Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis

314 Black-hooded Thrush Turdus olivater

315 Great Thrush Turdus fuscater

316 Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus

PASSERIFORMES: Mimidae

317 Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus

PASSERIFORMES: Parulidae

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318 Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis

319 Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia

320 Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina

321 American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

322 Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea Vulnerable

323 Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi

324 Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea

325 Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca

326 Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia

327 Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata

328 Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons

329 Santa Marta Warbler Myiothlypis basilica Endemic Vulnerable

330 White-lored Warbler Myiothlypis conspicillata

Endemic Near-threatened

331 Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis

332 Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus

333 Yellow-crowned Redstart Myioborus flavivertex Endemic

334 Golden-fronted Redstart Myioborus ornatus

335 Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus

336 Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus

PASSERIFORMES: Thraupidae

337 Black-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus atropileus

338 Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus superciliaris

339 Oleaginous Hemispingus Hemispingus frontalis

340 Black-eared Hemispingus Hemispingus melanotis

341 Gray-hooded Bush Tanager Cnemoscopus rubrirostris

342 Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata

343 White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus

344 Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus

345 Flame-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus flammigerus

346 Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus

347 Glaucous Tanager Thraupis glaucocolpa

extension only

348 Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum

349 Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala

350 Black-and-gold Tanager Bangsia melanochlamys Endemic Vulnerable

351 Gold-ringed Tanager Bangsia aureocincta

Endemic Endangered

352 Hooded Mountain-Tanager Buthraupis montana

353 Black-cheeked (Santa Marta)Mountain-Tanager

Anisognathus melanogenys Endemic

354 Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus lacrymosus

355 Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus igniventris

356 Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus

356 Grass-green Tanager Chlorornis riefferii

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358 Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus notabilis

359 Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata

360 Purplish-mantled Tanager Iridosornis porphyrocephalus

Near-threatened

361 Golden-crowned Tanager Iridosornis rufivertex

362 Glistening-green Tanager Chlorochrysa phoenicotis

363 Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei

364 Scrub Tanager Tangara vitriolina

365 Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis

366 Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata

367 Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii

368 Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis

369 Metallic-green Tanager Tangara labradorides

370 Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola

371 Saffron-crowned Tanager Tangara xanthocephala

372 Golden Tanager Tangara arthus

373 Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala

374 Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis

375 Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus

376 Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza

377 Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor

378 Capped Conebill Conirostrum albifrons

379 Rusty Flowerpiercer Diglossa sittoides

380 Black Flowerpiercer Diglossa humeralis

381 Bluish Flowerpiercer Diglossa caerulescens

382 Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossa cyanea

383 White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera

384 Plushcap Catamblyrhynchus diadema

385 Bananaquit Coereba flaveola

386 Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus

387 Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus

388 Black-winged Saltator Saltator atripennis

389 Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens

390 Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus

391 Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor

392 Orinocan Saltator Saltator orenocensis

extension only

393 Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor

394 Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola

395 Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina

396 Black-and-white Seedeater Sporophila luctuosa

397 Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis

398 Pileated Finch Coryphospingus pileatus

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PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae

399 Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

400 Sierra Nevada Brushfinch Arremon basilicus Endemic

401 Tocuyo Sparrow Arremonops tocuyensis

extension only

402 Golden-winged Sparrow Arremon schlegeli

403 Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis

404 Chestnut-capped Brushfinch Arremon brunneinucha

405 Gray-browed Brushfinch Arremon assimilis

406 Santa Marta Brushfinch Atlapetes melanocephalus Endemic

407 Common Chlorospingus (Bush-tanager) Chlorospingus flavopectus

408 Dusky Chlorospingus (Bush-tanager) Chlorospingus semifuscus

409 Slaty Brushfinch Atlapetes schistaceus

PASSERIFORMES: Cardinalidae

410 Summer Tanager Piranga rubra

411 Golden Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster

412 Vermilion Cardinal Cardinalis phoeniceus

extension only

PASSERIFORMES: Icteridae

413 Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons

414 Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus

415 Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela

416 Mountain Cacique Cacicus chrysonotus

417 Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus

418 Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater

419 Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

420 Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis

421 Red-bellied Grackle Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster

Endemic Vulnerable

422 Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis

423 Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris

424 Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

425 Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna

PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae

426 Andean Siskin Spinus spinescens

427 Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria

428 Trinidad Euphonia Euphonia trinitatis

extension only

429 Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris

430 Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala

431 Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster

432 Hooded Siskin Spinus magellanicus

433 Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea

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Mammals

Red Howler Monkey Alouatta seniculus White-faced Capuchin Cebus capucinus

Gray-handed Night-monkey Aotus griseimembra

Kinkajou Potos flavus

Brazilian Guinea Pig Cavia aperea

fruit bat sp.

Colombian Dwarf Squirrel Microsciurus

santanderensis

Red-tailed Squirrel Sciurus granatensis

Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata

Crab-eating Fox Cerdocyon thous

Photo Gallery: All photos copyrighted by Geoff Carpentier (except for the antpitta below)

View from the mountain above Tangaras

Santa Marta Antpitta

(Geoff Stimpson)

Colombia Nature/Avocet Nature Tours – Colombia January 2018 Trip Report

Page 27

Blue-headed Parrot – Rufous-capped Piha Reserve (below left)

Unknown Grasshopper - Las Tangaras

(below)

Tarantula sp. (below)