Colombia - Santa Marta Endemics

Colombia, with almost 1,900 recorded species at the last count, including around 80 endemics, is the undisputed number one country on the planet for bird diversity. Unfortunately, for most of the 90’s and ‘noughties’, civil unrest had made visiting remote areas within the country distinctly unadvisable. Whilst ecotourism flourished in neighbouring Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil and Peru, Colombia remained in the doldrums, waiting patiently for the chance to reveal its wonderful landscapes, birds and people to the world once more. Happily, Colombia has changed dramatically in the past few years and birders worldwide are now flocking to this beautiful country in search of its many avian jewels. Colombia’s topography is both diverse and breath-taking, with snow-capped mountains, cloud-filled valleys, savannas and rainforests augmented with a magnificent birdlife. This tour concentrates on the Santa Marta and Guajira Peninsula endemics. Birding around the El Dorado Lodge is a mouth-watering prospect; Santa Marta Brush-finches are common in the garden, whilst hummingbirds include Blossomcrown and Santa Marta Woodstar. We will also look for the endangered Santa Marta Parakeet, the newly discovered Santa Marta Screech Owl, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, Santa Marta Mountain Tanager and Santa Marta Warbler. The occasional Andean Condor, Black-and-chestnut Eagle or Semi-collared Hawk should also keep raptor enthusiasts happy! Of great contrast is the arid Guajira Peninsula, where we’ll look for a selection of range-restricted species such as Chestnut Piculet, White-whiskered Spinetail, Vermilion Cardinal and Glaucous Tanager.