Birding in Las Tangaras & Jardín

Las Tangaras Reserve is located in the tropical humid forest of El Carmen de Atrato

Overall, about 450 bird species can be seen at this reserve, among which approximately 13 are endemic species. Interestingly, a unique mixture of endemics from different regions of Colombia is found at Las Tangaras, explained by the strategic location of the reserve on the last mountains of the Western Andes and in proximity to the Pacific region.

This place plays a key role in the conservation of tanager species such as the endemics Golden-ringed tanager (Bangsia aureocinta), the Black-and-gold tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys), and the Crested Ant-tanager (Driophlox cristata). At Las Tangaras, we can also see other Chocó endemic or near-endemic species: the Toucan barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus), the Black-chinned mountain-tanager (Anisognathus notabilis), and the Black solitaire (Entomodestes coracinus). There is also a good opportunity to take stunning pictures of hummingbirds such as the Purple-velvet coronet (Boissonneaua jardini), Purple-bibbed whitetip (Urosticte benjamini), Violet-tailed sylph (Aglaciocercus coelestis), Brown violetear (Colibri delphinae), and so many others.

Itinerary

Travel from Medellín to Las Tangaras Reserve

On this day, we will leave the hotel in Medellin after breakfast and drive for 25 minutes to a patch of cloud forest known as La Romera. This forest is a very well-known place to find Yellow-headed Manakin (Chloropipo flavicapilla) and the endemic Stile’s Tapaculo (Scytalopus stillesi), which is one of the last described tapaculos in Colombia. Then, we will keep driving to the Southwest of Colombia towards the dry forest of the Cauca River until we get to La Sinifaná area. This site is located at aproximately 2.800 feet above sea level and temperatures that range between 26 and 32 degrees Celsius (78-90°F). At La Sinifaná, we will target endemic species such as the Antioquia wren (Thryophilus sernai), the Grayish piculet (Picumnus granadensis), and the Apical flycatcher (Myiarchus apicalis). Some other species are only found in this particular ecosystem, such as the Moustache puffbird (Malacoptila mystacalis), Slate-headed tody-tyrant (Poecilotricus sylvia), and the Spectacled parrotlet (Forpus conspicilliatus). We will keep driving 1 more hour to Ciudad Bolivar, a large town in the east slope of the western mountain range, where we will grab lunch and coffee and see the Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata). This owl is one of Colombia’s largest and most striking owls, which surprisingly lives in the middle of the town of Ciudad Bolivar. Finally, we will drive to our final destination, Las Tangaras Reserve, where we will spend the rest of the afternoon watching tanagers and other birds that often visit the reserve trees and feeders.

Full day birding in Las Tangaras Reserve

Having an early breakfast at the preserve before leaving towards the mountains 40 min approx to reach Alto de Guaduas where the birding will happen. A 600 hectar of a very dense humid cloud forest owned by Proaves, many of the biogeographical Chocó species can be found there. The main targets will be the 2 tanagers in the genius Bangsias (chunky, colorfull, round shape) endemic to the western slope of the western mountain range in Colombia, of course there is many other species, Black-chinned Mountain-tanager (Anisognathus notabilis), Tatamá Tapaculo (Scytalopus alvarezlopezi), Nariño Tapaculo (Scytalopus vicinior), Golden-collared Honeycreeper (Iridophanes pulcherrimus), Black Solitaire (Entodomodestes coracinus). Driving back to the lodge at midday to have lunch and a little rest before continuing exploring the forest in the afternoon. In the afternoon we can do some birding in the middle part of the mountain, other species can happen there, Crested-ant Tanager (Driophlox cristata), Parker's Antbird (Cercomacroides parkeri), Sooty-headed Wren (Pheugopedius spadix), Club-winged Manakin (Machaeropterus deliciosus) among many others. We will have 2 full days here to enjoy the complex of this majestic place. It is also a place where hummingbirds happened at every moment and many colors and shapes like, White-booted Racket-tailed (Ocreatus underwoodii), Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneau jardinii), Purple-bibbed White-tipped (Urosticte benjamini), Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaciocercus coelestis), Rufous-gapped Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri) are just a little sample of which is possible in the feather and also in the forest of the reserve.

Birding at La M (Gorrión de Andivia Reserve) and Las Tangaras Reserve

On this day we are going to have the opportunity to visit another part of the preserve, in the middle of the departments of Chocó and Antioquia, more to the east of the main reserve Las Tangaras of Proaves owns another land dedicated to the conservation of a nice big patch of forest where 2 of the most restricted and rarest birds of the andes of Colombia can be seeing, Munchique Wood-wren (Henicorhina negreti) a melodious little wren endemic to the western slope of the western mountain range in Colombia and Tanager Finch (Oreothraupis Arremonops) a near endemic tanager of the cloud forest of Colombia and Ecuador this birds wasn't seeing for years until they rediscovered we can also look for another cool species of the place Dusky Piha (Lipaugus fuscocinereus), Grass-green Tanager (Chloriornis riefferii), Tawny-breasted Tinamu (Nothocercus julius). Same method that the previous day, birding till midday and driving to the lodge to have lunch and some rest, in the afternoon we can focus on the missed species of the previous days, the list of the place is very big so, the forest can give us surprises every time, Glistening-green Tanager (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis), Purplish-mantled Tanager (Iridosornis porphyrocephalus), Indigo Flowerpiercer (Diglosa indigotica).

Travel from Las Tangaras Reserve to Jardín (Antioquia)

Leaving Las Tangaras after breakfast this will be 3 hours and half, reaching Jardín by midday. The itinerary for this day is very flexible; having the opportunity to stay a little relaxed and easy going. Having lunch in one of the food restaurants characteristics of Jardin, and visiting the Oilbirds Sanctuary (Steatornis caripensis). Jardín is also very well known for one of the most coolest Cock of the rock leks (Rupicola peruvianus) in south america, just 500 meters from the main plaza birdwatchers and common tourists can visit one of the most amazing experiences of this the leking behavior of this species of cotingas, with its intense red color, pretty funny crest shape and vibrants red and silver on its wings Cock of the rocks (Rupicola peruvianus) is so far one of those birds that just blow you mind.

Full day exploring Ventanas in Jardín

This day we are going to visit the highlands of the cloud forest. leaving Jardin at 5 am towards alto de ventanas where our main target will be to find the endemic Yellow-eared parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis). After this we will drive 35 min more to visit the antpitta feeder station at Mirador El Roble, very famous place where Chestnut-naped antpitta (Grallaria nuchalis), Chamí Antpitta (Grallaria alvarezi) can be seen. The place is full of many other interesting species of cotingas, tanagers of the highlands, woodcreepers and tapaculos. The idea is to stay in this ecosystem all day trying to find as many species as we can.

End of the trip: Quick birding in the morning and driving back to Medellín airport

On this day we can do an easy birding around town, surrounded by coffee and banana plantations. Jardin offers us bird in every corner, species as Blackish Rail (Pardirallus nigricans) Red-bellied Grackle (Hypophyrrhus pyrohypogaster) Parker's Antbird (Cercomacroides parkeri) can be seen in the area near by the town.

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