COLOMBIA: BIRDING THE INTER-ANDEAN VALLEYS OF THE EASTERN, WESTERN, AND CENTRAL CORDILLERAS

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1 COLOMBIA: BIRDING THE INTER-ANDEAN VALLEYS OF THE EASTERN, WESTERN, AND CENTRAL CORDILLERAS MARCH 2016 Bogota Rail (photo Trevor Hardaker) is one of our targets on this trip.

2 2 I T I N E R A R Y Colombia: Birding the Inter-Andean Valleys of the Cordilleras 2016 Colombia, with its diverse landscapes, is home to more bird species than any other country in the world. With almost two thousand species, be prepared to be in awe of the spectacular avifauna as we explore Colombia s lush cloudforests, wetlands, and high mountain plains on this 16-day adventure. Join Birding Ecotours on a wonderful trip to this dynamic birding destination. We will spend our first days of birding in and around the capital city, Bogota, where we shall look for the endemic Bogota Rail, Black Inca, and Apolinar s Wren. We will then fly to Cali, where we will explore the spectacular cloudforests of the Western Cordillera, with mixed-species flocks of Multicolored, Purplishmantled, Scrub, and Golden-naped Tanagers foraging among the mist-laden trees alongside Green-and-black and Scaled Fruiteaters, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and Golden-headed Quetzal. We will descend the Western Cordillera into the Cauca Valley to the Sonso Lagoon, one of Colombia s largest wetland complexes and home to Bare-faced Ibis, Cocoi Heron, Whitethroated Crake, Blackish Rail, and Wattled Jacana. With luck we may encounter rare species such as Pinnated Bittern, Bar-crested Antshrike, and the endemics Apical Flycatcher and Grayish Piculet, as well as Horned Screamer a large bird that can be described as a cross between a turkey and a goose. Traveling northeast, we continue on to the Coffee Triangle, to the Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary in search of the endemic Cauca Guan and for the best views in the world of Red-ruffed Fruitcrow. We will then head to Manizales, also in the Central Cordillera of the Andes in the cloudforests of the Rio Blanco Reserve, which hosts more stunning species such as Whitecapped and Grass-green Tanagers, Golden-faced Redstart, Ocellated Tapaculo, Blackbilled Peppershrike, plus an excellent chance to see two endemic species the Brownbanded and Bicolored Antpittas at the worm feeders. Next, we climb into the mountains and above the tree-line to reach the high plains like the páramo of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. The surreal páramo habitat consists of windswept short grasses dotted with the fuzzy-leaved Espeletia. In the páramo we will look for the impressive Bearded Helmetcrest, Tawny Antpitta, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Black-backed Bush Tanager, and the rare Rufous-fronted Parakeet. After a long day at high elevation, we will head to Jardín, a picturesque town in the Western Cordillera, where we will seek out our trip target, the Yellow-eared Parrot. The itinerary will then take us down to the Rio Claro Nature Reserve in the Magdalena Valley for two days of birding, looking for the endemic White-mantled Barbet, Antioquia Bristle Tyrant, Oilbird, and Beautiful Woodpecker, among many others. We return to Medellin for our flight back to Bogota. Please note that the detailed itinerary below cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation,

3 3 I T I N E R A R Y Colombia: Birding the Inter-Andean Valleys of the Cordilleras 2016 updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. Itinerary (16 days/15 nights) Day 1. Arrival in Bogota You will arrive in Bogota and be transferred to the hotel. Overnight: Bogota Day 2. Birding the Laguna Pedro Palo We shall spend the whole day exploring the Laguna Pedro Palo, where we will have the chance to look for the endemic Black Inca and Turquoise Dacnis and also for Browncapped Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, Bay-headed Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Golden Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Emerald Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, Acorn Woodpecker, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Scrub Greenlet, White-vented Plumeleteer, Red-billed Emerald, Barcrested Antshrike, and Speckle-breasted Wren. Overnight: Bogota Day 3. Birding Sumapaz, transfer to Cali Today we will go to the Sumapaz area, where we shall look for the endemic Bogota Rail and Apolinar s Wren. We may find also Silvery-throated Spinetail, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Spot-flanked Gallinule, American Coot, Andean Duck, and other aquatic species. Later we shall take a domestic flight to the city of Cali. Overnight: Cali Day 4. Birding the Cali-Buenaventura Road, transfer to Buga An early start will take us to the famous km 18 of the Cali-Buenaventura Road, where we will look for the endemic Multicolored Tanager and Colombian Chachalaca. Other birds include Scaled Fruiteater, Golden-headed Quetzal, Gray-breasted Wood Wren, Nariño Tapaculo, Red-faced Spinetail, Bar-crested Antshrike, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Golden Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Saffroncrowned Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, and others. We will visit some hummingbird feeders that attract White-necked Jacobin, Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Booted Racket-tail, Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, and Blue-headed Sapphire. After lunch we will head to the town of Buga. Overnight: Buga Day 5. Birding Sonso Lagoon, transfer to Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary We shall use the entire morning to explore the Sonso Lagoon and look for the endemic Apical Flycatcher and Grayish Piculet. Other birds include Jet Antbird, Spectacled Parrotlet, Striped Cuckoo, Little Cuckoo, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Pied Water Tyrant, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Glossy Ibis, Bare-faced Ibis, Snail Kite, Blueheaded Parrot, Blue-winged Teal, Southern Lapwing, Amazon Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, and many others. After lunch we will be transferred to the Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary. Overnight: Otún Quimbaya Eco-Lodge

4 4 I T I N E R A R Y Colombia: Birding the Inter-Andean Valleys of the Cordilleras 2016 Day 6. Birding Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary We will have a predawn start looking for the Colombian Screech-Owl. After breakfast it will be easy to find the endemic and endangered Cauca Guan, but also some species like Red-ruffed Fruitcrow (perhaps the best place in the world to see this bird), some tanagers including a second chance for the Multicolored Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Blackburnian Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Collared Trogon, Emerald Toucanet, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, and if we are lucky the hard-to-see Chestnut Wood Quail. Overnight: Otún Quimbaya Eco-Lodge Days 7-8. Birding Rio Blanco Reserve We will be transferred to Rio Blanco Reserve, where we will look for a nice set of cloud forest species like the endemic Golden-faced Redstart and Brown-banded Antpitta. The worm feeders also provide excellent chances for Bicolored Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, and Slaty-crowned Antpitta. The seldomseen Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush and Gray-browed Brush Finch also feast at the feeders. There are others species like Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Masked Saltator, Ocellated Tapaculo, Spillman s Tapaculo, Powerful Woodpecker, Montane Woodcreeper, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, White-sided Flowerpiercer, Sickle-winged Guan, Andean Guan, Red-faced Parrotlet, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Flammulated Treehunter, Black-eared Hemispingus, Buff-tailed Coronet, Tourmaline Sunangel, and many others. Overnight: Rio Blanco Reserve Day 9. Birding Rio Blanco Reserve, transfer to Manizales After a last birding morning around Rio Blanco Reserve we will be transferred to Manizales, where we stay at the Termales Hotel. Here we will certainly enjoy the mineral-rich hot springs at the hotel. Before dusk we will try for the Lyre-tailed Nightjar. Overnight: Hotel Termales el Otoño, Manizales. Days Los Nevados National Park, transfer to and birding around Jardín On our way to Jardín we will visit Los Nevados National Park, where we will have the chance to see the unique Colombian páramo. Here we will look for Black-chested Buzzard- Eagle, Tawny Antpitta, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Black Flowerpiercer, Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, Viridian Metaltail, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Paramo Seedeater, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Black-backed Bush Tanager, and the endemic Bearded Mountaineer and Rufous-fronted Parakeet. Later we will have a long drive to Jardín, where we will spend two days looking for the endemic Yellow-eared Parrot. This is one of the rarest birds in Colombia and an endangered species. We will maximize our efforts to find the Yellow-eared Parrot and also Purple-throated Woodstar, Golden-headed Quetzal, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Black-collared Jay, Yellow-billed Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant, and Northern Mountain Cacique, Handsome Flycatcher, Citrine Warbler, and others. Overnight: Jardín Days Birding Rio Claro Nature Reserve

5 5 I T I N E R A R Y Colombia: Birding the Inter-Andean Valleys of the Cordilleras 2016 Today we will drive to Rio Claro Nature Reserve, where we will spend the next three days looking for birds like the endemic White-mantled Barbet and also Barred Puffbird, Blackbellied Wren, Band-backed Wren, Panama Flycatcher, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Becard, One-colored Becard, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Blackchested Jay, Purple-crowned Fairy, Bay-breasted Warbler, Buff-rumped Warbler, White-tailed Trogon, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Slaty-winged Foliage-gleaner, Western Slaty Antshrike, Black-faced Antthrush, Citron-throated Toucan, Bay Wren, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Pacific Antwren, Checkered Antwren, Moustached Antwren, Striped Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Yellow-backed Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Orange-crowned Oriole, and many others. We will also visit the Oilbird cave and look for the endemic Antioquia Bristle Tyrant as well. Overnight: Rio Claro Nature Reserve Day 15. Transfer to Medellin We will drive to Medellin and will make some stops along the road, looking for another chance for the White-mantled Barbet and, at higher elevations, Red-bellied Grackle. Overnight: Medellin Day 16. Departure You will have your flight connection to Bogota and from there connect to your international flights. Santa Marta extension also available Please contact us for details of the Santa Marta extension. Duration: 16 days Group size: 2-8 Date: March Start: Bogota End: Bogota Price: US$5581 assuming 5-8 participants US$6667 assuming 3-4 participants US$7782 assuming 2 participants Single supplement: US$ 990 Price includes: All transfers All accommodations Private tour leader Private vehicle All meals (except where indicated) Admission fees Bottled water Local guides Domestic flights and airport taxes Price excludes: Dinner the first night in Bogota

6 6 I T I N E R A R Y Colombia: Birding the Inter-Andean Valleys of the Cordilleras 2016 Meals on Day 16 International flight Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, internet access, shopping, spa services, alcoholic drinks) Gratuities Extra activities on day 16 (any activities that are not described in the itinerary)