The first time I encountered a Dusky Piha was during a solo birding trip in the breathtaking Cocora Valley. Indeed, I remember that morning well. I was heading down the familiar trail towards Acaime, “the hummingbird house” – a spot many of you might have visited with me or one of the Pajareros’ guides. After all, it’s a fantastic place where you can find up to eight different hummingbird species! The ascend to the Cloud Forest (2900m.a.s.l.) I sped along the grassland trail, eager to immerse myself in the forest. My journey continued on Cocora’s paths, but this time, rather than entering Acaime, I chose the winding ascent towards the Páramo, a few kilometers further. Around the 7km mark, I decided it was time to descend back to Cocora. Despite the long trek, It was a beautiful morning, though the exact number and species of other birds I saw that day now escape me. What does stand out, however, is that incredible encounter with the Dusky Piha. After a good six-kilometer hike, I started my descent back to Cocora, feeling a bit tired but content. The Dusky Piha danced on my face Then, from below the hill, I heard the distinctive call of a White-capped Tanager. Immediately, my camera was out, and I began following the sound. After some zigzagging through the dense foliage, I paused, looked to my left, and there it was: the Piha. I remember it so clearly. The bird was just perched there, almost as if it had been waiting for me. I tried to get a better angle, and with a graceful flutter, it moved to another branch, perfectly framing itself for my lens. The Piha then stretched its right wing, fanned its tail, and in a flash, it was gone, vanishing into the emerald depths of the forest. I was absolutely amazed by this magical encounter! The White-capped Tanager Whispers The good news was that the Tanager was still calling. These tanagers are quite familiar, and they tend to stick together as a family. I had seen the species before but never managed to get a good photo, which was why I had been tracking it even before the Piha appeared. Just a few meters from where the Piha had been, I found the Tanager. I managed to get a shot, maybe not the perfect one I had envisioned, but I was incredibly pleased. Not only did I get some great photos of the Piha, but I also snagged a decent one of the White-capped Tanager. Conservation Both the White-capped Tanager and the Dusky Piha call the Andean forests of South America home, but their conservation statuses and behaviors tell different stories. The White-capped Tanager is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2024), yet I’ve been lucky enough to spot it 13 times. The Dusky Piha, on the other hand, is of Least Concern, but I’ve only encountered it 8 times. This disparity might be due to their distinct behaviors: the glossy black White-capped Tanagers, known for being the heaviest tanager species, often move through the forest in boisterous, social flocks of up to twenty individuals, even practicing cooperative breeding where other adults help raise the young. In contrast, the Dusky Piha, a more subtly colored grey-brown bird of the Cotinga family, typically remains solitary and often silent within the forest understory, despite having a powerful, far-reaching call. Both primarily feed on fruits, but the Tanager also supplements its diet with insects. If you’re seeking a personalized birdwatching experience guided by local experts with extensive knowledge of specific regions or bird species, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Pajareros Birding Tours we’re ready to help you plan your next adventure! Reach out to WhatsApp +573160834407 or send us an email info@pajarerosbirdingtours.com
First-Time Birding: What You Need to Know
For anyone who feels a connection to the natural world, birding offers an engaging path to deeper discovery. No matter your background, the world of birds is accessible and waiting to be explored. If you’re curious about identifying the avian life around you, learning where to find them, and becoming an active participant in this enriching hobby, read on. We’ll equip you with the initial knowledge and tips to get started. Essential Equipment Binoculars When starting your birding journey, a good pair of binoculars is your most valuable tool., High Definition (HD) binoculars with BAK4 prisms are widely recommended for their image clarity and brightness. When choosing your first pair, two common configurations stand out: 8×42 and 10×42. While both are excellent options, the 8×42 excels in denser environments like forests, offering a wider field of view and better focus on closer birds. The 10×42, with its higher magnification, shines in open areas, allowing you to spot more distant birds. Compact options like 8×25(32) and 10×25(32) are also available, offering portability. However, the larger 42mm objective lenses in the 8×42 and 10×42 allow for greater light transmission and a wider field of view, ultimately enhancing your birding experience. The best choice ultimately depends on your individual preferences and the typical birding environments you anticipate exploring. The Optional but Rewarding Addition: A Camera Although not a mandatory piece of equipment for getting started with birding, a camera offers significant advantages. One of its primary benefits is aiding in identification. Capturing clear photographs allows for detailed examination of plumage, beak shape, and other characteristics that might be difficult to fully observe in the field. Furthermore, a camera lets you create lasting visual memories of the beautiful birds you encounter, building a personal collection of your discoveries. Keep an eye out for future posts where we’ll delve into specific camera recommendations for bird photography enthusiasts. Expanding Your Senses: The Voice Recorder. Another valuable tool to consider adding to your birding kit is a voice recorder. As any birder knows, many species can be elusive, offering only fleeting glimpses or remaining entirely hidden within dense foliage. However, these same shy birds are often accomplished vocalists. Recording their songs and calls provides a powerful means of identification, unlocking crucial information about the birdlife in your area. Learning bird songs is an engaging and intellectually stimulating facet of birding. Imagine the satisfaction of confidently identifying a species simply by its unique melody – a skill that will surely impress your friends and deepen your connection to the avian world. Where to find the birds? One of the most remarkable aspects of birds is their incredible adaptability, allowing them to thrive in an astonishing array of ecosystems, from the humid embrace of dense rainforests to the stark beauty of arid deserts. They’ve even cleverly integrated into urban environments, making their homes in our parks, gardens, and the very structures we build. This means that you can realistically expect to encounter at least one bird species every time you step outside, no matter where you are in the world. However, if you’re birding in a biodiversity hotspot like Colombia – and especially here in the lush landscapes of the Coffee Region – prepare to be truly amazed. It’s not uncommon to spot upwards of 10 different bird species within just ten minutes of focused observation! This incredible avian diversity, fueled by varied altitudes and habitats like the cloud forests and coffee plantations surrounding Salento, makes Colombia a truly exceptional destination for both beginner and experienced birders alike. You might even be surprised by the vibrant tanagers flitting through the trees in your own neighborhood! How to Identify Your Feathered Friends. Identifying birds is a rewarding skill that opens up a whole new dimension to your appreciation of nature. It relies on carefully observing their unique characteristics. Pay close attention to their physical features, such as the shape and size of their beak (which often hints at their diet), their overall body size and shape (think slender warbler versus a stocky thrush), their distinct color patterns (from bold markings to subtle variations), and even their typical behaviors (how they fly, forage, or perch). Remember that these clues often vary significantly between bird families and individual species, making each identification a little puzzle to solve! Your First Detective Kit: Field Guides. For those just starting out, a good field guide is like your essential detective manual, patiently guiding you through the world of birds. It thoughtfully lays out the different bird families, grouping similar species together to help you see common traits. You’ll find clear illustrations that highlight key identification features, along with descriptions of where these birds typically live (their distribution), the kinds of habitats they prefer (forests, wetlands, grasslands), and how they typically behave (their feeding habits, flight patterns, and social interactions). Think of it as building a foundational understanding of bird “types” before diving into individual species. The Digital Age of Birding: ID Apps. Bird ID apps, like Merlin, are undeniably like having a super-smart assistant right in your pocket. They offer incredible convenience for quick identifications, especially when you need an immediate answer in the field. However, when you’re in the crucial learning phase of becoming a birder, sometimes the ease of scrolling through seemingly endless lists on an app can actually hinder your ability to truly connect a bird you’ve observed with its name and key characteristics. You might miss the subtle details that a field guide encourages you to actively look for. While those automatic ID features on apps are impressive, try not to lean on them too heavily when you’re trying to learn. The real joy and understanding come from you noticing the patterns yourself, not just having an app tell you the answer. Beyond Sight: Identifying by Song. Get ready to use your ears! Many birds are masters of disguise and you might only ever hear them. Learning their songs and calls is a fantastic way to identify species you might
OUR GLOBAL BIG DAY REPORT
Global Big Day isn’t just about seeing birds; it’s about contributing valuable data to conservation efforts. On May 10th, Pajareros Birding Tours proudly joined birdwatchers worldwide in this important initiative. We spent the day exploring National Road, in Salento, meticulously recording our sightings. Here’s a glimpse into our contribution to this global count, check out our Global Big Day Report and our experience during this day. Fueling up for Birding Like always, we started our Global Big Day with a traditional breakfast: those yummy huevos pericos, a good arepita with cheese, and a comforting chocolate. Ready, cameras and binoculars in hand, we jumped right into the Jeep, listos to see what birds the day would bring. Hitting the Road and the First Mountain Birds The day dawned beautiful, no rain at all, but the sun was hitting hard as we started going up the mountains. We didn’t stop much in those first kilometers of the carretera, but focus with the ears and eyes, recording every bird for the eBird list. Our first truly exciting moment came with the Golden-headed Quetzal. At first, the call we heard sounded remarkably like the Masked Trogon. However, it turned out to be the magnificent Quetzal! For a few hopeful minutes, we tried to coax it into the open. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, puf, down it flew into the canyon. Nevertheless, we were super happy to have heard it, despite the slight feeling of disappointment at not getting a good, clear look. Morning Ascent and Cloud Forest Delights Continuing our drive towards the mountain’s summit, another delightful sighting awaited: a male Collar Trogon, a first for me along this national road. Moments later, a stunning Green-and-black Fruiteater perched silently behind us, a truly captivating presence. I really enjoy of watching this kind of birds. As the morning progressed, the intense sun and increasing winds seemed to reduce the general bird activity. The absence of the usually reliable mixed-species flocks was a bit unfortunate. However, as we neared the top, where the Andean foothills meet the cloud forest, the distinctive calls of Ocellated Tapaculos reached our ears. We quickly moved closer, and tried a bit of playback to try them to come out. Two individuals responded, coming incredibly close, almost within a meter inside the dense chusque bamboo thickets. Despite their proximity, they remained hidden, and we eventually had to continue our journey to the top. Our efforts were rewarded there with another target species: the Golden-crowned Tanager. Two brilliant individuals perched near the roadside, offering us wonderful views – a personal highlight of the day. Midday Birds Encounters By midday, our count had surpassed 50 species, yet many common birds remained elusive, and the continued absence of mixed flocks was unusual for this route. On our return journey, our luck finally turned with the appearance of a vibrant mixed-species flock, allowing us to photograph a stunning Grass-green Tanager.Concluding our exploration of the national road with a respectable 62 species, our birding day wasn’t over. We decided to try our luck by the river, and almost immediately upon arrival, a Torrent Duck made a dramatic appearance. Our final attempt of the day was dedicated to finding a Wattled Guan, but the persistent, strong sun continued to suppress activity, leaving us slightly frustrated by the challenging conditions. The outcome of the day: Our results and the GBD data Wow, what a day it was! Seeing the entire world unite to count birds and witnessing such fantastic results truly fills us with awe. Our Global Big Day team’s report? A wonderful total of 70 bird species spotted throughout the day, and we even managed to capture some of their beauty with our cameras! We feel incredibly proud to have played a part in bird conservation by providing valuable population data as we joyfully counted along the national road in Salento. Click here to see our bird report for the GBD! Zooming out from our local efforts in Salento, the global results of the Global Big Day are simply breathtaking! Bird enthusiasts around the world came together in an unprecedented effort, recording a phenomenal total of 7,931 species! It’s a powerful reminder of the passion and dedication of the 68,696 citizen scientists worldwide who made this incredible count possible. And speaking of impressive numbers, our very own Colombia once again shone brightly, achieving the number 1 spot globally with an astounding 1,560 species! Furthermore, Colombia secured the third place in the number of checklists submitted, with a remarkable 12,110. It’s truly inspiring and a testament to our country’s incredible biodiversity. Let’s remember that this isn’t about competition, but rather a united global effort to gather crucial data for bird conservation. A huge thank you to every birder who raised their binoculars and contributed to this vital initiative! Let us know in the comments how you did personally on this Global Big Day, we are happy to learn from your experience!
GLOBAL BIG DAY – SALENTO – 2025
Hello Birders, As many of you know, we celebrate Global Big Day every year in May. For those who are new to the world of birding, Global Big Day is an annual 24-hour event where birdwatchers around the world go out and record as many bird species as they can identify within that single day. It’s a fantastic opportunity to contribute valuable data to citizen science initiatives, helping to track bird populations and understand their distribution. Think of it as a global bird counting effort, where every observation, big or small, contributes to a massive snapshot of the world’s birds on a single day. This coming May 10th, 2025, we’re taking action and will be participating in this major event that involves people from all corners of the globe! For those who aren’t yet familiar with it, I invite you to learn about this important day for bird conservation worldwide. The National Road: A Biodiversity Hotspot Just like every year, we’ll be monitoring the national road leading towards La Carbonera, the wax palm sanctuary. This ancient path, originally made by indigenous people and later used by Spanish conquistadors and many important figures of that era, is a significant area for birdwatching. The large remaining patches of cloud forest host an incredible diversity of birds.The Pajareros Birding Tours team will be heading out together on this birding safari to count every bird we can, both by sight and by sound. We’ll keep you posted on what we see and the results we gather after this important journey. Stay tuned for our updates! Best regards,Jorge LópezBirding Tour LeadFounder, Pajareros Birding ToursBiologist
TOP 5 Best Birding Spots in Central Andes, Colombia
Dreaming of spotting vibrant tanagers, majestic condors, or elusive endemic species? The Central and Western Andes of Colombia offer incredible birding opportunities for everyone, from beginners to seasoned experts and photographers. These five locations are perfect for those who enjoy hiking and exploring nature trails. 1. Salento, Colombia Salento, renowned for its charming architecture, is also a birding haven. This picturesque town is the gateway to three major hotspots teeming with unique and sought-after species, including some Colombian endemics. Cocora Valley Just a 25-minute drive from Salento, Cocora Valley is home to the world’s tallest palm trees, the iconic Wax Palms (Colombia’s national tree). This stunning natural park features diverse trails, varying in difficulty and length, and offers the potential to spot the majestic Andean Condor – an endangered species with few reliable viewing locations, making Cocora Valley a truly special place. Keep an eye out for an adult male that frequents the area. Beyond condors, you’ll find a variety of other birds, including Mountain Tanagers, Mountain Toucans, Eagles, Hawks, Hummingbirds, and Trogons. The highlight for many is encountering mixed-species flocks – a breathtaking experience where numerous bird species join forces, creating a whirlwind of activity as they forage and protect themselves together. That’s a challenge if you can take a good decent photo of at least two birds when encounter these flocks! 🙂 You can explore this place solo, but for a truly rewarding birding experience, hire a guide. Their knowledge of the area, expertise and keen eyes will reveal birds you’d likely miss. If hiking alone, thoroughly research the available trails, carry maps and location devices, and be aware that some trails involve challenging, potentially endless, mountain climbs. La Carbonera This remote nature area, known as the “Sanctuary of the Wax Palms,” boasts a vast, well-preserved forest with an estimated 400,000+ wax palms. Accessing La Carbonera is an adventure in itself! A “birding safari” by Jeep takes you from 2,000 to 3,360 meters above sea level along the national road. Multiple stops at promising birding locations allow for walks and breathtaking views of canyons and valleys. The star of the show here is the endemic Yellow-Eared Parrot, but you can also spot Mountain Toucans, Mountain Tanagers, Chlorophonias, Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, and other Parrot species. Mixed-species flocks are also common here. You can take walks along the path but you can also hike underneath the big palm trees, once you reach to “La Ceja” the place where we find the house of La Carbonera.To fully experience this route, including the palm sanctuary forest, hiring a jeep driver and experienced birding guide is mandatory. Independent hiking within the forest is strongly cautioned against due to potential disorientation. Moreover, there is a very difficult path of 30KM each way from Salento to La Carbonera, underscoring the necessity of professional guidance. These professionals ensure both your safety and a rewarding birding adventure. Santa Rita Nature Reserve Nestled at the bottom of Salento, at 1,700 meters above sea level, this former cattle ranch, now transitioning into a vital nature reserve, boasts important water sources including waterfalls and pristine creeks that enhance its scenic trails. Its large forest, interconnected with the Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, establishes it as a premier birding destination. While the route is generally safe for independent exploration, hiring a local guide is highly recommended. These guides possess invaluable knowledge of bird calls and behaviors, greatly increasing your chances of spotting the reserve’s diverse avian inhabitants, which include five Colombian endemics: the Multicolor Tanager, Crested Ant-tanager, Grayish Piculet, and Parker’s Antbird, as well as exciting sightings like the White-capped Dipper, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, and the spectacular Torrent Duck. 2. Manizales, Caldas Nestled amidst the majestic Andean mountains, Manizales, the ‘City of Open Doors’, is a birding paradise. Its unique location, surrounded by lush cloud forests and coffee plantations, provides access to a wealth of nature reserves and former cattle ranches now dedicated to conservation. This abundance of hotspots offers exceptional birding opportunities for photographers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts alike, who seek to immerse themselves in the region’s rich biodiversity and explore the vibrant birdlife that thrives within its diverse ecosystems. Here I explain about some of the important places to visit. Nevado del Ruiz The slopes of Nevado del Ruiz, near Manizales, offer a breathtaking tapestry of biodiversity. This vital ecosystem supports a remarkable array of bird species, and the Páramo, a unique and essential habitat, provides crucial water resources for the region. Discover Laguna Negra, a mystical lagoon born from glacial and volcanic forces. Birding here is an unforgettable experience, with sightings of the Andean Duck, the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest, the elusive Many-striped Canastero, the energetic Andean Tit-tail, and a dazzling variety of hummingbirds and tanagers, including the Great Sapphirewing, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Shining Sunbeam, and the vibrant Hooded and Scarlet Mountain Tanagers. Exploring Nevado del Ruiz’s diverse habitats necessitates a vehicle and driver. While independent exploration is feasible, a knowledgeable local guide elevates the experience, offering invaluable bird identification skills and ensuring safe navigation. For those drawn to the dramatic landscapes of “Valle de las Tumbas,” a guide is mandatory beyond the park entrance. This high-altitude route, celebrated as one of Colombia’s most spectacular, climbs to 4,150 meters. Prior acclimatization is crucial to prevent altitude sickness. Pack layers of warm, waterproof clothing to combat the area’s frequently cold, windy, and rainy conditions. Rio Blanco Nature Reserve Situated in the rural landscape surrounding Manizales, this nature reserve plays a crucial role in global nature and water conservation. Its 4,932-hectare expanse of pristine Andean cloud forest, ranging from 2,150 to 3,700 meters above sea level, supports an extraordinary array of biodiversity, making it one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Bird enthusiasts will be captivated by the abundance of avian life, including mountain tanagers, toucans, and trogons. The frequent appearance of mixed-species flocks provides a truly immersive and dynamic wildlife experience. Due to the reserve’s extensive size and intricate network of trails, a local guide is mandatory to ensure safety and