COLOMBIA Magdalena Valley
Between the three mountain ranges of the Colombian Andes there are two main valleys cut by large rivers. The Cauca River Valley stretches between Western and Central Andes, and Magdalena River Valley runs between Central and Eastern Andes. Each of these valleys includes a variety of habitats and starting in lowlands at the river level and going up the lower slopes of the Andean mountains that enclose them.
Area Description Map: Major Birding Regions of Colombia
The massive Magdalena River carves a deep path between the Central and Eastern Andes of Colombia as it flows north to its terminus in the Caribbean Sea. The fertile Magdalena Valley sits nestled between these two giant mountain ranges, and the whole area is one of the newest additions to the list of Biodiversity Hotspots. From a base in Rio Claro or Victoria you can access such specialties as White-mantled Barbet, Tody Motmot, Sooty Ant-Tanager, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Beautiful Woodpecker, and Velvet-fronted Euphonia. This area is a must visit from Medellín, Manizales or Bogota cities, where the Magdalena is 3-4 hours drive.
Birding Opportunities
At 500 meters above sea level, the Magdalena River passes by well preserved forested areas in Antioquia that are home to endemic jewels like Blue-billed Curassow and the Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant, among many others. In Río Claro Reserve, you can stay in cabins located in the forest canopy affording spectacular views of the river and forests below. Here, you will wake up to the calls of Howler Monkeys while toucans, honeycreepers, and endemic Yellow-tufted Dacnis forage for fruit just off your terrace! Walking the trail along the river can produce close sightings of Dull-mantled and Chestnut-backed Antbird and a day's birding in this reserve is quite productive. It is possible to achieve a day list of 150 species including several endemic and near-endemic species (Citron-throated Toucan, Sooty Ant-Tanager, White-mantled Barbet, Saffron-headed Parrot, plus more) One of the most wanted endemics is the highly range-restricted Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant, which can be found in very active pairs while walking one of the trails at the back of the reserve.
Close to the reserve, there is an Oilbird cave that can be accessed by a path that follows a small creek through the forest. Along the path, large mixed flocks are common and many species are possible, among them Slaty-winged Foliage-Gleaner, Pacific Antwren, One-colored Becard, Trinidad Euphonia, Thrush-like Schiffornis, and striking Blue-crowned and White-bearded Manakins engaging in their curious displays. Also near the cave is an open pasture, where up to ten species of tyrant flycatchers can be seen, including the spectacular Long-tailed Tyrant.
On the way to or from Río Claro, there is a restaurant which not only serves mouth-watering local Antioquia cuisine to birders but also has a myriad of birds flocking to the banana feeders just feet from your table. A leisurely walk along the road behind the restaurant can yield the endemic Colombian Chachalaca and near-endemic Bar-crested Antshrike, as well as White-mantled Barbet, Pacific Antwren, Wire-crested Thorntail, and both Yellow and Flame-rumped Tanagers.
Maceo is another excellent birding area by the Magdalena River, well worth spending a few days if you are traveling to the Medellín area from the north. Endemics or near-endemics here include Black Oropendola, Saffron-headed Parrot, Citron-throated Toucan, Sooty Ant-Tanager and White-mantled Barbet which can be seen right around the hacienda. A nearby trail makes for a nice birding day with many antbirds, tyrant flycatchers and puffbirds for the list, plus the chance of spotting endemic wandering Blue-billed Curassows.
PLANNING YOUR TOUR The links below provide information and descriptions of the birding areas and some of the species that can be expected in each area. Tours can be arranged to include any or all areas, just let us know your preferences. |
Tours are arranged 6 - 12+ months |
Top, right photo: Tody Motmot by Steve Bird
Above: Oilbird by John Ashworth
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Monday, 25-May-09: Victoria
This morning we were up before dawn to drive toward the reserve at Victoria. At dawn, a Crab-eating Fox crossed the road in front of us and soon we were roadside birding at the entrance of the reserve. Some fruiting trees along the road held 30+ Swallow Tanagers, an amazing number. Other highlights included a Rufous-breasted Hermit on a nest, three very confiding Sooty Ant-Tanagers, great views of White-mantled Barbets, excellent, prolonged views of Tody Motmot, incredibly close views of a Brown-eared Woolly Opossum, and a nice show by a male Striped Manakin as we were about to depart.
Other birds recorded around Victoria (for complete list see the Trip List): Saffron Finch, Collared Aracari, Long-tailed Tyrant, Thick-billed Seedeater, Crimson-backed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Streaked Saltator, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Golden-fronted Tyrannulet, Buff-throated Saltator, Colombian Chachalaca, Gray Seedeater, Beautiful Woodpecker, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Bar-crested Antshrike, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, White-fringed Antwren, Smooth-billed Ani, Greater Ani, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Gray-headed Tanager, White-bearded Manakin, Thick-billed Euphonia, Rusty-bellied Seedeater, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Yellow-bellied Elaenia
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