ENDEMIC BIRDS – AMAZONAS
Beautiful Birds of Amazonas
Colombia is the Holy Grail of birdwatching. With almost 1,900 individual species, no other country on earth has such an extensive bird list. One-fifth of all the world’s birds are found here, of which almost 90 or so are endemic.
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Bronze Jacamar
When it comes to bird life, Colombia is the undisputed world leader. Not only is this stunning South American nation home to so many birds, but the entire nation is brimming with them. It is the country’s south-eastern reaches that truly offer a fascinating array of endemic native species to discover.
While all these amazing birds are a huge draw for visitors to the Colombian Amazon, they are just scratching the surface of what the region has to offer.
As birders make their way through the forest, they are almost certain to hear the booming roar of howler monkeys far off in the distance, while lucky visitors may be able to spot a colourful snake or a sloth resting on a branch above.
One of the most elusive mammals, the Amazon river dolphin, may make an appearance surfacing in the Inírida River.
Amazon river dolphin, Inia geoffrensis
The Amazon is a region blessed by nature, with a vast and rich biodiversity in fauna and flora, making it a favourite destination for nature lovers, especially birders.
This activity has highlighted Colombia worldwide for the large number of species that can be observed in the country. One of the most privileged regions for bird watching is, without doubt, the Amazon.
Some of the most iconic bird species in the region include:
- Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), the largest flying parrot in the world.
Hyacinth Macaw
- Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), unique in its family, is a prehistoric-looking bird with long, floppy feathers on its crest and blue facial skin.
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
- Piurí (Wattled curassow), a critically endangered bird, is endemic to western Amazonia.
Piurí (Wattled curassow)
- Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), a large macaw species well-known for their bright plumage.
Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao)
- Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola), an iconic bird easily identified by the fan-shaped crest and bright orange plumage.
Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola)
- Plum-throated Cotinga (Cotinga maynana), can be distinguished by the bright blue plumage that contrasts with the cock-of-the-rock’s fiery colours.
Plum-throated Cotinga (Cotinga maynana)
- Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella), a purple and gold bird with a long back and crossing tail feathers.
Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella)
- Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona), a large dark green bird with a ragged crest, a white throat and collar, with a white belly.
Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
- Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima), a buffy yellow creature, with a narrow dark eye line, dark-brown upperparts and banding on the tail.
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
- King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), a spectacular jungle scavenger that is light in colour, unlike other birds of its kind.
King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
Nocturnal Amazon
The birding scene in the Amazon transforms after dusk as the variety of nocturnal species start revealing themselves after being inactive during the day.
Some of the iconic nocturnal species include:
Owls – Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata), True Owl (Strigidae) and Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops Choliba)
True Owl
Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops Choliba)
Pauraque (Nyctidromus Albicollis)
The Potoo (Nyctibius)
Nightjar (Caprimulgidae)
Amacayacu National Natural Park
Amacayacu, located very close to Puerto Nariño, is a protected area for the conservation of the fauna and flora existing in this region of the country.
The park is one of the best places to bird in the Amazon because within its confines there are approximately 486 species of birds, that is to say, a little more than half of the species that you can find in all of the country.
Chiribiquete Emerald hummingbird (Chlorostilbon olivaresi), endemic to the Amazon.
Gamboa Island
This small island located 25 minutes by boat from Leticia is another alternative for bird watching in the Amazon. Here you can see a tremendous variety of exotic birds in a relatively close environment.
Birding in Mitu
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Mitú is a progressive pueblo set on a charming part of the Vaupes River, in the heart of Amazonian Colombia.
Only accessible by air or a long boat journey, Mitú is the launching point for access to a variety of habitats and their associated special birds nearby.
The Amazonian rainforest is far from a single, homogenous blanket of forest and is actually comprised of a variety of subtly different ecosystems, including terra firma forest, varzea (seasonally flooded) forest and stunted, white-sand forest.
It is an incredibly rich area and is home to a selection of range-restricted species, including the very restricted-range Imeri Endemics.
These include the Tawny-tufted Toucanet, Yellow-throated Antwren, Imeri Warbling Antbird, Grey-bellied Antbird and the rare Rio Negro Gnatcatcher.
One of the most spectacular of the Mitú endemics is the impressive Chestnut-crested Antbird.
Chestnut-crested Antbird (Rhegmatorhina crisata)
The stunted white-sand forests hold surprises such as the Orinoco Piculet, Brown-banded Puffbird, Bronzy Jacamar, Cherrie’s Antwren, Grey-bellied Antbird, Black-headed Antbird, Blackish-grey Antshrike, Yellow-crowned and Black Manakins. The unusual Cinnamon Neiopipo, the rare Azure-naped Jay and the scarce Plumbeous Euphonia can also be found.
Azure-naped Jay (Cyanocorax heilprini)
In taller forests, the delightful Tawny-tufted Toucanet (surely the most spectacular of the Imeri Endemics), the rarely-seen Bar-bellied Woodcreeper, Yellow-throated Antwren, Imeri Warbling Antbird and the elusive White-bellied Dacnis are all residents.
Tawny-tufted Toucanet (Selenidera nattereri)
Watching the incredible Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock and the attractive Fiery Topaz make for an invigorating time.
Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola)
There is, of course, a mouth-watering list of more widespread possibilities including the gorgeous Pavonine Quetzal, raucous Scarlet Macaws, the smart Spotted Puffbird, Bronzy Jacamar, White-chinned Woodcreeper and the stunning White-plumed Antbird, Rufous-backed Stipplethroat, the scarce Black Bushbird, Citron-bellied Attila and the bizarre Amazonian Umbrellabird to name just a few.
Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus oranatus)
Black Bushbird (Neoctantes niger)
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