Sites - El Dorado Bird Reserve
| Site evaluation: |
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| Species: |
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| Elevation: |
1100-2700 m |
| Climate: |
Mild and wet |
| Trails: |
Guided and self-guid |
| Accommodation: |
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| Food: |
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| Hot water: |
Yes |
| Electricity: |
Yes |
| Communications: |
Cell phone |
Region:
Caribbean & Sierra Nevada
Location:
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Dept Magdalena
Summary:
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the crown jewel of Colombian birding. Nearly 20 endemic species inhabit the mountain and all of them can be found in the El Dorado Bird Reserve that protects 1800 acres of subtropical and montane forest.
Endemics:
19 ENDEMICS, inc. Santa Marta Screech-Owl (still undescribed), undescribed Automolus Foliage-gleaner
Key Species:
Black-fronted Wood-Quail, Band-tailed Guan, Yellow-billed Toucanet, Keel-billed Toucan, White-tipped Quetzal, Gray-throated Leaftosser, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Venezuelan Tyrannulet, Golden-breasted Fruiteater
Access:
2-3 hrs from Santa Marta to El Dorado lodge. 4 x 4 vehicle necessary.
Site Description:
Birding around the lodge is often productive: Santa Marta Brush-Finches are common in the garden, which includes a Crested Oropendula colony. Hummingbirds include the uncommon endemics Blossomcrown and Santa Marta Woodstar. Tanagers visit the feeding trays: look for Black-capped Tanager and Blue-naped Chlorophonias. The lodge clearing, with a view of the Caribbean below, is a good place to look for flying Scarlet-fronted Parakeets and White-rumped Hawks. There is also a newly discovered endemic Screech Owl species that often can be found close to the lodge. Black-fronted Wood-Quail, Santa Marta Toucanet, White-tipped Quetzal, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Streak-capped Spinetail, Gray-throated Leaftosser, Santa Marta Antpitta, Golden-breasted Fruiteaters, Black-hooded Thrush and White-lored Warblers can all be found in the forests adjacent to the lodge. There are several trails helpful for locating skulking birds, although the best birding is often along the lightly-traveled road. Many of the endemics are found primarily at higher elevations above the lodge, including Santa Marta Parakeet, White-tailed Starfrontlet, Rusty-headed Spinetail, the distinctive endemic subspecies of the Rufous Antpitta, Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta Mountain Tanager, Yellow-crowned Whitestart and Santa Marta Warbler. The peaks of the Sierra -the highest in Colombia- are usually visible in the early morning. Don't forget to watch the skies for Scaly-naped Parrots and several raptors: Andean Condor, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, and Semicollared Hawk. There are also fantastic birds to be found along the road below the lodge. The forest here is largely excellent; search for Blossomcrown, Keel-billed Toucan, an endemic foliage-gleaner that awaits formal scientific description (formerly considered a subspecies of Ruddy Foliage-gleaner), Gray-throated Leaftosser, Scaled and Rusty-breasted Antpittas, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Venezuelan Tyrannulet, Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, Rufous-breasted Wren, Black-headed Tanager.
RSS
_(Small).JPG "Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Small).JPG "White-tipped Quetzal, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Medium).jpg "Santa Marta Screech-Owl, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Small).JPG "Black-hooded Thrush, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Small).JPG "Santa Marta Mountain Tanager, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Small).JPG "Santa Marta Mountain, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Small).JPG "Santa Marta Mountain, Benjamin Freeman")
_(Small).JPG "Olive-striped Flycatcher building nest, Benjamin Freeman")