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Recent bird sightings:
Sites - Arrierito Antioqueno Bird Reserve

Site evaluation: 5 Stars 5 Stars 5 Stars 5 Stars 5 Stars
Species:  
Elevation: 1500-1800 m
Climate: Mild and wet
Trails: Guided and self-guid
Accommodation: 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Food: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Hot water: Yes
Electricity: Yes
Communications: Cell phone
Region: Central Andes
Location: Anori, Dept of Antioquia
Summary: This excellent reserve was created by Fundacion ProAves to protect the recently described Chestnut-capped Piha (local name Arrierito Antioqueño). This area is subjected to high rates of deforestation, and the reserve protects several areas of forest home to both the Piha and several other range-restricted species. The reserve has excellent accommodation and a great network of birding trails. An interesting mix of lowland and subtropical forest species occur here – look for surprises.
Endemics: Colombian Chachalaca, Chestnut Wood-Quail, White-mantled Barbet, Parker’s Antbird, Stiles’ Tapaculo, Chestnut- capped Piha, Multicolored Tanager, Black-and-gold Tanager, Red-bellied Grackle
Key Species: Blackish Rail, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Lanceolated Monklet, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Pavonine Cuckoo, Brown-billed Scythebill, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, Sooty-headed Wren, Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo, Purplish-mantled Tanager
Access: 4-5 hrs from Medellín on a mostly paved highway. The last 10 km are unpaved, but in good condition.
Site Description: UPDATE APRIL 2009. A newly constructed, high-quality trail now climbs the ridge and gives good access to the preferred habitat of Black-and-gold Tanager. This endemic is now being seen regularly by ProAves biologists and visiting tour groups. The ridge trail is also excellent for Multicolored Tanager and the Chestnut-capped Piha. Other exciting new birds which have been found along the ridge include Indigo Flowerpiercer, Moustached Puffbird and Red-throated Caracara.

The cabins are located along a lightly-travelled road; walking this road is often productive. Forest patches may contain the recently-described Parker’s Antbird and Stiles’ Tapaculo, while flocks of Red-bellied Grackle forage along the hillsides – to find these spectacular endemics, listen for their whistles, clucks and chortles. The grackles have nested along the road close to the cabins. Mixed flocks may contain Greenish Puffleg, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager and Scrub and Purplish-mantled Tanagers. Look in dense underbrush for Sooty-headed Wrens and don’t forget to scan the skies for raptors including Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagles, Barred Hawk and the tiny Blue-fronted Parrotlet, apparently the only regularly-occurring psittacine at the site.

After a kilometer or so, the road passes by a small marshy lagoon. This is a good site to search for Blackish Rail, White-throated Crake, Black-faced Tanager and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch.

The best birding, however, is often in the forest. A good trail system traverses the subtropical forest, where flocks may contain White-mantled Barbet, Lanceolated Monklet, Brown-billed Scythebill, Streak-capped Treehunter, Uniform Antshrike, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, Chestnut-crowned Piha and Multicolored and Purplish-mantled Tanagers. The Red-bellied Grackles are sometimes seen foraging with Inca Jays. Chestnut Wood-Quail, Pavonine Cuckoo, Parker’s Antbird, White-crowned and Stiles’ Tapaculos and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater call from the undergrowth.

A more strenuous hike along the crest of the forested ridge provides the best chance for the rare Black-and-gold Tanager, as well as more chances for the Piha and other desired birds. This area holds many species at the upper limit of their elevational ranges, including Western Woodhaunter, Wing-barred Piprites, Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo and Scarlet-and-white Tanager – what other species await discovery?
Photos:
White-mantled Barbet, Benjamin Freeman Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Benjamin Freeman Red-bellied Grackle at nest, Benjamin Freeman Brown-billed Scythebill, Benjamin Freeman Purplish-mantled Tanager, Benjamin Freeman Collared Trogon, Benjamin Freeman
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