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Recent bird sightings:
Sites - Otun-Quimbaya Sanctuary

Site evaluation: 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Species:  
Elevation: 1600-2800 m
Climate: Mild and wet
Trails: Guided and self-guid
Accommodation: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Food: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Hot water: Yes
Electricity: Yes
Communications: Cell phone
Region: Central Andes
Location: Pereira, Dept of Risaralda
Summary: The Otún Quimbaya Santuary protects excellent upper subtropical and montane forest through the Rio Otún valley above the city of Pereira, and holds a great sample of Andean birds, including both Cauca Valley and Central Cordilleran endemics and specialties.
Endemics: Cauca Guan, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, Greyish Piculet
Key Species: Torrent Duck, Moustached Puffbird, Bar-crested Antshrike, Moustached and Brown-banded Antpitta, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Slate-colored Seedeater
Access: 45 min above Perreira
Site Description: UPDATE APRIL 2009. The highly sought-after endemics Crested Ant-Tanager and Greyish Piculet have recently been found in the vicinity of the cabins. Look for the Tanager along the river trail, and the Piculet along the road below the cabins.

The cabins at La Suiza (1800 m) are located along a lightly-travelled road; walking this road is very productive. There are also two trails that are good for finding the forest skulkers: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Chestnut-breasted Wren and Moustached Antpitta.

The road passes through good forest where Highland Motmot, Cauca Guans and Red-ruffed Fruitcrows are plentiful. Also look for Black-billed Mountain Toucan and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Mixed flocks may contain Moustached Puffbird, Streak-capped Treehunter, Bar-crested Antshrikes, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet and Multicolored Tanager.

The cabin area is a good place to search for Great Antshrike, Whiskered Wren, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Flame-rumped Tanager and Slate-colored Seedeater, while the river is home to Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dippers. Pauraques are common at night around the cabins, and Swallow-tailed Nightjars have been reported.

The road continues up to El Cedral at 2000 m, where a mule trail leads up to cabins at La Pastora (2400 m). These upper areas are good for Brown-banded and Bicolored Antpittas, Dusky Piha, Flammulated Treehunter, Masked Saltator, Golden-fronted Whitestart, White-capped Tanager, Black-collared Jay and more.
Photos:
Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Benjamin Freeman Cauca Guan, Benjamin Freeman
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