Colombia: Magdalena River Valley & Western Andes - July 2026
Dates: July 18-26, 2026
Leader: David Ascanio
E-bird
Total Species: 220 birds
Click Here to view list.
Overall Summary
Our journey through Colombia combined two of the country’s finest birding regions: the tropical forests of the Magdalena River Valley and the cloud forests of the Western Andes, producing an outstanding diversity of birds, habitats, and unforgettable experiences.
We began by visiting the inspiring restoration project at Cantos de Agua, where former pastureland is steadily returning to native forest, demonstrating how conservation efforts can successfully restore wildlife habitat. Along the way, excellent views of the endemic White-mantled Barbet and the spectacular Beautiful Woodpecker provided an exciting introduction to Colombia’s remarkable avifauna.
The humid forests of Río Claro and the nearby Aquitania Road proved exceptionally productive, yielding Gray-headed Tanager, Black-chested Jay, Western Olivaceous Flatbill attending its nest, Rufous-breasted Hermit building another, Dusky-faced Tanager, and the elusive Striolated Manakin. A tiny rain-filled tree cavity became a natural birdbath where dazzling Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Yellow-backed Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, and Palm Tanager delighted everyone. Even persistent rain could not diminish the quality of the birding, as Buff-rumped Warbler, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, and colorful mixed flocks of tanagers rewarded our perseverance. Fruiting trees constantly attracted spectacular activity, while soaring Swallow-tailed Kite and King Vulture added drama overhead.
Exploring the Magdalena River and Puerto Nare introduced us to White-eared Conebill, Russet-throated and Pied Puffbirds, Wattled Jacana, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, and superb views of the magnificent Northern Screamer, one of the region’s signature specialties. Our final morning in the valley added Collared Aracari, Blue-headed Parrot, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Scrub Greenlet, Cinnamon Becard, Bicolored Wren, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Stripe-throated Hermit, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Orange-bellied Euphonia, and the dazzling Bay-headed Tanager before we crossed the mountains toward the charming colonial town of Jardín.
From there, four-wheel-drive vehicles carried us into the breathtaking cloud forests along the historic Ventanas Road, where towering trees covered in orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes created one of the tour’s most spectacular settings. Hummingbirds dominated the day, with Buff-tailed Coronet, Mountain Velvetbreast, and the extraordinary Sword-billed Hummingbird providing unforgettable views, while more than a dozen Endangered Yellow-eared Parrots and a family of Hooded Mountain-Tanagers highlighted the high Andes. The afternoon at Finca MonteSer combined excellent local coffee with views of ten additional hummingbird species before we enjoyed Jardín’s welcoming atmosphere, lively plaza, and outstanding cuisine.
Our final morning at La Herrera Trail produced Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Moustached Puffbird, Green Jays, Russet-throated Oropendolas, and Giant Cowbird before the tour concluded with the discovery of not one but two family groups of the localized Red-bellied Grackle, one of Colombia’s most sought-after endemics.
From lowland rainforest to Andean cloud forest, this relaxed-paced journey showcased an extraordinary variety of habitats, endemic birds, conservation successes, and memorable wildlife encounters, leaving us with lasting memories of one of Colombia’s richest birding regions.
Day-by-Day Summary
July 19 – Rionegro to Doradal, Antioquia
Our tour began at Cantos de Agua, an inspiring restoration project where former pastureland is returning to thriving forest. Roadside stops en route to the Magdalena River Valley produced excellent views of two Colombian endemics: five White-mantled Barbets and the spectacular Beautiful Woodpecker. Upon reaching our hotel, the lively grounds introduced us to the rich diversity of tropical birds awaiting us.
July 20 – Río Claro Reserve and Aquitania Road
Our first full day explored the lush forests of Río Claro Natural Reserve, where Gray-headed Tanager, Black-chested Jay, and many lowland specialties were recorded. Along the entrance road, we found a Western Olivaceous Flatbill attending its nest and a Rufous-breasted Hermit building another. During the afternoon on the Aquitania Road, a rain-filled tree cavity attracted Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Yellow-backed, Blue-gray, and Palm Tanagers. The elusive Striolated Manakin provided a memorable finale.
July 21– Aquitania and Puerto Nare
Despite persistent rain, Aquitania rewarded us with Buff-rumped Warbler, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, and an active fruiting tree hosting White-shouldered, Golden-hooded, Blue-gray, Blue-necked, and Flame-rumped Tanagers. A Swallow-tailed Kite and King Vulture soared overhead before excellent views of Black-bellied Wren concluded the morning. During the afternoon near Puerto Nare, bird activity exploded with White-eared Conebill, Russet-throated and Pied Puffbirds, Wattled Jacana, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, and outstanding views of the magnificent Northern Screamer.
July 22 – Río Claro to Medellín
Our final Magdalena Valley morning began with Collared Aracari, Blue-headed Parrot, and Chestnut-fronted Macaw feeding in a fruiting tree. A persistent Scrub Greenlet eventually revealed itself, while a Cinnamon Becard nest and Bicolored Wrens stealing nesting material provided entertaining behavior. A final visit to Río Claro added Black-tailed Flycatcher, Stripe-throated Hermit, Scaly-breasted Wren, and Plain-brown Woodcreeper. Before reaching Medellín, Orange-bellied Euphonia and dazzling Bay-headed Tanager offered a fitting farewell.
July 23 – Medellín to Jardín
A scenic drive carried us into the beautiful colonial town of Jardín, gateway to the cloud forests of the Western Andes.
July 24 – Ventanas and Finca MonteSer
Historic Ventanas Road led us through spectacular cloud forest draped with orchids and bromeliads. Hummingbirds starred throughout the morning, including Buff-tailed Coronet, Mountain Velvetbreast, and Sword-billed Hummingbird. More than a dozen Endangered Yellow-eared Parrots and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers highlighted the high elevations. The afternoon at Finca MonteSer added ten hummingbird species before we enjoyed Jardín’s welcoming plaza.
July 25 – La Herrera Trail and Departure
A relaxed walk through secondary growth and riverine forest produced Yellow-bellied Seedeater, grassquits, Moustached Puffbird, Green Jays, and Russet-throated Oropendolas. The tour’s grand finale came with exceptional views of two family groups of the localized Red-bellied Grackle, bringing to a close a rewarding journey through Colombia’s Magdalena Valley and the magnificent Central and Western Andes.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
White-footed Tamarin, Saguinus leucopus
Red-tailed Squirrel, Sciurus granatensis
Neotropical Fruit Bat, Sturnira spp.
REPTILES:
Brook’s House Gecko, Hemidactylus brookii
Green Iguana, Iguana iguana
Common Basilisk, Basiliscus Basiliscus
South American Ground-Lizard, Ameiva ameiva
AMPHIBIANS:
Marine Toad, Bufo marinus
INSECTA:
Rhinocero’s Beetle, Dynastinae Pleasing
Fungus Beetle, Erotylidae Warroir
Wasp, Synoeca sp.