Santa Marta Birding Tour in Colombia

Km 4 and Salamanca Island Sanctuary

Km 4 and Salamanca Island Sanctuary staying at Minca, Early in the morning we will try for the endemic Chestnut-winged Chachalaca, this before going to Km 4 location, the targets include Scaled Dove, Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, the endemic Turquoise-winged Parrotlet, Stripe-backed Wren, Groove-billed Ani, Russet-throated Puffbird, all of this before visiting Salamanca Island Sanctuary where we look for Pied Puffbird, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, brown-throated Parakeets, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Bicolored Conebill and the endemic Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird which is a critically endangered species. Right after this place we move to Minca village which is a pretty touristic spot and also the place to spend the second night, in the afternoon our efforts will be focus in the dry forest some of the goodies there are Golden-fronted Greenlet, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white Wrens, and chances to watch the uncommon Military Macaw.

From Minca to the San Lorenzo ridge

Going up to our carefully chosen lodge near El Dorado reserve and searching for different endemics in the way up, some of the first we’ll try are Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Santa Marta Antbird, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Santa Marta Woodstar and more, despite all of this endemics we are also likely to watch some good birds such as Scaled Piculet, Coppery Emerald, Zone-tailed Hawk, White-necked Thrush, Whooping Motmot, Red-billed Parrot, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, the tiny and cute Rusty-breasted Antpitta and the stoning Golden-winged Sparrow, with spectacular views of the Caribbean we are also likely to presence an unforgettable sunset.

Cerro Kenedy at the San Lorenzo ridge

Cerro Kenedy, an early wake up is necessary to get on time to look for the endemics up in the San Lorenzo ridge, with the views of the Santa Marta mountains this is one of the most special places to look for endemics in Colombia, a small space with probabilities to watch endemics that include the uncommon Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Warbler, Yellow-crowned Redstart, Santa Marta Antpitta, Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Hermit Wodd-wren, Santa Marta Mountain Tanager, Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, Sierra Nevada Antpitta, Rusty-headed Spinetail and more, in the way down some other endemics could be seen such as Santa Marta Woodstar, White-tailed Starfrontlet, Sierra Nevada brush-finch and the subspecies of the Southern Emerald Toucanet known as “Santa Marta Toucanet” In the night we look for Santa Marta Screech Owl.

Mid elevations and lowlands

Mid elevations and lowlands; a morning to spend in search for missing species, some of the targets around include Groove-billed Toucanet, Black-hooded and Yellow-legged Thrushes, Black-headed Tanager, King Vulture, Rosy Thrush Tanager, Streak-capped Spinetail and among others, having Lunch in Minca then driving to Riohacha located in the Guajira peninsula which is also a pretty different environment where we will spend the night and the next morning, in the way to Riohacha we will do a stop in the way to look for Double-striped Thick-knee and Rufous-vented Chachalaca.

Camarones and Los Flamencos Flora and Fauna Sanctuary

Camarones and Los Flamencos Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, this is a pretty special morning to spend looking for incredible targets in between a pretty special indigenous community named Camarones, this community is also surrounded by the Flamencos Flora and Fauna Sanctuary the targets here are the stunning and near endemic Vermilion Cardinal, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Bare-eyed Pigeon, Trinidad Euphonia, Orinocan Saltator, White-chinned Spinetail, Buffy Hummingbird, Chestnut Piculet, the uncommon Tocuyo Sparrow, Slender-billed Inezia, some chances to see close to the ocean Roseate Spoonbill and American Flamingo, some others could be Royal Tern, American Oystercatcher and more, right after lunch we move to a lodge near to the Tayrona National Park where we birded the next morning.

Tayrona National Park and Drive to Barranquilla

Tayrona National Park and drive to Barranquilla, this is the visit to one of the most emblematic and popular nature places in Colombia the Tayrona National Park, a walk in the trails of this place could provide views of special birds such as the astonishing Lance-tailed Manakin, Orange-crowned Oriole, Rufous-and-white Wren, Southern Bentbill, White-bearded Manakin, White-bellied Antbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and if we are lucky views of the endemic and Critically Endangered Blue-billed Curassow, another highlight of this place is the endemic primate Cotton-top Tamarin which can be found anywhere to the trails, right after having lunch in a restaurant around the Tayrona we will drive to Barranquilla to spend the night, the departures can be at night or to the next morning.

Departures

Departures from the Ernesto Cortissoz Barranquilla International Airport BAQ.