In 2017, I started what could transform into a lifelong birdwatching hobby in Costa Rica. Pretty soon I was amazed by the incredibly diverse that our country is in terms of birdlife. We have more than 900 species that have been registered, and we continue to register new ones every year. Then the guides at Fundación de Rapaces de Costa Rica talked about a trip to Colombia, which has more than double in term of species count. I knew I had to sign up.

January 2018 was the date for the trip, and it was amazing. The diversity is incredible, specially when talking about hummingbirds and tanagers, but even Toucans and Antpittas are composed of lots of species, and the level of endemism (meaning found only in a single country or region) is unique. In one week, we traveled through Pereira, Manizales and Cali, looking for the most rare birds, and we found them. This is the collection where I showcase the birds that I could photograph during the trip.

Ducks

Currasows, Chachalacas, Guans

Pelicans

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Ibises, Spoonbills

New World Vultures

Hawks, Kites, Eagles

Plovers, Lapwings

Sandpipers, Allies

Pigeons, Doves

Cuckoos

Owls

Hummingbirds

Trogons

New World Barbets

Toucan-Barbets

Toucans

Woodpeckers

Falcons, Caracaras

Parrots

Antpittas

Ovenbirds, Woodcreepers

Tyrant Flycatchers

Cotingas

Tityras, Becards, Allies

Swallows

Dippers

Thrushes, Allies

Tanagers, Seedeaters, Allies

Finches, New World Sparrows, Allies

Grosbeaks, Buntings, Allies

New World Warblers

Blackbirds, Orioles

Euphonias