This tour focuses on the lowlands and foothill region of the upper Magdalena Valley. It begins in Bogota, crossing the valley several times, before ending in the bustling city of Bucaramanga. It does cover a bit of ground, but, thankfully, there are several nights at each destination which allowed us to get settled in and enjoy the surrounding landscape. It was a good trip with a bird list of over 400 species, which included a number of very local Colombian endemics.
Bogota was our jumping off point and we quickly descended down the western foothills with a birding stop at Mana Dulce on the edge of the Eastern Cordillera. This was a nice introduction to the hot lowlands with species like Whooping Motmot and Barred Puffbird. After lunch, we continued across the Magdalena Valley and climbed up the eastern foothills of the Central Cordillera (I know, it's a little confusing!), above the sprawling town of Ibague. From our base at Hotel Iguaima, we were able to spend nearly a full day at the lovely Ukuku Lodge. This involved a bit of a pre-dawn hike (with headlamps) to get to, but it was well worth it. Difficult species encountered here included Tolima Dove, Tolima Blossomcrown, and a pair of Solitary Eagles! Leaving Ibague in the early morning we made a stop in the town of Armero. This town was completely destroyed during the eruption of Ruiz Volcano on November 13, 1985 in a river of mud and debris that washed down out of the mountains. Nearly 25,000 people lost their lives that night. After we paid our respects, we traveled north to the quaint foothills town of Victoria. It was here we were able to visit the Bellavista Forest Reserve. One of the mega highlights of this visit was finding Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant, a small, endemic flycatcher with a very limited range. Of course, there were other cool things like Rufous Motmot and White-mantled Barbets!
Our next stop was near the Rio Claro Reserve staying in the comfortable Los Colores cabins. Rio Claro is a picturesque wooded canyon with a nearly transparent river running through it. Lots of people (mostly from Medellin) use this place on the weekends for rafting and swimming, but, thankfully, we were here during the week. We birded the main entrance road and La Mulata trail during the day. These outings were very good for Chestnut-backed and Magdalena Antbirds, several species of toucans, flycatchers, and day roosting Spectacled Owls, among many others. Probably the highlight of this visit was our evening walk to the Oilbird cave, which gave many a unique experience with this bizarre bird. We also watched fishing bats at dusk and did a little scorpioning on the way back. After Rio Claro, it was time to cross the Magdalena Valley back to the Eastern Cordillera to the remote site of El Paujil Reserve, named after the endemic Blue-billed Curassow. This was a bit of an adventure getting to the lodge which involved a chiva ride and 4x4 pick-ups, along with a short trek, but we eventually made it. Despite these minor obstacles, our two night stay here was well worth it. The curassows were literally at our feet on the lodge grounds, and we encountered other goodies like White-whiskered Puffbird, Shining-green Hummingbird, and Beautiful Woodpecker.
However, we were happy to leave the hot lowlands and climb up into the cooler highlands passing shade-grown coffee and cacao farms above the town of San Vicente snaking our way to the Cerulean Warbler Reserve. We spent a day birding below the lodge in the cacao farms and edge, which was easily a 100+ species morning. The next day we drove up to the edge of the forest and skillfully trekked up the Lengerke Trail with its slippery cobblestones. The forest here was tall and lush, primary foothill forest, where we encountered Parker's Antbird, White-bellied Antpitta, and Magdalena Tapaculo.
Our last evening we spent in Bucaramanga and the next morning we took a quick flight back to Bogota. Group highlights during this trip included Tolima Blossomcrown, Black Inca, Collared Aracari, Choco Screech-Owl, but the run away winner was the Blue-billed Curassow (with chicks!). Thanks to everyone for a very successful trip. I enjoyed spending time with you in the field and hope to see you again on another Jesse's Fitness Tour. Lastly, thanks to all our ground support, especially Ivan Lau, our fabulous local guide, but also to our driver, John. All the best for a remaining 2023,
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
HIGHLAND TINAMOU (Nothocercus bonapartei) [*]
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
NORTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna chavaria)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata)
COLOMBIAN CHACHALACA (Ortalis columbiana) [E]
CRESTED GUAN (Penelope purpurascens)
BLUE-BILLED CURASSOW (Crax alberti) [E]
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus)
MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus gujanensis) [*]
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (WHITE-NECKED) (Patagioenas fasciata albilinea) [*]
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
COMMON GROUND DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon montana)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-CHESTED DOVE (Leptotila cassinii) [*]
TOLIMA DOVE (Leptotila conoveri) [E]
LINED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon linearis)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) [*]
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris) [*]
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) [*]
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) [*]
OILBIRD (Steatornis caripensis)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne rutila)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus)
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
LONG-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis longirostris)
PALE-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis anthophilus)
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae)
LESSER VIOLETEAR (Colibri cyanotus)
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingii)
BRONZY INCA (Coeligena coeligena)
BLACK INCA (Coeligena prunellei) [E]
COLLARED INCA (Coeligena torquata)
BUFF-TAILED CORONET (Boissonneaua flavescens)
WHITE-BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii)
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa rubinoides)
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula)
SANTA MARTA WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus astreans) [E]
PURPLE-THROATED WOODSTAR (Philodice mitchellii)
RED-BILLED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon gibsoni)
TOLIMA BLOSSOMCROWN (Anthocephala berlepschi) [E]
WHITE-VENTED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura buffonii)
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania colombica)
INDIGO-CAPPED HUMMINGBIRD (Saucerottia cyanifrons) [E]
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
ANDEAN EMERALD (Uranomitra franciae)
SHINING-GREEN HUMMINGBIRD (Chrysuronia goudoti)
BLUE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Polyerata amabilis)
VIOLET-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Chlorestes julie)
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE (Laterallus albigularis) [*]
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
WATTLED JACANA (BLACK-BACKED) (Jacana jacana hypomelaena)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum marmoratum)
FASCIATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma fasciatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
PEARL KITE (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (PLAIN-BREASTED) (Accipiter striatus ventralis)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
SOLITARY EAGLE (Buteogallus solitarius)
BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps) [*]
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) [*]
CINNAMON SCREECH-OWL (Megascops petersoni) [*]
CHOCO SCREECH-OWL (Megascops centralis)
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
MOTTLED OWL (Strix virgata)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
WHITE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon chionurus)
GARTERED TROGON (Trogon caligatus)
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)
WHOOPING MOTMOT (Momotus subrufescens)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis)
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii)
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus)
RUSSET-THROATED PUFFBIRD (Hypnelus ruficollis)
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda)
WHITE-MANTLED BARBET (Capito hypoleucus) [E]
SOUTHERN EMERALD-TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus albivitta)
CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus)
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)
YELLOW-THROATED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (CITRON-THROATED) (Ramphastos vitellinus citreolaemus)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Picumnus olivaceus)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)
BEAUTIFUL WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pulcher) [E]
RED-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes rubricapillus)
SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER (Dryobates fumigatus)
RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Dryobates kirkii)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CINNAMON WOODPECKER (Celeus loricatus) [*]
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus)
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) [*]
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Daptrius chimachima chimachima)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
MERLIN (Falco columbarius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
BARRED PARAKEET (Bolborhynchus lineola)
ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET (Brotogeris jugularis)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
BRONZE-WINGED PARROT (Pionus chalcopterus)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
SPECTACLED PARROTLET (Forpus conspicillatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
SCARLET-FRONTED PARAKEET (Psittacara wagleri) [*]
RUFOUS-RUMPED ANTWREN (Euchrepomis callinota)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
BAR-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus multistriatus) [*]
BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha)
BLACK ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus nigriceps)
UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus unicolor) [*]
PACIFIC ANTWREN (Myrmotherula pacifica)
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (NORTHERN) (Formicivora grisea hondae)
PARKER'S ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides parkeri) [E]
JET ANTBIRD (Cercomacra nigricans)
BARE-CROWNED ANTBIRD (Gymnocichla nudiceps)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza longipes)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Poliocrania exsul)
MAGDALENA ANTBIRD (Sipia palliata)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTPITTA (Grallaria hypoleuca)
MAGDALENA TAPACULO (Scytalopus rodriguezi)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
NORTHERN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) [*]
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus)
OLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus triangularis)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans) [*]
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (CARIBBEAN) (Furnarius leucopus longirostris)
MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia striaticollis)
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Dendroma rufa)
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (TURDINUS) (Automolus ochrolaemus turdinus)
DOUBLE-BANDED GRAYTAIL (Xenerpestes minlosi)
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
SLATY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis brachyura)
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens)
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae)
LANCE-TAILED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia lanceolata)
GOLDEN-WINGED MANAKIN (Masius chrysopterus)
WHITE-BIBBED MANAKIN (Corapipo leucorrhoa)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
STRIOLATED MANAKIN (STRIOLATED) (Machaeropterus striolatus striolatus) [*]
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
BROWN-WINGED SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis turdina)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
CINEREOUS BECARD (Pachyramphus rufus)
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus)
ONE-COLORED BECARD (Pachyramphus homochrous)
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus)
BLACK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius atricaudus)
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris) [*]
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris) [*]
ANTIOQUIA BRISTLE-TYRANT (Pogonotriccus lanyoni) [E]
RUFOUS-BROWED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes superciliaris)
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis atricapillus)
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)
PALE-EYED PYGMY-TYRANT (Atalotriccus pilaris)
SOUTHERN BENTBILL (Oncostoma olivaceum)
SLATE-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus sylvia)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps)
OLIVACEOUS FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
ORNATE FLYCATCHER (Myiotriccus ornatus)
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Ornithion brunneicapillus)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
NORTHERN MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Nesotriccus incomta)
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
GREENISH ELAENIA (Myiopagis viridicata)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
MOUNTAIN ELAENIA (Elaenia frantzii)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps)
PLUMBEOUS-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias plumbeiceps)
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET (GOLDEN-FACED) (Zimmerius chrysops chrysops)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus)
BLACK-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Aphanotriccus audax)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
NORTHERN TROPICAL PEWEE (Contopus bogotensis)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens) [*]
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (Cnemotriccus fuscatus)
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala)
PIED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola pica)
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
RUFOUS MOURNER (Rhytipterna holerythra)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
PANAMA FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus panamensis)
APICAL FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus apicalis) [E]
PALE-EDGED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cephalotes)
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
LESSER KISKADEE (Philohydor lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
SCRUB GREENLET (Hylophilus flavipes)
YELLOW-BROWED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius eximius)
LESSER GREENLET (Pachysylvia decurtata)
RUFOUS-NAPED GREENLET (Pachysylvia semibrunnea)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
CHIVI VIREO (Vireo chivi)
BLACK-CHESTED JAY (Cyanocorax affinis)
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW (Atticora tibialis)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (PLUMBICEPS/ANTEOCULARIS) (Polioptila plumbea anteocularis)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon musculus)
BAND-BACKED WREN (Campylorhynchus zonatus)
BICOLORED WREN (Campylorhynchus griseus)
SOOTY-HEADED WREN (Pheugopedius spadix)
BLACK-BELLIED WREN (Pheugopedius fasciatoventris)
WHISKERED WREN (Pheugopedius mystacalis)
NICEFORO'S WREN (Thryophilus nicefori) [E]
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus)
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (BLACK-CAPPED) (Henicorhina leucosticta albilateralis)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys) [*]
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides)
ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus aurantiirostris) [*]
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Catharus minimus)
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas)
YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH (Turdus flavipes)
SPECTACLED THRUSH (Turdus nudigenis)
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanocephala)
VELVET-FRONTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia concinna) [E]
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
FULVOUS-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia fulvicrissa)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
ANDEAN SISKIN (Spinus spinescens)
ASHY-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus canigularis)
BLACK-HEADED BRUSHFINCH (Arremon atricapillus atricapillus)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
WHITE-NAPED BRUSHFINCH (YELLOW-THROATED) (Atlapetes albinucha gutturalis)
YELLOW-HEADED BRUSHFINCH (Atlapetes flaviceps) [E]
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Leistes militaris)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons) [*]
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
YELLOW-BACKED ORIOLE (Icterus chrysater)
YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE (Icterus mesomelas)
YELLOW ORIOLE (Icterus nigrogularis)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus lugubris)
YELLOW-HOODED BLACKBIRD (Chrysomus icterocephalus)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea)
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Leiothlypis peregrina)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia)
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla)
CERULEAN WARBLER (Setophaga cerulea)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (Setophaga castanea)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED WARBLER (Basileuterus delattrii mesochrysus)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda)
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
DUSKY-FACED TANAGER (Mitrospingus cassinii)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
SOOTY ANT-TANAGER (Habia gutturalis) [E]
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia cyanoides)
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Loriotus luctuosus)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (LEMON-RUMPED) (Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus)
CRIMSON-BACKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus dimidiatus)
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER (Stilpnia heinei)
SCRUB TANAGER (Stilpnia vitriolina)
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Stilpnia larvata)
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Stilpnia cyanicollis)
METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER (Tangara labradorides)
PLAIN-COLORED TANAGER (Tangara inornata)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (BAY-AND-BLUE) (Tangara gyrola catharinae)
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala)
GOLDEN TANAGER (Tangara arthus)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (YELLOW-TUFTED) (Dacnis lineata egregia)
TURQUOISE DACNIS (Dacnis hartlaubi) [E]
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)
WHITE-EARED CONEBILL (Conirostrum leucogenys)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides)
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER (Sporophila minuta)
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila funerea)
GRAY SEEDEATER (Sporophila intermedia)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus)
BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT (Melanospiza bicolor)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
BLACK-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator atripennis)
OLIVE-GRAY SALTATOR (Saltator olivascens)
STREAKED SALTATOR (Saltator striatipectus)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
CRAB-EATING FOX (Cerdocyon thous)
A few other critters seen on the tour included:
1) Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) = Good numbers on the grounds at Los Colores.
2) Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) = All of the species in this genus are affectionately called, "Jesus Christ Lizard." One was seen at El Paujil Reserve.
3) Spectacled Caiman (Caimain crocodilus) = One was in the small pond at El Paujil Reserve.
Totals for the tour: 406 bird taxa and 3 mammal taxa