RIO CLARO RESERVE BIRDWATCHING COLOMBIA

The reserve is situated along the banks of the Rio Claro, a pristine river that has carved its path through a landscape of humid tropical forest and marble canyons. A dirt road provides great birding opportunities, with chances for specialties such as the endemic White-mantled Barbet, Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant and the motionless Barred Puffbird. Other birds of interest include Beautiful Woodpecker, Black-faced Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Channer-Billed Toucan, Olivaceous Piculet, and Saffron- headed Parrot. The reserve is at 560 m (1,950 ft) and covers 250 ha (617 ac).

 

White-mantled Barbet Capito hypoleucus  By Juan David Ramirez

Rio Claro is a hotspot for bird diversity and other birds we might encounter include Purple-crowned Fairy, Buff- rumped Warbler, Black-throated Trogon, Western-Slaty Antshrike and Black-faced Antthrush. Another great birding destination in the area is La Cueva del Condor. No Condor inhabit the area, the cave is home to a noisy Oilbird colony. This very interesting night bird uses sonar to navigate, and it will be a delight to get acquainted with it.

Saffron-headed Parrot  Pyrillia pyrillia By Carlos Mario Wagner

 

 

Oilbird Staetornis caripensis  By: Christopher Calonje

 

 

Channel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos vitellinus  By Christopher Calonje