Endemic Birds
Colombia is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and is home to a remarkable number of endemic bird species. Endemic birds are those that are found exclusively in a specific geographic region and nowhere else on Earth.
Richness of Endemic Species: Colombia boasts one of the highest levels of avian endemism in the world, with 80 species considered endemic.
Unique Habitats: These endemic species are often restricted to specific habitats within Colombia, such as the Andean mountains, cloud forests, or coastal regions.
Breathtaking Diversity: Endemic birds in Colombia showcase a diverse range of colors, sizes, and behaviors, making birdwatching in the country a truly unique and rewarding experience.
Conservation Significance: Protecting the habitats of endemic birds is crucial for their survival and contributes to the overall conservation efforts in Colombia, a country with high biodiversity but also facing environmental challenges.
Popular Endemic Species: Some well-known endemic bird species in Colombia include the Santa Marta Parakeet, the Gold-ringed Tanager, the Yellow-eared Parrot, and the Multicolored Tanager.
Birdwatching Tourism: Colombia has become a popular destination for birdwatchers seeking to observe endemic species in their natural habitats. Several birdwatching tours and eco-lodges cater to bird enthusiasts.
Cauca Guan
Cracidae
Penelope perspicax
Pava Caucana
Distribution: Slopes of West and Central Andes (Valle del Cauca, Risaralda Quindio, and Cauca)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Alex Berryman eBird S48202808 Macaulay Library ML 178352261
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca
Cracidae
Ortalis garrula
Guacharaca Caribeña
Distribution: Caribbean Region between Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Sinú River
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Martin Flack eBird S65006967Macaulay Library ML 204793621
Colombian Chachalaca
Cracidae
Ortalis columbiana
Guacharaca Colombiana
Distribution: Slopes of the Inter-Andean Valleys
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Blue-billed Curassow
Cracidae
Crax alberti
Paujil Piquiazul
Distribution: Spottily in forested mountains of northern Colombia
Status: Critically Endangered
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Chestnut Wood-quail
Odontophoridae
Odontophorus hyperythrus
Perdiz Colorada
Distribution: Slopes of west and central Andes
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Gorgeted Wood-quail
Odontophoridae
Odontophorus strophium
Perdiz Santandereana
Distribution: West slope of East Andes
Status: Endangered
Photo: © ProAves Colombia
Bogota Rail
Rallidae
Rallus Semiplumbeus
Rascón Bogotano
Distribution: High wetlands in East Andes (Cundinamarca, Boyacá)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Neil Diaz eBird S15511791 Macaulay Library ML 42994581
Tolima Dove
Columbidae
Leptotila conoveri
Tórtola Tolimense
Distribution: Eastern slopes of Central Andes (Tolima and Huila
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © aaprophoto iStock/Getty Images Plus
Santa Marta Screech-owl
Strigidae
Megascops sp. nov
Autillo de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Ondrej Prosicky iStock/Getty Images Plus
Bogotá Sunangel
Trochilidae
Heliangelus zusii
Angel de Bogotá
Distribution: Central and East Andes
Status: Probably Extinct
Santa Marta Blossomcrown
Trochilidae
Anthocephala floriceps
Colibrí cabecicastaño
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Ondrej Prosicky iStock/Getty Images Plus
Tolima Blossomcrown
Trochilidae
Anthocephala berlepschi
Spanish Name: Colibrí Florido del Tolima
Distribution: Central Andes (Quindío, Tolima, Huila)
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S39345129 Macaulay Library ML 69682711
Buffy Helmetcrest
Trochilidae
Oxypogon stuebelii
Barbudito Canelo
Distribution: Central Andes Páramo
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
Trochilidae
Oxypogon cyanolaemus
Barbudito Azul
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © Chris Bell eBird S45873198 Macaulay Library ML 119782731
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Trochilidae
Oxypogon guerinii
Barbudito Verde
Distribution: Eastern Andes Páramo
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S38744955
Black-backed Thornbill
Trochilidae
Ramphomicron dorsale
Picoespina Dorsinegro
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Dušan Brinkhuizen eBird S64750581 Macaulay Library ML 204884671
Colorful Puffleg
Trochilidae
Eriocnemis mirabilis
Calzoncitos de Munchique
Distribution: Western Andes in Cauca
Status: Critically Endangered
Photo: © Nigel Voaden eBird S18312226 Macaulay Library ML45289371
Black Inca
Trochilidae
Coeligena prunellei
Inca Negro
Distribution: Eastern Andes in the departments of Boyacá, Santander and Cundinamarca.
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Chantelle du Plessis (Andes EcoTours) eBird S32584449 Macaulay Library ML 40620201
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Trochilidae
Coeligena phalerata
Inca Coliblanco
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near Threatened
Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S63245876 Macaulay Library ML 198509221
Gorgeted Puffleg
Trochilidae
Eriocnemis isabellae
Zamarrito del Pinche
Distribution: Serranía del Pinche, Cauca
Status: Critically Endangered
Photo: © Fundación Ecohabitats Macaulay Library ML 307771831
Santa Marta Woodstar
Trochilidae
Chaetocercus astreans
Rumbito de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Yve Morrell eBird S61649879 Macaulay Library ML 189197111
Chiribiquete Emerald
Trochilidae
Chlorostilbon olivaresi
Esmeralda del Chiribiquete
Distribution: Serranía del Chiribiquete
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Johnnier Arango 🇨🇴 theandeanbirder.com eBird S82142325 Macaulay Library ML 333511571
Santa Marta Sabrewing
Trochilidae
Campylopterus phainopeplus
Ala-de-sable de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Carole Turek Macaulay Library ML 616591239
Indigo-capped Hummingbird
Trochilidae
Amazilia cyanifrons
Amazilia Frentiazul
Distribution: Eastern Andes
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Andrés M. Cuervo eBird S32734807 Macaulay Library ML 41185891
Andean Emerald
Trochilidae
Uranomitra (franciae) franciae
Amazilia Andina
Distribution: West, Central and Eastern Andes.
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Luis A. Materón
Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird
Trochilidae
Chrysuronia lilliae
Colibrí Manglero
Distribution: Caribbean Coast (Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Neil Diaz eBird S16314950 Macaulay Library ML 42900751
Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird
Trochilidae
Saucerottia castaneiventris
Amazilia Buchicastaña
Distribution: Drier areas of the Magdalena River drainage (Boyacá, Santander)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Robert DeKeyser eBird S86817680 Macaulay Library ML 332540151
Glittering Starfrontlet (Dusky Starfrontlet)
Trochilidae
Coeligena orina
Inca Oscuro
Distribution: Spottily in the northern West Andes
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Guillermo NAGY Aramacao Tours eBird S48879788 Macaulay Library ML 187622091
Sooty-capped Puffbird
Bucconidae
Nystactes noanamae
Bobo de Noanamá
Distribution: Northwest Colombia (Chocó, Antioquia)
Status: Near threatened
Photo: © Stephan Lorenz eBird S53755972 Macaulay Library ML 203226231
White-mantled Barbet
Capitonidae
Capito hypoleucus
Torito Dorsiblanco
Distribution: North Central Andes & west slope of East Andes
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © David Monroy Rengifo eBird S77285458 Macaulay Library ML 298965261
Grayish Piculet
Picidae
Picumnus granadensis
Carpinterito Punteado
Distribution: Cauca Valley slopes and lowlands
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Beautiful Woodpecker
Picidae
Melanerpes puncher
Carpintero Bonito
Distribution: North Central Andes & west slope of East Andes; Magdalena Valley
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Juan Carlos Luna Garcia eBird S122826687 Macaulay Library ML 506385891
Indigo-Winged Parrot
Psittacidae
Hapalopsittaca fuertesi
Cotorra Aliazul
Distribution: Central Andes (Risaralda, Tolima, Quindío)
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © John Cahill xikanel.com eBird S53607569 Macaulay Library ML 144345551
Yellow-eared Parrot
Psittacidae
Ognorhynchus icterotis
Loro Orejiamarillo
Distribution: Few locations in the Colombian Andes
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Alex Berryman eBird S49112868 Macaulay Library ML 118397401
Santa Marta Parakeet
Psittacidae
Pyrrhura viridicata
Periquito de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Cory Gregory eBird S53092810 Macaulay Library ML 221638451
Brown-breasted Parakeet
Psittacidae
Pyrrhura calliptera
Periquito Aliamarillo
Distribution: Spottily in northern East Andes
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Anthony Kaduck eBird S42317343 Macaulay Library ML83734361
Rufous-fronted Parakeet
Psittacidae
Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons
Periquito Frentirrufo
Distribution: Central Andes (Los Nevados National Park)
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Diego Monsalve serna eBird S38173399 Macaulay Library ML 63514541
Santa Marta Antbird
Thamnophilidae
Drymophila hellmayri
Hormiguerito de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near Threatened
Photo: © Miguel Aguilar @birdnomad eBird S62261240 Macaulay Library ML 219238001
East Andean Antbird
Thamnophilidae
Drymophila caudata
Hormiguerito Rabilargo
Distribution: West slope of East Andes; Upper Magdalena Valley (Caquetá, Huila)
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S51027972 Macaulay Library ML 139445641
Parker's Antbird
Thamnophilidae
Cercomacroides parkeri
Hormiguero de Parker
Distribution: Central Andes; small area of central West Andes
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Ian Davies eBird S8440471 Macaulay Library ML 41025931
Brown-banded Antpitta
Grallariidae
Grallaria milleri
Tororoi de Miller
Distribution: Central Andes (Caldas, Tolima, Risaralda, Quindío)
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Luis Agudelo eBird S50474941 Macaulay Library ML 127013781
Santa Marta Antpitta
Grallariidae
Grallaria bangsi
Tororoi de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Matthew Grube eBird S63920391 Macaulay Library ML 207845661
Cundinamarca Antpitta
Grallariidae
Grallaria kaestneri
Tororoi de Cundinamarca
Distribution: East slope of East Andes (Cundinamarca)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Marky Mutchler eBird S116568538 Macaulay Library ML 478215761
Urrao Antpitta
Grallariidae
Grallaria fenwickorum
Tororoi de Urrao
Distribution: Páramo de Frontino, West Andes (Antioquia)
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © Joachim Bertrands | Ornis Birding Expeditions eBird S62279402 Macaulay Library ML300733231
Paramillo Tapaculo
Rhinocryptidae
Scytalopus canus
Tapaculo de Paramillo
Distribution: Northern West Andes
Status: Endangered
Photo: © José Castaño eBird S36870776 Macaulay Library ML 58135531
Santa Marta Tapaculo
Rhinocryptidae
Scytalopus sanctaemartae
Tapaculo Buchirrufo
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near Threatened
Photo: © Niall D Perrins eBird S134088468 Macaulay Library ML 559332271
Upper Magdalena Tapaculo
Rhinocryptidae
Scytalopus rodriguezi
Tapaculo del Magdalena
Distribution: East slope of Central Andes, Upper Magdalena Valley
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Lisa & Li Li eBird S141322095 Macaulay Library ML 588230721
Yariguies Tapaculo
Rhinocryptidae
Scytalopus (rodriguezi) yariguiorum
Tapaculo de los Yariguies
Distribution: Eastern Andes in the Upper Magdalena Valley
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Lisa & Li Li eBird S141322095 Macaulay Library ML 588230721
Stiles's Tapaculo
Rhinocryptidae
Scytalopus stilesi
Tapaculo de Stiles
Distribution: Central Andes range of Colombia
Status:
Photo: © Su Li eBird S147484253 Macaulay Library ML 609163297
Brown-rumped Tapaculo
Rhinocryptidae
Scytalopus latebricola
Tapaculo Ratón
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near Threatened
Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S42530739 Macaulay Library ML 86238011
Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner
Furnariidae
Clibanornis rufipectus
Hojarasquero de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near threatened
Photo: © Rob Felix eBird S34960868 Macaulay Library ML 50027331
Silvery-throated Spinetail
Furnariidae
Synallaxis subpudica
Chamicero Cundiboyacense
Distribution: East Andes (Cundinamarca, Boyacá)
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S23463666 Macaulay Library ML 56797521
Rusty-headed Spinetail
Furnariidae
Synallaxis fuscorufa
Chamicero Serrano
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Jose Illanes eBird S54142501 Macaulay Library ML 244507901
Streak-capped Spinetail
Furnariidae
Cranioleuca hellmayri
Chamicero Coronado
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Cory Gregory eBird S65213326 Macaulay Library ML 214802911
Antioquia Bristle-tyrant
Tyrannidae
Pogonotriccus lanyoni
Tiranuelo Antioqueño
Distribution: Central Andes (Antioquia, Caldas); west slope of East Andes (Cundinamarca, Boyacá)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Dušan Brinkhuizen eBird S64751841 Macaulay Library ML 241564431
Santa Marta Bush-tyrant
Tyrannidae
Myiotheretes pernix
Atrapamoscas de Santa Marta
Distribution: Higher elevations in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains.
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Rob Felix eBird S41752251 Macaulay Library ML 114239781
Apical Flycatcher
Tyrannidae
Myiarchus apicalis
Atrapamoscas Apical
Distribution: Inter-Andean Valleys and adjacent slopes
Status: Least concern
Photo: © Chris Wood eBird S34487626 Macaulay Library ML 49438131
Chestnut-capped Piha
Cotingidae
Lipaugus weberi
Guardabosque Antioqueño
Distribution: Small region in the northern part of the central Andes
Status: Critically Endangered
Photo: © Phillip Edwards eBird S65011597 Macaulay Library ML 204868731
Providence Vireo
Vironidae
Vireo (pallens) approximans
Vireo de Manglar
Distribution: Island of Providencia
Status:
Photo: © Anthony Levesque eBird S40254538 Macaulay Library ML 73858661
San Andres Vireo
Vironidae
Vireo caribaeus
Verderón de San Andrés
Distribution: Island of San Andrés
Status:
Photo: © vukasin marinovic eBird S41074136 Macaulay Library ML 78084551
Santa Marta Wren
Troglodytidae
Troglodytes monticola
Cucarachero de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © Rob Felix eBird S41774917 Macaulay Library ML 81294531
Apolinar's Wren
Troglodytidae
Cistothorus (apolinari) apolinari
Cucarachero de Apolinar
Distribution: East Andes (Cundinamarca, Boyacá)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Neil Diaz eBird S14860440 Macaulay Library ML 43036901
Sumapaz Wren
Troglodytidae
Cistothorus (apolinari) hernandezi
Cucarachero de Apolinar
Distribution: East Andes (Cundinamarca, Boyacá)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Grant Price eBird S191760042 Macaulay Library ML623473172
Colombian Wren (Speckle-breasted Wren)
Troglodytidae
Pheugopedius columbinas
Cucarachero Jaspeado
Distribution: Found in the West, Central and Eastern Andes
Status:
Photo: © Yolanda Luna eBird S95212556 Macaulay Library ML 373440851
Antioquia Wren
Troglodytidae
Thryophilus sernai
Cucarachero Paisa
Distribution: Small region in the Cauca Valley
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Rob Jansen - RobJansenphotography.com eBird S133774239 Macaulay Library ML 560236101
Niceforo's Wren
Troglodytidae
Thryophilus nicefori
Cucarachero de Nicéforo
Distribution: West slope of East Andes (Santander, Boyacá)
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © Louis Bevier eBird S52149258 Macaulay Library ML 144508361
Hermit Wood-wren
Troglodytidae
Henicorhina anachoreta
Cucarachero Ermitaño
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status:
Photo: © Cullen Hanks eBird S50877878 Macaulay Library ML 170955921
Munchique Wood-wren
Troglodytidae
Henicorhina negreti
Cucarachero de Munchique
Distribution: Spottily in the West Andes
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © Nigel Voaden eBird S18312226 Macaulay Library ML45289531
Black-and-gold Tanager
Thraupidae
Bangsia melanochlamys
Tángara Aurinegra
Distribution: Central Andes (Antioquia); West Andes (Chocó, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca)
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Edwin Munera eBird S28377915 Macaulay Library ML 32274661
Gold-ringed Tanager
Thraupidae
Bangsia aureocincta
Tángara de Tatama
Distribution: West Andes (Chocó, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Steve Kelling eBird S52502507 Macaulay Library ML 140390641
Black-cheeked Mountain-tanager
Thraupidae
Anisognathus melanogenys
Tángara Serrana
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Least Concern
Photo:© Chris Wood eBird S38447215 Macaulay Library ML 65269211
Turquoise Dacnis
Thraupidae
Dacnis hartlaubi
Dacnis Turquesa
Distribution: Spottily in Andes (Valle del Cauca, Huila, Quindío, Antioquia, Risaralda, Cundinamarca, Boyacá)
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S45495847 Macaulay Library ML 99274371
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer
Thraupidae
Diglossa gloriosissima
Picaflor Pechirrufo
Distribution:Spottily in West
Status: Endangered
Photo: © John Cahill xikanel.com eBird S46030300 Macaulay Library ML 102482361
Multicolored Tanager
Tharaupidae
Chlorochrysa nitidissima
Tangará Multicolor
Distribution: West Andes; Central Andes (Risaralda, Antioquia)
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Antioquia Brushfinch
Passerellidae
Atlapetes blancae
Gorrión Montés Antioqueño
Distribution: Northern Central Andes (Antioquia)
Status: Critically endangered
Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S61257772 Macaulay Library ML 198120371
Sierra Nevada Brushfinch
Passerellidae
Arremon basilicus
Gorrión-montés de la Sierra Nevada
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near Threatened
Photo: © Phillip Edwards eBird S65011056 Macaulay Library ML 204876511
Santa Marta Brushfinch
Passerellidae
Atlapetes melanocephalus
Gorrión-montés de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Eric VanderWerf eBird S38652008 Macaulay Library ML 70333571
Yellow-headed Brushfinch
Passerellidae
Atlapetes flaviceps
Gorrión-montés de Anteojos
Distribution: East slope of Central Andes (Huila, Tolima)
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Robert Lewis eBird S39263608 Macaulay Library ML 71012261
Dusky-headed Brushfinch
Passerellidae
Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus
Gorrión-montés Oliváceo
Distribution: Upper Magdalena Valley (Huila, Cauca)
Status: Near threatened
Photo: © Stephan Lorenz eBird S65508987 Macaulay Library ML 216081381
Sooty Ant-tanager
Cardinalidae
Habia gutturalis
Habia ceniza
Distribution: Foothills of northern Andes including Magdalena Valley
Status: Near threatened
Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S25307864 Macaulay Library ML 20284191
Crested Ant-tanager
Cardinalidae
Habia cristata
Habia copetona
Distribution: West slope of West Andes
Status: Least Concerned
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Santa Marta Warbler
Parulidae
Myiothlypis basilica
Arañero de Santa Marta
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Eric VanderWerf eBird S38652008 Macaulay Library ML 70334071
White-lored Warbler
Parulidae
Myiothlypis conspicillata
Arañero Embridado
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near threatened
Photo: © Matthew Grube eBird S63950982 Macaulay Library ML 208316931
Yellow-crowned Whitestart
Parulidae
Myioborus flavivertex
Abanico Colombiano
Distribution: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Status: Near Threatened
Photo: © Knut Hansen eBird S32504157 Macaulay Library ML 39724651
Golden-fronted Whitestart
Parulidae
Myioborus chrysops
Abanico Cariblanco
Distribution: Western, Central and Eastern Andes
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Andrés M. Cuervo eBird S33437414 Macaulay Library ML 44483591
Baudo Oropendola
Icteridae
Psarocolius cassini
Oropéndola del Chocó
Distribution: Coastal mountains of the Pacific Region
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © Luis Carlos García Mejía eBird S53010065 Macaulay Library ML 141987861
Mountain Grackle
Icteridae
Macroagelaius subalaris
Tordo Montañero
Distribution: West slope of East Andes
Status: Endangered
Photo: © Rob Felix eBird S100707290 Macaulay Library ML412888741
Red-bellied Grackle
Icteridae
Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster
Cacique Candela
Distribution: Spottily in Andes
Status: Vulnerable
Photo: © J Esteban Berrio iStock/Getty Images Plus
Velvet-fronted Euphonia
Fringillidae
Euphonia concinna
Eufonia Frentinegra
Distribution: Magdalena Valley
Status: Least Concern
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
