Friday, May 15, 2015

BIRDING COLOMBIA - SANTA MARTA AND MORE DAYS 2 and 3 !!

A large percentage of the endemics found in El Dorado occur above the lodge on the SAN LORENZO RIDGE, accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicle up a single road that climbs to around 9000 feet; from this point in the early morning one can see the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Santa Martas.  Many of the birds here are threatened by habitat destruction, especially by clearcutting for subsistence farming, and special measures are being taken to protect this fragile habitat by the Colombian NGO (FUNDACION PROAVES) which partners with bird conservation organizations worldwide in their preservation efforts.

After a 4:30 AM departure, our first target was the SANTA MARTA PARAKEET, listed as 'endangered' and only occurring in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. 
SANTA MARTA PARAKEET
Usually seen quickly and in flight, we were happy to see this small flock alight for a few quick photos.  After some scouring, we came up with such endemics as SANTA MARTA BUSH-TYRANT, BROWN-RUMPED TAPACULO,  SANTA MARTA and RUFOUS ANTPITTAS (this endemic subspecies soon to be split), and RUSTY-HEADED SPINETAIL.

 We had fairy good success finding the three endemic wood-warblers (family parulidae), which can be skulky and uncooperative.  The SANTA-MARTA and WHITE-LORED warblers, as well as the YELLOW-CROWNED WHITESTART all allowed for at least quick pictures and adequate views.

WHITE-LORED WARBLER
 There are about 118 species of new-world warblers, some of whom migrate to northern breeding grounds, while others, like these, are residents of the neotropics. 
YELLOW-CROWNED WHITESTART
SANTA MARTA WARBLER


One of the highlights of the mountain was coming upon a small flock of the endemic SANTA MARTA MOUNTAIN-TANAGER! Mountain-Tanagers (genus anisognathus) are a grouping of birds in the tanager family, primarily occupying the highland woodlands and cloudforests of South America.  This species, also called the BLACK-CHEEKED MOUNTAIN TANAGER was feeding on berries along the road above the lodge.
SANTA MARTA MOUNTAIN TANAGER

SANTA-MARTA MOUNTAIN-TANAGER
As well as the parade of endemics, we saw a number of  species also common to other areas and elevations, such as the common WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET, BAND-TAILED PIGEON, MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST, and WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER.
Great day on the mountain !!

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