Many birders have heard that Colombia is the most bird-rich nation on Earth! So why is it not full of birders? It’s on an incredible upswing, coming out of a decades-long conflict, political as well as the illegal drug trade. Those days are becoming history. The country has gone through a sharp turnaround turnaround in regards to travelers’ safety. The birding is astounding, and there are some wonderfully unique spots to visit. Among these is the Santa Marta mountain range, separate from the Andes, that has an incredible level of endemism—species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. Santa Marta, the nearby dry forests, the coastal desert, and the Perijá Mountains to the east make northern Colombia an amazing way to begin to dip your toes in the unbelievable birdlife of this country. Then there are the three different ranges of the Andes, and valleys rich with endemics. Alvaro Jaramillo has been involved in a large project with National Audubon over the last couple of years that aims to promote conservation through economic development. How? Well, by creating the infrastructure and guide training to increase birding tourism in the area. When people earn a living from birding, they will preserve the birds and habitat. Come learn about this innovative program, and discover the richness of birds and birding in Colombia.
