The Rio Blanco reserve is considered one of the top birding destinatios in the World! The Rio Blanco Reserve is managed by one of our guides who's fulltime job is as the Biologist for Aguas de Manizales, the company responsible for the water that supplies the city of Manizales. This reserve takes us through an elevational gradient where different different avian assemblages are represented. The caretakers and guides of the facility have been tending feeding stations for Antpittas. We will have a unique opportunity to see these secretive antpittas at the feeding stations, including the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta and the Chestnut-crowned and Bicolored Antpittas. As we enjoy our morning coffee prepared by our very hospitable hosts, we will be surrounded by hummingbirds visiting the feeding stations surrounding the balcony. Up to 20 species are possible. Posibilities from the balcony also include Black-billed Mountain Toucan, sickle-winged Guan and the target Masked Saltator. A walk up the reserve will allow possibilities like the rusty-faced parrot, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Golden-faced Redstart, Dusky Piha, Black-billed and Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanagers, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rusty-faced Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Ocellated, Blackish and Spillman's Tapaculos, Grass-green and White-capped Tanager, Black-billed Peppershrike, Plushcap, Mountain Cacique, and Golden-plumed Parakeet.
Rio Blanco bird list (Download PDF)
Photo Credit: C. Calonje