Tayrona National Park. Photo: Chris Fischer Photography
Tayrona National Natural Park extends 20 miles along rugged shore and rises inland to 900m in elevation atop the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It protects a range of habitats from dry scrub to humid tropical forest, which are excellent for Neotropical migrants and a range of interesting resident species. If you are really lucky, it is possible to see the critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow during morning visits to the park.
One abundant bird that is easiest to see here than anywhere is the stunning Lance-tailed Manakin. Sometimes it can be found with its relative, the White-bearded Manakin. The birds here are varied, from Crane Hawk and Boat-billed Heron to Greater Ani, White-necked Puffbird and Rufous-tailed Jacamars. Blue-headed Parrot is common, and Lineated Woodpeckers are impressive to see as they forage on the large trees. White-bellied Antbirds belt out their song from the understory, if one is lucky they will even show themselves. The complex songs of Buff-breasted and Bicolored wrens are heard in the forest, along with the repetitive songs of Scrub Greenlets, nasal sounds of Barred Antshrikes or loud calls of Boat-billed and Streaked Flycatchers. It is an active area, full of birds! Crimson-backed Tanagers and the gorgeous Red-legged Honeycreepers give a lot of color to the local flocks.
While birding here it is common to see the Cotton-top Tamarin, a gorgeous little monkey dwarfed by the less common White-fronted Capuchin.