Santa Marta, located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is a destination that enchants not only for its beaches and history, but also for being a true sanctuary for bird watching. With more than 300 species recorded in its region, this site offers an exceptional window into the world of ornithology and conservation.
Bird watching in Santa Marta is more than a hobby. In reality, birding is a way of life. Throughout history, birds have been among the most studied, revered and respected creatures by humans. They live everywhere, wear magnificent colors, their song is one of the most liberating sounds in the universe and, to top it off, they can fly, something that has captivated mankind since the dawn of time.
Birds invite us to look at the sky, tell us stories of distant lands and inspire us to pay attention to nature. These are just some of the reasons why people decide to go birding. There may be hundreds more. That is why there are different types of birders. You may be an avid photographer, a curious naturalist or a collector of oddities. They all get up cheerfully at five in the morning to be ready to greet the sun and observe the first flashy movements of our feathered friends.
This article delves into what bird watching is, the best routes and tours available, and how specialized courses can enrich this fascinating experience.
What is Birdwatching?
Bird watching, or birdwatching, is much more than just wildlife observation; it is an act of connection with nature that allows us to understand biodiversity and the importance of its conservation.
Bird watching is a powerful activity. In this modern age of technology, screens and constant brain stimulation, going birding has some meditative features. It requires constant and concentrated attention to the sounds, movements and location of a creature that can be exposed for only a second and then vanish like air. Therefore, birding requires presence, it requires a focused mind and a silent body.
Perhaps that’s why so many people over 50 have it as a hobby: because their brains have not been as shaped by the omnipresence of technology as the brains of younger generations.
As birding requires dedication, energy and attention, it is extremely rewarding to be in the middle of a cloud forest surrounded by bromeliads and vines while watching the clouds rise on the hill right in front of you when, suddenly, two pairs of military macaws sporting their beautiful combination of green, red and blue pass right over your head screaming a loud CRRRRAAAAAAA!!!, it is priceless.
Or find yourself walking through the vastness of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta under a 30 meter high tree, listening in awe to the indescribable melody of the wren musician to the point that you don’t realize that a cloud of hungry mosquitoes is feasting on you because you are too mesmerized by that glorious song. What happens is that you don’t care about anything around you. It all comes down to you and the bird, the bird and you. The world could collapse around you. It’s all right. The connection with that bird dominates everything at that moment.
Santa Marta stands out in this aspect due to its diversity of ecosystems, ranging from coasts to mountains, providing different habitats that favor the presence of an impressive variety of birds, both endemic and migratory.
Birdwatching Guide in Santa Marta
Having a birding guide in Santa Marta is essential to maximize the experience. These special guides are usually expert ornithologists or biologists who know in detail the local species, their habits and the best times and places to observe them. In addition, they will understand the importance of ethics in bird watching, ensuring that birding does not negatively interfere with birds or their habitats.
And who could be better guides to introduce you to the magic of birds than the people who have lived peacefully on this land for millennia, the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada? The Wiwa are masters of their ancestral tradition of interpreting the messages that birds carry with them and have become skilled ornithological guides who can provide you with a unique birding experience that blends the observation of the freshest and rarest birds of the Sierra with the knowledge of the territory and the narration of bird stories that only the indigenous people possess.
Birdwatching Tourism
Colombia is the best country in the world for bird watching. More than two thousand species of birds inhabit its forests, beaches, moors, mountains and deserts. Nearly one out of every five birds in the world lives in Colombia. And within Colombia, the imposing Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the holy grail of bird watching.
From beaches and mangroves, through dry forests and foothills, you reach Andean forests and moorlands, where you can find more than 20 endemic (unique) species of the Sierra Nevada. Some of them are astonishingly impressive, such as the White-tailed Starling hummingbird, and they coexist with more than 600 species, including several migratory species that come from the United States and Canada to winter. Literally, a birdwatcher’s paradise. A wonderful place where you can start your birding trip. Or where you can reinforce it.
Bird watching tourism in Santa Marta has grown significantly, attracting visitors from all over the world. Places such as the Tayrona National Natural Park and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Minca, La Tagua, San Lorenzo…) are key points for this activity.
The Tayrona offers a tropical rainforest environment with warm weather birds such as the woodpecker, toucan and scarlet macaw, while the second is famous for being home to the endemic hummingbirds, parrots and eagles among others.
Participating in a bird watching tour is the most effective way to explore Santa Marta’s bird life. These tours are designed to take enthusiasts to the richest biodiversity hotspots, with itineraries that can vary from day trips to multi-day expeditions that include other natural areas of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Wiwa Tours is currently managing an exclusive route through indigenous tourism to offer a special bird watching tour with qualified native Indians.
Essential Birding Equipment
To get started in the world of bird watching, it is crucial to have a pair of good quality binoculars. Birding binoculars must offer a clear and bright image, resistance to adverse weather conditions and good ergonomics for long days of use.
Brands such as Nikon, Bushnell and Swarovski offer models that meet these requirements, making it easier to identify and enjoy birds in their natural environment.
Birdwatching Courses in Santa Marta
For those who wish to deepen their knowledge, several tour operators and local communities in Santa Marta offer bird watching courses. These courses cover everything from the basics, such as the use of binoculars and field guides, to more advanced topics such as sound identification techniques and bird conservation. These programs are an excellent way to enrich the birding experience and increase environmental awareness.
Importance of Conservation
Bird watching also plays a crucial role in the conservation of species and their habitats. Through this activity, more tourists become aware of the importance of protecting the environment and supporting local conservation efforts, which is vital to maintain the biodiversity of regions like Santa Marta through sustainable tourism.
It is also a beautiful reminder that we are not alone on this wonderful planet. Birds help us remember that we belong to a complex and intricate web of creatures and matter that are all interdependent.
It’s easier to remember when you stop at a flock of swifts catching hundreds of insects overhead, when you realize that barn swallows make their homes out of mud and water (the same thing we do: cement ingredients), or when you see turkeys (large turkey-like birds) eating one fruit after another, thus making the forest grow steadily and effortlessly by giving away their full poops or fertilized seeds.
Everything is deeply connected, and the birds are just the messengers. The question is: can we continue to listen to the stories the kingfisher brings us about clean streams full of fish? Can we hear the warblers warbling as they share their travels across oceans and forests? Can we still understand what the sound of a woodpecker pecking at the trunk of a 500-year-old oak tree means? When we do, something magical happens.
The fact that we belong to the same world as they do is revealed, and becomes more real than ever. That we are not alone. The existential emptiness is lightened a bit when you are aware that you belong to the river, the beach, the forest and all those beautiful birds that sing so beautifully and look so good. You are made of the same elements as they are.
That’s why birding is so beautiful. It’s not just about seeing birds. It’s about how you can connect with them, with nature and with yourself. It’s about what you can feel through their colors, their singing and their way of living on earth.
Santa Marta offers an unparalleled experience for birdwatchers. From essential equipment to specialized courses and guided tours. Both Tayrona National Park and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are outstanding examples of how protected areas can serve as refuges for vulnerable species and as centers for nature tourism and environmental education.
If you plan a visit, be sure to respect regulations, stay on designated trails and minimize your impact on the natural environment to help keep these areas pristine for future generations.
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