Cubarral, Meta · Llanos foothills

Birding in Cubarral, Meta: 180 species among shade-grown cacao

180 species recorded at a public eBird hotspot, on 1.2 hectares of agroecological farmland between 600 and 850 m above sea level. You do not have to take our word for it: the list is published and anyone can check it before writing to us.

180 species recorded at the hotspot, with a public eBird list

600–850 m above sea level, foothills between the Llanos and Sumapaz

5:30–8:00 a.m. the peak activity window, every day of the year

Oct – April the boreal migrant window

The hotspot is published on eBird as Vuelo Carmesí. It is the complete list, maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology platform, and you can consult and verify it without asking us.

See the list on eBird

Residents · seen year-round

The seven photographed on the farm. None is endemic to Colombia: what they offer is reliability, not rarity. The rest of the 180 are on the eBird list.

  • Chestnut-eared Aracari perched on a branch, yellow breast and red band visible
    Pteroglossus castanotisChestnut-eared AracariPichí de collar
  • Crimson-crested Woodpecker climbing a tree trunk
    Campephilus melanoleucosCrimson-crested WoodpeckerCarpintero real
  • Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl looking straight at the camera with yellow eyes
    Glaucidium brasilianumFerruginous Pygmy-OwlCurrucutú común
  • Sunbittern walking through grass at the water's edge
    Eurypyga heliasSunbitternTigana
  • Violaceous Jay perched among the foliage
    Cyanocorax violaceusViolaceous JayCarriquí violáceo
  • Palm Tanager on a branch with olive-green plumage
    Thraupis palmarumPalm TanagerAzulejo palmero
  • Magpie Tanager, black and white, perched on a branch
    Cissopis leverianusMagpie TanagerTangara urraca

Boreal migrants · October to April

They come down from the northern hemisphere to winter here and join the list for those seven months. That is why the date of your visit matters.

  • Piranga rubraSummer TanagerPiranga roja
  • Setophaga ruticillaAmerican RedstartCandelita norteña

When to come

  • October to AprilHigh season

    The residents plus the boreal migrants that come down from the north. This is the window international birders look for.

  • May to SeptemberResidents only

    The species listed above are just as visible: they are here year-round and do not depend on the season.

  • Every day, 5:30–8:00 a.m.Best window

    Activity drops once the sun is high. The walk starts before dawn to make the most of it.

The walk

  1. 5:30 a.m.Departure with binoculars from the meeting point
  2. DawnWalk through wildlife corridors and shade-grown cacao
  3. Mid-morningBirding in the agroforestry system
  4. 8:00 a.m.Farm breakfast on site

Included

  • Binoculars for the outing
  • Specialist local birding guide
  • Farm breakfast
  • Accompaniment throughout the walk
  • Assistance and liability insurance

Groups of 2 to 8, basic to intermediate birding level. Booking and current rates are on the experience page.

Who leads the walk

Cristian Enciso with binoculars during a birding outing

Cristian Enciso

Professional Tourism Guide · 14 years in nature tourism

Specialised in birdwatching, Environmental Manager and specialist in Agroecology and Agro-ecotourism Development. María Umaña accompanies those just starting out in birding.

Provider registered on Colombia National Tourism Registry, RNT 179868. More about the team on about us.

Where the hotspot is

Finca Agroturística Vuelo Carmesí, Vereda Brisas del Tonoa, Cubarral, Meta, Colombia. Coordinates 3.7537786,-73.8743938. You get here on the Cubarral road and the meeting point is confirmed when you book; plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Getting hereSee the map and route

Shall we plan your outing?

Write to us with your dates and group size. If you are coming for the migrants, the window is October to April.

Book the experienceMessage us on WhatsApp

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