Rio Blanco has been touted as one of the three top places to go birding in the world! The reserve is managed by Aguas de Manizales, the municipal water company for the beautiful city of Manizales. The city is in the center of the famed Coffee Triangle, and is a great city from which we can visit several reserves that hold some of Colombia’s rarest and most threatened species. The accommodations at the reserve are rustic but very clean and comfortable and the hospitality is beyond comparison. The reservation covers a large altitudinal gradient, and thus represents a strata of varied ecosystems. Three endemics are found here: Brown-banded Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta and Rufous-fronted Parakeet. Along with three endemics, this area boasts many sought-after species that include: Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Golden-faced Redstart, Dusky Piha, Black-billed and Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanagers, Grass-green and White-capped Tanager, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rusty-faced Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, the hard to see Ocellated, Blakish and Spillman’s Tapaculos, Black-billed Peppershrike, Plushcap, Mountain Cacique, and Golden-plumed Parakeet.
The reserve boasts excellent dirt roads, several well-maintained trails and well-maintained hummingbird feeders at the lodge that attract various species of hummingbirds that include: Tourmaline Sunangel, Buff-tailed Coronet, Speckled Hummingbird, Tourmaline Sunangels, Bronzy and Collared Inca, Mountain Velvetbreast, the tiny White-bellied Woodstar and Long-tailed Sylph, the aggressive Buff-tailed Coronet, Green and Sparkling Violetear, and Fawn-breasted Brilliant. Another bonus is the ingeniously installed Antpitta feeder that attracts the two endemic Antpitta’s, two species of brush-finches, and another two rare, hard-to-see species. One can easily devote three days to birding in Rio Blanco, and the spectacular scenery and ambient of Manizales is an added bonus. Also, those who wish can plan to stay at Hotel Termales del Otono
, a top-notch resort that boasts multiple natural, medicinal and ridiculously relaxing hot springs.
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Bicolored Hawk, Accipiter bicolorCooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperi
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus
White-tailed Hawk, Buteo albicaudatus
Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus
White-rumped Hawk, Buteo leucorrhous
Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris
Broad winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus
Red-backed Hawk, Buteo polyosoma
Swainson´s Hawk, Buteo swainsoni
Hook-billed Kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus (caeruleus)
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Geranoaëtus melanoleucus
Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis
Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Spizaetus ornatus
Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
Ringed Kingfisher, Megaceryle (Ceryle) torquata
Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors
Speckled Teal, Anas flavirostris
Torrent Duck, Merganetta armata
Chestnut-collared Swift, Cypseloides rutilus
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Panyptila cayennensis
White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron, Butorides striatus
Great Egret, Casmerodius albus
Little Blue Heron, Egretta (Florida) caerulea
Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Tigrisoma fasciatum
Moustached Puffbird, Malacoptila mystacalis
Chuck-will's-widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis
Band-winged Nightjar, Caprimulgus longirostris
Semicollared Nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus
Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Uropsalis segmentata
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura
Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus
Plush-capped Finch, Catamblyrhynchus diadema
Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
Andean Lapwing, Vanellus resplendens
White-capped Dipper, Cinclus leucocephalus
Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola
Capped Conebill, Conirostrum albifrons
Blue-backed Conebill, Conirostrum sitticolor
Green Honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza
White-sided Flower-piercer, Diglossa albilatera
Black Flower-piercer, Diglossa humeralis
Glossy Flower-piercer, Diglossa lafresnayii
Rusty Flower-piercer, Diglossa sittoides
Bluish Flower-piercer, Diglossopis (Diglossa) caerulescens
Masked Flower-piercer, Diglossopis (Diglossa) cyanea
Maroon-chested Ground-Dove, Claravis mondetoura
Band-tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata
Plumbeous Pigeon, Columba plumbea
White-throated Quail-Dove, Geotrygon frenata
Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana
Gray-fronted Dove, Leptotila rufaxilla
White-tiped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi
Eared Dove, Zenaida auriculata
Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas
Black-collared Jay, Cyanolyca armillata (viridicyana)
Red-crested Cotinga, Ampelion rubrocristata
Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Ampelion rufaxilla
Dusky Piha, Lipaugus fuscocinereus
Barred Fruiteater, Pipreola arcuata
Green-and-black Fruiteater, Pipreola riefferii
Sickle-winged Guan, Chamaepetes goudotii
Andean Guan, Penelope montagni
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
Smooth-billed Ani, Crotophaga ani
Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
Southern Crested Caracara, (Polyborus plancus) Cara cara cheriway
Long-tailed Antbird, Drymophila caudata
Moustached Antpitta, Grallaria alleni
Brown-banded Antpitta, Grallaria milleri
Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Grallaria nuchalis
Tawny Antpitta, Grallaria quitensis
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Grallaria ruficapilla
Bicolored Antpitta, Grallaria rufocinerea
Rufous Antpitta, Grallaria rufula
Undulated Antpitta, Grallaria squamigera
Hooded Antpitta, Grallaricula cucullata
Slate-crowned Antpitta, Grallaricula nana
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Atlapetes brunneinucha
Yellow-throated Brush-Finch, Atlapetes gutturalis
Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Atlapetes pallidinucha
Slaty Brush-Finch, Atlapetes schistaceus
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch, Atlapetes torquatus
Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis [Spinus] psaltria
Hooded Siskin, Carduelis magellanica
Andean Siskin, Carduelis spinescens
Yellow-bellied Siskin, Carduelis xanthogaster
Paramo Seedeater, Catamenia homochroa
Plain-colored Seedeater, Catamenia inornata
Slaty Finch, Haplospiza rustica
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Phrygilus unicolor
Slate-colored Grosbeak, Pitylus grossus
Streaked Saltator, Saltator albicollis
Black-winged Saltator, Saltator atripennis
Masked Saltator, Saltator cinctus
Grassland Yellow-Finch, Sicalis luteola
Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis
Black-and-white Seedeater, Sporophila luctuosa
Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivacea
Dull-colored Grassquit, Tiaris obscurus
Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Urothraupis stolzmanni
Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis
Montane Foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia striaticollis
Brown-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus pusillus
Stout-billed Cinclodes, Cinclodes excelsior
Bar-winged Cinclodes, Cinclodes fuscus
Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla tyrannina
Black-banded Woodcreeper, Dendrocoalaptes picumnus
White-browed Spinetail, Hellmayrea gularis
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes affinis
Andean Tit-Spinetail, Leptasthenura andicola
Pearled Treerunner, Margarornis squamiger
Spotted Barbtail, Premnoplex brunnescens
Rusty-winged Barbtail, Premnornis guttuligera
Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Azara´s Spinetail, Synallaxis azarae
Rufous Spinetail, Synallaxis unirufa
Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Syndactyla subalaris
Flammulated Treehunter, Thripadectes flammulatus
Striped Treehunter, Thripadectes holostictus
Streaked Xenops, Xenops rutilans
Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus triangularis
Pale-footed Swallow, Atticora flavipes
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
Blue-and-white Swallow, Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Brown-bellied Swallow, Notiochelidon murina
Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Yellow-billed Cacique, Amblycercus holosericeus
Mountain Cacique, Cacicus chrysonotus {leucoramphus}
Yellow-backed Oriole, Icterus chrysater
Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula
Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis
Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna
Blue-crowned Motmot, Momotus momota
Common Potoo, Nyctibius griseus
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Russet-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus coronatus
Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus
Citrine Warbler, Basileuterus luteoviridis
Black-crested Warbler, Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Three-striped Warbler, Basileuterus tristriatus
Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea
Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia
Slate-troated Whitestart, Myioborus miniatus
Golden-fronted Whitestart, Myioborus ornatus
Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia
Tropical Parula, Parula pitiayumi
Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis
American Redstar, Setophaga ruticilla
Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina
Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis
Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla
Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (olivaceus)
Chestnut Wood-Quail, Odontophorus hyperythrus
Powerful Woodpecker, Campephilus pollens
Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Colaptes [Chrysoptilus] punctigula
Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus
Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Piculus rivolii
Golden-olive Woodpecker, Piculus rubiginosus
Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Veniliornis dignus
Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Veniliornis fumigatus
Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Veniliornis nigriceps
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Scaly-naped Parrot, Amazona mercenaria
Yellow-crowned Parrot, Amazona ochrocephala
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Aratinga wagleri
Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons
Barred Parakeet, Bolborhynchus lineola
Rusty-faced Parrot, Hapalopsittaca amazonina
Golden-plumed Parakeet, Leptosittaca branickii
Bronze-winged Parrot, Pionus chalcopterus
White-capped Parrot, Pionus tumultuosus
Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andigena hypoglauca
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Andigena nigrirostris
Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Emerald Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Ocellated Tapaculo, Acropternis orthonyx
Ash-colored Tapaculo, Myornis senilis (Scytalopus)
Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Scytalopus latebricola
Andean Tapaculo, Scytalopus magellanicus
Unicolored Tapaculo, Scytalopus unicolor
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Rupicola peruviana
Noble Snipe, Gallinago nobilis
Spoted Sandpiper, Tringa (Actitis) macularia
Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis
Stygian Owl, Asio stygius
Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
Andean Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium jardinii
Tropical Screech-Owl, Otus choliba
White-throated Screech-Owl, Otus albogularis
Rufous-banded Owl, Strix (Ciccaba) albitarsus
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Anisognathus igniventris
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Anisognathus lacrymosus
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Anisognathus somptuosus (flavinucha)
Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Buthraupis eximia
Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Buthraupis montana
Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
Rufous-crested Tanager, Creurgops verticalis
Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia cyanea
Grass-green Tanager, Chlorornis riefferii
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager, Chlorospingus canigularis
Common Bush-Tanager, Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Dubusia taeniata
Thick-billed Euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris
Blue-hooded Euphonia, Euphonia musica
Black-capped Hemispingus, Hemispingus atropileus
Oleaginous Hemispingus, Hemispingus frontalis
Black-eared Hemispingus, Hemispingus melanotis
Superciliaried Hemispingus, Hemispingus superciliaris
Black-headed Hemispingus, Hemispingus verticalis
Golden-crowned Tanager, Iridosornis rufivertex
Fawn-breasted Tanager, Pipraeidea melanonota
Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
Red-hooded Tanager, Piranga rubriceps
Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Flame-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus flammigerus
White-capped Tanager, Sericossypha albocristata
Golden Tanager, Tangara arthus
Blue-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanicollis
Bay-headed Tanager, Tangara gyrola
Black-capped Tanager, Tangara heinei
Metallic-green Tanager, Tangara labradorides
Beryl-spangled Tanager, Tangara nigroviridis
Golden-naped Tanager, Tangara ruficervix
Blue-and-black Tanager, Tangara vassorii
Scrub Tanager, Tangara vitriolina
Saffron-crowned Tanager, Tangara xanthocephala
Blue-capped Tanager, Thraupis cyanocephala
Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum
Tawny-breasted Tinamou, Nothocercus julius
White-bellied Woodstar, Acestrura mulsant
Gorgeted Woodstar, Acestrura heliodor
Purple-throated Woodstar, Calliphlox mitchellii
Speckled Hummingbird, Adelomyia melanogenys
Shining Sunbeam, Aglaeactis cupripennis
Long-tailed Sylph, Aglaiocercus kingi
Indigo-capped Hummingbird Amazilia cyanifrons
Andean Emerald Amazilia franciae
Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Augastes (Schistes) geoffroyi
Buff-tailed Coronet, Boissonneaua flavescens
Bronzy Inca, Coeligena coeligena
Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Coeligena lutetiae
Collared Inca, Coeligena torquata
Sparkling Violetear, Colibri coruscans
Green Violetear, Colibri thalassinus
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Chalcostigma herrani
Blue-tailed Emerald, Chlorostilbon mellisugus
Green-fronted Lancebill, Doryfera ludoviciae
Sword-billed Hummingbird, Ensifera ensifera
Black-thighed Puffleg, Eriocnemis derbyi
Golden-breasted Puffleg, Eriocnemis mosquera
Glowing Puffleg, Eriocnemis vestitus
Purple-throated Woodstar, Philodice mitchellii
Greenish Puffleg, Haplophaedia aureliae
Tourmaline Sunangel, Heliangelus exortis
Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Heliodoxa rubinoides
Long-billed Starthroat, Heliomaster longirostris
Mountain Velvetbreast, Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Tyrian Metaltail, Metallura tyrianthina
Viridian Metaltail, Metallura williami
Booted Racket-tail, Ocreatus underwoodii
Bearded Helmetcrest, Oxypogon guerinii
Tawny-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Great Sapphirewing, Pterophanes cyanopterus
Purple-backed Thornbill, Ramphomicron michrorhynchum
Mountain Avocetbill, Opisthoprora euryptera
Rufous Wren, Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sharper´s Wren, Cistothorus (Cinnycerthia) peruana
Sedge Wren, Cistothorus platensis
Chestnut-breasted Wren, Cyphorhinus thoracicus
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, Henicorhina leucophrys
Moustached Wren, Thryothorus mystacalis (genibarbis)
House Wren, Troglodytes aedon
Mountain Wren, Troglodytes solstitialis
Golden-headed Quetzal, Pharomachrus auriceps
Collared Trogon, Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon, Trogon personatus
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris
Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus fuscater
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus
Andean Solitaire, Myadestes ralloides
Pale-eyed Thrush, Platycichla leucops
Great Thrush, Turdus fuscater
Black-billed Trush, Turdus ignobilis
Glossy-black Thrush, Turdus serranus
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus borealis
Greater Pewee, Contopus fumigatus
Eastern Wood-Pewee, Contopus virens
Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster
Mountain Elaenia, Elaenia frantzii
Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Hemitriccus granadensis
Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Leptopogon rufipectus
White-throated Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus leucophrys
White-tailed Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus poecilocercus
White-banded Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus stictopterus
Streak-necked Flycatcher, Mionectes striaticollis
Pale-edged Flycatcher, Myiarchus cephalotes
Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Streaked Flycatcher, Myiodynastes maculatus
Flavescent Flycatcher, Myiophobus flavicans
Handsome Flycatcher, Myiophobus pulcher
Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Myiotheretes fumigatus
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Myiotheretes striaticollis
Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Ochthoeca diadema
Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Ochthoeca frontalis
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Ochthoeca fumicolor
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
White-winged Becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus
Barred Becard, Pachyramphus versicolor
Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias cinereiceps
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias griseiceps
Black-capped Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias nigrocapillus
Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias plumbeiceps
Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant, Poecilotriccus ruficeps
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, Pseudotriccus pelzelni
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Pseudotriccus ruficeps
Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus
Cinnamon Flycatcher, Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
Torrent Tyrannulet, Serpophaga cinerea
Common Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum cinereum
Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Zimmerius viridiflavus
Barn Owl, Tyto alba
Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis
Black-billed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis nigrirostris
Rufous-naped Greenlet, Hylophilus semibrunneus
Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons
Brown-capped Vireo, Vireo leucophrys
Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus