The Complete List of Birds of Colombia

Colombia’s varied landscapes — from Pacific mangroves and Amazonian lowlands to Andean slopes and Caribbean dry forests — make it one of the world’s richest places for birdwatching. Local reserves, roadside patches and highland paramos all host different species, so a short trip can yield very different sightings day to day.

There are 134 Birds of Colombia, ranging from Agami Heron to Yellow-eared Parrot. For each species you’ll find below the Scientific name, IUCN status, and Main regions & habitat, organized so you can scan for endemics, threatened species, or habitats of interest — you’ll find below.

How can I use this list to choose where to go birding in Colombia?

Look at the Main regions & habitat column to match species to ecosystems (Andes, Amazon, Pacific, Caribbean, dry forest, etc.). Cross-reference the Scientific name if you want field-guide details and the IUCN status to prioritize sightings of rare or threatened birds. Combine nearby hotspots to maximize different habitats in a short trip.

Which species on the list need the most conservation attention?

Check the IUCN status column for categories like Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered; those indicate highest concern. Colombia has several endemic and threatened species (for example, the Yellow-eared Parrot is a conservation focus), so use the list to identify priorities and local protected areas.

Birds of Colombia

Images and Descriptions

Andean Condor

Huge black-and-white vulture with a bald head and 10+ foot wingspan. Seen soaring over high Andean ridges and páramo. Look for slow, soaring flight; culturally iconic and a symbol of Andean wildlife conservation.

Harpy Eagle

Powerful forest eagle with massive talons and a crest. Rare in lowland rainforests of Chocó and Amazon. Often detected by large size and heavy wingbeats; one of the world’s largest raptors and a top rainforest predator.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Bright orange male with disk-like crest, loud lekking calls; females brownish. Common in mid-elevation cloudforest in the Andes. Easy to see at display leks; nationally famous for spectacular courtship.

Resplendent Quetzal

Vivid green and red trogon-like bird with a short crest; males have long tail streamers. Found in mature cloudforest in western Andes. Notable for beauty and cultural importance across the Neotropics.

American Flamingo

Tall pink wader with downward-curved bill seen in coastal lagoons and saline wetlands. Gathers in flocks along Caribbean coast; recognized for striking color and filter-feeding behavior.

Scarlet Macaw

Large red, yellow and blue parrot often in pairs or small flocks in lowland forests. Seen in Pacific lowlands and some Amazon areas. Famous for loud calls and vibrant plumage; often a highlight for birding tours.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Large blue and yellow parrot with strong bill; found along rivers in lowland rainforest and forest edges. Often seen in noisy flocks; commonly kept in captivity but widespread in wild habitats.

Great Green Macaw

Large green macaw with blue flight feathers and red forehead; confined to remnant lowland forests on Caribbean slope. Rare and threatened by habitat loss; notable for reliance on specific tree species for nesting.

Hoatzin

Odd, chicken-like bird with crest and smell of fermented vegetation; lives in riverine swamps. Easy to spot in Amazonian waterways; notable for unique digestive system and chicks with wing hooks.

Sword-billed Hummingbird

Large hummingbird with a ridiculously long bill longer than its body, specialized for long tubular flowers. Found in high Andean forests and edges; a striking example of bill-flower coevolution.

Sparkling Violetear

Large green-violet hummingbird with conspicuous ear patches; common in Andean foothills and gardens. Bold and noisy, often defends flowering shrubs vigorously.

Andean Potoo

Cryptic nocturnal bird with mottled plumage sitting motionless on branches. Found in montane cloudforest; hard to see by day but obvious when vocal at night. Masters of camouflage.

Andean Toucanet

Small green toucan with short bill and white throat band. Typical of Andean forest mid-elevations. Often found in mixed flocks; attractive and vocal.

Toco Toucan

Large black and white toucan with huge orange bill; frequent in open forest edges and savanna galleries. Noticeable at fruiting trees and easy to spot from a distance.

Keel-billed Toucan

Colorful bill and black body with yellow throat, found in lowland forests and edges. Often seen in small groups at fruiting trees; iconic tropical canopy species.

Toucan Barbet

Stocky colorful barbet with red belly and distinctive call in upper foothill forests. Seen in western Andes cloudforests; interesting taxon linking barbets and toucans.

Andean Motmot

Green and blue motmot with long tail; sits still in understory and sallies for insects. Common in montane forest foothills; tail-wagging behavior and racketless tail help with ID.

Golden-headed Quetzal

Green quetzal-like bird with golden head and red belly in mature cloudforest. Found in higher montane forests; prized by birders for brilliant colors and shy behavior.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Medium hummingbird with rufous tail and plain green body; very common in gardens and forest edges across lowlands. Bold, often tolerates human-modified habitats.

Green-and-black Fruiteater

Plump fruiteater with glossy green and black plumage in montane fruiting trees. Seen in Andean cloudforest canopy; noted for quiet behavior and fruit-specialist diet.

Masked Trogon

Colorful trogon with distinctive facial pattern and red belly; perches quietly in midstory. Found in high montane and cloudforest; prized for striking contrast and soft calls.

Hoary Puffleg

Dense bodied hummingbird with fuzzy white leg puffs; favors high-elevation cloudforest and páramo edges. Localized and attractive; leg puffs make it distinctive.

Andean Guan

Large, turkey-like forest bird, shy and heard more than seen. Found in mid-elevation Andean forests; important seed disperser and hunted in some areas.

Wattled Guan

Large, dark forest guan with facial wattles; secretive in humid lowland forest. Rare and declining due to hunting and habitat loss; a key species of Chocó biodiversity.

Black-fronted Wood-Quail

Ground-dwelling quail with black face found in dense understory at mid elevations. Secretive and often heard as coveys; threatened by habitat fragmentation in the Andes.

Santa Marta Parakeet

Small green parakeet endemic to Santa Marta mountains’ humid forest. Localized and rare; conservation focus due to restricted range and habitat loss.

Yellow-eared Parrot

Green parrot with bright yellow ear patch reliant on wax-palm nesting in Andean valleys. Critically dependent on wax palm conservation; dramatic population recovery efforts noted.

Orange-breasted Falcon

Medium falcon with orange underparts seen along forest edges and river corridors. Often hunts near canopy gaps; uncommon but striking aerial predator.

Ringed Kingfisher

Large blue-and-rufous kingfisher perching beside rivers and coasts. Found across lowland waterways; easy to spot by loud rattling call and fishing behavior.

Green Ibis

Slender dark ibis with greenish sheen inhabiting lowland wetlands and river edges. Seen in Amazon and lowland wetlands; forages in shallow water and muddy banks.

Sunbittern

Striking patterned bird with wings fanned in display; often seen along forest streams in Amazon and Chocó. Notable for dramatic wing patterns when threatened.

Jabiru

Huge white stork-like bird with black head and red neck skin, found in wetlands and flooded savannas. Impressive stature and striking bill make it unmistakable in open wetlands.

Blue-billed Curassow

Large black cracid with blue bill endemic to northern Colombia’s dry forest remnants. Critically endangered from hunting and habitat loss; one of Colombia’s most threatened birds.

Great Tinamou

Shy forest ground bird heard more than seen; brownish with subtle streaks. Inhabits dense lowland rainforest; important seed disperser and prey species.

Rufous Motmot

Large motmot with rufous underparts and long tail, found in lowland forest and river galleries. Perches quietly in midstory; notable for deep cooing calls.

Bare-necked Fruitcrow

Black crow-like cotinga with bare facial skin and noisy calls in tall forest canopy. Found in large tracts of lowland rainforest; unusual appearance and social displays.

Spangled Cotinga

Vivid blue male cotinga of Amazon canopy; found near fruiting trees and river islands. Males are strikingly iridescent and often seen at canopy treetops.

Sickle-winged Guan

Large forest guan with long tail and curved wing shape, favors montane forest. Common in understory; often forages for fruit on the ground and low branches.

Torrent Duck

Specialist of turbulent Andean streams with dark plumage and contrasting underparts. Seen along rocky torrents; adapted to cling and feed in fast water, a river specialist.

Torrent Tyrannulet

Small flycatcher near streams and rivers in montane regions. Active and vocal; prefers riparian habitats where it gleans insects from vegetation.

White-faced Whistling-Duck

Distinctive whistling duck with pale face found in wetlands and agricultural shallow water. Forms large flocks; common and conspicuous in open marshes and flooded fields.

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager

Colorful tanager with bright scarlet belly and blue back in Andean cloudforest. Often found in mixed flocks; vivid colors make it a favorite of Andean birders.

Buff-throated Saltator

Large gray and olive songbird with stout bill common at forest edges and gardens. Robust seed-eater often in pairs; has a clear, melodious song.

Golden-winged Warbler

Small migrating warbler with yellow crown and wing patches seen on migration in northern Colombia. Under threat on breeding grounds; sought-after migrant for spring and fall visitors.

Baird’s Sandpiper

Long-distance migrant seen on Caribbean coasts and wetlands during migration. Slender shorebird with fine bill; notable for long migratory flights from Arctic breeding grounds.

Torrent Tyrant

Active small flycatcher along mountain streams; perches low and darts for insects. Common in highland riparian habitats; recognized by constant tail movement and sharp calls.

Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk

Small hawk of forest edges and wooded areas; quick agile flight through trees. Often surprised by sudden hunting behavior; look for short rounded wings and long tail.

Black-and-chestnut Eagle

Powerful forest eagle with black upperparts and chestnut underparts, rare in montane forests. A top predator in cloudforest; threatened by habitat loss and persecution.

Vermilion Flycatcher

Flashy red male flycatcher found in open scrub, farmland and edges. Perches conspicuously on wires and posts; noticeable, bold and widespread.

Blue-headed Parrot

Medium parrot with blue head and green body found in lowland forest and edges. Often seen in noisy flocks; tolerant of degraded forest and forest edges.

Kirtland’s Warbler

Rare North American endemic with extremely limited breeding range; included only where documented vagrants occur. Notable conservation success story, with strict habitat management for recovery.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Slim iridescent jacamar with long bill and rufous tail perching on bare branches. Hunts flying insects in open gaps and riverside vegetation; distinctive silhouette.

Pied Puffbird

Black-and-white puffbird perched high in canopy, waits motionless for prey. Found in Amazon and lowland forests; notable for large head and puffy appearance.

Black-faced Antthrush

Ground-dwelling antthrush with skulking behavior in rainforest understory. Walks on leaf litter seeking insects; often located by calls rather than sight.

Two-banded Plover

Small plover of high Andean lakes and salt flats with distinct breast band patterns. Found in puna and high elevation wetlands; adapted to cold open habitats.

Osprey

Large fish-eating raptor seen along coasts and inland water bodies throughout Colombia. White underparts and dark eye stripe make it unmistakable; migratory and widespread.

Magnificent Frigatebird

Large frigatebird with long wings and forked tail, males with red gular pouch. Soars above coasts and roosts on islands; kleptoparasitic feeding behavior often observed.

Brown-throated Parakeet

Small parakeet with brown throat and green body common in dry forest and scrub on Caribbean slope. Often forms noisy flocks; adaptable to human-modified habitats.

Saffron-headed Parrot

Small green parrot with yellow-orange head restricted to wet Chocó forests. Localized and declining from habitat loss; colorful and less commonly seen than other parrots.

White-tipped Sicklebill

Hummingbird with strongly decurved bill specialized for curved flowers. Found in cloudforest understory; a neat example of bill specialization for specific flowers.

Chestnut-capped Piha

Critically endangered endemic with restricted range in Yariguíes mountains. Shy tanager-like bird with fragmentary populations; conservation-critical and sought-after by birders.

Lawrence’s Thrush

Plain thrush common in understory and forest edges of Amazon. Often seen on forest trails; known for melodious song and ground foraging behavior.

Andean Lapwing

Distinctive lapwing with crested head and bold wing pattern in puna and high grasslands. Seen on open high-elevation terrain; nests on ground and tolerates cold environments.

Chestnut-fronted Macaw

Medium-sized green macaw with chestnut forehead and blue flight feathers. Found along forest edges and riverine forests; vocal and often in noisy flocks.

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron

Cryptic heron with streaked body and bare throat found in marshes and riverine wetlands. Patient hunter along banks; blends into roots and vegetation.

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Tiny, active flycatcher with rufous tail in understory; common in Amazon and foothill forest. Moves constantly gleaning insects; attractive small species for forest birding.

Ocellated Antbird

Unique antbird with eye-like wing spots and loud calls in deep forest. Follows army ant swarms occasionally; striking plumage and odd appearance among antbirds.

Black-and-white Becard

Compact flycatcher-like bird with black cap and white belly found in montane forest edges and clearings. Builds pouch nests; often seen in mixed flocks.

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan

Large toucan with massive bill and chestnut at base of bill; common in lowland forest. Vocal and conspicuous at fruiting trees; important seed disperser.

Agami Heron

Shy, long-legged heron with chestnut and green plumage along shaded slow rivers. Secretive and hard to approach, often in dense riverine vegetation; strikingly patterned when seen.

Blue-crowned Motmot

Colorful motmot with blue crown and racket-tipped tail common in lowland forests and edges. Sits motionless and sallies for insects; beautiful and medium-sized.

Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager

Vivid mountain-tanager with blue and black patterns in montane cloudforest. Often in mixed-species flocks; bright and active, frequent in Andean birding hotspots.

Orange-breasted Fruiteater

Plump fruiteater with orange breast and green upperparts found in cloudforest fruiting trees. Shy but distinctive when seen in canopy; fruit specialist.

Rufous-tailed Antbird

Skulking antbird with rufous tail in dense understory and bamboo; often found in mixed understory flocks. Notable for furtive behavior and rhythmic calls.

White-bellied Antbird

Small, plain antbird in understory of Amazonian forest, often near ant swarms. Observed by persistent tapping calls; part of diverse antbird community.

Spotted Sandpiper

Well-known migrant and resident with teetering behavior and spotted breeding plumage. Seen on mudflats, beaches and rivers; distinctive bobbing gait useful for ID.

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture

Black vulture-like scavenger with yellow head in lowland forests. Soars over forest openings and river corridors; important scavenger in rainforest ecosystems.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Smaller yellow-headed vulture frequenting open wetlands and savannas; feeds on carrion. Found in llanos and open areas; often seen riding thermals.

Plumbeous Kite

Slender gray kite gliding over forest edges and clearings. Feeds on large insects and small vertebrates; common and graceful over lowland canopies.

Golden-headed Manakin

Tiny, flashy bird with bright golden head in males; performs elaborate courtship displays in understory. Found in Amazon and lowland forest; delightful to watch at leks.

Venezuelan Troupial

Bold orange-and-black oriole common in open dry habitats and savannas of northern Colombia. Sings loud melodious phrases and often perches conspicuously.

Barred Antshrike

Rufous-and-black barred antshrike common in understory and edges. Males and females plumage differ; often territorial and easy to locate by loud calls.

Sooty Antbird

Dark, secretive antbird of dense understory frequently near ant swarms. Skulks in shadowy forest; distinguished by overall dark plumage and ant-following habits.

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Long-curved billed hermit hummingbird that visits tubular flowers in forest edge. Usually in understory; distinctive call and curved bill adapted for specific flowers.

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan

Large colorful toucan of montane forests with yellow throat and strong bill. Found in Andean foothills; contributes to seed dispersal and is a charismatic canopy species.

Peruvian Plantcutter

Locally recorded vagrants only; unusual folivorous bird that strips leaves. Included when documented; notable for leaf-eating habits uncommon in passerines.

Black-capped Donacobius

Large, noisy marsh bird with black cap and booming song occupying river edges and wetlands. Often conspicuous and territorial; unique behavior among Neotropical marsh birds.

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Attractive tanager with bright red rump and black body in males, common at forest edge and second growth. Often joins mixed flocks; vocal and showy.

Silver-beaked Tanager

Medium tanager with silvery throat and olive body common in lowland forests and riverine vegetation. Often noisy and conspicuous in flocks.

Moustached Antpitta

Secretive ground-dwelling bird heard as loud whistled phrases in dense montane understory. Skulks in thick vegetation; prized by birders for its distinctive voice and elusive behavior.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Small olive flycatcher common in understory and edges; often gleans insects and fruits. Widespread in lowland and foothill habitats; soft vocalizations and active foraging.

White-tipped Dove

Plump brown dove with pale eye ring and white-tipped tail common in open habitats, gardens and edges. Ground forager often seen in pairs; widespread and familiar.

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Widespread Andean and lowland sparrow with rufous collar and streaked back; common in open country, farms and highland grasslands. Familiar and vocal species across elevations.

Sooty-headed Wren

Small, active wren with rich brown plumage and loud bubbling songs in edge habitats. Often visible in tangles and dense understory along foothills.

Buff-breasted Wren

Vocal, buff-breasted wren common in lowland tangles and mangroves. Loud complex song and cooperative behavior; easy to locate by voice.

Blue-and-white Swallow

Sleek swallow with blue back and white underside seen over open water, fields and roads. Nests in cliffs and bridges; common and widespread.

Tropical Kingbird

Bold, large tyrant flycatcher perched conspicuously atop trees or wires in open areas. Swoops for insects and often defends territories aggressively; very common.

Vermilion Flycatcher

Vivid red male flycatcher perched on exposed perches in open habitats; distinctive and striking. Common in suitable open landscapes, easy to identify.

Great Antshrike

Large, heavily billed antshrike of understory and edges. Males and females strikingly different; often joins mixed-species flocks and is vocal.

White-winged Parakeet

Small green parakeet with pale wing patch often in city parks and edges. Thrives in disturbed habitats and commonly seen in towns and gardens.

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Streaked ovenbird building conspicuous twig nests in shrubs and trees along streams and open areas. Notable nest architecture and preference for edge habitats.

Red-billed Scythebill

Long curved bill scythebill foraging on trunks and bamboo in forest understory. Found in Chocó and Amazon foothills; specialized bill for probing bark and bamboo.

Green-headed Tananger

Gorgeous green-headed tanager with blue and yellow body in forest canopy and edges. Often in mixed flocks; one of the most colorful tanagers seen in northern South America.

Olive-throated Parakeet

Small parakeet with olive throat that frequents dry forests, orchards and plantations on Caribbean slope. Noisy and gregarious; readily seen in agricultural landscapes.

Rufous-tailed Tyrant

Dark flycatcher of open high-elevation habitats; often perches conspicuously on bushes and wires. Characteristic tail flicking and bold posture help with ID.

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush

Secretive thrush of dense understory with melodic, flute-like song. Found in Andean cloudforest; often detected by song before being seen.

Plumbeous Rail

Secretive rail of marshy wetlands across lowlands and highland marshes. Often heard more than seen; skulks in dense emergent vegetation near water.

Buff-necked Ibis

Large ibis with buff neck and long decurved bill common in open wet grasslands. Forages in shallow water and wetlands of Llanos and savanna habitats.

Royal Flycatcher

Medium passerine with spectacular crest displayed briefly; found in lowland forests and riverine habitats. Crest used in displays; often secretive in canopy.

Black-headed Parrot

Small stout parrot with black head and mottled green body in lowland forest. Social and noisy, often visiting fruiting trees in flocks.

Giant Hummingbird

Largest hummingbird, long bill and heavy flight, inhabits high-elevation puna and shrub zones. Slow but powerful; notable for size compared to typical hummingbirds.

Green-backed Trogon

Colorful trogon with green back and red belly found in lowland forest and riverine edges. Perches quietly in midstory; popular with birders for bright colors.

White-plumed Antbird

Ant-following specialist with distinctive white plumes, inhabits Amazon understory and follows ant swarms. Dependent on army ant activity for feeding opportunities.

Black-bellied Hummingbird

Small green hummingbird with dark belly in humid Chocó foothills. Localized and attractive; found at forest edges and flowering understory.

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Skulking spinetail with long tail common in scrub and disturbed habitats. Builds domed nests and often heard as rapid trills in brushy areas.

Barred Hawk

Large hawk with barred underparts inhabiting humid lowland forest interior. Secretive and uncommon; a specialized predator of forest interior bird communities.

Rufous-headed Wood-Quail

Rare and localized wood-quail in dense montane understory; secretive and often detected by calls. Threatened by habitat loss; ground-dwelling and elusive.

White-browed Conebill

Small finch-like bird with distinct white eyebrow and stout bill in montane forest edges. Active in mixed flocks; common in disturbed Andean habitats.

Capped Heron

Elegant small heron with blue-gray cap found along shaded streams and flooded forest. Skulks at banks and low branches; striking head pattern when seen.

Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant

Tiny flycatcher with black cap, often in dense understory. Extremely small and active, gleaning tiny insects from foliage; charming for its size.

Saffron Finch

Bright yellow finch commonly seen in open fields, roadsides and farms. Ground forager and seed-eater; conspicuous and widespread across lowlands.

Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager

Striking tanager with blue wings and yellow underparts in montane forests. Active in canopy mixed flocks; colorful and commonly seen in Andean cloudforest.

Black Skimmer

Unique skimmer with lower bill longer than upper used to skim surface for fish at dusk. Seen on Caribbean and Pacific coasts; distinctive feeding behavior and bold silhouette.

Streaked Xenops

Small woodcreeper-like bird that creeps on trunks and branches searching for insects. Found in montane forests; often overlooked but common where present.

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan

(Duplicate avoided) Powerful Andean toucan of montane forest with distinctive bill; hears and sees at canopy fruiting trees. Important seed disperser and a charismatic Andean species.

Scarlet Ibis

Vivid red ibis found in coastal mangroves and estuaries, often in flocks. Striking coloration makes it a landmark species along northern coasts; feeds in shallow waters.

White-tailed Jay

Bold blue jay-like corvid with long tail and white tail tip. Found in humid Pacific forests and edges; social and noisy, often in mixed flocks.

Bronze-winged Parrot

Medium parrot with bronzy wing sheen, inhabiting lowland rainforest. Seen in small noisy groups at fruiting trees and canopy gaps; widespread.

Black-capped Tityra

Big-billed, stout flycatcher-like bird of forest edge with black cap and pale body. Often observed in mid-canopy and edge habitats; eats fruit and insects.

Clay-colored Thrush

Plain brown thrush common in disturbed habitats and urban gardens. Loud melodious song and adaptable; widespread where forest transition and towns occur.

Green Honeycreeper

Shiny green male with black head and curved bill; found in canopy fruiting trees. Bright and often in mixed flocks; sugar- and fruit-eating habits.

Golden-collared Manakin

Tiny, colorful manakin with flashy displays at leks in lowland forests. Males perform dramatic jumps and wing snaps; popular attraction at lek sites.

White-crested Elaenia

Common small flycatcher in highland scrub and forest edges. Grayish with crest and typical elaenia wing bars; often hard to separate from other elaenias without song.

Oilbird

Nocturnal frugivore that navigates caves by echolocation and feeds on fruit at night. Seen near cave colonies in northern and western Colombia; unusual nocturnal and cave-nesting habits.

Other Birds by Country