Global Big Day May 13: Birding Results from Los Llanos

Birding’s biggest day was here. Global Big Day has taken place across the globe with Colombia ranking highest in number of reported species (1,486). All of the Llanos departments joined the challenge.

On 13 May sightings poured into the online platform 'eBird' from more than 150 countries. Over 6,500 species of birds were reported worldwide, 1,486 of which from Colombia, in one single day. 

All of the Llanos departments participated

The Llanos department of Casanare contributed with 337 different species, Meta reported 278, Vichada 214 and the northern most Llanos department Arauca registered 201 species with only 5 checklists (wow!). Aventur Eco Tours contributed with 80 species from the Yopal area. 

While Colombia already has been leading the world's hit lists in terms of avian biodiversity as home to a whopping 20% of the world's bird diversity (around 1,900 discovered species - 73 of them endemic), it was still a notable achievement to motivate so many enthusiastic people in one day to report bird sightings - some from really remote areas. Birding connected Colombians across three Andean mountain ranges and beyond and certainly connected birders across the globe, putting Colombia firmly on the map. What a fantastic challenge and outcome!

Former Colombian no-go areas - of which the Llanos had plenty - have preserved their natural habitats and now, as they open, stun with their huge biodiversity.

"Aves y Paz" (Birds and Peace) certainly wasn't merely the slogan of this year's BirdFair in Cali. A surprise came from the northern most Llanos department, Arauca. Notably 201 species were reported with only 5(!) checklists (in comparison: the Amazonas department of Colombia reported 228 with 46 lists). Arauca has long been a no-go area for both civilians and the industry due to its precarious safety situation. Like many of Colombia's former danger zones, it features near virgin habitats and a well-preserved local culture. With the rebel troops in retreat and the peace process underway, Arauca, like many parts of Colombia, is now opening up to the public and should soon become a very attractive eco-tourism (and birding) destination. Heck, it's even named after a bird, the Horned Screamer (locally 'Aruco')!
 
Certainly the Arauca birding list convinces us to visit the neighboring department soon with binoculars and a camera! (We'll keep you posted on field trips to the area if you subscribe here)
 
Meanwhile about 2 hours south of Arauca, Aventur Eco Tours contributed around 80 species to the equally impressive Casanare birding list, with 337 species the longest list of the four Llanos departments. We were sighting birds in the Andean foothills as well as in the prairies, palm forests and gallery forests of Finca La Independencia (24 km from Yopal). We didn't manage to snap of all of them and some birds we only saw flying past - however, every bird counted!
 
Here are some of our photos (click to enlarge and to see birds' descriptions). Enjoy and feel free to comment below this post or email us your questions.

Images: (c) Aventur Eco Tours - all rights reserved

Are you interested in birding with us?
Join us on a Llanos Birding Day Tour or a Multi-Day Birding Tour from Yopal and observe some of the above species and more.
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Contact: info@aventurecotours.com