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Bird Photography in Colombia — The Richest Bird Country on Earth

Just shy of 2,000 species — more than all of North America and Europe combined. Small-group photo tours to the feeders and hides of the Colombian Andes.

Colombia has more birds than any country on Earth — 1,969 bird species to be exact, roughly one in five on the planet. But it’s a photographer’s country, not just a lister’s, for one simple reason: here you don’t chase the birds. They come to you, onto a clean perch, a lens-length away, in good light.

The birds come to you…

Colombia’s birding runs on feeder stations and forest hides that local families have tended for years. A tanager drops onto a mossy perch an arm’s length from your lens, in good light, and gives you time to actually work the shot — light, composition, the eye. Antpittas, the shy ghosts of the forest floor, step into the open at dawn when the guides call them by name. That is the whole difference, and it’s why we bring photographers here instead of chasing specks in the canopy all day.

Three mountain ranges, one trip.

The Andes split into three separate ranges in Colombia, divided by two great river valleys — so in thirteen unhurried days from Cali up to Medellín you cross cloud forest, coffee ridge and cold páramo, each with its own set of birds. We work the famous feeder stations of the western and central ranges, the antpitta feeders at dawn, the high páramo of Los Nevados under the volcanoes, and the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek near Jardín, where the flame-orange males roar and display at close range on the final days. Coffee country, warm people, and a new set of birds around every bend.

More Birds Than Anywhere on Earth: Photographing Colombia

The richest bird country on Earth — and the easiest place on it to actually photograph birds.

This is how we run it

Easy pace, not a forced march — most of the photography happens at feeders and hides near the vehicles, with the elevation worked in gradually. Rated Level 2, Easy.
A local guide beside you the whole way who knows every bird by call, plus stations set for clean backgrounds and close, well-lit birds.
You bring a long lens and the patience to sit still; the stations, the routing between habitats, the daily timing, and your food and lodging are all taken care of.
Field tip from me: put the camera on Auto-ISO with a minimum shutter speed fast enough to freeze your bird, let the ISO float, and stay locked on the bird through the viewfinder. A sharp, slightly noisy frame beats a clean blurry one every time.

Richest on Earth

1,969 species, 79 endemic to Colombia

Level 2 - Easy

Feeders & hides, gentle pace

Small Groups

Capped at 10 people

Why photograph Colombia with Sergio

You shoot where the birds actually are — feeders, antpitta stations and leks local families have worked for years. Subjects come in close, on clean perches, in good light. No marching, no hoping.
Your days are run by a working photographer with forty years in South America, so you’re in position for the light and the shot — not just ticking off a bird someone pointed at.
Small group, unhurried, with local guides who know every bird by call. A hide holds only a few, and birds don’t reward a crowd — the trip is built around the photograph, not the schedule.
You get the truth, not a sales pitch. Colombia’s birds are resident year-round; I run it in the drier windows for the cleanest light. I tell you straight what a day will and won’t deliver.

Sergio, This was my first time to Colombia and although I wasn't convinced the photography would be as easy as you said it would be. You were right! Alejandro and Joaquin were great guides...both in bird knowledge but also accomplished photographers themselves. We had great fun shooting and comparing photos on my laptop. The OM system I just bought worked like a charm....great AF and I nailed so many photos in low light! Count me in on a trip to the Llanos...I really want a killer photo of the roseate spoonbill in flight! Your amigo up north,

Bob Mc L.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

You weren't kidding, the birds did come to us. The blinds were great....a comfy bench, a table to keep the gear off the ground and the lady brought us fresh juice and empanadas. One day she brought us lunch as we shot a pair of hummers fighting over a feeder with the perfect background..the photos came out beautiful. John and I wanted to say thanks and for convincing us it was that easy. I am a believer!

Mary Anne S.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bonjour Sergio! We just arrived in Brussels....those flights are really terrible for sleeping. But, alas, we are back in our little house and enjoying our comforts of home. Looking back at the trip, it was an adventure, but you did make it easy for us. Rafaela did a great job keeping us happy and took us to great locations where we avoided those rainy days. The photos are exactly what we were hoping for...clean backgrounds, natural perches and birds behaving naturally. No flash for us...just natural lights as nature provides. Maybe in a year or so we can head to another bird hotspot with you. Merci and au revoir,

Rene G.

Brussels, Belgium

Let's clarify the unique Colombian wet and dry seasons...that way you can plan around your dates.

Colombia’s Andes run on two dry seasons and two wet ones, with December to February the most reliable stretch and June to August a solid second, while the eastern side of the range and everything sloping toward the Amazon and Orinoco switch to a single wet season from April to November, and the Pacific slope and the high páramos like Chingaza stay wet all year regardless of the calendar.

if you have any questions, please reach out and send me your questions. Click here.