7 Destinations In Latin America For Bird Lovers

Bird watching is an exciting activity that is on the rise throughout the world. You only need binoculars and a camera to locate and record your findings. It’s as much fun as filling a picture album. For this reason, the number of bird lovers around the planet has grown a lot.

Ornithologists generally love to walk. They feel wonderful when they come into direct contact with nature. In Latin America there are privileged spaces for those who enjoy this hobby.

It should be noted that each region has specific ecosystems in which certain types of birds inhabit. In some cases they are unique, giving rise to endemic species  found nowhere else in the world. These are, then, the best destinations on the continent for bird lovers.

1. Colombia, a place for bird lovers

Colombia is the country with the greatest diversity of birds in the world. It has 1912 registered species, of which 79 are endemic. Its geographical location and topographic characteristics make the country a true paradise for resident, endemic and migratory birds.

The Mururito Nature Reserve , in the department of Meta, has 562 different types of birds. Likewise, the Amacayacu National Natural Park, in the Amazon, is home to more than 460 species. Finally, the Tatamá National Natural Park, in the coffee region, is home to 402 species.

2. Peru, a privileged destination

It ranks second on the planet in bird diversity, with 1879 registered species. This is another wonder for bird lovers. In Peru there are 115 endemic species and 60 migratory species.

In the Madre de Dios region , the Manu National Park and the Tambopata River stand out, places where up to 500 species can be easily observed. And in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve there are jungle, forest and aquatic birds; it houses, in total, more than 450 species.

The Paracas National Reserve is characterized by the presence of desert and marine birds. Up to 200 species can be found. Finally, in Lake Titicaca you can see aquatic, terrestrial and Andean birds, with around 80 species.

3. Brazil, another paradise for birdlife

Brazil registers 1,750 species of birds, of which 200 are endemic. For this reason, it ranks third in the world. The exuberance of its extensive jungle positions the country as one of the most interesting destinations for bird lovers.

The richest region in birds is the Amazon, which has around 950 species. Starting from its capital, Manaus, it is possible to make tours of areas such as Borba, San Gabriel, Tabatinga and Tefé.

The Cerrado is the second most important region for bird watching. It houses 837 species and the best places to observe them are Minas Gerais and in Belo Horizonte. Finally, in the Pantanal region there are 650 species and the best observation sites are in Mato Grosso, at the points of Campo Grande, Cuiabá and Cristalino.

4. Ecuador, a little giant

During the last count, carried out in 2018, Ecuador registered 1,618 species of birds. This is extraordinary, considering the extent of its territory. Ecuador is, in this way, one of the must-see destinations for bird lovers.

The largest number of birds is found in the Podocarpus National Park, where more than 560 species live. It is followed by Mindo, where 50 different birds can easily be registered in a single day and has 500 species.

Another option is the Antisana Ecological Reserve, which is located in the northern region of the country and has 418 species of birds. While to the south, between Patate and Baños, the route of the Cascades is located, with more than 400 species.

5. Bolivia, a treasure for bird lovers

The record corresponding to Bolivia in birds is 1,437 species. This important figure if one takes into account that this country is landlocked and this reduces its biodiversity. The most important place to observe birds is the Madidi National Park, which has 867 registered species, although it is believed that there are many more.

At the heart of the Aquicuana Reserve is the Ecolodge de Pisatahua, which is home to around 350 species. The Barba Azul Nature Reserve is located in Beni, with more than 300 species of birds, of which several are in danger of extinction.

Finally, in the Paraba Frente Roja Nature Reserve there are 121 species of the most colorful birds in the country. Some of them are only found there. It is a region characterized by the Andean cliffs and valleys.

6. Venezuela and the birds

This country has registered 1,420 species of birds so far, making it another good destination for lovers of these animals. With the rise of ecotourism, many cattle ranches of several thousand hectares promote sighting in the plains.

Located in the southern jungle of Venezuela, the Tepui area is the most biodiverse in the country. More than 700 species of birds live there. Some of the key sites in this region are Puerto Ordaz, El Palmar and south of the Orinoco River.

The Henri Pittier National Park, in the State of Aragua, registers more than 500 species. Meanwhile, the San Eusebio Cloud Forest, in the state of Mérida, reports 456 species of birds and the Cuare Wildlife Refuge, around 350.

7. Mexico, another country for bird lovers

The registry of birds in Mexico is 1096 species. It is striking that in Mexico City itself it is possible to observe 316 different species. The best places for this activity are the Ajusco, the Xochimilco Ecological Park, the UNAM Botanical Garden and the Tlalpan forest.

The Mexican state in which the highest number of birds can be observed is Oaxaca, there have been 754 species registered. In Río Lagartos it is possible to see up to 395 species and in Aguas Calientes up to 263 species have been counted.

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a must for bird lovers, with more than 320 species. Meanwhile, the San Blas region, with 7 different types of ecosystems, is home to more than 300 species.