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© Juanita Olano Marín

Matraca

3.86548 , -67.96871

Colombia

The Matraca trail leads from the Inírida river through well-preserved várzea forest (seasonal floodplain forest) to an indigenous community. It is located within the Orinoco drainage basin close to the town of Inírida, which is the capital of the Guainía department in easternmos Colombia. Matraca might be the most productive birding site around Inírida, around 400 species have been recorded so far. The avifauna is typical of the Amazonian and Orinocan bioregion and includes some range-restricted species like the Orinoco Softtail, which is fairly common at this location, and the Orinoco Piculet.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 3.8655/-67.9687 (2021-11-12 02:06:59 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 3.8624/-67.9667 (2021-11-09 14:12:26 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Matraca" (2021-11-09 14:12:26 )

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 14:09:06
The Matraca trail leads from the Inírida river through well-preserved várzea forest (seasonal floodplain forest) to an indigenous community. It is located within the Orinoco drainage basin close to the village town of Inírida, which is the capital of the Guainía department in easternmos Colombia. Matraca might be the most productive birding site around Inírida, around 400 species have been recorded so far. The avifauna is typical of the Amazonian and Orinocan bioregion and includes some range-restricted species like the Orinoco Softtail, which is fairly common at this location, and the Orinoco Piculet.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:58:19
The Matraca trail leads from the Inírida river through well-preserved várzea forest (seasonal floodplain forest) to an indigenous community. It is located within the Orinoco drainage basin close to the village of Inírida, which is the capital of the Guainía department in easternmos Colombia. Matraca might be the most productive birding site around Inírida, around 400 species have been recorded so far. The avifauna is typical of the Amazonian and Orinocan bioregion and includes some range-restricted species like the Orinoco Softtail and Softtail, which is fairly common at this location, and the Orinoco Piculet.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:29:38
The Matraca trail leads from the Inírida river through well-preserved Várzea well-preserved várzea forest (seasonal floodplain forest) to an indigenous community. It is located within the Orinoco drainage basin close to the village of Inírida, which is the capital of the Guainía department in easternmos Colombia. Matraca might be the most productive birding site around Inírida, around 400 species have been recorded so far. The avifauna is typical of the Amazonian and Orinocan bioregion and includes some range-restricted species like the Orinoco Softtail and the Orinoco Piculet.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 04:15:18
The Matraca trail leads from the Inírida river through well-preserved Várzea forest (seasonal floodplain forest) to an indigenous community. It is located within the Orinoco drainage basin close to the village of Inírida, which is the capital of the Guainía department in easternmos Colombia. Matraca might be the most productive birding site around Inírida, around 400 species have been recorded so far. The avifauna is typical of the Amazonian and Orinocan bioregion and includes some range-restricted species like the Orinoco Softtail and the Orinoco Piculet.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Blue-throated Piping-Guan (Pipile cumanensis)
Crestless Curassow (Mitu tomentosum)
Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
Chestnut-capped Puffbird (Bucco macrodactylus)
Collared Puffbird (Bucco capensis)
Orinoco Piculet (Picumnus pumilus)
Ringed Woodpecker (Celeus torquatus)
Orange-cheeked Parrot (Pyrilia barrabandi)
Blackish-gray Antshrike (Thamnophilus nigrocinereus)
Black Bushbird (Neoctantes niger)
Black-chinned Antbird (Hypocnemoides melanopogon)
Dot-backed Antbird (Hylophylax punctulatus)
Spotted Antpitta (Hylopezus macularius)
Curve-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus procurvoides)
Duida Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes duidae)
Slender-billed Xenops (Xenops tenuirostris)
Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner (Philydor pyrrhodes)
Speckled Spinetail (Thripophaga gutturata)
Orinoco Softtail (Thripophaga cherriei)
Wire-tailed Manakin (Pipra filicauda)
Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus)
Varzea Schiffornis (Schiffornis major)
Yellow-crowned Elaenia (Myiopagis flavivertex)
Amazonian Tyrannulet (Inezia subflava)
Amazonian Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus poecilocercus)
Citron-bellied Attila (Attila citriniventris)
Velvet-fronted Grackle (Lampropsar tanagrinus)
Rose-breasted Chat (Granatellus pelzelni)

Rose-breasted Chat (Granatellus pelzelni) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:53:05)

Velvet-fronted Grackle (Lampropsar tanagrinus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:52:40)

Citron-bellied Attila (Attila citriniventris) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:49:59)

Amazonian Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus poecilocercus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:48:57)

Amazonian Tyrannulet (Inezia subflava) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:48:08)

Yellow-crowned Elaenia (Myiopagis flavivertex) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:47:39)

Varzea Schiffornis (Schiffornis major) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:46:01)

Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:45:19)

Wire-tailed Manakin (Pipra filicauda) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:44:52)

Speckled Spinetail (Thripophaga gutturata) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:44:20)

Orinoco Softtail (Thripophaga cherriei) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:43:42)

Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner (Philydor pyrrhodes) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:43:24)

Slender-billed Xenops (Xenops tenuirostris) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:42:55)

Duida Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes duidae) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:42:19)

Curve-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus procurvoides) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:41:55)

Spotted Antpitta (Hylopezus macularius) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:40:45)

Dot-backed Antbird (Hylophylax punctulatus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:39:47)

Black-chinned Antbird (Hypocnemoides melanopogon) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 03:39:06)

Black Bushbird (Neoctantes niger) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:19:23)

Blackish-gray Antshrike (Thamnophilus nigrocinereus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:18:55)

Orange-cheeked Parrot (Pyrilia barrabandi) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:18:16)

Ringed Woodpecker (Celeus torquatus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:17:29)

Orinoco Piculet (Picumnus pumilus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:16:18)

Collared Puffbird (Bucco capensis) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:15:14)

Chestnut-capped Puffbird (Bucco macrodactylus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:14:45)

Agami Heron (Agamia agami) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:11:46)

Crestless Curassow (Mitu tomentosum) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:10:04)

Blue-throated Piping-Guan (Pipile cumanensis) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2021-11-12 02:09:51)

  • Timing and strategy

Inírida and Matraca can be visited almost all year round. December to March is particularly dry, while from May to August the rainfall is high and the várzea forest is flooded. During the wet season, birding in Matraca is done by boat, which can be very rewarding. The birds are less shy because they do not recognize the human silhouette and allow close views. On the other hand, taking photos from a swaying boat is a challenge and it can be difficult to keep track of birds that are moving through the vegetation. There are brief periods between the dry season and the rainy season when the area is inaccessible, because the water level is too low for a boat to pass through but to high to walk. If you visit Matraca on foot, do not forget to bring a good pair of rubber boots.

Birding can be rewarding here at any time of the day, the activity peak in the early morning is usually not very pronounced. Mixed flocks can often be encountered during the brighter hours of the day. It is recommended to spent at least half a day at Matraca, several visits are needed to find most of the specialities.

Matraca is indigenous territory, it is not advisable to visit without prior permission and without a good local guide.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:29
Inírida and Matraca can be visited almost all year round. December to March is particularly dry, while from May to August the rainfall is high and the várzea forest is flooded. During the wet season, birding in Matraca is done by boat, which can be very rewarding. The birds are less shy because they do not recognize the human silhouette and allow close views. On the other hand, taking photos from a swaying boat is a challenge and it can be difficult to keep track of birds that are moving through the vegetation. There are brief periods between the dry season and the rainy season when the area is inaccessible, because the water level is too low for a boat to pass through but to high to walk. If you visit Matraca on foot, do not forget to bring a good pair of rubber boots. Birding can be rewarding here at any time of the day, the activity peak in the early morning is usually not very pronounced. Mixed flocks can often be encountered during the brighter hours of the day. It is recommended to spent at least half a day at Matraca, several visits are needed to find most of the specialities. Matraca is indigenous territory, it is not advisable to visit without prior permission and without a good local guide.
  • How to get there

Matraca can be reached from Inírida by boat. A "lancha" can take you from the harbour to the start of the trail and back within a few minutes.

Inírida (also referred to as Puerto Inírida) itself is accessible almost exclusively by air from Bogotá or Villavicencio, flights leave almost daily. Inírida is served by the airlines Satena and Easyfly. Theoretically you can also travel to Inírida by boat from San José Del Guaviare, but the trip will take several days.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-21 17:48
Matraca can be reached from Inírida by boat. A "lancha" can take you from the harbour to the start of the trail and back within a few minutes. Inírida (also reffered referred to as Puerto Inírida) itself is accessible almost exclusively by air from Bogotá or Villavicencio, flights leave almost daily. Inírida is served by the airlines Satena and Easyfly. Theoretically you can also travel to Inírida by boat from San José Del Guaviare, but the trip will take several days.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:46
Matraca can be reached from Inírida by boat. A "lancha" can take you from the harbour to the start of the trail and back within a few minutes. Inírida (also reffered to as Puerto Inírida) itself is accessible almost exclusively by air from Bogotá or Villavicencio, flights leave almost daily. Inírida is served by the airlines Satena and Easyfly. Theoretically you can also travel to Inírida by boat from San José Del Guaviare, but the trip will take several days.

Since Matraca is part of the territory of an inigenous community, you should never visit withour prior permission and without a good local guide. And the local Curripacos are some of the nicest people anywhere.

E.g., as the sun moved and my chair was in bright sunlight, some of the Curripacos working nearby came with half a dozen young saplings with large leaves, to create a shade for me. This act of kindness wasn’t the only one I experienced, as they always tried to make us feel more comfortable and more welcome.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-16 12:20
Since Matraca is part of the territory of an inigenous community, you should never visit withour prior permission and without a good local guide. And the local Curripacos were are some of the nicest people anywhere. E.g., as the sun moved and my chair was in bright sunlight, some of the Curripacos working nearby came with half a dozen young saplings with large leaves, to create a shade for me. This act of kindness wasn’t the only one I experienced, as they always tried to make us feel more comfortable and more welcome.
Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-16 12:20
Since Matraca is part of the territory of an inigenous community, you should never visit withour prior permission and without a good local guide. And the local Curripacos were some of the nicest people anywhere. E.g., as the sun moved and my chair was in bright sunlight, some of the Curripacos working nearby came with half a dozen young saplings with large leaves, to create a shade for me. This act of kindness wasn’t the only one I experienced, as they always tried to make us feel more comfortable and more welcome.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:49
Since Matraca is part of the territory of an inigenous community, you should never visit withour prior permission and without a good local guide.
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There are no facilities at the sites itself. A variety of options for accommodation and meals are available at the nearby town of Inírida.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 14:13
There are no facilities at this sites.the sites itself. A variety of options for accommodation and meals are available at the nearby town of Inírida.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:49
There are no facilities at this sites.

As long as you are accompanied by a local guide, there are no security issues. Do not forget to bring a good insect repellent, especially during the wetter season, and keep an eye on the trail in order not to accidentally step on a snake. A good pair of rubber boots will not only help you cross swampy places but also provide some protection against unwanted stings or bites.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-11-12 13:55
As long as you are accompanied by a local guide, there are no security issues. Do not forget to bring a good insect repellent, especially during the wetter season, and keep an eye on the trail in order not to accidentally step on a snake. A good pair of rubber boots will not only help you cross swampy places but also provide some protection against unwanted stings or bites.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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