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© Avery Bartels

Vereda Campucana

1.21283 , -76.69794

Colombia

Vereda Campucana is one of the best birding trails in Colombia. The trail itself is an old trade route and actually continues all the way up to near the town of San Fransisco in the highlands and the entire trail can be done as a multi-day trek. Vereda Campucana encomasses the lower section of this trail with usually the first ~8km or less covered in a birding day. The site is perhaps best known as the absolute best location for BLACK TINAMOU anywhere with a very high chance of seeing this andean mega. Flocks are regularly encountered and these contain species typical of east-slope foothills with some lowland and mid-elevation species mixed in. Blue-browed Tanager, Gray-mantled Wren and Golden-collared Honeycreeper are possible among these mixed canopy flocks. In the understory, White-streaked Antvireo and Black-billed Treehunter are likley and there are leks for both Blue-rumped and White-crowned Manakins along the trail. Stolid Coppery-chested Jacamar and Black-streaked Puffbird are both reasonably common and there is a territory of Western Striolated Puffbird near the top of this section of track (~8km). A couple short sections of open pasture/edge can provide Dusky Spinetail as well as good vantage points to scan for raptors such as Solitary Eagle and Black-chestnut Eagle. Widespread but attractive species such as Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Musician Wren are possible while rarer targets for the area include Spectacled Prickletail and Vermilion Tanager. The trail is mostly within excellent mature and advanced secondary lower montane forest starting at around 1000m elevation. 

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) : 1.2128/-76.6979 (2022-04-28 18:08:35 )

Coordinates were set by Avery Bartels : 1.2033/-76.7127 (2021-12-17 10:32:49 )

Site name was set by Avery Bartels as "Vereda Campucana" (2021-12-17 10:32:49 )

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-28 18:31:41
Vereda Campucana is one of the best birding trails in Colombia. The trail itself is an old trade route and actually continues all the way up to near the town of San Fransisco in the highlands and the entire trail can be done as a multi-day trek. Vereda Campucana encomasses the lower section of this trail with usually the first ~8km or less covered in a birding day. The site is perhaps best known as the absolute best location for BLACK TINAMOU anywhere with a very high chance of seeing this andean mega. Flocks are regularly encountered and these contain species typical of east-slope foothills with some lowland and mid-elevation species mixed in. Blue-browed Tanager, Gray-mantled Wren and Golden-collared Honeycreeper are possible among these mixed canopy flocks. In the understory, White-streaked Antvireo and Black-billed Treehunter are likley and there are leks for both Blue-rumped and White-crowned Manakins along the trail. Stolid Coppery-chested Jacamar and Black-streaked Puffbird are both reasonably common and there is a territory of Western Striolated Puffbird near the top of this section of track (~8km). A couple short sections of open pasture/edge can provide Dusky Spinetail as well as good vantage points to scan for raptors such as Solitary Eagle and Black-chestnut Eagle. Widespread but attractive species such as Andean Cock-of-therock Cock-of-the-rock and Musician Wren are possible while rarer targets for the area include Spectacled Prickletail and Vermilion Tanager. The trail is mostly within excellent mature and advanced secondary lower montane forest starting at around 1000m elevation. 
Edited by Avery Bartels on 2021-12-17 11:02:02
Vereda Campucana is one of the best birding trails in Colombia. The trail itself is an old trade route and actually continues all the way up to near the town of San Fransisco in the highlands and the entire trail can be done as a multi-day trek. Vereda Campucana encomasses the lower section of this trail with usually the first ~8km or less covered in a birding day. The site is perhaps best known as the absolute best location for BLACK TINAMOU anywhere with a very high chance of seeing this andean mega. Flocks are regularly encountered and these contain species typical of east-slope foothills with some lowland and mid-elevation species mixed in. Blue-browed Tanager, Gray-mantled Wren and Golden-collared Honeycreeper are possible among these mixed canopy flocks. In the understory, White-streaked Antvireo and Black-billed Treehunter are likley and there are leks for both Blue-rumped and White-crowned Manakins along the trail. Stolid Coppery-chested Jacamar and Black-streaked Puffbird are both reasonably common and there is a territory of Western Striolated Puffbird near the top of this section of track (~8km). A couple short sections of open pasture/edge can provide Dusky Spinetail as well as good vantage points to scan for raptors such as Solitary Eagle and Black-chestnut Eagle. Widespread but attractive species such as Andean Cock-of-therock and Musician Wren are possible while rarer targets for the area include Spectacled Prickletail and Vermilion Tanager. The trail is mostly within excellent mature and advanced secondary lower montane forest starting at around 1000m elevation. 
Edited by Avery Bartels on 2021-12-17 10:59:43
Vereda Campucana is one of the best birding trails in Colombia. The trail itself is an old trade route and actually continues all the way up to near the town of San Fransisco in the highlands and the entire trail can be done as a multi-day trek. Vereda Campucana encomasses the lower section of this trail with usually the first ~8km or less covered in a birding day. The site is perhaps best known as the absolute best location for BLACK TINAMOU anywhere with a very high chance of seeing this andean mega. Flocks are regularly encountered and these contain species typical of east-slope foothills with some lowland and mid-elevation species mixed in. Blue-browed Tanager, Gray-mantled Wren and Golden-collared Honeycreeper are possible among these mixed canopy flocks. In the understory, White-streaked Antvireo and Black-billed Treehunter are likley and there are leks for both Blue-rumped and White-crowned Manakins along the trail. Stolid Coppery-chested Jacamar and Black-streaked Puffbird are both reasonably common and there is a territory of Western Striolated Puffbird near the top of this section of track (~8km). A couple short sections of open pasture/edge can provide Dusky Spinetail as well as good vantage points to scan for raptors such as Solitary Eagle and Black-chestnut Eagle. The trail is mostly within excellent mature and advanced secondary lower montane forest starting at around 1000m elevation. 

  • 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)

Black Tinamou (Tinamus osgoodi)
Green-backed Hillstar (Urochroa leucura)
Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori)
Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius)
Band-bellied Owl (Pulsatrix melanota)
Western Striolated-Puffbird (Nystalus obamai)
Black-streaked Puffbird (Malacoptila fulvogularis)
Coppery-chested Jacamar (Galbula pastazae)
White-streaked Antvireo (Dysithamnus leucostictus)
Black-billed Treehunter (Thripadectes melanorhynchus)
Blue-rumped Manakin (Lepidothrix isidorei)
Orange-crested Flycatcher (Myiophobus phoenicomitra)
Gray-mantled Wren (Odontorchilus branickii)
Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster)
Blue-browed Tanager (Tangara cyanotis)

Orange-crested Flycatcher (Myiophobus phoenicomitra) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 18:29:52)

Chestnut Wood-Quail (Odontophorus hyperythrus) was deleted by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:44:04)

Vermilion Tanager (Calochaetes coccineus) was deleted by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:43:53)

Blue-rumped Manakin (Lepidothrix isidorei) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:43:08)

Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:42:58)

Chestnut Wood-Quail (Odontophorus hyperythrus) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:42:44)

Vermilion Tanager (Calochaetes coccineus) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:42:33)

Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:42:13)

Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:42:03)

Gray-mantled Wren (Odontorchilus branickii) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:41:30)

Green-backed Hillstar (Urochroa leucura) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:41:17)

Band-bellied Owl (Pulsatrix melanota) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:41:02)

White-streaked Antvireo (Dysithamnus leucostictus) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:40:51)

Black-billed Treehunter (Thripadectes melanorhynchus) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:40:41)

Blue-browed Tanager (Tangara cyanotis) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:40:26)

Black-streaked Puffbird (Malacoptila fulvogularis) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:40:17)

Coppery-chested Jacamar (Galbula pastazae) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:40:06)

Western Striolated-Puffbird (Nystalus obamai) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:39:56)

Black Tinamou (Tinamus osgoodi) was added by Avery Bartels (2021-12-17 10:39:43)

  • Timing and strategy

This site is good for a full day and if you arrive by 5am you can do the first 500m or so in the dark to have an opportunity to try for Band-bellied Owl. The tinamous like to feed along the trail, so always keep an eye on it while walking. They can be spotted along different sections of the trail and at any time of the day, so it is advisable to cover as much distance as possible in order to maximize your chances.

A good local guide will be very helpful in finding the tinamous and other sought-after species.

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 2022-04-28 18:23
This site is good for a full day and if you arrive by 5am you can do the first 500m or so in the dark to have an opportunity to try for Band-bellied Owl.  The tinamous like to feed along the trail, so always keep an eye on it while walking. They can be spotted along different sections of the trail and at any time of the day, so it is advisable to cover as much distance as possible in order to maximize your chances. A good local guide will be very helpful in finding the tinamous and other sought-after species.
Edited by Avery Bartels on 2021-12-17 10:34
This site is good for a full day and if you arrive by 5am you can do the first 500m or so in the dark to have an opportunity to try for Band-bellied Owl. 
  • How to get there

From Mocoa it is a ~30min drive and you can arrange a taxi, mot-taxi or arrange transport to the trailhead (1.204752, -76.681653) through your local guide.

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

Edited by Avery Bartels on 2021-12-17 10:47
From Mocoa it is a ~30min drive and you can arrange a taxi, mot-taxi or arrange transport to the trailhead (1.204752, -76.681653) through your local guide.
Edited by Avery Bartels on 2021-12-17 10:35
From Mocoa it is a ~30min drive and you can arrange a taxi, mot-taxi or arrange transport to the trailhead through your local guide.

The Vereda Campucana trail is public, no permits are needed.

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 Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-28 18:27
The Vereda Campucana trail is public, no permits are needed.
  • 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

None

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 Avery Bartels on 2021-12-17 10:39
None

The area has been safe lately but the situation can change quickly so it is recommended to inquire locally about the current situation.

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 2022-04-28 18:29
The area has been safe lately but the situation can change quickly so it is recommended to inquire locally about the current situation.
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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