Birdwatching in Orinoco Puerto Inirida River of Guainia

Our route begins with the Caño culebra trail, a lonely road of white sand, medium-sized forest and a few large trees in the section leading to the indigenous community. Interesting birds to see: Spix’s Guan (Penelope jacquacu), Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea), Lafresnaye’s Piculet (Picumnus lafresnayi). Chestnut woodpecker (Celeus elegans), Black caracara (Daptrius ater), Scale-backed Antbird (Willisornis poecilinotus), Red-throated Caracara (Ibycterus ater), Black Manakin (Xenopipo atronitens), Rufous-crowned Elaenia (Elaenia ruficeps), Red-shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus phoenicius), Pale-bellied Mourner (Rhytipterna immunda) and many more.

Another of the best places for birdwatching, 10 minutes upstream from the village on the Inírida River. Here, interesting birds to see include: Rose-breasted Chat, Little Cuckoo, Blue-crowned Trogon, Green-tailed Jacamar, Olive Oropendola and more. As for La Rompida, it’s a small river located 25 minutes from the village, upstream from the Guaviare River and at the end of the river itself. The area is known for its agricultural activity and the family of fishermen who live on the river’s banks. Some of the birds found here include: Rufescent Tiger Heron, Jacana, Spotted Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Sandpiper, and many others. At the end of the route, we can see a few Botos (Amazonian Pink Dolphin) in Lake Matraca, enjoying the sunset and other species that inhabit the riverbank.

Caño carbón trail is probably one of the best places to see birds, it’s a road inside a floating area, also a very high forest to see ants and other small birds, located on native territory belonging to the Curripacos people. Interesting birds to see here are the Capuchinbird (Perissocephalus tricolor), one of the strangest and least known species, about which we don’t have enough information, but thanks to dedicated work, we can now enjoy, see and listen to this mysterious bird. Other important birds are also present: Swallow-winged Puffbird, Paradise Jacamar, Amazon Momot, Gilded Barbet, Golden-spangled Piculet, Black-headed Parrot, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Amazonian Antshrike, Pearly Antshrike, Spot-backed Antwren, Cherrie’s Antwren, Imeri Warbling-Antbird, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Brown-banded Puffbird and many more.

This mystical place, made up of a group of 3 mounds located 2 hours by boat from Inírida to the south-west, is inhabited by two communities belonging to the Puinave people, the other indigenous group in Guainía. It is also the home of fabulous legends and a place of incalculable value. Some interesting birds in this area: Capped Heron, Golden-green Woodpecker, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, Sand-colored Nighthawk, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Cliff Flycatcher, Red-necked Woodpecker, Riverside Tyrant, Plain-crested Elaenia, Spangled Cotinga, and many more.

The community of Rincón de Vitina is located on the road to the airport, and during the 25-minute drive to the indigenous reserve, we’ll be able to see immense savannahs on the sides of the road, as well as the department’s emblematic endemic flower: The “Inírida” flower (Schoenocephalium teretifolium and Guacamaya superba), an endemic plant of incalculable natural value that is also a patriotic symbol of the municipality. Local species to discover: White-naped Sporophila, Green-tailed Polytme, Pompadour’s Cotinga and many more.