Birdwatching · El Nido Andino
Birds of the
Eastern Andes
70+ species observed · 43 photographed · subtropical forest (~1,400m)
2 hours from Bogotá, on the western flank of the Eastern Andes.
Subtropical Andean habitat
A coffee farm with forest, trails and birds
El Nido Andino is a family-run finca at ~1,400 m elevation on the western flank of the Eastern Andes (Cordillera Oriental), descending toward the Magdalena valley. A mosaic of coffee plantations, secondary forest, lake and fruit trees attracts a notable variety of species — from hummingbirds at the gardens to the Bar-crested Antshrike, an Andean specialty largely restricted to Colombia.
We've observed more than 70 bird species at the finca. 43 are documented with photographs on this page — and counting, with every guest who goes birding.
Day pass or overnight stay?
Which one suits you
For serious birders
The dawn chorus (5:30–7:30 AM) is the best window of the day. As an overnight guest (room or camping), you are already on the property — coffee ready, trails open.
See rooms →For day visitors
The day pass runs 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. You will see most species — tanagers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, the jacamar — but miss the dawn peak.
See day pass →Featured species
5 species worth the trip
These are the five that draw the most interest from international birders — endemics, near-endemics, and range-restricted specialties.
When to come
Dawn makes the difference
Bird activity peaks in the two hours after sunrise (5:30–7:30 AM) and again in late afternoon (4:30–6:00 PM). That is why we recommend at least one overnight stay if birds are your primary interest.
As for season: December to February is the best combination (drier weather + boreal migrants like Summer Tanager). July and August are the second-best window.
Best months, hours and what to bring →
What we say (and don’t)
Honest expectations
| Reality | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 70+ observed, 43 photographed | The 43 with photos are on this page. The total count grows as we document more. |
| Self-guided birding | We provide a trail map on arrival. There is no resident guide — we can recommend local guides if you want a professional outing. |
| Subtropical foothills (~1,400m) | This is not high-Andes: do not expect Sword-billed Hummingbird or Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Do expect: hermit hummingbirds, colorful tanagers, antbirds, and a jacamar. |
| 8–15 species per day | We've observed more than 70 species at the finca over time. The diversity accumulates across multiple visits and seasons. |