Travel Blog Top 5 Birds for Photography on Colombia Birding Tours

Colombia is one of the world’s richest destinations for birdlife and birding tours, almost 2,000 species, many of them endemics or near-endemics, with brilliant colors, striking behaviors, or dramatic habitats perfect for photography. Whether you’re traveling with a camera in hand or simply want to soak up nature at its best, here are five birds that are absolute musts for your lens, plus a bonus species that’s the ultimate dream shot. And if you’re considering a guided experience, birding tours in Colombia, like the Colombia Birding & Photography Tour by Uncover Colombia gives you structured access to many of these species under excellent conditions.

1. Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus)

• Why photographers love it: With its flaming orange crest and theatrical courtship displays, this bird is one of the most photogenic in South America. At lekking sites, males gather to perform elaborate dances in surprisingly good light conditions, ideal for photography.
• Where to find it: Jardín, Antioquia – Cock-of-the-rock lek. The reserve just minutes from town makes sightings almost guaranteed.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The lek is reliable, though light can be low under the canopy. A fast lens helps.

If you join specialized birdwatching tours in Colombia, you’ll often have access to these lekking spots at the perfect time of day.

Photo by: Alejandro Ramirez

2. Multicolored Tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima)

• Why photographers love it: Often called “Colombia’s rainbow bird,” its blend of blue, green, orange, and yellow makes it irresistible. It’s one of the most sought-after birds for photographers.
• Where to find it: Km 18 near Cali – Bosque de Niebla. Feeders at reserves like Bosque La Florida and Finca Alejandría provide excellent chances.
• Difficulty: Moderate. It’s fast-moving and loves the canopy, but with patience (and a guide who knows the spots), you’ll get the shot.

This is one of the highlights that make birding tours in Colombia such a rewarding experience, you’re in the right place at the right time.

3. Santa Marta Parakeet (Pyrrhura viridicata)

• Why photographers love it: Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, this parakeet has a limited range, making photos especially prized. Their social flocks and high-altitude backdrops add drama to any shot.
• Where to find it: El Dorado Bird Reserve, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Conservation work here specifically protects this species.
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard. They move quickly in groups and often stay high in the trees, so a telephoto lens is essential.

Without a well-planned birding tour in Colombia, finding this parakeet is almost impossible, as it lives only in very specific high-elevation forests.

4. Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)

• Why photographers love it: Its absurdly long bill (longer than its body) makes it one of the most unique hummingbirds in the world. Capturing it mid-flight is a prize shot for any wildlife photographer.
• Where to find it: Muisca Birding Reserve, Guasca (near Bogotá). Feeders here give reliable opportunities.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Feeders help a lot, but catching it naturally perched or hovering requires patience.

Adding this bird to your photo collection is one of the thrills of birdwatching tours in Colombia, especially in the Eastern Andes.

5. Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)

• Why photographers love it: The king of the Andes, with a wingspan up to 3 meters, soaring against dramatic mountain landscapes. Capturing a condor in flight shows both the bird and the raw power of its environment.
• Where to find it: Los Nevados National Natural Park. Occasionally seen soaring near cliffs and páramos.
• Difficulty: Hard. Sightings are irregular, but an in-flight photo is truly unforgettable.

Seeing one is a reminder of why birding tours in Colombia often combine photography with adventure. You’re not just capturing birds, you’re living the landscapes too.

Bonus Bird for an amazing birding tour: Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

• Why photographers love it: Massive, powerful, and rare, the Harpy Eagle is the holy grail for bird photographers. Its dramatic crown feathers and fierce eyes make it a once-in-a-lifetime subject.
• Where to find it: Remote lowland forests of the Colombian Amazon and Chocó. Specialized expeditions are required.
• Difficulty: Very hard. Extremely rare and elusive, but a photograph of a Harpy Eagle is a career highlight for many photographers.

Final Thoughts

From jewel-like tanagers to the soaring condor, Colombia offers some of the most photogenic birds on Earth. Whether you’re after rare endemics or dramatic megafauna, every region holds opportunities for unforgettable images. And while it’s possible to travel independently, the logistics and timing can be challenging. Joining expert-led birdwatching tours in Colombia, like the Colombia Birding & Photography Tour, maximizes your chances of seeing and photographing these incredible species under the best conditions.

Another advantage is the country’s excellent network of eco-lodges designed with birders in mind. Places like El Dorado Reserve Lodge in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, La Araucana Ecolodge near Cali’s cloud forests, and Termales del Ruiz Hotel in the high Andes combine comfort with unbeatable access to prime birding habitats. Having cozy accommodations right where the action is makes photography easier, mornings more productive, and the overall journey far more rewarding. So pack your camera, prepare your lenses, and let Colombia’s birdlife, and its welcoming lodges, deliver the birding adventure of a lifetime.

Share with your traveller friends!