Bolivia is something akin to the “Andean Frontier” as far as birding tours are concerned. The nation’s avifauna is influenced by the incredibly diverse bio-geographic regions that converge here: Amazonian rainforests, the Cerrado, Grand Chaco, Yungas cloudforests and Puna. In addition, altitudes range from 300 to over 21,000 feet! Bolivia boasts over 1,460 bird species, including 23 of the 25 Neotropical endemic families and 19 endemics. While new birds are certainly being discovered in Colombia and Peru, Bolivia remains the least-accessible of all the Andean nations. Lucky for us, this is changing!
Our Mega birding tour covers it all: Yungas, Savanna, Chaco, Arid Montane Valleys and the Amazon Rainforest. We atrget almost all the Bolivian endemics in a single tour, featuring perhaps the two most iconic endangered endemics in the whole country: Red-fronted and Blue-throated Macaw! Those aside, Masked Antpitta, Red-tailed Comet, Berlepsch’s Canastero, Black-masked Finch, Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Scimitar-winged Piha, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Black-hooded Sunbeam, Slaty Gnateater, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Blue-capped Puffleg, Titicaca Grebe, Bolivian Warbling Finch, Chestnut-crested Cotinga – the list of amazing Bolivian birds is endless! Yet birds alone are not the only allure to this culturally-intact and aware country. Amazing scenery in the High Andes puna, dramatic Andean canyons and vast savannas are the backdrop for a vibrant cultural diversity, which makes our experience in Bolivia’s remote wilderness all the more memorable. We look forward to having you join us on this ground-breaking tour.
Our Highlights tours covers the dry Chaco forests, swampy Pampas grasslands, unique Chiquitania woodland, endemic-rich arid Andean valleys, and the bird-rich Yungas right up to scree slopes and bufedal wetlands at 15,000 feet are just some of the habitats in which we spend valuable time. In order to comprehensively bird the best that Bolivia has to offer we explore some of the most diverse, spectacular species and scenery, as well as being, by default, utterly immersed in truly remote, intact, Andean culture. Birding in Bolivia isn’t just a trip; it’s a unique, total experience.
Our short Blue-throated Macaw extension to Barba Azul reserve is primarily targetted at finding the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw. Blue-throated Macaws number less than 200 individuals according to the latest Birdlife International estimates. This makes it one of the world’s rarest species, and unfortunately likely for extinction within the next few decades, should threats persist. The Blue-throated Macaw Preserve protects huge stands of the specific palms that the Macaws live off for most of the year, and we have excellent opportunities to see this species, and compare it to the similar and commoner Blue-and-yellow Macaw.