El Tamá National Park

National Park · Colombia

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Photo © Marturius

Photo © Marturius — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Andes descend toward the Caribbean coastal lowlands of northern Colombia, El Tamá National Park sprawls across nearly 3,800 square kilometres of montane forest, cloud forest, and transitional ecosystems that few outsiders have fully explored. Straddling the border with Venezuela along the Toledo range, this vast protected area rises from humid tropical forest at lower elevations through increasingly misty cloud forest zones where epiphytes cling to ancient trees and moisture hangs perpetually in the canopy. The park's elevation gradient—from around 300 metres to over 2,800 metres—creates a remarkable diversity of ecological communities, each hosting distinct assemblages of wildlife. Birds of prey hunt across multiple forest strata, from canopy raptors to ground-feeding hunters in the understory. Small forest mammals, amphibians dependent on mist-fed streams, and woodland songbirds fill the acoustic landscape, while the park's streams and wetland pockets support aquatic and semi-aquatic fauna adapted to these humid montane conditions. The remoteness of El Tamá and its relatively limited scientific documentation mean that its full biological richness remains incompletely catalogued—a frontier for discovery rather than a well-trodden destination.

For the wildlife traveller willing to venture into genuine wilderness, El Tamá offers an unfiltered montane experience: the chance to witness forest birds moving through canopy levels rarely visible from conventional trails, to listen for the calls of arboreal and terrestrial mammals in undisturbed habitat, and to explore elevational transitions that compress tropical and temperate forest characters into a compact geographic span. The park's cloud forest zones are particularly rewarding during the wet season, when mist-shrouded mornings create the intimate light conditions that reward patient observation and photography. Access remains challenging—there are no developed lodge networks or tourist infrastructure—making visits a proposition for experienced naturalists and photographers equipped to work in remote terrain. Those prepared for the logistics will find a landscape where the hand of tourism sits lightly on the land, and where encounters with wildlife retain the element of genuine wilderness discovery.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Rupicola peruvianus

Sicalis flaveola

Coragyps atratus

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Golden-faced Tyrannulet

Zimmerius chrysops

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Sparkling Violetear

Colibri coruscans

Longuemare's Sunangel

Heliangelus clarisse

Tyrian Metaltail

Metallura tyrianthina

Glowing Puffleg

Eriocnemis vestita

Short-tailed Emerald

Chlorostilbon poortmani

Rupornis magnirostris

Spectacled Parrotlet

Forpus conspicillatus

Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus ruficeps

Cinereous Becard

Pachyramphus rufus

Coereba flaveola

Pale-bellied Tapaculo

Scytalopus griseicollis

Grey-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucophrys

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Slate-throated Whitestart

Myioborus miniatus

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Turdus fuscater

Mountain Elaenia

Elaenia frantzii

Smooth-billed Ani

Black-capped Tanager

Stilpnia heinei

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Black-and-white Seedeater

Sporophila luctuosa

Green-bellied Hummingbird

Saucerottia viridigaster

Machetornis rixosa

Golden-crowned Tanager

Iridosornis rufivertex

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

Lesser Violetear

Colibri cyanotus

Rufous-shafted Woodstar

Chaetocercus jourdanii

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Olivaceous Piculet

Picumnus olivaceus

White-chinned Thistletail

Asthenes fuliginosa

White-throated Tyrannulet

Mecocerculus leucophrys

Spectacled Tyrannulet

Zimmerius improbus

Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant

Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris

Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant

Ochthoeca fumicolor

Pachyramphus versicolor

Cinnycerthia unirufa

White-capped Dipper

Cinclus leucocephalus

Spinus spinescens

Warbling Masked Flowerpiercer

Diglossa cyanea

Black Flowerpiercer

Diglossa humeralis

Highland Tinamou

Nothocercus bonapartei

Tawny-breasted Tinamou

Nothocercus julius

Crypturellus soui

Rufous-vented Chachalaca

Ortalis ruficauda

Band-tailed Guan

Penelope argyrotis

Penelope montagnii

Rufous-bellied Nighthawk

Lurocalis rufiventris

Nyctidromus albicollis

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Chestnut-collared Swift

Streptoprocne rutila

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Short-tailed Swift

Chaetura brachyura

White-tipped Swift

Aeronautes montivagus

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Glaucis hirsutus

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Grey-chinned Hermit

Phaethornis griseogularis

Sooty-capped Hermit

Phaethornis augusti

White-bearded Hermit

Phaethornis hispidus

Phaethornis guy

Green-fronted Lancebill

Doryfera ludovicae

Geoffroy's Daggerbill

Schistes geoffroyi

Brown Violetear

Colibri delphinae

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Spangled Coquette

Lophornis stictolophus

Speckled Hummingbird

Adelomyia melanogenys

Long-tailed Sylph

Aglaiocercus kingii

Purple-backed Thornbill

Ramphomicron microrhynchum

Bronze-tailed Thornbill

Chalcostigma heteropogon

Coppery-bellied Puffleg

Eriocnemis cupreoventris

Coeligena coeligena

Coeligena torquata

Mountain Velvetbreast

Lafresnaya lafresnayi

Buff-tailed Coronet

Boissonneaua flavescens

White-booted Racket-tail

Ocreatus underwoodii

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Heliodoxa leadbeateri

Gorgeted Woodstar

Chaetocercus heliodor

Lazuline Sabrewing

Campylopterus falcatus

White-vented Plumeleteer

Chalybura buffonii

Crowned Woodnymph

Thalurania colombica

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Golden-tailed Sapphire

Chrysuronia oenone

White-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes cyanus

Blue-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes notata

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas subvinacea

Columbina squammata

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Lined Quail-Dove

Zentrygon linearis

Zenaida auriculata

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Jameson's Snipe

Gallinago jamesoni

Gallinago nobilis

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Sarcoramphus papa

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Buteogallus meridionalis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Buteogallus solitarius

White-rumped Hawk

Parabuteo leucorrhous

Pseudastur albicollis

Grey-lined Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Andean Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium jardinii

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

White-throated Screech Owl

Megascops albogularis

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Cinnamon Screech Owl

Megascops petersoni

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Rufous-banded Owl

Strix albitarsis

Golden-headed Quetzal

Pharomachrus auriceps

Green-backed Trogon

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris

Trogon personatus

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Moustached Puffbird

Malacoptila mystacalis

Swallow-winged Puffbird

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

Red-headed Barbet

Eubucco bourcierii

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

White-throated Toucan

Ramphastos tucanus

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

Many-banded Aracari

Pteroglossus pluricinctus

Black-billed Mountain Toucan

Andigena nigrirostris

Southern Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus albivitta

Crimson-rumped Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus

Groove-billed Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus sulcatus

Picumnus squamulatus

Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

Melanerpes cruentatus

Red-crowned Woodpecker

Melanerpes rubricapillus

Golden-green Woodpecker

Piculus chrysochloros

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Colaptes rubiginosus

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker

Colaptes rivolii

Spot-breasted Woodpecker

Colaptes punctigula

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Powerful Woodpecker

Campephilus pollens

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Barred Parakeet

Bolborhynchus lineola

Rusty-faced Parrot

Hapalopsittaca amazonina

Plum-crowned Parrot

Pionus tumultuosus

Bronze-winged Parrot

Pionus chalcopterus

Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Green-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus passerinus

Brown-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula pertinax

Chestnut-fronted Macaw

Dusky Leaftosser

Sclerurus obscurior

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Tyrannine Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla tyrannina

Ruddy Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla homochroa

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Black-banded Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes picumnus

Strong-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Olive-backed Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus triangularis

Red-billed Scythebill

Campylorhamphus trochilirostris

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Montane Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Streaked Tuftedcheek

Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii

Rusty-winged Barbtail

Premnornis guttuliger

Striped Treehunter

Thripadectes holostictus

Streak-capped Treehunter

Thripadectes virgaticeps

Spotted Barbtail

Premnoplex brunnescens

Pearled Treerunner

Margarornis squamiger

Plain Thornbird

Phacellodomus inornatus

White-browed Spinetail

Hellmayrea gularis

Crested Spinetail

Cranioleuca subcristata

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Azara's Spinetail

Synallaxis azarae

Rufous Spinetail

Synallaxis unirufa

Stripe-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis cinnamomea

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Dysithamnus mentalis

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Great Antshrike

Cercomacroides tyrannina

White-browed Antbird

Myrmoborus leucophrys

Blue-lored Antbird

Hafferia immaculata

Black-faced Antthrush

Formicarius analis

Rufous-breasted Antthrush

Formicarius rufipectus

Undulated Antpitta

Grallaria squamigera

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta

Grallaria ruficapilla

Muisca Antpitta

Grallaria rufula

Slaty-crowned Antpitta

Grallaricula nana

Ocellated Tapaculo

Acropternis orthonyx

White-crowned Tapaculo

Scytalopus atratus

Blackish Tapaculo

Scytalopus latrans

Sooty-headed Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias griseiceps

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet

Tyrannulus elatus

Myiopagis gaimardii

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Brown-capped Tyrannulet

Ornithion brunneicapillus

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Torrent Tyrannulet

Serpophaga cinerea

Variegated Bristle Tyrant

Pogonotriccus poecilotis

Olive-striped Flycatcher

Mionectes galbinus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Slaty-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon superciliaris

Rufous-breasted Flycatcher

Leptopogon rufipectus

Flavescent Flycatcher

Myiophobus flavicans

Black-throated Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus granadensis

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant

Lophotriccus pileatus

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Cinnamon Flycatcher

Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus

Sayornis nigricans

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Smoke-colored Pewee

Contopus fumigatus

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Northern Tropical Pewee

Contopus bogotensis

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Rufous-tailed Tyrant

Knipolegus poecilurus

Streak-throated Bush Tyrant

Myiotheretes striaticollis

Smoky Bush Tyrant

Myiotheretes fumigatus

Crowned Chat-Tyrant

Silvicultrix frontalis

Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant

Silvicultrix diadema

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Golden-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes hemichrysus

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Scaled Fruiteater

Ampelioides tschudii

Golden-breasted Fruiteater

Pipreola aureopectus

Barred Fruiteater

Pipreola arcuata

Green-and-black Fruiteater

Pipreola riefferii

Red-crested Cotinga

Ampelion rubrocristatus

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Golden-winged Manakin

Masius chrysopterus

White-bibbed Manakin

Corapipo leucorrhoa

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Golden-headed Manakin

Ceratopipra erythrocephala

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Black-tailed Tityra

Tityra semifasciata

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Black-and-white Becard

Pachyramphus albogriseus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Hylophilus flavipes

Golden-fronted Greenlet

Pachysylvia aurantiifrons

Vireo olivaceus

Brown-capped Vireo

Vireo leucophrys

Black-collared Jay

Cyanolyca armillata

Cyanocorax violaceus

Cyanocorax yncas

Riparia riparia

Brown-chested Martin

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Pale-footed Swallow

Orochelidon flavipes

Brown-bellied Swallow

Orochelidon murina

Hirundo rustica

Stripe-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus nuchalis

Campylorhynchus griseus

Cistothorus platensis

Pheugopedius mystacalis

Rufous-breasted Wren

Pheugopedius rutilus

Rufous-and-white Wren

Thryophilus rufalbus

Troglodytes solstitialis

Southern Nightingale-Wren

Microcerculus marginatus

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Tropical Mockingbird

Andean Solitaire

Myadestes ralloides

Speckled Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus maculatus

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus aurantiirostris

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus fuscater

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Pale-eyed Thrush

Chestnut-bellied Thrush

Turdus fulviventris

Glossy-black Thrush

Turdus serranus

Black-billed Thrush

Turdus ignobilis

Yellow-legged Thrush

Turdus flavipes

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Turdus fumigatus

Spectacled Thrush

Turdus nudigenis

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Orange-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia xanthogaster

Ashy-throated Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus canigularis

Common Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus flavopectus

Grey-browed Brushfinch

Arremon assimilis

Pectoral Sparrow

Arremon taciturnus

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch

Arremon brunneinucha

Ochre-breasted Brushfinch

Atlapetes semirufus

Slaty Brushfinch

Atlapetes schistaceus

Pale-naped Brushfinch

Atlapetes pallidinucha

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Yellow-billed Cacique

Amblycercus holosericeus

Russet-backed Oropendola

Psarocolius angustifrons

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis

Mountain Cacique

Cacicus chrysonotus

Yellow-backed Oriole

Icterus chrysater

Icterus nigrogularis

Venezuelan Troupial

Icterus icterus

Orange-crowned Oriole

Icterus auricapillus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Molothrus bonariensis

Quiscalus lugubris

Oriole Blackbird

Gymnomystax mexicanus

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga cerulea

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

Mangrove Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga striata

Black-crested Warbler

Myiothlypis nigrocristata

Grey-throated Warbler

Myiothlypis cinereicollis

Russet-crowned Warbler

Myiothlypis coronata

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Three-striped Warbler

Basileuterus tristriatus

Cardellina canadensis

Golden-fronted Whitestart

Myioborus ornatus

White-winged Tanager

Piranga leucoptera

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Blue-black Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Catamblyrhynchus diadema

White-capped Tanager

Sericossypha albocristata

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Hemithraupis guira

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Purple Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes caeruleus

Black-faced Dacnis

Olive-grey Saltator

Saltator olivascens

Streaked Saltator

Saltator striatipectus

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

Dull-colored Grassquit

Asemospiza obscura

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Sporophila intermedia

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Pink-billed Cnemoscopus

Cnemoscopus rubrirostris

Black-headed Hemispingus

Pseudospingus verticalis

Black-capped Hemispingus

Kleinothraupis atropileus

Black-eared Hemispingus

Sphenopsis melanotis

Fulvous-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis fulviceps

Superciliaried Hemispingus

Thlypopsis superciliaris

Blue-backed Conebill

Conirostrum sitticolor

Bluish Flowerpiercer

Diglossa caerulescens

Rusty Flowerpiercer

Diglossa sittoides

Glossy Flowerpiercer

Diglossa lafresnayii

White-sided Flowerpiercer

Diglossa albilatera

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager

Dubusia taeniata

Hooded Mountain Tanager

Buthraupis montana

Blue-capped Tanager

Sporathraupis cyanocephala

Masked Mountain Tanager

Tephrophilus wetmorei

Black-chested Mountain Tanager

Cnemathraupis eximia

Blue-winged Mountain Tanager

Anisognathus somptuosus

Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager

Anisognathus igniventris

Lacrimose Mountain Tanager

Anisognathus lacrymosus

Cissopis leverianus

Black-faced Tanager

Schistochlamys melanopis

Masked Cardinal

Paroaria nigrogenis

Speckled Tanager

Ixothraupis guttata

Thraupis palmarum

Black-headed Tanager

Stilpnia cyanoptera

Blue-necked Tanager

Stilpnia cyanicollis

Stilpnia vitriolina

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Blue-and-black Tanager

Tangara vassorii

Beryl-spangled Tanager

Tangara nigroviridis

Bay-headed Tanager

Saffron-crowned Tanager

Tangara xanthocephala

Thick-billed Euphonia

Euphonia laniirostris

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