Guácharos Cave National Natural Park

National Park · Colombia

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Photo © CHAVESJUAN19

Photo © CHAVESJUAN19 — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

High in the Andean foothills of southern Huila, where mist-laden slopes rise above 1,600 metres, lies a landscape carved by underground rivers and crowned by karst formations that have shaped the region's ecology for millennia. Guácharos Cave National Natural Park encompasses roughly 163 square kilometres of montane forest and cloud forest, terrain where the canopy remains perpetually damp and the undergrowth explosive with ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. The park's defining feature—its cave systems—creates a unique ecological gradient: passages that extend deep into the earth support their own communities of insects and invertebrates, while the forest above sustains populations of small nocturnal mammals, woodland songbirds, raptors, and the insectivorous bats that emerge at dusk to hunt across the ridges. The humid subtropical forest itself functions as a water factory, collecting and channelling rainfall through deep limestone into underground aquifers that feed lowland rivers far below. This interplay between surface and subterranean ecosystems creates a landscape where biodiversity clusters around cave mouths, streamside vegetation, and the dense mid-canopy layer where light filters through year-round cloud cover.

For wildlife photographers and serious birdwatchers, the park delivers both spectacle and challenge in equal measure. The cave entrances offer extraordinary light conditions during early morning hours, when mist rises from the passages and birds of prey hunt the forest edge. Small forest mammals emerge during dawn and dusk periods, while nocturnal species require patience and careful night-work. The wet season (April–November) brings heightened insect activity that draws migratory and resident insectivorous birds to lower elevations within the park, though the park remains accessible year-round; the dry months offer clearer skies and easier cave access, but reduced activity in some wildlife groups. Access is best arranged through the park's administrative centre, and a guide familiar with both cave systems and forest ecology transforms a visit from pleasant trekking into genuine biological discovery. The combination of karst topography, montane forest habitat, and underground hydrology makes this one of Colombia's most ecologically distinctive protected areas.

Website parquesnacionales.gov.co/nuestros-parques/pnn-cueva-de-los-guacharos

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Rupicola peruvianus

Steatornis caripensis

Tolima Blossomcrown

Anthocephala berlepschi

Russet-backed Oropendola

Psarocolius angustifrons

Flame-faced Tanager

Tangara parzudakii

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Patagioenas subvinacea

Chestnut-bellied Thrush

Turdus fulviventris

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Black-billed Thrush

Turdus ignobilis

Thraupis palmarum

Colombian Chachalaca

Ortalis columbiana

Coereba flaveola

Blue-necked Tanager

Stilpnia cyanicollis

Golden-faced Tyrannulet

Zimmerius chrysops

Slate-throated Whitestart

Myioborus miniatus

Crimson-backed Tanager

Ramphocelus dimidiatus

Bay-headed Tanager

Coragyps atratus

Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis

White-booted Racket-tail

Ocreatus underwoodii

East Andean Antbird

Drymophila caudata

Hooded Antpitta

Grallaricula cucullata

Torrent Tyrannulet

Serpophaga cinerea

Pale-edged Flycatcher

Myiarchus cephalotes

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Tawny-bellied Hermit

Phaethornis syrmatophorus

Green-fronted Lancebill

Doryfera ludovicae

Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant

Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Highland Tinamou

Nothocercus bonapartei

Tawny-breasted Tinamou

Nothocercus julius

Crypturellus soui

Merganetta armata

Sickle-winged Guan

Chamaepetes goudotii

Crested Bobwhite

Colinus cristatus

Chestnut Wood Quail

Odontophorus hyperythrus

Lyre-tailed Nightjar

Nyctibius griseus

Chestnut-collared Swift

Streptoprocne rutila

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

White-tipped Sicklebill

Eutoxeres aquila

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Pale-bellied Hermit

Phaethornis anthophilus

Phaethornis guy

Geoffroy's Daggerbill

Schistes geoffroyi

Brown Violetear

Colibri delphinae

Lesser Violetear

Colibri cyanotus

Sparkling Violetear

Colibri coruscans

Speckled Hummingbird

Adelomyia melanogenys

Long-tailed Sylph

Aglaiocercus kingii

Tyrian Metaltail

Metallura tyrianthina

Greenish Puffleg

Haplophaedia aureliae

Coeligena coeligena

Coeligena torquata

Buff-tailed Coronet

Boissonneaua flavescens

Rufous-vented Whitetip

Urosticte ruficrissa

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Heliodoxa leadbeateri

Gorgeted Woodstar

Chaetocercus heliodor

Red-billed Emerald

Chlorostilbon gibsoni

White-vented Plumeleteer

Chalybura buffonii

Crowned Woodnymph

Thalurania colombica

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Uranomitra franciae

Shining-green Hummingbird

Chrysuronia goudoti

Coccycua minuta

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

White-throated Quail-Dove

Zentrygon frenata

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Morphnarchus princeps

Buteogallus solitarius

Rupornis magnirostris

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

American Barn Owl

Subtropical Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium parkeri

White-throated Screech Owl

Megascops albogularis

Rufescent Screech Owl

Megascops ingens

Golden-headed Quetzal

Pharomachrus auriceps

Crested Quetzal

Pharomachrus antisianus

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris

Trogon personatus

Momotus aequatorialis

Black-streaked Puffbird

Malacoptila fulvogularis

Red-headed Barbet

Eubucco bourcierii

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

Black-billed Mountain Toucan

Andigena nigrirostris

Southern Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus albivitta

Crimson-rumped Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus

Olivaceous Piculet

Picumnus olivaceus

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

Red-crowned Woodpecker

Melanerpes rubricapillus

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Colaptes rubiginosus

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker

Colaptes rivolii

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Powerful Woodpecker

Campephilus pollens

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Barred Parakeet

Bolborhynchus lineola

Orange-chinned Parakeet

Brotogeris jugularis

Rusty-faced Parrot

Hapalopsittaca amazonina

Red-billed Parrot

Pionus sordidus

Plum-crowned Parrot

Pionus tumultuosus

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Bronze-winged Parrot

Pionus chalcopterus

Spectacled Parrotlet

Forpus conspicillatus

Maroon-tailed Parakeet

Pyrrhura melanura

Golden-plumed Parakeet

Leptosittaca branickii

Yellow-eared Parrot

Ognorhynchus icterotis

Scarlet-fronted Parakeet

Psittacara wagleri

Tyrannine Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla tyrannina

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Black-banded Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes picumnus

Strong-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus

Olive-backed Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus triangularis

Brown-billed Scythebill

Campylorhamphus pusillus

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Montane Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Streaked Tuftedcheek

Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii

Rusty-winged Barbtail

Premnornis guttuliger

Montane Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia striaticollis

Lineated Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla subalaris

Black-billed Treehunter

Thripadectes melanorhynchus

Striped Treehunter

Thripadectes holostictus

Streak-capped Treehunter

Thripadectes virgaticeps

Spotted Barbtail

Premnoplex brunnescens

Pearled Treerunner

Margarornis squamiger

Spectacled Prickletail

Siptornis striaticollis

Ash-browed Spinetail

Cranioleuca curtata

Slaty Spinetail

Synallaxis brachyura

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Azara's Spinetail

Synallaxis azarae

Rufous-rumped Antwren

Euchrepomis callinota

Russet Antshrike

Thamnistes anabatinus

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Dysithamnus mentalis

Bar-crested Antshrike

Thamnophilus multistriatus

Uniform Antshrike

Thamnophilus unicolor

Western Fire-eye

Pyriglena maura

Schwartz's Antthrush

Chamaeza turdina

Moustached Antpitta

Grallaria alleni

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta

Grallaria ruficapilla

White-bellied Antpitta

Grallaria hypoleuca

Slaty-crowned Antpitta

Grallaricula nana

Chestnut-crowned Gnateater

Conopophaga castaneiceps

White-crowned Tapaculo

Scytalopus atratus

Blackish Tapaculo

Scytalopus latrans

Sooty-headed Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias griseiceps

Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias plumbeiceps

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Mountain Elaenia

Elaenia frantzii

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

White-tailed Tyrannulet

Mecocerculus poecilocercus

Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet

Mecocerculus minor

Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant

Pseudotriccus pelzelni

Variegated Bristle Tyrant

Pogonotriccus poecilotis

Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant

Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus

Streak-necked Flycatcher

Mionectes striaticollis

Olive-striped Flycatcher

Mionectes galbinus

Slaty-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon superciliaris

Rufous-breasted Flycatcher

Leptopogon rufipectus

Flavescent Flycatcher

Myiophobus flavicans

Handsome Flycatcher

Nephelomyias pulcher

Black-throated Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus granadensis

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant

Lophotriccus pileatus

Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus ruficeps

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Fulvous-breasted Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Yellow-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus flavigularis

Cinnamon Flycatcher

Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus

Sayornis nigricans

Smoke-colored Pewee

Contopus fumigatus

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Rufous-tailed Tyrant

Knipolegus poecilurus

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Lemon-browed Flycatcher

Conopias cinchoneti

Golden-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes hemichrysus

Fiery-throated Fruiteater

Pipreola chlorolepidota

Green-and-black Fruiteater

Pipreola riefferii

Olivaceous Piha

Snowornis cryptolophus

Lipaugus fuscocinereus

Yellow-headed Manakin

Chloropipo flavicapilla

Golden-winged Manakin

Masius chrysopterus

Tityra semifasciata

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Black-and-white Becard

Pachyramphus albogriseus

Black-billed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis nigrirostris

Rufous-naped Greenlet

Pachysylvia semibrunnea

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

Brown-capped Vireo

Vireo leucophrys

Cyanocorax yncas

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Hirundo rustica

Cinnycerthia unirufa

Sepia-brown Wren

Cinnycerthia olivascens

Pheugopedius mystacalis

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Troglodytes solstitialis

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Grey-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucophrys

Andean Solitaire

Myadestes ralloides

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus aurantiirostris

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus fuscater

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

Pale-eyed Thrush

Glossy-black Thrush

Turdus serranus

Turdus fuscater

White-capped Dipper

Cinclus leucocephalus

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

Yellow-bellied Siskin

Spinus xanthogastrus

Spinus spinescens

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys

Velvet-fronted Euphonia

Euphonia concinna

Thick-billed Euphonia

Euphonia laniirostris

Orange-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia xanthogaster

Bronze-green Euphonia

Euphonia mesochrysa

Yellow-throated Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus flavigularis

Yellow-whiskered Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus parvirostris

Ashy-throated Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus canigularis

Common Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus flavopectus

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch

Arremon brunneinucha

White-naped Brushfinch

Atlapetes albinucha

Dusky-headed Brushfinch

Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus

Slaty Brushfinch

Atlapetes schistaceus

Pale-naped Brushfinch

Atlapetes pallidinucha

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Mountain Cacique

Cacicus chrysonotus

Molothrus bonariensis

Red-bellied Grackle

Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

Citrine Warbler

Myiothlypis luteoviridis

Buff-rumped Warbler

Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Russet-crowned Warbler

Myiothlypis coronata

Chestnut-capped Warbler

Basileuterus delattrii

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Three-striped Warbler

Basileuterus tristriatus

Cardellina canadensis

Golden-fronted Whitestart

Myioborus ornatus

White-winged Tanager

Piranga leucoptera

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

White-capped Tanager

Sericossypha albocristata

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Golden-collared Honeycreeper

Iridophanes pulcherrimus

Streaked Saltator

Saltator striatipectus

Rufous-crested Tanager

Creurgops verticalis

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Black-and-white Seedeater

Sporophila luctuosa

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater

Sporophila minuta

Black-capped Hemispingus

Kleinothraupis atropileus

Oleaginous Hemispingus

Sphenopsis frontalis

Capped Conebill

Conirostrum albifrons

Grassland Yellow Finch

Sicalis luteola

Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer

Diglossa glauca

Bluish Flowerpiercer

Diglossa caerulescens

Warbling Masked Flowerpiercer

Diglossa cyanea

Rusty Flowerpiercer

Diglossa sittoides

Glossy Flowerpiercer

Diglossa lafresnayii

Golden-crowned Tanager

Iridosornis rufivertex

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Blue-capped Tanager

Sporathraupis cyanocephala

Grass-green Tanager

Chlorornis riefferii

Blue-winged Mountain Tanager

Anisognathus somptuosus

Lacrimose Mountain Tanager

Anisognathus lacrymosus

Orange-eared Tanager

Chlorochrysa calliparaea

Cissopis leverianus

Golden-naped Tanager

Chalcothraupis ruficervix

Black-capped Tanager

Stilpnia heinei

Stilpnia vitriolina

Beryl-spangled Tanager

Tangara nigroviridis

Blue-browed Tanager

Tangara cyanotis

Metallic-green Tanager

Tangara labradorides

Golden-eared Tanager

Tangara chrysotis

Saffron-crowned Tanager

Tangara xanthocephala

Short-tailed Swift

Chaetura brachyura

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Northern Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Northern House Wren

Troglodytes aedon

Pachyramphus versicolor

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Black-chested Fruiteater

Pipreola lubomirskii

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Blue-and-black Tanager

Tangara vassorii

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Machetornis rixosa

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Dusky Leaftosser

Sclerurus obscurior

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Emerald-bellied Puffleg

Eriocnemis aline

Fawn-breasted Brilliant

Heliodoxa rubinoides

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Sarcoramphus papa

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Rufous-banded Owl

Strix albitarsis

Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant

Pseudotriccus ruficeps

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Sierran Elaenia

Elaenia pallatangae

Smooth-billed Ani

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Speckled Tanager

Ixothraupis guttata

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Streak-headed Antbird

Drymophila striaticeps

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

White-bellied Woodstar

Chaetocercus mulsant

White-rumped Hawk

Parabuteo leucorrhous

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

White-sided Flowerpiercer

Diglossa albilatera

White-throated Hawk

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Yellow-backed Oriole

Icterus chrysater

White-rimmed Brushfinch

Atlapetes leucopis

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