Natural Sumapaz National Park

National Park · Colombia

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Photo © Dfacury

Photo © Dfacury — CC BY 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Andes descend toward the Amazon basin, the high páramo grasslands of Sumapaz National Park sprawl across more than five thousand square kilometers of Meta department, creating one of South America's most ecologically dynamic transition zones. The park's terrain rises steeply from tropical forest margins into windswept alpine meadows, where tussock grasses and hardy shrubs dominate elevations above three thousand meters, while lower slopes support cloud forests draped in moss and epiphytes. This mosaic of habitats—from montane rainforest through elfin woodland to open páramo—sustains an intricate web of wildlife adapted to dramatic shifts in temperature, moisture, and altitude. High-altitude grasslands harbor small rodents and ground-dwelling birds, while the cloud forests teem with insectivorous songbirds, hummingbirds drawn to flowering plants, and nocturnal mammals active in the dense understory. Larger predators move between zones following seasonal prey movements, and amphibians exploit the permanent streams and boggy terrain where moisture levels remain consistently high.

For wildlife photographers and birders, Sumapaz demands patience and stamina, but rewards both generously. The transition zones between habitat types concentrate wildlife activity, and the park's elevation gradient means species turnover within a single day's trek—a vertical journey through multiple ecological worlds. Dawn and dusk at lower elevations bring calls of forest birds and occasional mammalian activity near streams and clearings, while higher páramo grasslands open up during clear mornings for spotting birds of prey and observing ground-dwelling species. The wet season extends from April through November, when vegetation is lusher and bird activity peaks, though access can be challenging; the drier months of January to March offer more stable conditions and clearer skies for photography. Most visits are arranged through Meta-based outfitters familiar with the park's terrain and seasonal patterns, and acclimatization to altitude is essential for enjoyment of these remote, magnificent highlands.

Website parquesnacionales.gov.co/PNN/portel/libreria/php/decide.php?patron=01.020220

Sword-billed Hummingbird

Ensifera ensifera

Boyaca Antpitta

Grallaria alticola

Plumbeous Sierra Finch

Geospizopsis unicolor

Sicalis flaveola

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Fulica americana

Rufous-browed Conebill

Conirostrum rufum

Thick-billed Euphonia

Euphonia laniirostris

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Oxyura ferruginea

Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant

Ochthoeca fumicolor

Andean Tit-Spinetail

Leptasthenura andicola

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Thraupis palmarum

Coragyps atratus

Black-billed Thrush

Turdus ignobilis

Turdus fuscater

Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager

Anisognathus igniventris

Spectacled Parrotlet

Forpus conspicillatus

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Smooth-billed Ani

Streak-throated Bush Tyrant

Myiotheretes striaticollis

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

Blue-necked Tanager

Stilpnia cyanicollis

White-throated Tyrannulet

Mecocerculus leucophrys

Pitangus sulphuratus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Rupornis magnirostris

Red-crested Cotinga

Ampelion rubrocristatus

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Black Flowerpiercer

Diglossa humeralis

Coereba flaveola

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Tropical Mockingbird

Spinus spinescens

Zenaida auriculata

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Rupicola peruvianus

Pale-naped Brushfinch

Atlapetes pallidinucha

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

Tyrian Metaltail

Metallura tyrianthina

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Golden-faced Tyrannulet

Zimmerius chrysops

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Sayornis nigricans

Cyanocorax yncas

Glossy Flowerpiercer

Diglossa lafresnayii

Chestnut-eared Aracari

Pteroglossus castanotis

Cyanocorax violaceus

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Golden-fronted Whitestart

Myioborus ornatus

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Cissopis leverianus

Glowing Puffleg

Eriocnemis vestita

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Speckled Chachalaca

Ortalis guttata

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

Melanerpes cruentatus

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Brown-bellied Swallow

Orochelidon murina

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

Band-tailed Seedeater

Catamenia analis

Sparkling Violetear

Colibri coruscans

Blue-throated Starfrontlet

Coeligena helianthea

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

White-throated Toucan

Ramphastos tucanus

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Bay-headed Tanager

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Bronze-winged Parrot

Pionus chalcopterus

Black-capped Tanager

Stilpnia heinei

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Pale-bellied Tapaculo

Scytalopus griseicollis

Black-tailed Trainbearer

Lesbia victoriae

Black-crested Warbler

Myiothlypis nigrocristata

Warbling Masked Flowerpiercer

Diglossa cyanea

White-sided Flowerpiercer

Diglossa albilatera

Coppery-bellied Puffleg

Eriocnemis cupreoventris

Mountain Velvetbreast

Lafresnaya lafresnayi

Silvery-throated Spinetail

Synallaxis subpudica

Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager

Dubusia taeniata

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta

Grallaria ruficapilla

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Green-bearded Helmetcrest

Oxypogon guerinii

Chestnut-winged Cinclodes

Cinclodes albidiventris

Many-striped Canastero

Asthenes flammulata

Apolinar's Wren

Cistothorus apolinari

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Bronze-tailed Thornbill

Chalcostigma heteropogon

Rallus semiplumbeus

Red-rumped Bush Tyrant

Cnemarchus erythropygius

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Plain-colored Seedeater

Catamenia inornata

Gallinago nobilis

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Streaked Saltator

Saltator striatipectus

White-chinned Thistletail

Asthenes fuliginosa

Cistothorus platensis

Shining Sunbeam

Aglaeactis cupripennis

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Anthus bogotensis

Purple-backed Thornbill

Ramphomicron microrhynchum

White-vented Plumeleteer

Chalybura buffonii

Cinnamon Flycatcher

Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus

White-capped Dipper

Cinclus leucocephalus

Great Sapphirewing

Pterophanes cyanopterus

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pearled Treerunner

Margarornis squamiger

Cinnycerthia unirufa

Blue-backed Conebill

Conirostrum sitticolor

Highland Tinamou

Nothocercus bonapartei

Crypturellus soui

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

Band-tailed Guan

Penelope argyrotis

Sickle-winged Guan

Chamaepetes goudotii

Chestnut-collared Swift

Streptoprocne rutila

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Short-tailed Swift

Chaetura brachyura

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Grey-chinned Hermit

Phaethornis griseogularis

Sooty-capped Hermit

Phaethornis augusti

Phaethornis guy

Green-fronted Lancebill

Doryfera ludovicae

Blue-fronted Lancebill

Doryfera johannae

Geoffroy's Daggerbill

Schistes geoffroyi

Lesser Violetear

Colibri cyanotus

Longuemare's Sunangel

Heliangelus clarisse

Speckled Hummingbird

Adelomyia melanogenys

Long-tailed Sylph

Aglaiocercus kingii

Green-tailed Trainbearer

Greenish Puffleg

Haplophaedia aureliae

Coeligena coeligena

Golden-bellied Starfrontlet

Coeligena bonapartei

Buff-tailed Coronet

Boissonneaua flavescens

White-booted Racket-tail

Ocreatus underwoodii

Green-crowned Brilliant

Heliodoxa jacula

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Heliodoxa leadbeateri

White-bellied Woodstar

Chaetocercus mulsant

Gorgeted Woodstar

Chaetocercus heliodor

Short-tailed Emerald

Chlorostilbon poortmani

Violet-headed Hummingbird

Lazuline Sabrewing

Campylopterus falcatus

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Green-bellied Hummingbird

Saucerottia viridigaster

Golden-tailed Sapphire

Chrysuronia oenone

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas subvinacea

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Lined Quail-Dove

Zentrygon linearis

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Jameson's Snipe

Gallinago jamesoni

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Leucophaeus atricilla

Butorides striata

Opisthocomus hoazin

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Morphnarchus princeps

Buteogallus solitarius

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Band-bellied Owl

Pulsatrix melanota

Trogon personatus

Black-streaked Puffbird

Malacoptila fulvogularis

Red-headed Barbet

Eubucco bourcierii

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

Black-billed Mountain Toucan

Andigena nigrirostris

Crimson-rumped Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus

Picumnus squamulatus

Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Colaptes rubiginosus

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker

Colaptes rivolii

Powerful Woodpecker

Campephilus pollens

Crimson-bellied Woodpecker

Campephilus haematogaster

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Plum-crowned Parrot

Pionus tumultuosus

Scarlet-fronted Parakeet

Psittacara wagleri

Dusky Leaftosser

Sclerurus obscurior

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Black-banded Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes picumnus

Olive-backed Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus triangularis

Amazonian Plain Xenops

Xenops genibarbis

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Montane Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia striaticollis

Striped Treehunter

Thripadectes holostictus

Ochre-throated Foliage-gleaner

Automolus ochrolaemus

White-browed Spinetail

Hellmayrea gularis

Crested Spinetail

Cranioleuca subcristata

Ash-browed Spinetail

Cranioleuca curtata

Plain-crowned Spinetail

Synallaxis gujanensis

Azara's Spinetail

Synallaxis azarae

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Dysithamnus mentalis

Uniform Antshrike

Thamnophilus unicolor

Great Antshrike

Cercomacroides tyrannina

Cercomacra cinerascens

Black-faced Antbird

Myrmoborus myotherinus

Scaled Antpitta

Grallaria guatimalensis

White-bellied Antpitta

Grallaria hypoleuca

Muisca Antpitta

Grallaria rufula

Chestnut-crowned Gnateater

Conopophaga castaneiceps

White-crowned Tapaculo

Scytalopus atratus

Blackish Tapaculo

Scytalopus latrans

Wing-barred Piprites

Piprites chloris

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

Mountain Elaenia

Elaenia frantzii

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Streak-necked Flycatcher

Mionectes striaticollis

Olive-striped Flycatcher

Mionectes galbinus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Slaty-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon superciliaris

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant

Lophotriccus pileatus

Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant

Atalotriccus pilaris

Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum

Fulvous-breasted Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

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

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

Paramo Ground Tyrant

Muscisaxicola alpinus

Rufous-tailed Tyrant

Knipolegus poecilurus

Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant

Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris

Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant

Ochthoeca rufipectoralis

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Lemon-browed Flycatcher

Conopias cinchoneti

Golden-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes hemichrysus

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Pale-edged Flycatcher

Myiarchus cephalotes

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Green-and-black Fruiteater

Pipreola riefferii

Golden-winged Manakin

Masius chrysopterus

Cryptopipo holochlora

White-crowned Manakin

Pseudopipra pipra

Tityra semifasciata

Cinereous Becard

Pachyramphus rufus

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Black-and-white Becard

Pachyramphus albogriseus

Tawny-breasted Myiobius

Myiobius villosus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Brown-capped Vireo

Vireo leucophrys

Riparia riparia

White-thighed Swallow

Atticora tibialis

Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Pheugopedius mystacalis

Rufous-breasted Wren

Pheugopedius rutilus

Troglodytes solstitialis

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Grey-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucophrys

Andean Solitaire

Myadestes ralloides

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

Pale-eyed Thrush

Glossy-black Thrush

Turdus serranus

Spectacled Thrush

Turdus nudigenis

Yellow-bellied Siskin

Spinus xanthogastrus

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Orange-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia xanthogaster

Bronze-green Euphonia

Euphonia mesochrysa

Common Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus flavopectus

Black-striped Sparrow

Arremonops conirostris

Grey-browed Brushfinch

Arremon assimilis

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch

Arremon brunneinucha

White-naped Brushfinch

Atlapetes albinucha

Ochre-breasted Brushfinch

Atlapetes semirufus

Slaty Brushfinch

Atlapetes schistaceus

Russet-backed Oropendola

Psarocolius angustifrons

Yellow-backed Oriole

Icterus chrysater

Molothrus bonariensis

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

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

Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga striata

Citrine Warbler

Myiothlypis luteoviridis

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Three-striped Warbler

Basileuterus tristriatus

Cardellina canadensis

Slate-throated Whitestart

Myioborus miniatus

White-winged Tanager

Piranga leucoptera

Black-backed Grosbeak

Pheucticus aureoventris

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Golden-collared Honeycreeper

Iridophanes pulcherrimus

Purple Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes caeruleus

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Sporophila intermedia

Black-and-white Seedeater

Sporophila luctuosa

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Superciliaried Hemispingus

Thlypopsis superciliaris

Paramo Seedeater

Catamenia homochroa

Bluish Flowerpiercer

Diglossa caerulescens

Golden-crowned Tanager

Iridosornis rufivertex

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Hooded Mountain Tanager

Buthraupis montana

Black-chested Mountain Tanager

Cnemathraupis eximia

Orange-eared Tanager

Chlorochrysa calliparaea

Speckled Tanager

Ixothraupis guttata

Golden-naped Tanager

Chalcothraupis ruficervix

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Blue-and-black Tanager

Tangara vassorii

Beryl-spangled Tanager

Tangara nigroviridis

Blue-browed Tanager

Tangara cyanotis

Metallic-green Tanager

Tangara labradorides

Saffron-crowned Tanager

Tangara xanthocephala

Flame-faced Tanager

Tangara parzudakii

Cinereous Tinamou

Crypturellus cinereus

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Andean Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium jardinii

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris

Many-banded Aracari

Pteroglossus pluricinctus

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Northern Slaty Antshrike

Thamnophilus punctatus

Schwartz's Antthrush

Chamaeza turdina

Grallaria quitensis

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Striolated Manakin

Machaeropterus striolatus

Hylophilus flavipes

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Thrush-like Wren

Campylorhynchus turdinus

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed Hemispingus

Pseudospingus verticalis

Brazilian Guinea Pig

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