Birds and Songs of the Tabacal Lagoon
Experience a full-day nature adventure designed for travelers seeking Colombia’s remarkable birdlife beyond traditional tourist routes. From scenic landscapes to intimate encounters with local biodiversity, this experience lets you explore the region under the guidance of local experts.
Birdwatching near Bogotá in Colombia’s Andes and Magdalena River Valley
Cundinamarca is an exceptional destination for birdwatching near Bogotá, located between the Magdalena River Valley and the Eastern Andes. This strategic position creates a remarkable transition between ecosystems, allowing travelers to discover diverse habitats and bird species within relatively short distances. From high-Andean landscapes to lower-elevation environments, the region offers excellent opportunities to experience birdwatching in Colombia, including encounters with endemic birds of Colombia, resident species, and seasonal migrants on carefully guided Colombia birding tours.
Bogotá Birdwatching Day Tours: Wetlands, Rainforest and Hummingbirds
“Birds and Songs of the Tabacal Lagoon” is a carefully designed Bogotá birdwatching day tour combining wetlands, tropical and sub-Andean rainforest, and hummingbird habitats in one rewarding experience. The itinerary offers opportunities for wetland birdwatching near Bogotá, followed by exploration of forested landscapes and close encounters with hummingbirds in a private reserve. Designed for small groups, this experience combines birdwatching, nature interpretation, and conservation while providing excellent opportunities for wildlife photography in Colombia and a deeper connection with the local landscape.
Target Bird Species Recorded in La Florida Wetland, Tabacal Lagoon and Jardín Encantado
Endemic species (E)
Bogota Rail, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Velvet-fronted Euphonia and Indigo-capped Hummingbird.
Near-endemic species
Gorgeted Woodstar, Spectacled Parrotlet, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Bar-crested Antshrike, Scrub Tanager, Black-bellied Wren, Whiskered Wren, Andean Siskin and Yellow-hooded Blackbird.
Additional species
Little Tinamou, Ruddy Duck, Least Grebe, Pied-bille Grebe, Ruddy Quail-dove, Squirrel Cuckoo, Lesser Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Striated Heron, Ringed Kingfisher, Roadside Hawk, Southern Emerald-Toucanet, Olivaceous Piculet, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Azara’s Spinetail, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Mountain Elaenia, Cinnamon Flycatcher. Common Tody-Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Scrub Greenlet, Brown-bellied Swallow, Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, Great Thrush, Lesser Goldfinch, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Shiny Cowbird, Yellow-backed Oriole, Tropical Parula, Russet-crowned Warbler, Slate-throated Redstart, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Capped Conebill, Gray-headed Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Blue-capped Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Bananaquit and more.
Conservation Status of Recorded Bird Species
- Critically endangered (CR): Bogota Rail.
- Endangered (EN): Spot-flanked Gallinule.
- Vulnerable (VU): None recorded
- Near Threatened (NT): None recorded
- Data Deficient (DD): None recorded
Austral species migratory (Typically May – September):
Fork-tailed Flycatcher and Brown-chested martin.
Boreal species migratory (Typically September – April):
Blue-winged Teal, Sora, Green Heron, Osprey, Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Merlin, Western Wood Pewee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Bank Swallow, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Canada Warbler, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager.
Tour Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Destination | La Florida Wetland, Tabacal Lagoon and Jardín Encantado. |
| Tour Date | Available according to the visitor’s preferred schedule. |
| Location | Municipalities of Funza, La Vega and San Francisco. Cundinamarca – Colombia. |
| Attractions | Wetland ecosystem, Tabacal Lagoon and premontane forest |
| Weather | Mild climate with variable weather conditions typical of high-Andean environments. |
| Altitude | 2,600 m (8,530 ft), 1,250 m (4,101 ft) and 1,520 m (4,987 ft) m.a.s.l. |
| Recommended Age | Suitable for children 7–9 years old. Teenagers: 10–14 years old. Youth: 15–20 years old. Young Adults: 21–39 years old. Adults: 40–64 years old. Senior: 65 years and older. |
| Minimum Group Size | 1 participant (Private tour available). |
| Difficulty level | Medium (undulating terrain and moderate effort) |
| Duration | Approximately 8 hours |
| Walking Distance | Approximately 3 kilometres (1.86 miles) |
What’s Included in Your La Florida Wetland, Tabacal Lagoon and Jardín Encantado Birdwatching Experience
Included Services
Transportation and Access
- Round-trip terrestrial transportation from your hotel in Bogotá to La Florida Wetland, Tabacal Lagoon, and the private hummingbird-watching farm and back.
- Entrance tickets to Tabacal Lagoon and the private hummingbird-watching farm.
- Management of access permits required for protected natural areas.
Food, Hydration and Comfort
- Breakfast.
- Lunch.
- Snacks and hydration during the activity.
- Drinking water available throughout the experience.
- An exclusive comfort accessory specially designed to enhance your journey and provide a more enjoyable experience in the tropical and sub-Andean rainforest environment.
Professional Guidance, Planning and Support
- Medical assistance card during the activity.
- Professional birding guide providing personalized guidance and expert interpretation of cloud forest, sub-Andean ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation throughout the tour.
- Complete administrative management, experience planning, and operational coordination to ensure a safe, organized, and memorable birdwatching experience.
What’s Not Included
The plan does not include
- Services or activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses and items of personal use.
- Medical expenses beyond the coverage provided by the travel assistance card.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips or gratuities, which are voluntary and provided at the guest’s discretion.
- Additional costs or itinerary changes resulting from circumstances beyond our control.
Why Travel with Raíces Profundas?
- Small groups for a more personalized birdwatching experience.
- Professional local birding guides.
- Responsible nature tourism focused on conservation.
- Interpretation of biodiversity, geology, and Andean ecosystems.
- Comfortable transportation from Bogotá.
- Carefully designed itineraries that maximize birdwatching opportunities.
Recommendations for Your La Florida Wetland, Tabacal Lagoon and Jardín Encantado Birdwatching Experience
To ensure a safe, comfortable, and rewarding birdwatching experience, we recommend following these guidelines throughout your visit to the tropical and sub-Andean rainforest wetland.
- Punctuality: Please arrive at the meeting point at the scheduled time. This allows us to follow the planned itinerary, maximize birdwatching opportunities, and provide a smooth experience throughout the day.
- Clothing and Equipment: Wear comfortable clothing suitable for cool, warm and humid mountain conditions. We recommend bringing a rain jacket and avoiding jeans, as they are not ideal for sub-Andean rainforest environments. Additional recommended items include a cap or hat, gloves, and other accessories suitable for changing weather conditions.
- Personal Care: Bring sunscreen, personal hygiene items, insect repellent, and one or two reusable bags to collect any personal waste generated during the activity. If you take prescribed medication, remember to bring it with you.
- Personal Belongings: For greater comfort during transportation and the activity, we recommend traveling with a suitcase rather than backpacks or handbags. If you are traveling with a group, each participant should carry their own belongings to distribute weight properly. Rolling suitcases are not recommended due to the natural conditions of some areas.
- Food and Hydration: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hydration are included during the experience. You may also bring additional personal snacks if you require extra energy during the activity. Drinking water will be available throughout the tour.
- Documents: Please carry your passport and any personal documents required during your visit. Remember that your experience includes a travel assistance card covering health-related emergencies during the activity.
- Money: Bring the amount of money you consider necessary, especially if you wish to purchase local products, traditional foods, or support local initiatives during your visit.
Responsible Birdwatching Guidelines
To protect La Florida Wetland, Tabacal Lagoon and Jardín Encantado biodiversity and preserve the tranquility of this unique tropical and sub-Andean rainforest ecosystem, we kindly ask visitors to follow these guidelines:
- Do not participate in the activity under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances.
- Do not bring pets or other animal species into the natural areas.
- Avoid carrying radios or any objects that may generate noise and disturb wildlife observation.
Do you have questions or want to make a reservation? Contact us! Our advisors will provide you with all the information you need.
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