COLOMBIA:
Where birds paint the sky.

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, after Brazil, and holds the first place worldwide in terms of bird species, with approximately 1,954 species officially registered. Although species counts and records may vary periodically depending on the sources and criteria used, the Global Big Day, the world's largest birdwatching event, has also consistently positioned Colombia in the first place of the ranking for several consecutive years, including its most recent edition held in May 2024. This first place is an impressive recognition considering the size of the country, which places it with approximately 20% of the total global species, and with more species than Europe and North America combined.

BIODIVERSITY: Key attributes of the country of birds.

A BIOLOGICAL BRIDGE: Colombia acts as a bridge between North and South America, allowing the flow of species from both continents. This translates into a unique mix of migratory and resident birds.

THE DIVERSITY OF ECOSYSTEMS: From the snowy peaks of the Andes to the humid rainforests of the Amazon, passing through the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, the inter-Andean valleys, the páramos (high-altitude ecosystems), and the eastern savannas, Colombia presents an astonishing variety of specific ecological habitats that support a great diversity of birds.

A COMPLEX LANDSCAPE: The three ranges of the Andes that extend across the country create significant altitudinal variation over short distances. This generates microclimates and differentiated life zones, which in turn fosters the emergence of species and endemism.

HIGH ENDEMISM: Many of Colombia's birds are found nowhere else on the planet. The country has approximately 83 endemic species, especially in regions like the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Andes.

THE HUMMINGBIRD PARADISE: Colombia is home to the greatest diversity of these fascinating birds worldwide, with more than 160 species. Their vibrant colors and incredible grace are a spectacle for observers.

ABUNDANCE OF DISTINCTIVE SPECIES: From the majestic Andean condor to the colorful Andean cock-of-the-rock, passing through a great variety of toucans, parrots, and tanagers, Colombia offers a remarkable and charismatic birdlife.

A DESTINATION FOR ECOTOURISM: Birdwatching and conservation.

WORLD-CLASS BIRD OBSERVATION: Colombia has four well-defined birdwatching routes in various regions: the Northern Birdwatching Trail, the Central Andes Birdwatching Trail, the Eastern Andes Birdwatching Trail, and the Southwestern Andes Birdwatching Trail. Each route has unique habitats and, therefore, distinctive bird communities. The possibility of bird observation throughout the year solidifies Colombia as a privileged destination for birdwatching tourism, attracting more than 15,000 annual visitors from around the world.

AWARENESS AND CONSERVATION: Colombia has developed a solid infrastructure to cater to birdwatchers, including a wide range of accommodation, specialized tourism companies, and independent guides operating throughout the country. The recognition of Colombia as a bird country has driven conservation initiatives to protect its ecosystems and natural resources. Ecotourism based on birdwatching also generates economic benefits for local communities, highlighting not only the natural wealth but also their gastronomy and culture.

For all lovers of birds and decoration, ARTESANY.com presents a colorful collection of wooden napkin rings that represent twelve beautiful birds found in Colombia. All meticulously sculpted and painted by hand by Colombian artisans who find their daily inspiration in these marvelous creatures of the skies. Find your favorites below:

AMAZONIAN MOTMOT

Amazonian Motmot (Momotidae), is a bird found in the Amazon lowlands and low Andean foothills. This species is omnivorous, and its adult length can reach between 38-43 cm.

GREEN JAY:

Green Jay (Corvidae), is a bird that can reach an adult body length of about 27 cm. Its diet consists of insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and fruit. It has been observed using sticks as tools to extract insects from the bark of trees.

CARDINAL:

Cardinal (Cardinalidae), is a mid-sized bird with an adult body length of 21–23 cm. Its diet mainly (up to 90%) consists of seeds, grains, and fruits, but it will also consume snails and insects. The males behave territorially, marking out their territory with songs.

MACAW:

Macaw (Arinae), is a bird that belongs to the parrot family and could live up to 50-60 years in the wild. The main differences between macaws and other parrots are their distinctive, long, graduated tails and the patch of bare skin that covers their faces. Macaw feathers were highly desired for their bright colors by Pre-Columbian civilizations.

WOODPECKER:

Woodpecker (Picidae), is one of the loudest birds in the forest. It can be found worldwide, except in Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions. Woodpeckers use the drumming of their beaks as a form of nonvocal communication.

COCKATOO:

Cockatoo (Cacatuidae), is a bird that belongs to the parrot family. It can be recognized by its prominent crest and curved beak. Its plumage is generally less colorful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with colored features in the crest, cheeks, or tail.

KINGFISHER:

Kingfisher (Alcedinidae), is a bird that typically inhabits areas near rivers, streams, lakes, and other water bodies where it can find suitable spots to hunt fish and other aquatic prey. There are a variety of kingfisher species, each with its own unique appearance and their sizes can range from 13 cm to 41 cm.

TOUCAN:

Toucan (Ramphastidae), is a bird that inhabits various forest types from Mexico, passing through Central and South America to Argentina. Its body size can range from 18 cm to 65 cm, and its remarkably colorful and large bill can reach lengths surpassing half of its body.

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE:

Great-tailed Grackle (Icteridae), is a bird sometimes confused with blackbirds or crows, although they belong to different families. It isn’t a very good flier and is noted for its diverse food-searching habits, eating larvae, insects, nestlings and eggs from other birds, fruits, tadpoles, small fish, remains, and trash.

ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK:

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Cotingidae), is a bird distributed in cloud forests of the Andes, across Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Its body size is approximately 32 cm long and the males are polygamous and have nothing to do with nesting once mating is done.

MULTICOLORED TANAGER:

Multicolored tanager (Thraupidae), is a bird endemic to the mountains of Colombia. Its diet consists mainly of ripe fruits and insects, and its body length ranges between 12 cm and 14 cm.

QUETZAL:

Quetzal (Trogonidae), is a bird native to South America, found along the Andes from Colombia through Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Adult birds are approximately 34 cm long and are considered frugivorous, although adults raising young also catch arthropods and small vertebrates.

Author: Leonardo Roman Millan, Editor.
Date: June, 2025
Contact: @artesany.international

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