El 18

Introduction

El 18 is the ideal introduction to birding in Colombia. Eighteen kilometres from Cali on the Buenaventura road there is a low pass over the Western Andes. This is where you start. A track on the right leads off between two restaurants and continues for several kilometres to the village of Dapa. After half a kilometre or more there is a small patch of woodland that borders both sides of the road. This is as far as you need go. The habitat is limited but a list of 70+ species is possible in a day. The site list is about 140 species.

Getting there

Take any bus from the bus terminal in Cali to Buenaventura and get off at El 18; all bus drivers will know the place as it is a very popular weekend destination for locals; best to be avoided at weekends, though if this is the only time you can go don't let it put you off (Saturday is better than Sunday).

Birds to look for

Tanagers are the birds of El 18. Several Tangara species in this part of Colombia can be seen here. Clearly the main reason for visiting El 18 is to see Multicoloured Tanager. This species is regular here but patience is definitely required. To get the most out this site it is best to spend several hours here. Given all this you should see Beryl-spangled, Saffron-crowned, Golden, Blue-capped, Golden-naped, Metallic-green, Scrub, Fawn-breasted, Purplish-mantled and Blue-necked Tanagers, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Streaked Xenops, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Acorn Woodpecker, Highland Motmot, Greyish Piculet and Squirrel Cuckoo. Hummingbirds may include Booted Racket-tail, Greenish Puffleg and Bronzy Inca. Also look for Uniform Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Marble-faced and Variegated Bristle-tyrants, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Blue-hooded Euphonia, Green Honeycreeper and Rusty-winged Barbtail.

Site List