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LOS FLAMENCOS NATIONAL PARK & CAMARONES

COLOMBIA
LOCALE

# Species:367
# Excl Vagrants:367
# Endemics:1
# Near Endemics:18
Habitat: Dry scrub, wetlands, lagoons

ABOUT THE BIRDING

Los Flamencos Sanctuary consists of two areas, Perico and Camarones. Perico is an area of dry scrub vegetation that should be birded beginning at dawn because it becomes very hot by 9:00 AM. Camarones is an inland lagoon along the coast that attracts numerous water birds.

Birds of special interest around Perico include Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Bare-eyed Pigeon, Buffy Hummingbird, Russet-throated Puffbird, Chestnut Piculet, White-whiskered Spinetail, Slender-billed Inezia, Orinocan Saltator, and Tocuyo Sparrow, all near endemics found only in Colombia, neighboring Venezuela, and in some cases also Trinidad. Also present is the Caribbean Hornero, a likely future split from the more southern population of Pale-legged Hornero, and Pileated Finch, a possible future split from the population found in Brazil. Other birds in the same habitat, either near Perico or along the road toward Camarones from Riohacha, include Crested Bobwhite, Blue-crowned Parakeet, Brown-throated Parakeet, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Black-crested Antshrike, White-fringed Antwren, and Northern Scrub-Flycatcher.

The wetlands and lagoons around Camarones are home to American Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis (mixed in among the more common White Ibis), and numerous North American migrant shorebirds and wading birds during non-breeding season. A number of gulls and terns are also present, including small numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull and Kelp Gull. Scattered trees and brush around the lagoons provide habitat for Scaled Dove, Gray Kingbird, Glaucous Tanager, and Yellow Oriole.

LOCATION OF SITE

Los Flamencos Sanctuary is located near the town of Camarones on the Caribbean coast of northern Colombia. It's about 80 miles east of Santa Marta and 20 miles west of Riohacha along the coastal highway.