Birdwatching Across Colombia: A Personal Journey from La Guajira to Cali’s Valle del Cauca
2 months ago
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I grew up in the mountains of Córdoba, Colombia, surrounded by birds, trees, and the sound of nature. As a kid, I didn’t realize how much this would shape my life. I remember building simple traps for the doves, not to harm birds, but to get a closer look at their feathers, movements, and colors. I didn’t know it then, but those moments planted the seed for what would become a lifelong passion: birdwatching and bird photography.
As life unfolded, I moved from town to town, across borders from Argentina to the United States, sometimes in big cities, other times in smaller towns. Even while living in places with incredible wilderness like Patagonia, I still felt something missing. There’s a different kind of connection that comes from growing up in nature and for me, that connection is always tied back to Colombia.
In 2019, I had a life-changing car accident that left me with a serious concussion. I couldn’t use screens for a long time, no TV, no phone, no computer. That forced me to slow down. I struggled with sleep, headaches, and anxiety. Going for hiking and being outside was the only thing that brought relief.
Those hikes eventually led me to birdwatching. I started visiting local parks and nature reserves near my home in Minnesota. The simple act of watching birds, listening to the wind, and being outdoors helped me reset mentally and physically. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
One day, while I was birdwatching at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, I met another birder who asked me where I was from. I told him, “Colombia.” He laughed and said, “What are you doing birding here in Minnesota? Go back to your country, you have the most bird species in the world!” (At that moment, someone passing by gave us a look, probably thinking the guy was being rude to me. It was kind of funny.)
That comment stuck with me. I wish I could reconnect with him to say thank you for the great advice. I started reading more, and I realized Colombia has nearly 2,000 bird species more than any other country. After travel restrictions lifted post-COVID, I returned home with a new purpose. Birdwatching and photography became more than hobbies; they became ways to reconnect with my roots and protect what matters.
Birdwatching didn’t just bring me back to Colombia, it transformed how I live my daily life. Even here in Minnesota, I find joy in stepping into nearby parks and nature reserves with my binoculars or camera. Some of my favorite spots include:
You don’t need expensive equipment to start birdwatching. I recommend the Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; it’s an incredible tool for identifying birds by sight or sound. Whether you’re watching chickadees in your backyard or looking for loons on a northern lake, every bird encounter adds something meaningful to your day.
Bird photography began as a hobby but quickly evolved into a purpose. Through my lens, I now tell stories of biodiversity, migration, and resilience. I’ve partnered with conservation organizations across Colombia to support habitat protection, raise awareness, and create ecotourism opportunities that benefit local communities.
Photography gave me purpose. Birding gave me peace.
Birdwatching has taken me from childhood memories in rural Colombia to the forests of Minnesota and back again. It’s helped me heal, reconnect, and rediscover who I am. Whether you’re in a rainforest or your own backyard, birdwatching offers something we all need: presence, perspective, and peace.
Interested in birdwatching tours in Colombia or learning more about conservation? Let’s connect and explore together. Plan your birding adventure today!
