The San Antonio and Km 18 Cloud Forest is an Important Bird Area for the
conservation of birds, located 20 minutes from the city of Cali and at
approximately 2,000 m (6,550 ft) in elevation. The forest occupies 900 ha
(2.220 ac), and is classified as a sub-Andean cloud forest, characterized by
low-lying fogs and mists that are formed when moisture- laden air is blown from
the Pacific Ocean. Birding in the forest is done along small gravel roads that
pass through fragments of cloud forest with good mixed flock activity. Target
endemic species for this area are the awe- inspiring Multicolored Tanager,
Flame-rumped Tanager, Colombian Chachalaca and Chestnut Wood-quail.
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| Colombian chachalaca Ortalis columbiana By Chirstopher Calonje |
The area is regarded as one of the best
places to observe a wide variety of tanagers and hummingbirds. Tanagers in the
area include, Golden, Blue-capped, White-lined, Scrub, Fawn-breasted, Summer, Metallic-green, Saffron- crowned, and
Golden-naped Tanagers, as well as Ash- throated Bush-Tanagers and Blue-winged
Mountain- tanager. Hummingbirds of interest include Long-tailed Sylph,
Purple-throated Woodstar, Booted Raquettail, Tourmaline Sunangel and
Tawny-bellied Hermit.
Multicolored Tanager Chlorochrysa nitidissima By Christopher Calonje
Other birds that inhabit the cloud forest include Crested- Qutzal,
Scarlet-fronted parakeet, Crimson-rumped and Emerald Toucanet, Scaled and
Green-and-black
Blue winged Mountain-tanager Anisognathus sumptuosus By Christopher Calonje
Fruiteater, Yellow-headed Manakin, Chestnut-breasted
Wren, Black-billed Peppershrike, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Golden-headed
Quetzal, Montane Woodcreeper, Red-headed Barbet, Streaked Xenops and Nariño
Tapaculo. The San Antonio and Km 18 forest has over 210 documented species, and
is one of the hottest birding destinations in the Colombian Andes. Nearby, a
local peasant protects an Andean-cock-of-the-rock lek, providing closeup views
of this magnificent bird.
