Birds in Bogotá: One more reason for preservation
The capital is considered as the city with the highest number of species with approximately 200 registered
The Colombian capital can become one of the most striking cities for ornithologists (or bird lovers) in the world. Despite being a metropolis, the parks, wetlands, and forests hide a great variety of animals.
The Association assures that in the savannah there is a great variety of habitats for birds:
- Native forest
- Native scrub
- Subparamo
- Forests and foreign thickets
- Semi-arid areas
- Paddock and crops
- Wetlands
- Lakes and ponds
Thanks to this diversity of ecosystems, it is possible the existence of multiple species of endemic, migratory, and resident birds, among which we can identify the following 10:
- Copetón ( Zonotrichia capensis ): It is one of the most emblematic birds of the savannah.
- Domestic pigeon ( Columba livia ).
- Hummingbirds ( Family Trochilidae or Common Hummingbirds): On the savannah, you can see different species of this family.
- Blue Tingua or Andean Rake ( Rallus semiplumbeus ): This is an endemic species of the wetlands of Bogotá. It can only be found in this territory, nowhere else in the world. It is in the process of extinction.
- The cundiboyacense chamicero ( Synallaxis subpudica ), also called Pijuí de garganta silvered . Endemic to the Bogotá savannah. It is in the process of extinction.
- Swallow Riberedeña ( Riparia riparia ).
- Monjita Bogotana ( Chrysomus icterocephalus ).
- White- headed Cobweb ( Diglossa albilatera ).
- Rufous Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ).
- Mirla ( Turdus fuscater ).
- Cucarachero ( Troglodytes aedon ).
Alert for birds
Despite all its wealth and biodiversity, at present, the reality of Bogotá in this respect is discouraging. If it continues like this, in a few years, the birds could be lost forever. The habitats of birds in the Savannah are increasingly less safe and scarce, because there has been a constant destruction of ecosystems that puts them in a state of vulnerability against the initiatives of builders and irresponsible policies.
The threats to the species do not end there, it must take IGNORE INTO account climate change, biological changes, pollution, and the lack of understanding of citizens in the face of environmental problems. All these are factors that have also influenced the current panorama that is evident in terms of conservation in the city.
Thanks to the peace process in Colombia, bird tourism has a new opportunity. Experts and amateurs can make sightings of birds in safe and unexplored places. Perhaps, this type of activities together with actions of environmental authorities, research institutes, NGOs, foundations, and institutions of higher education, can make an effective plan of conservation, restoration, and education to save the natural wealth that houses this territory.
It is important to note that the preservation of birds is closely related to native trees and shrubs potentially valuable for use in the Restoration and Environmental Recovery Plans (PMRA, in Spanish).
Latin American Post | Andrea Espitia
Translated from “Aves en Bogotá: Una razón más para la preservación”
