Saturday, July 18, 2026

Birding in Colombia #19: Wetlands

Wetlands plant
Our next stop was a reedy wetland in a more developed area, quite late in the day when light was low and bugs were high. It was one of the few places where mosquitoes were a concern. I am so glad I had treated clothes and my daily dousing of repellent.

The site was Humedal Los Patos ("Wetlands for Ducks) in the town of Tocancipá.

It is part of a water treatment plant; Photo: Wix
Because it was so late in the day, the sky overhead was filled with Blue-and-White Swallows flying in to roost.

Flying above us
And, the air was filled with the sound of (impossible to see) frogs and cicadas.

In and above the wetlands (which was some kind of retention pond for the treatment plant), we saw just the usual suspects …

Bare-faced Ibises
Eared Doves
Carib Grackles
A Purple Gallinule
Spot-flanked Gallinules
Southern Lapwings …
... lots of Southern Lapwings (with a couple of American Coots) 
And, of course, Yellow-hooded Blackbirds
Despite the area’s name, we saw no Ducks! Nor, did we find any new birds.

It was a quick stop with nothing super exciting, but a chance for a very different environment than what we had been in. We spent the night in nearby Zipaquiera, where we had dinner in a great Mexican cantina (birria tacos! perfection!) and walked around.

A local church outfitted with multi-colored lights
And, with that, we were almost finished with our three weeks in Colombia.

One more stop!

Tour dates: March 7-28, 2026

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