Cover photo: Tunari National Park rangers and personnel of Armonia’s Tunari’s program participated in the Global Big Day. Victor García-Soliz.
Bolivia has secured its place in the top six for bird diversity, recording a total of 822 species, four more than in 2022. Among the departments, La Paz leads with 411 species, followed by Cochabamba with 406 and El Beni with 331. Colombia reclaimed the first position with 1,530 species, followed by Peru (1,454), Brazil (1,199), Ecuador (1,070), and India (822).
“Being in the top 10 is a privilege few countries can afford, emphasizing the value of Bolivia’s bird species. However, we have yet to fully showcase this ornithological paradise to the world. Only 312 lists were submitted, falling short of other Latin American countries,” said Alex Gimenez, Head of Tourism at Asociación Armonia.
The Global Big Day not only highlights bird threats but also raises awareness about Bolivia’s untapped birdwatching tourism potential. According to Marcelo Arze, a sustainable tourism expert, foreign birdwatchers spend an average of $380 per day, compared to $80 spent by regular tourists. These activities position Bolivia in the international ecotourism market, benefiting communities and biodiversity conservation.
Organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society of the United States, the Global Big Day plays a crucial role in preserving Bolivia’s biological diversity.
Barba Azul Nature Reserve ranked second in the number of bird species observed during Global Big Day in Bolivia
Photo: Teodoro Camacho Reyes observes birds in the Barba Azul Reserve. Ruth Marquez Flores
Barba Azul Nature Reserve ranks 2nd for bird diversity during Bolivia’s Global Big Day! 170 species were recorded on May 13th, placing it prominently. Teodoro Camacho Reyes was 3rd in eBirds with 187 species, followed by Miguel Martinez-Díaz with 162. The reserve in Beni is home to the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw.
Some of the species recorded in the reserve by Teodoro and Miguel:
Foto 1: Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) Conservation Status: Critically Endangered.
Foto 2: White-headed Marsh Tyrant (Arundinicola leucocephala)
Foto 3: Sharp-tailed Tyrant (Culicivora caudacuta) Conservation Status: Vulnerable.
Foto 4: White-rumped tanager (Cypsnagra hirundinacea)
Foto 5: Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
Foto 6: Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)
Foto 7: Rusty-backed Antwren (Formicivora rufa)
Foto 8: Streamer-tailed Tyrant (Gubernetes yetapa)
Foto 9: Plumbeous Ibis (Theristicus caerulescens)