The Niceforo’s Wren Natural Bird Reserve was founded in 2009 with support from the World Land Trust - US (WLT-US), American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and the Corporación Autónoma Regional de Santander (CAS). It was established because of the urgent need to preserve one of the most threatened ecosystems in Colombia and in the world: the tropical dry forest. The tropical dry forest is habitat to many unique animal and plant species.

The reserve is located in the municipality of Zapatoca, 60 km from Bucaramanga, in the Santander Department on the Chocoa-Giron road. It covers 1,400 hectares and sits at an altitude between 300 and 2,100 meters above sea level.

The reserve is home to two species of endangered birds that are endemic to the Chicamocha Canyon: Niceforo’s Wren (Thryothorus nicefori) and Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris). The reserve also has two species and three subspecies of endemic birds and one species of endangered cactus. It includes stretches of forest that are well preserved despite over-grazing by goats.

Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird, Niceforo’s Wren and a view of the reserve.

Ecosystem

Climate: Bimodal precipitation with rainy periods from April to June and from September to October. Dry periods from July to August and from November to March. Humidity is between 65 - 70% and the temperature ranges from 20º - 26ºC.

Biophysical Characteristics: The reserve is located above the Sogamoso River valley, very close to where the Suarez and Chicamocha Rivers converge and feed into it. It has dry, rocky, low fertility soil that is highly eroded. These semiarid characteristics are the result of various geological, climatic, and anthropogenic factors.

Biodiversity: One of the most important characteristics of the reserve’s fauna and flora is the presence of two endemic species that are in critical danger of extinction: Thryothorus nicefori and Amazilia castaneiventris. There are also endemic species such as Ortalis colombiana and Myarchus apicalis and some endemic subspecies like Momotus momota olivaresii, Arremon schlegeli canidorsum and Campilorhynchus bicolor. Likewise there are also threatened plant species such as Zamia encephalartoides and Cavanillesia chicamocha.

Projects

Chicamocha Project

The Chicamocha Project was initiated in 2004 with the support of the Conservation Leadership Programme and ProAves, by a group of students from the Universidad de Los Andes and the Universidad Distrital (both in Bogotá, Colombia) to prevent the extinction of two endemic bird species in the Chicamocha Canyon that are in critical danger: Thryothorus nicefori and Amazilia castaneiventris.

Thanks to their research in the Chicamocha Canyon and their recommendation to purchase the land that now comprises the protected area, it was possible to create the Cucarachero de Chicamocha Natural Bird Reserve. It contains a good representation of the tropical dry inter-Andean ecosystems of the eastern mountain range.

Tourist Attractions: Enjoy taking in the beauty of the landscape, including views of the Chicamocha Canyon. Visit the Sogamoso River and take a swim during rainy periods. Enjoy hiking and bird watching.

General Recommendations:

  Show respect for the reserve, the plants, and the animals.

  Do not collect biological samples.

  Follow the instructions of reserve personnel and stay on established paths.

  Camping is not allowed within the reserve.

  Wear boots, sun block, and insect repellent, and carry a water bottle.

Access and Visiting: Contact the EcoTurs office at Carrera 20 Nº 36 - 61, Bogotá, Colombia. Telephone: (57) (1) 287-6592. Email: info @ ecoturs.org. Or visit www.ecoturs.org