08/18/2026
Oasis Santuario de Naturaleza, in San Bernardo, Ibagué (Tolima, Colombia), covers 10.8 hectares at 930–980 meters above sea level. It features tropical dry forest and irregular terrain. Around 60% is planted with cacao (Theobroma cacao), well-suited to the local environment. So far, 89 bird species have been found here—two endemic, two boreal migratory, and two southern migratory. Psittacara wagleri is classified as Near Threatened, while the rest are of Least Concern (IUCN Red List, 2022), underscoring the area's value for conservation and sustainable agriculture.
This guide began with Martha and Hugo's curiosity about the birds on their farm. They invited ornithologist Jorge to survey the area and create an inventory of bird species. Later, Paula, another ornithologist, joined for Global Big Day observations. As more records and ideas accumulated, the team decided to share their knowledge with others. Cristhian, an ornithologist and photographer, later joined, contributing photos that completed the species list. Other photographers also added images, making this guide possible. Their goal is for this field guide to serve not only as a record of the property but also as a resource for understanding local biodiversity. The authors state, “When people know about the life around them, they are more likely to value it and become involved in its care, which is a fundamental step in conserving nature.”
Authors: Paula Sarmiento-Garnica, Jorge Carmona-Ochoa, Cristhian Gaitán-García. (University of Tolima)
https://science.fieldmuseum.org/fieldguides/guides/guide/1796
