The Glorious Andes

The Colombian Andes, split into three distinct cordilleras (mountain ranges), are a major driver of bird diversity. As elevation changes, so do temperature, rainfall, and vegetation. This creates numerous ecological niches within a relatively small area. Birds have adapted to specific elevations, resulting in species that may live just a few kilometers apart but never encounter each other.

The Eastern Cordillera, for instance, is home to the unique Páramo ecosystem - high-altitude grasslands that host specialized species like the Apolinar's Wren and the Bogota Rail. Meanwhile, the Central and Western Cordilleras have their own set of endemic species adapted to cloud forests and other mountain habitats.