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Fundación ProAves – por la conservación en el país de las aves

Category: Noticias Pauxi Pauxi

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ProAves Reserves: Key Refuges for Colombia’s Most Threatened Primates

Colombia is home to 43 primate species, making it the country with the third highest primate diversity in Latin America, after Brazil and Peru. This figure is particularly significant considering that South America hosts 177 primate species, many of which are endemic and highly threatened—positioning Colombia as a key player in regional conservation efforts.

These charismatic mammals play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health: they disperse seeds, aid in forest regeneration, and act as indicators of environmental balance. 

According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Colombia has 3 primate species classified as Critically Endangered (CR), 5 as Endangered (EN), and 15 as Vulnerable (VU). 

Among the most threatened are the Caquetá Titi (Plecturocebus caquetensis), the Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), and the Brown Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus), whose populations have drastically declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and the illegal wildlife trade. This situation calls for urgent action to strengthen conservation and ecosystem restoration strategies in the areas these species inhabit.

At Fundación ProAves, we actively work across our 27 Nature Reserves, protecting strategic habitats for these at-risk species:

These mammals inhabit tropical forests that, thanks to continuous conservation, restoration, and education efforts, remain vital refuges for their survival.

To protect them, we implement actions such as:


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Habitat conservation and restoration to ensure safe areas where primates can thrive free from threats.


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Environmental education programs with local communities to discourage the keeping of primates as pets and reduce hunting.


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Scientific research to better understand their ecology, behavior, and population status.

Our commitment to primate conservation is a pledge to preserve ecosystem balance and ensure a healthy future for the generations to come. We will continue to strengthen our efforts through joint work with local communities, environmental authorities, and strategic allies—promoting a comprehensive conservation model that values and respects the natural wealth of our territories.

Learn more about these charismatic mammals at:

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Conservacion Educación ambiental Investigación News Noticias Arrierito Antioqueño Noticias Colibrí del Sol Noticias El Paujil Noticias Las Tángaras Noticias Loro Coroniazul Noticias Loro Orejiamarillo Noticias Pauxi Pauxi Noticias Reinita Cielo Azul Noticias Reservas Noticias Tití Cabeciblanco Proaves @en Women for Conservation (Mujeres por la Conservación)

This Arbor Day, We Reaffirm Our Commitment to Magnolia Conservation

Every April 29th, Colombia commemorates Arbor Day, a moment to reflect on the vital role forests play in our ecological, cultural, and climatic well-being. Forests are not only the lungs of the planet but also guardians of biodiversity and our collective local heritage. Yet, according to the Humboldt Institute, 45% of Colombia’s endemic trees and shrubs are currently at risk of extinction. Protecting them is no longer optional, it’s essential for safeguarding biodiversity and ensuring the resilience of future generations.

At Fundación ProAves, we mark this day by celebrating the tireless efforts of our forest rangers, who work daily to protect one of Colombia’s most threatened plant groups: the Magnolias. Our country is home to 42 Magnolia species, many of which are endemic and critically endangered. Their survival depends on continued conservation, restoration and awareness.

Through our Magnolia Project, in collaboration with Fondation Franklinia and Women for Conservation, we work on the identification, monitoring and restoration of these species in our Nature Reserves with the goal of ensuring their survival in their natural habitat.

Through this project, we implement a range of strategies to protect these “souls of the forest”, including monitoring sessions, identification of individual trees, seed collection, nursery propagation, planting in strategic restoration zones and environmental education activities with local communities. Each action brings us closer to securing a future where Magnolias continue to thrive in Colombia’s forests.

From a research perspective, this work has been crucial in highlighting both the remarkable richness of Magnolia species and the serious threats they face in Colombia. Ongoing restoration and reforestation efforts have not only helped regenerate key habitats but also led to the documentation of several Magnolia species across different regions. These efforts have generated valuable data on their distribution and conservation status within our network of Nature Reserves, information that is essential for guiding future protection strategies.

Discover the Magnolias recorded in our Reserves:

In addition to Magnolias, our Nature Reserves shelter many other threatened tree species, which we protect every day with unwavering commitment and care. At Fundación ProAves, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure the comprehensive conservation of Colombia’s forests, recognising that every single tree is a vital thread in the web of life. 

This Arbor Day, we renew our commitment to biodiversity and redouble our efforts to defend the forest ecosystems that sustain thousands of species and the future of our planet.

With the support of:

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Conservacion Investigación News Noticias Arrierito Antioqueño Noticias Colibrí del Sol Noticias El Paujil Noticias Las Tángaras Noticias Loro Orejiamarillo Noticias Pauxi Pauxi Noticias Reinita Cielo Azul Noticias Reservas Proaves @en Women for Conservation (Mujeres por la Conservación)

The Magnolia Project Advances in ProAves Reserves: Taking Action for the Conservation of These Species

In an effort to protect Colombia’s biological diversity, ProAves and Fondation Franklinia are making progress in the identification, monitoring, and restoration of 16 magnolia species across 13 of our Natural Reserves. This work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also strengthens conservation strategies for these unique and threatened trees.

Magnolias belong to the Magnoliaceae family, a primitive group of trees and shrubs with over 350 species distributed across Asia and the Americas. Colombia is home to 42 recorded species, making it the most magnolia-diverse country in the Neotropics. Of these, 36 species are endemic and urgently require protection measures.

Monitoring Progress and Key Findings

To date, our team of rangers and botanists has identified different magnolia species in reserves located in the Antioquia-Chocó and Santander-Boyacá regions.

In the ProAves Reserves Arrierito Antioqueño, Las Tángaras, Colibrí del Sol, and Loro Orejiamarillo, 165 magnolia trees have been documented, including new records expanding the known distribution of species such as M. coronata, M. chocoensis, M. espinalii, and M. lenticellata. Additionally, it has been confirmed that these areas host the largest recorded populations of M. coronata and M. urraoensis, a valuable contribution to their conservation.

In the El Paujil and Pauxi Pauxi reserves, magnolias of great ecological importance have also been identified. In El Paujil, six individuals of M. cespedesii were recorded, some in a reproductive state, along with other high-value species such as Dacryodes colombiana (EN) and Brownea santanderensis (CR). Meanwhile, in Pauxi Pauxi, one individual of M. resupinatifolia was recorded, alongside several threatened species, highlighting the importance of preserving these habitats.

Training and Restoration: Planting Hope

As part of this project, rangers have received training in species identification, seed management, and nursery practices, achieving:

  • Collection of 107 fruits containing 251 seeds
  • Monitoring of 20 developing fruits
  • Rescue of 13 seedlings, with 8 actively growing
  • Germination of 214 individuals of M. urraoensis, 16 of M. lenticellata, and 19 of M. espinalii

In Pauxi Pauxi, pilot plantations with endangered species have been carried out, marking an initial step in restoring these ecosystems.

Additionally, progress is being made in the development of six nurseries, managed by Women for Conservation, a key partner organization, to facilitate magnolia reproduction.

Seeds of Hope for Magnolia Conservation

Magnolias in the ProAves Reserves are currently in a reproductive phase, with maturing fruits requiring constant monitoring to ensure the production of viable seeds and their natural regeneration. These efforts reflect ProAves’ commitment to conserving endangered species and protecting the forests that sustain wildlife.

With each rescued seed, each monitored tree, and each trained ranger, we continue to plant hope for magnolias and Colombia’s biodiversity.

Thanks to the support of:

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Conservacion Investigación News Noticias Arrierito Antioqueño Noticias El Dorado Noticias El Paujil Noticias Las Tángaras Noticias Loro Coroniazul Noticias Loro Orejiamarillo Noticias Pauxi Pauxi Noticias Ranita Dorada Noticias Reinita Cielo Azul Proaves @en

These Are the People Who Will Contribute to the Conservation of Migratory Birds Through Research in Our Country

At ProAves, we have concluded the selection process for our call for applications: Migratory Bird Research Scholarships, where we selected 12 researchers to conduct studies focused on the conservation of these extreme travelers, which are protected in our Natural Reserves.
The objective of these scholarships is to promote the knowledge and study of migratory birds, species that amaze us with their behaviors as they embark on epic journeys to protect themselves from the cold and find food.
Thanks to these scholarships, scientific research will be promoted, helping to identify the threats these species face during their journeys and behaviors. Through collaboration and a commitment to science, we aim to ensure that migratory birds continue to be a vital part of our biodiversity and, consequently, of the Natural Reserves we protect.

Here are the selected researchers, the titles of their projects, and the reserves where their research will be applied:

Cristian Mateo Ospina Montoya
Research project: Comparison of the Response of Resident and Migratory Birds to the Edge Effect in an Andean Landscape in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia
ProAves Reserve: Arrierito Antioqueño
University: University of Quindío – Biology

Juan Camilo Úsuga Fuentes
Research project: Study of the Occupation of Migratory Birds in the ProAves Arrierito Antioqueño Reserve located in the rural area of Anorí, Antioquia
ProAves Reserve: Arrierito Antioqueño
University: University of Antioquia – Coastal Zone Ecology

Ider Humberto Diaz Rivas
Research project: Migratory Avifauna in a Landscape Mosaic of the Coffee Belt of the Colombian Andes, Municipality of Génova-Quindío
ProAves Reserve: Loro Coroniazul
University: University of the Amazon – Biology

Jessica Esmeralda Lozano Romero
Research project: Interaction Between Migratory and Resident Birds in Different Vegetation Coverages in the ProAves Reinita Cielo Azul Reserve, Municipality of San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander
ProAves Reserve: Reinita Cielo Azul
University: Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (UPTC) – Environmental Management Specialist

Diego Mejía Tovar
Research project: Vocal Behavior of Setophaga cerulea and Vermivora chrysoptera in Wintering Areas of the ProAves Reinita Cerúlea and Pauxi Pauxi Reserves, Located in the Rural Area of San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander
ProAves Reserve: Reinita Cerúlea, Pauxi Pauxi
University: University of Rosario – Biology

Jhonatan Arias Martínez
Research project: Ecological Segregation Dynamics in Migratory Birds of the Parulidae Group (warblers) in the ProAves Las Tangaras Reserve, Located in the Municipality of El Carmen de Atrato, Chocó
ProAves Reserve: Las Tángaras
University: Francisco de Paula Santander University – Environmental Engineering

Laura Catalina Guarín Oviedo

David Steven Valero Vargas
Research project: Contrast in Habitat Occupation Between Resident and Migratory Birds in an Altitudinal Gradient: Diversity, Abundance, and Temporal Variation in the El Dorado Reserve, Municipality of Santa Marta, Magdalena
ProAves Reserve: El Dorado
University: Military University Nueva Granada – Applied Biology

Isaac Daniel Diaz Rivera 

Laura Vanessa Rodríguez Figueroa
Research project: Approaches to the Foraging Ecology of Setophaga swainsoni, WJ 1827 in the ProAves El Dorado Reserve
ProAves Reserve: El Dorado
University: University of the Atlantic – Biology

Yuly Milena Rincón Gómez
Research project: Analysis of a Migratory Species Assembly in the Various Covers in the Ranita Dorada Reserve in the Municipality of Falan, Tolima
ProAves Reserve: Ranita Dorada
Independent Researcher – Tourist Guide Technologist, Agroecology Student

Ángela Gutiérrez Suárez 

Juan Esteban Albán Laverde
Research project: Evaluating the Importance of Spatial Segregation Between Nearctic Migratory Birds and Resident Birds Through the Comparison of Habitat Use Patterns and Vertical Strata
ProAves Reserve: Loro Orejiamarillo
University: University of Valle – Biology

Romario Andrés Barona Muñoz

Leandro Rodríguez Peña
Research project: Evaluating the Importance of Temporal Segregation Between Nearctic Migratory Birds and Resident Birds Through the Comparison of Habitat Use Patterns and Vertical Strata
ProAves Reserve: Loro Orejiamarillo
University: University of Valle – Biology

Juanita Angarita Ricaurte

Paula Tatiana Alméciga Camargo

Daniel Rincón
Research project: Habitat Use and Selection of Migratory Bird Species in the El Paujil Reserve, Puerto Boyacá, Colombia
ProAves Reserve: El Paujil
University: Francisco José de Caldas District University – Bachelor in Biology

We are excited to announce that the 12 selected researchers will begin working on projects that will contribute to understanding and conserving these birds, which are essential to the health of ecosystems and conservation strategies in our protected areas.
We thank all those interested and passionate about birds, and we invite you to stay tuned for updates on the progress of these investigations, which will contribute to the preservation of these extreme travelers and their habitats.

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News Noticias Pauxi Pauxi

Major sighting in the ProAves Pauxi Reserve Pauxi of the Blue-faced Parakeet (Touit dilectissimus)

The Blue-fronted Parrotlet, quite striking for its color (Touit dilectissimus) is a spectacular small parrot with a short tail. On July 27th, ProAves Forest Ranger Diego Rojas discovered three of these parrots in the ProAves Pauxi Pauxi Reserve, in the department of Santander. This is just the third sighting of the species on the Magdalena Valley of the eastern Andes and the very first since 2016.

This species is characterized by living in the rain forest, on the edges of the hill forest, and in the cloud forest between 800 mt and 1,600 mt high, although it is sometimes seen from 100 m asl. It is particularly difficult to see among the trees in which it usually lives,  but it can be seen when it flights over the treetops.


“It was an unexpected sighting; I was at home about to leave, and in front there is usually a lot of bird movement. About three parakeets arrived there, and when I saw them, I immediately knew that I had not seen them before. I caught up with them to take some average photos, and they immediately left. It was a sighting of less than 30-40 seconds.” , said Diego Rojas, Ranger of the ProAves Pauxi Pauxi Reserve.

The bird, from the psittacines genus, is found in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela; according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Blue-fronted Parrotlet (Touit dilectissimus) is in the threat category: Least Concern (LC) and is rarely seen perched. It is often detected by its vocalization:

[audio mp3="https://proaves.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/XC264420-Cotorrita-cariazul-Touit-dilectissimus-dilectissimus.mp3"][/audio]
Vocalization of the Blue-fronted Parrotlet (Touit dilectissimus), (Paul Coopmans, xeno-canto)

This parrot reaches up to 17 cm in length. The male has blue coloration on his forehead, with a red band extending to cover the shoulders and the underwing’s front edge. On the contrary, the female has more red coloration under the eyes and less blue on the forehead. She also has little red hue on the wings, the underwing coverts are yellow, and it has yellowish tail edges.

Capture of Blue-fronted Parrotlet, male and female, from left to right. Photo: Nick Athanas, eBird – ProAves Reserve Arrierito Antioqueño.

These new sights in our natural reserves mean an essential step towards our country’s conservation and research of birdlife. Each natural reserve allows us to direct our efforts to the care of different endangered species, as well as to counteract their disappearance. In this sense, to sight the Blue-fronted Parrotlet (Touit dilectissimus) in the department of Santander encourages us to continue on the path of conservation.

Visit our natural reserves! Let yourself be surprised by the wonderful species that inhabit the country with the greatest diversity of birds in the world.

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Great Bird Count in ProAves Reserves

ProAves participated in the October Big Day and added a total of 81 eBird lists– with 3,578 individuals and 588 distinct species of birds across 12 of their reserves.

This puts the Foundation’s Nature Reserves among the top tier of the eBird listings in Colombia: The reserve “El Jaguar” came in first place at the national level with a total of 150 species, the “El Pangán” reserve ranked fourth place with 113 species and the “Arrierito Antioqueño” reserve came in eighth place with 106 registered species.

OCTOBER BIG DAY, EVERY BIRD COUNTS

With 253 countries participating in the October Big Day (OBD), Colombia ranked first in the number of species registered worldwide on the eBird platform. The country topped the list in bird watching with 1,343 published bird species. Second and third place belongs to Peru and Ecuador, with 1,222 and 1,098 recorded species, respectively.

Colombia, known as the world’s premier hotspot for avian biodiversity, came together again and demonstrated its love for birds on the October Big Day. This citizen science initiative, organized by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, mobilized thousands of Colombians, accumulating an incredible sum of 3,476 eBird checklists across the country. In comparison, birders from the United States submitted over 33,000 checklists, summing only 631 total species (less than half that Colombia). This is a testament to the immense biodiversity of Colombia.

The largest bird count in the world was held on a very special date, coinciding with World Migratory Bird Day and the arrival of thousands of avian migrants, coming to spend the winter months feeding in the ecological haven that is Colombia.

We thank all the people and institutions that support the conservation of birds, especially:

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News Noticias Loro Orejiamarillo Noticias Pauxi Pauxi Noticias Reinita Cielo Azul

Committed to the Conservation of the Andean Bear

The Fundación ProAves has teamed up with the Alexander Von Humboldt Institute to collect biological samples of the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in the Foundation’s Nature Reserves, with the aim of obtaining results that help protect the species and its natural habitat.

The Loro Orejiamarillo Reserve ProAves Reserve, located on the Western Andes Mountain Range (Municipality of Jardín, Department of Antioquia) has a largely untouched native vegetation cover, consisting of dense Andean and high Andean forests. This conservation area is part of the group of Natural Reserves of the Fundación ProAves, including Reinita Cielo Azul and Pauxi Pauxi, where activities have been carried out to collect non-invasive samples (feces) of the Andean Bear. These samples have been collected by a dedicated team of scientists belonging to Alexander von Humboldt Institute of Biological Resources Research.

It is well known that Tremarctos ornatus is one of the most charismatic species in Colombia and is listed as an umbrella species. An umbrella species is a species whose directed conservation efforts often indirectly benefit the conservation of other species, due to its large habitat needs or other requirements.  The Andean Bear is also an endemic species of South America and is distributed in all three mountain ranges of the Andes.

Currently, the Andean Bear is categorized as Vulnerable (VU) according to IUCN (2021), due to the destruction, degradation and fragmentation of Andean habitats that so often suffer from different anthropogenic activities (agriculture, livestock, hunting, etc.). These human activities have had direct impacts on populations of the Andean Bear.

It is expected that the collection of samples of fresh excrement in the Natural Reserves of the ProAves Foundation (and other protected areas) will allow bolster the analysis and inclusion of data to the genomic study of Andean Bear populations in the country. This study hopes to strengthen the current aims of the “Strategy for the Conservation of the Andean Bear in the National Parks of Colombia”.

Thanks to the collection these samples, and the constant monitoring of camera traps by the Foundation’s rangers, valuable information has been discovered relating to the bear’s ecology, behavior, life history, threats, state of conservation, and more. Again, as an umbrella species, this research has not only benefited the Andean Bear, but also the great diversity of species that inhabit these protected areas.