Twenty years ago, in the municipality of San Vicente de Chucurí, our dream began: to dedicate a protected area to the conservation of one of the migratory birds that visits our country every year — the Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea). This vision came to life in 2005 with the creation of the first nature reserve in South America focused on the conservation of a migratory bird, highlighting the importance of preserving strategic corridors that ensure the safe passage of these extreme travelers through the tropical forests of the Americas.
The ProAves Reinita Cielo Azul Reserve is located within the Serranía de los Yariguíes National Natural Park, a jewel of Colombian biodiversity that protects one of the best-preserved montane ecosystems in the country. Its strategic location strengthens ecological connectivity between protected areas and emphasizes the value of initiatives that contribute to the conservation of high mountain landscapes.
Over the past two decades, our reserve has become a vital protected area for the preservation of unique ecosystems and endemic species. Notable birds include the Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris), Niceforo’s Wren (Thryophilus nicefori), Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei), White-mantled Barbet (Capito hypoleucus), Parker’s Antbird (Cercomacroides parkeri), Upper Magdalena Tapaculo (Scytalopus rodriguezi), Mountain Grackle (Macroagelaius subalaris), Recurve-billed Bushbird (Clytoctantes alixii), and the Chestnut-naped Antpitta (Grallaria nuchalis).
The biological richness of our reserve also includes emblematic fauna such as the Virolin Poison Frog (Myniobates virolinensis) and key mammals like the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and Puma (Puma concolor).
In addition, the reserve has served as the epicenter for important academic and scientific gatherings, including the National Amphibian Course, which brought together students from multiple Colombian universities. These initiatives strengthen knowledge and help train a new generation of conservationists committed to protecting biodiversity.
These have been twenty years of continuous work, reflecting our deep commitment to conserving Colombia’s biodiversity and safeguarding the migratory corridors that connect our country with the rest of the American continent.
From the ProAves Reinita Cielo Azul Reserve, we continue working to protect these remarkable travelers and reaffirm the importance of preserving unique ecosystems for future generations.
Learn more about our reserve here
