Fundación ProAves , American Bird Conservancy , and Conservation International have inaugurated the El Dorado Bird Reserve in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range of northern Colombia. The area boasts the highest concentration of continental range-restricted bird species in the world, with 21 endemics such as the Santa Marta Parakeet and Santa Marta Antpitta found nowhere else, as well as migratory songbirds from the United States.

 “The region is internationally recognized by the Alliance for Zero Extinction as a critical area in need of conservation due to the extreme concentration of site-restricted and endangered bird and amphibian species,” said George Fenwick, President of the American Bird Conservancy. “The surviving forest fragment is an island paradise and biodiversity oasis.”

The reserve features ecotourism facilities designed to help make it self-sustaining, including the spacious Jeniam Ecolodge and the Blue Moon Restaurant. El Dorado is located between 2,900 and 8,500 feet above sea level amidst a stunning landscape of dense forests, with views to the 19,000-foot high peaks and glaciers of the Sierra Nevada, and the Caribbean beaches and mangroves of Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.

“The birdwatching at the El Dorado Reserve is amazing because there are so many species that can only be seen there, and the views of the high peaks above and the beaches down below are absolutely spectacular,” said Fenwick , who recently travelled to the Reserve for its opening ceremony. “This easily accessible paradise on the Caribbean coast is the best place to go in all of Colombia.”

One hundred years of exploration in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta has revealed an extraordinary catalogue of rare species restricted to the forests in and around the reserve. In 2007, a new species, the Santa Marta Screech Owl, was discovered and several of the more than 50 endemic subspecies of birds have been shown to warrant separate species status. Amphibians, butterflies, plants, and other groups also show exceptional levels of endemism.

“Because these forests were at high risk of deforestation, development for vacation homes, and an invasion of non-native pines into native broadleaf forests, Fundación ProAves launched a campaign to protect the area,” said Fenwick. “With support from American Bird Conservancy, Conservation International, and others, ProAves has acquired nearly 1,700 acres of this living jewel, which is named after the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, for its phenomenal biological value.”

With the support of CorpoMag, ProAves is now replacing the aggressive pines with native trees, which will also help ensure the forest can continue to provide clean drinking water for cities on the coast.