Colombia occupied first place in the Global Big Day. Colombia once again solidified its position as one of the world’s leading biodiversity powers after taking first place, for the fifth consecutive year, in the Global Big Day 2026, the largest birdwatching event on the planet. During the event, held on May 9, the country recorded a total of 1,566 bird species observed in a single day, once again surpassing other nations recognized for their natural richness, such as Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador.
The Global Big Day is organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and brings together thousands of birdwatchers, scientists, and citizens from different countries each year with the goal of collecting biodiversity data through the eBird platform. The initiative is considered one of the largest citizen science exercises in the world and has become a key tool for monitoring and conserving species.
In this edition, Colombia managed to remain at the top of the global count thanks to the participation of more than 4,200 observers and the submission of nearly 15,000 birdwatching checklists from different regions of the country. Peru ranked second with 1,438 recorded species, followed by Brazil with 1,204, Ecuador with 1,068, and Venezuela with 890.
The result once again positions the country as a global leader in bird diversity and strengthens its international image as a strategic destination for nature tourism and birdwatching.
Meta and Caldas were the departments that led species records in Colombia during the Global Big Day
Within the national territory, several departments stood out for the high number of species recorded during the event. Meta once again ranked first nationwide with 714 observed species, consolidating itself for the third consecutive year as the department with the highest bird diversity reported in the event.
Caldas also achieved a historic result by registering 594 species, a record figure for the department and one of the highest bird densities reported in the country. Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Putumayo, and Cundinamarca also ranked among the regions with the highest activity during the Global Big Day.
The broad regional participation reflects the diversity of ecosystems found in Colombia, ranging from tropical rainforests and páramos to dry forests, Andean mountains, and coastal wetlands. Thanks to this geographic diversity, the country is currently home to around 1,954 bird species, the highest number recorded anywhere in the world.
Among them are 82 species endemic to Colombia, as well as 158 migratory species that arrive each year from North America and other regions of the continent.
Birdwatching tourism gains strength as an environmental and economic driver
Colombia’s leadership in the Global Big Day has also boosted the growth of birdwatching tourism, an activity that has become increasingly important within the country’s tourism sector in recent years. Various rural regions have begun developing specialized routes, nature reserves, and experiences focused on bird observation, generating economic opportunities for local communities.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism has stated that this type of sustainable tourism helps diversify regional economies while promoting environmental conservation and the protection of strategic ecosystems.
In addition to rare and endemic species, Colombia is home to birds widely recognized for their everyday presence in cities and rural areas. Among the most common are the tropical kingbird, the rufous-collared sparrow, the blue-gray tanager, the house wren, and the black vulture, species that form part of the country’s natural and cultural landscape.