Colombia tops Global Big Day bird count once again

International

Colombia recorded more than 1,560 bird species during the 2026 Global Big Day, reinforcing its position as the world’s most bird-diverse country

Colombia has once again ranked first in the Global Big Day, the international birdwatching event organised by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The annual initiative brings together birdwatchers, scientists and nature enthusiasts worldwide to document bird species in real time as part of a global biodiversity monitoring effort.

During the 2026 edition, Colombia recorded more than 1,560 bird species within a single day, outperforming Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. The result further strengthens the country’s reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for birdwatching and biodiversity tourism.

Birdwatching strengthens tourism appeal

According to ProColombia, the country is home to more than 1,954 bird species, the highest total recorded globally. Colombia also hosts around 82 endemic species and more than 150 migratory species across a wide range of ecosystems, from the Andes and the Amazon rainforest to Caribbean coastlines and Pacific wetlands.

“This achievement confirms The Country of Beauty as a global benchmark for biodiversity and nature tourism,” said Carmen Caballero.

“Birdwatching has become a powerful platform to showcase Colombia’s extraordinary ecosystems, promote sustainable regional development, and attract travelers seeking authentic and responsible experiences.”

Strong performances across multiple regions

Among the strongest-performing regions in this year’s count were Meta, Cundinamarca, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia and Caldas. Particularly high numbers of observations were reported in Gorgona National Natural Park, including sightings of White-winged Parakeets, Fork-tailed Flycatchers and Brown Pelicans.

Colombia has consistently dominated the Global Big Day rankings in recent years, leading most editions since 2017 and securing consecutive first-place finishes from 2023 through 2026.

Nature tourism continues to grow

Alongside its biodiversity credentials, Colombia is also seeing continued growth in tourism. The country generated more than US$11.2 billion in tourism revenue in 2025 and welcomed over 22 million non-resident visitors between August 2022 and December 2025.

Nature-based tourism, including birdwatching, whale watching, wildlife observation and community tourism, is playing an increasingly important role in visitor demand, particularly among travellers seeking sustainable and experience-driven holidays.

“As global travelers seek meaningful and sustainable experiences, Colombia stands out as a destination where biodiversity, conservation, and community-driven tourism converge to define the future of travel,” Caballero added.