Puracé National Natural Park

🇨🇴 Colombia

🦅 Andean Condor Sanctuary
🌍 #272 Global · 3.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #40 in South America #61 in Savanna & Grassland
Central Andes, Colombia 1006 spp. recorded

Puracé rises across the Colombian Massif near Popayán, a volcanic páramo of crater lakes and Espeletia. It is the only place in Colombia to reliably see wild Andean condors, drawn to a feeding lookout since a reintroduction programme began in 1989.

2.052° N   76.512° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Andean Condor ★
VU

Andean Condor

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vultur gryphus

10–20% · With luck
Andean Tapir ★

Andean Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirus pinchaque

10–20% · With luck
Andean Bear ★
VU

Andean Bear

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tremarctos ornatus

Insufficient data
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager ★
LC

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anisognathus igniventris

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Green Jay
LC

Green Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocorax yncas

40–50% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

40–50% · Likely
Great Thrush
LC

Great Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus fuscater

40–50% · Likely
Blackburnian Warbler
LC

Blackburnian Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga fusca

40–50% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

40–50% · Likely
Black-billed Thrush
LC

Black-billed Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus ignobilis

40–50% · Likely
Slate-throated Redstart
LC

Slate-throated Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myioborus miniatus

30–40% · Possible
Colombian Chachalaca
LC Endemic

Colombian Chachalaca

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ortalis columbiana

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-backed Oriole
LC

Yellow-backed Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Icterus chrysater

30–40% · Possible
Southern Lapwing
LC

Southern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus chilensis

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Andean Tapir ★

Andean Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirus pinchaque

10–20% · With luck
Andean Bear ★
VU

Andean Bear

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tremarctos ornatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

20–30% · Possible
Mountain Coati
NT

Mountain Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua olivacea

Insufficient data
Jaguar
NT

Jaguar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera onca

Insufficient data
Common Opossum
LC

Common Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis marsupialis

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Andean Condor ★
VU

Andean Condor

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vultur gryphus

10–20% · With luck
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager ★
LC

Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anisognathus igniventris

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Green Jay
LC

Green Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocorax yncas

40–50% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

40–50% · Likely
Great Thrush
LC

Great Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus fuscater

40–50% · Likely
Blackburnian Warbler
LC

Blackburnian Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga fusca

40–50% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

40–50% · Likely
Black-billed Thrush
LC

Black-billed Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus ignobilis

40–50% · Likely
Slate-throated Redstart
LC

Slate-throated Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myioborus miniatus

30–40% · Possible
Colombian Chachalaca
LC Endemic

Colombian Chachalaca

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ortalis columbiana

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-backed Oriole
LC

Yellow-backed Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Icterus chrysater

30–40% · Possible
Southern Lapwing
LC

Southern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus chilensis

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Huila Anole
LC

Huila Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis huilae

Insufficient data
🦎 No photo available
LC

South American Milksnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lampropeltis micropholis

Insufficient data
Quimbaya Anole

Quimbaya Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis quimbaya

Insufficient data
Cloudy Snail-eating Snake
LC

Cloudy Snail-eating Snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Sibon nebulatus

Insufficient data
Atractus chthonius

Atractus chthonius

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Atractus chthonius

Insufficient data
Mountain Sipo
LC Endemic

Mountain Sipo

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chironius monticola

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Double-banded Coral Snake Mimic

Double-banded Coral Snake Mimic

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Erythrolamprus bizona

Insufficient data
Elegant Eyed Lizard
LC

Elegant Eyed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cercosaura argulus

Insufficient data
Fire-bellied Snake

Fire-bellied Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Erythrolamprus epinephalus

Insufficient data
Boddaert's Tropical Racer
LC

Boddaert's Tropical Racer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Mastigodryas boddaerti

Insufficient data
Central American Indigo Snake
LC

Central American Indigo Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Drymarchon melanurus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Forest Toad
LC

Forest Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhinella alata

Insufficient data
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

Insufficient data
San Agustin Tree Frog
LC Endemic

San Agustin Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dendropsophus praestans

Insufficient data
Banana Tree Dwelling Frog
LC

Banana Tree Dwelling Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Boana platanera

Insufficient data
Boulenger's robber frog
LC Endemic

Boulenger's robber frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pristimantis boulengeri

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦅

Andean Condor at the Lookout

JanFebJunJulAugDec

Wild Andean condors gather at the Piedra del Cóndor lookout, the most reliable place in Colombia to watch them soar over the páramo.

Andean Condor
VU

Andean Condor

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vultur gryphus

10–20% · With luck
🐗

Mountain Tapir & Bear

JanFebMarOctNovDec

The rare mountain tapir and the Andean spectacled bear move through Puracé's high páramo and cloud-forest edges, most active at dawn and dusk.

Andean Bear
VU

Andean Bear

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tremarctos ornatus

Insufficient data
Andean Tapir

Andean Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirus pinchaque

10–20% · With luck
🐦

Boreal Migrants Arrive

OctNovDecJanFebMar

North American migrants winter in the park's cloud forest. Blackburnian Warbler and Summer Tanager are common from October to March and nearly absent the rest of the year.

Blackburnian Warbler
LC

Blackburnian Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga fusca

40–50% · Likely
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Andean Condor
10–20
10–20
<5
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
5–10
20–30
10–20
10–20
5–10
Andean Tapir
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
<5
<5
<5
<5
10–20
20–30
20–30
10–20
Andean Bear
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
30–40
<5
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager
10–20
10–20
20–30
10–20
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
10–20
20–30
20–30
Rufous-collared Sparrow
70–80
90–100
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
Black Vulture
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
Green Jay
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
Tropical Kingbird
50–60
60–70
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
Great Thrush
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
70–80
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
Blackburnian Warbler
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
10–20
5–10
5–10
5–10
20–30
50–60
60–70
70–80
Blue-gray Tanager
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
Black-billed Thrush
40–50
50–60
40–50
20–30
20–30
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
Slate-throated Redstart
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
Colombian Chachalaca
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
Yellow-backed Oriole
20–30
30–40
20–30
10–20
20–30
20–30
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
Southern Lapwing
30–40
40–50
20–30
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
30–40
20–30
40–50
Animal Events
🦅 Andean Condor at the Lookout
🐗 Mountain Tapir & Bear
🐦 Boreal Migrants Arrive
0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦅 Andean Condor Sanctuary

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
612
🐒 Mammals
255
🦎 Reptiles
106
🐸 Amphibians
33
1006 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
43 Threatened 78 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
46%
📊
Coverage (203 species at ≥5% of 1006 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
165
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
3
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
8

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Puracé National Natural Park?

The most likely sightings are Rufous-collared Sparrow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Black Vulture (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Green Jay (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers), Tropical Kingbird (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers), Great Thrush (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers) — among 1006 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Puracé National Natural Park for wildlife?

February has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Andean Condor in Puracé National Natural Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 13% of wildlife watchers report a Andean Condor sighting in Puracé National Natural Park, based on 115 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Andean Tapir in Puracé National Natural Park?

Yes — about 17% of wildlife watchers report a Andean Tapir sighting in Puracé National Natural Park, based on 9 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Andean Bear in Puracé National Natural Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 8% of wildlife watchers report a Andean Bear sighting in Puracé National Natural Park, based on 1 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager in Puracé National Natural Park?

Yes — about 19% of wildlife watchers report a Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager sighting in Puracé National Natural Park, based on 167 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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