photo by FlickReviewR (via Creative Commons)
El Cocuy Natural National Park is one of the most spectacular tour destinations in Colombia, and it is home to some amazing plants and animals that reside only there. So if you want to have an adventure of a lifetime and go through a transformative experience through your hike, look no further than an Uncharted Colombia trek in El Cocuy.
Still on the fence? Check out some of these fascinating animals that you might encounter on your journey with your adventure guide:
photo by Ron Knight (via Creative Commons)
Torrent Duck
Torrent ducks are a sight to behold as they are endemic to the Andean region and are considered one of only three ducks in the entire world that are able to adapt to such extreme cold conditions. Want to take a peek? These cuties reside in the cold streams and lakes of El Cocuy and look like beautiful fur-balls up-close. And with the females being just as colorful and outfitted as their male counterparts, both sexes of these ducks are a must-see.
As far as behavior, young ducks will roam and travel until they find their “one” and will then settle down and remain close to his or her chosen mate throughout adulthood. It’s easy to see which ones have been paired off since they will be huddled together as these ducks are sedentary once matched and will always remain close to their mates. How romantic!
photo by FlickReviewR (via Creative Commons)
Mountain Tapir
Although there are five species of tapir currently roaming the earth, the mountain tapir stands out from the rest. How? Both males and females have white lips, paler undersides and lighter cheeks that contrast against their very dark brown to black fur. And of course, unlike other tapirs, these ones have long, wooly fur to keep them warm in the cold El Cocuy environment. Another fun fact about these animals is that females only breed once a year and only give birth to one baby after the union. Females also claim a larger range of territory than their male counterparts and will care for their young for up to 18 months. And as herbivores, these mountain tapirs play a huge role in seed distribution and if it weren’t for them, many plants would have died out. No wonder conservation is at the forefront of everyone's mind while entering El Cocuy.
photo by Francesco Veronesi (via Creative Commons)
Andean Tit-Spinetail
If you want to catch a glimpse of the Andean Tit-Spinetail bird, the first thing you need to know is that you should be looking down, not up. This bird likes to reside in shrubs and low woody plants where they can be seen trying to snatch their next meal - arthropods! Another thing you should do is to take a breath and listen as these little guys are sociable and their high-pitched calls out to their friends can be heard often. So once you have traced the general location of your Andean Tit-Spinetail, make sure to look for flashes of pale to dark brown with hints of orange and white as these handsome birds are always dressed for the occasion. They’ll also have signature rufous crowns with black streaks peppered in with their auburn hues. But once you see this little guy, make sure to have your camera ready before he flicks away.
Know before you go
Only certified local guides are able to take travelers into the park so make sure to book your custom adventure through a reputable travel agent so that you can explore the wonderful world of El Cocuy.