The Barba Azul Reserve is located in the heart of Bolivia’s Beni region and spans 11,530 acres of grasslands, tropical hammock forests, cerrado savanna, and wetlands. The reserve is owned and operated by Asociación Armonía. Established in 2008 on former ranch land, the reserve’s grasslands and forests are rapidly recovering from prior over-grazing and yearly burning.

OrinocoGoose, BarbaAzul by Dan Lebbin

The largest known congregations of Blue-throated Macaws known in the world occur here, and several other macaw species are present as well. Aside from the macaws, birding highlights include savannah birds such as Greater Rhea, Cock-tailed Tyrant, Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Black-masked Finch, seedeaters, and migrant Bobolink; wetland birds include Orinoco Goose, Plumbeous Ibis, Jabiru, and migrant Buff-breasted Sandpiper. During the dry season, waterbirds congregate at the reserve. The reserve’s bird list exceeds 140 species and continues to grow. Visits during 2012 found several new species for the reserve, including Pinnated Bittern , Chimango, Ashy-headed Greenlet, and Long-tailed Reed-finch. As the habitat improves thanks to protection and management, additional bird species may be discovered within the reserve. Charismatic large mammals like the Giant Anteater, Pampas Deer, and Capybara are also attractions.

Blue-throated Macaw, Barba Azul by Dan Lebbin

Access to the reserve is via a difficult and seasonal road between June and September, or a pleasant 1 hour chartered flight from the city of Trinidad to the reserve’s landing strip. In the future, Armonía plans to develop a full ecolodge at the reserve with dining facilities and cabins featuring private bathrooms for tourists. In the meanwhile, those interested in visiting the reserve can stay at the research station, which features rooms with bunkbeds and shared bathrooms. Bird Bolivia offers guided tours that include this site, as well as Armonía’s Red-fronted Macaw Reserve

Research Center, Barba Azul by Dan Lebbin