South American Bird Fair

The South American Birdwatching Fair or Birdwatching Congress is an annual event for birdwatchers, held every year in a different country of the continent. It is recognized by many to be a popular meeting event for birdwatchers that occurs annually in South America, attracting people from all over the world due to it being the largest event of its kind.
The South American Birdwatching Fair was initially created by bird enthusiasts who wanted to replicate a similar experience to the British Birdwatching Fair or other similar events, in South America. Many of the attendees are part of various groups such as the South American Classification Committee, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and many other notable groups. By establishing a bird fair in South America, this provides people who are passionate about birds to share their interests with each other, as well as better support the local communities. When the South American Bird Fair occurs annually, it boosts the reputation of sustainable tourism to a more internationally recognized level, increases tourist attraction, and supplements the local economy by attracting visitors. Many countries are incentivized to be a host since it helps the local government's efforts to conserve the local wildlife. Local government's often work in tandem with the South American Birdwatching Fair committees. The South American Birdwatching Fair consists of three committees: the Advisory Committee, the Organizing Committee, and the Local Organizing Committee.
For those who are interested in wildlife and birdwatching, in particular, can have access a plethora of opportunities throughout the fair. There are many options to network, participate in workshops and/or seminars, and go on birding trips to view native birds that are only present in specific locations. People from around the world collectively interact and share their knowledge and passion for bird watching. This is a great chance for people who enjoy birdwatching to interact and connect with each other on a larger scale. A popular activity for participants that is promoted by Cornell University is when people are encouraged "to find and catalog as many different bird species as they can" in groups with at least one expert to guide people through the forest. Each year's program includes various bird themed engagements. Attendees collaborate by sharing recent scientific discoveries with one another. Many suppliers showcase and sell their binoculars, cameras, books, clothing, and other birdwatching equipment, along with works by artists and offerings from tour companies. Additionally, there are lectures, birding outings and trips, a fellowship dinner, and various other attractions.
The South American Birdwatching Fair attracts bird watching enthusiasts, large companies, such as Swarovski through the Swarovski Foundation, specifically the Swarovski Optik. Swarovski Optik provides a range of resources, mostly specializing in providing high quality lenses to its customers who are interested in elevating their wildlife exploring experience, however branded merchandise is also available too. A variety of companies such as Buenos Días Birding and others that are interested in supporting nature, and some parts of various governments who are responsible for overlooking nature related topics participate in this event. Numerous international organizations, including those from every South American country, such as BirdLife International, Wetlands International, Red de Observadores de Aves de Colombia, Aves Argentinas, and many others also are involved in the South American Birdwatching Fair.
This fair was paused in 2020 due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and is anticipated to return in 2021.
This fair resumed in 2021 in Caldas, Columbia attracting over 1.3 million people from about 203 countries. There were 1526 species spotted in Columbia. The bird tours cost ranged between $150 and $200 a day which included food and transportation. In 2014 in Brazil, 1201 species were spotted in Brazil. There have been over 7,700 species of birds spotted around the world. Then in 2022, it took place in Corrientes, Argentina. Then in 2023 it took place in Mindo, Ecuador. Then in 2024 it took place in Ituzaingó, Argentina.
All the organisers' profits are donated to a Conservation Projects.
The Advisory Committee comprises a group of leading figures in ornithology and birdwatching: Tito Narosky (Argentina), Alvaro Jaramillo (Chile), Martha Algiers (Brazil), Raffael Di Biase (Chile), Sergio Ocampo Tobon (Colombia), Steve Sanchez Calle (Peru), and others. The Organising Committee is chaired by Horacio Matarasso and consists of respected birdwatchers in the region.
As of 2024, the International Committee now consists of:
As of 2024, the Local Committee now consists of:
2024
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