Dear birdwatchers, citizen scientists, and nature lovers,

My name is Gustavo Henao. I am an autistic citizen scientist, data manager, and compiler of the bird checklist for Viterbo, Caladas Colombia, Colombia.

A few years ago, alongside an experienced local friend, we took over an outdated bird checklist for our region. Working independently, we updated it, verified the data, and expanded it to 225 species. While the fieldwork is a collaborative team effort, I have independently taken charge of managing this regional database and building this digital ecosystem to share our findings with the world.

The River Ecosystem & Our Regional Vision

The Risaralda River Basin is a critical biological corridor connecting diverse Andean landscapes. Around our home base in the municipality of Viterbo, 40 of our 225 registered species are aquatic or semi-aquatic birds dependent on fragile wetlands and riverbanks.

Our local flagship species is the Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus), known locally as the Coclí. Our mission begins by establishing a robust, non-invasive monitoring baseline in our municipality, creating the technical foundation to eventually expand our monitoring capacity across the entire Risaralda River Basin.

The Challenge: Overcoming the 250-Meter Barrier

High scientific standards require clear photographic evidence before any new bird is officially added to our checklist. Our discoveries are so significant that when we have captured rare sightings, regional experts and scientific associations have made the long journey to our rural municipality to confirm the records.

However, riverine birds are extremely sensitive to human presence, often foraging in open gravel bars up to 250 meters away. Approaching them on foot causes severe flushing responses and habitat stress. Standard consumer gear is no longer enough; to build a fully autonomous initiative and document these species ethically across our river systems, we urgently require professional long-range optical equipment.

The Goal: $7,542.91 USD (Phase 1 Equipment Setup)

This is a 100% independent, grassroots initiative. I am raising funds to equip our team with professional-grade imaging and stabilization gear so we can work autonomously, strengthen our local baseline, and expand monitoring along the river corridor.

Our official Phase 1 budget is exactly $7,542.91 USD. This total covers direct US retail acquisition, secure international shipping, and mandatory 31% Colombian import taxes and customs duties (DIAN tariffs + IVA). The funds will be allocated exclusively for:

• Canon EOS R7 Body: 32.5 MP high-density sensor with in-body stabilization and advanced AI tracking for sharp identification of distant birds.

• Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens: Weather-sealed professional super-telephoto reach (up to 800mm equivalent) for long-range riverbank conditions.

• SmallRig AD-01 Fluid Head Tripod: Heavy-duty stabilization required for continuous tracking across mudflats and uneven terrain.

• Lexar Professional 1667x 256GB SDXC (V60) Card: High-speed memory for sustained diagnostic burst capture during fast flight maneuvers.

• Canon LP-E6P Spare Battery: High-capacity power reserve for long monitoring expeditions in remote areas.

• Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III Backpack: Tactical, all-weather field protection for high-humidity tropical conditions.

A Gift for the Community: Open Science

To support open knowledge, I have made our verified Municipal Bird Checklist available to download in PDF format below. It is completely free and shared under a Creative Commons license, whether you choose to donate or not. We update this list bi-weekly.

[ Download Official Viterbo Bird Checklist (225 Species - Risaralda River Basin - Free PDF) ]

Support Our Mission

If you believe in open science, neurodivergent leadership, and grassroots conservation, please consider supporting our initiative.

Your contribution will go directly toward overcoming the 250-meter barrier, equipping our field team with reliable tools, and generating free, accessible biodiversity data for the entire region. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes you a vital part of our scientific journey.

Thank you for supporting independent citizen science and Colombian bird conservation.

Warmly,

Gustavo Henao
Citizen Scientist & Project Lead
Base of Operations: Viterbo, Caldas, Colombia (Risaralda River Basin)