The Rana Chiva Transforms into Reinita Chiva for Migratory Bird Season
Our beloved and iconic Rana Chiva educational bus raises awareness about conservation and biodiversity by bringing educational resources directly to rural communities. The Rana Chiva Project has reached an impressive 21,527 individuals, inspiring the next generation and fostering community engagement in conservation efforts. Now, our initiative to transform the bus into the Reinita Chiva during migratory bird season aims to extend our reach to an additional 11,000 schoolchildren annually. You’ll be able to see our new Reinita Chiva at COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference and at Half-Earth Day in Cali, Valle del Cauca from October 21st to November 1st.
Watch the Rana Chiva transform into the Reinita Chiva to protect Colombia’s threatened migratory birds!
Clockwise from top left: Canada Warbler, Cerulean warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler
Colombia, the second most biodiverse country after Brazil, is home to approximately 63,000 documented species, with 14% being endemic. It ranks first globally for the diversity of birds, orchids, and butterflies, second for plants, amphibians, and freshwater fish, third for reptiles and palm trees, and sixth in mammal biodiversity. Sadly, 2,103 species are now classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List.
One group particularly affected by habitat loss in Colombia is Neotropical migratory birds. Over 190 species, including notable ones like the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis), Vulnerable Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea), Near Threatened Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), Near Threated Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), and Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), funnel into Colombia each year to find vital stopover and wintering habitats. Unfortunately, the tropical and subtropical forests that these birds depend on are rapidly disappearing. Deforestation rates across Colombia have surged in recent years, exacerbated by crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening essential habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Recognizing these threats, Fundación ProAves has taken decisive action to protect these migratory birds and their habitats. In 2003, with support from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA), ProAves launched a nationwide research and monitoring campaign. This initiative identified critical areas for the most threatened migratory species and led to the development of national and regional Migratory Bird Conservation Plans. These plans laid the groundwork for a network of public and private protected areas aimed at safeguarding key habitats across Colombia.
Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
In response to the growing threats to migratory birds, ProAves is now taking a bold step forward by transforming its iconic RanaChiva into the Reinita Chiva, a mobile classroom dedicated to educating communities about migratory bird conservation. The Rana Chiva, originally focused on saving endangered amphibians, is evolving to address the urgent needs of migratory birds, especially in regions heavily affected by deforestation.
The Reinita Chiva, modeled after Colombia’s traditional and colorful chivas—buses that traverse rural and mountainous regions—will bring conservation education to the most remote and impoverished communities in Colombia. This mobile classroom will focus on 11 key areas for migratory birds and establish “Migratory Bird & Biodiversity Research Stations,” permanent research and monitoring sites that will enable Colombian and international researchers to study migratory species in greater depth.
The Reinita Chiva will also play a pivotal role in conservation education, aiming to reach 11,400 students and teachers across 240 schools during each non-breeding season (October-April). By educating the next generation of conservationists, ProAves hopes to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats.
Clockwise from top left: Bay-breasted Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, and Swallow-tailed Kites
This new initiative not only highlights the resilience of Colombia’s ecosystems but also underscores the crucial role that education plays in conservation. As the Reinita Chiva embarks on its journey, it will become a symbol of hope for Colombia’s migratory birds, ensuring that species like the Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea), Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), and Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) have a future in the forests they call home each winter.
By building on the success of previous conservation efforts, including the RanaChiva and ProAves’ Migratory Bird Conservation Plans, the Reinita Chiva is poised to make a lasting impact on bird conservation in Colombia. With education at the heart of its mission, the Reinita Chiva will inspire communities, students, and future generations to protect the unique biodiversity that makes Colombia one of the world’s most vital conservation hotspots.
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
As Colombia continues to face the challenges of deforestation and habitat loss, the transformation of the RanaChiva into the Reinita Chiva offers a new chapter in the country’s conservation efforts. Through innovative strategies and community engagement, ProAves is ensuring that migratory birds and other threatened species have a fighting chance to survive and thrive in Colombia’s rich and diverse landscapes.
Follow Women for Conservation on social media to stay updated on the Reinita Chiva’s journey and to learn more about how you can support these crucial conservation efforts.
