Our Team
Meet the passionate ornithologists, indigenous guides, and conservation experts who make AVES expeditions extraordinary. Our team combines scientific expertise with deep cultural knowledge and unwavering commitment to sustainable birding tourism.
Our Expert Guides
Our team brings together scientific expertise, traditional ecological knowledge, and deep cultural connections to create extraordinary birding experiences throughout Colombia.
Martin Melendro
AVES Founder & Lead Expedition Guide
Martin is AVES' founder and lead expedition guide, with over 15 years of experience exploring Colombia's diverse ecosystems. A passionate birding guide and conservation advocate, he specializes in creating transformative birding experiences that emphasize cultural exchange and conservation education.
Expertise:
- • High-altitude páramo birding
- • Indigenous community partnerships
- • Endemic species conservation
- • Sustainable tourism development
- • Bird photography and field research
Yeferson Guale Epiayu
Wayuu Community Guide
Yeferson represents the Wayuu community of Kalekalemana and serves as our primary guide in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. His deep knowledge of Cardinal Guajiro behavior and traditional ecological calendars makes him invaluable for our Sierra Nevada expeditions.
Expertise:
- • Wayuu traditional ecological knowledge
- • Cardinal Guajiro specialist
- • Weather pattern prediction
- • Cultural interpretation
Dagoberto Rudas
Tayrona Community Guide
Dagoberto brings extensive knowledge of the Tayrona region and specializes in cloud forest birding. His expertise in locating Blue-billed Curassows and understanding Kogi forest protocols makes him essential for our Sierra Nevada cloud forest expeditions.
Expertise:
- • Cloud forest navigation
- • Blue-billed Curassow specialist
- • Kogi cultural protocols
- • Forest ecology interpretation
Gleison Fernando Guarin Largo
Tatamá National Park Specialist
Gleison is part of the family that owns Montezuma Ecolodge in Tatamá National Park, Chocó. An exceptional acoustic ornithologist, he can identify over 1,000 bird species by their sounds alone. His expertise in the region's endemic species makes him invaluable for our Chocó expeditions.
Expertise:
- • Acoustic bird identification (1000+ species)
- • Chocó endemic species specialist
- • Cornell University collaborator
- • Sound recording and documentation
David Jara
El Dorado Cloud Forest Guide & Tour Leader
David Jara is our expert tour leader for El Dorado Reserve's cloud forest ecosystem and beyond. With over a decade of experience in the Sierra Nevada's montane forests, he has an unmatched ability to locate the region's most elusive endemic species in challenging weather conditions.
Expertise:
- • Cloud forest endemic species
- • Montane ecosystem navigation
- • Multi-region tour leadership
- • Weather pattern interpretation
- • High-altitude birding techniques
- • Cross-operator collaboration
David Faunal
Minca Observatory Owner & Transitional Forest Guide
David Faunal is the owner and operator of Observatorio de Aves de Minca, a premier birdwatching destination in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. His observatory specializes in Minca's unique transitional forest ecosystem, where cloud forest meets dry forest.
Expertise:
- • Transitional forest ecology
- • Hummingbird behavior and feeding patterns
- • Multi-elevation species tracking
- • Observatory management and bird photography
- • Coffee plantation birding
Nicolas Rozo
Bogotá Region Ornithologist
Nicolas holds a degree in Biology from Universidad Distrital and is our expert ornithologist for the Bogotá region. His specialized knowledge of high-altitude páramo ecosystems makes him the ideal guide for exploring Chingaza and Sumapaz National Parks.
Expertise:
- • High-altitude páramo ornithology
- • Andean endemic species specialist
- • Chingaza and Sumapaz ecosystems
- • Scientific research and documentation
Jaider Carrillo
Perijá Mountains Specialist
Jaider Carrillo is our expert guide for the Perijá Mountains region, specializing in the unique endemic species found in this biogeographically distinct mountain range. His deep knowledge of the area's avifauna and challenging terrain makes him invaluable for expeditions seeking rare birds.
Expertise:
- • Perijá Mountains endemic species
- • High-altitude cloud forest navigation
- • Endemic bird behavior and ecology
- • Challenging terrain expedition leadership
- • Cross-border birding protocols
Jose Luis Ropero
Adventure Tourism Specialist
Jose Luis Ropero is the founder of Ropero Aventuras and brings extensive experience in adventure tourism and multi-ecosystem birding expeditions. His comprehensive knowledge of Colombia's diverse regions and ability to navigate challenging terrains makes him exceptional for adventurous expeditions.
Expertise:
- • Multi-ecosystem birding expeditions
- • Adventure tourism and logistics
- • Community-based tourism development
- • Challenging terrain navigation
- • Sustainable tourism practices
Ready to Meet Our Team?
Join us on an expedition and experience firsthand the expertise, passion, and cultural knowledge that makes AVES tours extraordinary. Our team is ready to share Colombia's avian treasures with you.