Medellín at night is not just about partying: the sky fills with silent wings
While most of the city focuses on the lights of Provenza or the hustle and bustle of the Estadio, there is a group of people who climb up to Ecoparque Cerro Volador with red flashlights and specialized microphones. They are not looking for bars or nightclubs: they are looking for shadows crossing the sky at 40 kilometers per hour and calls that sound like ghostly laughter. In July 2026, spotting bats and owls in this green lung of Medellín has become one of the most sought-after outdoor activities for nature photographers and amateur biologists, both locals and foreigners who are already tired of the typical photo at El Peñol.
Cerro Volador, with its 70 hectares of tropical dry forest and secondary vegetation, is a key biological corridor in the Aburrá Valley. Here, when the sun goes down, a different concert begins: the flapping of bats leaving their roosts in the ancient trees and the territorial calls of owls nesting in the ravines. The best part is that you don't need to be an expert to enjoy it. With a little patience, the right gear, and this guide, you will see things that few tourists in Medellín can boast about.
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Why Cerro Volador is a hotspot for nocturnal biodiversity
Ecoparque Cerro Volador is not just any park. It is located in the central-western zone of Medellín, between the communes of Laureles, Belén, and Robledo, and functions as an "oasis" of vegetation in the middle of the most densely populated area of the city. Its geographical position, at about 1,550 meters above sea level, creates a particular microclimate: the nights are cooler than in the city center, with constant breezes that carry large quantities of insects. For an insectivorous bat, this is an all-you-can-eat buffet.
According to local studies by the Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitología, at least 12 species of bats have been recorded in the metropolitan area, and Cerro Volador concentrates the greatest diversity. Among the most common are the great fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) and the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). The latter emerge in flocks of up to 200 individuals right after sunset, creating a spectacle of dancing shadows that is impossible to ignore.
As for owls, the park mainly hosts the barn owl (Tyto alba) and the striped owl (Asio clamator). Both species find ideal nesting sites in the cliffs and large trees of the hill. It is not uncommon to hear their calls between 7 and 9 pm, especially in areas farthest from the main trails, where artificial light does not disturb their behavior.
The microclimate factor: why the nights here are different
Cerro Volador acts as an "island of coolness" in the Aburrá Valley. During the day, solar radiation heats the slopes, but in the late afternoon, cold air from the higher parts descends, creating thermal currents that lift insects. This concentrates bat activity in the first two hours after nightfall. If you arrive late (after 9 pm), activity drops noticeably. The early birds of the night, those who arrive at 6:30 pm, are the ones who see the most.
Another curious fact few people know: on full moon nights, the activity of insectivorous bats decreases by up to 40%. Moonlight makes them more vulnerable to predators, so they prefer to stay in their roosts. New moon or waning crescent nights are the best for observation. And if you want to see owls, the waxing moon is ideal because it makes it easier for them to hunt rodents at the forest edges.
Secret gear: what to bring to see in the dark
If you are a tourist and don't have specialized equipment, don't worry: Cerro Volador can be enjoyed with basic items. But if you want to take your nocturnal birdwatching experience to the next level, there are three tools that make the difference between "I saw something" and "I identified the exact species."
Red light flashlights: the secret weapon
The white light from your cell phone or a regular flashlight scares animals and ruins your night vision. Red light, on the other hand, does not affect most birds or bats, and allows you to see without altering their behavior. You can buy a flashlight with a red filter for about 30,000 COP at camping stores in El Poblado or Laureles, or use the homemade trick: stick red cellophane over the lens of your regular flashlight. It works just as well and costs less than 5,000 COP.
For photographers, a red light flashlight with adjustable intensity is essential. Bats in flight are difficult to photograph with flash, but if you sit near a fruit tree (like the mango or guava trees in the park), you can capture fruit bats when they land to eat. Of course, patience is your best lens.
Ultrasonic recorders: hearing what no one else can
Bats emit ultrasounds (frequencies between 20 and 120 kHz) that the human ear cannot perceive. With an ultrasonic recorder like the Echo Meter Touch (which connects to your cell phone and costs around 400,000 COP in specialized stores or online), you can record these sounds and then identify the exact species by analyzing their pulses. It is a tool used by biologists, but any amateur can learn to use it in an afternoon.
If you don't want to invest that much, there is a free alternative: the bat sound apps from the Instituto Humboldt of Colombia. Although they don't record ultrasound, they do have visual identification guides and habitat descriptions that will help you confirm what you see.
Night vision binoculars: the luxury worth it
To see owls in the dark, regular binoculars are useless. Night vision binoculars (which amplify residual light) can cost from 800,000 COP to several million, but they are the only way to see the plumage of a striped owl 30 meters away. If you don't want to invest that much, an alternative is to bring regular 8x42 binoculars and wait for the owl to perch in a spot with some artificial light (the lamps on the trails near the park are enough).
My recommendation: if you are a photographer and want a memorable shot, rent night vision binoculars at safari stores in Medellín (ask at hunting or wildlife photography stores downtown). Some offer hourly rentals for about 80,000 COP.
Species guide: how to tell bats apart and locate owls
Not all bats are the same, and learning to tell them apart is part of the excitement. Here is a quick guide so you don't get lost among the shadows:
Fruit bats vs. insectivorous bats
Fruit bats (Artibeus, Carollia) are larger, with a wingspan of up to 40 centimeters. They fly slowly and in a straight line, at a height of 2 to 5 meters above the ground. You will see them approach trees with ripe fruit (mangoes, guavas, figs) and briefly perch to bite into the pulp. Their flight is clumsy, almost as if they were drunk, and they often hover in the air before landing.
Insectivorous bats (Tadarida, Myotis) are smaller (wingspan of 20-25 cm) and fly fast, with sharp turns and constant zigzagging. You will see them chasing moths and beetles at heights of 10 to 20 meters, often in groups of 5 to 20 individuals. If you see a "cloud" of shadows moving erratically above your head, they are insectivorous.
To tell them apart in the dark, look at the silhouette: fruit bats have wide, rounded wings, while insectivorous bats have long, pointed wings. With red light, you can see the belly: fruit bats have grayish fur, insectivorous bats have a dark brown tone.
Barn owls and striped owls: how to find them
The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the easiest to detect: its heart-shaped face and white-golden plumage make it unmistakable. It emits a harsh scream, like a prolonged screech, that can be heard several hundred meters away. At Cerro Volador, it usually perches on dead trees near the waterfall trail, on the western side of the park. Look for its white silhouette against the dark sky, especially between 7 and 8 pm.
The striped owl (Asio clamator) is more elusive. It has a call that sounds like a descending whistle (like "uuuuu-uu") and prefers the denser areas of the forest, near the trail that descends towards the La Hueso creek. To find it, walk slowly and stop every 20 meters to listen. If you hear the whistle, wait 5 minutes without moving: the owl usually approaches to investigate the intruder. Don't shine your flashlight directly at it; instead, point the red light at the ground and wait for it to perch on a visible branch.
A little-known fact: the owls of Cerro Volador are territorial and return to the same perches night after night. If you find a good spot once, you can return the following nights and will likely find it again. Keep a record on your GPS or in a notebook; it's part of the ritual for local birdwatchers.
