Participatory methodologies as a tool for bird conservation in coffee-growing regions of Colombia. - Participatory methodologies on research have shown utility in biodiversity studies and as a tool to promote conservation. Since 2004, in Cenicafe (National Coffee Research Center) we are conduct- ing a program of periodic censuses to study birds and promote their conservation in the Colombian coffee growing region. We have identified key criteria in order to achieve our objectives: (1) we work with orga- nized and structured groups of farmers that were interested in participating from the beginning; (2) we study local avifauna and developed an educational program about birds, that includes recreational activities and field work, where groups of people from all ages can participate; (3) we promote discussion and eval- uation spaces, trying to reach consensus on community interests and support their conservation and sus- tainable coffee marketing initiatives; (4) we mantain close contact through continuous communication, which is essential for trust and commitment of those interested in the program; (5) periodically, we send results and advances to each group, through reports and publications that highlight their meaning and transcendence, written in an appropriate language for local communities; and (6) we promote partner- ships with productive farmer associations because of their experience and presence in coffee growing regions. We have confirmed the positive effects of participatory research on conservation, which increases knowledge about birds and biodiversity, reinforces the communities' ecological awareness to natural resources and promotes their participation in conservation and environmental services valuation initia- tives. Resumen. - Los enfoques participativos en la investigacion han mostrado utilidad en estudios de biodi- versidad y como herramienta para promover su conservacion. Desde el 2004, en el Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Cafe (Cenicafe), estamos desarrollando un programa de censos periodicos con comuni- dades para estudiar las aves y promover su conservacion en la zona cafetera colombiana. Hemos identifi- cado elementos importantes para lograr nuestros objetivos: (1) trabajamos con grupos de productores organizados que manifiestan su interes desde el principio; (2) estudiamos la avifauna e implementamos un programa de educacion sobre las aves, que incluye actividades ludicas y de investigacion en campo en las que participan personas de distintas edades; (3) creamos espacios de discusion y evaluacion, buscando atender los intereses de la comunidad y apoyar sus iniciativas de conservacion y comercializacion de cafe sostenible; (4) establecemos contacto cercano con las comunidades y mantenemos una comunicacion con- tinua que resulta esencial para el establecimiento de confianza y compromiso de los participantes; (5) periodicamente enviamos los resultados y avances a cada grupo, a traves de informes y publicaciones en las que resaltamos su significado y trascendencia, escritos en un lenguaje apropiado para la comunidad; y (6)