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| Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird confronts a Tyrian Metaltail |
Hummingbird gardens are one of the coolest things about Colombia. I told you before that Colombia has 160 species of Hummingbirds and that, on this trip, we saw 52.
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| Some of nature's most amazing birds |
We spent a full afternoon at a Hummingbird garden at a private residence down a wooded lane in the town of Soatá also on the western slopes of the Eastern Cordillera.
The feeders are lined up on a balcony that overlooks a valley below and some mountains beyond.
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| Feeding station |
There are a number of flowering plants behind the feeders, providing colorful perches for the colorful birds.
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| Flowers attracting more Hummingbirds |
Among the Hummingbirds we observed was the endemic Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird, a lifer for me.
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| A departure from the more typical blue/green/purple palette |
This gorgeous green and rufous Hummingbird can be found in 14 sites in a tiny area on the Andes at altitudes ranging from 390 to 7,200 feet. However, these birds are not always seen at the known sites and little is known about their migration habits, except that they do move from lower to higher elevations seasonally.
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| A rare endemic |
In 2000, they were listed as Critically Endangered due to extreme habitat loss, but they have recovered enough to be moved down to Near Threatened. Places like this residence help protect them as well as letting birders like us get a glimpse of these glittering gems with wings.
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| A conversation between a Chestnut-bellied and a similiarly colored Tyrian Metaltail |
While the Chestnut-bellied Hummingbirds were the main attraction, they were by no means the only game in town. We also saw …
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Black-throated Mangos
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| Longuemare's Sunangels |
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| White-bellied Woodstars |
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Tyrian Metaltails
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| Indigo-capped Hummingbirds |
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| Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds |
And, two more species too fast for my camera: Lazuline Sabrewing (drat – I never got this one) and Steely-vented Hummingbird, which I had photographed before.
The Hummingbirds were everywhere.
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| White-bellied Woodstar, Black-throated Mango and Indigo-capped Hummingbird |
To get just an idea of what it was like sitting beside the buzzing feeders, click here.
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| Feeding station |
We witnessed some interesting interaction when a Black Vultures soared very close to the feeders a couple of times, sending the little birds scurrying.
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| Flying away after harassing the Hummingbirds |
Later, we saw a Turkey Vulture flying over the distant mountaintops.
We watched the Hummingbirds for a while.
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| At the feeders ... |
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| ... and in the trees |
Then we took a walk down the entrance road, where we encountered a fair number of birds, including lifers: Chivi Vireo (the one I missed at Sonso lake), Bicolored Wren and Niceforo's Wren. I did get some very nice photos of the Bicolored Wren.
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| Unlike the Chivi Vireo and Niceforo's Wren, the Bicolored Wren posed |
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| It was a delight to watch |
We also saw …
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| A Common Squirrel-Cuckoo |
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| Streaked Saltators |
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| A Tropical Parula |
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| A Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant |
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A Yellow-backed Oriole
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The ones that got away (from just me) included: Pale-breasted Spinetail, Bar-crested Antshrike, Great Thrush, Blue-gray Tanager and Yellow-bellied Seedeater.
It was a lovely spot with some great birds. But, I do think they have a little way to go as a birding attraction.
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| The endemics are, of course, the reason to be there |
Maybe, clean up the viewing area (remove the engine you are repairing and the associated greasy tools from the bench seat) and make everything is a bit neater for the birders. Just a thought!
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| A plus: the feeders were clean and the birds looked healthy |
The next day, we made a quick stop on a nearby dry hillside looking for more birds. And, we got a few …
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| A lovely white Pearl Kite, a lifer, high on a wire |
I missed snapping the White-tailed Kite that also buzzed us, as well as the Fulvous-crowned Scrub-Tyrant we saw in the bushes.
As usual, I didn’t even try for the fast-moving White-collared Swifts.
All in all, I loved this part of the Andes and the birds were an extra. Our next stop was completely different.
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| Back to some wetlands |
Tour dates: March 7-28, 2026
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