A visit to Colombia - Part 5

 06 December, 2025

Paraiso Verde Reserve, Manizales

     As usual, our day began with a substantial breakfast, taken in the restaurant just "up the hill" from our rooms.

     There was always a huge variety of foods available and it was impossible for anyone to go hungry or not find items to their liking. The serving staff was pleasant and efficient, too.

     It was a good idea to set out early since there were birds to be seen on the way. 

     An Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) was almost guaranteed.

     A pair of Yellow-headed Caracaras (Milvago chimachima) may have had a breeding site close by, or at least we were in their territory, for they were regulars and we saw them most days.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Yellow-headed Caracara is omnivorous, with a heavy dependency on carrion, so it probably does well in a human modified landscape.

     We all boarded the bus to make the short journey to Paraiso Verde Reserve, a wonderful green oasis close to the city, in the capable hands of our skilled, careful driver, Dario, who handled even the most horrendous traffic with aplomb.

     I think we all liked Dario. I know I did.

     We arrived at our birding haven for the day.

     Everyone is getting the lay of the land and Jim is glancing skyward.

     Trevor is ready for action.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     I was always struck by the green panels on the outside walls, constructed of scores, or in some cases perhaps hundreds, of potted plants, forming an appealing living tableau.

      Where there are heliconias there will be hummingbirds!

Photo: Victoria Ho

      As we walked around the buildings to get our bearings, we found it an appealing location. 

Photo: Pam Sadler

   

Photo: Pam Sadler

It didn't take long for a Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy) to put in an appearance, and Pam managed an excellent shot.

     It is a stunning bird I'm sure you will agree, that feeds on a wide variety of flowers. Interestingly males gather in leks which may contain as many as several dozen individuals.  

     There is a tendency to think of birds that breed in Ontario as "our" birds, even though they spend most of their lives elsewhere. Thus, it was gratifying to see one of "our" Swainson's Thrushes ( Catharus ustulatus).

Photo: Pam Sadler

     We felt no less possessive about a Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca).

Photo: Victoria Ho

 

     A Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) struck a jaunty pose.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     It was at this location we saw our only Black-and-white Seedeater (Sporophila luctuosa) of the trip.

Picture: Victoria Ho

     You will note its heavy bill designed for cracking open tough seeds. I am happy that we saw a male  since the females of these little seedeaters are virtually impossible to identify one from the other unless seen with a male.

     The decor was always interesting, and highly appealing to my eyes.

     I think that many birders tend to ignore, or pay passing attention, to pigeons and doves, but this pair of Ruddy Ground Doves (Columbina talpacoti) reminds us that they are exquisitely beautiful; not flashy like toucans, parrots and tanagers, but charming and sedate nevertheless.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     A Purple-throated Woodstar (Philodice mitchellii) is a  sensational little bird, so tiny yet so feisty. Their flight "hum" is louder than most other species.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     We were all quite excited when a Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) soared overhead - another one of "our" birds!

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) is a thrilling bird, the male being especially vibrant - in the right light almost glowing.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     In the picture below you can see the female, partly concealed by leaves.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     Our lunch was lasagna, passable but far from exceptional, following which some of us joined in a game of quoits with a friendly member of the staff. Great fun!

     Of course, we had to wait our turn.

     I think Jim's inner childhood had been awakened and he couldn't resist sailing skyward on a swing.

     This is an impressive shot of a Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) in flight.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Red-crowned Woodpecker ( Melanerpes rubricapillus) was seen more than any other woodpecker, but its charm was not diminished by familiarity.

     Here is a male, even displaying the red patch on his lower belly.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     And here is a female.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     Piculets, the smallest of the picids, are universally endearing, and we considered ourselves very fortunate to see Greyish Piculet (Picumnus granadensis).

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Most piculets have been poorly studied and little is known of their breeding biology, and even their diet. With the right funding there's a graduate thesis here for an enterprising young ornithologist. 

     We were able to get a glimpse into the rooms at Paraiso Verde. 

Photo: Pam Sadler

     As you may see they are a little spartan, but quite pleasant. 

     How would you like a mural like this in your room?

Photo: Pam Sadler

     A Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) is always an agreeable visitor.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     We were very excited when a small flock of Inca Jays (Cyanocorax violaceus) arrived on the scene.

Photo: Victoria Ho

   

     They did not stay for long, but certainly enlivened the day with their presence.  

     Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) displays no reluctance to forage in gardens and plantations.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     At times the birding here was downright relaxing!

     I saw a couple of butterflies but was hard pressed to get decent shots. 

     This is a Euptychoides laccine; I was unable find a common name for it.

     Here is a member of the tribe Satyrini.

     A Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus) was easier to identify and a tad more colourful!

Photo: Victoria Ho

     Colombian Chachalaca (Ortalis columbiana) has experienced loss of much of its range in recent decades, and what remains is degraded, so it has been forced into frequent contact with humans.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     It does well as long as it is not persecuted.

     One bird was feeding another here; whether it was courtship behaviour or an adult feeding the avian equivalent of a teenage mooch I am not sure.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi) is the delightful cousin of the Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) we see at home.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     I think this very attractive flower is Trailing Abutilon (Callianthe megapotamica). It is native to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, but given the pervasive and pernicious practice of humans to introduce new plants on a whim, it may be a transplant to Colombia.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Yellow-backed Oriole ( Icterus chrysater) is a very striking bird and we were happy when one came to visit us.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is never an easy bird to find in Ontario, so we were delighted to discover them in Colombia.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     A Black-winged Saltator (Saltator atripennis) seemed content to just perch quietly.

     One of the true wonders of travelling in tropical America is the incredible diversity of tanagers, all of them imbued with arresting beauty. This female Flame-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus flammigerus) attests to that.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     I believe this is the whimsically named Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa).

Photo: Victoria Ho

     This Guira Tanager (Hemithraupis guira) has caught what appears to be kind of shield bug.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     A Black-billed Thrush (Turdus ignobilis) is very subdued when contrasted with many of its multi-coloured counterparts.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     An Andean Motmot (Motmotus aequatorialis) was seen frequently, becoming almost a common sighting.

Photo: Victoria Ho

 

     A Yellow-bellied Siskin (Spinus xanthogastrus) was checking every nook and cranny for juicy morsels.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     It is easy to conclude that a male Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) was named by someone who is colour-blind! 

Photo: Pam Sadler

     This individual is probably a representative of the subspecies subtropicalis.

     Seldom seen in our corner of Ontario, it was quite wonderful to see an Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) spending the winter months in Colombia.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     A Steely-vented Hummingbird (Saucerottia saucerottei) was feeding in textbook fashion.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     A male Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans) was defending his territory, perhaps.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     In Ontario we all go mildly daffy when the neotropical warblers return to breed, so there was a good deal of satisfaction to be derived from this handsome Slate-throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus), a species that does not leave its tropical home.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     More's the pity one might say!

     Scrub Tanager (Stilpnia vitriolina) has become a dedicated patron of bird feeders.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     We left this wonderful place mid afternoon to return "home" in time for a little relaxation, a siesta perhaps, travelling through the glorious Andes en route.

    It was a splendid treat to have a Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) there to meet us in the pond.

Photo: Pam Sadler

    Dinner was taken at a Japanese restaurant in Manizales; a sparkling end to a lovely day.