A Visit to Colombia - Part 6

 07 December, 2025

Manizales - Jardin

     It was our final morning in Manizales, and the birds were cooperative as always. It was not unusual for a Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zontrichia capensis) to make its way into the dining room; perhaps the others had ideas about following behind. There are crumbs to be scavenged, after all.

     Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) was never far away.

     Yellow-bellied Siskins (Spinus xanthogastrus) could be counted on to enliven the day.

     Southern Lapwings (Vanellus chilensis) patrolled the grassy areas, as usual.

     It never failed to please us greatly to see the pair of Yellow-headed Caracaras (Daptrius chimachima) put on their morning show.

     Selwyn had taken a nasty fall the day before and gashed his finger. As you can see, Victoria had bandaged it very well, and Selwyn was his brave, stoic, lion-hearted self, enduring the agony of it all!

     The moon hung in the sky as we left.

Photo: Pam Sadler

 

     It disturbs me to think that soon there will be competition among world powers to revisit the moon with the aim of mineral exploration and strategic advantage, while we continue to neglect Planet Earth, our only home, and the climate crisis continues to threaten all life. E. O. Wilson says, "Assuming ourselves rulers of the biosphere and its supreme achievements, we believe ourselves entitled to do anything to the rest of life we wish."  We continue along this path at our peril.

       We left for Jardin, our next destination, with the ever-reliable Dario at the wheel, stopping along the way for coffee at a lovely spot, where the birding was also quite good.

      One of the highlights was the presence of Spectacled Parrotlets (Forpus conspicillatus); quite close, too.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     As you may see in Victoria's picture, their spectacles are high-fashion blue!

     Having seen several male Vermilion Flycatchers (Pyrocephalus obscurus) we were delighted to see a female, drab though she might be when compared with the male.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     Assuredly, a Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus) had a nest full of hungry chicks somewhere close, and was about to deliver a beak full of insects to waiting mouths.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     This Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) is a handsome fellow, don't you think?

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Jardin, in the Department of Antioquia is a beautiful small city, renowned among other things for its colourful houses.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     You will note that the streets are immaculately clean.

     Our hotel for the duration of our stay was the WR Boutique, a beautiful renovated small hostelry, where the dining facilities were charming and the service and food were first class.

     We all enjoyed a fine lunch there before leaving for our birding destination for the afternoon.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     The highlight of the day - one of the highlights of the entire trip, in fact - was a visit to the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Reserve. We set off right after lunch.

     Shoeing a horse seems to be an impromptu affair in Colombia!

     It was a steep walk down to the entrance to the reserve.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Some people take the less travelled route!

Photo: Pam Sadler

     The air was laden with moisture and rain threatened, so everyone lathered up with bug spray.

     In Cotingas and Manakins, Kirwan and Green (2011), by way of introduction to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, it is stated, "In outward appearance arguably the closest Neotropical equivalent to the birds of paradise (Paradisaeidae) of Wallacea and the Australo-Papuan Regions).

     Indeed it is!

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Both sexes have a permanently erected crest; the male's is disc-shaped and almost covers the bill.

     In this remarkable shot, Victoria, captured the bill beneath the crest.

     "It has to be seen to be believed" is a shopworn cliché, but for this bird it is true.

     I first saw this bird in Ecuador in 2010 and I was eagerly anticipating a second encounter. I was not disappointed! Several birds displayed in front of us and we were treated to a superlative show.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     
     This is the stuff of unforgettable memories.

     It started to rain, quite heavily at times, and continued for much of the afternoon. Victoria came well equipped to cope with the downpour.

     Every time I see Victoria and Selwyn wearing their ponchos I swear that I will get one, but so far I have not gotten around to it. They are so practical, easy to pack for a trip, and protect you from head to toe.

     The plants we observed interested us greatly, but our proficiency at identifying them was not at a high level. 

     Based on research when back home, I think that this is a type of Spikemoss in the genus Sellaginella.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     This is Brazilian Red-cloak (Megaskepasma erythrochlamys), a plant now widely used by horticulturalists.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     The paths were soggy and slippery.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Andean Cock-of-the-rock, was not the only bird, of course. A male Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) was very striking.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     A Chestnut-capped Brushfinch (Arremon brunneinucha) was an exciting find.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     We were fortunate to see Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) quite often and found it jaw-dropping every time.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     The same might be said of Andean Motmot (Motmotus aequatorialis).

Photo: Pam Sadler

      Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) was a regular visitor to most of the bird feeding stations we saw.

    The beauty and diversity of the plants was impressive, but identification proved to be a challenge!

It is not made any easier by not always knowing which flora were native and which were introduced. There were wild areas and gardens, and the boundaries between the two were not always well delineated.

     Here are my best conclusions on a couple of them.

Genus Impatiens Photo: Pam Sadler

Cordyline fruticosa, known as Ti  Photo: Pam Sadler

   

     The following plant does not resemble the Maidenhair Ferns I am familiar with, but I am convinced that's what it is, in the genus Adiantum.

Photo: Victoria Ho

 

     This is a male Flame-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus flammigerus).

Photo: Pam Sadler

     In most species the male is clearly more ornate than the female, but I think that for this species the female might wear the crown.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     

     Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) was a very familiar bird, never shy to muscle in at the bird feeders.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     Here are more beautiful plants with my best attempts at identification.

Raintrees (genus Brunfelsia) Photo: Pam Sadler

Genus Pachystachys Photo: Pam Sadler

     The raindrops only serve to enhance the beauty of the flower.

     Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) was often seen at the feeders.

Photo: Victoria Ho

     I have always thought it would be fun to see a saltator and a peppershrike together! Spice for the mind!

     The rain let up just before we departed the Cock-of-the-Rock Reserve - thankfully, because it had been a real downpour earlier in the afternoon.

     We stopped before crossing this bridge.....

Photo: Pam Sadler

     ..... and were rewarded with a small flock of Red-bellied Grackles (Hypopyrrhus pyrophogaster), a striking species, and a new bird for everyone.

Photo: Pam Sadler

     When we got back to town, Pam took her camera and did a walkabout in the city. Some of her photos are shown here.

     It was a happening place, a hive of activity and conviviality.

     Night fell and we went to town for dinner.

     Here we are entering the restaurant.

     It had been another great day in Colombia.