Updated on 04/25/2024
Dear reader,
I would also like to recommend our Colombia travel guide, which provides a perfect overview of the tourist attractions in Colombia. Enjoy reading it!
Colombia, known as a bird paradise, is home to an astounding diversity of winged species, more than any other country in the world. From majestic condors to colorful hummingbirds dancing in the air, the country stands as a sanctuary of winged life. As you read this blog you will discover the 7 best places to see hummingbirds in Colombia.
Where to watch hummingbirds in Colombia
In Colombia there are fascinating places where you can observe hummingbirds and learn more about them, these are some of those places where you should go.
José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden, Bogota
Location: Av. José Celestino Mutis #68-95, Bogotá. It’s situated 11 km (6 miles) from Simón Bolívar Square, in the center of Bogotá.
Price: There is an entry fee to the garden.
Website: https://jbb.gov.co/
The José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is a 20-hectare natural reserve that houses numerous species of endemic plants from the area. Its objective is to research and conserve the flora of the high Andean and páramo ecosystems.
In this garden there are several activities related to natural observation, such as walks and observation of fauna and flora, so it is very common that on your way you will come across beautiful green hummingbirds and sword-billed hummingbirds that enjoy the flowers of this place. Likewise, there are often watering holes that attract them.
Services and Activities
- Garden Tours
- Workshops
- Talks
- Birdwatching
- Fauna and Flora Observation
Quindío Botanical Garden, Calarcá
Location: Av. Centenario No 15-190 Km. 3 via Valle del Cauca. It’s located a 38-minute drive from Armenia, the capital of Quindío.
Price: There is an entry fee to the garden.
Website: https://jardinbotanicoquindio.org/
The Quindío Botanical Garden is a non-governmental reserve and organization that aims to preserve the different endemic landscapes of the area, including native plants and birds of Colombia. In this site, you can enjoy the famous butterfly garden, an insect zoo and 3 amazing structures for bird watching.
Therefore, among the thick vegetation and tall trees you will be able to see several hummingbird specimens, the most observed is the green hummingbird. In fact, at the entrance of the garden, there are several water troughs and feeders that attract an endless number of hummingbirds, it is truly a visual spectacle. And because there are so many hummingbirds in this place, you can hear their fluttering wings, and the butterflies also enjoy this feast, it is something special.
Services and Activities
- Garden Tours
- Workshops
- Talks
- Birdwatching
- Fauna and Flora Observation
How to Get There
It’s located a 38-minute drive from Armenia, the capital of Quindío.
Romelia Orchids and Birds Farm, Manizales
Location: Via La Cabaña, Finca Romelia Manizales. It’s located 45 minutes from downtown Manizales, approximately 26 km (16 miles).
Price: There is an entry fee to the farm.
Website: https://fincaromelia.com/
The Romelia Orchids and Birds Farm is a unique tourist destination in the coffee axis where you can spot birds and flowers. In fact, according to a census conducted in this place, there are over 212 bird species, among which the green hummingbird and the sword-billed hummingbird stand out.
Romelia is a family-owned farm run by the Arango family, where you can also enjoy activities in the coffee crops, such as tours and talks. It’s an incredible experience!
Services and Activities
- Guided Tours of the Farm
- Birdwatching
- Accommodation
- Talks
- Coffee Crop Activities
- Cafeteria and Restaurant Services
La Casa de los Colibríes, Salento
Location: It’s situated in the Acaime Reserve, about 4.8 kilometers (2 miles) from the Cocora Valley.
Price: There’s an entry fee to the house.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/casadeloscolibries/
The House of Hummingbirds is located in the Acaime Reserve, a place dedicated to protecting hummingbirds and reforesting an area previously used for cattle farming.
In this reserve, you can spot over 12 species of hummingbirds, such as the green hummingbird, the blue-tailed hummingbird, and the speckled-breasted hummingbird, which come to drink or feed from the numerous feeders.
Services and activities
- Birdwatching
- Feeding hummingbirds
- Talks
- Hiking
- Souvenir shop
- Cafeteria and restaurant
Recinto El Pensamiento, Manizales
Location: Mile 11 Manizales – Magdalena Road.
Price: There’s an entry fee to the place.
Website: https://recintodelpensamiento.com/
The El Pensamiento Enclosure is a natural reserve located in a fascinating cloud forest. During the tour of the garden in this place, you can observe butterflies, visit an orchid forest, take tours, and spot birds.
In fact, there’s an incredible birdwatching lookout where you can see hummingbirds and other species flying happily around you. This construction is very attractive to birds because there are over 400 plants with colors and scents very appealing to them. For that reason, more than 26 species of hummingbirds arrive there. Among the specimens you can see are:
- The green hummingbird
- The emerald hummingbird
- The sword-billed hummingbird
- The noisy hummingbird
- The blue-tailed hummingbird
- The speckled-breasted hummingbird
- The noisy hummingbird and many more
Services and activities
- Day and night birdwatching
- Hiking
- Restaurant service
Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, Medellín
Location: Cl. 73 #51d-14, Aranjuez, Medellín.
Price: There’s an entry fee to the garden.
Website: https://www.botanicomedellin.org/
The Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín has around 13.2 hectares. Basically, it’s a center for scientific research, as well as an environmental classroom for education, recreation, and citizen culture related to environmental care.
Among the many bird species you can observe, hummingbirds are very famous. Whether they are blue, pink or brown, these beautiful birds adorn the landscape of this garden. It is common to see them in groups surrounding the different water troughs installed to feed and attract them.
Services and activities
- Birdwatching
- Flora observation
- Hiking
- Guided tours
- Souvenir shop
- Cafeteria and restaurant
La Plata Ecotourism Park, Ibagué
Location: Pastales district, Vereda Plata el Brillante, La Primavera Farm, Ibagué, Tolima.
Price: There’s an entry fee to the park.
Website: https://parqueecoturisticolaplata.com/
La Plata Ecotourism Park is a natural reserve that offers various outdoor recreational activities. Among them, hiking towards La Plata waterfall stands out, considered the highest in Tolima, with 490 meters (1,608 feet) in height, and of course, birdwatching.
Due to the natural and climatic conditions, there is a huge number of birds in this place, including hummingbirds. So, you know, this is the ideal place to enjoy those beautiful birds and nature.
Services and restaurants
- Birdwatching
- Flora observation
- Hiking
- Extreme sports
- Horseback riding
- Camping
- Cafeteria and restaurant
Tips for observing hummingbirds in Colombia
These suggestions will help you avoid mishaps and enjoy hummingbird watching to the fullest.
- Choose the right time of day: Hummingbirds are most active during the mornings and evenings.
- Keep in mind that flowers with attractive sizes and colors are the ones that attract them the most: knowing this is very practical if you want to see them up close or take photos.
- Don’t touch them: Although it may seem impossible, in some gardens or reserves, hummingbirds allow people to touch them because they are so accustomed to human interaction, but this is not correct, so avoid it.
- Don’t use mosquito repellent or insecticide: Hummingbirds are very sensitive to these substances. However, if you consider it very necessary, you can opt for eco-friendly alternatives.
- Move slowly and don’t make loud noises: Hummingbirds can easily get scared, so try to remain still while watching them. Also, wear neutral-colored clothing so as not to attract too much attention.
- If you find their nest or chicks, don’t touch them: Hummingbirds, in general, birds, are very sensitive regarding their nests and chicks. Any unwanted contact or odor that impregnates will make them abandon that place, so be very careful.
Curious facts about hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are fascinating birds and have many curious aspects. Here are some facts that will further pique your interest in them.
- Agile in flight: These tiny birds are known for their astonishing agility in flight due to their small size, less than 6 cm, and their vibrant beauty. Additionally, they play a fundamental role in ecosystems by acting as pollinators while feeding on nectar and serve as indicators of ecosystem health.
- Heart rate: Hummingbirds have a very high heart rate, reaching over 1,200 beats per minute.
- In reverse: They are the only birds capable of flying backward.
- Memory: They have exceptional spatial memory and can remember the exact location of each flower and time of day it was visited.
- Migration: Although they are small, some hummingbirds undertake impressive migrations. For example, many migrate about 800 km (497 miles) to spend the winter in Mexico from North America.
- Bright feathers: The structure of their feathers refracts light, creating iridescent effects.
- Intelligence: Hummingbirds are very intelligent birds, for example, if there is a cat or another threat near a flower or plant they frequent, they most likely won’t return.
Colombia – Hummingbird country
Colombia is home to an incredible diversity of birds, in fact, according to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, there are over 1,920 species here, and hummingbirds are a prominent part of this biological richness.
The country has the highest number of hummingbird species in the world with approximately 350 registered species. Some notable species are:
- Green hummingbird (Chrysuronia goudoti): this is one of the most popular hummingbirds in Colombia, known for its beautiful iridescent plumage of green and blue colors. Also, its beak is usually black.
- Blue-tailed comet hummingbird (Polyonymus caroli): it’s a common hummingbird species with bright, ventrally blue plumage.
- Ruby-topaz hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus): small hummingbird with bright green plumage and iridescent red throat.
- Crowned woodnymph hummingbird (Thalurania colombica): stands out for its green and blue plumage, with a yellow spot on the lower back.
- Buffy helmetcrest hummingbird (Oxypogon stuebelii): inhabits páramo areas, with a characteristic plumage that includes a crest on the head.
- Santa Marta woodstar hummingbird (Chaetocercus astreans): endemic species of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, with colorful plumage and a distinctive tail.
- Collared inca hummingbird (Coeligena torquata): hummingbird characterized by its white throat and ears, also, by its green and purple plumage.
- Speckled-breasted hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys): this hummingbird species has a distinct pattern of feathers on the chest, usually lighter. But its overall plumage is usually brown or coffee-colored.
- Sword-billed hummingbird (ensifera ensifera): this type of hummingbird has a characteristic long and slender beak that allows it to suck nectar more easily. Also, it has a beautiful iridescent plumage of blue and green colors.
Hummingbirds in Colombia are a wonderful example of the immense natural diversity of Colombia. And beyond their beauty, their preservation is essential to maintain environmental balance.
More Nature Tourism Experiences in Colombia
Here is a list of incredible destinations for hiking and other nature activities in Colombia:
- The Best Hiking Routes in Colombia.
- The Most Representative Flowers in Colombia.
- Cacao Guide in Colombia.
