Photographing Hummingbirds Across Colombia's Three Andean Ranges

B.O.G Hotel in Bogota offers luxurious accommodations with contemporary design, a rooftop pool with stunning city views, and exquisite Colombian cuisine, providing an unforgettable experience in Colombia's vibrant capital.

At Bogotá / Chingaza buffer, we follow a distinct feeder session block from the published route. Close views of up to ten high-elevation hummingbird species. The exact timing and access remain flexible with local conditions. At Bosque Guajira Reserve, we follow a distinct trail walk / photography block from the published route. Native-forest birding and hummingbird photography. The exact timing and access remain flexible with local conditions. B.O.G Hotel in Bogota offers luxurious accommodations with contemporary design, a rooftop pool with stunning city views, and exquisite Colombian cuisine, providing an unforgettable experience in Colombia's vibrant capital.

At Retorno del Colibrí, we follow a distinct feeder session block from the published route. Visit the named hummingbird photography spot; the page gives no session detail. The exact timing and access remain flexible with local conditions.

Around Anaime and Cajamarca we look for Yellow-eared Parrot in Andean countryside where wax palms and forest patches still matter. The block is also useful for Tolima Blossomcrown, Yellow-headed Brushfinch and other regional birds when the route continues toward Manizales. In the Cajamarca area we can use a garden or reserve setting to look for Tolima Blossomcrown and other hummingbirds at close range. It is a quieter photography block after the more mobile parrot search.

If time allows, we begin exploring the surroundings of Montezuma Ecolodge with a relaxed birdwatching session around the gardens, feeders and nearby forest. This first introduction to the Chocó cloud forest often brings encounters with colourful tanagers, toucans, hummingbirds and other species that thrive in one of Colombia’s most biodiverse regions. Montezuma Reserve (near Manizales, Colombia) – A lush nature reserve near Manizales, offering breathtaking cloud forest hikes, diverse wildlife, and stunning views of Colombia’s Andean landscapes. Perfect for eco-adventurers.

Before sunrise, we make our way to the upper reaches of Tatamá National Park, where the cool cloud forests are home to some of Colombia’s most sought-after birds. Exploring the Montezuma Road at a slow pace, we search for iconic species such as the spectacular Gold-ringed Tanager and Black-and-gold Tanager, along with tapaculos, flowerpiercers, mountain tanagers and other Chocó-Andean specialties. A packed lunch allows us to remain in the field and make the most of the day’s bird activity. Today we explore the mid-elevation cloud forests along the Montezuma Road, where changing habitats support an exceptional diversity of Chocó and Andean birdlife. Walking at a relaxed pace, we search for mixed flocks moving through the canopy while keeping an eye out for regional specialties such as the Toucan Barbet, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager and Orange-breasted Fruiteater. A packed lunch allows us to remain in the field and make the most of the day’s bird activity. Montezuma Reserve (near Manizales, Colombia) – A lush nature reserve near Manizales, offering breathtaking cloud forest hikes, diverse wildlife, and stunning views of Colombia’s Andean landscapes. Perfect for eco-adventurers.

One of the highlights of Hacienda El Bosque is the opportunity to observe the remarkable Equatorial Antpitta at a carefully managed feeding station. Known for its secretive nature, this elusive bird occasionally emerges from the forest floor, offering exceptional views and rewarding photographic opportunities. While waiting quietly, we also keep watch for Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, mountain tanagers, brushfinches and other high-Andean species that regularly move through the surrounding forest. We dedicate time to photographing the lively feeders and forest edge around the lodge, where a constant stream of hummingbirds and other colourful birds creates endless opportunities for observation and photography. The slower pace of the session allows us to experiment with composition, behaviour and changing light while enjoying the quiet atmosphere of Hacienda El Bosque. Depending on recent activity, species such as the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing and Shining Sunbeam may all make an appearance.

This morning, we venture into the páramo landscapes of Los Nevados National Park, one of the highest and most distinctive birding environments in Colombia. Exploring the high-altitude roads and open grasslands, we search for iconic species such as the Buffy Helmetcrest, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Rufous-fronted Parakeet and other remarkable birds specially adapted to life above the treeline. Combined with sweeping volcanic scenery, this is one of the highlights of birding in the Central Andes. The gardens of Termales del Ruiz are renowned for attracting some of the Andes’ most spectacular high-altitude hummingbirds. We spend time at the feeders observing and photographing species such as the Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Golden-breasted Puffleg and Buff-winged Starfrontlet, often at remarkably close range. The relaxed setting provides excellent opportunities to study their behaviour while refining compositions and close-up images. After a day in the mountains, there’s time to unwind in the natural thermal pools that give Termales del Ruiz its name. Surrounded by the Andean landscape, the warm mineral-rich waters provide a peaceful setting to relax, reflect on the day’s sightings and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Central Andes to Cali Cloud Forest

We begin before sunrise, when the cloud forest is just starting to come alive. At first light, the feeders around the lodge attract an impressive diversity of hummingbirds, tanagers, flowerpiercers and other Chocó specialties, offering some of the best bird activity of the day. The quiet morning atmosphere also gives us a good chance of seeing the resident Chestnut Wood-Quail as they emerge from the forest for their regular morning visit. With excellent natural perches and soft light, this first session is ideal for both observation and photography. Following breakfast, we return to the lodge’s observation areas for another birdwatching session. As the morning progresses, mixed flocks become increasingly active around the feeders and forest edge, often bringing colourful tanagers, flowerpiercers, toucanets and a remarkable variety of hummingbirds into view. Rather than moving quickly between sites, we spend time observing the birds as they come and go, allowing plenty of opportunities for photography, identification and learning about the ecology of this exceptionally diverse cloud forest. One of the afternoon highlights is the opportunity to observe the Little Tinamou, a notoriously elusive forest bird that often appears during its regular afternoon feeding. Watching this secretive species emerge from the undergrowth is a rewarding experience for both birdwatchers and photographers. We then spend more time around flowering plants where hummingbirds feed naturally, giving us the opportunity to slow down and experiment with different compositions, angles and close-up images in a beautiful forest setting. With fewer time constraints, this session invites a more creative approach while observing these remarkable birds in their natural habitat. Depending on recent activity, we may also encounter woodcreepers, foliage-gleaners, antpittas and other cloud forest specialists.

Birdwatching in Doña Dora farmhouse. At 1200m between the Andes and Pacific, Doña Dora is a renowned tropical garden that offers world-class birdwatching. Relax with fresh juice or coffee as hummingbirds and exotic birds fly all around.

Departure from Cali