RoutePereira

Eje Cafetero Birding: Quetzals, Tanagers & Andean Eagles

The Andean cloud forests above Pereira and Risaralda are exceptional birding territory — the golden-headed quetzal, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, and dozens of endemic species inhabit the forests accessible from the city

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1
Gold Head Quetzal
The golden-headed quetzal - a spectacular Andean relative of the shining quetzal - inhabits the cloud forests above Pereira; the male's iridescent plumage (green, gold and red) and the bird's elusiveness make it one of the coffee region's most sought-after sightings
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Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Game
The Andean rock - the national bird of Peru, which is also found in Colombia - performs spectacular lekking displays in the cloud forest above Eje Cafetero; the brilliant orange plumage of the males and their competitive behavior are unforgettable
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Hummingbird Diversity
The altitude range around Pereira (from 1400m to 4000m+) creates several hummingbird communities; Eje Cafetero has over 50 species of hummingbirds, including rare endemic species such as the black-bellied hummingbird and the ruddy-brown height
4
Toucan Diversity
Four species of toucans live in the forests around Pereira - the channel-billed toucan, the plate-billed mountain toucan, the crimson-rumped toucan and the emerald toucan; the diversity of toucans in a small area reflects the cloud forest's extraordinary bird richness
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Otún-Quimbaya Sanctuary
The Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary near Pereira – managed by Colombia's national park system – protects cloud forest and has an extraordinary bird list; the bird trails, guided walks and research station facilities are accessible from the town of
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Dawn Chorus in the Cloud Forest
The dawn chorus of the cloud forest above Pereira – starting before 5am – is a wall of sound from dozens of species singing simultaneously; the experience of sitting in the cloud forest mist as the birdsong builds up is one of the Andes' most powerful morning experiences