If you ever find yourself in the lush gardens of Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic, Costa Rica, you might feel as though you’ve stepped into a living jewel box. Tiny, iridescent hummingbirds zip past your ears, their wings a blur, their colors flashing brilliantly in the tropical sunlight. This lodge is a haven for hummingbird enthusiasts, offering an up-close look at some of the most dazzling members of the Trochilidae family. For bird enthusiasts visiting the mountains of Costa Rica the Caribbean Rainforest is an exciting experience anyway. But the Hummers are the top prize.
One of the most common species at Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic is the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl), one of the most adaptable and bold hummingbirds in Central America. With its shimmering green body and reddish tail, this species is a frequent visitor to garden feeders and flowering plants. Known for its territorial nature, the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird often chases away other hummingbirds from its preferred nectar sources.
An excellent spot to observe and photograph all these Hummingsbirds
) of the gallery on eye-level and a good starting point for the mountainous area is the Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic. The accommodation Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic has a very nice garden near the small town of Turrialba. In addition to the accommodation, a hummingbird-attracting vegetation, a shared lounge, a terrace and a covered restaurant with hummingbird feeding. We stayed at this accommodation in January and had a very nice time. The rooms are clean, spacious and there are many birds in the garden. The food is delicious and the owners are extremely helpful. Jose has planted over 400 plants that attract hummingbirds. Jose is very helpful in finding the typical birds esp. the hummingsbirds.
The White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) is – besides the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – a common and very attractive species at Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic. Males display a striking blue head, white belly, and dark wings, while females have more variable plumage patterns. These bold and active hummingbirds are often seen dominating feeders and chasing away competitors with their swift, acrobatic flight.
Visitors may also catch sight of the Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii), a large and striking hummingbird with an iridescent green throat and breast, contrasting with its dark underparts. This species frequently visits flowering trees and feeders, where its strong, slightly curved bill helps it extract nectar efficiently.
The Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy) is a more secretive resident of the gardens. This species belongs to a group known as the hermit hummingbirds, characterized by their long, decurved bills and elongated central tail feathers. Unlike other hummingbirds that aggressively defend feeding territories, the Green Hermit follows a more nomadic foraging strategy, visiting scattered flowers throughout the forest understory.
Another charming resident is the Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis), a small but vibrant hummingbird known for its glittering green plumage. Males are particularly striking with their entirely green bodies, while females exhibit a more subdued coloration with grayish underparts. These tiny birds are often seen flitting among garden flowers, delicately sipping nectar from blossoms with their short, straight bills.
Visitors to Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic may also spot the Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica). Males shimmer with a deep violet crown and emerald-green body, while females display a more subdued green and gray plumage. These medium-sized hummingbirds frequent flowering shrubs, using their slender bills to extract nectar from heliconias and verbena.
Another striking species – maybe the most wanted – is the Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata), a highly sought-after hummingbird among birders. Males are unmistakable with their gleaming white crowns and deep burgundy bodies, a stark contrast against the green foliage. These diminutive birds are often seen darting among the flowering understory, their rapid wingbeats producing a faint hum as they hove
For those fortunate enough to visit Cabañas Colibrí Tayutic, the diversity of hummingbirds provides an extraordinary birdwatching experience. Whether observing the bold presence of a White-necked Jacobin, the iridescent glow of a Violet-crowned Woodnymph or the dazzling white crown of a male Snowcap, each encounter offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of these aerial marvels. With patience and a keen eye, visitors can appreciate not only the beauty but also the ecological importance of these remarkable birds.
In order to meet the growing demand for top images of the rarer species of Palaearctic Bird-lens.com has specifically made trips to remote places. Additionally every chance is used, if a rare bird is around the homeground. This to do everything to ensure excellent photos of the Birds of the Western Palearctic. The yield of pictures also of rare Western Palaearctic birds is very good. There are other nice images of birds, that you will find behind the tab “Picture Shop“. Just give a notice if you need a picture of a bird which is not online.