Refugio Colibrí Espatula
The highlight of my trip to Cocachimba, Amazonas was seeing the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird!
Where to see the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird?
The Marvelous Spatuletail is endemic to Peru (found nowhere else) and only lives around the Utcubamba River Valley. So, your only chance to see it is on a visit to Chachapoyas and Kuélap. If you hire a professional bird guide, like Ikam Expeditions, they will take you where you can see it in the wild. If you’re just passing through for a few days, like me, the best place to see the Marvelous Spatuletail is at the Refugio del Colibrí Espatula on the edge of the town of Cocachimba.
Utcubamba River Valley
On this map of northern Peru, you can see the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird only lives in a little patch, in the region of Amazonas. There is nowhere else in the world you can see it.
What does the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird eat?
The flower that the Marvelous Spatuletail likes most is locally called mosgal, a shrub that grows very slowly. All hummingbirds eat nectar from flowers and small insects. While they get most of their energy from the sugars in flower nectar, their protein comes from bugs.
The Marvelous Spatuletail’s Favorite
This is mosgal, the favorite flower of the Marvelous Spatuletail, which obviously also provides a lot of branches to hide behind.
Why go to the Refugio del Colibrí Espatula?
You are almost guaranteed to see the Marvelous Spatuletail at this refuge because they planted mosgal years ago near a bird blind and also have hummingbird feeders. The Marvelous Spatuletail knows where mosgal flowers are and will always go back to those spots.
When to see the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird?
The best time is in the morning and evening. When you make your reservation, you can choose between 8:30-9:30am or 5:00-6:10pm. This is when birds are most active and when the Marvelous Spatuletail feeds near the bird blind.
The time is the same year round because northern Peru is very close to the equator and there is very little difference in day length or sunset time. On December 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 5:55am and sets at 6:24pm in Cocachimba. On June 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 6:20 and sets at 6:06. That’s only 43 minutes different.
What season is best to see the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird?
The Marvelous Spatuletail doesn’t migrate, so it’s present at the same places all year. However, the unpaved roads around Chachapoyas are very muddy in the rainy season December to March. Also, if you are flying to Chachapoyas, flights are often cancelled during the rainy season because of low visibility at the airport. I recommend going May to September.
What other birds can you see at the Refugio del Colibrí Espatula?
There are so many birds in this area that you can see dozens of species. I saw several hermit hummingbirds and many tanagers.
How to photograph the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird?
If you’re going in the morning, be prepared for bright light but in the evening be ready for low light. Even though they’re fairly close, the Marvelous Spatuletail is very small, so bring a long lens. I was shooting with a 270 and wish I’d had a 400 or 500. However, the light was fairly low and almost dusk when the hummingbird showed up. If you have a lens longer than 300, I recommend bringing a tripod.
Call or text either of the numbers on the sign or message them on Instagram or Facebook.
How to visit the Refugio del Colibrí Espatula?
Call them or write to them on Whatsapp to make a reservation +51 929 565 285. There is limited space, because having too many people could scare away the birds.
This gate is on the main road between Cocachimba and Chachapoyas.
Where is the Refugio del Colibrí Espatula?
If you’re in Cocachimba, just walk on the main road as if you’re leaving town going back to Chachapoyas. On the right side of the road you’ll see the office where you can make a reservation. A few minutes’ walk past that you’ll see the gate that I’m standing in front of above.
Cocachimba is this small
You can see the only road in Cocachimba is a dead end. The Refugio del Colibrí Espatula is on the left when you’re driving into town.
If you’re not in Cocachimba, call Elmer Yalta, one of the owners of the Refugio del Colibrí Espatula and the person who planted all the mosgal. He owns a taxi service and can either pick you up himself or have one of his drivers pick you up anywhere near Chachapoyas. Call or text him on Whatsapp +51 941 871 408
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