Birding takes flight after peace deal between Colombia and guerrilla group | 60 Minutes
In a Nutshell
Colombia's peace deal with FARC since 2016 has opened dangerous former war zones like Tatama National Park to birders, boosting ecotourism in the world's birdiest country (2,000 species) and preserving untouched habitats. Bird guide Diego Calderon Franco, once kidnapped by FARC for 88 days but sustained by birds, now trains ex-guerrillas as guides at Montazuma Rainforest Eco Lodge, fostering healing and income through birdwatching. Amid fragile peace and global bird declines, rare sightings like the gold-ringed tanager draw enthusiasts, while locals like lodge owner Michelle Topasco credit birds for family survival and conservation efforts.
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Colombia has 2,000 species of birds, more than anywhere else on Earth, due to its diverse geography and decades of war. Fighting among the Colombian government, left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, and narco traffickers made some areas so dangerous that few people could go there, preserving bird habitats. Since 2016, when Colombia's government signed a peace deal with the FARC, the largest left-wing guerrilla group, it has gotten safer to travel. Untouched forests have become part of a growing ecotourism industry bringing millions of dollars to Colombia's economy. Birders flock there for species found nowhere else.
On the western slope of the Andes Mountains, in an area with few roads, lies Tatama National Park, a vast stretch of lush rainforest with powerful rivers. Delicate flowers blossom in the rain-soaked forest, and bird sounds fill the humid air. One of the wettest places on Earth. Traveled before dawn in a four-wheel-drive vehicle through untouched forest. Spotted birds like blue-gray tanager, cinnamon flycatcher, purple-throated woodstar.
Diego Calderon Franco, one of Colombia's most famous birding guides, knows them all.
Okay, check it out. This one, mate.
Go above the light. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The violet tells you. This is the female. This little one right there. The little one actually. Oh, that's look at the tail. The tail is so beautiful.
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