In Colombia, Anderson Cooper discovers the surprising thrills of birding
In a Nutshell
Anderson Cooper overcomes initial skepticism about birding in Colombia's once-violent western mountains, guided by expert Diego and photographer Julio Monrique, spotting stars like the velvet purple coronet and pygmy owl amid nature's drama. Birding proves accessible and magical—requiring presence, open senses, and curiosity anywhere from urban windows to parks—while offering emotional highs and lows like a toxic relationship, with Cooper now hooked after 1,300 species worldwide. Dramatic encounters, such as massive black vultures' startling wing flaps, highlight birds' thrilling, soap-opera-like world.
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This week on 60 Minutes, in the mountains of western Colombia, a story about birding in a part of the country once beset by violence and fighting, now a place where birders flock. Star bird: velvet purple coronet sitting on the branch.
Birding was not something I knew anything about or expected to get into. Even once there, still skeptical, but got into it. Discovered the drama, like a soap opera in the trees. Hard to locate birds at first—they move fast, lots of small birds. Guide Diego, one of the most famous birders in Colombia, uses a green laser to point to birds and amazing binoculars to draw you into the drama. Birds are all over the place.
Birds and birding please anyone with their own challenges. Must be present, listening, eyes open—that's why birding is magical. No need for farthest national park; open your window even in urban area, listen with curious eyes and ears—birds are there.
Pygmy owl—hardcore one. Colombian photographer Julio Monrique exceptional at catching bird action, faster than anyone, finds remarkable vignettes like nest building, birds hard to locate. Could not have told the story without him. First shot birds eight years ago filming documentary The Birders. Initially thought birders nerdy, waiting three days for a bird.
Now birds on own with family. Birding accessible—hike in park, hear sounds, connected to nature. Young people doing it, not just older. Seen 1,300 birds worldwide, 800 in Colombia.
Birding like a toxic relationship: dependent on nature, want something, nature says no, rains and ruins camera gear. Love it, hate it, rollercoaster of high highs, low lows.
Huge black vulture. Talking to two American birders when enormous vultures appeared—dramatic. Vultures creepy, interesting. Sound of vulture wings flapping like wet, dark flapping, imagining them eating dead things. Startling and exciting up close.
After that, really into what's above. This is exciting. I kind of get it.
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