Los
Andes is at the end of a rough road that beetles up the southern
slopes of the magnificent volcano of Atitlán. This forgotten
corner of Guatemala is anything but forgotten by nature. Abundant
wildlife, especially birds, fills the tea gardens and coffee fields,
and the cloud forest that lies between them and the still warm
cone of the volcano. Among the
birds is the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, whose courtship and
nesting activities attract birdwatchers from around the world
to the Reserve. Los Andes is also home to the rare cabanis tanager
(Tangara cabanisi). This small, blue, exquisite bird’s highly
localized habitat is shared by hundreds of local and migrating
species, including a host of hummingbirds, orioles, flycatchers,
trogons and motmots. |