Whirring wings and a symphony of chirps fill the air here at Finca El Pilar. This isn’t just any farm. It is a sanctuary. It is a haven for some rare and endangered species of plants and animals near Antigua.
Finca El Pilar is a private preserve. It supports the water supply for several communities close to Antigua Guatemala. By visiting here you support the owner’s efforts to protect the forest and watershed. This area is part of the Antigua Guatemala Important Bird Area.
Imagine stepping into a world where tiny jewels flit from flower to flower. This is Finca El Pilar. It is especially known for its incredible hummingbird population. With over 900 hummingbird feeders scattered throughout the grounds, this place is a paradise for these little birds.
Here, at Finca El Pilar you might see several of the 700 species of hummingbirds that live in the area. Typically hummingbirds are 3 to 5 inches long. Watch as a large number of them gather at a single feeder. They dip their beaks for a refreshing sip of sugary nectar.
Keep an eye out for the Rufous Sabrewing. It is endemic to the Pacific slope mountains of Chiapas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The regional endemic Green-throated Mountain-gem is seen frequently too. Rivoli’s, White-eared, Azure-crowned, and Berylline Hummingbirds also visit the feeders. Don’t forget the Violet Sabrewing and Mexican Violetear.
The nature trail stretches about 1.5 km. It makes accessible a narrow valley with shade coffee plantation and humid broadleaf forest. The walking effort is about 3 km using the dirt road for the way back. The trail has several steep stairways with handrails.
Birding here at Finca El Pilar at Cerro Cucurucho is amazing. The private area protects habitat from 1600 to 2400 m elevation. This includes dry forest, pine-oak, and cloud forest.
Finca El Pilar offers several options to access the habitat. At the beginning of the trail, enjoy the views over the canopy. Flocks of Bushy-crested Jays can often be seen here. Many canopy birds reside here too. Look out for the Rose-throated Becard and Dusky-capped Flycatcher. Maybe you will spot a Northern Emerald-Toucanet or Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo. Several woodpeckers can be seen. Northern Flicker, Golden-fronted, and Hairy Woodpeckers all live here.
As you stroll through Finca El Pilar, observe the venerable populations of white pine, oak, and cypress trees. The farm is fairly high in the mountains at 8,694 feet above sea level. Parts of the trail pass through a high-elevation cloud forest, which is usually shrouded in mist.
The forest here harbors a typical highland bird community. The Slate-throated Redstart lives here. You might even spot a Highland Guan with some luck. The forest birding can be challenging. There might be very quite days without much movement.
Finca El Pilar also has a high-elevation trail. The forest changes gradually from mixed pine-oak-cypress forest to cloud forest. Three species of woodcreepers live here. The most common is the Spot-crowned Woodcreeper. Also Spotted Woodcreeper and Strong-billed Woodcreeper have been reported. Two species of trogons live here. These are the Collared and Mountain Trogon.
Remember El Pilar protects an endangered environment. It is a vital water source. It grows a small amount of coffee. With your visit you are actively supporting conservation efforts. So take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Finca El Pilar.