Roberto Montero’s La Amistad farm sits at the edge of La Amistad International Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a breathtaking landscape that hosts more than 270 bird species, including many that migrate from across the Americas.

Since our Costa Rican is now officially Certified Bird Friendly, we thought we'd celebrate with sharing some bird species found on the farm. Here are just a few that find refuge among the shade trees at La Amistad and other Jim’s Organic Coffee partner farms:

Pigeons

Found on our farms in Costa Rica, Sumatra, Peru, and Honduras, pigeons (including species like the Pale-vented Pigeon) play a vital role in seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.

Pale-vented Pigeon, Photograph by Joao Quental

Tanagers

Brightly colored and incredibly diverse, tanagers such as the Spangled-cheeked Tanager, the White-throated Shrike-Tanager, the Sulphur-rumped Tanager, the Blue-and-gold Tanager, the White-winged Tanager, the Flame-colored Tanager, and the Rosy Thrush-Tanager are seen on our shade farm in Costa Rica.

The Golden-eared, Flame-faced, and Blue-necked Tanagers are frequently seen on our shade farms in Colombia.

Blue-and-gold Tanager, Photograph by Michael Woodruff

Thrushes

The Clay-colored Thrush is the National Bird of Costa Rica, and thrives at La Amistad. Thrushes are beloved for their melodic songs, which are associated with the start of the rainy season.

You’ll also find various thrush species on our farms in Peru, Honduras, and Guatemala, drawn to the rich understory and fruit-bearing trees.

Clay-colored Thrush, Photograph by Charles J. Sharp

Swifts

Fast-flying, insect-catching swifts like the Spot-fronted Swift can be seen darting through the canopy in both Colombia and Costa Rica. Their populations benefit from the open spaces and high tree canopies preserved by shade coffee farming.

Spot-fronted Swift, Photograph by Andres Cuervo

Parakeets

Colorful and social, parakeets—including the Scarlet-fronted Parakeet—are commonly found in shade-grown coffee regions of Costa Rica.

White-winged Parakeets are commonly found on our shade-grown farms in Colombia. These birds depend on forest corridors for food and nesting and are commonly found where old-growth trees are left standing.

Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Photograph by Félix Uribe

Why It Matters

Migratory birds rely on healthy habitats throughout their annual journeys. Without sustainable farming practices in Latin America—and certifications such as Bird Friendly—millions of birds would lose their winter homes.

Shop the Certified Bird Friendly® Costa Rican Coffee

Every sip helps protect species like the Resplendent Quetzal, the Golden-winged Warbler, and the Swainson’s Thrush.