An old coffee farm in São Paulo state has become an incredible hummingbird hotspot. The owner and guide, Zaga, has recorded 20 species of hummingbirds in the farm's backyard.

A close-up of the Stripe-breasted Starthroat perched on a branch
Stripe-breasted Starthroat

I visited the farm in July 2023 for 4 hours and saw 10 species of hummingbirds and 37 other bird species. The hummingbird highlights were the Amethyst Woodstar, White-vented Violetear and Planalto Hermit, along with the ever-present Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Black Jacobin.

Close-up of a Violet-capped Woodnymph
Violet-capped Woodnymph
A Violet-capped Woodnymph hummingbird with dark iridescent plumage perched on a branch surrounded by soft pink cherry blossoms.
Violet-capped Woodnymph among the cherry blossoms
Close-up portrait of a Violet-capped Woodnymph hummingbird showing its vivid blue crown and bright green plumage against a warm blurred background.
Violet-capped Woodnymph — portrait

A raptor also soared overhead during the morning.

Silhouette of a raptor soaring high against a clear blue sky over Pousada da Fazenda.
Raptor soaring overhead

Five minutes away by car is another hotspot managed by Zaga, where we observed Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Glittering-bellied Emerald and Sapphire-spangled Emerald.

Winter in the southern hemisphere is a good time to spot birds at feeders, as they visit more frequently due to scarce natural food sources. At the farm's feeder we saw Bananaquit, Blue Dacnis, Burnished-buff Tanager, Violaceous Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow and Variable Oriole.

A Bananaquit with a dark cap and white supercilium clinging to a green plant stem among large tropical leaves.
Bananaquit
A male Blue Dacnis with vivid turquoise-blue plumage perched among bare branches dotted with small pink flower buds against a blue sky.
Blue Dacnis in a flowering tree
A female Blue Dacnis with green plumage and a blue cap splashing in a stone birdbath, water droplets visible around it.
Blue Dacnis bathing
A Violaceous Euphonia bird with brilliant blue and yellow plumage perched on a tree branch covered in gray lichens
Violaceous Euphonia

On the farm we also saw a White-tipped Dove and a Barn Owl, which Zaga showed us roosting in the rafters of one of the old farm buildings.

A Barn Owl with its distinctive heart-shaped facial disc roosting in the dark rafters of an old farm building, illuminated softly against the shadows.
Barn Owl roosting in the farm
A Variable Oriole standing on a green wire fence, distinguished by its black feathers and bright yellow markings on its wings
Variable Oriole

It was a great birding day with many lifers. The farm is located in Monte Alegre do Sul, about 2.5 hours by car from São Paulo city.

eBird trip report