Flying towards change: Tumaco youth for bird conservation

Fundación Guandal (Guandal Foundation) and the San Andrés de Tumaco Birding walk the path of protecting the environment, teaching respect for nature and fostering sustainable tourism in Tumaco, Nariño, on the Pacific coast of Colombia. Their purpose is to improve the quality of life and support the sustainable development of the community, addressing social and environmental challenges. They believe in the positive impact of education on new generations. That is why they create safe learning spaces that combine arts and sciences, essential tools for the social development of the region. With this spirit and motivation, they held the event Feria Conoce las Aves de tu Barrio (Know the Birds of Your Neighborhood Festival ) in three communities of Tumaco, with the support of a mini-grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for Latin American and Caribbean organizations and groups.

The activities were primarily attended by children, joined by young people, adults, and community leaders from the region. The events were carried out with participants from three organizations: the Asociación de Niños y Niñas Constructores de Paz (ANCPAZ) [Association of Children and Youth Peace Builders)], from the California neighborhood, the Colectivo de mujeres y jóvenes Diseño Afro Eirene (Afro Women and Youth Collective Diseño Afro Eirene), from the Unión Victoria neighborhood, and the Centro Afro Juvenil [Afro Youth Center], from the Nuevo Milenio neighborhood. These organizations opened their doors and collaborated to ensure the success of the activities in each community.

The activities in each neighborhood began with an introductory presentation on birds, where information about their anatomy and characteristics was shared. The young participants learned fascinating details about local species and their role in the ecosystem. However, beyond facts and curiosities, the true purpose of the activity was to instill in them an appreciation for these winged creatures and raise awareness about the importance of their conservation.

One of the most special moments in each neighborhood was the performance of the puppet show El Amiguito de las Aves [The Friend of the Birds]. This play, which incorporates the region’s culture and traditions, tells the story of Daniel, a young boy who, under a lush mango tree, discovers that the melodies of the birds transform into voices. Through this magical connection, he befriends Canción, Pía, and Trino—three birds native to Tumaco: the Pyrocephalus rubinus, Setophaga petechia, and Thraupis episcopus. Through their stories, the birds teach Daniel about the beauty of his surroundings and the importance of protecting nature, inspiring him to care for his home and the shared habitat.

Inspired by what they had learned, the young participants decided to act by building wooden vertical gardens, where they planted a diverse selection of plants. These gardens not only enriched their surroundings but also fostered in them a sense of responsibility and love for nature. The community gardens became a valuable educational tool, allowing children to learn about plant care and the animals that visit them. Moreover, tending to these green spaces brought neighbors together, strengthening bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation within the community.

Finally, the young participants ventured to explore every corner of their neighborhoods in search of local birds. Equipped with binoculars and identification guides, they recorded and shared their observations with great enthusiasm. To support the development of field observations, leaders from the Fundación Gualdal and staff from the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology created a bird tally sheet with images and names of 16 common species in the region, along with space to note their observations. This bird tally sheet proved to be a great aid for the young observers, who used it as a reference when identifying the beautiful birds they encountered in their surroundings. Among the birds they observed, notable species included Pygochelidon cyanoleuca, Stilpnia larvata, and Coereba flaveola, known for their vibrant colors. This experience not only allowed the participants to integrate the knowledge they had acquired but also deepened their commitment to environmental protection and the conservation of their surroundings.

If you want to download the bird tally sheet they used to help identify the birds of the region, click here.

The Fundación Guandal and the San Andrés de Tumaco Birding would like to thank the Asociación de Niños y Niñas Constructores de Paz, the Colectivo de mujeres y jóvenes Diseño Afro Eirene, and the Centro Afro Juvenil of Tumaco for their support in organizing the activities, and all the children, adults, and community leaders who contributed to making the activities so wonderful.

Photos courtesy of the Fundación Guandal.

Page developed by Elisa España Cordón.