All language subtitles for Into.the.Wild.Colombia.Series.1.3of5.The.Hummingbirds.Quest.1080p.HDTV.x264.AAC.MVGroup.org.en

(TRIUMPHANT MUSIC)

Narrator: WITH WINGS THAT
CAN BEAT 50 TIMES A SECOND,

STUNNING COLORS, AND
GRAVITY-DEFYING FLIGHT,

HUMMINGBIRDS ARE AMONG

THE MOST EXQUISITE
SPECIES ON THE PLANET.

ONE PLACE HAS MORE OF THEM

THAN ANYWHERE ELSE ON EARTH.

COLOMBIA.

BUT THIS IS NO PARADISE,

ESPECIALLY FOR SINGLE MOTHERS
BATTLING TO RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

FROM WINDSWEPT TUNDRA
TO TROPICAL FOREST,

THEY MUST FACE EXTREME
CHALLENGES HEAD-ON, AND ALONE.

COLD, HEAT, HUNGER, DANGER
ALL TAKE THEIR TOLL.

TWO WORLDS.

TWO MOTHERS.

NO MATTER THE ODDS, THEY
MUST COMPLETE THEIR QUEST.

TO GIVE LIFE TO THE
NEXT GENERATION.

(LIGHT PEACEFUL MUSIC)

(TENSE MUSIC)

THE LUSH FORESTED SLOPES
OF THE COLOMBIAN ANDES

ARE A GLOBAL HOTSPOT
FOR HUMMINGBIRDS.

OVER 150 SPECIES LIVE HERE,

MORE THAN ANYWHERE
ELSE IN THE WORLD.

THE HUMMINGBIRDS AND PLANTS
HERE BENEFIT FROM EACH OTHER.

THE PLANTS PROVIDE
NECTAR AND IN EXCHANGE

THE HUMMINGBIRDS
SPREAD THEIR POLLEN

AND FERTILIZE THE FLOWERS IN
JUST THE SAME WAY AS BEES DO.

BUT COLOMBIA’S
HUMMINGBIRDS ARE SO DIVERSE

THAT SOME MAKE THEIR HOMES

FAR FROM THE ABUNDANT
RESOURCES OF THE FOREST.

THIS HUMMINGBIRD IS A
GREEN-BEARDED HELMETCREST.

SHE WEIGHS LESS THAN
A QUARTER OF AN OUNCE.

SHE LIVES IN THE PARAMO,
A TREELESS ALPINE TUNDRA.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

13,000 FEET UP IN
THE EASTERN ANDES,

HIGH ABOVE THE FOREST ZONE.

IT’S SEPTEMBER.

COLD AND WET.

TEMPERATURES FREQUENTLY
DIP BELOW 50 DEGREES,

AND ICY WINDS SCOUR
THE LANDSCAPE.

THIS IS NOT THE TROPICAL HABITAT

BURSTING WITH BLOOMS ENJOYED
BY MOST HUMMINGBIRDS.

THE HELMETCREST
LACKS A LONG BEAK

ADAPTED FOR PROBING NECTAR.

HERS IS SHORT AND POWERFUL,

PERFECT FOR SNATCHING INSECTS

THAT WOULD SUPPLEMENT HER DIET.

BUT IT’S STILL LONG
ENOUGH TO FEED ON NECTAR

FROM THE FEW FLOWERS THAT
DO BLOOM IN THE PARAMO,

LIKE THIS FRAILEJON.

A RELATIVE OF THE SUNFLOWER,

ADAPTED TO SURVIVE
THE LOW TEMPERATURES

AND HIGH HUMIDITY HERE.

THE HELMETCREST
PUFFS UP HER FEATHERS

AGAINST THE COLD AND DAMP.

AHEAD OF HER ARE THE TOUGHEST
FEW WEEKS OF HER YEAR.

THE BREEDING SEASON.

ALL FEMALE HUMMINGBIRDS
RAISE THEIR CHICKS ALONE,

A DIFFICULT TASK NO
MATTER THE LOCATION.

BUT HER PARAMO HOME IS PERHAPS

THE HARSHEST PLACE ANY
HUMMINGBIRD CHOOSES TO DO THIS.

THE FIRST THING SHE
NEEDS HAS JUST APPEARED.

(LIGHT UPBEAT MUSIC)
A MATE.

IT’S THE MALE’S GREEN BEARD

AND DISTINCTIVE HEAD CREST THAT
GIVES THE SPECIES ITS NAME.

FOR THE PLAINER LOOKING FEMALE,

HIS BEARD, CREST, AND
SONG ARE IRRESISTIBLE.

(BIRD LIGHTLY SQUAWKS)

BUT THE MALE’S ROLE IS BRIEF.

ONCE THEY’VE MATED,
HE LEAVES HER ALONE

TO DO THE HARD WORK
OF RAISING A FAMILY.

THE PARAMO MAY SEEM LIKE
AN UNFORGIVING WILDERNESS,

BUT THIS EXTREME ENVIRONMENT

SUPPORTS A SURPRISING
AMOUNT OF LIFE.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

NEARLY 400 DIFFERENT
BIRD SPECIES LIVE HERE.

AND THE COLD DAMP AIR IS
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

PLANTS CAPTURE
WATER FROM THE MIST

TO PRODUCE LUSH GREEN MEADOWS.

THESE IN TURN ATTRACT GRAZERS:
NATIVE WHITE-TAILED DEER,

AND HERDS OF FERAL HORSES,

FIRST INTRODUCED BY
THE CONQUISTADORS

SOME 500 YEARS AGO.

THIS SPECTACLED BEAR WILL
OCCASIONALLY EAT MEAT,

IF HE CAN CATCH IT.

BUT MOST OF THE TIME HE SURVIVES

ON A VARIETY OF SHOOTS,
ROOTS, NUTS AND BERRIES.

(FAST-PACED STRING MUSIC)

THE WATERS OF THE PARAMO

ARE THE SOURCE OF MOST
OF COLOMBIA’S RIVERS.

ITS STREAMS FLOW DOWN
FROM THE HIGHLANDS,

GROWING WIDER AND
STRONGER AS THEY DESCEND.

(WATER SOFTLY FLOWING)

UNTIL, 3,000 FEET
BELOW THE PARAMO,

THEY ENTER A DIFFERENT WORLD.

THE TROPICAL FOREST.

THIS SWELTERING HABITAT
BURSTS WITH LIFE AND COLOR.

THERE MAY BE 30,000
SPECIES OF INSECT ALONE

IN THE FOREST OF COLOMBIA,

WITH MAYBE HALF OF ALL SPECIES
STILL UNKNOWN TO SCIENCE.

MANY OF THE COUNTRY’S 1900
BIRD SPECIES ARE FOUND HERE.

(BIRDS TWEETING)

LIKE THE BLUE-GRAY TANAGER
THAT LIVES HERE YEAR-ROUND.

(LOUDLY RUMBLING)

THE TREES ECHO WITH
THE DEAFENING CALLS

OF HOWLER MONKEYS.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

AMERICA’S LARGEST CAT, THE
JAGUAR, PROWLS THE FOREST FLOOR.

THE LUSH LOWLAND
FOREST MIGHT SEEM

A MORE FORGIVING HOME
FOR A HUMMINGBIRD.

(WINGS LOUDLY FLUTTERING)

BUT THIS GLITTERING-THROATED
EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD

FACES MANY OF THE
SAME CHALLENGES AS

HER HIGHLAND COUSIN.

SHE HAS ALREADY
SINGLE-HANDEDLY BUILT HER NEST

OF SPIDER SILK AND DRIED MOSS.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

SHE’S CHOSEN A PERFECT SPOT,

HIDDEN BENEATH A LEAF
FOR SHADE AND SHELTER.

SHE’S CAMOUFLAGED
IT WITH LICHEN,

AND PLACED IT HIGH
ABOVE THE GROUND

TO KEEP IT SAFE FROM PREDATORS.

SHE’S ALREADY LAID TWO EGGS.

SO FAR, SO GOOD.

MOST HUMMINGBIRDS LAY A CLUTCH
OF TWO EGGS JUST ONCE A YEAR,

BUT ONLY HALF WILL
SURVIVE TO ADULTHOOD.

IT COULD BE THREE WEEKS
BEFORE THEY HATCH,

AND THAT’S WHEN THIS
MOTHER’S WORK REALLY BEGINS.

(LIGHT UPBEAT MUSIC)

BUT FOR NOW, ALL
SHE CAN DO IS SIT

AND WAIT.

BACK ON THE PARAMO,

IT’S STILL RAINING.

IT RAINS HERE ON AVERAGE
NINE DAYS OUT OF 10.

BUT THE HELMETCREST
HAS BEEN BUSY.

SHE HAS CHOSEN A
SITE ABOVE A STREAM

THAT DRAINS A SMALL LAKE.

USING THE SOFT WHITE
HAIRS FROM THE FRAILEJON,

SHE TOO HAS BUILT A NEST,

HIDDEN IN THE SHELTER
OF A MOSSY BANK.

JUST TWO INCHES ACROSS,
IT’S A PERFECT FIT,

AND SHE SHOULD LAY HER
PEA-SIZED EGGS SOON.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE,

ANOTHER HUMMINGBIRD HAS
CHOSEN HER NESTING SITE.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

SHE’S A BRONZE-TAILED THORNBILL.

LIKE THE HELMETCREST,
SHE TOO BRAVES

THE COLD AND DAMP OF THE PARAMO.

HER NEST HIDES UNDER
ANOTHER MOSSY BANK,

AND ALREADY HOLDS
A PAIR OF EGGS.

SHE’S LINED IT WITH
MOSS AND PLANT FIBERS

FOR EXTRA INSULATION.

BUT, AS SHE ONLY WEIGHS
A FIFTH OF AN OUNCE,

KEEPING HER EGGS WARM
FOR THE THREE WEEKS

UNTIL THEY HATCH WILL
BE A HUGE CHALLENGE,

ESPECIALLY IN THE PARAMO’S
PLUNGING TEMPERATURES.

AS NIGHT FALLS, AND THE
BITING WIND PICKS UP,

THE TEMPERATURE
DROPS BELOW FREEZING.

(TENSE MUSIC)

IN COLOMBIA’S TROPICAL
LOWLAND FOREST,

THE TEMPERATURE CAN
REACH ABOVE 80 DEGREES,

BUT THE EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD
MUST STILL INCUBATE HER EGGS.

AND SHE HAS OTHER
THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT.

THIS IS A MOUNTAIN COATI,

A SOUTH AMERICAN
RELATIVE OF THE RACCOON.

IT’S AN OMNIVORE,
AND EATS FRUIT, BUGS,

AND EVEN SMALL RODENTS.

BUT THIS ONE IS
LOOKING FOR EGGS.

FULL OF NUTRIENTS AND VITAMINS,

THEY’RE LIKE A
PRE-PACKED PROTEIN SHAKE.

THE COATI’S SENSE OF SMELL

IS HEIGHTENED BY
HIS FLEXIBLE SNOUT,

AND HE CAN SNIFF OUT
MEALS THAT HE CAN’T SEE.

BUT THE FOREST FLOOR ISN’T
THE ONLY PLACE TO FORAGE.

THE BRANCHES ABOVE
HIDE COUNTLESS NESTS.

HE JUST NEEDS TO
FOLLOW HIS NOSE.

HE HITS THE JACKPOT,

BUT IT’S NOT THE
HUMMINGBIRD’S NEST.

HIGH OFF THE GROUND, AND
CAREFULLY CAMOUFLAGED,

HERS STAYS SAFE.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

FOR NOW.

OTHER FOREST DWELLERS
HIDE IN THE TREES.

A POTOO STANDS MOTIONLESS
ON A TREE STUMP,

BLENDING IN LIKE A BRANCH.

IT’S MOTTLED FEATHERS
THE PERFECT CAMOUFLAGE.

IT WILL REMAIN ROOTED TO THE
SPOT FOR MUCH OF THE DAY,

WAITING FOR NIGHTFALL
BEFORE SETTING OUT TO HUNT.

(TENSE MUSIC)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(LIGHT UPBEAT MUSIC)

THREE WEEKS HAVE PASSED,

AND SOMETHING IS STIRRING IN
THE EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD’S NEST.

(CHICKS CHIRPING)

TWO HUNGRY CHICKS.

FOR THE MOTHER,
THIS IS THE START

OF THREE WEEKS OF
ROUND-THE-CLOCK FEEDING.

SHE MUST BRING THEM
A NEVER-ENDING SUPPLY

OF NECTAR AND INSECTS,

WHICH SHE REGURGITATES STRAIGHT
INTO HER CHICKS’ THROATS.

IT WILL REQUIRE UP
TO 50 TRIPS A DAY,

AND CONSUME HER
EVERY WAKING HOUR,

TO MEET THE DEMANDS
OF HER HUNGRY BROOD.

BACK UP ON THE PARAMO, COLD
WINDS SCOUR THE LANDSCAPE.

(TENSE MUSIC)

ABOVE THE STREAM, AFTER
THREE WEEKS BROODING,

THE HELMETCREST HAS
MANAGED TO HATCH HER EGGS,

AND NOW SHE TOO HAS A PAIR
OF HUNGRY MOUTHS TO FEED.

SHE’S GIVEN HERSELF THE
BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE

BY TIMING HER NESTING WITH THE
FLOWERING OF THE FRAILEJON.

FOUND NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH,

IT IS ONE OF THE PARAMO’S
MOST DISTINCTIVE PLANTS.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

IT’S BEEN KNOWN TO GROW
UP TO 40 FEET TALL.

AND CAN ABSORB 25 TIMES
ITS OWN WEIGHT IN WATER,

WHICH IT CATCHES FROM THE
PARAMO’S PERSISTENT MIST

IN ITS FINE HAIRS.

THESE SAME HAIRS
PROTECT THE PLANT

FROM UV RAYS IN
THE HARSH SUNLIGHT.

AND A LAYER OF DEAD
LEAVES INSULATES ITS TRUNK

FROM THE BITTER COLD
OF THE PARAMO NIGHT.

AT THE PEAK OF ITS BLOOMING,
IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER,

THE FRAILEJON IS A
MAGNET FOR HUNGRY INSECTS

AND NESTING HUMMINGBIRDS.

THE HELMETCREST MOTHER

MAKES THE MOST OF
THE FLOWERS’ BOUNTY,

AND SO DOES THE
BRONZE-TAILED THORNBILL.

SHE’S ALSO BUSY FINDING FOOD

TO BRING BACK TO HER NEST
ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE LAKE,

BUT ONLY FOR A SINGLE CHICK.

ONE OF HER TWO EGGS
FAILED TO HATCH.

WITHOUT A NEST-MATE
TO HELP KEEP IT WARM,

THIS CHICK HANGS ON BY A THREAD.

ITS MOTHER MUST RETURN SOON
WITH FOOD BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

COLD, DRENCHING RAIN IN THE
PARAMO CAN LAST FOR HOURS.

(DOWNCAST MUSIC)

THE NEST

FALLS SILENT.

THE BRONZE-TAILED
THORNBILL MOTHER

FINALLY RETURNS TO HER NEST.

HER CHICK, BARELY ALIVE,

SUMMONS THE ENERGY
TO LIFT ITS HEAD,

TRIGGERING THE MOTHER
TO RELINQUISH HER FOOD.

(HOPEFUL MUSIC)

WITH A BELLY FULL OF
NECTAR FROM THE FRAILEJON,

HER CHICK SHOULD
SURVIVE ANOTHER DAY,

IF SHE CAN KEEP IT WARM.

A BREAK IN THE RAIN
HELPS HER CAUSE

AND SHE HEADS BACK OUT FOR FOOD.

AS THE CHICK GROWS
SO WILL ITS APPETITE

AND SHE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE
MORE FREQUENTLY TO KEEP IT FED.

IT’LL BE 18 MORE DAYS
UNTIL HER WORK IS DONE.

EVENING AT THE
BRONZE-TAILED NEST.

THERE’S NO SIGN OF THE MOTHER.

INSIDE.

(DOWNCAST MUSIC)
A TRAGEDY.

THE SINGLE CHICK HAS SUCCUMBED
TO THE COLD OF THE PARAMO.

SHIELDED FROM THE HEAT
OF THE MORNING SUN,

THE EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD CHICKS

ARE STILL SLEEPING IN
THEIR TROPICAL BED.

IT’S ALREADY 70 DEGREES AS
THE FOREST COMES TO LIFE.

ANTS LOOK FOR LEFTOVER FOOD,
WHEREVER THEY CAN FIND IT.

THE HOWLER MONKEYS SET
OFF TO BEGIN THEIR DAY

OF FORAGING FOR FRUIT,
FLOWERS AND LEAVES,

WHILE ANOTHER ANIMAL
GETS READY FOR BED.

(CURIOUS MUSIC)

THIS IS A TAMANDUA.

A SMALL TREE-DWELLING ANTEATER.

SHE’S NOCTURNAL AND HAS
SPENT MUCH OF THE NIGHT

FOLLOWING HER NOSE IN THE HUNT
FOR ANT AND TERMITE NESTS.

NOW SHE’S LOOKING FOR A
TREE-HOLLOW IN WHICH TO SLEEP.

SHE’S CAUTIOUS AS
HER EYESIGHT IS POOR,

SO SHE SNIFFS THE AIR

TO CHECK THERE ARE
NO PREDATORS NEARBY.

THE COAST IS CLEAR, AND
SHE CONTINUES HER SEARCH.

SHE’S NOT CLIMBING
AS EASILY AS USUAL,

BUT THAT’S BECAUSE SHE’S
CARRYING SOME EXTRA WEIGHT.

SHE’S HEAVILY PREGNANT,

AND WILL GIVE BIRTH
IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS,

ASSUMING SHE MAKES IT.

SHE’S BEING WATCHED.
(TENSE MUSIC)

A JAGUAR FOLLOWS HER EVERY MOVE.

SHE’S GOT HERSELF
INTO A TRICKY SPOT.

THESE BRANCHES ARE TOO THIN.

IF THE FALL DOESN’T
KILL HER, THE CAT WILL.

THE JAGUAR DECIDES
TO FORCE THE ISSUE.

JUST IN TIME, THE TAMANDUA
MANAGES TO BRIDGE THE GAP

TO A NEIGHBORING TREE, AND
PULLS HERSELF TO SAFETY.

(EASYGOING MUSIC)

THE JAGUAR’S EASY MEAL
DISAPPEARS INTO THE TREETOPS.

(TRIUMPHANT MUSIC)

THE EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD CHICKS
ARE NOW OVER A WEEK OLD.

STILL UNDER THE STEADY
GAZE OF THE POTOO.

AND THEIR MOTHER STILL
BRINGS THEM FOOD,

(THUNDER CRASHING)

WHATEVER THE WEATHER.

FOR A HUMMINGBIRD, RAINDROPS
ARE LIKE A BARRAGE OF MISSILES.

A SINGLE DROP COULD WEIGH

AS MUCH AS A THIRD OF
THE BIRD’S BODYWEIGHT.

BUT THEY MUST KEEP FEEDING.

(FAST-PACED MUSIC)

THEIR FLIGHT IS A
MIRACLE OF AEROBATICS.

THEY BEAT THEIR WINGS AT
UP TO 50 TIMES A SECOND.

THEY CAN HOVER.

THEY CAN FLY FORWARDS
AND BACKWARDS.

PINPOINTING FLOWERS WHILE
AVOIDING BEES AND EACH OTHER.

THEY CAN HIT SPEEDS
OF 35 MILES AN HOUR.

NO OTHER BIRD IS MORE
SKILLED AT IN-FLIGHT FEEDING.

ALL THIS DEMANDS A
HUGE AMOUNT OF ENERGY.

THEY FAVOR FLOWERS WITH
THE MOST SUGAR-RICH NECTAR,

AND THEIR LONG BEAKS ARE
PERFECTLY SHAPED TO REACH IT.

THEIR TONGUES CAN LICK AT
UP TO 13 TIMES A SECOND,

AND SOME SPECIES CAN CONSUME
EIGHT TIMES THEIR BODY WEIGHT

OF NECTAR IN A SINGLE DAY.

SUCH PRECISION FLYING
REQUIRES REGULAR MAINTENANCE,

ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN.

THE HUMMINGBIRDS CHECK AND
REARRANGE THEIR PLUMAGE.

THEY MUST KEEP THEIR
FEATHERS ALIGNED

TO PRESERVE THEIR
EXTRAORDINARY FLYING SKILLS

ON WHICH THEY AND
THEIR CHICKS DEPEND.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

AT MORE THAN A WEEK OLD,
THE EMERALD CHICKS’ FEATHERS

STILL HAVE A LOT
OF GROWING TO DO

BEFORE THEY CAN TAKE
THEIR FIRST FLIGHT.

SO FOR NOW THEY STILL RELY
ON THEIR TIRELESS MOTHER.

(EXCITING MUSIC)

IN THE PARAMO, IT’S
STOPPED RAINING FOR ONCE,

BUT THE TEMPERATURE HAS
DROPPED DRAMATICALLY.

IT’S JUST 42 DEGREES,

AND COLD, DAMP FOG
SOAKS THE LANDSCAPE.

IT’S A BRUTAL HABITAT FOR A BIRD

THAT WEIGHS NO
MORE THAN A GRAPE.

AS DUSK FALLS, THE
HELMETCREST MOTHER

RETURNS TO THE NEST TO
KEEP HER CHICKS WARM.

BUT IF THE TEMPERATURE
CONTINUES TO DROP,

IT WILL CALL FOR
DRASTIC MEASURES.

BELOW 40 DEGREES,
HELMETCRESTS ACROSS THE PARAMO

EMPLOY A REMARKABLE STRATEGY
TO SURVIVE THE NIGHT.

THEY GO INTO TORPOR.

A KIND OF SHORT-TERM HIBERNATION

THAT REQUIRES HALF AS MUCH
ENERGY AS STAYING AWAKE.

(WIND BLOWING)

THEY SLOW THEIR HEART RATE AND
LOWER THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE.

FOR THE HELMETCRESTS,
IT’S THE ONLY WAY

THEY CAN SURVIVE THE
PARAMO’S COLDEST NIGHTS.

MORNING BRINGS RELIEF.

AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES,

THEIR METABOLISM SPEEDS
UP TO ITS NORMAL RATE,

THE DAILY ROUTINE BEGINS AGAIN.

CREATURES ARE STIRRING
ON THE PARAMO.

(LIGHT UPBEAT MUSIC)

A WHITE-TAILED DEER.

THIS BUCK’S ANTLERS ARE
JUST STARTING TO REGROW.

HE SHED THEM AT THE END
OF THE BREEDING SEASON,

AS HE DOES EACH YEAR,

BEFORE GROWING A NEW
PAIR EVERY NOVEMBER.

THEY’RE HIS TOOLS FOR SPARRING

WITH OTHER MALES AND
ATTRACTING FEMALES.

THEY WILL GROW BIGGER
AND MORE IMPRESSIVE

WITH EACH PASSING YEAR.

HE’S A HERBIVORE WITH
A VERY ROBUST STOMACH.

HE’S ABLE TO DIGEST
ALMOST ANYTHING,

FROM GRASS TO THE
SHARPEST OF TWIGS.

THE DEER ARE HARD TO
SPOT IN THE GRASSLANDS,

AND ARE ALMOST
COMPLETELY SILENT,

WHICH HELPS TO AVOID
UNWANTED ATTENTION.

THE DEER’S SENSE OF SMELL

IS UP TO 1,000 TIMES MORE
ACUTE THAN A HUMAN’S.

THE MALE SMELLS DANGER.
(TENSE MUSIC)

IT’S A SPECTACLED BEAR.

AT MORE THAN FIVE FEET TALL
AND WEIGHING UP TO 340 POUNDS,

IT’S SOUTH AMERICA’S ONLY BEAR.

THESE BEARS CAN TAKE A DEER,
THOUGH IT HAPPENS RARELY.

REGARDLESS, THE DEER DON’T
WANT TO HIM TO GET ANY CLOSER.

(DEER SNARLS)

(LIGHT MUSIC)

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL,

THE FERAL HORSES
HAVE SPOTTED HIM TOO.

THEY’RE MUCH TOO BIG AND
FAST FOR HIM TO CATCH.

BUT HIS NOSE HAS LED
HIM TO SOMETHING ELSE.

A HORSE CARCASS.

SPECTACLED BEARS ARE
FREQUENT SCAVENGERS

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY
TOO GOOD TO MISS.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

THERE’S NOT MUCH HERE
BUT SKIN AND BONES.

OTHER SCAVENGERS HAVE
BEATEN HIM TO THE FEAST.

THERE’S NO POINT
STICKING AROUND.

WITH HIS DEPARTURE,
A BLACK-CHESTED EAGLE

SPOTS ITS CHANCE TO
FINISH OFF THE SCRAPS.

HIS HUNT FOR FOOD CONTINUES.

EVEN FOR A TOP PREDATOR,

LIFE DOESN’T COME
EASY ON THE PARAMO.

(BIRD CAWING)
(LIGHT MUSIC)

IT’S RAINING AGAIN.

THE HELMETCREST CHICKS
ARE NOW 20 DAYS OLD.

THEIR MOTHER HAS DONE WELL

TO KEEP BOTH CHICKS
ALIVE AND STRONG.

SHE STILL FEEDS
THEM RELENTLESSLY,

BUT ANY DAY SOON THEY’LL
BE READY TO LEAVE.

ALREADY THEIR
INSTINCTS TELL THEM

TO DEFECATE OUTSIDE THE NEST,

WHICH HELPS KEEP
IT CLEAN AND DRY.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

IN THE STEAMY FOREST BELOW,

THE EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD CHICKS
ARE ALSO GROWING UP FAST.

AT TWO WEEKS OLD,
THEY’VE EATEN SO MUCH

THEY’VE ALMOST
OUTGROWN THEIR NEST.

THEIR EVER-ATTENTIVE MOTHER
HAS KEPT THEM FED AND SAFE.

THUS FAR.

IF ALL GOES WELL, SHE ONLY HAS
A FEW MORE DAYS BEFORE THEY,

TOO, ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO
FLEDGE AND LEAVE THE NEST.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

ONE OF THE BABY HELMETCREST
HUMMINGBIRDS IS MISSING.

THE MOTHER RETURNS WITH FOOD.

THE MISSING CHICK HAS FALLEN

AND CLINGS
PRECARIOUSLY TO A LEAF.

WHEN SHE FINISHES HER FEED,

HER FALLEN CHICK MANAGES
TO FLAP TO A SAFER PERCH.

THE MOTHER MUST NOW MAKE TWO
STOPS ON HER FEEDING ROUTE.

THE PERCH IS JUST FEET ABOVE
THE FAST-FLOWING STREAM.

(WATER FLOWING)

UNABLE TO PROPERLY FLY YET,

THE CHICK IS A SITTING TARGET
FOR ANY PASSING PREDATOR.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

OR MALE HUMMINGBIRD.

THIS MALE HELMETCREST IS
SEEKING OUT NEW TERRITORY.

HE WILL CHASE OFF ANY
OTHER MALES THAT HE FINDS,

EVEN JUVENILES.

(INTENSE MUSIC)

THE MOTHER IS BUSY
COLLECTING FOOD.

THE MALE SEES THE STRANDED
CHICK AS A COMPETITOR

AND ATTACKS.
(INTENSE MUSIC)

HE IS RELENTLESS.

THE CHICK CLINGS
ON FOR DEAR LIFE.

A BRIEF RESPITE.

THE CHICK MAKES A
BREAK FOR SAFETY.

THE MALE STRIKES AGAIN.

BUT THE CHICK HAS MANAGED
TO MAKE IT TO A ROCK BELOW.

(BIRD CHIRPING)

IT NEEDS ITS MOTHER
TO DETER THIS MALE.

FINALLY, SHE COMES TO THE RESCUE

AND DELIVERS A COMFORTING MEAL.

THE MALE WILL HAVE TO LOOK
ELSEWHERE FOR A NEW TERRITORY.

AFTER THREE WEEKS OF CONSTANT
CARE, ATTENTION, AND FEEDING,

THE HELMETCREST MOTHER HAS SHOWN

SHE HAS WHAT IT TAKES
TO FLEDGE HER CHICKS.

(BIRD CHIRPING)

(LIGHT MUSIC)

DOWN IN THE FOREST,

ONE OF THE EMERALD CHICKS
HAS LEFT THE PENTHOUSE

WHILE ITS MORE CAUTIOUS
SIBLING STILL SITS TIGHT.

BUT CAUTION WON’T HELP AGAINST
THIS BACKDOOR INTRUDER.

(EERIE MUSIC)

A CHICKEN SNAKE.

IT’S A SKILLFUL CLIMBER,
AND AT THIS TIME OF YEAR,

IT HAS MORE
OPPORTUNITIES TO FEED

AS THERE ARE DEFENSELESS
CHICKS IN THE BRANCHES.

IT HUNTS IN SILENCE,
ITS NINE-FOOT BODY

SLIDING EFFORTLESSLY
FROM TREE TO TREE.

THE CHICK IS OBLIVIOUS.

BUT IT SEEMS ALMOST
READY TO FLY.

(WINGS LOUDLY FLUTTERING)

FOR THE FIRST TIME IT
TRIES TO USE ITS WINGS.

FLICKING OUT ITS TONGUE,

THE SNAKE CAN SCENT
THE CHICK ON THE AIR.

IT KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE TO GO.

(TENSE MUSIC)

THE MOTHER RETURNS TO
ENCOURAGE THE CHICK TO FLY,

BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

THE MOTHER IS INSISTENT.

IT MUST FLY.

OR DIE.

JUST ONE

LEAP

OF FAITH.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

IT’S THE BEGINNING
OF A NEW LIFE.

A JOURNEY ON THE WING.

THROUGH THE TROPICAL
LOWLAND FORESTS

AND THE STARK EXPANSE
OF THE PARAMO,

(BEAR GROWLS)

THE HUMMINGBIRD QUEST CONTINUES.

(TRIUMPHANT MUSIC)