Original subtitles

(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)