If you are lucky enough, you might just be at the right place at the right time to bear witness to something that can only occur when all the elements involved are in perfect balance. Such is the wonder and magnificence of the Cano Cristales at a certain time of the year, because that’s when the Rainbow River comes to life.Explorer Andres Hurtado named it thus in the 1980s, when he brought the attention of the world to this wonder of nature. For most of the year, this waterway looks like most other rivers, the crystal clear waters tumbling over rocks covered with nondescript green and grey plants and algae, but for a short period of time each year, a most amazing transformation occurs.In the few days between the wet and dry seasons, the water level drops enough for the sun to warm the moss and algae on the river's bottom, and this warmth leads to an explosion of blooms, as the flora bursts into incredibly colourful life. The many varieties of algae and moss bloom in a dazzling display of colors, from fuschia red, through yellow, green, bright blue, black, all accentuated by dramatic waterfalls and lazy watering holes.
The Scarlet Macaw is the bird we imagine on the shoulder of the pirate Long John Silver, though it would weigh heavy after a while. This is a big and colorful bird with a long tail, weighing in at around 2.2lbs. The incredibly bright plumage comes in colours ranging from the scarlet for which it is named, through to light blue, yellow, dark red with metallic gold iridescence, and even some green in the wings. They have bare white skin around the eye down to the beak, and lots of tiny white feathers on their faces. Native to humid evergreen forests in the American tropics, this truly spectacular bird is yet another glorious example of how creative nature can be in ensuring the survival of species.
There are many kinds of bird-of-paradise, all of which have truly beautiful displays, and most are found on the island of New Guinea. Forty types are known to biologists, all highly memorable because the plumage of the male birds is so wonderfully colourful. Particular kinds have highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the beak, wings and head, and give mating displays that can take your breath away. You are only ever likely to see them on film, though, because they mostly live in inaccessible, dense rainforest habitats.
The Golden or “Chinese Pheasant” is another type of bird that catches the eye with a wonderful display of colour. These are gamebirds, native to western China, although they have been breed in other countries like the UK, and are unmistakably lovely with a golden crest, rump and bright red body. When showing off to attract a mate, the male spreads his deep orange 'cape', which looks just like a black and orange fan covering everything except the bright yellow eye. A truly magnificent sight.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is very colourful – almost every colour of the rainbow can be found on their feathers. Lorikeets are parrots from Australasia, they can be found on many Pacific islands, and are common along the eastern seaboard of Australia and Tasmania. Usually they found in rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas, they are one of the most visually attractive birds in the world.
