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For the term "finca esperanza verde".

Smithsonian Bird-Friendly

Bird-Friendly certifies coffees in Nicaragua

Approximate locations of Bird-Friendly certified producers in Nicaragua.

From my accounts of previous trips, readers know I have a soft spot for Nicaragua. So I’m happy to report that the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has now has three Bird-Friendly certified coffee producers in the country.

Selva Negra — Selva Negra, near Jinotega, is 450 ha that consists of an ecolodge, organic gardens, ponds, 150 ha of preserved cloud forest, and a coffee farm (actually named Finca La Hammonia, although usually referred to as Selva Negra).  About 120 to 150 ha are in shade coffee production, much of it organic; 87 ha is now certified Bird-Friendly. Finca La Hammonia grows bourbon and caturra between 1200 and 1300 m.  The sustainability efforts of Selva Negra are extensive and well-known, the farm has long been Rainforest Alliance certified, and the coffee has been well-represented in the U.S. by multiple roasters, including Allegro/Whole Foods.

The forested area has numerous trails (I have been there twice), hosts over 500 tree species, 130 species of orchids, and at least 280 species of birds. A number of restricted-range, rare bird species that are hard to find elsewhere are common at Selva Negra, including Three-wattled Bellbird (conservation status “Vulnerable”) and Resplendent Quetzal (Near Threatened).

Read more at their excellent web site.

UniÁ³n de Cooperativas Agropecuarias San Juan del Rio Coco — This cooperative is located in the northern department of Madriz, near the towns of San Juan del Rio Coco and Telpaneca. The certified area covers 709 ha and 128 growers, and the co-op is also certified Fair Trade and Utz Certified.

Gaia Estate (Finca Bosques de Gaia) – This small, 18-ha farm owned by Jefferson Shriver and Gabriela Navarez is located outside the familiar central highlands of Nicaragua, south of the capital Managua near Diriamba, Carazo department.

Birds & Beans has contracted with all of these producers and will incorporate the beans in two of their coffees this fall.  They purchased all of Gaia’s current crop, and it will appear in the Wood Thrush variety, and Selva Negra’s coffee will be in the Chestnut-sided Warbler variety.  San Juan del Rio Coco should show up next year.

A list of all current Bird-Friendly certified farms can be found here.

Coffee news and miscellany

Birds on coffee

I talk about birds in coffee a lot on this site– how birds use and need the resources provided in shade coffee farms is the inspiration for the site. How about birds on coffee…labels and logos?

First up, coffee roasting companies named after birds.

Caffe Ibis – White Ibis

Black Stilt Coffee Lounge

Toucanet Coffee – Three birds: an Emerald Toucanet, Red-legged Honeycreeper, (both tropical species) and Western Tanager (breeds in North America, winters in the tropics).

And here’s a sampling of birds on coffee packaging.

Thanksgiving Coffee Company – Songbird Coffee series in partnership with the American Birding Association. Top = Wilson’s Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Indigo Bunting; Bottom = Ovenbird, American Redstart, and Baltimore Oriole. All North American breeding birds that winter in the tropics.

Thanksgiving Coffee Company – More partnership coffees. Common Yellowthroat on Birder’s Blend (Wild Birds Unlimited); Broad-winged Hawk on Broadwing Blend (Hawk Mountain Sanctuary); Cerulean Warbler on Conservation Coffee (American Bird Conservancy); and Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Trust for Wildlife. All North American breeding birds that winter in the tropics.


Counter Culture Coffee,Café San Ramon — Emerald Toucanet, a tropical species. I have to say, this is my personal favorite because Counter Culture asked me to help them identify an appropriate species for this product and this was one of the first choices. Plus, I’ve actually seen this species on the very farm that is the main source of this coffee.


Counter Culture Coffee, La Golondrina – a swallow. There are many swallow species, both resident and migrants to the tropics. According to Counter Culture, a swallow was chosen as in Latin American culture, the swallow is a symbol of communication between people separated by distance and borders.


Tony’s Coffee and Teas, Songbird Blend. Another Western Tanager.


Audubon Coffee, Rainforest Blend and Breakfast Blend. Scarlet Tanager and Broad-winged Hawk. Both North American breeders that winter in the tropics. These are both portions of paintings by John James Audubon.


Golden Valley Farms has nearly a dozen Smithsonian Bird-Friendly certified coffees featuring birds on the packaging. Here are just three. The El Salvador Santa Teresa Bourbon has a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, which breeds in North America, winters in the tropics. The Red Knot blend shows a shorebird of the same name, which makes one of the longest migrations of any bird, from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego. This coffee raises funds for this species, which has experienced dramatic population declines. Finally, their Ethiopian Lekempti has a hornbill on the package, probably a Silvery-cheeked Hornbill. These striking large birds nest in cavities, and they restrict the entrance to their nest holes with mud, droppings, and fruit pulp. The female becomes sealed inside while incubating eggs and tending to young, with the male passing food through a small hole. The female breaks out when the nest hole gets too crowded.

Know some other roasters or coffees with a cool bird as a logo? Let me know in the comments!