Birding Tour Caribbean: Puerto Rico Escape – Endemics and Island Birding

Puerto Rico, the smallest and eastern-most island of the Greater Antilles, is full of beauty and amazing avian species. Surrounded by the gorgeous blues, turquoises, and greens of the warm Caribbean waters, this island features a multitude of habitats from highland forests to coastal wetlands. Puerto Rico is often overlooked when it comes to the larger islands in the Greater Antilles. However, this island has so much to offer! With 17 endemic bird species plus a host of other great Caribbean specials, Puerto Rico is a birder’s paradise. These amazing species include Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Owl, Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo, and Adelaide’s Warbler. Four of the endemics are currently red listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These include Puerto Rican Nightjar (Endangered), Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Endangered), Elfin Woods Warbler (Endangered), and Puerto Rican Amazon (Critically Endangered).

The Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Amazon is a top target for this trip.

This tour takes us on a great adventure circling the entire island of Puerto Rico. Many species are specialized in certain regions of Puerto Rico, so it is important we visit all corners and spend enough time there to target them. We will begin in San Juan in the northeast section of the island. From here we will transfer across the northern coastline and down the western edge to the more relaxed town of La Parguera, stopping at places such as Rio Abajo State Forest and Maricao Forest Reserve. We will stay here for three nights, birding this area which hosts many key species. Next, we will traverse the southern coastline into El Yunque National Forest where we will stay for the final two nights of the trip. Here we will explore the southeast and eastern reserves of the island including Humacao Nature Preserve and the small town of Fajardo. Finally, we will wrap back to San Juan for the trip’s conclusion and departure home.

We will look for the endemic Adelaide’s Warbler along with other warbler species.