Trinidad and Tobago

Lying just off the coast of Venezuela, the island of Trinidad shares much of its birdlife with the nearby continent. A large percentage of South America’s avian families are represented but without the often confounding variety of species encountered on the mainland. For this reason, combined with its pleasing island atmosphere, cultural accessibility (English is the official language), and excellent accommodation, Trinidad has long been considered the destination for fostering an understanding of Neotropical birds.

While on the island we’ll spend three nights at the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, a former coffee plantation now overtaken by rainforest and converted into a first-rate eco-lodge. We’ll devote ample time to enjoying our surroundings and the dazzling array of birdlife viewable from the veranda, possibly including Tufted Coquette, Bearded Bellbird and Channel-billed Toucan. The grounds are as well– home to an accessible colony of Oilbirds, one of the world’s most bizarre and enigmatic birds. We’ve also scheduled a boat trip through Caroni Swamp to a spectacular roost of Scarlet Ibis, herons, and egrets. Trinidad Piping Guan, once hunted to near extinction, has responded well to the considerable local conservation effort and is now slowly increasing in numbers and visibility. We’ll make a special effort for it along the northern coast of Trinidad at Grand Riviere.

Tobago, Trinidad’s smaller, more Caribbean, and (perhaps) even fairer sister is just a short plane ride away. Based at another scenic and bird-rich eco-lodge, we’ll have the opportunity to search for species not present on Trinidad while enjoying beautiful sand beaches, rainforest, and a short boat ride to Little Tobago Island where swarms of seabirds including Red-billed Tropicbird build their nests. Tobago is also an excellent island for vagrants, of either New World or Old World origins.

Few tours combine a relaxed pace, comfortable lodging, and relatively little travel with such an intense tropical birding experience.