Trinidad and Tobago Birding Tours

Introduction to Trinidad and Tobago

Renowned for Carnival, a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage, and as the birthplace of Calypso music, Trinidad and Tobago offers beautiful tropical landscapes and spectacular birdlife. Being situated in the southern Caribbean and only seven miles (11 kilometers) from the South American mainland, the tiny twin islands host a unique blend of Amazonian and West Indian wildlife and one of the world’s highest diversities of bird species per area, with a staggering 499 species in less than 2,000 square miles (5,130 square kilometers).

During our birding trips to Trinidad and Tobago, we explore both islands, allowing ample time to appreciate their distinct characters. The larger and more diverse Trinidad pulses with vibrant energy and a diverse mix of cultures and habitats, while Tobago offers a more tranquil, Caribbean approach and features some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful untouched beaches.

Trinidad and Tobago birding highlights

From the extensive coastal mangroves, swamps, and tidal flats of western Trinidad to visiting a tropical island paradise and seabird colony on Little Tobago Island, our Trinidad and Tobago birding tours look for some amazing bird species. Highlight species include: Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Red-billed Tropicbird, Scarlet Ibis, Oilbird (we visit one of the most accessible roosts in the world) and Bearded Bellbird, amongst colourful tanagers, honeycreepers, manakins, hummingbirds, trogons, and parrots.

During our Trinidad and Tobago birding tours we stay at the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, a world-leading conservation-oriented eco-lodge that hosts over half of the bird species found within Trinidad and Tobago. We visit the best birdwatching sites, including Trinidad’s Northern Forest range (the most northeasterly extreme of the Andes chain), globally important wetlands such as Caroni and Nariva Swamps, Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve, and Little Tobago Island. Most Neotropical bird groups are well represented, and we will enjoy spending time with fantastic species, such as Tufted Coquette, Scaled Pigeon, Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagles, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, Blue-backed, White-bearded and Golden-headed Manakins, Masked Cardinal, Swallow Tanager, and Bicolored Conebill.

We target some high-quality specials of the region, with the two iconic country endemics – Trinidad Motmot and the Critically Endangered (ICUN) Trinidad Piping Guan most notable. Other range-restricted species include Lilac-tailed Parrotlet, White-tailed Sabrewing, Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Venezuelan Flycatcher and Trinidad Euphonia which only occur along the northern edge of the South American continent, as well as Caribbean species such as Scaly-naped Pigeon and Caribbean Martin.

Trinidad and Tobago wildlife highlights

Although our focus is birds, we hope to encounter other species on our tours such as Hawksbill Turtle and Silky Anteater, while we immerse ourselves in the beautiful landscapes of these unique twin isles.

Join Birding Ecotours in Trinidad and Tobago

While the diversity of species we encounter during the tour is impressive, we will enjoy prolonged views of many captivating species sought out from comfortable eco-lodges, which makes our Trinidad and Tobago bird watching tours perfect for birders and photographers alike. We stay in good quality accommodation throughout, and our lodges are all located in beautiful remote settings which you will have time to enjoy.

With direct flights from North America and Europe, Trinidad and Tobago is an easily accessible destination. On our Trinidad and Tobago birding tours we promise a list of spectacular and high-quality bird species, breath-taking tropical landscapes, and a lot of fun exploring this exciting and vibrant country.