Caribbean Birding

As dawn breaks across the Arima Valley, a gentle light begins to filter through the humid air of the Trinidadian rainforest. A single cocoa thrush begins its opening notes of the morning's chorus, its song quickly joined by the unmistakable call of a great kiskadee – an onomatopoeic cry. Following on is the squeaky chatter of palm tanagers, the repeating notes of a bright-rumped attila, and the loud, bell-like tones of several bearded bellbirds echoing through the valley.

As it gets lighter, breakfast is served for the birds. Fresh fruit and sugar feeders are hung along the veranda, transforming the air into a flurry of activity. Hummingbirds arrive in a darting, iridescent flash, each vibrant streak competing for nectar. We enjoy watching several species flit and hover: white-necked jacobins, copper-rumpeds, brown violetears and the tiny bee-like tufted coquettes. Overhead, we hear the high-pitched calls of grey-rumped swifts as they feed on insects.

Then, as if someone has quickly turned on the light, the sky is bright and the wildlife is back into its daytime routine. Flycatchers, hummingbirds, trogons and toucans come and go, while on the forest floor, dazzling butterflies flit alongside tegu and tree runner lizards, and even the occasional agouti. All of this unfolds right before our eyes during our gentle, week-long stay at the Asa Wright Centre, nestled in the heart of Trinidad’s Arima Valley rainforest.

Trinidad is home to a rich and diverse array of wildlife, acting as a gateway where South American fauna meets the Caribbean islands. The Asa Wright Centre, situated in the cooler hills of the Arima Valley, provides a welcome retreat. On this tour, we’ll spend leisurely time on the famous veranda, enjoying close-up views of local birds visiting the feeders, as well as raptors soaring across the valley.

Beyond the birds, you’ll get the chance to see plenty of stunning flowers and other remarkable wildlife, including bats, snakes and invertebrates. You can even join optional short guided night walks to explore the centre's nocturnal life.

A highlight of our stay is a morning trek down to the famous Oilbird Cave, where we’ll see these unique birds resting during the day before they emerge at night to find fruit using echolocation. We’ll also spend time birding along the renowned Blanchisseuse Road, a fantastic location to see a variety of other local rainforest species such as red-legged honeycreeper, collared trogon and swallow tanager.

Our journey continues with an overnight trip to Trinidad's north coast – home to a globally important nesting site for leatherback turtles. We’ll stay in a hotel right by the beach, putting us in the perfect position to witness the annual ritual of these magnificent turtles coming out of the sea to lay their eggs.

The truly unforgettable experience is generally a nocturnal one, but with luck, we may see these gentle giants – or evidence of their freshly laid nests – still on the beach in the morning. Our location is also prime habitat for the elusive Trinidad piping guan. This critically endangered bird is one of the rarest species in the country, and we’ll be in an ideal spot to look for it.

After heading back to Asa Wright, we visit the west coast for an evening boat trip into the Caroni Swamp – an unforgettable highlight of our trip. As dusk falls, we’ll navigate through a maze of peaceful mangrove channels, seeing spotted sandpipers, little blue herons and perhaps even a sleeping silky anteater.

The journey culminates in a unique dining experience on the lake, where we’ll watch in awe as thousands of brilliant scarlet ibises return to their roost in the mangrove trees. The sky will be filled with vibrant red V-shaped formations as the ibises arrive, joined by great egrets, tricoloured herons and night herons flying low over the water before they settle down to sleep.

This unique, slow-paced tour is an unforgettable way to experience Trinidad’s astonishing wildlife and enjoy many of the country's 480-plus bird species at a relaxed and rewarding pace.

If you have been inspired to discover the fantastic Caribbean wildlife of Trinidad, find out more about our Easy Birding in Trinidad with Ed Drewitt, or check out our full collection of Trinidad and Tobago tours. For further guidance, contact our expert team today.