Bird Watching in Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago are among the Caribbean's strongest birdwatching destinations. Their value comes from two different biogeographic stories: Trinidad lies on the South American continental shelf and supports many species associated with the mainland, while Tobago adds island forest and seabird habitats that are different again.

Species count: The official Trinidad & Tobago checklist published by the Trinidad & Tobago Field Naturalists' Club stood at 498 species on 31 August 2024. The list is updated as new records are accepted, so older claims of “more than 450 species” are now outdated.

Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad — Asa Wright Nature Centre

Rainforest at Asa Wright Nature Centre — Asa Wright rainforest

Hummingbird feeding at Asa Wright — Hummingbird

Asa Wright Nature Centre

The Spring Hill estate in Trinidad's Arima Valley became the Asa Wright Nature Centre in 1967 and developed an international reputation among birdwatchers. The site remains active and is now marketed as HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre. Current tourism information reports 256 bird species recorded at the centre. The veranda alone can produce a remarkable variety of hummingbirds, tanagers, honeycreepers and other species, while guided trails add forest birds and the celebrated oilbird colony.

Species often associated with the reserve include white-necked jacobin, copper-rumped hummingbird, ruby-topaz hummingbird, bearded bellbird, channel-billed toucan, trogons, manakins, woodcreepers and oilbirds. Current tour access, opening hours and prices should be checked directly before travel.

Copper-rumped hummingbird in Trinidad — Copper-rumped hummingbird

Red-billed tropicbird in Trinidad and Tobago — Red-billed tropicbird

Bird nests in Trinidad and Tobago — Bird nests

Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary

Caroni Swamp is a large mangrove wetland just south of Port of Spain and one of the easiest wildlife experiences for visitors. Late-afternoon boat trips are timed for the return of scarlet ibis and herons to communal roosts. The spectacle varies naturally from day to day, so fixed claims about the exact number of birds are best avoided. Other possible sightings include potoos, kingfishers, herons, egrets, woodcreepers, raptors, caimans and snakes.

Other strong sites in Trinidad

Northern Range and Blanchisseuse Road: forest birds, hummingbirds, toucans, trogons, bellbirds and raptors.
Aripo and the Aripo Savannahs: a mixture of forest edge, savannah and wetland habitats.
Nariva Swamp and Bush Bush: Trinidad's largest freshwater wetland, with waterbirds and forest species.
Yerette: a well-known hummingbird-focused visitor experience in the Maracas Valley.
Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust: wetland birds and conservation education in south Trinidad.
Waterloo and coastal mudflats: useful for shorebirds and wetland species.

Birdwatching at Asa Wright Nature Centre — Asa Wright

Bird at Asa Wright Nature Centre — Birding in Trinidad

Birdlife at Asa Wright Nature Centre — Birdlife

Birdwatching in Trinidad rainforest — Rainforest birding

Birdwatching in Tobago

Tobago should not be treated as an afterthought. The Main Ridge Forest Reserve offers forest birding along trails such as Gilpin Trace, where visitors look for species including the white-tailed sabrewing, blue-backed manakin and collared trogon. Little Tobago, reached by boat from Speyside, is an important seabird sanctuary and a classic place to see red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds and terns. Bon Accord Lagoon, Buccoo Marsh and other wetlands add shorebirds and waterbirds.

Bird in Trinidad and Tobago — Trinidad and Tobago birdlife

Best time to go

Birding is productive throughout the year. Tobago's tourism authority highlights December through April as particularly good, with forest activity and migratory species adding variety. In Trinidad, seasonal rainfall, flowering and fruiting affect what is easiest to see. Early morning is generally best for forest birding, while Caroni's signature experience is late afternoon.

Practical birding advice

Neutral clothing, binoculars, rain protection, insect repellent and water are useful. A local bird guide can dramatically increase the number of species seen and also reduces the temptation to approach nests or sensitive sites too closely. Playback should be used sparingly, particularly around breeding birds.