Spread your wings: Six of the best Caribbean birdwatching holidays

The Caribbean isn’t just about sun-kissed beaches. These verdant islands, plus Guyana, on the mainland south of Trinidad and Tobago, support a rich ecology and some spectacular bird life.

The variety is astonishing: from the wetland birds of Jamaica, to the brilliant-coloured parrots in St Lucia and the rare giant kingbird in Cuba, but they can be hard to spot. So the best way to see them is on a private guided or group-escorted tour.

We’ve picked out six of the best below. Note that, for obvious reasons, most of those suggested depart from next March onwards and will be dependent on the situation with Covid-19 both in the destination concerned and in the UK.

Check before booking that you are happy with the provisions for rescheduling or refund if a departure has to be cancelled or postponed.

1. Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad’s 24-room Asa Wright Nature Centre opened its doors in 1967, and offers views over bird-rich forest. Inhabitants include the tiny, golden-headed manakin and bearded bellbird with its distinctive feathered neck. The Travelling Naturalist offers a week’s stay at the centre on an escorted tour with wildlife expert, Terry Goble, who leads local excursions to Caroni Swamp to spot the scarlet ibis and to Dunston Caves, home to the oilbird.

The package: Easy Birding in Trinidad from £3,345 for seven nights including all meals, flights and transfers. Departs March 31 2021 with The Travelling Naturalist.

2. Guyana

Guyana’s vast stretches of tropical rainforest are a habitat for more than 800 species of bird. Wildlife Worldwide offers an autumn wildlife tour which includes a visit to Iwokrama Forest Reserve, boat trips on the Mahaica river and a stay at Karanambu Lodge where there’s a chance to see the rare agami heron, ladder-tailed nightjar and scarlet ibis.

The package: Guyana: A Pristine Wilderness from £5,895 for 13 nights including some meals, flights and transfers. Departs September 6 and 24 2021 with Wildlife.

3. Cuba

Among the high number of native birds that live in the forests of this vibrant island is the solitaire, with its ­tuneful call, and the tiny, red-throated tody.

Naturetrek has an early spring tour to spot the endemic species, plus the many migrating birds that pause here before crossing the Straits of ­Florida. Tour highlights include visits to the National Parks of La Güira and Ciénaga de Zapata, also the Sierra del Chorrillos mountain ridge, haunt of the rare, giant kingbird.

The package: Birding in Cuba from £3,595 for 11 nights including all meals and flights. Departs February 28 2021 with Naturetrek.

4. Jamaica

With its iridescent green feathers and long, elegant beak, the red-billed streamertail is Jamaica’s national bird and one of its 28 endemic species.

Bird Holidays has a spring departure which tours the island’s forests, wetlands and mountains during a stay at Green Castle Estate, an eco resort in 1,600 acres on the north-east coast.

Forays include the Blue Mountains to search for the rare Jamaican ­blackbird and purple-tinged, crested quail-dove.

The package: Jamaica Birdwatching Holiday from £3,930 (reduced to £3,780 if booked by November 22 2020) for nine nights including all meals, flights and transfers. Departs March 7 2021 with Bird Holidays.

5. Antigua, St Lucia and Montserrat

Combining guided birdwatching with island hopping and scenic walks, Hike Caribbean’s tailor-made tour in the region offers a range of flexible ­departures throughout the winter.

Starting in Antigua, with three nights spent in St Lucia and in Montserrat, birding highlights include the region’s brightly coloured parrots, orioles and warblers.

The tour ends back in Antigua with a final hike to Shirley Heights for sunset views of the harbour and coastline.

The package: Birding and Hiking from £2,995pp  for 14 nights B&B, including transfers. Excludes flights. Departures between November and April with Hike Caribbean.

6. Suriname and Guyana

Suriname and its western neighbour Guyana contain one of the world’s most diverse ranges of birds and animals.

Explore takes groups of 10 to 16 people to this lesser-known ­Caribbean region on an escorted tour staying in riverside eco lodges and remote guesthouses.

Highlights include spotting parakeets and parrots in the rainforest, a boat trip on the Burro-Burro river to see kingfishers and ibises, and a visit to Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname.

The package: Guyana and Suriname Explorer from £3,499 for 12 nights including most meals and transfers. Excludes flights. Departs March 22 and October 4 2021 with Explore.

All prices are per person based on two sharing a double room.