Guyana, Birds to Watch

www.guyanabirds.com

Guyana is geographically part of the Neotropics, an area that includes Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, and which accounts for a quarter of the World's bird species.  Our Guyana is fortunate to be home to almost eight hundred of these known species. This makes Guyana an ideal destination for birdwatchers the world over.The country is divided geographically, into three main natural regions, the coastlands, the rainforest and the Savannahs. Where the birdlife is concerned, these regions provide distinctly different habitats, each with it's own diverse array of species.

Birds of the Coastland The mouth of the Essiquibo River, some twenty three miles wide, divides the Guyana Coastlands into two distinct regions. To the west the Mangrove and Coastal forest habitats support a mixture of forest and seashore species, like the Scarlet Ibis. The eastern Coastlands consist mostly of populated areas and farmlands. The highlight of any expedition to this area is observing the rare Hoatzin. Our National bird. In addition to ibises Egrets, Herons, Gulls and other species of the seashore, these cultivated areas play host to Hawks, Tanagers, Flycatchers, Finches, Blackbirds and Orioles to name a few. Even our capital city is home to almost two hundred species such as the Snail, Kite , as well as several species of Tanagers, Parrots and Hummingbirds.

Birds of the Rainforest The Rainforest provides a habitat for more than half the bird species found in Guyana. No other Ecosystem supports such a high diversity of species. They include some of the most fascinating and spectacular birds in the world. The rainforest itself has three distinct layers, the canopy, the understory and the floor. The canopy supports many species such as the elusive Harpy eagle, Toucans, Macaws and Parrots, including the endangered Scarlet Macaw. In the middle section of the forest, Hummingbirds, Trogans, Jacamars, Tanagers, Woodpeckers and Antbirds are other species that abound. This section is also home to the Brilliant Cock of the rock and the ever present Screaming Phea which provides the familiar voice of the rainforest. The fallen Fruit found on the forest floor provide diet for many species such as Tinamous, Curassows, Guans, Chacalacas and Trumpeters which can be seen feeding in large groups.

Birds of the Savannahs. This ecosystem is Characterized by the diverse range of species of Hawks, Falcons and Caracaras, as well as an interesting mixture of Quail, Finches, Tanagers and Flycatchers.

The Rupununi savannahs are largely independent ecosystems, which experiences severe weather fluctuations that transform these normally dry grasslands into wetlands for three months each year. As a result this ecosystem accommodates a wide variety of waders which include Storks, Ibises, Ducks and smaller species of waterfowl, in addition to grassland species. The savannahs bordering the Kanuku Mountains are particularly rich in birdlife as there is an overlapping of species, such as the magnificent Harpy Eagle, that occur along the forest fringes of this area.

Birding Hotspots Georgetown, the Capital City has more than 190 species of birds logged and identified.

Mahaica/Abary The Mahaica/Abary area had quite a variety of wetland and Pastoral species. This easily accessible region is relatively unknown to birders and is the habitat of our National Bird the Hoatzin.

Riverside Resorts Shanklands, Baganara, Timberhead and Arrowpoint are a few of the easily accessible resorts of the close interior that provides excellent opportunities for bird watchers.

Iwokrama The iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest conservation was established on 360,000 hectares of pristine rainforest. It boasts the only Rainforest Canopy Walkway in the Caribbean which provides a window through which bird watchers can enjoy the birds of the rainforest.

The Rupununi Savannahs Rock View provides a gateway to the diverse species of the  vast grasslands of the rupununi.

Kaieteur Falls has come to symbolise the enthralling natural beauty of Guyana. For birdwatchers and in fact watchers of any sort

Bird Tour Operators