Click on image to enlarge

Birdwatching on Tobago

"Ornithologists and naturalists flock in for the bird and animal life that flourishes in Tobago."
Rough Guide of Trinidad & Tobago

Because of the location of Trinidad & Tobago and their past links to South America, they have retained many of the native bird and plant species, unlike the other Caribbean islands where the bird life is predominately North American. Over 260 species of birds breed in Trinidad and Tobago and it is a perfect stopping point for Northern and Southern migratory birds and butterflies.

Little Tobago is well worth a visit. It is a small offshore, uninhabited island that is one of the most important sea bird sanctuaries in the Caribbean. It is home to pelicans, frigates, boobies and others, and during March and April it is possible to get close to the nests to see the young.

There is also a sanctuary at Grafton. A good time to visit is 4 pm when it is feeding time for flocks of cocrico (one of Tobagos national birds), mot-mots and others, many of whom will take food from your hand. If you are particularly interested in birds, there are also sanctuaries in Trinidad. One of the most well known is the caroni, where the beautiful scarlet ibis roost in the mangroves, and at sunset they can be an unforgettable sight.