Birding in Guyana

American Birding Association

With a two-night post-trip extension to Karanambu Ranch

February 26 - March 07, 2010

Land program cost starting at $4,595

This program took place in February 2010. Please check current listings for possible future trips.

Summary

Please join us on this special, custom-designed itinerary through the South American country of Guyana. It is here that the Guiana Shield (one of four pristine tropical rainforests left in the world) converges with the Amazon Basin, and the unique geography of the country (which is about the size of Florida) creates a myriad of habitats for birds, ranging from coastal waters to mangroves, marshes, savannahs, mountains and tropical rainforests.

For a READING LIST on Guyana from Longitude Books, a specialty online travel bookstore, click here. The official ABA online bookstore is here.

Over 800 species total have been recorded in Guyana, and of the 104 Guiana Shield endemics, 73 have been identified in Guyana. Highlights on this trip include Blood-colored Woodpecker, Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Crimson Fruitcrow, Caica Parrot, Little Chachalaca, Sun Parakeet, Red-shouldered Macaw, Roraima Screech-Owl, Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Racket-tailed Coquette, Green Aracari, Black-spotted Barbet, Guianan Piculet, Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Guianan Streaked Antwren, Olive-green Tyrannulet, Guianan Red Cotinga, Cayenne Jay, Finsch's Euphonia, and Rosebreasted Chat.

Guyana can be broken down into three major birding zones: the coastal plain, the interior rainforest, and the savannah. We explore the coastal plain from our comfortable hotel in Georgetown, the capital, and also take in the city’s Botanic Garden, a haven for countless birds. Next, fly to impressive Kaieteur Falls where the Potaro River plunges nearly 750 feet. Continue to Iwokrama to explore the vast forests of the interior. After two nights at the Iwokrama Field Station, we travel to the Atta Rainforest Lodge, where an extensive canopy walk provides unparalleled vantage points.

Travel overland to the Rupununi Savannah and stay two nights at the Rock View Lodge at the base of the Pakaraima Mountains, where we search for the Guianian Cock-of-the-Rock and other species. Grasslands and riparian woodlands mean an entirely different suite of birds in this region along the Brazilian border. Return to Georgetown for one last night or join a two-night extension to Karanambu Ranch.