Jamaica is the birding gem of the Caribbean, boasting 28 endemic species of birds and numerous other Caribbean specialties. This beautiful island is blessed with wide ranges of mountains that loom thousands of feet into clear blue skies, lowland forests and wetland habitats. Avid bird watchers need look no further than Jamaica to discover the allure of exotic bird species.
The Cockpit Country is regarded as a goldmine for birdwatchers. The wet limestone forest is home to Jamaica Kite (Blue Swallowtail), Jamaica’s endemic parrots and the Jamaican crow, plus an abundance of songbirds, warblers and migrants. The Papilio Homerus (Giant Swallowtail) is the second largest butterfly in the world is also an inhabitant of Cockpit Country.
Blue & John Crow Mountains National Park conserves about 78,000 hectares of tropical rain-forest in the north-east of Jamaica. The region has been noted for having around 200 species of resident and migrant birds and is one of the largest migratory bird habitats in the Caribbean.
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary is a unique treat. The sanctuary visitors are given the opportunity to see and feed birds, in particular hummingbirds, by having them perch on their fingers.
Marshall’s Pen is impressive for birding and has recorded sightings of 23 of the country’s endemic birds, including the Jamaican owl. Rich forests and open pastures give this region an astonishing bird diversity.
Black River Morass is yet another extensive habitat for birds around the Black River in Jamaica and is the country’s largest wetland. The area is an ideal location for seeing ducks, herons, rails, waders and other water-loving birds.
Jamaica has one of the richest concentrations of endemic bird species in the Caribbean. There are a number of tours to Jamaica specially undertaken for hard-core birders. One just needs to hire a knowledgeable tour guide and carry a pair of binoculars to explore the island. A visit to Jamaica is an attractive trip for anyone with an interest in the avifauna of this beautiful part of the world.
Source: Sachin Murdeshwar