Birdwatching in Guyana

The best birding spots in Guyana

Guyana boasts an impressive diversity of birding areas, each with its own character and abundance of species. Thanks to the conservation of large nature reserves, many rare species can be spotted here with relative ease. Each area offers its own bird species and landscapes. Together, they form a destination that is surprisingly rich for both novice and experienced birdwatchers alike. We highlight a few regions that are well-known amongst birdwatchers worldwide:

Iwokrama Forest
This vast area of rainforest is one of the country’s best-known birding spots. Highlights include the rare harpy eagle, black macaw, hooded fruit-crow and Guianan red cotinga. Iwokrama is also renowned for species such as the scaly-bellied chachalaca and the ring-banded motmot.

Surama and the surrounding savannahs
This region offers a mix of forest edges and open terrain, where you may encounter species such as the Red-winged Ground Cuckoo, toucans and the Guyana Bearded Cuckoo. Surama is also an excellent spot for observing parrots and harlequin toucans in the early morning hours.

Rupununi savannah
This open landscape is home to a wide variety of grassland and wetland birds. These include species such as the jabiru stork, the double-crested caracara and the great tinamou. In the transition zones bordering the forest, the emerald hummingbird and various species of owl can also be found.

Rock View / Annai
On the edge of the savannah and the Pakaraima Mountains lies Rock View Lodge, from where various bird habitats are accessible. Species regularly spotted here include the Guyan pepper vulture, the blue-backed tanager and the rare sun parakeet.

Karanambu Lodge
This lodge is not only renowned for its giant otter project, but is also much loved by birdwatchers. Species found here include the little mesbek peacock, the great cowbird and the blood-coloured woodpecker. The combination of river, marshland and savannah attracts a wide variety of bird species.

Yupukari and Caiman House
This is an interesting area for those who, as well as birdwatching, wish to contribute to research. At night, the nightjar, black caiman and various species of owl are active here. During the day, you may encounter the fork-tailed king-tyrant, king vulture and marsh buzzard, amongst others.