Toucans, Scarlet Macaws & Resplendent Quetzal
Over 500 bird species recorded in the Arenal basin, with keel-billed toucans, scarlet macaws, and the resplendent quetzal in high-canopy cloud forests.
Best: Jan–May & Dec. Also good: Jun–Nov.
Nesting seasons, migratory flyways, and prime canopy viewing conditions.
From endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers on the slopes of Mauna Kea and resplendent quetzals in Costa Rican cloud forests to California condor thermals above Vermilion Cliffs, avian timing aligns with fruit blooms and migration corridors.
Toucans, Scarlet Macaws & Resplendent Quetzal
Over 500 bird species recorded in the Arenal basin, with keel-billed toucans, scarlet macaws, and the resplendent quetzal in high-canopy cloud forests.
Best: Jan–May & Dec. Also good: Jun–Nov.
Hakalau Forest, Kīlauea & Endemic Honeycreepers
Endangered endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers (ʻIʻiwi, ʻAkapane, ʻAkiapōlāʻau) protected in old-growth koa forests of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.
Best: Apr–Oct. Also good: Jan–Mar & Nov, Dec.
Canopy Birdwatching
Over 400 avian species in Mashpi, with 36 endemic Chocó species, velvet-purple coronets, and Andean cock-of-the-rock leks.
Best: Jun–Oct. Also good: Jan–May & Nov, Dec.
Atlantic Forest Birding
Over 450 species in the subtropical Atlantic Forest, including great dusky swifts flying through the waterfalls and toco toucans.
Best: Apr–May & Aug–Oct. Also good: Jan–Mar, Jun, Jul & Nov, Dec.
Forest Canopy Birdwatching
Broadleaf evergreen forest habitats supporting copper pheasants, Japanese paradise flycatchers, and crested kingfishers along river gorges.
Best: Apr–May & Oct–Nov. Also good: Jan–Mar, Jun–Sep & Dec.
Osa Canopy
Home to Central America’s largest remaining wild population of scarlet macaws, plus the endemic black-cheeked ant-tanager.
Best: Jan–Apr. Also good: May–Aug & Nov, Dec.
Birdwatching (Endemics)
Primary habitat for 28 of Jamaica's 29 endemic bird species, including the red-billed streamertail (doctor bird) and Jamaican tody.
Best: Jan–Apr & Dec. Also good: May–Aug & Nov.
Montane Canopy Birdwatching
High-altitude Albertine Rift endemics including Rwenzori turacos, Archer’s ground robins, and regal sunbirds on the volcanic slopes.
Best: Jun–Oct. Also good: Jan–May & Nov, Dec.
Látrabjarg, Dyrhólaey & Westman Islands
Over 60% of the world's Atlantic puffin population nesting on the sheer sea cliffs of Látrabjarg, Dyrhólaey, and the Westman Islands from May to August.
Best: Jun–Jul. Also good: May & Aug.
Kilauea Point NWR, Kokee & Na Pali Seabirds
Nesting red-footed boobies, Laysan albatrosses, and red-tailed tropicbirds on coastal bluffs at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Best: Jan–Mar & Dec. Also good: Apr–Nov.
S'Albufera Bird Tracking
S'Albufera Nature Reserve is the largest wetland in the Balearics, hosting over 300 migratory species, Eleonora’s falcons, and greater flamingos.
Best: Mar–May & Sep–Nov. Also good: Jan, Feb, Jun–Aug & Dec.
Bald Eagles & Atlantic Flyway
Major Atlantic Flyway migration corridor with nesting bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and over 20 species of colorful wood warblers.
Best: Jan–Feb & Dec. Also good: Mar–Nov.
Maremma Wetland Birding
Maremma Regional Park wetlands and Orbetello Lagoon providing crucial Mediterranean stopovers for flamingos, ospreys, and purple herons.
Best: Mar–May & Sep–Nov. Also good: Jan, Feb, Jun–Aug & Dec.
Bald Eagles, Harlequin Ducks & Alpine Species
Harlequin ducks on fast glacial streams, white-tailed ptarmigan on alpine tundra, and bald eagles nesting along the Flathead River.
Best: May–Jun & Sep. Also good: Jan–Apr, Jul, Aug & Oct–Dec.
Oak Creek, Verde River & Red Rock State Park
Oak Creek Canyon riparian corridor hosting over 250 species including summer tanagers, yellow-breasted chats, and nesting peregrine falcons.
Best: Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct. Also good: Jan–Mar, Jul, Aug & Nov, Dec.
Golden Eagles, Wallcreepers & Alpine Choughs
Alpine cliff specialists including wallcreepers, alpine choughs, golden eagles, and rock ptarmigan inhabiting high limestone crags above 7,000 feet.
Best: Jul–Sep. Also good: Apr–Jun & Oct, Nov.
Riverine Birdwatching
Over 500 resident and migratory bird species including southern ground hornbills, martial eagles, and lilac-breasted rollers along the Sabie River.
Best: Jan–Mar & Nov–Dec. Also good: Apr–Oct.
Riverine Acacia Birdwatching
Over 470 recorded bird species including 57 birds of prey, secretary birds stalking savannah grass, and seasonal migratory flocks.
Best: Jan–Mar & Nov–Dec. Also good: Apr–Oct.
Equatorial Birdwatching
Diverse savannah birding with Kori bustards (the heaviest flying bird in Africa), Fischer’s lovebirds, and endemic grey-breasted spurfowl.
Best: Jan–Mar & Nov–Dec. Also good: Apr–Oct.
Puffins arrive on Icelandic sea cliffs (like Látrabjarg and Dyrhólaey) in late April to breed, with peak viewing lasting until mid-August before they depart back out to sea.
Breeding season runs from February through May, when quetzals feed on wild avocado trees in high-elevation cloud forests like Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota.
Spring through early autumn (April to October) provides strong rising thermal currents over canyon rims for effortless soaring visibility.