Bird Watching In the Dominican Republic

Birds flock to the Dominican Republic and with them bird watchers from all over the world. It's no wonder. The landscape of this second largest Caribbean island ranges from mountain peaks to valleys, deserts to lakes and islands, all habitats that attract over 300 species of brightly colored birds that call the island home during a migratory rest-stop or year-round.

What to See

One of the first feathered friends birds you'll likely see is the Palm Chat (Dulus dominicus), a robin-size song bird that perches in flocks in the island's many palm trees — hence the name. Olive-brown on top with a streaked brown underbelly and dark yellow-green edged feathers, this 8-inch long bird is most noticeable by its large yellow bill and rust colored eyes. March through June is breeding season, when you may spot large nests high up in the crowns of the Royal Palm.

The Palm Chat is unique in that it's not only an endemic species, which means its native to the Dominican Republic, but an endemic family. Thirty-one birds total are endemic to the island of Hispaniola. Among these is the yellow and brown Hispaniola woodpecker, the Broad-billed tody and White-necked crow. Yet another some fifteen species are endangered or threatened. Bird watchers are especially keen to get a glimpse of these, which include the Bay-breasted cuckoo, LaSelle thrush and Hispaniolan crossbill. One bird, Ridgway's hawk, is listed as critically endangered due to loss of forest habitat over the years as well as being hunted by local farmers who mistakenly believe the bird feeds on chickens. Today, you'll need to travel to Los Haitises National Park, in the northeastern corner of the island, to see the only known population of Ridgway's hawk that exists today.

Where to Go

Travel to the extreme southwest of the island, specifically the Jaragua National Park, to sight more than 130 bird species. Here there are Great egrets, Green-tailed warblers, Magnificent frigate birds, Great blue herons and Green herons, which are especially plentiful at the saltwater lake, Lago de Oviedo. This lake is also the place to go to see the largest population of bright pink flamingos on the island. To the north, the mountainous Sierra De Bahoruco National Park is home to several endangered species as well as temporary residence for winter migratory WatchList species such as Bicknell's Thrush, the Prairie Warbler and Swainson's Warbler. The Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens, located in the island's capitol city, is a hot spot for sighting common species such as Hispanolian Lizard Cuckoo, Vervain hummingbirds, snowy egrets, white winged-doves and smooth-billed ani's to rarer birds like West Indian Whisting ducks and least Grebe.

How To

Several tour companies and bird clubs in the U.S. offer birding trips to the Dominican Republic, complete with expert ornithologists to lead the way. You can also hire a local guide. Kate Wallace, a former naturalist with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, is one of the leading birders and naturalists in the Dominican Republic. Wallace offers beginning walks in the Botanical Garden for $20. Longer tours can be arranged to the top birding spots on the island. Consult her website todytours.com for more information. If you decide to go it alone, do go armed with a good pair of binoculars and a field guide, such as the Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti by Steve Latta.

Photos Courtesy of Tody Tours (www.todytours.com)
Ridgway Hawk photo by William C. Clark (1), Coast at San Rafael, west of Barahona (2), and Tody Tours camp site (3)

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