Whether birdwatching is your hobby or you pursue it professionally, encountering nature's thousands of diverse bird species can give you an unmatched thrill. If you love seeing the world, you can plan to visit extraordinary birdwatching hot spots awaiting your arrival. Choose specific destinations and carefully time your itinerary to spot rare species in their natural habitats.
Planning Your Birding Adventure
Before we list the 19 must-visit locations for bird enthusiasts from North America to Africa, how prepared are you for your trip? Here are some essential tips for maximizing your birding adventure.
1. Use valuable resources for research: Self-paced online courses can teach you how to identify birds based on their plumage, behaviors and songs.
2. Consider the best time to go: Research the best seasons to visit the area of your choice and spot the birds you're looking for.
3. Bring the right birding equipment: Pack clothes to suit the environment you're visiting, a field or bird guide to navigate the area and smart camera equipment for catching videos and photos.
North America
If you live in North America, here are some breathtaking places you can visit close to home.
1. Point Pelee National Park
This natural park in Canada is a spring migration spectacle with well over 390 species to see. Various birds pass through diverse habitats, including swamps, forests, savannahs and marshes.
2. Everglades National Park
Florida's Everglades National Park is an excellent location to view unique species like wading birds, swallow-tailed kites, sharp-shinned hawks and the bald eagle! You'll want to visit this wonder between December and March to witness rich biodiversity in wetland ecosystems.
3. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
This Oregon location has lush meadows, wetlands and riparian areas, making it an essential springtime stopover for numerous migratory birds. Depending on when you plan to go, you may see either a large concentration of a particular species or various species at once.
South America
From otherworldly waterfalls to places where countless bird species migrate, South America's landscape provides birdwatchers with unforgettable experiences.
4. Manu National Park
This national park in Peru has the highest biodiversity in the world, with over 1,000 bird species visiting. Its pristine Amazon rainforest and oxbow lakes are home to colorful tropical species, from deep-blue flowerpiercers to grass-green tanagers.
5. Iguazu Falls National Park
The Iguazu Falls area in Argentina and Brazil provides an excellent opportunity to view diverse birdlife in its iconic waterfall area and deep green forest. Even at night, you can tour the grounds and spot owls and nightjars for an ethereal experience.
6. Galapagos Islands
If you are familiar with Charles Darwin's pioneering work, you know the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador's coast are one of the world's best places to spot rare birds. Some species you might have close encounters with include the Galapagos penguin, the blue-footed booby, Darwin's finches and the waved albatross.
Europe
Places like the U.K., Spain and Poland offer exciting opportunities for unique scenery and experiences.
7. The Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly in the U.K. has an influx of birds year round, from numerous seabird breeds in the summer to royal tern, killdeer and sea ducks in the winter. It's an excellent place to catch a glimpse of rare migratory species and birds in their coastal habitats.
8. Bialowieza Forest
This ancient Polish forest is home to diverse bird species, including the unique Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, cryptic hazel grouse, thrush nightingale and European bee-eater. In addition to spotting rare and elusive birds, this beautiful forest will allow you to immerse yourself in untouched ecosystems.
9. Extremadura
Extremadura in Spain is rich with biodiversity, including steppe birds and pin-tailed sandgrouse that wander the plains. Aside from finding various migratory birds here, you'll also encounter many birds of prey, like griffon vultures, the golden eagle, Spanish imperial eagles and more.
Africa
In Africa, you'll find an abundance of ecosystems and indigenous birds, in addition to the continent's popular Big Five wildlife species.
10. Kruger National Park
South Africa's Kruger National Park should be on your bucket list if you hope to spot some of the rarest bird species, including Pel's fishing owl, lappet-faced vultures, kori bustards, saddle-billed storks and more. Witness abundant wildlife in varied ecosystems by going on an immersive park safari.
11. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
If you want to view birds in a savannah setting, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is a spectacle with resident and migratory birds. The gray-breasted spurfowl, usambiro barbet and gray-crested helmet shrike are only a few examples of the rare bird species you can only spot in this area.
12. Okavango Delta
This wetland paradise in Botswana includes varied ecosystems that attract birds, from the Kalahari Desert's salt pans and dry grasslands to the banks of the Chobe River. If you're looking for an insightful birding experience, Okavango Delta offers boating safaris for close encounters with waterbirds like the African jacana and a large flamingo population.
Asia
Another must-visit location for bird enthusiasts, Asia has numerous nature reserves that offer a look at unique bird species.
13. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary in India is a renowned area for winter waterfowl. The area includes varied habitats like large wetlands, a scrub forest and a savannah grassland to support multiple species, such as ground birds, waterbirds, raptors and waders.
14. Kinabalu Park
Have you been itching to explore the world of unique mountain bird species? In Malaysia's Kinabalu National Park, there are various opportunities for birding amid stunning landscapes and mountainside forests. You'll find species like the mountain wren-babbler, crimson-winged woodpecker, Bornean spiderhunter and more among the uphill trails.
15. Taman Negara National Park
This national park in Malaysia is one of the oldest tropical rainforests, with river trips, canopy walkways and treks through the jungle to help you view the diverse array of bird species in the area. Some extraordinary birds you'll find include the rusty-breasted cuckoo, white-rumped shama and red-throated barbet.
Oceania
Birding hot spots in Oceania allow you to glimpse birds you won't see elsewhere.
16. Lamington National Park
The trails in this tropical Australian rainforest suit enthusiasts of all levels. Lamington National Park is home to unique species like Albert's lyrebird, Australian king parrot, Australian collared sparrowhawk and more.
17. Fiordland National Park
Fiordland in New Zealand features stunning landscapes and rare and extraordinary flightless birds, including the kiwi, takahe and the tawaki Fiordland crested penguin. This national park is the place to be if you want to encounter the kakapo — the world's only flightless parrot and one of the most critically endangered bird species alive today.
Remote Birding Destinations
Are you looking for a remote birding destination where few humans step foot? Memorable adventures await you in Antarctica and Madagascar.
18. Antarctica
Antarctica has many birding opportunities if you're taking a cruise to the Antarctic Ocean. During your trip, you'll find seabirds like the black-browed albatross, numerous penguin species and other birds that have adapted to this frigid climate.
19. Madagascar
While the movie “Madagascar” might focus more on indigenous lemurs, Madagascar is also home spectacular birds. Its range of unique ecosystems, from lagoons and mudflats to dry woodlands and spiny forests, allow you to view long-tailed ground rollers, giant coua and velvet asity.