Best Bird Watching Spots in the World

08.10.2024 - 06:55 / cntraveler.com

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveler España. This story is translated from the Spanish by John Newton.

Anyone who loves bird watching can tell you that, depending on who’s doing the counting, there are somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 different bird species around the world. And given their migratory movements and the fact that some regions of the world are more hospitable to birds than others, there are certain places that attract a greater variety of species than others and should be on bird-watchers’ must-visit lists. These are the best places for bird watching around the world.

At these centers of biodiversity, it’s often possible to spot hundreds of bird species in a single place. The appeal of visiting them will be obvious to serious ornithologists, but even novice bird-watchers or anyone who simply loves spending time in the great outdoors will appreciate these bird hot spots. But of course, the birds aren’t the only things that will grab your attention in these places of astounding natural beauty.

Read on and then book a ticket, pack your telephoto lens, and take flight to the best places in the world for bird watching.

The Abuko Nature Reserve was the country’s first designated nature reserve and is home to a rich variety of bird life.

This small nation on the west coast of Africa leads our list of best places for bird-watching. Its location between the Sahara to the north and tropical rainforests to the south makes it a popular spot with the more than 600 bird species, many migratory, that can be spotted there. The Gambia River, which runs through the heart of the country, is lined with mangroves and along its banks you may see pelicans and terns. The river is also the habitat of some of Gambia’s more elusive species like the African blue flycatcher and Pel’s fishing owl. The Abuko Nature Reserve, just 12 miles from Gambia’s capital, Banjul, was the country’s first designated nature reserve and is home to a rich variety of bird life. Among the estimated 250 to 300 species that inhabit the park’s forests are the kingfisher, weaver bird, violet turaco, yellow-breasted apalis, purple starling, and paradise flycatcher.

The Everglades is a critical stopover for many migratory birds making it a must-visit environment for birders.

Closer to home, the Florida Everglades is a bird-watcher’s paradise where more than 360 species can be spotted. This vast wetland ecosystem offers a variety of habitats including mangroves and marshes, making it an ideal home for both migratory and non-migratory birds. Among the species you’ll want to look for are the roseate spoonbill, with its striking plumage, and the endangered wood stork, whose presence is viewed as an indicator of