Bird Watching In The Turks and Caicos Islands

Birding on Providenciales and the Islands

For birders, the Turks and Caicos Islands entices visitors with a chance to spot the Bahama Woodstar Hummingbird and the Reddish Egret among many other species and sub species. The rocky outcropping, protected wetlands, and scrubby brush are home to breeding birds, birds of prey and other unique Caribbean species. And while bird watching in the Turks and Caicos Islands may not be the reason you plan your Caribbean vacation, seeing these local species is a wonderful and memorable experience.

Bahama Woodstar Hummingbird

They’re brilliantly colored and they move so fast you can’t even see each wing’s movement. You could even say they seem to shimmer. And in fact you’d be correct.

The Bahama Woodstar Hummingbird which lives in the Turks and Caicos Islands may be very tiny and not easily spotted, but it’s no wonder when these fast fliers group together, their iridescent colours zooming through their air, they’re known as a shimmering.

With its green upper parts, violet throat and partial white collar, the Bahama Woodstar hummingbird is a lovely little bird to behold. It nests all year round in the islands and plays an important role in pollinating native plants. It’s often seen flitting in and out of flowering plants like the hibiscus while it sips on the nectar.

Reddish Egret

Significantly bolder in size and movement but whose numbers are fragile, is the Reddish Egret. This medium sized heron named for its rusty colored head and neck is known for its interesting movements. With a wingspan of four feet, it’s quite a sight to see it aggressively dancing across a body of water gathering up a school of fish along its path. To catch your glimpse of a siege of herons, visit sites like Northwest Point on Providenciales, Montpeller Pond near Bambarra on Middle Caicos or the mangroves on Salt Cay.

Caribbean Birding Trail

Regardless of what bird you’re keen to observe, you won’t want to miss the Caribbean Birding Trail throughout the islands.

To bird watch on Providenciales, visit Wheeland Ponds to view a number of breeding birds, or head to the the rocky shore of Northwest Pont National Park where numerous local bird species make their home. The protected wetland areas are home to many species and the Provo Golf Course welcomes birders to visit its mangroves, and treed areas for endemic subpecies. (Be sure to call ahead to get permission.)

On Grand Turk you can either take the circular driving trail, and travel the island by car, bicycle or even golf cart or the walking trail around the Salinas (salt ponds) and central historic area of Grand Turk. The National Museum on the island manages and maintains these trails and also provides helpful birding guides to those who use them.

Naturalists and bird watchers will enjoy spotting local species on Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Salt Cay and South Caicos.

So if you’re planning a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands, don’t forget to pack a set of binoculars. You might catch in your lens the flutter of a wing or the shimmer of colour the likes of which you’ve never seen before.