Map of the world

  • Where to watch BIRDS and

  • other wildlife in the world
  • Photograph of Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

    The fantastic Wilson's Bird-of-paradise, photographed on the island of Waigeo in West Papua by Dubi Shapiro. Many of the few who have seen this bird say it is the best bird in the world.

    BIRDING or
    BIRD WATCHING

    The destinations listed and linked below are the ones we believe are the best in the world to go bird watching.

    If there are any other destinations you think should be on the list then please Email us.

    The destinations are listed alphabetically. For more details click on the destination name.

    For more specific types of birds see those linked below ...

  • Albatrosses
  • Cranes
  • Pittas
  • Cotingas
  • Birds of Paradise
  • A

    Alaska
    Spectacled Eider, Bristle-thighed Curlew and millions of seabirds on the Pribilofs.

    Amazon (Brazil)
    Macaws, toucans, jacamars, antbirds and cotingas possibly including Crimson Fruitcrow.

    Antarctica - Emperor Penguins
    Fly in (at great expense) to spend a few days at an Emperor Penguin colony.

    Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
    Penguins, albatrosses and other seabirds in the most amazing settings on Earth make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Arctic Russia
    The richest tundra in the world with birds such as Siberian Crane and Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

    Argentina - Northern
    Andean Condor, Rufous-throated Dipper and a brilliant hummingbird called a Red-tailed Comet.

    Argentina - Southern
    Magellanic Penguin, Hooded Grebe, Andean Condor and shorebirds such as Tawny-throated Dotterel.

    Arizona - Southeast
    A greater variety of breeding birds than any other area of comparable size in the United States.

    Atlantic Odyssey
    Possibly 40 seabird species from Antarctica via South Georgia to Ascension Island.

    Australia - Eastern (Queensland)
    Southern Cassowary, lyrebirds, birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds and fairywrens for starters.

    Australia - Northern
    Hooded Parrot, Gouldian Finch, Rainbow Pitta, Purple-crowned Fairywren and Pied Heron.

    Australia - Northwestern
    Tens of thousands of shorebirds at Broome, and Black Grasswren in the Kimberley.

    Australia - Outback
    Malleefowl, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, Letter-winged Kite and Chestnut-breasted Whiteface.

    Australia - Southeastern (Victoria-Tasmania)
    Plains-wanderer, Little Penguin, Superb Lyrebird, Satin Bowerbird, parrots, fairywrens and robins.

    Australia - Western
    Malleefowl, parrots, fairywrens, Western Bowerbird, Western Bristlebird and Noisy Scrub-bird.

    Austria
    Pygmy Cormorant, Great Bustard, possibly Saker and fine alpine scenery.

    Azores
    The rare endemic Azores Bullfinch and North American vagrants.

    B

    Baffin Island - Canada
    King Eider, Gyr Falcon, Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull and possibly Ivory Gull.

    Belarus
    Azure Tit, Aquatic Warbler, Great Snipe and Great Grey Owl in some really wild places.

    Belize
    Keel-billed Toucan, hummingbirds, Red-capped Manakin and Ocellated Turkey.

    Bhutan
    So many brilliant Himalayan birds, just part of the Gross National Happiness.

    Borneo - Malaysia
    Great endemic birds like Blue-headed Pitta and Bornean Bristlehead help make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Bolivia
    From flamingos to macaws including the endemic Blue-throated.

    Bosque del Apache (New Mexico) - USA
    Tens of thousands of Snow Geese and thousands of Sandhill Cranes wintering.

    Brazil - Amazon
    Macaws, toucans, jacamars, antbirds and cotingas possibly including Crimson Fruitcrow.

    Brazil - Southeast
    More endemic birds than any other corner of South America including lots of cotingas.

    Brazil - Southern (Pantanal-Iguassu)
    Hyacinth Macaws, waterbirds galore and Jaguars help make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Bulgaria
    Wallcreeper inland, a migration flyway along the coast, and especially good for waterbirds.

    C

    Cambodia
    Giant and White-shouldered Ibises, Greater Adjutant, Bengal Florican and Spot-billed Pelican.

    Cameroon
    Endemics, Quail Plover, Brown-chested Lapwing and Red-headed Picathartes.

    Canada - Baffin Island
    King Eider, Gyr Falcon, Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull and possibly Ivory Gull.

    Canada - Eastern (New Brunswick-Nova Scotia)
    Seabirds, shorebirds and warblers.

    Canada - Point Pelee (Ontario)
    A migration bottleneck in spring, great for up to 30 species of New World warblers.

    Chile
    Seabirds such as Inca Tern, flamingos and shorebirds such as Diademed Sandpiper Plover and Magellanic Plover.

    China - Eastern (Poyang Hu)
    The 'Birds of Heaven', that is cranes, lots of wintering cranes, including Siberian.

    China - Hong Kong
    Thousands of summer-plumaged shorebirds possibly including Spoon-billed Sandpiper in April.

    China - Sichuan
    Many superb birds, not least colourful pheasants and Firethroat.

    China - Yunnan
    The richest province for birds in China particularly good for babblers.

    Colombia
    Birds, birds, birds, nearly 1900 species of them, more than any other country in the world.

    Colorado - USA
    Seven species of displaying grouse in spring.

    Costa Rica
    one of the best selections of the world's most spectacular birds, not least Resplendent Quetzal.

    Cuba
    Over 20 endemics including a tody, a trogon and the world's smallest bird; Bee Hummingbird.

    E

    Emperor Penguins - Antarctica
    Fly in (at great expense) to spend a few days at an Emperor Penguin colony.

    Ecuador - Northern
    More birds per square mile than any other country in the world.

    Ecuador - Southern
    Endemics, Tumbesian endemics and other specialities such as Jocotoco Antpitta.

    Estonia
    Hundreds of thousands of birds, mainly ducks, geese and swans, on the move, in the spring.

    Ethiopia
    Vulturine Guineafowl, Golden-breasted Starling and 30 endemics including Spot-breasted Plover and Stresemann's Bushcrow.

    Extremadura - Spain
    The best place in western Europe for bustards and raptors, including Spanish Eagle.

    F

    Falkland Islands
    Penguins including King, colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses and Striated Caracara.

    Fiji
    Quintessential tropical islands with outrageous birds such as Orange Dove.

    Finland and Arctic Norway
    Owls, Gyr Falcon, King and Steller’s Eiders, White-billed Diver, Siberian Jay and breeding shorebirds.

    Florida - USA
    Waterbirds, Swallow-tailed and Snail Kites, and the endemic Florida Scrub Jay.

    France - Southern
    A wonderful combination of wetland and mountain birds in the Camargue and Pyrenees.

    French Polynesia
    Lots of seabirds including White Tern, and endemic birds such as Tuamotu Sandpiper.

    G

    Gabon
    A long list of spectacular birds not least Red-headed Picathartes, Black-headed Bee-eater and African River Martin.

    Galapagos
    Seabird colonies up close and over 20 endemics including Galapagos Penguin and Flightless Cormorant.

    Gambia
    Easy birding in a small country with Egyptian Plover, White-backed Night Heron and Blue-bellied Roller.

    Georgia
    Caucasian Grouse, Caucasian Snowcock, Guldenstadt's Redstart and Caucasian Great Rosefinch.

    Ghana
    Upper Guinea Forest birds including Yellow-headed Picathartes.

    Greece
    Greater Flamingo, Pygmy Cormorant, pelicans and a vulture feeding station.

    Guyana
    Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and possibly Crimson Fruitcrow, plus Grey-winged Trumpeter.

    H

    Halmahera (and Sulawesi) - Indonesia
    Such spectacular birds as Wallace’s Standardwing and Knobbed Hornbill.

    Hawaii
    Bristle-thighed Curlew, seabirds and the endemic honeycreeper family.

    Hebrides (Outer) - Scotland
    Corn Crake, and White-tailed and Golden Eagles.

    Holland
    Hundreds of thousands of geese, as well as swans and Smews wintering.

    Honduras
    Motmots, manakins and Lovely Cotinga.

    Hong Kong - China
    Thousands of summer-plumaged shorebirds possibly including Spoon-billed Sandpiper in April.

    Hungary
    Saker, tens of thousands of Cranes in November and Red-footed Falcons in summer.

    I

    Iceland
    Gyr Falcon, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, nesting shorebirds and seabird cities with Brunnich's Guillemots.

    India - Northern
    Numerous waterbirds, raptors and Indian Skimmers help make this A Top Ten Destination.

    India - Northeastern
    So many brilliant Himalayan birds, from Himalayan Monal to Fire-tailed Myzornis.

    India - Southern
    Many endemics and near-endemics plus Indian Pitta and Indian Blue Robin.

    India - Western
    Indian and MacQueen’s Bustards, and Cream-coloured and Indian Coursers, as well as Hypocolius.

    Indonesia - Java
    Endemics including a trogon and a cochoa, as well as Banded Pitta and Blue Nuthatch.

    Indonesia - Sulawesi and Halmahera
    Such spectacular birds as Wallace’s Standardwing and Knobbed Hornbill.

    Indonesia - Sumatra
    Endemics including a trogon and a cochoa, as well as pittas and Blue Nuthatch.

    Indonesia - West Papua
    Fantastic birds-of-paradise including Wilson's, Red and Magnificent, as well as Western Parotia.

    Israel
    A migration bottleneck, especially for raptors and storks, plus some localised landbirds.

    J

    Japan
    Steller's Eagles, Red-crowned Cranes 'dancing' in the snow, Blakiston's Fish Owl and seabirds.

    Java
    Endemics including a trogon and a cochoa, as well as Banded Pitta and Blue Nuthatch.

    K

    Kamchatka (and the Kuril and Commander Islands) - Russia
    Steller's Eagle and numerous seabirds such as Laysan Albatross, and Tufted and Horned Puffins.

    Kazakhstan
    Ibisbill, Pallas's Sandgrouse, White-browed Tit Warbler, and Black and White-winged Larks.

    Kenya
    Too many amazing birds to mention and the best overall wildlife experience in the world, therefore A Top Ten Destination.

    M

    Madagascar
    About 100 endemics including ground rollers, Cuckoo Roller, asities, vangas and three mesites.

    Madeira
    Bulwer's, Fea's and Zino's Petrels, and Madeiran and White-faced Storm Petrels.

    Malaysia - Borneo
    Great endemic birds like Blue-headed Pitta and Bornean Bristlehead help make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Malaysia - Malay Peninsula
    Pittas, broadbills, hornbills, trogons, kingfishers, Rail Babbler and Blue Nuthatch.

    Malawi
    Pel's Fishing Owl, Boehm's Bee-eater and the fabulous White-winged Apalis.

    Mexico - Southern (Yucatan-Chiapas)
    Ocellated Turkey, Russet-crowned and Turquoise-browed Motmots, and Yucatan Jay.

    Mexico - Veracruz
    The best raptor migration in the world, with 4-6 million birds each autumn/fall.

    Mongolia
    One of the last wild places, with Relict Gull and Oriental Plover.

    Morocco - Southern
    Bald Ibis, Moussier’s Redstart, Desert Sparrow, a dozen larks, several wheatears and lots of warblers.

    Mozambique
    Some spectacular localized birds including African Pitta.

    Mull (and Scottish Highlands) - Scotland
    White-tailed and Golden Eagles, and Puffin.

    N

    Namibia
    Blue and Wattled Cranes, Slaty Egret and White-tailed Shrike.

    Nebraska (Platte River) - USA
    A resting and refuelling place for half a million migrating Sandhill Cranes during March.

    Nepal
    Mountain specialities such as monals, myzornises and Ibisbills in the magnificent Himalayas.

    Netherlands
    Hundreds of thousands of geese, as well as swans and Smews wintering.

    New Brunswick-Nova Scotia (Eastern Canada)
    Seabirds, shorebirds and warblers.

    New Caledonia
    The unique Kagu and other endemic birds including a tool-using crow.

    New Mexico (Bosque del Apache) - USA
    Tens of thousands of Snow Geese and thousands of Sandhill Cranes wintering.

    New Zealand
    Over 45 endemics including kiwis and numerous seabirds such as New Zealand and White-faced Storm Petrels.

    New Zealand - Subantarctic Islands
    Millions of seabirds including Royal Penguins, as well as the very rare Shore Plover.

    Norway (Arctic, and Finland)
    Owls, Gyr Falcon, King and Steller’s Eiders, White-billed Diver, Siberian Jay and breeding shorebirds.

    Nova Scotia-New Brunswick (Eastern Canada)
    Seabirds, shorebirds and warblers.

    O

    Oman
    Crab Plover, Sooty Falcon and a chance of Hypocolius in some splendid desert scenery.

    Ontario (Point Pelee) - Canada
    A migration bottleneck in spring, great for up to 30 species of New World warblers.

    Outer Hebrides - Scotland
    Corn Crake, and White-tailed and Golden Eagles.

    P

    (Western) Pacific Odyssey
    An incredible selection of seabirds including Short-tailed Albatross and New Zealand Storm Petrel.

    Panama
    Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Sapayoa and about ten endemics.

    Pantanal (Southern Brazil)
    Hyacinth Macaws, waterbirds galore and Jaguars help make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Papua New Guinea
    Fantastic birds-of-paradise, including Blue Bird-of-paradise and Ribbon-tailed Astrapia.

    Peru - Northeastern (Iquitos)
    Over 600 species in a small area of Amazonia including Black-necked Red Cotinga.

    Peru - Northern
    Many hummingbirds including Marvellous Spatuletail and a chance of Long-whiskered Owlet.

    Peru - Southern (Cuzco-Manu)
    Clay-licks which attract many macaws, and many other birds such as Pale-winged Trumpeter.

    Philippines
    About 200 endemics including Philippine (Monkey-eating) Eagle, and Steere’s and Whiskered Pittas.

    Platte River (Nebraska) - USA
    A resting and refuelling place for half a million migrating Sandhill Cranes during March.

    Point Pelee (Ontario) - Canada
    A migration bottleneck in spring, great for up to 30 species of New World warblers.

    Poland
    Ancient lowland forest and largest inland wetland left in Europe; Great Snipe and Aquatic Warbler.

    Polynesia
    Lots of seabirds including White Tern, and endemic birds such as Tuamotu Sandpiper.

    Portugal
    Greater Flamingo, Azure-winged Magpie, bustards and Black-shouldered Kite.

    Poyang Hu - Eastern China
    The 'Birds of Heaven', that is cranes, lots of wintering cranes, including Siberian.

    Q

    Queensland (Eastern Australia)
    Southern Cassowary, Albert's Lyrebird, two birds-of-paradise and bowerbirds.

    R

    Romania
    Waterbirds in the Danube Delta, including Dalmatian and Great White Pelicans, and Pygmy Cormorant.

    Russia - Arctic
    The richest tundra in the world, and birds such as Siberian Crane and Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

    Russia - Kamchatka, and the Kuril and Commander Islands
    Steller's Eagle and numerous seabirds such as Laysan Albatross, and Tufted and Horned Puffins.

    Rwanda
    Shoebill and 25 Albertine Rift Endemics such as Ruwenzori Turaco and Purple-breasted Sunbird.

    S

    Scotland - Highlands to Mull
    White-tailed and Golden Eagles, and Puffin.

    Scotland - Outer Hebrides
    Corn Crake, and White-tailed and Golden Eagles.

    Scotland - Shetland
    Seabird cities and nesting shorebirds including Red-necked Phalaropes.

    Senegal
    Waterbirds, bustards, Black Crowned Crane, Swallow-tailed Kite and Egyptian Plover.

    Seychelles
    Rare endemic landbirds including a paradise flycatcher, and seabird colonies.

    Shetland - Scotland
    Seabird cities and nesting shorebirds including Red-necked Phalaropes.

    Sichuan - China
    Many superb birds, not least colourful pheasants and Firethroat.

    Sierra Leone
    Spectacular birds such as Yellow-headed Picathartes, Egyptian Plover and Emerald Starling.

    South Africa - Eastern
    Blue and Wattled Cranes, Taita Falcon, Orange-breasted Rockjumper and Gurney's Sugarbird.

    South Africa - Western
    Seabirds, Jackass Penguin, Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Cape Rockjumper and Cape Sugarbird.

    South Georgia (and Antarctica and the Falklands)
    King Penguin colonies, nesting albatrosses and millions more seabirds in one of the most amazing settings on Earth make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Spain - Extremadura
    The best place in western Europe for bustards and raptors, including Spanish Eagle.

    Spain - Northern
    Lammergeier, Wallcreeper and Snow Finch in the beautiful Pyrenees.

    Spain - Southern
    Many waterbirds, Spanish Eagle and the spectacular migration of storks and raptors.

    Spitsbergen (Svalbard)
    Little Auks and Brunnich's Guillemots, nesting Grey Phalaropes, and Ivory and Sabine's Gulls.

    Sri Lanka
    30 endemics and 20 near-endemics plus Indian Pitta, Pied Thrush and Indian Blue Robin.

    Subantarctic Islands - New Zealand
    Millions of seabirds including Royal Penguins, as well as the very rare Shore Plover.

    Sulawesi and Halmahera - Indonesia
    Such spectacular birds as Knobbed Hornbill and Wallace’s Standardwing.

    Sumatra - Indonesia
    Endemics including a trogon and a cochoa, as well as pittas and Blue Nuthatch.

    Suriname
    Grey-winged Trumpeter and some great cotingas including a big Guianan Cock-of-the-rock lek.

    T

    Tasmania (Southeastern Australia)
    Twelve endemics including Tasmanian Native Hen, Forty-spotted Pardalote and Black Currawong.

    Texas - USA
    Thousands of migrating hawks, shorebirds and small birds, especially colourful warblers, in spring.

    Thailand - Southern
    Pittas, broadbills, hornbills, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo and Rail Babbler.

    Tibet
    Przevalski’s Finch, pheasants, Black-necked Crane and Tibetan Sandgrouse.

    Trinidad and Tobago
    Some fine birds, not least Scarlet Ibis and Oilbird.

    U

    Uganda
    Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta and African Green Broadbill help make this A Top Ten Destination.

    Ukraine
    Demoiselle Crane, Saker, Great Bustard and Great Black-headed Gull.

    USA - Alaska
    Spectacled Eider, Bristle-thighed Curlew and millions of seabirds on the Pribilofs.

    USA - Bosque del Apache, New Mexico
    Tens of thousands of Snow Geese and thousands of Sandhill Cranes wintering.

    USA - Colorado
    Seven species of displaying grouse in spring.

    USA - Florida
    Waterbirds, Swallow-tailed and Snail Kites, and the endemic Florida Scrub Jay.

    USA - Hawaii
    Bristle-thighed Curlew, seabirds and the endemic honeycreeper family.

    USA - Platte River, Nebraska
    A resting and refuelling place for half a million migrating Sandhill Cranes during March.

    USA - Texas
    Thousands of migrating hawks, shorebirds and small birds, especially colourful warblers, in spring.

    V

    Venezuela - Eastern (Rio Grande-Escalera)
    Harpy Eagle, many cotingas including Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and much more.

    Venezuela - Western (Llanos)
    Many spectacular birds, some in the amazing Llanos wetlands, not least Scarlet Ibis and Scarlet Macaw.

    Veracruz - Mexico
    The best raptor migration in the world, with 4-6 million birds each autumn/fall.

    Vietnam
    Pittas, broadbills, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and endemics such as Grey-crowned Crocias.

    W

    Western Pacific Odyssey
    An incredible selection of seabirds including Short-tailed Albatross and New Zealand Storm Petrel.

    West Papua - Indonesia
    Fantastic birds-of-paradise including Wilson's, Red and Magnificent, as well as Western Parotia.

    Y

    Yunnan - China
    The richest province for birds in China particularly good for babblers.