Best Puerto Rico Birding Locations
Look up into the canopy of rainforests in Puerto Rico and you may spot one of the island?s many bird species ? with over 300 counted and 17 endemic species still surviving. Puerto Rico?s bird watching areas are abundant and the rewards are great for bird watchers looking to explore. Whether you?re looking to spot the Puerto Rico national bird, the spindalis or ?Reina Mora?, or hoping to discover a rare sighting of the Puerto Rican Amazon parrot, the island?s lush forests are worth the visit for any serious birder. Check out our top spots for birding in Puerto Rico!
El Yunque National Forest
Located on the east end of the island, America?s only tropical rainforest provides a great amount of biodiversity in just a small area. As a popular destination for Puerto Rico tours, we?d advise bird watchers to start on the trails early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. Many visitors go to see the stunning waterfalls, natural pools, and towers along the hiking trails.
Bird watchers can catch some of the 97 bird species, 45 of which are migratory. Visitors have reported catching gorgeous views of the loggerhead kingbird, bananaquit, Puerto Rican orioles, PR emerald hummingbird, and more. The forest is also home to the endangered PR Amazon parrot. Puerto Rican bird watchers also recommend checking out some lookout spots along Highway 3, east of the Highway 191 intersection to El Yunque. The diversity and lush habitat will not disappoint!
