Watching Birds
in the
Dominican Republic

Watching birds is a passion for some people and evidently none more so than Joe Thompson, several of whose bird watching tours and vacations have been reported in various well established bird watching web sites.

Included below is an extract from one of Joe's reports whilst visiting the Dominican Republic in 2004. An acknowledgement and link to the source of this extract is provided at the bottom of the page.

Watching birds in the Dominican Republic can be very rewarding because of the rich variety of species that are either indigenous or seasonal visitors from 'cooler climes'.

If you have ever thought abour watching birds for a hobby, then it is an excellent relaxing passtime, that also has its rewarding and exciting moments when you catch a glimpse of one of the rarer species to be found on the Isle of Hispaniola.

Joe's detailed report is an inspiration to anyone who might enjoy a bird watching vacation, and makes it clear why the Dominican Republic can be such an ideal venue if watching birds is one of your holiday passions.

Here's that 'snippet' from the report of the numerous sightings Joe achieved during his brief tour watching birds in the Dominican Republic during mid 2004:

"...Least Poorwill: excellent views… just west of Barahona----a couple of birds calling there in response to the minidisc...

Hispaniolan Nightjar: Numerous birds calling pre-dawn at La Placa, but they didn’t seem inclined to move in response to playback. Despite extensive driving along deserted roads in the dark, we never flushed a nightjar of any kind, which was a bit surprising to me...

Northern Potoo: Seen pre-dawn on 2 mornings on lower Sierra road.

Antillean Nighthawk: at dusk at Duverge, and I spotted a perched one in a pine tree by day at La Charca.

Antillean Mango: seen daily in the Sierra and in the lowlands on the way to La Charca (feeding on yellow agave flowers)

Hispaniolan Emerald Humming Bird: a few in the upper Sierra/Zapoten

Antillean Palm Swift: common

Vervain Humming Bird: several in mid-elevations along Sierra road, including a displaying male flying relatively high.

Hispaniolan Trogon: frequently calling in upper Sierra, seen well at Zapoten

Narrow-billed Tody: mainly in lower elevations; common

Broad-billed Tody: mainly at higher elevations; common

Antillean Piculet: I found a perched bird in the open on a dead snag at 500m. Heard calling in several places, including just below La Charca

Hispaniolan Woodpecker: incredibly common!

Greater Antillean Elaenia: a few in the Sierra/Zapoten

Hispaniolan Pewee: a few in the Sierra

Stolid Flycatcher: fairly common in lower Sierra in arid areas.

Gray Kingbird: very common

Loggerhead Kingbird: a few seen in Sierra, mainly in mid-elevations

Flat-billed Vireo: this one took a while, but... Once we found one, it was quite responsive to playback.

Black-whiskered Vireo: quite common, especially in mid to low elevations of the Sierra

Hispaniolan Palm Crow: 4 seen at Lago Enriquillo, with extremely close views in response to playback

White-necked Crow: A pair seen near Lago Enriquillo...

Palmchat: common

Caribbean Martin: scattered birds, but common and viewed well at La Charca

Cave Swallow: common along South Coast

Golden Swallow: excellent views of this bird were a highlight at La Charca

Rufous-throated Solitaire: Commonly calling at Zapoten, we had good looks at the La Selle Thrush site.

LaSelle’s Thrush: Calling for at least an hour after dawn, it was quite easy to see and was quite tape-responsive at Zapoten...perhaps the excellent views of this bird were the best reward of coming here in the rainy season...

Red-legged Thrush: common in the Sierra at various elevations.

Pine Warbler: common in pine forests, seen collecting nesting material

Green-tailed Warbler: scattered birds at various elevations in the Sierra

White-winged Warbler: one of the last endemics for us to find...we had excellent views of a relatively stationary bird.

Black-crowned Palm-Tanager: fairly common in the Sierra at various elevations

Western Chat-Tanager: calling for several hours in the morning, we saw a couple at Zapoten. Generally skulks...

ispaniolan Spindalis: common at higher elevations

Antillean Euphonia: at 500m, we had a group of 3; a male, an immature male, and a female.

Greater Antillean Bullfinch: good looks of a male at Zapoten

Greater Antillean Grackle: scattered birds at low to mid elevations in the Sierra

Greater Antillean Oriole: scattered birds in the lower elevations

Antillean Siskin: a group of approx. 6 at 400m on the Sierra road. Also at La Charca

Hispaniolan/White-winged Crossbill: A male and a couple of females at La Charca.”

The full text can be found here: Joe Thomson's report on watching birds in the D.R.

If you find the need for a break from watching birds whilst on your vacation in the Dominican Republic, why not consider setting sail to watch something larger? You can try watching whales and dolphins in the beautiful Bay of Samana, be sure to check out our relevant pages to find out more!

If you need more information about arranging a vacation in the Dominican Republic that includes the opportunity to go watching birds , or whale watching and photographing dolphins , be sure to contact us and we'll send you any additional information we have.

Ruth & Esther

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