Birdwatching and Native Species in Saint Lucia

Why Saint Lucia suits birders

You can see several habitats in a single day here. Rainforest sits in the island's centre, drier woodland and plantations on the slopes, and mangroves, wetlands and rocky shores along the coast. Because distances are short, a morning in the forest can be followed by an afternoon at a lagoon.

The island has a handful of endemic species, which means birds found nowhere else in the world. Even if you have never held a pair of binoculars, finding one is a memorable moment, and local guides know where to look.

The endemic species

The Saint Lucia parrot is the national bird and a symbol of conservation on the island, and it lives in the forest reserves of the interior. It is known locally as the Jacquot. The Saint Lucia oriole is a striking black and yellow bird, usually seen at forest edges and in plantations. The Saint Lucia warbler is small, quick and often heard before it is seen, moving through the undergrowth.

The Saint Lucia black finch is a more modest bird, favouring dense vegetation, and patience is needed to spot it. The Saint Lucia pewee is another forest species worth listening for. A guide can identify calls that would otherwise pass you by.

• Parrot: interior rainforest and reserves.
• Oriole: forest edges and plantations.
• Warbler: forest undergrowth.
• Black finch: dense, shaded vegetation.

Other birds you will meet

Even in a garden, you will meet birds. The bananaquit is everywhere, darting to flowers and breakfast tables. The Antillean crested hummingbird is tiny and energetic, and the purple-throated Carib is one of the island's showiest hummingbirds, with an iridescent throat that flashes in the light.

Along the coast and around wetlands, look for herons and egrets, and during migration periods a wider cast of visitors. The south coast offers dry landscapes with different species from the rainforest, so a trip that crosses regions adds to your list.

Where to look

Good locations include Millet Bird Sanctuary, Edmund Forest Reserve, the Des Cartiers rainforest trail, the Gros Piton nature trail, the Foresterie trail, the wetlands around Vieux Fort, Dennery and Praslin, and Grande Anse. Our Dennery guide and south Saint Lucia guide show the surrounding areas.

The Maria Islands Nature Reserve, off the southern coast near Vieux Fort, protects seabird nesting colonies as well as rare lizards and snakes found nowhere else. Visits are guided only, through the Saint Lucia National Trust, and access may be restricted between May and July to protect nesting birds. Pigeon Island and the gardens described in our gardens and nature parks guide offer easier introductions.

When to go and who to go with

Early morning and late afternoon are the most active periods. The drier months, from about December to May, make forest paths firmer and walking more comfortable, though birds can be found throughout the year. Our best time to visit guide explains the seasons in more detail.

A guided walk is recommended for finding the endemic species, because guides read tracks, calls and tiny movements. Ask about group size, and book ahead for popular reserves. The hiking and rainforest guide explains trail etiquette and guides.

What to bring

Pack light, breathable clothing in muted colours, footwear with grip, a hat and insect repellent. Binoculars matter more than a heavy camera, and a small notebook for sightings is a pleasure. Carry water, and keep your bag light for steep sections.

Move slowly, keep voices low and stay on paths so that you do not disturb nests. Never play recorded calls to attract birds, particularly near rare species. If you plan a full day, our nature and rainforest itinerary shows how to link a dawn walk with gardens, waterfalls and a late lunch.

Where is the best place to go birdwatching in Saint Lucia?

The best places to go birdwatching in Saint Lucia are the Millet Bird Sanctuary trail, the Des Cartiers Rainforest Trail and the Edmund National Rainforest, where the Saint Lucia parrot and other endemic species can be seen with a local guide. Go at dawn, when the forest is cool and the first thing you notice is sound rather than sight. The Millet Bird Sanctuary trail is a favourite for a first outing. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority's own bird leaflet notes that more than thirty species have been recorded along it, including five of the island's endemics, and the path looks out over the Roseau Dam, the largest reservoir in the eastern Caribbean.

For the best chance of the Saint Lucia parrot, many guides point visitors to the Des Cartiers Rainforest Trail, which lies inland from Micoud on the road between Castries and Vieux Fort. The parrot is the national bird, and its recovery from dangerously low numbers in the early 1980s is one of the island's conservation successes. Hearing its loud, carrying call overhead before you see it is a memorable moment, and a guide will recognise it at once. Do not worry if you are new to this. Guides here are used to beginners and enjoy sharing a telescope, and the first sighting of a bird that lives nowhere else in the world is a thrill whatever your experience. Bring a light waterproof, because the interior is damp, and expect to move slowly with frequent pauses.

Closer to the capital, the Forestiere Trail follows an old French road through rainforest and takes about twenty minutes by car from Castries, which makes it the easiest forest walk for people staying in the north. By mid-morning the heat builds and the birds quieten, so plan to be back for a late breakfast or a swim. If you are based near the Pitons, a resort such as Ladera can help you arrange an early start with a local guide. It suits anyone who prefers not to travel far for a forest walk. Bring insect repellent, walk quietly and let a guide point out the birds calling from the canopy above you, since many are heard long before they are seen.

Where can you see wetland and coastal birds in Saint Lucia?

The best wetland and coastal birdwatching in Saint Lucia is at the Vieux Fort wetlands beside Hewanorra International Airport, the dry scrub of Dennery and Praslin, and Cape Moule a Chique, each with different species. At the western end of Hewanorra International Airport near Vieux Fort, a small area of wetland attracts ducks, herons, egrets, sandpipers, plovers and other waders. Many of them are seasonal migrants, so the list changes through the year, which gives regular visitors a reason to come back. It is an easy stop on the way to or from the airport, and it feels like a different island from the damp forest of the interior. The wetland is small, so a short visit is enough, and migrants appear at certain times of year.

On the east side, the dry coastal scrub around Dennery and Praslin is where birders look for the white-breasted thrasher, a bird of the drier thickets. The leaflet advises keeping to the tracks here and watching for snakes, so wear closed shoes and listen to your guide. Our east coast guide shows what else sits nearby, and the quiet Atlantic shoreline is a pleasant contrast to the resort strip. Dennery and Praslin feel remote compared with the resort coast, and that is part of the charm. The scrub is open and sunny, so start early, wear a hat and carry water. A guide will know which tracks are safe and where the thrasher is most likely to be calling from the low branches.

Further south, Cape Moule a Chique above Vieux Fort is known for tropicbirds that nest below the lighthouse, although permission is needed to enter the compound for the best views. Grande Anse, reached by a rough track that calls for a four-wheel-drive vehicle, is better known for leatherback turtle watching, and the rufous nightjar is also recorded there. These are places to visit with a guide who knows the access arrangements. The east coast is also a good place to combine birding with a slow drive, stopping at viewpoints and villages along the way. Do not expect services at every turn, so fill the tank and carry snacks. The reward is a side of the island that few holidaymakers see, quiet and wind-brushed.

How do you fit birdwatching into a holiday in Saint Lucia?

Fit birdwatching into a holiday in Saint Lucia by booking one guided morning walk early in your stay, then combining it with a hike, a garden visit or a beach afternoon, since the best birding is at dawn. A single guided morning slots neatly into a week of holidays in Saint Lucia, and it pairs well with other outdoor days. Many travellers walk in the forest at dawn, spend the middle of the day by the sea and save the evening for a long dinner. The Edmund National Rainforest, a large protected area in the interior, is home to the parrot, the oriole and the black finch, and it can be combined with a day in the hills.

If you like to hike, the Gros Piton trail described in our guide to the Gros Piton hike is also a birding route, since the middle zone of the forest is where the Saint Lucia wren is looked for. Our guide to Mount Gimie hikes covers a longer route through high forest. Just remember that a birder moves slowly and a hiker wants to keep going, so agree with your guide in advance which kind of outing you are after. Walkers with a taste for birds will find that the best trails reward patience. Ask your guide whether the route is better suited to an early start or a slower late-morning stroll, because conditions change with cloud and rain. Group size matters too, and smaller parties disturb the forest less and see more.

Comfort matters on a long, quiet morning. Quiet clothing in earth tones, shoes with grip and a light waterproof will see you through, and our what to pack guide covers the rest. Bring a small notebook if you enjoy keeping a record. If you would also like to see marine wildlife, a morning on the water described in our whale and dolphin watching guide makes a good companion day. Pair the walk with a lazy afternoon. After hours of looking up, a swim or a long lunch feels well earned, and an evening on a terrace listening to the tree frogs closes the day nicely. Many guests find that birding changes how they notice the island, even on days without a guide.

Birds in their wider ecosystem

Birds are one part of a wider living system. The wildlife and ecology guide puts them in context, and rainforest and plant life describes the habitat they depend on.

To learn how places are kept safe for wildlife, read conservation and protected areas and the notes on national symbols and holidays, where the island's natural pride is on show.

Where to stay and how to plan

Most visitors fit this into St Lucia holidays, so choose your base first. Compare hotels in St Lucia by area and style, and read our guides to luxury hotels in St Lucia and all inclusive resorts in St Lucia if you are choosing between a boutique stay and an all in package.

Then set your dates with the best time to visit St Lucia, book flights to St Lucia and pick days out from our St Lucia itineraries. Couples can also read about a honeymoon in St Lucia or weddings in St Lucia.

Questions travellers ask