While Grand Cayman and Jamaica were familiar destinations, our most recent visit in April 2025 was a first for us as devoted birders! We were particularly excited to return to Jamaica, an island celebrated for its rich collection of endemic species. After thoroughly researching the best local birding guides, we were delighted with the ones we found for each island.
Grand Cayman – Palegics and Endemics
Our birding started even before we docked! While cruising into Grand Cayman, we had an unexpected sighting: two Masked Boobies—a genuine rarity for the area. Note: This sighting was quickly questioned by an eBird reviewer due to its uncommon nature; however, our clear photo evidence allowed us to confirm the presence of this fantastic pelagic species.
Our land birding journey on Grand Cayman began with Stuart Mailer, a highly recommended guide from the National Trust. Stuart’s excellent advice led us to our first major stop: a $5, 45-minute local minibus ride to the Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park. The Botanic Park is arguably the premier birding hotspot on the island, especially for visitors with limited time aiming to tick off as many local endemics as possible.
The park itself was stunningly beautiful and diverse. Our first successful sighting was the national bird: the Cayman Parrot (also known as the Cuban Amazon). Over our focused 2.5-hour walk, we recorded an impressive 26 species, celebrating the addition of six new lifers to our list:
- Cayman Parrot
- West Indian Woodpecker
- Caribbean Dove
- Greater Antillean Grackle
- Vitelline Warbler (A highlight!)
- Grand Cayman Bullfinch (Another fantastic endemic!)
Other memorable sightings in the park included the Cuban Elania and the striking Loggerhead Kingbird. We were also thrilled to spot a non-avian local celebrity: the endemic Blue Iguana!
Our final stop took us to a nearby private estate pond, a well-known refuge for a large wild flock of lifer West Indian Whistling Ducks. We successfully counted at least 150 individuals among the 18 species present, which even included an unexpected group of Indian Peafowl.
Following our successful day of birding, we made one final stop at a beautiful beach to enjoy the crystal-clear water and white sand before catching the minibus back to the ship. It was the perfect, relaxing contrast to our intense day of birding, and a final farewell to Grand Cayman before we set sail for Jamaica.
Jamaica – Endemic Paradise in Stewart Town
For our Jamaican adventure, we chose Arrowhead Birding Tours. Ricardo Miller was incredibly helpful and suggested the Stewart Town route, known for its high concentration of endemics. He assured us it wouldn’t be unusual to encounter 18 or more of Jamaica’s 28 endemic species in a single day—a challenge we eagerly accepted!
Our expert guide, Dwayne, picked us up right outside the Falmouth cruise port for our focused five-hour tour. Dwayne’s intimate knowledge of the area and his sharp spotting skills ensured that we “saw” every bird he identified.
An Early Endemic Bonanza
We parked near the police station and headed west into a charming residential area. Within the first 20 minutes, the endemics started pouring in, resulting in a flurry of fantastic life birds:
- White-chinned Thrush
- Yellow-shouldered Grassquit
- Greater Antillean Bullfinch
- Orangequit
- Jamaican Oriole
- Jamaican Spindalis
We paused for a refreshing juice and snack at a quintessential local Jamaican shop before continuing our journey. Our next stop was the beautiful Webb Memorial Baptist Church, dating back to 1902. We birded the churchyard and the nearby open field, where we were thrilled to find a family of five American Kestrels, the elusive Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, the Sad Flycatcher, and a busy, nest-building Jamaican Becard.
Target Birds Acquired
Venturing in the opposite direction toward a working potato farm, we finally found our two main target birds, arguably the stars of the island:
- Red-billed Streamertail (Jamaica’s national bird)
- Jamaican Tody (also known as Robin Redbreast or Rastabird)
The results speak for themselves: a remarkable 44 species sighted, including an impressive 17 Jamaican endemics and 2 specialty birds! You can view the full eBird Checklist from this trip here. This five-hour tour, led by Dwayne, was without a doubt the best birding experience I’ve ever had, capped off by receiving this awesome pin for my birding hat. We raised a celebratory fresh jelly (coconut water) on the way back to the ship.
A Call to Visit and Support Jamaica
As fellow Floridians, we know firsthand the devastating impact of hurricanes. We were saddened to see the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, which recently impacted this beautiful island. However, the resilient spirit of the Jamaican people, like Dwayne and Ricardo, shines through.
In addition to visiting, you can provide immediate support for relief and recovery efforts by donating to these organizations on the ground:
- Jamaica Red Cross: https://www.jamaicaredcross.org/donate/
- Food for the Poor: https://www.foodforthepoorja.org/hurricane-melissa-relief/
- BirdsCaribbean: https://givebutter.com/BC-Melissa-Relief
The best way to help Jamaica recover is to visit. By choosing to travel here and supporting local businesses, guides, and shops, you directly contribute to their economy and recovery efforts. Not only will you be making a positive impact, but you will also experience some of the most phenomenal and unique birding anywhere in the Caribbean. We encourage everyone to see the natural beauty and kindness of Jamaica for themselves!
Grand Cayman Birds: 35 Life Birds: 7
Jamaica Birds: 48 Life Birds: 24
Trip Birds: 74 Life Birds: 31
Next Up: Nome Alaska
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