PORT-OF-SPAIN,Trinidad: There are few places in the world where so many birds, many of them unique or rare, can be seen in such a small area. For that reason, bird watchers from around the world flock year round to Trinidad & Tobago to catch a glimpse of the islands’ more than 460 diverse species.

From that large number, 22 types are exclusive to Tobago while 260 species can only be seen in Trinidad. Because the islands were once joined to South America, they enjoy a wide range of landscapes, from mountains, savannas and deciduous woods to rainforests and both fresh and saltwater marshes. In addition, the country is on the migratory route for many species of birds, making it a natural aviary.

Birders can begin their journey in Trinidad at the Pax Guest House, the oldest eco-lodge where the balcony brings hummingbirds and tanagers within arms length. Then it’s off to the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, located at the Caroni Swamp, the protected site of the national bird, the Scarlet Ibis. The next stop is the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a 270-acre conservatory wildlife sanctuary high up in the Northern Range. The center attracts more than 17,000 nature lovers a year, including 2,600 guests who stay in the 27-room lodge.

Here as many as 30 species of birds may be spotted before breakfast, including the Violaceous Euphonia, Rufous Browed Peppershrike, Turquoise Tanager, Channel Billed Toucan and the famous Beaded Bellbird making their surprisingly loud calls. A visit to Grande Riviere will reward visitors with excellent birding including sightings of trogons, kites, honeycreepers and hopefully a glimpse of the Trinidad Piping Guan, which is endemic to the area. Another point of interest for bird aficionados is the Pointe-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust, a nature conservatory dedicated to the breeding and reintroduction of various bird and waterfowl species to the wild. One of the birds the Trust has released into the wild is the Blue and Gold Macaw, which can be seen near to where they were reintroduced in the Nariva Swamp along with the Red Bellied Macaw, Purple and Azure Gallinules, Wattled Jacanas, Red Breasted and Yellow Hooded Blackbirds.

In Tobago, birders can scope out the Grafton Caledonia Sanctuary, a 200-acre former cocoa estate that offers nature trails and scenic hiking in the woodlands where birds like the Blue Crowned Motmot, White Fringed Antwren, Red Rumped Woodpecker and the Rufous Vented Chachalaca, locally called the Cocrico – Tobago’s national bird – can be seen. The Main Forest Ridge Rainforest, named the World’s Leading Ecotourism Destination by The World Travel Awards four consecutive years in a row, is the oldest rainforest preserve in the western hemisphere. Here, the White Tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird, Blue Backed Manakin, Golden Olive Woodpecker, and the Streaked Flycatcher, to name a few, can be seen.

Finally there’s Little Tobago Island, this 250-acre off-shore wildlife sanctuary, formerly known as the Bird of Paradise Island, is located east of the fishing village of Speyside on the Atlantic coast. Among the sea birds that can be seen here are the Red Billed Tropic, Brown Booby and a myriad of hummingbirds.