Guyana Birding

In Guyana more than 800 species of birds from 72 different families have been documented. Plus, there are many more species that remain unidentified. Guyana's coastal capital city, Georgetown, hosts more than 200 of these species from 39 families alone.

The families include many sought after bird species in the Neotropics (the area including Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America). Guyana's larger families include: Herons (17 subspecies); Hawks, Eagles (36 subspecies); Falcons, Caracaras (15 subspecies); Rails (16 subspecies); Sandpipers (23 subspecies); Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (15 subspecies); Parrots (29 subspecies); Nighthawk, Nightjar (10 subspecies); Swifts (11 subspecies); Hummingbirds (38 subspecies); Woodpeckers (20 subspecies); Ovenbirds (28 subspecies); Woodcreepers (18 subspecies); Typical Antbirds (49 subspecies); Tyrant Flycatchers (111 subspecies); Cotingas (16 subspecies); Emberizine Finches (25 subspecies); New World Blackbirds (24 subspecies).

Of the 104 species endemic to the Guiana Shield, 73 have been identified in Guyana. Highlights of known species include Blood-colored Woodpecker, Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Toco Toucan, Crimson Fruitcrow, Caica Parrot, Little Shearwater, Little Chachalaca, Sun Parakeet, Red-shouldered Macaw, Roraima Screech-Owl, Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Racket-tailed Coquette, Green Aracari, Black-spotted Barbet, Guianan Piculet, Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Rio Branco Antbird, Guianan Streaked Antwren, Olive-green Tyrannulet, Guianan Red Cotinga, Crimson-hooded Manakin, Cayenne Jay, Finsch's Euphonia, and Rose-breasted Chat Warbler.