SVG has been blessed with an abundance of bird species-there is nothing quite like seeing parrots in full flight and when they are as unique as the St Vincent Parrot, you simply cannot beat it. Observe hummingbirds, whistling warblers and a host of endemic and migratory species.
AmazonaGuildingii, also known as the St Vincent Parrot, is the national bird of SVG. The endemic parrot can be seen at the Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of Kingstown. However, for those who like to observe birds in the wild it is best to venture into the lush forests. There are an estimated 500 parrots living in the interior of St Vincent and one of the very best places to see them is at the Vermont Nature Trail. Dusk and dawn are the prime times to spot them at the Vermont Nature Trail. As you near the Parrot Lookout on the far side of the trail, listen for their calls before catching sight of them flying across the forest canopy in front of you.
Another endemic bird you may hear in the forest setting is the Whistling Warbler (CatharopezaBishopi), a small, black bird that flitters around the undergrowth. Regionally endemic birds that you may encounter at the trails are: the Antillean Crested Hummingbird; the Purple Throated Carib; the Lesser Antillean Tanager; the Brown Trembler; and the Rufous Throated Solitaire.
Along our coasts, ponds, mangroves, and hovering high above the inshore waters of the Grenadines look out for the Magnificent Frigate bird, the White-Tailed Tropic bird, Terns, Egrets, Herons and the occasional Glossy Ibis. Over 170 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in St Vincent and the Grenadines, making our islands an interesting and beautiful destination for professional ornithologists and amateur birders.
