Puerto Rico is home to a wide variety of birds due to its diverse habitats including rainforests, mangroves, beaches, caves, and urban areas. Some of the top spots for birdwatching in Puerto Rico include El Yunque National Forest, Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge, and Culebra Island.
Rainforests
The rainforests of El Yunque National Forest in northeastern Puerto Rico are home to over 50 species of birds including the Puerto Rican Parrot, Elfin-woods Warbler, Puerto Rican Tody, Green Mango, Antillean Euphonia, and many others. The dense vegetation provides excellent habitat for forest-dwelling birds. Some of the best birdwatching trails in El Yunque include Mt. Britton Trail, Trade Winds Trail, and El Toro Trail. The parrots can often be seen flying over the forest or feeding on tabonuco trees.
Where to see rainforest birds
- El Yunque National Forest
- Maricao Forest
- Carite Forest Reserve
Notable rainforest birds
- Puerto Rican Parrot
- Elfin-woods Warbler
- Puerto Rican Tody
- Green Mango
- Antillean Euphonia
Mangroves
Mangrove forests line Puerto Rico’s coasts, providing important habitat for both resident and migratory birds. Some mangrove specialists include the Mangrove Cuckoo, White-crowned Pigeon, Adelaide’s Warbler, and Yellow Warbler. Good spots to observe mangrove birds include Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on the south central coast and the Piñones State Forest on the northeast coast.
Where to see mangrove birds
- Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Piñones State Forest
- Boquerón State Forest
Notable mangrove birds
- Mangrove Cuckoo
- White-crowned Pigeon
- Adelaide’s Warbler
- Yellow Warbler
Beaches
Puerto Rico has over 270 miles of coastline, providing extensive habitat for shorebirds and seabirds. The best beaches for observing birds include Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo, Playa Sucia in Cabo Rojo, and Flamenco Beach in Culebra. Some noteworthy beach birds are Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Black Skimmer, and various gulls.
Where to see beach birds
- Seven Seas Beach, Fajardo
- Playa Sucia, Cabo Rojo
- Flamenco Beach, Culebra
Notable beach birds
- Brown Pelican
- Royal Tern
- Sandwich Tern
- Sanderling
- Semipalmated Plover
- Black Skimmer
Caves
The large system of caves and caverns along Puerto Rico’s northern karst region are home to specialized cave-dwelling birds. Visitors can explore the Rio Camuy Cave Park and see birds like the Puerto Rican Nightjar and the Puerto Rican Screech-Owl roosting in the caves. Other caves that host these crepuscular birds include Cueva del Indio, Cueva Ventana, and Cueva Clara.
Where to see cave birds
- Rio Camuy Cave Park
- Cueva del Indio
- Cueva Ventana
- Cueva Clara
Notable cave birds
- Puerto Rican Nightjar
- Puerto Rican Screech-Owl
Urban Areas
Many bird species have adapted to urban areas in Puerto Rico’s cities. Parque de las Palomas in Ponce is a gathering spot for Mourning Doves, Common Ground-Doves, and Zenaida Doves who feed on handouts from visitors. The Botanical Gardens in San Juan host birds like Bananaquits, Black-faced Grassquits, and various hummingbirds that feed on nectar from the gardens’ flowers.
Where to see urban birds
- Parque de las Palomas, Ponce
- Botanical Gardens, San Juan
- Plazas and city parks
Notable urban birds
- Mourning Dove
- Common Ground-Dove
- Zenaida Dove
- Bananaquit
- Black-faced Grassquit
- Hummingbirds
Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast contains mangroves, lagoons, salt flats, and coastal forests which provide diverse habitats for many bird species. Over 200 species have been recorded here. The visitor center offers guided walks and information on the birds.
Notable birds
- Mangrove Cuckoo
- West Indian Whistling-Duck
- Osprey
- Belted Kingfisher
- Antillean Euphonia
- Puerto Rican Bullfinch
Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge
Located on Puerto Rico’s north coast, this lagoon refuge attracts many migratory waterbirds and shorebirds, especially during winter. Birdwatching platforms give views over the lagoons where herons, egrets, storks, ducks, and other waterbirds congregate. Over 240 species have been recorded here.
Notable birds
- Wood Stork
- White Ibis
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Blue-winged Teal
- Least Bittern
Culebra Island
This small island off Puerto Rico’s east coast is an important stopover site for migratory birds. Flamenco Beach is a nesting area for Brown Pelicans and terns. The hills harbor Bridled Quail-Doves, Puerto Rican Emeralds, and other forest species. Over 190 species have been recorded on Culebra.
Notable birds
- Brown Pelican
- Royal Tern
- Bridled Quail-Dove
- Mangrove Warbler
- Puerto Rican Emerald
Puerto Rican Emerald
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon maugaeus |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.5 in |
| Wingspan | 4.25 in |
| Identification | Small bright green hummingbird with white breast. Long decurved black bill. Found in forest understory. |
| Habitat | Forest, woodland edges |
| Diet | Nectar, insects |
| Range | Endemic to Puerto Rico |
| Conservation Status | Near threatened |
Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus vieilloti |
|---|---|
| Length | 11.8 in |
| Wingspan | 15 in |
| Identification | Large cuckoo with gray-brown upperparts and white underparts with black barring. Red eye-ring. Tail has black and white bands. |
| Habitat | Forest, woodland edges |
| Diet | Insects, lizards |
| Range | Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands |
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Puerto Rican Screech-Owl
| Scientific Name | Megascops nudipes |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.5 in |
| Wingspan | 18 in |
| Identification | Small grayish owl with ear tufts. Vertical streaks on underparts. Found roosting in caves. |
| Habitat | Forest, caves |
| Diet | Insects, small vertebrates |
| Range | Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands |
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Puerto Rican Woodpecker
| Scientific Name | Melanerpes portoricensis |
|---|---|
| Length | 9 in |
| Wingspan | 15 in |
| Identification | Medium woodpecker with black upperparts, white underparts, yellowish nape, and red crown. |
| Habitat | Forest, woodland edges |
| Diet | Insects, fruit |
| Range | Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands |
| Conservation Status | Near threatened |
Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus vieilloti |
|---|---|
| Length | 11.8 in |
| Wingspan | 15 in |
| Identification | Large cuckoo with gray-brown upperparts and white underparts with black barring. Red eye-ring. Tail has black and white bands. |
| Habitat | Forest, woodland edges |
| Diet | Insects, lizards |
| Range | Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands |
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Puerto Rican Tody
| Scientific Name | Todus mexicanus |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.3 in |
| Wingspan | 6.5 in |
| Identification | Tiny bright green bird with red throat, white belly. Short tail often held upright. Large head. |
| Habitat | Forest, second growth |
| Diet | Insects |
| Range | Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands |
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Puerto Rican Tanager
| Scientific Name | Nesospingus speculiferus |
|---|---|
| Length | 5.5 in |
| Wingspan | 9 in |
| Identification | Olive-green upperparts, gray head, bright red underparts. Thick gray bill. |
| Habitat | Forest, woodland edges |
| Diet | Fruit, insects |
| Range | Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands |
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Summary
Puerto Rico offers outstanding birdwatching opportunities across diverse habitats including rainforests, mangroves, beaches, caves, and urban areas. Some of the top spots to see birds include El Yunque National Forest, Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge, and Culebra Island. Over 300 species of birds can be found on the island, including many endemics and migrants. With a little exploration, visitors can experience the amazing diversity of Puerto Rico’s avifauna.
