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Birding in the Dominican Republic

Traditionally, the international birding community does not consider the Dominican Republic (DR) as a top choice on their list of places to visit. Most people ignore the fact that DR has 300 recorded bird species, which include 27 endemics and a number of Caribbean specialties. In addition, its relative proximity to the United States and the rest of the Caribbean islands makes the DR an ideal destination for birders.

The best birding is concentrated in the southwestern region of the island, in an area called Sierra de Bahoruco. This area includes a variety of habitats that range from dry thorn scrub to mountain pine forests. Bahoruco supports one of the highest bird densities in the Caribbean and it’s the only place where you have a chance at 26 out of the 27 endemics.

The capital city of Santo Domingo is also a good place to start your birding trip. A visit to the Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanico Moscoso Puello) provides many of the low land endemics and some aquatic specialties.

Las Salinas de Bani, between Santo Domingo and Azua, is a great place for waders and shorebirds. Salinas is an area that includes salt mines, mangroves, sand dunes, and thorn scrub. These habitats and their geographical location provide a great spot for sighting winter migrants. Salinas is also the favorite haunt of local birders.

If you are in the mood for cooler climates, the Central Mountain Range (Cordillera Central) is also a good choice for several mountain endemics and specialties. We recommend Reserva Cientifica de Ebano Verde (closest to Santo Domingo); Reserva Cientifica Valle Nuevo, and Parque J. Armando Bermudez (La Cienaga entrance).

Parque Nacional del Este in the eastern section of the island is close to a number of resorts and is a good choice if you are tied into a non birding trip around this area.

In the southern slope, the best place is Carretera de Aceitillar, which is a right turn on the Cabo Rojo intersection (there's a sign). This road is fully paved and starts in thorn scrub habitat and ends in pine forests. Birds will be all along the road. You can also stop and walk along the trails on both sides of the road. In Aceitillar you will find Antillean Mangos, Mockingbirds, Black Crowned Palm Tanagers, Todies, Anis, Plain Pigeons, White Winged Doves, Antillean Siskins, Palm Crows, Red Legged Thrushes, and Green Tailed Warblers. The pine forest offers the best opportunity for the Hispaniolan White Winged Crossbill. To get to the northern slope you must drive to the town of Duverge and turn left towards Puerto Escondido. The road to Puerto Escondido is in horrible shape so take this in consideration when you rent a vehicle. Birds will be along the road to and after Puerto Escondido. When you pass the town, you will start to see a transitional forest, which is a great place for Bay Breasted Cuckoo, Least Poorwill, and Flat Billed Vireo.

On the way up, you will arrive at Aguacate, a military post on the Haiti-Dominican Republic border. You must stop and check in with the guards. Please take the time to look over into Haiti and you will be stunned to see the deforestation level. Afterwards, keep driving to Zapoten where you will start to approach mixed broadleaf and pines. This is a great area for La Selle`s Thrush, Western Chat Tanager, White Winged Warbler and other rare endemics. You can also see a small potato market where Haitians sell their products to Dominicans. This market is responsible for the slow and gradual destruction of this rare and important habitat. Outside from Bahoruco, there are neighboring areas such as the Oviedo lagoon, Cabral lagoon, and Cabo Rojo. These places are good for herons, ducks, Roseate Spoonbills, Flamingos, gulls, and shorebirds.