26 Mar 2025 - 06 Apr 2025 (12 days)
USD9,150 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour price (Per person): EUR8,805 * GBP7,297 * CAD13,159
Single Supplement: EUR645 * GBP534 * CAD964
On this epic multi-island adventure, we will explore the three islands of the Caribbean that collectively host the greatest number of single-island endemics including all 28 endemics in Jamaica, 33 endemics in the Dominican Republic, and 18 endemics in Puerto Rico. Included among these are representatives from six endemic bird families including the Palmchat (Dulidae), Hispaniolan Palm-tanagers (Phaenicophilidae), Todies (Todidae), Puerto Rican Tanager (Nesospingidae), Chat-tanagers (Calyptophilidae) and Spindalises (Spindalidae) and we will endeavour see at least one representative of each of these families together with as many of the Greater Antillean and wider Caribbean endemics as possible.
Our efforts begin on Jamaica where we will be exploring the island’s great variety of habitats, from the evergreen forests of the Blue Mountains to the ultramarine waters of these rich seas. Just a few of the highlight species include the Jamaican Owl, Jamaican Mango, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Tody, Crested Quail-Dove and both Red-billed and Black-billed Streamertails. Our lodgings are perfectly located to allow us to stay in the same place for the entire tour! Not only are our lodgings very comfortable, but they are also right in the middle of the specific, endemic-laden forest we intend to bird.
From there, we continue to the Dominican Republic which is perhaps best known for its luxurious beaches as well as the outstanding food and vibrant culture. This island also has much to offer both the avid birder and general naturalist alike. Because of the amazing biodiversity sustained on the island, Hispaniola ranks highest in the world as a priority for bird protection and this is where we will be spending the majority of our time! Our birding tour provides the opportunity to see nearly all the island’s 32 endemic bird species, plus a host of other Greater Antillean specialities. We accomplish this by thoroughly exploring the island’s variety of habitats, from the evergreen and Pine forests of the Sierra de Bahoruco to the dry forests of the coast.
Finally, we visit Puerto Rico, a rugged and mountainous island containing a wide variety of bird-rich habitats. Host to 17 endemics and numerous Greater Antillean and Caribbean restricted species, Puerto Rico has surprisingly been forgotten amongst its more illustrious neighbours -Jamaica and Hispaniola. While the many endemics and near-endemics are the priority, the island also plays host to several wintering North American passerines. From the capital, San Juan, we will work our way through the major habitats, offering us an excellent chance to see almost all the island’s endemics.
Palmchat, Ridgway’s Hawk, West Indian Whistling Duck, Ashy-faced and Jamaican Owls, Puerto Rico Screech Owl, Ring-tailed, Scaly-naped and Plain Pigeons, Crested Quail-Dove, Least Poorwill, Hispaniolan and Puerto Rican Nightjars, Hispaniolan and Jamaican Amazons, Hispaniolan Parakeet, Hispaniolan Lizard, Puerto Rican Lizard and Jamaican Lizard Cuckoos, Hispaniolan Trogon, Jamaican, Broad-billed, Puerto Rican and Narrow-billed Todies, Hispaniolan, Puerto Rican and Jamaican Woodpeckers, Antillean Piculet, Hispaniolan Palm and Jamaican Crows, White-necked Crow, Antillean Palm Swift, Hispaniolan, Puerto Rican and Jamaican Orioles, Golden Swallow, Hispaniolan and Lesser Antillean Pewees, La Selle Thrush, Green-throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Puerto Rican and Hispaniolan Emeralds, Antillean, Green and Jamaican Mangos, Red-billed and Black-billed Streamertails, Eastern and Western Chat-Tanager, Hispaniolan, Puerto Rican and Jamaican Spindalis, Hispaniolan Crossbill, Antillean Siskin, Orangequit, Jamaican Elaenia, Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Becard, Blue Mountain and Puerto Rican Vireos, Jamaican and Antillean Euphonias, Jamaican and Yellow-shouldered Blackbirds, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Elfin Wood and Adelaide's Warblers, Greater Antillean Grackle, Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Puerto Rican Tanager, Loggerhead Kingbird, Shiny Cowbird, Northern Mockingbird.
Evergreen and endemic pine forest, dry forest, botanical gardens, mangroves, shoreline
Hot and humid throughout, cooler in mountains.
7 with 1 Rockjumper Tour leader and local leaders
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Fast pace, several long days.
Comfortable to basic, varied cuisines
Moderdate
300+
Great scenery & beaches, friendly people, good food
Good to excellent
The birds cooperated, but Forrest and everyone on the tour worked hard and remarkably all participants on the tour were able to record every endemic species, mostly seen very well. The large bus provided plenty of room and the Wifi on the bus was another surprise!
Our Rockjumper guide for all three tours, Adam Walleyn, was an excellent birder and attentive to all participants. We have travelled with Adam previously and continue to enjoy his expertise and passion for nature. Adam's leadership was a major factor in our booking the three tours.
Bobby Wilcox was excellent: attentive to all the guests, helping with camera issues, ensuring everyone saw the birds, and enhancing the group experience. The photos he just shared with us are fantastic! Our local DR guide was very knowledgeable about not only birds, but many other topics including history, politics, geology, Haiti, etc.
Bobby Wilcox was great as tour leader; always aware of the clients and on-target with the endemics we sought. Our local guide was so well spoken and full of history and cultural knowledge as well as keen on all the birds. He was a real plus for the tour.
We had an excellent time on this tour. Even though I did not see every endemic, it fully met my hopes for the number of birds that I could reasonably expect. The rainy weather impacted our birding at times, but the leaders made some good decisions to adjust our plans in response and to maximize our chances of getting the birds. We really enjoyed birding with Bobby Wilcox. This may have been his first visit to the DR, but he was well prepared, has excellent field skills, a good sense of humor, worked hard to get us on the birds, and shared his knowledge and enthusiasm in general.
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola IV 2024 - December 2024
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II 2024 - January 2024
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola IV 2023 - December 2023
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola III 2023 - November 2023
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II 2023 - January 2023
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola I 2023 - January 2023
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II 2022 - February 2022
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola V 2021 - December 2021
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola III 2021 - November 2021
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II 2020 - February 2020
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola I 2020 - January 2020
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II 2019 - February 2019
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola IV 2018 - December 2018
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II 2018 - February 2018
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola I 2018 - January 2018
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola 2017 - January 2017
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola 2016 - February 2016
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola I 2015 - February 2015
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola 2014 - February 2014