Avian Wonders: Birdwatching in St. Lucia

Birdwatching in St. Lucia is more than a hobby—it's a celebration of nature's diversity and beauty. The island's vibrant and unique bird life, set against the backdrop of its stunning natural landscapes, promises an unforgettable birdwatching experience, enticing bird lovers from around the world. With binoculars in hand and the tropical sun overhead, every day is a perfect day to discover St. Lucia's avian treasures.

The rainforests, mangroves, and coastal regions of St. Lucia are home to more than 180 bird species. Among them, the six endemics, St. Lucia Parrot, St. Lucia Warbler, St. Lucia Oriole, St. Lucia Pewee, St. Lucia Black Finch, and the elusive Semper's Warbler, represent the distinctive birdlife that sets this island apart.

Known locally as the Jacquot, the St. Lucia Parrot (Amazona versicolor) is the island's national bird. Its vibrant plumage, blending green, blue, and red, mirrors the country's vibrant culture and landscapes. The Quilesse Forest Reserve and the Edmund Rainforest Reserve are the best places to spot these magnificent creatures, primarily known for their strong, direct flights and loud vocalizations.

Aptly named, the St. Lucia Warbler (Setophaga delicata) is a delicate beauty. Its grey, yellow, and white plumage offers an exquisite contrast to the lush green of the rainforests, creating a mesmerizing sight for birdwatchers.

The St. Lucia Oriole (Icterus laudabilis) can be identified by its striking yellow and black colors. Often found in the island's wooded areas, this bird's melodic song is a lovely addition to the natural soundtrack of St. Lucia's outdoors.

The other endemics, the St. Lucia Pewee (Contopus oberi) and the St. Lucia Black Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni), though less striking in their colors, still present an exciting find for birdwatchers, adding to the diversity of the avian life on the island.

While the Semper's Warbler (Leucopeza semperi), believed to be extinct, hasn't been sighted for decades, there's always a glimmer of hope amongst birdwatchers that this species might resurface in the dense St. Lucian rainforests.

In addition to these endemics, species like the Caribbean Elaenia, Broad-winged Hawk, Bananaquit, and Magnificent Frigatebird enhance the birdwatching experience in St. Lucia, offering sights ranging from the dainty Bananaquit hovering over flowers to the majestic Frigatebird soaring high above the coastline.

Jade Mountain's 600-acre estate offers the ideal location to spot common birds of St. Lucia including many that are only found on the island (endemics) and is well positioned for guests to travel out on day trips to see many of the more secretive and rarer birds in the mountain rainforests.

You can easily spot the local Lesser Antillean Bullfinches, bright yellow Bananaquits, and iridescent Carib Grackles looking for titbits. You may even be lucky to spot a Gray Trembler, quivering its wings in excitement. There even is a chance to spot some shy species such as the Spectacled Thrush, a brown thrush with yellow colored skin around its eyes.

There are Scaly-breasted Thrashers feeding in the surrounding trees, and as the sun drops below the horizon the beautiful song of the Tropical Mockingbird permeates the airwaves. Down by the beach the White-crowned Night Heron may make an appearance to feed on ghost crabs.

Keep your eyes up towards the sky – you never know what may pass overhead from Frigatebirds to Brown Boobies, and Peregrines to Ospreys.

Throughout Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, the colorful, tubular flowers provide the perfect food source for hummingbirds. There are three to look for – the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, green with a distinctive crest on its head; the Purple Carib, which often looks black but in the right light can appear a lovely purple or Merlot red; and the Green Carib, a green hummingbird without a crest.

In the nearby Anse Mamin, Broad-winged Hawks and American Kestrels may soar overhead and the woodland is home to Spectacled Thrushes, vireos, St. Lucia Warblers, and St. Lucia Peewees. The stream running through the woods is a good spot to look for Spotted Sandpipers, and Blue or Green Herons.

The dawn chorus around 6 am is a time to listen for the Gray Kingbirds – the main sound you will hear in the morning accompanied by the calls of Zanaida Doves and perhaps the Mockingbird.

An early start is also a good time to visit some of the forest nature reserves where you have the chance to see the endemic parrot, the St. Lucia Parrot. A colorful bird, this large parrot disappears in its forest habitat as its colors make it very well camouflaged. St. Lucia Peewees, St. Lucia Warblers and hummingbirds are all common. And in these areas you may also see or hear the St. Lucia Oriole, a black and yellow bird with steely gray legs and beak or the Rufous-throated Solitaire with its beautiful single note song. Meanwhile, the Millet reserve is a good place to watch for the St. Lucia Black Finch as it comes to feed on coconuts put out for it.

Whether you just want to chill on the beach or fancy more of an adventure around the estate or further afield into the native forests, you can be sure to see something and catch a glimpse of St. Lucia's wild side.

Please contact guestservices@jademountain.com if you would like to learn more about our birdwatching tours both on the resort property and around the island.