Birding with Bill Oddie Introduction Just ten miles off the coast of Venezuela, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago have a well-deserved reputation as an excellent introduction to the birds of South America. A fortnight's birding should produce around 200 species, covering almost the whole range of neotropical bird families, giving a fascinating insight into the birds of this extraordinary region. Although technically the southernmost in the long chain of Caribbean islands, Trinidad and Tobago are geographically part of South America, to which they were attached until quite recently.
Most birders visit during the dry season.
Of the two islands, Trinidad is the largest and most diverse, covering a wide range of habitats in its 1750 square miles. Bird-wise, there are fewer species than on Trinidad, but nevertheless there are some excellent sites, a few speciality species, and a fabulous seabird colony on Little Tobago.