Photographer: Matthew Matthiessen   Destination: Dominican Republic

Our October Image of The Month is the delightful Broad-billed Tody, one of five tody species that are endemic to the Caribbean islands, and one of two species that reside only on the island of Hispaniola (which comprises the nations of Haiti and Dominican Republic). Our upcoming 2014 Caribbean adventures to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica provide the unique opportunity of viewing no less than three tody species, namely Broad-billed and Narrow-billed Tody on Hispaniola, and Jamaican Tody on Jamaica. Furthermore, both tours can be undertaken either as completely separate departures, or else linked together for a more comprehensive Caribbean birding experience.

Other fantastic birds on offer in these endemic hotspots (around 25% of Caribbean bird species occur nowhere else on earth) include such sought-after specials as the monotypic Palmchat, rare Ridgway’s Hawk, Ashy-faced Owl, White-fronted Quail-Dove, Hispaniolan Amazon, Hispaniolan Trogon and White-necked Crow in the Dominican Republic. In Jamaica we will seek out the spectacular Red-billed Streamertail, the afore-mentioned Jamaican Tody, stunning Jamaican Woodpecker, Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Mango, Arrowhead Warbler, Orangequit and Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, to name just a handful of the island’s 30 endemics. In fact, an impressive 60-odd endemics can be expected if combining both these tours, with a plethora of other resident and migrant species, including numerous near-endemics to boot.

Aside from the wealth of great birds, these tours are also conducted at a very relaxed pace. Other highlights include friendly island people, vibrant cultures, historical attractions and delicious food throughout, making them the perfect holiday for both hard-core birders and non-birding spouses alike.

For further information on these departures, both of which still have spaces available, please contact our office, or else simply click on the links below:

Dominican Republic: Endemics of Hispaniola (20 – 27 Feb 2014, 8 days, US$2,650 per person sharing)

Jamaica – Island Endemics (13 – 19 Feb 2014, 7 days, US$2,775 per person sharing)