Top Birdwatching Spots in the World

by Ryan Rudnansky
Last updated: 3:00 AM ET, Sat February 22, 2014

According to Born Free USA, 12 percent of the 9,800 species of birds in the world may face extinction within the next century, including about one third of the world's 330 parrot species. Causes range from illegal pet trade to habitat loss.

One of the best ways to combat and reverse this trend is through awareness. And one of the best ways to raise awareness is to get out there among these magnificent creatures with a pair of binoculars and your trusty camera.

New Guinea

More than 780 different species of birds have been recorded in New Guinea.

Whether you are looking for bowerbirds, goshawks, cassowaries, parrots, or Birds of Paradise, Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea will supply you with plenty of opportunities for fantastic photos.

You'll find a lot of birds that feed off the land here, as well as many that are very picky when it comes to what they eat and how they build their homes.

To be a top birdwatching site in the world, you need to not only boast a lot of birds, but also hold a great variety of species.

New Guinea undoubtedly satisfies this criteria.

New Jersey

New Jersey may seem like an odd place to go birdwatching, but Cape May is one of the best birding sites on the planet.

This is because Cape May is located right in the middle of a major migration route.

In January, birds that can be seen include snowy owls, peregrine falcons, waterfowl and winter gulls. During migration in autumn, look for shoebirds, songbirds, osprey and bald eagles.

Don't forget to check out the Cape May Bird Observatory during your stay.

Mexico

Of the 4,004 species of birds that were reported in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) this year, 645 species were reported from Mexico - more than any other country.

Popular Mexican destinations for birders include Veracruz, the Yucatan Peninsula, Oaxaca and Chiapas.

You'll find a variety of birds as you explore the country, from loons and the ancient tinamous to hummingbirds and parakeets, proving that spring break in Mexico isn't just for coeds.

Mexico-Birding Tours offers plenty of options if you want to make a full trip out of it.

Costa Rica

In the GBBC this year, 508 species were reported from Costa Rica.

Endemic species include the coppery-headed emerald, the black-cheeked ant tanager, the gray-tailed mountain gem and the the alfaros and mangrove hummingbirds.

Costa Rica's geological formation played a big part in its bird population. When earthquakes and volcanic eruptions led to North America and South America being fused together, Costa Rica was exposed to many northern birds.

The country also holds incredible diversity, from plains and lowlands to mountain ranges and swamps. This makes it an ideal location for a range of birds.

Ecuador

Whether you are traveling through the Galapagos Islands or Sangay National Park, there is no shortage of brilliant birds in Ecuador. With more than 1,600 species of birds on record and dozens of native species, the republic has earned the right to be included in the top 10.

Endemic species include the waved albatross, Galapagos petrel, flightless cormorant, lava heron, and dark-backed wood quail.

Like Costa Rica, Ecuador presents a varied terrain for many birds, from rainforest to swamps to mudflats. You'll want to check out the main birdwatching regions, which include the Choco and Amazonian Lowlands, the Andes and the southwestern foothill habitats.

Colombia

More than 420 species of birds were reported from Colombia in the GBBC this year, ranked fifth among participating countries. There are more than 1,800 species in all, with more than 70 endemic species.

Endemic species include the chestnut-winged chachalaca, cauca guan, blue-knobbed curassow, gorgeted wood quail, indigo-winged parrot and many different parakeets.

Be sure to explore the Middle Magdalena Valley, the Llanos and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Panama

If you are a die-hard birder, Panama is a must-see destination. More specifically, the Panama Canal is a hotspot.

More than 970 bird species have been recorded in Panama. Endemic species include the brown-backed dove, azuero parakeet, veraguan mango, escudo hummingbird and the stripe-cheeked woodpecker. Also, keep an eye out for the popular resplendent quetzal and the harpy eagle.

Panama may be the size of Minnesota, but it contains more bird species than the United States and Canada combined.

And don't forget to stop by Canopy Tower, which has become one of the premier hotels for birders in the world.

Peru

With more than 1,800 recorded species and more than 135 endemic species, Peru has become a favorite for birders worldwide.

Like a lot of Central America and South America, Peru possesses great biodiversity, from the cloud forests to the rugged mountains.

Peru holds the record for most species in a single place (650 species surrounding the Explorer's Inn lodge in the jungle of Tambopata), as well as the record for greatest number of species seen in a single day (361 species surrounding the Biological Station of Cocha Cashu in Manu).

Also, don't miss Manu National Park, a World Heritage site that hosts more than 1,000 bird species.

Ontario, Canada

Canada has plenty of birdwatching hotspots, but Ontario stands out because of its relation to the Great Lakes and sites such as Algonquin Provincial Park and Niagara River.

Algonquin spans for nearly 3,000 square miles with more than 2,400 lakes, and it was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992.

You can take Niagara River from Lake Ontario south to Fort Eerie. Along the way, you'll come across gulls, waterfowl, finches, kittiwake, and cormorants.

Birds stop by the shores of the Great Lakes during migration. Nearly 500 species have been recorded in Ontario, including almost 300 species that have been known to breed in the province.

Alaska

Alaska is a premier stopping stop for migrating birds, and many species choose to raise their young in the dazzling state.

Alaska's geographical location provides the nutrients and variety in landscape to accommodate a great deal of birds, including owls, swans, songbirds, shorebirds, and cranes. More than 500 species have been recorded in the wetlands, shores and tundra.

The best time to go is in the summer when birds migrate to Alaska and sport their breeding colors at the Aleutian Islands and Yukon Delta.