Guyana Trip Report (March 6 – 18, 2025)

Exploring the expansive rainforests and savannahs of Guyana, our small and nimble group was able to rack up an impressive species total of 409, of which approximately 23 were heard only. Of course it’s not the quantity so much as the quality that made this tour a huge success. Watching a group of outrageous Guianan Cock-of-the-rock display to each other, a huge Harpy Eagle chick at it’s nest tree, and a flock of endangered Sun Parakeets casually feeding beside the road are just a few of the incomparable experiences we shared together.

Day 1:

As everyone had arrived extra early for the tour, we were able to fit in a bonus afternoon excursion to the Georgetown Botanical Gardens. Setting the bar high to start the tour, we encountered targets like Festive Amazon, Toco Toucan, Blood-coloured Woodpecker, and White-bellied Piculet.

Festive Amazon © Adam Timpf

Day 2:

An early departure so we could explore the Mahaica River by boat at 6:30, Hoatzin’s (30!) decorated the mangroves while Little and Striped Cuckoos sang from exposed perches. Silvered Antbird skulked low to the water, and a pair of Black-capped Donacobius put on a good show.

Mahaica River © Adam Timpf

Hoatzins © Adam Timpf

After a delicious roti brunch at the boatman’s riverside home, we birded our way to the coast where we encountered herons, egrets, scarlet ibis, and thousands of shorebirds feeding on the very productive mudflats. Coastal targets of Rufous Crab Hawk and Bicolored Conebill were seen well by all. Having already visited the botanical gardens, we used the afternoon to explore some open country and saw hundreds of Red-bellied Macaw, a pair of Barred Antshrike, and despite our best efforts the Ash-throated and Russet-crowned Crakes remained as heard only.

Rufous Crab Hawk © Adam Timpf

Day 3:

Some unsettled weather delayed our flight inland to Kaieteur Falls, so we used the morning to check a few sites along the coast and inland near the airport. We added a few more shorebird species, encountered more Rufous Crab Hawks, spinetails, grassquits, seedeaters, and raptors like Great Black Hawk.

Landing at Kaieteur around 2:00, the 2 hours we had here absolutely flew by as we soaked in incredible views of the falls, and fit in as much birding as we could. Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Orange-breasted Falcon, Cliff Flycatcher, and White-tipped Swifts were observed on the wing, while an endemic Golden Rocket Frog was found in it’s bromeliad home. It was hard to pull away from a displaying group of Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, but alas, our plane was calling.

Kaieteur Falls © Adam Timpf

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock © Adam Timpf

Photos: Kaieteur Falls and Guianan Cock-of-the-rock by Adam Timpf

Onwards by plane and then van, we made it to the delightful Iwokrama River Lodge situated along the Essequibo River. A late day boat excursion produced both Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns, Black-collared Swallows which nest along the banks, and displaying Ladder-tailed Nightjars which we could have snatched from the air they came so close!

Day 4:

Following breakfast, we made an early morning boat ride to the other side of the river to bird some white-sand forest and the Kurupacari Road. Chestnut Woodpeckers, Black Manakin, Bronzy Jacamar, Spangled and Pompadour Cotinga overhead, and an assortment of macaws, parrots, parakeets, and hummingbirds kept us entertained. The white-sands retained animal tracks well and we saw proof that Tapir, Jaguar, and other mammals were living nearby.

Kurupacari Road © Adam Timpf

Back at Iwokrama we enjoyed Black Curassow, Pied Plover, White-throated and Channel-billed Toucans, Red-fan Parrot, Bat Falcons, and Painted Parakeets all within the manicured grounds. Some afternoon birding produced Spix’s Guan, our first Black-eared Fairy, and a variety of tanagers and honeycreepers.

Day 5:

A last jaunt around the grounds at Iwokrama produced a flock of squawky Red-throated Caracara and a skulky Black-chinned Antbird, before we were on the road again and birding some white-sand forest between Iwokrama and Atta Lodge. A perched Black Hawk-Eagle delighted, while a Capped Heron slunk into the woods before we could get out of the van. Green Aracari, Purple-breasted Cotinga, Yellow-throated Flycatcher, Spotted Tanager, and more were had before we made it to Atta Lodge.

Black Hawk-Eagle © Adam Timpf

After lunch we went back out to the road and encountered a variety of species highlighted by Tufted Coquette, Black Nunbird, Guianan Toucanet, and Green Oropendola. A Crimson Topaz made an appearance in the fading light, and as darkness fell the local White-winged Potoo was the cherry on top to another fantastic day.

Atta roadside birding © Adam Timpf

Photo: Roadside birding and Atta entrance road by Adam Timpf

Day 6:

Out destination this morning was the Atta canopy walkway, but not before we enjoyed great views of Black-faced Hawk, Collared Puffbird, Cream-colored Woodpecker, and Guianan Warbling-Antbird. Eventually reaching the walkway, we hung out in the canopy waiting for some birds to visit us. Here we enjoyed Guianan Puffbird, Todd’s Antwren, Whiskered Flycatcher, and a roving flock of Yellow-green Grosbeak among others. Before lunch things started to quiet down but not before we watched a Red-necked Woodpecker excavating a nest cavity and two Purple-throated Fruitcrow around the lodge.

Cream-colored Woodpecker © Adam Timpf

Atta canopy walkway © Adam Timpf

A late afternoon forest walk produced sought after birds like Black-throated Antshrike and Ferruginous-backed Antbird, as well as our first King Vulture and Golden-headed Manakins. Heading back out to the road to bird some more white-sand forest, we heard Red-legged Tinamous ever so close, had flyover Purple-breasted and Spangled Cotinga, encountered our first Cayenne Jays, and photographed and recorded the rare and patchily distributed Pelzeln’s Today-Tyrant.

Ferruginous-backed Antbird © Adam Timpf

A final evening birding stop, a few more Crimson Topaz teased us in the fading late, and a spectacular Black-banded Owl was the perfect end to another great day.

Black-banded Owl © Adam Timpf

Day 7:

Leaving Atta after breakfast to leisurely bird our way to Surama, we encountered a variety of tyrannulets, Pink-throated Becard, as well as Waved and Golden-collared Woodpeckers. Hiking a trail into the forest, we had brief views of our first Gray-winged Trumpeters, and everyone got looks at a dazzling Guianan Red-Cotinga.

Settled in at Surama, we departed in the late afternoon for a Great Potoo at roost, as well as Blue Ground Dove, Suphury Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, and Piratic and Variegated Flycatchers. Macaws flew into roost as the sun set on another great day.

Great Potoo © Adam Timpf

Day 8:

Today was all about the journey to and from the Harpy Eagle nest on the Burro Burro River. The one hour hike to the dock was efficient, but we did stop for a Large-headed Flatbill which requires patches of Bamboo. Once on the river, we were able to casually bird from the boat while keeping an eye for fallen logs that we would have to duck under, often flushing roosting groups of proboscis bats. Numerous Kingfishers of four species dotted the riverbanks, and White-banded Swallows were new for the trip. A few people glimpsed a Neotropical River Otter along the banks.

Burro Burro River © Adam Timpf

Departing the boat after almost 2 hours, the short hike to the nest produced a Cinereous Tinamou that was flushed off the trail, and a Great Antshrike called nearby. Viewing from a safe distance, the large almost year-old Harpy Eagle chick was standing in plain view on a large limb. Drying off from a spot of rain, he flapped his wings and walked and hopped along the limb, strengthening his wing muscles and growing more confident. While we soaked in the experience, the colony of caciques that nest in the same tree suddenly became agitated and alerted us to the arrival of a Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle in the same tree! Perhaps looking for a cacique lunch, it disappeared just as sneakily as it arrived.

Harpy Eagle © Adam Timpf

The boat ride back produced some raptors such as White Hawk, Great Black Hawk, and Double-toothed Kite. Paradise Jacamars and a flock of Scarlet Macaw were perched riverside. Having a picnic lunch back at the boat dock, at least six humming big species were foraging nearby with Brown Violetear and Long-billed Starthroat standing out. Starting our walk back to the lodge, White-browed and Black-chinned Antbirds slowed us down, as did our first Capuchinbird of the trip.

After a well deserved siesta, we were back at it for some late afternoon grassland birding, followed by some owling. Grassland Sparrow, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, and White-naped Xenopsaris showed well, while Ocellated Crake remained heard only. Lesser Nighthawk on a daytime roost was nice, while we also tallied Short-tailed Nighthawk, Common Pauraque, and White-tailed Nightjar. Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl and Spectacled Owl provided walk away views for the group, while Common Potoo on a post was our third potoo species of the trip.

Lesser Nighthawk © Adam Timpf

Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl © Adam Timpf

Day 9:

Slowly leaving Surama, we birded a number of forested roadside locations as well as a small trail. Gray-winged Trumpeters afforded good looks as they walked across the road, Amazonian Motmot and Rufous-throated Antbird remained frustratingly out of sight, while Dusky-throated Antshrike and Rufous-bellied Antwren were much more cooperative. After a productive morning birding and perhaps the best lunch of the trip at a local eatery, we made our way to Rockview Lodge located in the Rupununi savannah.

Surama Trail © Adam Timpf

After the required daily siesta, we made our way to a local wetland for some leisurely birding along a quiet road. Highlights here were a good variety of hummingbirds including the much wanted Copper-tailed Hummingbird, as well as two pairs of Gray-cowled Wood-Rail we were able to coax into view.

Copper-tailed Emerald © Adam Timpf

Day 10:

A morning boat ride down the Rupununi River meant waterbirds were on the menu: Large-billed Tern, Green Ibis, Pied Plover, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, and American Pygmy Kingfisher were all found. Crestless Curassow were heard in various places, but only glimpsed in flight when we took a stroll to see a patch of Amazon Giant Waterlilies. On this walk we encountered Spotted Puffbird, Gray-headed Kite, Amazonian Antshrike, and a lucky few sighted a Sunbittern before it retreated into the undergrowth during a spell of rain.

Rupununi River © Adam Timpf

Later that afternoon we took a short drive from Rock View Lodge and birded a short trail and quiet road where we were able to see both Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Great Horned Owl, Blue-backed Manakin, White-bellied Antbird, and Buff-necked Ibis.

Day 11:

A very early departure this morning so we could drive to Karasabai and search for the big target of the day – Sun Parakeets. Coveys of Crested Bobwhite scurried off the roads before we stopped for breakfast at a local wetland. Both Black-bellied and White-faced Whistling Ducks were here, as well as Muscovy Duck, Purple Gallinule, Limpkin, and a flyby Least Bittern.

Arriving at the Sun Parakeet location we stepped out of the van with anxious anticipation. Incredibly, the 10 of these little balls of fire were waiting for us, foraging in some bushes just beside where we parked. We leisurely observed and photographed them foraging and taking short flights completely unbothered by our presence. With that out of the way, we could spare some attention for Sooty-capped Hermit, Buff-breasted Wren, Finch’s Euphonia, and more.

On to our lunch spot, where we did another short walk and everyone was able to get on Hooded Tanager, Orange-backed Troupial, and a group of Cayenne Jays. Departing for our long drive to Manari Ranch, we had time to spare due to our good fortune with the parakeets. We birded some wetlands and were able to turn up Double-striped Thick-knee, Pantanal Snipe, more Jabiru, Pinnated Bittern, Brown-chested Martin, and Crested Doradito. After our siesta at Manari Ranch, we visited one last wetland which produced Azure Gallinule and Collared Plover, and White-tailed Nightjar on the drive back.

Day 12:

Our last day of birding and another early morning, we drove across the savannah by 4X4 to the Ireng River. The two big targets here, Rio Branco Antbird and Hoary-throated Spinetail, are both very range restricted and we had excellent views of them both! Other highlights from the dry woodland here included Pale-legged Hornero, Spectacled Thrush, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and Cinereous Becard.

Driving back through the savannah we had time to stop for birds and enjoyed a family of Burrowing Owl at their burrow, White-tailed Hawk soaring in the sky, Fork-tailed Flycatchers and White-throated Kingbird, and a Pearl Kite flew in and perched for some nice scope views. Once back at Manari we enjoyed lunch before loading up our bags and heading to Letham for our flight back to Georgetown and Cara Lodge.

Conclusion:

At our last dinner at Cara Lodge before we went our separate ways, we recounted how amazing the trip had been and how knowledgeable the in country guides had been. We surely had been in good hands, and had incredible experiences every day of the tour. Everyone had different favourite moments and favourite birds, and frankly, there was no shortage to choose from. Our group had become fast friends and we were all quick to share experiences and enrich the trip for each other. Personally I’m very much looking forward to coming back to Guyana again and sharing it’s vast and underrated wilderness with more people.