Birding Tours

Birding tours Alaska Argentina Australia Belize Brazil Chile COLOMBIA Costa Rica Cuba Ecuador & GALร PAGOS Guatemala Guyana Honduras Iceland India Kenya MADAGASCAR Namibia New Zealand Nicaragua Panama Peru South Africa Tanzania Uganda Yucatรกn

American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Each tour in this catalogue was designed with great care and has the potential to be the experience of a lifetime. However, it is our desire at Holbrook Travel to make your experience as unique as you wish and we are happy to work with you to customize our itineraries to fit your exact needs — whether it is for a group tour or personal travel. Please inquire if you like what you see but would like to explore other choices that might suit you better.

Holbrook Travel’s Mission Our mission is to help travelers make meaningful connections with people and nature around the world. Through a careful translation of our participants’ needs, we combine extensive experience, deep knowledge, and a proven reliable international support network to create memories that last a lifetime.

We pledge to:

• Create opportunities for you to learn experientially • Foster your understanding of the world’s natural and cultural diversity • Follow eco-friendly practices • Provide you with high quality expertise and service in a courteous, efficient manner • Enhance the lives of our participants, our in-country partners, and our employees

Because of widespread interest in avifauna, we provide a variety of birding trips for everyone, from novice birders to experienced ornithologists. Our leaders and in-country guides are among the best in the business at finding and identifying sought-after birds, with a wealth of knowledge to share about how birds interact with their habitats and other organisms. We even offer trips for serious nature photographers and for “citizen scientists” who assist in important avian field studies.

We hope you’ll read further to become familiar with our leaders and guides, the many countries in which we operate, and the types of programs we design to help you learn about the diversity of birdlife in some of the most spectacular locations on Earth.

— The Holbrook Travel family

2

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Collared redstart Myioborus torquatus

“Our trip was a mixture of fantastic birding (134 species) and valuable interactions with conservationists, biologists, naturalists, and local groups working to conserve the natural resources of their country and sharing the love of the beauty of nature and birds with the next generation.”

- Monica I. Sacramento, CA

Photo by Ann and Rob Simpson

Our Expertise Whether your passion is to seek a private customized birding experience, join one of our renowned birding expeditions offered year round, or build your own privately organized group expedition, Holbrook Travel is adept in combining your specific interest of birding with a multitude of cultural, environmental, or adventure-based activities.

We believe in the value of experiential travel and we hope the following pages may offer you a glimpse into the magical and diverse world of ornithology.

On all of our expeditions you can expect carefully selected local experts who bring forth a lifetime of ornithology observation and research in exotic locations across the globe. Each Holbrook guide offers precision and site knowledge that allows you to personally identify both rare and endemic species with ease, accessibility, and most importantly, within environmental and cultural contexts that bring the travel experience to life.

We invite you to explore our world, offering:

• Enthusiast to advanced birding • Photographic birding adventures • Citizen science birding investigation • Customized youth birding • Family and friends birding adventures

3

red-fronted Macaw Ara rubrogenys

COSTA RICA “I found this program most enjoyable and educational. The program director was knowledgeable and personable and could not have been more accommodating. He helped everyone secure access to the birds and was phenomenal in his ability to imitate the birds and recognize their habitat [...] .

I found Costa Rica to be a country that I would like to learn more about.”

- Susan from South Ozone Park, NY

4

Photo by Frank Wouters

Let’s go Birding!

Become A Leader Travel programs are a wonderful way to create and build relationships and even to raise funds for your group. Whether you’re an educator, curator, or organization leader, Holbrook helps you accomplish your goals by providing customer service and expertise. As a full-service travel provider we can assist you with every detail.

Customize Your Own Excursion Holbrook Travel works only with expert in-country birding guides and naturalists, and with experienced drivers, lodges, hotels, and other local providers worldwide. Together we can create a custom program for you and any companions —suited to your dates, your pace, and your budget.

Join An Existing Trip Join one of our upcoming birding expeditions by visiting our website or contacting one of our travel consultants. We’re always adding new itineraries so there’s something for everyone.

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

COSTA RICA “The program started with a very well thought out itinerary; we saw a variety of habitats with relatively little travel time... The group saw over 340 birds.

Accommodations were fine, with some lodges (La Ensenada, Selva Verde, Savegre Mountain Lodge) worth a trip by themselves... It’s hard to think of a way this trip could be improved.”

Photo by andreas trepte

OUR DESTINATIONS Whether you seek a private customized experience, join one of our renowned expeditions, or build your own group trip, Holbrook Travel is adept at combining birding endeavors with cultural, environmental, and adventure-based activities to suit your needs.

We believe in the lasting value of experiential travel and promise to provide carefully selected experts to share their deep knowledge of birds, bird behaviors, and habitats.

Each birding destination is chosen based on these criteria:

• Variety of bird species • Diversity of bird habitats and ecosystems • Availability of local field expertise • Accessibility • Affordability • Quality services (food, lodging, etc.)

• Safety and risk management

- Keith from Oakland, CA

5

Meet our leaders Edwin Ramirez, Costa Rica It seems that Edwin was born to be a birder and a naturalist guide extraordinaire. Brought up in the countryside, he recalls being captivated by his grandfather as he related an endless repertoire of stories about the animals and birds. Edwin qualified as a teacher but soon found the walls of a classroom too confining – he was happiest when ‘lost’ in the natural history of Costa Rica. Having been a naturalist guide since 1991, Edwin is recognized by his peers as possessing a special gift that enables him to transmit his love and knowledge of nature to everyone who has the privilege to spend time with him. Edwin’s birding skills, coupled with his experience as a group leader, have earned him the title of ‘Master Guide.’

“Our guide, Edwin Ramirez, was stupendous. Knowledgeable and a good coordinator for a large group. Pleasant, humorous, intelligent, easy-going, and an asset to the program. He is the program. Edwin knows, sees, hears, and finds all birds.”

- Road Scholar Participant

Gilberth Molina, Costa Rica For Gilberth, the tropical rainforest of the Caribbean Lowland was both his backyard and his classroom. As a youngster, the forest came alive through the teaching of his father as they walked for hours along trails looking for the tell-tale signs of poachers. Gilberth worked his way up from gardener to a resident naturalist at Selva Verde Lodge and the Organization for Tropical Studies. Today he is acknowledged as one of the best birding guides in Costa Rica and his skills as a birder have been honed through leading many Road Scholar birding programs. Gilberth combines an instinctive birding capability with the humility of a young man who was brought up to respect both nature and everyone he comes in contact with.

“Chito (Gilberth) is an excellent tour leader and guide. He compares very well with the VENT tour guides who are world-class birders. His expertise is responsible for the success of the program, in my opinion!”

- Road Scholar Participant

Ariel Aguirre, Panama As the Panama Audubon Education Director, Ariel is in charge of organizing, leading, and coordinating the Educational Programs from birdwatching courses, bird appreciation and identification workshops, bird walks for beginners, and bird talks at schools and local communities.

Ariel got involved in birding during his early days as a tour guide where it became a passion more than a path to a personal goal. As he started going out with more experienced birders he learned as much as could about Panama avifauna. Ariel loves traveling all over Panama with people who share the same passion that he does.

6

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Jose Alberto Rodriguez Piste, Yucatán Alberto’s interest in nature developed at an early age while growing up in a small fishing village in the Yucatán Peninsula. Surrounded by nature and dependent on its bounty for a living instilled a healthy respect for his environment and a desire to share it with others. Alberto is an active ABA member with a degree in ecotourism and over 14 years of experience leading birding groups through his native Yucatán. His impressive birding skills are complemented by a love for his Maya culture. He is fluent in Maya, Spanish, and English.

“Alberto was the expert in identifying the birds seen. Not everyone on the tour was a birder but there were many of the most adept and dedicated birders I have ever had the pleasure of learning from.”

- Roger Weiss

Alex Oloo, Kenya Born in Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria, Alex is third born in a family of seven. Introduced to birding in 2000, Alex’s knowledge and enthusiasm was triggered by Fleur Ng’weno, the leader of Wednesday Morning Birdwalks organized since 1971 by Nature Kenya (formerly East African Natural History Society). Alex has since been trained at Air Travel and Related Studies Centre, Nairobi, received a certificate in Fundamentals of Ornithology as a safari guide, and earned a Bronze Level Leader in the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. As a member of the Bird Committee of the Nature Kenya, Alex is actively involved in bird ringing/banding and has been working as a field assistant on ornithological research projects in many parts of the country. Alex also works as a museum guide with the National Museums of Kenya and has gained knowledge in ethnography, geology, prehistory, and herpetology, all of which keep his interests growing.

Ben Haase, Galápagos Ben Haase, born in the Netherlands, has passionately dedicated his life’s work and observation to the study of coastal birds and marine life. Arriving in Ecuador in 1986, Ben’s work has focused on the Peninsula of Santa Elena and the migration of whales in Ecuadorian waters. With more than 20 years of field research of approximately 125 coastal avian species, Ben is known as one of the premier scientist-guides dedicated to studying and sharing his experiences in support of Ecuadorian natural history and the unique importance of the Galápagos Islands.

“Ben Haase was an incredible expert in his field and greatly enhanced the program with his daily briefings, summaries, and photos.”

- Norman Pearlmutter

7

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagles are not actually bald, the name comes from an old meaning of the phrase “white headed.”

Bald Eagles are the national animal and national bird of the United States of America.

The female Bald Eagle is 35 to 37 inches, slightly larger than the male.

Photo by carl chapman

ALASKA Destination Highlights • Observe some of Alaska’s 445 recorded species of birds, including many shorebirds, in their natural habitats.

• Enjoy watching for species such as Arctic Loon, Fork-tailed Storm Petrel, Red-faced Cormorant, Trumpeter Swan, and Common Eider.

• The town of Cordova, near the Copper River Delta, holds an annual Shorebird Festival where participants can watch the spring migration of five million shorebirds and learn from expert ornithologists.

Photo by jerry goffe, naturephotoworks.com

8

Photo by jerry goffe, naturephotoworks.com

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Darwin’s Rhea Rhea pennata

Photo by Jeremy VandeL

Rheas are flightless birds that weigh between 30 and 60 pounds.

argentina

Though they can’t fly they are able to run up to 37mph!

• The second largest country in South America, Argentina is home to around 1,000 species of birds!

Charles Darwin discovered this smaller species of Rhea on his second voyage of HMS Beagle.

• Explore Argentina’s diverse biomes in areas such as Patagonia, the Andes and Tierra del Fuego.

Destination Highlights

• Argentina is safe to travel in and its modern cities make it an ideal destination for birders of all experience levels.

• Enjoy watching for species such as Darwin’s Rhea, Magellanic Penguin, Chucao Tapaculo, Andean Flamingo and Patagonian Tinamou.

Photo by lisa palmese-graubard

Photo by wendy frazier

9

Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus

Rainbow Lorikeets’ diet consists of nectars and pollens from flowers, seeds, grains and oats as well as a variety of fruit from apples to grapes.

Australia

Rainbow Lorikeets are monogamous and courtship displays are elaborate. Some common displays include wing fluttering to reveal underwing patterns, swinging upside down, and headbobbing.

• Emu, Little and Adelie Penguins, Cassowary, Laughing Kookaburra and Superb Fairy-wren are among Australia’s highlight bird species you’ll have a chance to see in person.

Destination Highlights • Australia is home to over 800 species of birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

• Enjoy iconic Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies and duck-billed platypus as well as snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

Photo by laurie mclaughlin

10

Photo by tourism queensland

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Jabiru Stork Jabiru mycteria

Jabiru Storks are the tallest flying birds in Central and South America and can reach heights of 4.6 feet.

They have a wingspan of around seven feet.

‘Jabiru’ comes from the Tupi-Guarani language and means ‘swollen neck’.

Photo by Todd Gustafson, Gustafson Photo Safari

Belize Destination Highlights • Belize boasts over 500 bird species – 80 percent residents and 20 percent migratory. For such a small area, this is an impressive variety!

• Bird the lowland rainforest favored by Keel-billed Toucans, Ornate-hawk Eagles, Agami Herons, motmots, oropendulas, Emerald Toucanets, parrots, and hummingbirds.

• Investigate the Mayan Ruins of Belize such as Lubaantun in the south and Xunantunich in the west.

Photo by laurie mclaughlin

Photo by Steffi Lopez

11

hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

Hyacinth Macaws have dry, scaly tongues with a bone inside them that they use to tap into fruits.

These macaws are the largest of all parrots with a wingspan of more than four feet!

Hyacinth Macaws, like several other macaw species, are endangered.

12

Photos by Todd Gustafson, Gustafson Photo Safari

Brazil Destination Highlights • Brazil is a huge tropical birding mecca, holding around 1750 bird species, including close to 200 endemics to date and new species being described every year.

• Brazil is a very stable, friendly country. Teeming with natural history, stunning scenic beauty, great modern tourist facilities, and excellent and varied cuisine, Brazil has all the right elements to offer birders some of the most exciting bird watching and wildlife experiences on the bird continent of the world.

• Experience the thundering Iguazu Falls, travel east to encounter the Serra do Mar mountain range and venture to the interior of southwestern Brazil to find the world’s largest seasonally flooded freshwater marsh.

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Andean condor Vultur gryphus

The word ‘condor’ is derived from the Quechua kuntur.

chile

The reddish caruncle, or comb, is only seen on males of the species.

• Breathtaking landscapes, exhilarating birdlife, a plethora of photo opportunities, and outstanding gastronomic experiences await you in Chile.

They are bald for hygiene, allowing the skin to be exposed to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and UV light at high altitudes.

Destination Highlights

• Amazing photography awaits you with stunning snow-covered mountains, pristine forests and lakes, blue iced glaciers, and pastures of wildflowers.

• Fascinating birdlife such as Chilean Flamingos, Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers, Andean Condors, Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguins, Black-browed and Gray-headed Albatross, and Southern Giant-Petrels – just to name a few!

Photo by pelin karaca

Photo by Frank richmond

13

Colombian chachalaca Ortalis columbiana

Colombian Chachalaca is an endemic species to Colombia found in forests and woodlands in the valleys of the Andes.

Its diet includes mainly fruit, with the balance comprised of leaves and flowers.

Vocalizations are viarations of the sound “cha,” hence its name.

Photo by Mateo gable

colombia Destination Highlights • Colombia is sure to be any birder’s delight with the highest number of bird species recorded for any country, an impressive 1,800 species to date.

• Avian specialities include Citron-throated Toucan, Northern Screamer, Blue-billed Curassow, Colombian Mountain Grackle and Santa Marta Parakeet.

• Colombia is once again a safe destination as security has greatly improved in recent years, allowing birders to enjoy Colombia’s diverse Andean, Caribbean, Pacific, Orinoquía and Amazon regions.

Photo by pelin karaca

14

Photo by pelin karaca

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Resplendent quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno

“This was a wonderful, wonderful trip! We visited many different habitats: tropical; dry forest; Pacific foothills; Caribbean foothills; mountains; rainforest. The birds were extraordinary — over 300! ... I highly recommend this trip!”

- Edna from Los Angeles, CA

Photo by Ann and Rob simpson

costa rica Destination Highlights • Birding in Costa Rica is an extraordinary experience; with 894 species recorded, Costa Rica offers birders great birdwatching opportunities within relatively short distances, involving very diverse habitats in the six ornithologic regions of the country.

• Look for species such as the Blue-crowned Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Boat-billed Heron, and hundreds of species of hummingbirds.

• Journey into moist cloud forests to maximize the chances of spotting regional specialties, including the Resplendent Quetzal.

Male Resplendent Quetzal’s tails can reach up to 30 inches in length.

These birds were associated with the snake god Quetzalcoatl. They symbolized freedom and wealth and their feathers were even used as money.

Photo by greg basco

Photo by greg basco

15

Cuban Tody Todus multicolor

The Cuban common name for these birds is Pedorrera named for the ‘pprreeepprreee’ sound of its call.

Todies nest in narrow ground tunnels, typically laying two to three white eggs per clutch.

Photo by john hannan

cuba Destination Highlights • Highlight species include Cuba’s national bird, the Tocororo, and the world’s smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird at Las Terrazas.

• Encounter endemic species such as the Zapata Wren and the Cuban Tody.

• Journey by boat to Cayo Coco’s inner lagoons and view flamingo colonies.

• Get a first-hand look at Cuba’s vibrant cultural heritage.

Photo by alton biggs

16

Photo by debbie sturdivant jordan

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Inca Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Inca Jays, or Green Jays, have an impressive vocal variety, including clicks, mewing or even sounds like an alarm bell or buzzer.

Inca Jays are omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects.

The young remain in their territories through nesting season of the following year, then are evicted by their parents.

Photo by tom ulrich

ecuador Destination Highlights • Ecuador ranks fourth in the world in regards to highest diversity of bird species, including 131 hummingbird species.

• Search for some of Ecuador’s approximately 1,663 species of birds.

• Visit Ecuador’s Amazonian zone with its more than 600 species of birds including Antpitta, Antthrush, Tapaculo, and Woodcreeper, and learn about neotropical birds such as tanagers, toucans, motmots, cotingas, and potoos.

Photo by pelin karaca

Photo by frank richmond

17

Flightless cormorant Phalacrocorax harrisi

“Our tour of the Galápagos was an unforgettable experience. We were part of a small group and our tour guide was superb. The overall program could not have been better.”

- Michael Sulman

The largest of all cormorants, Flightless Cormorants are the only cormorants to have lost the ability to fly, but are much better divers than their flying cousins.

Their feathers are not waterproof so they must spend time after each dive drying their wings in the sunlight.

18

Photos by reinier munguia

galápagos islands Destination Highlights • Encounter the legendary finches of the Galápagos that famously catalyzed Charles Darwin’s natural selection epiphany.

• See Red and Blue-footed Boobies, Galápagos Penguins, and other representatives of the unparalleled diversity of these magical islands, where 85 percent of bird species are endemic, several of which are endemic to a single island.

• Explore the main 14 islands by land, snorkeling, scuba diving, or viewing from a boat deck, taking in not only rare bird species but also sea lions and unique marine life species.

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

ocellated turkey Meleagris ocellata

Photo by dennis jarvis

Ocellated turkeys do not display sexual dimorphism, both sexes look the same.

guatemala

They spend most of the time on the ground but can fly swiftly for short distances to escape predators.

• Guatemala’s unique geographic and geologic circumstances have created a profusion of biodiversity concentrated into an area the size of Ohio. Guatemala is an attractive birding destination with 735 bird species and a high diversity of ecosystems.

Destination Highlights

• Explore Maya ruins at Tikal, one of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

• Observe species such as quetzals, toucans, and the colorful Painted Bunting.

Photo by laura hare

Photo by lisa palmese-graubard

19

Hoatzin

Ophisthocomus hoazin

Hoatzins are strict herbivores and have an enlarged crop to help digest plant matter.

Due to their large crop they have poorly developed pectoral muscles and rarely fly.

The fermintation process they use in digestion makes them unpleasant smelling and unsuitable for hunting by local populations.

Photo by Pelin Karaca

guyana Destination Highlights • Boasting 815 species of birds, new species are being added on a regular basis. Highlights include many sought after species such as the Harpy Eagle, Blood-colored Woodpecker, the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and 112 species of flycatchers.

• See thousands of acres of undisturbed rainforest and a myriad of other untouched habitats.

• See mammals such as jaguars and other jungle cats, Giant Anteaters, Giant River Otters and Giant River Turtles.

• With nine Amerindian tribes, and as the only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana is also rich in indigenous culture. The infrastructure is improving and traveling to the main bird locations is an exciting challenge for the adventurous birder.

Young Hoatzin have claws at the end of their wings to keep them from falling off branches.

Photo by pelin karaca

20

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Honduran Emerald Amazilia luciae

Photo by dominic sherony

The Honduran Emerald is the only species endemic to Honduras.

honduras

The species has moved from Critically Endangered to Endangered though it still faces threats due to habitat loss.

• Explore Honduras, a land of unique beauty containing a wealth of pristine habitats, over 500 miles of coastline, and Maya ruins. It is home to Central America’s largest wilderness – “Mosquito Coast” – with vast rainforests, lagoons, and pine savannahs.

Destination Highlights

• Investigate Maya ruins, learn about the past, present and future of this mystical country, and take in the rich variety of fauna and floral life.

• Examples of birds found in Honduras are the Yellow-headed Blackbird, Clapper Rail, and Elegant Tern.

Photo by wendy frazier

Photo by tom carr

21

Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica

Photo by steve degger

iceland

Puffins can dive as deep as 200 feet. They swim by flapping their wings as though they were flying and using their feet to steer.

Destination Highlights

Most of the year puffins live on the open ocean, with 60% of puffins living near Iceland.

• Ferry to Flately Island, where the birds are quite tame, in search of Red-necked Phalaropes, Common Redshanks, Snow Buntings, Red Wings, and Meadow Pipits.

Due to their comical walk and unique appearance, puffins are nicknamed the clowns of the sea.

• Follow the fjords of Northwest Iceland towards the majestic seabird cliff of Látrabjarg where auks, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Thick-billed Murres, Artic Terns, and Red-throated Loons may be spotted.

• Explore Iceland’s natural geological wonders such as volcanic scenery, hot springs and geysers as you search for its breeding wildfowl, waders and seabirds.

• Enjoy close up views of Harlequin Ducks on the River Laxa and explore Lake Myvatan in search of its fourteen breeding duck species.

Photo by matt dawson

22

Photo by lisa palmese-graubard

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Black-necked stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Both sexes of Black-necked Storks are identical except for iris color. Females have yellow irises and males have brown irises.

The Mir Shikars, a group of traditional bird hunters, required young men to capture a Black-necked Stork alive before he could marry. The practice was stopped in the 1920s.

Photo by KAREN BLUMBERG

india Destination Highlights • Explore Chambal, with over 264 species of resident and migratory birds including large numbers of the rare Indian Skimmer, Greater Thickknee, Small Pratincole, and lapwings.

The Chambal is also home to Marsh Crocodiles (muggers), Gharials (gavials), eight species of turtles, Smooth-coated Otters, and rare and endangered Gangetic Dolphins.

• Visit the protected areas of Bandipur, Nagarahole, and Wayanad. These forests are some of the best remaining habitats of the Asian Elephant. The Nilgiri in the Western Ghats is India’s premier biosphere reserve and is a prominent region for birdwatchers.

• India has a rich natural heritage including 1,244 birds species, 350 mammals, and 16 major forest types.

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

23

Secretary bird

Sagittarius serpentarius

Secretary Birds walk up to 20 miles a day.

The name ‘Secretary Bird’ is thought to have been inspired by their quilllike crown of feathers resembling a secretary with quill pens tucked behind their ear.

Photo by Mak thorpe

kenya Destination Highlights • Of 1,500 bird species of birds recorded in East Africa, two-thirds are found in Kenya.

• Visit many distinct sites, including Nairobi, Mt. Kenya, Lake Baringo, Kakamega Forest, Kisumu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita, Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara, each with its own climate, altitude, and amazing array of species.

• Gain insights into the friendly, inviting people of Kenya and their fascinating culture and customs.

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

24

Photo by pelin karaca

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

RED FODY

Foudia madagascariensis

Fodies are native to the islands of the western Indian Ocean, occuring in Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoro Islands and the Mascarene Islands.

The male of the species is bright red with black markings around each eye, while females have an olive-brown upper body with a greyish-brown underbody.

Photo By David Dennis

madagascar Destination Highlights • Venture to find the 283 species of bird in 56 families (three families endemic to Madagascar) including the mesites, ground-rollers, cuckoo rollers, asities, and vangas.

• Visit Ranomafana National Park, located in the Fianarantsoa Province of southeastern Madagascar.

• Explore each of the main Malagasy habitat types: the rainforest at Perinet-Mantadia, the dry forest at Ankarafantsika, and the spiny forest at Berenty.

Photo by pelin karaca

Photo by pelin karaca

25

Copper sunbird Cinnyris cupreus

Sunbirds are very similar to hummingbirds in physical appearance and diet, however sunbirds live in Africa, Asia and Australia while hummingbirds live in the Americas.

Sunbirds, unlike hummingbirds, cannot fly backwards so they perch on a flower and puncture it to get to its nectar.

Photo by H.M. Allison

namibia Destination Highlights • Discover Namibia’s over 600 species of birds including the Cinderella Waxbill, Grey Kestrel, Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush, Giant Kingfisher, Verreaux’s Eagle, and Damara Tern.

• The world’s oldest desert, the Namib, dominates Namibia’s landscape and offers impressive and interesting flora and geological formations.

• Visit with nomadic Himba tribal people wearing traditional ornaments over ocher-colored skin, then the Herero with distinctively European influenced dresses.

• Enjoy Namibia’s beautiful wildlife such as zebra, rhino, elephants and lions in Namibia’s legendary game parks.

Photo by pelin karaca

26

Photo by pelin karaca

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

KEA

Nestor notabilis

Kea are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds in the world.

They are the only parrot that lives amongst snow and are known for their unusual curiosity in search for food in harsh climates, eating everything from tree roots and berries to baby birds. Kea have even been accused of killing sheep.

new zealand Destination Highlights • New Zealand is home to around 250 bird species with close to 90 endemic species such as Kōkako, Purple Swamphen or Pukeko, Tui, and five species of Kiwi.

• Rich with temperate, evergreen rainforest, steaming volcanoes, glacial fjords and soaring snowcovered mountain ranges, New Zealand is famed for its unparalleled natural beauty.

• Study the intriguing native Māori culture and its rich history, mythology and crafts.

Kea are named for the high-pitched ‘kee-aa’ call they make during flight.

A group of Kea is called a circus.

Photo by debbie sturdivant jordan

Photo by debbie sturdivant jordan

27

THREE-WATTLED BELLBIRD Procnias tricarunculata

“Every ‘citizen scientist’ who goes on an Operation RubyThroat expedition — from hummingbird enthusiasts to teachers to serious birders — plays an important role and goes home with a deeper understanding of the endemic birds and their habitats. Working with Holbrook, we have expanded our hummingbird migration studies into several Central American countries.”

Photo by sandy schmidt

nicaragua Destination Highlights • Discover the conservation efforts by the American Birding Association, farmers, and consumers of shade-grown coffee in the highlands.

• Bird the mystical El Jaguar Cloud Forest Reserve.

• Add to your life list at Masaya Volcano National Park near Granada.

• Spot species such as the Fork-tailed Emerald, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and the Turquoiseborwed Motmot, Nicaragua’s national bird.

- Dr. Bill Hilton Jr, Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History

The Three-wattled Bellbird is capable of producing the loudest bird call on earth, a booming ‘bonk’ which can be heard up to a half mile away.

28

Photo by nicaragua tourism institute

Photo by nicaragua tourism institute

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

HARPY EAGLE Harpia harpyja

Harpy Eagles’ rear talons are three to four inches long, the same size as a grizzly bear’s claws!

Harpys were first described

by Linnaeus who named them after the Greek mythological beasts that had the body of an eagle and the face of a woman.

The Harpy Eagle is the national bird of Panama.

Photo by Eric kilby

panama Destination Highlights • Participate in interactive lectures illuminating Panama’s culture and history, bird diversity, tropical ecology, and conservation.

• Explore the Panama Canal Museum, power plant and the Gatún and Miraflores locks.

• Participate in birding on an organic coffee farm and in the cloud forest of the Chiriquí highlands.

• Investigate the rainforest of the Canal Zone, once a restricted area, which has been immaculately preserved and is now fully protected as the 54,000-acre Soberania National Park.

Photo by laurie mclaughlin

Photo by laurie mclaughlin

29

ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK Rupicola peruvianus

“This was a fabulous trip, it way exceeded my expectations.

The birding was outstanding, we saw 335 species. I loved the variety of habitat, from the ocean to the mountains to the lowlands. Incredible scenery and perfect weather. The guides were all excellent, the drivers were skilled and competent. The food was plentiful and delicious, and all the accommodations were first class. I highly recommend this trip…I’m eager to go back to Peru.”

Photo by Prom Peru

peru Destination Highlights • Spot some of the 1,879 species of birds that inhabit Peru, including over 400 that fly over the grounds of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

• Explore Sandoval Lake in the Amazon lowlands by catamaran to look for colorful macaws and the enigmatic Hoatzin.

• Discover the unique mist-fed ecosystem of Lomas de Lachay, home to the underground-nesting Burrowing Owl.

- Bob from Etna, CA

Throughout the year Andean Cock-of-the-rock males practice their elaborate dance in hopes of attracting the most females at the lek.

30

Photo by laura hare

Photo by pelin karaca

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

AFRICAN PENGUIN Spheniscus demersus

African Penguins are sometimes called ‘Jackass’ Penguins due to their donkey-like bray.

The pink glands above their eyes helps these penguins regulate temperature in changing climates. As they get hotter, more blood is sent to these glands to be cooled by the surrounding air.

south africa Destination Highlights • Over 850 species of birds, abundant game, a well-developed system of parks and reserves, and modern infrastructure, South Africa offers an exceptional experience for birders and nature lovers.

• Explore mountain grasslands and wetlands, the tropical lowlands and coast of KwaZulu-Natal, rugged Drakensberg mountains, and the truly spectacular setting of the Cape of Good Hope.

• See a full range of species from ostriches, penguins, and seabirds, to weavers, widows, waxbills, and canaries.

• See mammals including Africa’s Big Five: elephants, Cape Buffalos, rhinoceros, lions, and leopards, as well as the chance of whales and dolphins off the Cape of Good Hope.

Photo by frank richmond

Photo by mikkel hulmoller

31

Lilac-Breasted Roller Coracias caudatus

Both sexes of Lilac-breasted Rollers have the same coloration and, like other non-sexually dimorphic species, are thought to be monogamous.

These birds like to perch high atop trees where they have a good vantage point for spotting insects and lizards.

Photo by lou newman

tanzania Destination Highlights • See the rich variety of birds in Tanzania: 1,104 species in 75 families including species of raptors, six vultures, Kori Bustard, Ostrich, Lesser Flamingo, and several species with a comparatively restricted distribution such as the Rufous-tailed Weaver.

• Visit the breathtaking natural wonders of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

• Visit Tanzania’s best kept secret, Ruaha National Park. Witness the thousands of birds that flock to Ruaha on their annual migration from Europe to Asia.

Photo by pelin karaca

32

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

SHOEBILL

Balaeniceps rex

Though sometimes called the Shoe-billed Storks, these birds are now thought to be more closely related to pelicans.

Balaeniceps rex means ‘King Whale-Head’.

The name Shoebill may have come from the Arabic abu markub meaning ‘one with a shoe’ in reference to its shoe-shaped bill.

Photo by Olaf Oliviero Riemer

uganda Destination Highlights • See over 1,000 species of birds with the glamour of large mammals in well-protected wilderness areas. A trip to Uganda offers an extraordinary birding and natural history experience.

• Experience Uganda’s astonishing contrasts, from the Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Rwenzori range, from mountain forests and volcanoes to the semi-arid plains of Karamoja.

• Over 20 percent of the surface area of Uganda is covered by wetlands, both open-water bodies and marshes of Papyrus reed beds. At least 210 species inhabit the wetlands, ranging from the Shoebill and African Skimmer to the endemic Fox’s Weaver, are found in these wetlands. The Queen Elizabeth National Park alone has a bird list of 611 species.

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

Photo by todd gustafson, gustafson photo safari

33

AMERICAN FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus ruber

Life expectancy for American Flamingoes is 40 years — one of the longest in birds.

The word ‘flamingo’ comes from the Spanish word flamenco meaning ‘flamecolored’, which refers to their bright feathers.

A flamingo’s pink color comes from the carotenoid pigment found in its food.

Yucatán Destination Highlights • View the only colony of American Flamingos in Mexico – numbering more than 40,000 individuals – and observe the antics of the endemic Yucatán Wren that predominately inhabits the northern coast of the state.

• Observe spectacular ruins at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Experience the region’s fame for endemicism in both its flora and fauna, making an exciting and versatile visit for enthusiastic wildlife viewers.

• Explore the 1.9 million-acre Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.

A flock of flamingoes is called a ‘flamboyance.’

Photo by laura vick

34

Photo byalex chay

For more information, contact a Specialty Travel Consultant at: 800.451.7111 • holbrooktravel.com/birding • travel@holbrooktravel.com

Commitment to conservation & sustainability Holbrook Travel + Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve In 1984 Holbrook Travel’s founder Giovanna Holbrook became a pioneer of ecotourism when she bought the forest that would become Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve, one of Costa Rica’s first ecolodges located on 500 acres of Costa Rican primary and secondary rainforest. Since then Holbrook Travel and Selva Verde have been commited to protecting these precious habitats and the rich biodiversity of life that find their homes there.

Holbrook Travel + ClimateSafe

Holbrook Travel + local communities

As the world became aware of the potential damages caused by transport and air travel, Holbrook Travel partnered with ClimateSafe to allow clients to offset the carbon produced during their international and in-country travel with us.

Holbrook Travel believes in offering travel programs that help travelers, businesses and host countries to conserve the environment and improve the well being of local people. Holbrook Travel takes active steps to minimize any negative impacts travel might have on a host country by seeking in-country partners such as tour operators, hotel providers, or guides that adhere to the best practices in sustainable travel.

Holbrook’s Birding ethics Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others.

In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.

Holbrook Travel uses the following guidelines to ethically conduct our birding tours:

Promote the welfare of birds and their environment To avoid stressing birds we keep a good distance between travelers and nests, display areas, colonies and feeding sites. We ask that our travelers use artificial light sparingly when photographing birds and to stay on paths where they exist to avoid disturbing the habitat.

Connect with us

Respect the interests and skills of fellow birders and nature enthusiasts Holbrook Travel provides a wide variety of birding tours for everyone from beginning birders to experienced ornithologists. We believe birding should be for everyone and hope that our birders welcome newcomers and freely share their knowledge and experience with them. We also ask that our travelers be courteous of other nature enthusiasts we may come across in the field by being respectful of their interests and activities.

Check out our blog blog.holbrooktravel.com

/holbrooktravel

35

Phone: 800.451.7111 Fax: 352.371.3710 Email: travel@holbrooktravel.com holbrooktravel.com

Surucua Trogon

Photo by claudio dias timm