An Asa Wright humminbird hovers for a sweet meal at one of the many feeders
Trinidad & Tobago is a world renowned bird paradise. A big cog in the birding machine in the twin island Republic is the plethora of hummingbirds. Seventeen different species of hummingbirds call Trinidad & Tobago home at some point during the year. This is quite an impressive array of species for two small islands in the Caribbean. On a tour of the Asa Wright Nature Center the hummingbird buzz was on full display.
At Asa Wright it is possible to get up and close with these amazing tiny birds -White necked Jacobin
The Asa Wright Nature Center is located in central Trinidad and is about an hour plus drive from Port of Spain through twisty sharp mountain roads. To get there, a car will either need to be rented in the capital or a guide will need to be procured. One recommended tour is through Jesse James. He takes visitors to Asa Wright and combines it with Caroni Swamp for a day of birding at around $80.00 per person. Lunch, entrance fees, and transportation is included in the price, and he will even pick you up in Port of Spain. If you go to Asa Wright on your own, the entrance fee is $10.00 and lunch is over $20.00, so the guided fee is worth it.
Another close up of an Asa Wright hummingbird in Trinidad
Hummingbirds do not sit still and pose for the camera for long
A hummingbird hovers and is ready to hone in on a quick drink
One of the highlights of the Asa Wright Nature Center is the ease with which one can view the birds. A veranda overlooks the jungle and the rim of the overhang is lined with hummingbird feeders. Below the veranda are more feeders and other bird feeders as well. One could sit here all day and watch the feeding birds. Iguanas and capybaras also joined the feeding frenzy.
They fly so quick they are blur
On this day in Trinidad there were actually 18 species of humminbird thanks to this exotic example
Sometimes the hummingbird has to compete at its own feeder – Here a white necked jacobin buzzes around a bananaquit
Here he comes again
An iguana picks up the loose chow at Asa Wright Nature Center
A capybara as seen from the veranda at Asa Wright
“Land of the hummingbird” is believed to be the Native American name for Trinidad. Hummingbirds are also featured prominently on the coat of arms for Trinidad & Tobago when the country achieved independence from England in 1962. Two flying hummingbirds face each other on a shield.
Birds and hummingbirds are prominently displayed on the coat of arms – Wikimedia Commons
It is not difficult to see hummingbirds at Asa Wright. You can enjoy watching them all day long at the veranda or you can see them all over the various trails buzzing around flowers. Wear a bright colored shirt and you may even be buzzed yourself.
Sweet success for the white necked jacobin hummingbird
The hummingbird is an entertaining bird to watch. The nature center also has overnight accomodation for those who want to explore more than a day and really enjoy the jungle, trails, and the wildlife. Come to Asa Wright and to Trinidad and discover for yourself why the island has been referred to as the land of the hummingbird.
Stay tuned,
TT
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Oh how I love hummingbirds!!!!!
Andi recently posted..My Wedding & Honeymoon: Day 13
AWESOME pictures!
I LOVE hummingbirds- can watch them for hours. Have actually held them a few times. Great photos.
santafetraveler recently posted..Adventure in Belize: Explore the Cayo District
Looks like a birder’s paradise! Aren’t capybara’s normally humongous? In Brazil they are the size of dogs– if I am thinking of the same rodent.
Leslie recently posted..Review: Taking a movie tour of Central Park with On Location Tours
These were pretty decent size. Perhaps they grow smaller on islands.