Hello, dear Bird Watchers of the World!

Ever thought of coming to Suriname? It’s one of the last countries on earth which is almost completely covered with pristine rainforest. My name is Otte Ottema, and I know where the birds are which you want to see. I am the only professional ornithologist in Suriname.

We have a lot to offer. Just to mention a few Surinamese specialties, which you will not easily find anywhere else: Blood-colored Woodpecker, Arrow-head Piculet, Rufous Crab-Hawk, Green-throated Mango, Gray-winged Trumpeter, Red-fan Parrot, Guianan Toucanet, Finsch's Euphonia and White-fronted manakin. These you almost cannot miss. With a bit of luck, you may also see the rare Boat-billed Tody-Tyrant, or the magnificent Red-and-black Grosbeak, Chapman Swift, Crimson Topaz, White-throated Pewee, Capuchinbird, White Bellbird, Guianan Red-Cotinga, Rose-breasted Chat and Blue-backed Tanager. And there is always a chance, albeit a small one, to spot the Band-tailed Antshrike and the Crimson Fruitcrow.

During all the tours we will visit a Dwarf-Forest-on-White Sand. New discoveries have shown that 3 species of birds, which were thought to be rare, are common in this rare habitat. These are Bronzy Jacamar, Saffron-crested Tyrant-manakin and Black Manakin. You will have a very good chance to see the former two. The latter is a bit difficult to be found.

Our most spectacular attraction is the lek of the Cock-of-the-Rock, where more than 50 males are courting. From the point where you are allowed to watch, about 20 can be seen. The males can be seen the whole year round. Dieter Schonlau made this photo.

Websites with information about bird watching : http://www.mytropicalgemtours.com/ and http://www.metsresorts.com/.

If you want to know more about Surinamese birds, visit the website of Jan Hein Ribot: http://www1.nhl.nl/~ribot/english or http://www1.nhl.nl/~ribot/php4/verspreiding.htm if you want to go directly to his distribution maps.

If you are interested, contact me at otteottema@gmail.com. We offer all-in bird watching trips for between 4 and 8 persons as well as day trips around Paramaribo, to the savannah and to the Warapa kreek. We also can make special arrangements for you.

Information about all-in bird watching trips can be found here (12-days trip), here (16-days trip to Palulmeu), here (16-days with Arapahu), here (11-days with Brownsberg and Tonka Island) or here (one day trips).

[photos] Bronzy Jacamar by Foek Chin Joe.