Caroni Bird Sanctuary is the roosting site for thousands of scarlet ibis, the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago. At sunset the birds fly to roost in the swamp's mangroves, giving the trees the appearance of being abloom with brilliant scarlet blossoms. Even if you're not an avid bird watcher, the sight of the ibis flying over the swamp, glowing an almost fluorescent red in the final rays of the evening sun, is a treat not to be missed.

Long, flat-bottomed motorboats that can hold about 30 passengers pass slowly through the swamp's channels. En route the guide points out various flora and fauna -- commonly seen are a two-toed sloth, a boa constrictor sleeping on a tree branch and mudskipper fish that cruise alligator-like with their beady eyes above the water. The boat then stops deep in the midst of the swamp for a good vantage point under the flight path of the ibis.

To avoid disturbing the birds, the boats keep a fair distance from the roosting sites, so a pair of binoculars is recommended although you can still see the birds with your naked eye. You can also expect to see lots of herons and egrets, predominant among the swamp's 150 bird species.

DMC Companies

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• AJM Tours
• The Travel Centre
• Yes! Tourism Ltd.

Summary|Culture|History
Caroni Bird Sanctuary|Port of Spain|Tobago