Penguin colonies, marine mammals and spectacular scenery await us on this exciting trip to southern Argentina. We’ll explore the legendary Pampas near Buenos Aires, the immense penguin colony of Punto Tumbo, the spectacular Los Glaciares National Park in the southern Andes, as well as Tierra del Fuego at the very tip of South America. The bird life will be breathtaking and diverse - Greater Rhea, Gentoo and Magellanic Penguin, Snowy Sheathbill, Magellanic Woodpecker, Elegant Crested-Tinamou, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Chilean Flamingo, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Burrowing Parakeet, Magellanic Plover and so much more.

New Zealand is on many a birder’s bucket list, with its spectacular scenery, towering mountains and fascinating birds. The avifauna of this beautiful country has evolved in isolation for 80 millions years, the result being some wonderful endemic birds like the Kea, Wrybill, Tomtit and New Zealand Fernbird, found nowhere else in the world. We’ll find and enjoy most of New Zealand endemic and native birds, including several families unique to New Zealand - Kiwis, New Zealand parrots, New Zealand wrens, New Zealand wattlebirds, the stitchbird, and the New Zealand creepers.

Of course, unique landbirds are only part of the picture - there are 25 or more species of tubenoses (albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and storm-petrels) possible on the several pelagic excursions we will enjoy. In fact, one species - the “extinct” New Zealand Storm-petrel, was rediscovered by our guide Brent Stephenson (and fellow guides at Wrybill Tours) in 2003!

We have the unique privilege of offering an expedition to Cuba in partnership with the Caribbean Conservation Trust. In addition to seeing exciting endemic birds, we will support their work to conserve habitats for endemic and migratory birds in the Caribbean. We will interact with local scientists and naturalists and learn about the ecology of many regions around the island, all while having a look into fascinating aspects of Cuban culture, history, and daily living.

Spain is the most bird-rich country in Europe and our trip will be timed to catch both spring migration and the start of the nesting season. Nearly 200 species or more are possible, including Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Collared Pratincole, Eurasian Golden Oriole & Iberian Magpie. We’ll also be fortunate to witness the 'foam bath' display of Great Bustards and view White-headed and Marbled Duck near Sanlúcar de Barrameda. In the famous Coto Doñana region we’ll seek out Eurasian Spoonbill, Little Bittern and Spanish Imperial Eagle. And of course, we’ll enjoy fine Spanish food and wine in beautiful accommodations!

Join FAB for an exploration of the diverse habitats of Michigan, in search of Kirtland’s Warbler and other midwestern specialties. With prairie potholes and boreal bogs, birding in Michigan has surprises around every corner. Our trip will take us to a wide variety of habitats including open prairies (Sharp-tailed Grouse, Western Meadowlark, LeConte’s Sparrow, Dickcissel), boreal forests (Spruce Grouse, Canada Jay, Connecticut Warbler), pine-oak woodlands (Kirtland’s Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Acadian Flycatcher, Red-headed Woodpecker), and unique wetlands (Yellow Rail, Black-necked Stilt, American White Pelican, Whooping Crane). A truly exciting taste of Midwest birding!

Birding the western prairies in early summer, when resident birds are in crisp breeding plumage and in full song, is a delight for the senses! Although the plains and prairies don’t get as much attention from birders, there is a wonderful array of grassland specialists to enjoy during breeding season. 

We’ll explore the prairies and pothole wetlands in Montana in search of Thick-billed and Chestnut-collared Longspurs, the elusive Baird’s Sparrow, Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl, Wilson’s Phalarope and Greater Sage-Grouse. We’ll witness the towering courtship flight of the Sprague’s Pipit, observe Ferruginous Hawks hunting over prairie-dog towns and, if we’re lucky, find nesting Mountain Plover, a scarce breeding resident of the high plains.

We will also have multiple opportunities to dip into the mountains, including the Little Rockies near Malta, the Beartooth Mountains just into Wyoming and Big Pryor Mountain near Billings. Of course, a totally different suite of birds awaits - and possibly Clark’s Nutcracker, American Pipit, Western Tanager and the possibility of Black Rosy-Finch.

The West Coast of the United States is a marvelous matrix of unique and beautiful habitats that host a diverse array of birds and other wildlife. Within just ten days, we will journey from coastal chaparral and the off-shore oceanic banks of San Diego into California’s inland deserts around the Salton Sea and then back to the coast north of Los Angeles. The difference in the bird life between sea level and the montane forests will make for a trip full of many surprises.

We will look for many “California specialties” including California Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, California Towhee, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California Quail, Wrentit, and California Thrasher. The expedition includes a full-day pelagic trip out of San Diego where we will look out for Least Storm-Petrel, Pink-footed Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull, Cocos Booby, Craveri’s Murrelet and more. We will also take a day trip to Santa Cruz Island to see the endemic Island Scrub-Jay. Our time around the Salton Sea will be spent searching for the rare Yellow-footed Gull, as well as the numerous landbirds of this arid landscape, both resident and migratory.

New Zealand is on many a birder’s bucket list, with its spectacular scenery, towering mountains and fascinating birds. The avifauna of this beautiful country has evolved in isolation for 80 millions years, the result being some wonderful endemic birds like the Kea, Wrybill, Tomtit and New Zealand Fernbird, found nowhere else in the world. We’ll find and enjoy most of New Zealand endemic and native birds, including several families unique to New Zealand - Kiwis, New Zealand parrots, New Zealand wrens, New Zealand wattlebirds, the stitchbird, and the New Zealand creepers.

Of course, unique landbirds are only part of the picture - there are 25 or more species of tubenoses (albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and storm-petrels) possible on the several pelagic excursions we will enjoy. In fact, one species - the “extinct” New Zealand Storm-petrel, was rediscovered by our guide Brent Stephenson (and fellow guides at Wrybill Tours) in 2003!