Birding Kaieteur Falls

Kaieteur Falls, located in the heart of Guyana's interior is the tallest single drop waterfall in the world.  Fed by the Potaro River, over 100,000 liters of tannin-stained water pour over the edge every second, crashing into a gorge 741 feet below. 

The majority of visitors to the falls arrive and leave by small plane, because an overland trek to and from the falls takes a few days and accommodations are scarce. This cuts down on the number of visitors, which helps to keep this natural wonder in its pristine state. I have been privileged to visit twice this year.

My Ride

On both occasions I have been rewarded with glimpses of the magnificent Guianan Cock of the Rock, specifically the male, which is a brilliant orange color with a large crescent-like crest. Both times this striking bird was hidden so far back in the thick scrub that I was unable get a quality photo. Fortunately, on my second trip out I was accompanied by my good friend, CJ Webber, a very talented photographer who was able to get some pretty good shots.

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola) - Photo by CJ Webber 

Another shot by CJ Webber - Check out more of his work here.

My first visit to the falls was in June, during the wet season. The volume of water pouring over the escarpment that time of year is overwhelming, and a mist rises up from the river bed below that attracts white-collared swifts. The day I visited there must have been three hundred of them zipping in and out of the mist and circling high up into the sky above. The second visit was in November, which is the dry season. The river spills over the edge, providing a much more scenic view. With no mist, however, there wasn't a swift to be found.

White-collared Swifts spiraling up to the heavens. 

White-collared Swifts enjoying the mist.

White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)

Both times out I found Tropical Kingbirds behind the small welcome center, so I assume they are year round residents. The tours of the falls stay on a pretty quick pace, which didn't really work for bird and wildlife photography, but the experience is still second to none. If you ever get a chance to go, do it. You won't be disappointed.

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

This Week on Instagram

Every week I pick a few of my favorite birds from the #whatschirping tag on Instagram to feature here  at www.whatschirping.com. Check out the tag to view some awesome bird photos from around the world, and if you have some of your own to share please do so. Here are four of my favorite shots from this week. Congratulations to: @local_exploration, @cowpi32, @tsutomu_adachi and @jfernandez1011

Ural Owl by @local_exploration

Blue Tit by @cowpi32

African Stonechat by @tsutomu_adachi

Congo African Grey by @jfernandez1011

This Week on Instagram

Every week I pick a few of my favorite birds from the #whatschirping tag on Instagram to feature here and on our Instagram feed. Go check it out to view some awesome bird photos from around the world, and if you have some of your own to share please do so.

 Thanks to all who added birds to #whatschirping this week. We passed the 1,000 mark and it is becoming quite a gallery. Here are four of my favorite shots. Congratulations to: @blackbara, @turisk_the_tourist, @emjaydee3em and @perkinsdale.   Please go check out their galleries to see these and many more great images.

Recently we added the #whatschirping_id tag for identification help. A few birds have been tagged and I have to admit most of them have me stumped too. We need help from some of you real birders. Take a moment to browse through and see if you know any of them.

Greater Flamingo by @blackbara

Black Crowned Crane by @turisk_the_tourist

Apostlebird by @emjaydee3em 

Royal Tern by @perkinsdale