Birdwatching in French Guiana:
10 species you absolutely must see.

Why French Guiana is a birding paradise

French Guiana hosts one of the richest and best-preserved avifaunas on the planet. The main reason: 96% of the territory is covered by intact primary Amazon rainforest, with no major human disturbance for centuries. This forest is complemented by diverse coastal ecosystems — mangroves, savannahs, marshes, beaches — which multiply ecological niches and therefore species diversity.

The 10 must-see species

1. 🦅 Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

The world's largest and most powerful eagle. Wingspan up to 2 metres, talons as large as a human hand. Feeds on monkeys, sloths and coatis. Elusive and rare — spotting one is what ornithologists often describe as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Found in high primary forest canopy around Saül and the upper Maroni.

2. 🔴 Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)

The most spectacular bird of the Guianese coastline. Entirely scarlet plumage — the result of consuming carotenoid-rich crustaceans. In late afternoon, return flights to mangrove roosts create red clouds against the sky. Easily observed on coastal mudflats around Cayenne and Awala-Yalimapo.

3. 🟠 Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola)

The most colourful bird in French Guiana — vivid orange plumage, remarkable fan crest. Males gather at dawn on 'leks' (display arenas) for spectacular courtship displays. The unofficial emblem of Guianese ornithology. Found in rocky forested areas around Saül and the inselbergs.

4. 🦜 Macaws (Ara chloropterus, A. ararauna, A. macao)

The large multicoloured parrots of French Guiana — impossible to miss. The red-and-green macaw, blue-and-yellow macaw, scarlet macaw. Loud, spectacular, often seen in pairs or small groups crossing the canopy. Present throughout the forest, easily observed from ecolodges.

5. 🐦 Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

The 'stinkbird' — nicknamed for its characteristic odour. This prehistoric-looking bird with its dishevelled crest and red eyes is one of the oldest avian lineages in existence. Abundant in the Kaw Marshes.

6. 💎 Agami Heron (Agamia agami)

One of the world's most beautiful herons — electric blue and metallic green plumage with iridescent reflections. Discreet and solitary, hunting along shaded forest stream banks. Specialist guides know exactly where to find them.

7. 🌈 Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)

The largest and most recognisable toucan — oversized orange-and-yellow bill, black and white plumage. Its strident call sounds like an amplified frog. Present throughout French Guiana, regularly spotted along roadsides and forest edges. The Cayenne airport road is well known for regular Toco Toucan sightings.

8. ✨ Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella)

The largest and most spectacular of French Guiana's hummingbirds — crimson throat, golden flanks, long pointed tail feathers. Visible hovering with wingbeats exceeding 50 times per second. Found along sunlit forest streams.

9. 🎺 Grey-winged Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans)

A terrestrial gregarious bird that moves in groups through deep forest — its deep, resonant call genuinely resembles a trumpet. Rare in accessible areas but regular in protected zones like the Amazon National Park. Saül guides know where to find them.

10. 🌙 White-winged Potoo (Nyctibius leucopterus)

One of the most sought-after nocturnal birds in French Guiana — and one of the hardest to see in the world. Motionless on a dead branch by day, almost invisible. At night, its eyes glow orange in torchlight. Its regular presence in French Guiana draws ornithologists from around the world. Requires a specialist guide and a dedicated night outing.