WFO’s Upcoming Birding Tours
Costa Rica Birding—2027
About the Trip:
Join Western Field Ornithologists for an 11-day journey through northern Costa Rica—from volcanic foothills and tropical dry forest to misty cloud forests and Pacific mangroves.
With over 930 recorded bird species, Costa Rica offers extraordinary avian diversity within a compact and conservation-focused landscape. Highlights include Arenal Observatory Lodge, Rincón de la Vieja and Santa Rosa National Parks, Monteverde’s cloud forests, and a Tárcoles River mangrove boat excursion.
Expect iconic species such as Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Coppery-headed Emerald, Turquoise-browed Motmot, and Scarlet Macaw—alongside immersive experiences with local conservation partners.
WFO Trip Leader: Jon Dunn
Jon has served on the California Bird Records Committee for more than 30 years and has been a member of the American Ornithologists’ Society’s Committee on Classification and Nomenclature since 2000. A charter member and past president of WFO, Jon received the American Birding Association’s Roger Tory Peterson Award for lifetime achievement and was honored with WFO’s Alan M. Craig Award in 2024 for his dedication and service.
Registration and Payment: Once you sign up you will receive an email from WFO to complete the registration and payment process with Flyway Birding Tours. Your registration and deposit with Flyway Birding Tours will be required within 48 hours of your email confirmation to secure your trip.
Notes: Links will not be functional until the above time and dates.
Birding Guatemala’s Highlands and Lake Atitlán with Phil Unitt (2 spaces available: please contact jill@holbrooktravel.com)
About the trip:
Guatemala is a richly diverse cultural center and a lush and vibrant paradise for birders. Set in the heart of Central America, it sits within one of the Western Hemisphere’s prime migratory corridors. Join WFO on this 11-day adventure to enjoy excellent birding opportunities and learn about the Asociación Vivamos Mejor, a non-profit in Panajachel whose programs include training nearby residents to become birding and nature guides. Together with an expert guide and part-time apprentice guides, you’ll explore a variety of habitats at varying elevations and see firsthand many of the area’s rare and endemic species.
WFO Tour Guide: Phil Unitt
Phil is the Carol Wilson Endowed Chair of Ornithology and curator of the Department of Birds and Mammals at the San Diego Natural History Museum. He is also the long-time editor of WFO’s Western Birds and recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Swarth Award for his significant contributions to field ornithology in the West. He is a specialist in subspecies identification, distribution, and the history of distributional change in California birds.
Starting from $4,275*
Ecuador: Birdlife Across the Andes with Jon Dunn (SOLD OUT)
About the trip:
Ecuador is one of the most bird-rich countries on Earth, with nearly 1,700 species recorded. Its compact geography allows easy access to cloud forests, Andean páramo, and Amazonian foothills, each offering distinct bird communities. Few places provide such variety within short travel distances.
This tour combines outstanding birding with meaningful context. Participants will explore key reserves and national parks, meet local partners, and gain insight into how ecology and geography shape birdlife. The result is a journey that is both rewarding in the field and valuable in understanding conservation challenges.
Download trip materials
South Africa with WFO—2027 (Sold Out)
Dates: July 20—August 1, 2027
Optional Cape Town Extension: July 31—August 4, 2027
WFO Trip Leader: Kurt Leuschner
Join Western Field Ornithologists for an unforgettable birding and wildlife safari to South Africa. The main safari explores premier birding regions, including world-famous Kruger National Park, where participants can expect extraordinary bird diversity alongside dramatic landscapes, rich natural history, and opportunities to see iconic African mammals, including the Big Five.
An optional extension to the Cape Town region will focus on endemic and near-endemic species and unique flora. Highlights may include Cape Rockjumper, African Penguins, and a cable-car ascent of Table Mountain for sweeping views (weather permitting).
Join former WFO President and longtime African safari guide Kurt Leuschner for a birding and wildlife safari through some of South Africa’s most celebrated regions. Kurt brings more than three decades of guiding experience, deep knowledge of African birdlife, and a passion for education that makes each trip both rewarding in the field and rich in natural history.
Registration opens in April 2026.