Explore Extraordinary Birdlife

Birds are famous for various reasons, and expedition cruises offer a robust environment for birding enthusiasts and are well known for creating new enthusiasts. 

Over 10,000 species of birds exist, each with alluring colours and sounds, providing seemingly endless interest and variety. Birds can be found in nearly every habitat on Earth, from city parks to remote wilderness areas, making them accessible to a wide range of people. Their unique behaviours, such as migration, mating displays, and feeding strategies, are fascinating to observe and study.

Many birds are visually striking, with beautiful plumage and engaging songs, adding aesthetic pleasure to their observation. Birdwatching often fosters a deeper appreciation for nature and conservation, as birds are good indicators of environmental health. Birding also contributes to citizen science projects, such as eBird, where birders can record their sightings and help with scientific research.

Expedition cruises travel to remote and otherwise inaccessible locations where you can often observe unique and rare bird species. These cruises usually include expert ornithologists or naturalists who provide valuable insights and help identify bird species. The small ships also offer a comfortable base from which to explore, with amenities like observation decks, spotting scopes, viewing platforms, and expert narratives. They also provide a stable platform for observing birds at sea, which can be challenging from smaller boats or land viewing.

You can read our original stories on expedition cruise birding, like ‘Seabird Safari’ by Miranda Krestovnikoff or ‘The Last Penguin’ by Jamie Lafferty

Many expedition cruises offer lectures and workshops on bird identification, behaviour, and conservation, enhancing the birding experience. Close-up encounters with birds in their natural habitats also provide amateur and professional wildlife photography opportunities. 
By visiting sensitive environments, these cruises promote awareness of conservation issues and often support local conservation efforts.


Jamie Lafferty

Jamie Lafferty

Northern Rockhopper Penguin by Jamie Lafferty

Penguins

Penguins are flightless seabirds predominantly found in the Southern Hemisphere, with most residing in Antarctica. Known for their distinctive black and white plumage and upright stance, penguins are well adapted to life in the water, where they are agile swimmers. Their wings have evolved into flippers, aiding in their underwater navigation.

Miranda Krestovnikoff

Miranda Krestovnikoff

Puffin by Miranda Krestovnikoff

Seabirds

Seabirds are as much a part of the expedition and small-ship adventure experience as the ocean itself because there is no better way to view them in their natural habitats and at sea than from a ship deck or Zodiac. 


Jamie Lafferty

Jamie Lafferty

Costa Rica Parrot Macaw

Tropical Birds

Tropical birds are a diverse group of avian species that thrive in warm, humid environments, such as rainforests, wetlands, and tropical islands. Known for their vivid colours, distinct vocalisations, and unique behaviours, tropical birds play vital roles in ecosystems, particularly in seed dispersal and pollination.


Mark Stratton

Mark Stratton

Upland Goose Male In Falkands 1118

Waterfowl

Waterfowl are birds typically found in aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands. They belong to the order Anseriformes, which includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are well-adapted to life on or near water, with features like webbed feet for swimming, waterproof feathers, and broad, flat bills designed for foraging in water.


Billy Heaney

Billy Heaney

White-tailed Eagle

Birds of Prey

Raptors, or birds of prey, are a group of avian predators. There are over 560 species of raptors, including eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures. Birds of prey can be found on all continents except Antarctica.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Yellow warbler perched on a black volcanic rock in the Galápagos Islands

Landbirds

Landbirds are a diverse group of avian species that live and find food on land. They are also called ‘terrestrial birds’. Landbirds forage and breed in various habitats – forests, grasslands, deserts, and urban areas.


Mark Stratton

Mark Stratton

Bird watching on the ships' deck.

Birding and Photography Guide

Wildlife photographer Mike Unwin's guide to birding and bird photography on expedition and small-ship adventure cruises

Related Guides & Stories


Follow us on Instagram #ExplorEarthGo