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.