Written By Morritt's
Bird Watching in Grand Cayman
The internet is full of cat videos and dog videos, but birds often take a backseat in popularity. We’re not sure why, as birds have big personalities too – particularly our local birds here in Grand Cayman.
Even if you’re not a bird watcher, we think you will appreciate these amusing videos of Cayman’s feathered friends. Here is our top list of birds to see in Grand Cayman.
Cayman Parrot
This is one bird you can’t miss. With bright green plumage, rosy cheeks and noisy squawks, these extroverted birds have no problem making their presence known. If you spot one, you are bound to see another nearby, as Cayman Parrots mate for life and often use the same nesting sites repeatedly.
Where to find them: During the heat of the day, the Cayman Parrot nests secretively in tree cavities, feeding on fruits and seeds, so you will need to look for them during cooler hours. Head to the Botanic Park or the Mastic Trail in the early morning or late afternoon and you are bound to meet some of these chatterboxes!
Fun Fact: Endemic to Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, the Cayman Parrot is the national bird of the Cayman Islands.
Ching Ching
Greater Antilean Grackles are known locally as ‘Ching Chings’ for their metallic, chiming call. They are known for fiercely defending their eggs during nesting season and will divebomb nearby intruders that are much larger than themselves, including humans! Their confident and mischievous antics make the Ching Ching a very entertaining bird indeed.
Where to find them: Ching Chings are extremely sociable and inquisitive around people, especially when food is around. No need to go out of your way to find one of these cheeky birds – they will most certainly find you!
Fun Fact: Ching Chings are endemic to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman – but not Cayman Brac, where the bird has become locally extinct.
Whistling Duck
These attractive and charismatic ducks are named for their loud, shrill whistling call.
Where to find them: Whistlers are typically nocturnal, so look for them during the evening, where you will find them hanging out at their favourite mangrove and button wood swamps, or in freshwater ponds. They can often be seen at the Governor Michael Gore Bird Sanctuary, where they share a pond with other native bird species, as well as Cayman’s freshwater turtle, the Hickatee.
Fun Fact: With its long neck and legs, this duck is actually far more closely related to geese and swans, and like those birds, molt just once a year.
Woodpecker
Grand Cayman is home to two endemic subspecies of woodpeckers – the West Indian woodpecker and the Northern Flicker. Woodpeckers love to dine on insects and termites which help keep the insect population in balance – so they are good to have around the neighbourhood!
Where to find them: The Woodpecker is often found working its way around tree trunks, searching for insects and tree frogs. They are most easily spotted at the Botanic Park and the Mastic Trail.
Fun Fact: A woodpecker pecks 20 times per second, or about 12,000 pecks a day!
Magnificent Frigatebird
Frigates are truly spectacular seabirds. Their long, broad wings allow them to effortlessly ride wind currents like a roller coaster, and they can soar for months without stopping to rest! Frigates are some of the Caribbean’s most important avian predators, hunting mainly fish and squid.
Where to find them: For a face-to-face encounter with these giant birds, bring your camera and head over to Tukka for their 5pm daily Frigate feeding!
Fun fact: Frigates have a reputation for being pirates of the seabirds, as they are known for occasionally robbing other seabirds for food.
Bananaquit
Bananaquits are found throughout the Caribbean, but the bananaquit found in the Cayman Islands is a unique subspecies.
Where to find them: Fond of nectar, this little bird often creeps about in flowering trees, probing the blossoms. For a close encounter, visit the Turtle Centre’s aviary where you can handfeed these tiny birds with sugar water.
Fun fact: While they do prefer nectar, the Bananaquit also eats insects and fruits from trees!
Chicken
Tourists are often taken aback when they see the number of chickens wandering aimlessly about Grand Cayman.
Where to find them: If you’re in Grand Cayman, you are guaranteed to run into some of these colourful birds. Expect to see them congregating in car parks, or casually strolling around office buildings and shops.
Fun fact: It’s not entirely known how Grand Cayman acquired its wild chicken population, but it is speculated that the population spiked after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, when local chicken farms were destroyed, allowing the creatures to roam free across the island.
Recommended Reading.
Grand Cayman Hidden Gems
Whether you’re a long-time Cayman visitor or someone thinking about spending more time here, there are so many things to do beyond the great places to eat, swim, sunbathe and relax. Here, we’ve gathered a few of our favourites that you may or may not know.
Starfish Point
You’ll find this curious and isolated beach on the north side of Grand Cayman at the western extremity of Rum Point. The sea here is wonderfully clear and great for snorkeling, but the real attractions are the many red cushion sea stars that feed in the shallows. With ample parking, it’s an ideal place for a picnic and to watch the sunset but there’s little else there. Don’t expect bars or cafes. (If sea-life is your thing, you might also consider the more popular Stingray City, a series of shallow sandbars near George Town where you can swim with and pet stingrays.)
Bioluminescent Bay
See the swirling otherworldly colours as you move your hands through the water and imagine yourself in a science-fiction alternate reality. The magical bioluminescence at Rum Point is best seen when snorkeling at night as part of a boat or kayak tour that can also involve an astronomy element and an introduction to the starfish. We have several companies that depart from Kaibo, Starfish point or Rum point – and our local team can help you plan your bioluminescent adventure!
Cayman Farmer’s Market
The Hamlin Stephenson farmers’ market at the Cricket Square in George Town (Mon-Sat) is known for its fresh fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, pastries, juices, sauces, preserves and other goods from Cayman’s farmers and craftspeople. Visit to discover freshly made lemonade, cassava cakes, coconut bread, scented candles, peppermint foot scrub, towels, hand-made jewellery, smoothies and houseplants among many other treats. Perfect for sourcing local ingredients or buying presents and souvenirs. See a list of vendors here.
The Mission House
Built in the 1700s, this historic structure is one of Cayman’s oldest buildings and once housed Presbyterian missionaries. You can take a tour to walk in the footsteps of early settlers, see a collection of interesting artifacts and learn how the building’s residents lived in the 1800s. The gift shop on-site offers the opportunity to buy souvenirs (all proceeds to the National Trust) and you should also look out for the traditional cooking and craft classes held here twice monthly. HOURS: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday: 11am-4pm. ADDRESS: Gun Square Road, Bodden Town. TEL: +1 345-945-3769
The 1981 Brewery and Tap Room
1981 may have been a year known for the emergence of electronic pop music, but that has nothing to do with the brewery named for the nautical co-ordinates of the Cayman Islands and famous for its craft beers: Cayman Blonde, Island Session and Tropical IPA. You can take a tour of the brewery and visit the tap room to sample some of the brews straight from the source. HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday: 3pm-7pm; Friday: 3pm-8pm; Saturday: 12pm-5pm; Sunday: Closed. ADDRESS: 273 Dorcy Drive, George Town, Grand Cayman. TEL: +1 345-945-0440
Cayman Cigar Company
Created to revive the art of handcrafting premium cigars, the company uses only the finest hand-selected boutique tobaccos sourced from passionate growers using organic, sustainable farming practices. Master Roller Barbara Garcia oversees the creation of premium smokes. Unusually, this is a non-profit organisation, with 100% of net profits going back into the island through charitable donations. To book a private cigar rolling event, schedule a tour of Beacon Farms or ask questions about how to roll or store fine cigars, contact the company directly: info@caymancigars.com. TEL: +1 345-946-2447
The Mastic Trail
Fancy a walk? The Mastic Trail is a 7.4km (4.6-mile) round-trip trail near Bodden Town and should take 2-3 hours. Expect to see beautiful wildflowers, small lizards, butterflies, crabs, snakes (non-venomous), parrots and woodpeckers, as well as a variety of trees, including a fine mastic tree after which the track is named. The route may not be suitable for the elderly or very young, and you’ll need solid shoes to negotiate the odd root or craggy volcanic rock. Guided tours are scheduled Tuesday and Thursday mornings by reservation via the National Trust website.
Pure Art Gallery
A centre of local art and island-style gifts for almost thirty years, this Cayman cottage just south of George Town offers Caymanian paintings, prints, jewellery, handmade crafts, gifts and more. Great for presents or just to treat yourself because, well, you deserve it! You’ll also find housewares and tempting treats such as pepper jelly, jams, hot sauces, spices, Cayman sea salt, Tortuga rum cake and Cayman coffee. HOURS: Monday and Tuesday 9am-4pm; Wednesday: closed; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday: closed. ADDRESS: South Church Street, South Sound, Grand Cayman. TEL: 345-949-9133
Pony Park
What do kids love more than ingesting vast quantities of sugar? Petting cute animals! In the Pony Park, children can meet Lulu the donkey, Pebbles the miniature horse, bunny rabbits and goats – all of which love to be petted. You can also book the park for birthday parties. Entry fee: $5 per child (including pony ride). HOURS: Saturday mornings 9:00am to 10:30am. ADDRESS: Halfway Pond, just off the Linford Pierson Highway. TEL: 345-516-1751
Was there anything there that that you’ve not experienced? If so, let us know your recommendations to get the best of Cayman. We’re always looking for insider tips!
April 1
