There are many reasons why people gravitate toward bird-watching. It may be a casual hobby or a lifelong passion. Some are willing to travel to other states or countries for more bird-watching experiences. There’s definitely something magical about watching nature in action.

From chatty parrots to emus, here are some great destinations for bird-watching.

Puerto Rico

There are great spots to bird watch in this Caribbean paradise. There are more than 300 bird species in Puerto Rico, and 18 of them are endemic to the island.

If you’re based in or around San Juan, Paseo Lineal Río Bayamón and the Botanical Gardens are good places to start. Further afield, there’s Humacao Nature Reserve, home of the waterfowl, and El Yunque National Forest, a tropical oasis.

Australia

Down Under has more endemic bird species than anywhere in the world. Australia has such a range of environments, from wetlands to deserts, which allows visitors to see a broad range of birds. Depending on where you are, you may encounter emus, kingfishers, and rainbow bee-eaters.

Galapagos Islands

Off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are just the place to make feathered friends.

Keep an eye out for finches, hawks, blue-footed boobies darting and dipping through the flora. Here again, you can go out on your own. However, a guide can help familiarize you with the beauty of this archipelago and the birds that live there.

Africa

Africa offers many bird-watching opportunities, from Botswana to South Africa. If you’re in Kenya, set aside time for a visit to Maasai Mara National Park, home of the magpie shrike and the rosy-throated longclaw.

Tanzania, home of the Serengeti, has many bird species. For those who are really serious about bird watching, there are countless tour packages to choose from.