The Golden State's Premier Birding Tour Agency

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Donna Sullivan 
 
 
 
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BIRDS by BJIS trip to Trinidad/Tobago is a fantastic tour. The birding, of course, was great. Benny partnered with local guides to make this a great experience. But, I also loved the beautiful beaches, local culture, and food. Felt like an "off the beaten path" experience to areas of low development. Highly recommend.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Allison Maires 
 
 
 
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What a fantastic morning! Benny is welcoming to all, and really showed us some fantastic birds, balancing his skill and knowledge to the needs of the group. Couldn't recommend more.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Debra Caligiuri 
 
 
 
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Benny presented to Buena Vista Audubon Society.  He gave a very beautiful and informative presentation called Feathers and Flight.  We chose to do a Zoom presentation so our
Members could relax at their homes and be dazzled by the beautiful array of birds found in Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago.   We learned so much about these birds’ lives,
Including their migration journeys and daily habits.
Needless to say,  the presentation left the audience wanting more.
His tours must be amazing!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Laurie Borer 
 
 
 
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If you are considering a birding trip, embedded w/ fun and local culture, don’t hesitate, go w/ Benny@ BirdsbyBIJS. The sheer number of birds you will see and the incredible range of habitats you will experience will make it one of your best vacations. We were fully immersed in Colombian culture, staying in places that ranged from beautifully comfortable to others you had to experience firsthand to truly understand the character of the town. The guides were among the best the country has to offer. Juan Lopez accompanied our group on the Western & Central Andes tour, and he is an absolute gem. He cared deeply about every one of us and shared his passion for Colombia with endless enthusiasm. Between Benny and Juan, we were ricocheted from bird to bird—as if they were plucking them right out of the air! The food was consistently excellent: fresh, healthy, and authentically local. Even travel time became a social highlight, filled with good conversation and shared excitement over the day’s sightings. We traveled comfortably and safely with our own driver, John. In some areas, we were transported along mountain roads in fun local off-road vehicles, giving us yet another opportunity to learn more about local life and culture. If you are considering a birding trip that also is deeply embedded in fun and local culture, don’t hesitate to go with BirdsbyBIJS.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Bobbie Marquette 
 
 
 
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Absolutely unforgettable birding experience in Colombia! This tour exceeded every expectation. Colombia itself is breathtakingly beautiful, but experiencing it through birds made it truly magical. The locations were exceptional—each stop felt carefully chosen to showcase an incredible diversity of species and habitats. From high altitude paramo and cloud forests to wetlands and open landscapes, every day brought new lifers and jaw-dropping moments and experiences. A huge highlight was our local bird guide, Juan Lopez. His knowledge is astounding—sharp eyes, incredible ears, and a deep love for the birds and his country. He seemed to spot birds out of thin air and was endlessly patient and generous in sharing his expertise. Juan also used specific local guides in certain locations, adding knowledge as well as extra eyes and ears to spot the trickiest species. Truly world-class guiding. The tour was flawlessly organized by Birdsbybijs, Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz, whose passion for birding and attention to detail showed in every aspect of the trip. Benny is an outstanding birder himself, adding yet another dimension to the already impressive experience. Logistics ran smoothly, the pacing was perfect, and there was a wonderful balance between serious birding, social birding and fun. The lodgings and locations deserve a special mention: excellent, comfortable, and often delightfully quirky, each with its own charm and sense of place. Add to that the friendly, welcoming people we met everywhere, the top notch food options and the excellent drivers who navigated with skill and calm, and you have a trip that felt both adventurous and deeply cared for. In short: incredible birds, outstanding guides, beautiful country, and an experience I’ll be smiling about for a long time. If you’re even considering a bird tour in Colombia—go. And go with Birdsbybijs.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 John Blackburn 
 
 
 
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This was my third international trip with Birds by BIJS, and the Colombia: Western & Central Andes itinerary was an absolute standout; it was an unforgettable adventure that exceeded my expectations in every way. Yes, we saw our target birds (and then a lot more), but what made the experience truly special was everything around the birding: the warmth, friendliness, and genuine sincerity of the people we met along the way. The guiding and logistics were exceptional. Benny partnered with Colombian birding expert Juan Lopez, who handled travel logistics flawlessly and connected us with outstanding, site-specific local guides. Their knowledge was remarkable, and thanks to that team effort, we consistently found the birds we came for. From the moment I arrived to the final day, Benny made the entire trip feel smooth, well-orchestrated, and effortless. If you’re considering a birding trip to Colombia, this itinerary is the one to do.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Julio Acosta El Salvador Birds 
 
 
 
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Amazing and Fun experience birding along with him! It feels like a birding with an old beloved friend!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Jason Collins 
 
 
 
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I had followed Birds by BIJS for some years and finally joined his Jamaica tour in 2025. The tour itself was planned and executed flawlessly. Our group was able to see all of Jamaica's endemic bird species, and we had a blast in the process. I took home so many stellar photos, and I can't wait to share them! Benny is just as upbeat in real life as he is online. He possesses a deep knowledge of birds and everything relating to them. If you want a fun, memorable birding tour that will hit its targets, you should definitely book with Birds by BIJS!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Ricardo Miller 
 
 
 
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What a fun tour! Benny is a super birder and guide with a personality to match. On this last tour, it was a group of 6 clients that birded across eastern Jamaica for a week. It took some effort but all 29 endemic birds were seen and seen well. The tour was balanced and easy paced. I cant say enough about how much fun this tour was and how Benny managed to get a group of birders of different backgrounds and skill levels to mesh together for a week. Truly special tour that won't be quickly forgotten.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Pierre Rivard 
 
 
 
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Benny is an outstanding tour leader, bringing together an impressive range of skills and experience. As a guide, he not only finds the birds you’re hoping to see, but makes the entire journey fun, engaging, and full of learning. His deep knowledge, easygoing personality, and ability to connect across cultures create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and energized. Benny’s enthusiasm is contagious, and his mix of expertise and humour turns every outing into a memorable experience.