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Fabrice Schmitt

Fabrice Schmitt was born in the east of France (Alsace), where he began to bird at the age of 12. After birding intensively and extensively in Europe, North Africa, Middle East, he fell in love with Neotropical birds during his first trip in Peru in 1995. He then spent most of his free time in South and Central America – mostly looking for birds, but studying wildlife in general. In 2002/2003, Fabrice (then a Math teacher) took a sabbatical year to visit birding destinations and look for and study the most localized species of south Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and south of Brazil. During this time, Fabrice participated in field expeditions in the Peruvian Andes and Amazonian lowlands, gaining knowledge about endangered, rare and even un-described bird species.

Fabrice lived in Chile from 2005 to 2015, and explored this beautiful country in every direction (well, mostly from North to South…). He is involved with Red de Observadores de Aves y Vida Silvestre de Chile (ROC), a non-governmental ornithologist organization, and founded the electronic birding magazine La Chiricoca. He is co-author of the Chilean Breeding Bird Atlas, and part of the team who recently discovered several Markham’s Storm-Petrel colonies in the Atacama Desert. In 2018, after co-leading several tours to Chile with Steve Howell, the two co-authored Birds of Chile: A Photo Guide. Fabrice is also an active eBirder and helped the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the development of that birding tool in Chile and the rest of South America.

He has been leading birding trips to Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Guyana and Chile since 2005, and occasionally gives lectures on cruise trips to Antarctica and South American destinations. Since he moved back to France, he he has led tours to Europe and Middle East, including our very popular ‘Birds, Wine and Cheese’ tour to France! Fabrice is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Upcoming Tours with Fabrice

Testimonials for Fabrice

A very enjoyable tour! The Montezuma "road" was tough for me even walking down - think of the worst steep, rocky, muddy hill road, and double this! Enjoyed the very green country and we were incredibly fortunate to have virtually no rain. The "railway" ride was fun, platforms with benches powered by motorcycles. Good birds...all accommodation was fine and the final Araucana Lodge was excellent. "Bus" and driver also. Fabrice was a most helpful and knowledgeable guide, could not be better.

- Jeff H. on Colombia: The West

Fabrice was phenomenal! His knowledge, information he imparted; attention to detail; caring; energy; enthusiasm for everyone to see the different species; all exemplary!

- Mary W. on Colombia: The Santa Marta Mountains

The accommodations were well chosen and comfortable. Jovanny the driver was outstanding and the vehicle was comfortable. Fabrice did a good job of eateries as well. Great variety of sites and birds -- for my first trip to Colombia, this surpassed my expectations. I really was happy with all aspects of this tour. This was my first tour with Fabrice and I was very impressed. He is extremely knowledgeable, patient and funny. I would absolutely join more tours he is leading.

- Tim S. on Colombia: Central

Birding à la Française: Birds, Wine and Cheese in Southern France is truly the birding tour of a lifetime. Thanks to Fabrice’s and Pierre’s amazing leadership and expertise, we observed an astounding number of new bird species, and discovered an interesting variety of local flora and fauna. And, the wine and cheese were truly “magnifique.”

- Frank and Nancy K. on France: Birding à la Française

I must say, after many years of many tours, Fabrice is the most outstanding tour leader I have ever experienced!

- Marilee T. on Chile: Tierra del Fuego to the Atacama Desert