Birds Of Tobago: Tobago

Showing posts with label Tobago. Show all posts

Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana

Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Tobago

One normally sees the Fork-tailed Flycatcher around dusk flying back towards the mainland, as it is a daily visitor from South America. Usually found in groups I came across this group feeding in a bamboo patch along with Caribbean Martins, swifts & other flycatchers taking advantage of flying ants hatching from the damp bamboo.

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Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Plymouth, Tobago

Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Plymouth Tobago

Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus

Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Plymouth, Tobago

Common Black Hawk (click for larger pic)

A not so common sighting of this raptor near Plymouth in Tobago today, I was fortunate to photograph the bird complete with its catch, an opossum Didelphis marsupialis know locally as Manicou, which is equally unusual as the Black Hawk is known more for eating crab than mammals,
even Richard Ffrench in his guide to the birds of Trinidad & Tobago states that he has only knowledge of a crab diet.

Buteogallus anthracinus Common Black Hawk

With myself below and the constant harassment above of Tropical Kingbirds Tyrannus melancholicus which on more than one pass made physical contact with the hawk in an attempt to protect their nest only a few branches away, the common black hawk had little chance to settle and quickly took off for quieter surroundings. A rare encounter of this marvelous raptor.

Feather markings on a Common Black Hawk

Common Black Hawk with Mammal Prey

Tropical Kingbird harassing Black Hawk

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Adult Nightjar Common Pauraque close up

Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) Adult

Detailed close up photo of the Common Pauraque

I was fortunate to run across this adult nightjar during an afternoon walk so able to capture it in good light conditions having been disturbed from thicket by cows. The detailed feathering pattern makes it near impossible to see on the woodland floor where it rests during the day.

See details of the Common Pauraque

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Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis) Birds of Trinidad & Tobago

Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis) Birds of Trinidad & Tobago. A common resident on both Islands this delightful singer can be found in suburban areas as well as more natural habitats. A regular bird table visitor when one has a bird table, but in a garden with five cats it's not such a good idea.

Location : At home, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.
Photo : Samsung Pro815
Photographer : Robert Brent

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Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)

The Brown-crested Flycatcher like all tyrant flycatchers is an entertaining bird to watch as they twist and flutter around catching flying insects on the wing. Nests are built in tree cavities, and this pair found a lovely nesting site right next to the waters edge.

Location : Kilgwyn Mangrove, Bon Accord, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.
Photo : Samsung Pro815
Photographer : Robert Brent

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#brown #crested #flycatcher #myiarchus #tyrannulus #birds #Tobago #Samsung #photographer

Birds of Tobago : Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor)

Birds of Tobago : Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor). This is a fairly common resident throughout the West Indies but considered rare for Trinidad & Tobago according to Richard Ffrench. This lovely Cuckoo has a delightful low pitched guttural call that I find a beautiful sound. The Mangrove Cuckoo can be found in light forest and scrub at lower levels, generally not know at higher altitudes.

Location : Kilgwyn Mangrove, Bon Accord, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.
Photo : Samsung Pro815
Photographer : Robert Brent

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#birds #Tobago #mangrove #cuckoo #coccyzus #minor #Samsung #photographer

Barred-Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) A perched female

This is a very trusting Antshrike that is quite happy with being close to humans, well so long as you keep a respectful distance, usually seen in pairs, they will happily chatter and chuckle away as they feed, the constant calling keeping the pair aware of where each other is, it is normal for the male to lead, the female bird coming along not too far behind her mate, both share nest duties and bringing up the young.

Photography : Samsung Pro815 digital bridge camera
Location : Kilgwyn Mangrove woodland, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies

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#barred #antshrike #thamnophilus #doliatus #female #bird #Tobago #Samsung #Pro815

Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) juvenile birds in grassland

Juvenile blue-black Grassquits start a mottled brown, females remain brown, while males turn black all over, the juvenile bird pictured resting on the bush is showing the first signs of such a change on his belly. These delightful seed eaters are common around Tobago, and a bird to make itself know with it's fairly loud calls and singing voice, frequently found in suburban areas, but as always, so much nicer to photograph them in more natural surroundings.

Photography : Samsung Pro815 digital bridge camera
Location : Kilgwyn Mangrove woodland, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies

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#blue-black #grassquit #volatinia #jacarina #juvenile #birds #seed #eaters #Tobago #photo

Copper-rumped Hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci) feeding on wild sage

The copper-rumped Hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci) is a common hummingbird here in Tobago and can be found abundantly in suburban areas, but it is always nice when one captures them in the countryside, this hummingbird was visiting a patch of wild sage, it's beak tipped with bright yellow pollen from the dainty flowers

Photography : Samsung Pro815 digital bridge camera
Location : vacant field near Bon Accord (suburb), South West Tobago, West Indies

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#copper-rumped #hummingbird #amazilia #tobaci #birds #Tobago #west #Indies #Samsung #Pro815

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Hawks of the Caribbean

From breeding grounds in Northern America to wintering grounds in Southern Chile & Argentina the Osprey is a magnificent migrant Hawk that lives off fish caught in might talons, the bird plunge diving often from great heights. This respected bird of prey can remain in Tobago for a season or two and there are usually a handful of Osprey to be seen year round.
Samsung Pro 815
Location: A water inlet at Atlantic facing Petit trou beach, South Eastern Tobago, Trinidad & Toabgo

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#osprey #pandion #haliaetus #hawk #bird #prey #photos #Tobago #Trinidad

Little Blue Heron - Egratta caerulea

Resident Little Blue herons can be seen all year round here, best sighting are more likely during October to December when Northern birds migrate to warmer climates.

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Tropical bird photography Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)

The Blue Crowned Motmot known locally as 'King of the woods' ranges from South to Central America, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago. Most birds will have a tick or two at the top of the breast where they simply can not reach to remove said ticks completely. Usually picked up in the nest which is a burrow in the side of a steep bank.

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Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) in Tobago

Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) is not on any official list or guide for Tobago however this South American bird of prey has been breeding here for over five years, preferring tall palm trees to both roost and nest in, the Caracara can often be found around cattle (happy to relieve ticks from them) and known to take carrion.

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Photo of Cattle Egret in flight (Bubulcus ibis)

Photo of Cattle Egret in flight (Bubulcus ibis). A common sight around Tobago, the Cattle Egret was first recorded in Trinidad & Tobago as late as the 1950's. Roosting and nesting is communal with at times hundreds of birds gathering each evening, preferring open branches over water. This photo is of an adult Cattle Egret in mating plumage.

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#photo #cattle #egret #bubulcus #ibis #Trinidad #Tobago #birds #flight

Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda) of Trinidad & Tobago

The Rufous-tailed Jacamar is one of the few aerial insectivores with a long thin bill, most flycatchers having short flat bills. They are territorial in light woodland areas moving in small family groups. They catch large flying insects including butterflies and dragonflies and strip the wings off said insects before eating them at their perch.

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Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) in flight

The Southern Lapwing is quite the character, eggs are laid on the bare ground and the birds protect their nesting area aggressively. Not only will they take on birds of prey but the odd strange little photographer as well. Member of the plover family they can be seen here all year round.

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Blue-grey Tanager & Tropical Mockingbird

Two birds with one shot. Well it is a small Island 26 miles long by 8 miles wide, so one can expect to share the odd branch here and there. Both birds common in suburban areas and light woodland. Bird photography from Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.

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White-fringed Antwren (Formicivora grissa)

These beautiful antwrens are best found in light woodland tending not to enter suburban areas as frequently as other small passerines. Males are black all over while as this beauty shows females have light plumage from lower face to under belly,

Black-throated Mango Hummingbird (Anthracothoras nigricollis)

A migrant hummingbird that spends most of it's time on the mainland of South America the Black-throated Mango is a regular visitor to suburban gardens and one several hummingbirds one is likely to encounter within hotel grounds.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron in meditation?

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

There are times as a wildlife photographer when you fear that you may disturb something beautiful. This juvenile night heron stood motionless facing the setting sun as if in meditation, standing straight with the under parts of it's wings turned upwards to the last rays of the day.
He is not alone in this practice, I have noticed many species with the same aim, and first understood the practice observing hummingbirds. During late afternoon birds position themselves to expose hard to reach areas to direct sunlight to remove parasites. The heat soon has parasites moving for cooler areas. This makes them easier for the bird to scratch or peck off. For most it is an active practice, but this guy remained motionless, and I left him quietly to his contemplations.

See details of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron

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