Osprey & Magnificent Frigatebird in flight

Osprey & Magnificent Frigatebird in flight

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) are regular migrant visitors to Tobago with young remaining here for up to three years. With an Island that is 26 miles long by 8 miles wide it is not unusual to find several species of birds sharing the same air space, here a Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) glides a safe distance above the bird of prey. Photo added to the Osprey guide

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All photos by +Robert Brent 

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Order : Ciconiiformes
Ciconiiformes compromise five to six families of large, long legged wading birds with long bills. They primarily occupy fresh or shallow saline water where they feed on fish, crabs, crustaceans, insects and carrion. Most nest in trees, though some nest in swamps or on the ground. the young are altricial (born bare and blind and dependent on parents for food) Most species are colonial, but the use of sound is limited or uncommon, the birds relying more on displays and rituals. Most are strong, often elegant flyers.

Family : Herons (Ardeidae)
The family Ardeidae is made up of Herons, Egrets and Bitterns where Egrets are considered simply as white Herons with decorative plumes and not a biologically separate group. Herons fly with their necks retracted not outstretched like some other members of the Ciconiiformes order. Typically Herons feed in shallow waters or marshes taking fish, frogs, crabs, and even small birds or mammals. They are widely distributed around the world but are most common in the tropics. The nest is made of twigs, usually placed in trees near water, and usually grouped in colonies called Heronries. Herons are sub divided into three groups. Typical Herons which include the genus Egratta, feed during the day. Night Herons, which are usually shorter legged and thick billed, are more active at dusk and during the night, and Tiger Herons which are six species of the more primitive Herons.

Name : Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
Length : 51 - 55 cm ( 22 - 28 in )
Local Names : Night Gaulin, Crab catcher

The Yellow-crowned night Heron is mainly grey with a black head, yellow eyes and white cap which turns buff yellow during breeding season, the sexes being similar. Juveniles are brown flaked with grey or white. The nest is a platform of sticks usually in Mangrove trees, where 2 - 4 pale bluish - green eggs are laid. Both parents rearing the young. The birds often remain quite motionless while waiting for their prey of crab, fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects and can be active during the day, though typically are most active around dusk. While incubating the young, both parents can readily be found at the nest during the day, hunting more at night. The species ranges from eastern North America throughout the West Indies to northern South America, some birds migrating to warmer climates during winter months.


#Yellow-crowned Night Heron #Nyctanassa violacea #Herons #Ardeidae #Ciconiiformes #birds of the West Indies #birds of Tobago #birds


Bird identification images

Juvenile

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Order : Cuculiformes
Cuculiformes are group of birds made up of two distinct families, the Turacos (Musophagidae) made of 20 species found only in Africa, and Cuckoos (Cuculidae) containing around 127 species from around the world. The Cuckoos are an ancient group with no living near relatives, even the turacos are quite distinct with no intermediate connecting species. Cuckoos display a large variation on breeding habits as some are brood parasites, others make regular nests while others make communal nests.

Family : Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Cuckoos, as a group, tend to be forest birds often preferring dense thickets and are more likely to be heard than seen. While Cuckoos are found on every continent except Antarctica, subfamilies are restricted to one hemisphere or the other, for example the crotphafinae is wholly new world and the musophagidae containing 20 species are found only in Africa. Many species are brood parasites. Four genera inhabit the West Indies, all tend to be sluggish and difficult to locate, but quite tame. Most cuckoos are solitary, often furtive birds being inconspicuous even when relatively common, and apart from the communal nesting Ani they do not form flocks or even small groups.

Name : Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)
Length : 28 - 30 cm ( 11 - 12 in )
Local Names : Rain Bird, Rain Crow, Coffin Bird

Similar to the Mangrove Cuckoo the Yellow-billed Cuckoo can be distinguished by it’s lack of any ochraceous buff on the underparts, the lack of any black around the eye, and a more obvious yellow lower mandible. It’s voice is higher pitched and less guttural, and the call ends in a rather deliberate cow-cow-cow-cow. It occupies similar habitat to that of the Mangrove Cuckoo, preferring lowland dry scrub woodland. It’s diet also consists of insects, spiders and small lizards.



#Yellow-billed Cuckoo #Coccyzus americanus #Cuckoos #Cuculidae #birds of the West Indies #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #birds of Tobago #birds


Bird identification images

White-lined Tanager

White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)

White-lined Tanager

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tanagers (Thraupidae)
The Tanagers are a large group of over 200 species of songbirds of new world forests and gardens mainly in the tropics. Many are brightly coloured. They range in size from 10 - 20 cm ( 4 - 8 in ), and most are arboreal, living in trees, undergrowth and shrub. The diet consists mainly of fruit, though some species eat insects.

Name : White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)
Length : 18 cm ( 7½ in )
Local Names : Parson

The white-lined Tanager inhabits suburban areas and light woodland and forest edges where it feeds on fruit, nectar and insects. The male is a glossy black all over with a small patch of white on the underwing covets which are best observed when the bird is in flight, and has a partially white lower mandible. The female is entirely rufus brown. The pair are usually seen together. The nest is a large cup of leaves, usually situated in thick vegetation.


#White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Tanagers Thraupidae Passeriformes birds of the West Indies birds of Trinidad & Tobago birds of Tobago birds


Bird identification images

White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) female

Tropical Mockingbird

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

Tropical Mockingbird

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Mockingbirds (Mimidae)
The mimidae family consists of about 34 species in 10 genera including Thrashers, Tremblers and Mockingbirds. The Mockingbird accounting for about 17 species in 4 genera. These birds are noted for their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of other birds and other outdoor sounds. They are confined to the New World and tend to be dull grey or brown in appearance.

Name : Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)
Length : 25 cm ( 10 in )
Local Names : Mockingbird, Day Clean

The Tropical Mockingbird is grey above with dark eye-steaks and whitish below, with a long white-tipped tail. It builds a rough nest of twigs in a bush or tree and is aggressively territorial while rearing it’s chicks, chasing off any bird that enters it’s territory with determination. They feed mainly on insects which they hunt in low bush or from the ground where they will open their wings causing a sudden shadow, grabbing any insects that instinctively move. They will also eat fruits and some berries. The Tropical Mockingbird is widespread in suburban areas, cultivated land, open countryside and forest edges, ranging through the West Indies, Central and South America.


#Tropical Mockingbird #Mimus gilvus #Mockingbirds #Mimidae #Passeriformes #birds of the West Indies #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #Birds of Tobago #birds

Bird identification images

Smooth-billed Ani

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

Smooth-billed Ani

Order : Cuculiformes
Cuculiformes are group of birds made up of two distinct families, the Turacos (Musophagidae) made of 20 species found only in Africa, and Cuckoos (Cuculidae) containing around 127 species from around the world. The Cuckoos are an ancient group with no living near relatives, even the turacos are quite distinct with no intermediate connecting species. Cuckoos display a large variation on breeding habits as some are brood parasites, others make regular nests while others make communal nests.

Family : Cuckoos and Anis (Cuculidae)
Ani’s consist of three tropical American species that make up the genus Crotophaga, subfamily of the Cuckoo family Cuculidae. All three are similar in appearance where the Smooth-billed or Common Ani (Crotophaga ani) which is recorded in Florida, West Indies, Central and South America,can be distinguished from the slightly larger Grooved Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) which has three distinct grooves in the upper mandible and ranges from southern North America through Central America to Northern South America. The largest aptly named the Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) which is found in the West Indies, Mexico and South America mainly east of the Andes. Apart from slight physical differences all three species display similar characteristics as described for the Smooth-billed Ani.

Name : Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

An all black cuckoo, though the black is made up of intricately patterned blue and brown feathers, the Ani is easy to identify due to it’s distinctive curved bill. The tail, which, like other cuckoos, broadens towards the end and then tapers at the tip consists of only 8 feathers, which the bird uses to steady itself on what often appear to be precarious landings. The Ani live in groups of about twelve and feed mainly on grasshoppers and insects found at ground level. It is usual for at least one member of the group to remain on an open perch and sound the alarm, a shrill repeated ‘wer-ik’ at the approach of danger. The call is also used as members of the group fly with alternate glides to another location informing remaining members still feeding on the ground that the group is moving. The nest is a communal affair where several females usually deposit their eggs in layers, more or less separated by leaves, in a large bulky nest in the centre of a bush or tree. The lower eggs fail to hatch. The young are fed and guarded by all members of the group.

#Smooth-billed Ani ##Cuckoos Anis #Cuculidae #Cuculiformes #birds of North America #birds of the West indies #birds of South America #birds of Tobago #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #birds



Bird identification images

Shiny Cowbird

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)

Shiny Cowbird

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)
The Icteridae is a family made up of 88 species of diverse songbirds from across the Americas including blackbirds, grackles, orioles, cowbirds, meadowlarks, and oropendolas. The majority of Icterids have black in the plumage with yellow also being a predominant colour in many species. Males are usually decidedly larger than females.

Name : Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
Length 18 - 20 cm (7 - 8 in)
Local Names : Lazy bird, Blackbird’s cousin.

Originally from South America, this species is considered a rather recent arrival to the West Indies. The male is black with a strong violet gloss, the female a greyish brown with the juvenile being similar to the female. The song is a series of loud, musical whistles and a melodious warble and also soft unmusical call notes.The Shiny Cowbird is omnivorous it’s diet consisting of insects and seeds. It is a bird of open countryside and suburban areas and may roost colonially with Grackles. The Cowbird is parasitic, the female laying her eggs in the nests of other, usually smaller species. The foster parents are left to rear the young Cowbird, quite often at the expense of their own young.



#Shiny Cowbird #Molothrus bonariensis #Blackbirds #Icteridae #Passeriformes #songbirds #birds of the West Indies #parasitic birds #birds #birds of Tobago #birds of Trinidad & Tobago


Bird identification images

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) female

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) juvenile

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) male

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus)

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Order : Apodiformes
The Apodiformes are made up of two distinct groups of aerial masters, the Swifts (Apodi) and Hummingbirds (Trochili). The Swifts being split into two families True Swifts (Apodidae) and Tree Swifts (Hemiprocnidae), The Hummingbirds are one family (Trochilidae). The feet in true Swifts are weak and they are unable to perch on wires or branches but cling to a vertical surface except when nesting. Swifts drink by swooping down at the surface of a body of water and take nesting materials and prey in full flight. Most courtship rituals take place on the wing and copulation is known to take place in full flight. Tree Swifts and Hummingbirds can perch, and some species can be highly territorial and will attack vastly larger birds such as Hawks, and even mammals such as Humans.

Family : Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)
Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas ranging from southern Canada and Alaska to Tierre del Fuego, including the West Indies. Some northern American species migrate thousands of kilometers south, an amazing feat for such small birds, and certain species are increasingly migrating to eastern North America due to the hanging of artificial feeders in gardens, surviving in temperatures as low as -20%C. They are capable of hovering in mid air and they are the only bird that can fly backwards. All are nectar eaters being attracted to brightly coloured flowers, mainly red, and most take insects. Some species have developed special bills adapted to specific flowers. Unlike other birds the Hummingbirds wings connect at the shoulder and they can achieve between 15 and 80 beats per second depending on the size of the bird, the larger the bird, the slower the beat. The Bee Hummingbird of Cuba and the Isle of Pines is the smallest living bird, measuring around 5.5 cm and weighing 2g.

Name : Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus)
Length : 8 - 9 cm ( 3 - 3½ in )

A Hummingbird of open countryside, garden and cultivated areas, the Ruby-Topaz ranges from the Lesser Antilles and tropical northern South America south to Brazil. The male has green glossed dark brown upperparts the crown and nape are glossy red and the throat and breast are a brilliant gold, though these colours only show at specific angles. The tail is chestnut tipped with black. Females and immature irds are brownish above with grey below and a short black strip from chin to breast. The bill is short and straight. This species can be seen taking nectar from trees and bushes and flowers, or hunting for insects at the forest edge. The female lays two eggs in a tiny cup nest in the fork of a low branch.


#Ruby-topaz Hummingbird #Chrysolampis mosquitus #Hummingbirds #Trochilidae #Apodiformes #birds of the West Indies #Birds of Tobago #birds


Bird identification photos

Orange-winged Parrot

Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica)

Orange-winged Parrot

Order : Psittaciformes
Commonly referred to as Parrots, the Psittaciformes are a group of about 300 species of brightly coloured, noisy tropical birds which include Budgerigars, Macaws, Amazons, Parakeets and cockatoos. They have a characteristic curved beak and a generally erect stance, the four toes being split evenly with two facing forwards and two backwards, with one toe always being longer. Most inhabit forests although some are grassland birds and most feed on plant material.

Family : Parrots (Psittacidae)
The Parrot family extends across most of the warmer parts of the world including India, south east Asia, and west Africa, with the largest numbers of the species in Australasia, South and Central America. Many species can imitate human speech and other sounds and many have been exploited as pets encouraging an often illegal trade in the birds and threatening many species with extinction. The smaller species tend to feed on grass seeds, fruit and berries while the larger species tend to feed on fruits, nuts, bulbs and roots from the ground.

Name : Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica)
Length : 32 cm ( 13 in )

This Amazon Parrot is green with orange in the wings and tail. The forehead and lores are blue with yellow on the crown and cheeks. It is a forest bird that nests in tree holes, often in palm trees, feeding mainly on fruits, seeds and flowers, either as individuals or pairs, or in groups of up to 20 or so. Sometimes considered a pest, a group of Parrots can cause damage to cocoa crops. Like most Parrots they are captured and sold as pets, though they are not known to be a great talker.


#Orange-winged Parrot #Amazona amazonica #Parrots #Psittacidae #Psittaciformes #Birds of the West Indies #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification photos

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)

Lesser Yellowlegs

Order : Charadriiformes
This is a diverse order which includes about 350 species of birds in all parts of the world. Most Chardriiformes are strong flyers, some species performing the most extensive migration of any birds. Most live near water and eat invertebrates or other similar small animals and most nest on the ground. the order is split into 3 main suborders; Charadrii (about 200 species including Sandpipers, Plovers and Lapwings ), Lari ( about 92 species including Gulls, Turns, Skimmers and Jaegers), and Alcidae ( about 21 species including Auks, Guillemots and Puffins)

Family : Sandpipers (Scolopacidae)
Predominantly birds of arctic regions, the Scolopacidae is a large family of waders or shorebirds, the majority of which eat small invertebrates picked out from mud, soil or sand. Different bill lengths mean that different species can feed in the same habitat without competing with each other. They are usually found in groups on or near the beach. For the most part they are silent in winter and on migration.

Name : Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Length : 23 - 25 cm ( 9 - 10 in )

The Lesser-yellowlegs is a medium sized shorebird with long yellow legs, long thin dark bill, grey brown plumage above and white below. The birds forage in shallow water for insects, small fish and crustaceans, sometimes stirring up the water with their bill. The Lesser-yellowlegs nests in clearings near ponds in boreal forest region from Alaska to Quebec, migrating to the Gulf coast of North America, the West Indies, and South America mainly from July to November, but some individuals may be seen at any time of year.


#Lesser Yellowlegs #Tringa flavipes #Sandpipers #Scolopacidae #Charadriiformes #North American birds #South American Birds #migrants #birds of the West Indies #Caribbean #birds #birds of Tobago


Bird identification photos