Green-backed Heron

Green-backed Heron (Butorides striatus)

Green-backed Heron or Green 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 altrical (born bare and blind and dependant 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 : Green-backed Heron (Butorides striatus) or Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Length : 40 - 48 cm (16 - 19 in )
Local Names : Gaulin, Crabier

Some believe the Green Heron (Butorides virescens) and the Straited Heron or Mangrove Heron (Butorides striatus) of Africa and Asia to be a single species the Green-backed Heron, and will be treated as such here. The upperparts are slate grey with a blue green tinge, the crown is black, the neck is chestnut with a white line down the front, the legs are yellow. In the Americas they range from the Pacific coast of Canada and North America to Central America and the West Indies. The nest is a platform of sticks often in trees or shrubs usually near water in small wetlands, usually as individuals or in small groups not exceeding 5 or 6 pairs. Both parents incubate and care for the young. The Green Heron waits motionless by the waters edge or perched on low lying mangrove roots waiting to ambush their prey which consists of fish, frogs, crabs and aquatic insects.


#Green-backed Heron #Butorides striatus #Green Heron #Butorides virescens #Herons #Ardeidae #Ciconiiformes #Gaulin #Crabier #birds #birds of Tobago


Bird identification pictures

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue heron (Ardea herodias)

Great Blue Heron

Order : Ciconiiformes
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.

Family : Herons (Ardeidae)
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 altrical (born bare and blind and dependant 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.

Name : Great Blue heron (Ardea herodias)

Length : 106 - 132 cm ( 42 - 52 in )
Local Names : Grey Gaulin, Arsnicker

The largest Heron in North American the Great Blue Heron is common all over North and Central America, the West Indies and the Galapagos, it closely resembles it’s European counterpart the Grey Heron (Ardes cinerea) except for having rufus to cinnamon thighs. The Great Blue stands four feet high and has a seven foot wingspan. They have a long yellow bill, blue grey wings and back and a white head with black cap and adults can sport a long black plume. It flies with strong deliberate wing beats, it’s neck held in an S-shape, it’s long legs trailing behind. Northern individuals winter in the South and West Indies. The Great Blue feeds in shallow waters or at the waters edge and spears fish or frogs with it’s long, sharp bill. It’s varied diet also includes insects, snakes, turtles, rodents and can include small birds. It may also alight in suburban areas and raid backyard ponds. The species usually breed in colonies in trees close to lakes or other wetlands, often with other species of Herons. It’s builds a bulky stick nest where the female lays 3 to 5 pale blue eggs. Both parents feeding the young by regurgitating food.




#Great Blue heron #Ardea herodias  #Herons #Ardeidae #Ciconiiformes #Grey Gaulin #Arsnicker #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification pictures

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

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. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.

Name : Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Length : 19 - 40 cm ( 9 - 16 in )
Local Names : Scissor tail


One of two similar species, the other being the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forticatus) of Central Southern North America and Northern Mexico, which may also be present as it Migrates annually to South America between November and February, The Fork-tailed Flycatcher of Argentina and Chile winters in Northern South America during May and October. This, the South American species, is a bird of open countryside where it perches on trees or bushes from where they will fly out to catch their prey in flight. They can be seen at dusk, flying in loose flocks back to the roost, which is normally in mangrove, at quite a height. The distinguishing tail, 28 cm (11 in ) in males, 18 cm (7 in ) in females and immature, malts during June and September, usually growing back before it’s return south. The South American species has grey upperparts, a black head, and white underparts. The North American species has grey upperparts with light underparts and pinkish flanks.


#Fork-tailed Flycatcher #Tyrannus savana #Scissor tail #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification pictures

Eared Dove

Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)

Eared Dove

Order : Columbiformes
Made up of three families in two suborders; Columbae (pigeons, Doves, Dodoes, Solitaires) and Pterocletes (Sand grouse) where the extinct Dodoes and Solitares make up the family Raphidae, and Pigeons and Doves the family Columbidae. The names Pigeon and Dove are interchangeable having no biological distinction.

Family : Doves (Columbidae)
Made up of about 285 similar species of bird, the Pigeon family is widely dispersed, being absent only from the Arctic, Antarctic and some Oceanic Islands. Pigeons are unique in that they produce a secretion similar to mammalian milk for their young, and in their ability to suck water in a continuous draft by muscular contractions whereas other birds take a sip of water, then tip back the head to swallow.

Name : Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)
Length : 22 - 26 cm ( 9 - 10 in )

A terrestrial bird, the Eared dove appears to be spreading slowly Northwards from continental South America. Like many of this family, this Dove feeds mainly on seed taken from the ground either alone or in small groups. The Eared Dove is medium sized, greyish brown with black ont he wing covets, with black and violet markings on the side of the head. The nest is a cup of twigs usually placed fairly low in the fork of a tree branch, commonly that of a Mangrove tree where two white eges are laid. Both parents incubate and rear the young.

#Eared Dove #Zenaida auriculata #dove #Doves #Columbidae #Columbiformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Copper-rumped hummingbird

Copper-rumped hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci)

Copper-rumped 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 : Copper-rumped hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci)

Length : 10 cm ( 4 in )

The Copper-rumped Hummingbird is iridescent green with a copper - bronze lower back and has white tufts at the thighs, and a straight bill. Both sexes being similar. It is an aggressive Hummingbird and will chase off any other Hummingbird from it’s feeding territory and will attack any bird it considers a threat to it’s brood, regardless of size. It’s nest is a small cup of plant-down usually place on a small branch. It ranges from suburban gardens and open countryside to sparse woodland and forest edges up to 600 meters ( 2000 ft ).

#Copper-rumped hummingbird #Amazilia tobaci #hummingbird #Trochilidae #Apodiformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Common Pauraque

Common Pauraque

Order : Caprimulgidae
Any of about 100 species of soft plumed birds with cryptically coloured and patterned plumage, short legs, and for the most part, long wings. Most are twilight or night flying birds, and many produce startling, strange or weirdly beautiful sounds and are surrounded by an aura of mystery. The order includes the cosmopolitan Nightjars, the Frogmouths of Australasia and south east Asia, the Australasian Owlet-nightjars, and the South American Potoos and Oilbird. All are insectivorous with the exception of the Oilbird which is the worlds only nocturnal bird that eats plant food.

Family : Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Nightjars are made up of about 60 or 70 species of birds that occur world wide except in New Zealand and some Islands of Oceania, and include the American relatives the Nighthawk, Poorwill and Pauraque. They feed predominantly on moths and other flying insects, usually taken on the wing at dusk or dawn which is when they are most active. Some species perch along a branch to assist in concealment.

Name : Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Length : 28 cm (11 in )

The Pauraque spends the day resting in shaded grass or thicket on the ground, on nothing more than bare earth. It becomes active after the sun has set, flying to a favourite open spot, usually on a dirt pathway or similar clearing where it will rest on the ground and watch for moths and other flying insects, flying up from the ground to take it’s prey on the wing. The male will call constantly, a whistled phrase ‘ker-whee-oo’, in the hope of locating a mate. Should he hear a reply he will beat his wings on the bare earth in a cupped fashion, the sound emitted is like that of a drum being played with cupped hands rather than anything you could expect from a bird. Should another Pauraque land on the track he will fly to it, and if finding another male, he will chase it off with both birds often showing unbelievable dexterity and maneuverability which is only heightened by their silent flight. The Pauraque can perch on branches, but does so only as an escape from possible danger, or while moving to locate the reply’s from another bird, spending the predominant amount of the time on the ground. It’s a strongly patterned bird, being a mottled brown with a bold white bar on each wing. The male having white outer tail feathers.

#Common #Pauraque #Nyctidromus #albicollis #Nightjar #Caprimulgidae #Caprimulgidae #birds #Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) Adult Nightjar

Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) hatchlings

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen or Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Moorhen

Order : Gruiformes
Traditionally there were about 12 wading and terrestrial bird families that did not seem to belong to any other order and were classified together as Gruiformes. These include the Buzzards, Cranes, Crakes, Rails and Buttonquails. Recent DNA analysis however shows that they are more closely related to each other than to any other bird and the order has remained surprisingly intact.

Family : Gallinules (Rallidae)
Consisting of about 134 species in 33 genera the Rallidae family has, in some circles, been alleviated to that of ordinal status (Ralliformes). Most members inhabit damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers with reed beds being a favoured habitat. Most nest in dense vegetation and are generally shy, secretive birds. Island species often become flightless, preferring to run or swim from danger than taking to wing, and most are more likely to be heard than seen. Numbers are threatened due to the introduction of terrestrial predators such as cats and rats.

Name : Common Moorhen or Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)
Length : 28 - 33 cm ( 11 - 13 in )
Local Names : Red-seal coot, water Hen

A common resident of swamps, lakes and pools throughout the Caribbean, the Common Moorhen is distinguished by it’s all black body, a white band on the flank and white under the tail and a conspicuous red frontal shield that extends to the base of it’s yellow tipped bill. It’s legs are green with red above the knees. It feeds mainly on aquatic plants, snails and other invertabrates that if finds swimming mainly along the edge of open water. The Common Moorhen can be a noisy bird repeating hen like clucks and squawks. The nest is usually near or on the ground, often amongst reeds near the waters surface. Between 3 - 9 spotted eggs are laid.

#Common Moorhen #Moorhen #Gallinule #Gallinula chloropus #Rallidae #Ralliformes #Gruiformes #wading birds #birds #Birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Bare-eyed Thrush

Bare-eyed Thrush 

Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis)

Order : Passeriformes
Thrushes are a cosmopolitan family made up of two major groups, the true thrushes and the chat thrushes, the latter being confined to Eurasia, except for the Northern Wheater, which has colonised northern Canada and Alaska. The largest genus consisting around 66 species, is found in both temperate and tropical climates. Many being known for their singing voice.

Family : Thrushes (Turidae)
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. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Name : Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis)
Length : 23 - 24 cm ( 9 - 9½ in )
Local Names : Yellow eyed Grive, Gold eye Thrush

A bird of parklands, suburban areas, light woodland and cultivated land, the Bare-eyed Thrush is distinguished by it’s large golden yellow eye ring. It has brown upperparts with grey brown underparts with a streaked throat. Both sexes are similar. The cup shaped nest is made of mud and plant material placed at a moderate height in the fork of a tree usually around March to July.

#bare-eyed thrush #turdus nudigenis #yellow eyed grive #gold eye thrush #thrushes #turidae #passeriformes #birds #perching birds #birds of tobago

Bird identification images

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tryannulus)

Brown-crested Flycatcher

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. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.

Name : Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tryannulus)
Length : 18cm ( 7¼ in )

The brown-crested flycatcher is fairly similar to two or three other flycatchers all of whom have some degree of yellow on the underparts, patterned brown upperparts and a brown crest, all of similar size. The brown-created flycatcher breeds around January and February in Tobago, the nest is normally situated in bamboo stumps or a hole in the tree being made of a combination of grass, roots, moss and bark. It is a bird of open countryside and forest edges, often seen on an open perch from where it will launch itself, taking flying insects on the wing. It’s diet may also include berries and seeds.

#Brown-crested Flycatcher #Myiarchus tryannulus #flycatcher #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Brown Noddy

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)

Brown Noddy

Order : Charadriiformes
This is a diverse order which includes about 350 species of birds in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes 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 : Gulls and Turns (Laridae)
The Laridae family compromises two distinct subfamilies Lari (Gulls) and Sterninae (Turns). Gulls account for over 40 species, and are heavily built web footed scavengers that take insects, molluscs, crustaceans, fish and garbage from beaches and shorelines, worms and grubs from fields, and some will even take eggs and chicks of other birds including their own. Turns account for about 40 species of slender water birds that often form large breeding colonies nesting on the ground on remote Islands sometimes numbering millions of individuals. Many Terns are long distance migrants covering thousands of kilometres in just a few days.

Name :Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)
Length : 37 - 38 cm ( 15 in )
Local Names : Egg Bird, Blackbird

This dark Tern occurs throughout the Caribbean, one of the largest concentrations being some 2 - 4,000 pairs that breed in the Virgin Islands. As it’s name suggests it is brown all over with a grey to white forehead and crown, and darker wing tips and tail, which is wedge shaped. Immature are whitish on the forehead only. The Brown Noody nests in trees, on the ground, or on bare rock or cliff edges, the nest is either a shallow depression or a rough nest of twigs where a single egg is laid. It spends most of it’s time off shore where it feeds on fish taken at the surface.

#Brown Noddy #Anous stolidus #Turn #Laridae #Sterninae #Charadriiformes #Lari #Egg Bird #Blackbird #Sea Birds #seabirds #Caribbean #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Blue - gray Tanager

Blue - gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)

Blue - gray Tanager

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. Passerine’s 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 :Blue - gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
Length : 17cm ( 7 in )
Local Names : Blue jean

The Blue-gray Tanager ranges from Mexico south to northern Brazil and northern Bolivia. There are a number of races namely T. e. herlepschi endemic to Tobago, T. e. neosophila with a violet shoulder patch occurring in Trinidad, Venezuela, eastern Columbia and northern Brazil. T. e. mediana of the southern Amazon basin which has a white wing patch, and T. e. cana of the northern Amazon has a blue shoulder. Overall the Blue-gray Tanager is has a pale blue grey head and underparts, with darker blue upperparts. The bill is short, the lower mandible with white towards the base. Sexes are similar. They inhabit gardens, open countryside light woodland and forest edges, their diet consisting of fruits, insects and some nectar. Breeding is mainly during March and July, the nests are usually high up in a tree, occasionally being parasited by the Shiny Cowbird. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups, and may also be seen with Palm Tanagers.

#Blue - gray Tanager #Thraupis episcopus #Tanagers #Thraupidae #Passeriformes #Blue jean #birds #songbirds #tropical #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Order : Anseriformes
Aquatic or marine birds commonly referred to as waterfowl or wildfowl forming two major families Anatidae ( Ducks, Geese and Swans) and Anhimidae (Screamers). The Anatidae account for about 142 species, the Anhimidae 3 species. Anseriformes breed globally except on Antarctica, and numbers of different species can range from a handful to millions, some migrating thousands of kilometres, others endemic to one small Island. Anseriforme diets are also varied and include grass, marine vegetation, fish and even plankton.

Family : Ducks (Anatidae)
The Anatidae family compromise Ducks and similar waterfowl adapted to swimming, floating on the waters surface and shallow diving. They have webbed feet and flattened bills to a greater or lesser extent. Their feathers are water repellent due to special oils. While there are various migratory vagrants travelling throughout the West Indies only about 12 species are recorded regularly.

Name :Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Length : 48 - 53 cm ( 19 - 21 in )
Local Names : Mangrove Duck, Night Duck

the Black-bellied Whistling Duck is a common but wary species. It is largely resident and nests in either marshy areas or in hollow trees. They are distinguished from other local Ducks by their long necks and legs, a large white wing bar, and their habit of perching in trees. Their habitat is large freshwater lakes and reservoirs with plentiful vegetation. They feed mainly at night on seed and other plant foods. Unlike the more solitary White-cheeked Pinetail, the Black-bellied Whistling Duck is highly gregarious, forming large flocks when not breeding.

#Black-bellied Whistling Duck #Dendrocygna autumnalis #Mangrove Duck #Night Duck #Ducks #Anatidae #Anseriformes #waterfowl #wildfowl #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Barred Antshrike

Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus)

Barred Antshrike

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. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)
Antbirds are a large family of subtropical and tropical central and south American Passerines, from the family Formicariidae, making up more than 230 species in 50 genera. All are fairly small birds 9.5 to 37 cm ( 4 to 14 inches), and tend to have drab, fluffy plumage being predominantly brown, black and white, with sexes usually being different. They are insectivorous, and generally share incubation duties.

Name : Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus)
Length : 15 cm (6 in)

The Barred Antshrike is usually seen in pairs, the rufus coloured female not far behind the black and white male, calling in a distinctive chuckling ‘Ka - Ka - Ka’ that accelerates towards the end, it’s tail wags rapidly in time with the notes and it’s crest erects. The pair calling frequently to each other as they move around. The nest is hung under a thin branch like a two handled basket where both parents attend to nest duties, incubating and rearing the young. They inhabit light woodlands and bush, and can frequently be seen in suburban gardens and hotel grounds. The Antshrike’s diet consists mainly of insects found as it hunts through low bushes.

#barred antshrike #Thamnophilus doliatus #antbirds #Thamnophilidae #Passeriformes #Passerine #perching #bird #identification #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Anhinga

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)

Anhinga

Order : Pelecaniformes
Darters are a small family of only four species spread across the world. The Indian Anhinga melanogaster, the African Anhinga rufa, the Australian Anhinga novaehollandiae, and the American Anhinga anhinga. They are similar to cormorants, but can be distinguished by their long, thin necks, and they have pointed rather than hooked bills. They do not plunge into water for fish, but pursue their prey under water.


Family : Darters (Anhingidae)
A diverse group of aquatic birds that fall into three suborders; Pelicani (Pelicans, Darters, Cormorants and Boobies) Fregatae ( Frigate birds ) and Phaethones ( Tropic birds). All are fairly large birds and all have webbed feet. Each suborder then having specialised adaptations for the different ways of life, the Frigatebird never alighting on water while the Anhinga swims underwater for extended periods of time.

Name : Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
Length : 86 cm ( 34 in )
Local Names : Snake Bird, Corura Real

Above the water the Anhinga can be seen soaring high in the sky on motionless wings, often circling a body of water several times before deciding the area is safe or perched near the waters edge with wings outstretched as if warming or drying itself. Underwater, the Anhinga’s long slightly serrated bill is used to spear fish, it’s only diet. Although a strong swimmer, the Anhinga will readily surface to keep a close eye out for predators, and will often float just below the surface with only it’s head and neck visible, moving in a gentle ‘s’ shape resembling a snake. Though several birds may be seen at the same location the Anhinga hunts alone but nests in small colonies usually among Mangroves.

#Anhinga #Snake Bird #Corura Real #Darters #Anhingidae #Pelicani #Pelecaniformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Identifying Bird pictures