Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)

Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)

This new world warbler is a regular wintering migrant found around woodland streams and small wetlands (we don't have large ones). Unlike many of the sandpipers and plovers that are known to frequent roadside drains the Northern Waterthrush prefers the quietude of woodland ecosystems.
I have observed these warblers over the years, they tend to return to the same water source during the day, most regularly in the late afternoon where they take an evening bath before roosting for the night. It would be interesting to know if anyone has observed similar behavior in other migration stop over points or at summer or winter grounds.

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All photos by +Robert Brent 

Rufus-vented Chachalaca

Rufus-vented Chachalaca (Ortalis ruficauda)

Rufus-vented Chachalaca

Order : Galliformes
The Galliformes include about 240 species of fowl-like birds of which the best known is the Turkey, but also contains birds like pheasants, chickens, partridge, peacock, and grouse. All Galliformes have the same general body plan, adapted for a terrestrial existence and although no galliforme is flightless, none are capable of long flights.

Family : Chachalacas (Cracidae)
The Chachalacas compromise 11 species of the lesser known Cracidae family, which also includes Guans and Curassows. Cracidae are mostly black or brown most having lores or some form of ornament on either the face or crown.

Name : Rufus-vented Chachalaca (Ortalis ruficauda)
Length : 55 cm ( 22 in )
Local Names : Cocrico
Best known for it’s loud call, the Rufus-vented Chachalaca is a forest bird but will venture into secondary growth and even urban areas. The Cocrico is quite nimble for it’s size and can move through thick bush silently and with astonishing speed, the Cocrico’s hind toe being longer and more useful than other Galliformes due to the time spent in trees. In the open, it will normally run for cover as opposed to taking to flight. Soon after hatching the young leave the nest and join their parents as the group move around the forest in search of young shoots, fruit and berries.


#Rufus-vented Chachalaca #Ortalis ruficauda #Cocrico #Chachalacas #Cracidae #Galliformes #fowls #forest birds #tropical birds #birds #birds of Tobago


Bird identification photos

Mangrove Cuckoo

Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor)

Mangrove 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 : Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor)
Length : 23 - 18 cm ( 11 - 12 in )
Local Names : Rain Bird, Crow Bird, Coffin Bird

A true cuckoo, the Mangrove cuckoo, although not a shy bird, is relatively inconspicuous and far more likely to reveal it’s presence by a long guttural ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-gau-gau-go, a beautiful call that cannot be mistaken. However, due to it’s preference of thicker vegetation, the Mangrove can be difficult to locate. As it’s name suggests it’s a bird of Mangrove swamp and dry scrub woodland but it can also be seen in areas of secondary vegetation. Unlike some species of cuckoo, the Mangrove cuckoo is not parasitic, and lays ( 2 - 3 ) light bluish green eggs in it’s own nest, which is usually built in thick vegetation or trees at low or moderate elevations above the ground. Distinguished from the similar Yellow-billed cuckoo by a black stripe that goes through the eye to the ear covets. The throat and breast vary from whitish to rich ochraceaous, the posterior under parts always being ochraceaous. The bill is curved with a yellow or orange lower mandible and dark upper mandible, the tail broadens towards the end then tapers at the tip. The underside of the tail is black with contrasting white spots. It’s diet consist of insects, spiders and even small lizards.

#Mangrove Cuckoo #Coccyzus minor #Rain Bird #Crow Bird #Coffin Bird #Cuckoos #Cuculidae #Cuculiformes #forest birds #wetland birds #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification photos

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)

Cocoa Woodcreeper

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 : Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptidae)
The Woodcreepers are a family of about 50 species of Passerine birds endemic to the neotropics. These mainly brown birds feed on insects taken from tree trunks. They superficially resemble the old world treecreepers but are not related. Woodcreepers are solitary forest birds that nest in holes or crevices. Most are 28 - 38 cm ( 8 - 15 in ) long, and are usually detected by their voice, some repeat harsh or sad notes and others trill.

Name : Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
Length : 23 cm ( 9 in )

The Woodcreeper breeds from Honduras through South America to northern Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago. More likely to be recognised by it’s long descending song, the Woodcreeper spends it’s day flying from one tree to the base of another, slowly climbing up the second in search of insects, invertabrates and may even follow army ants feeding on both the ants and any creatures they disturb. It can often be seen probing soft or rotton bark. The nest is built in tree stumps, often palms, is leaf lined, where 2 - 3 white eggs are laid. The Woodcreeper is a forest bird, and rarely ventures beyond the forest edge. It’s brown all over, with a stiff tail used as a prop as the bird climbs the tree. The bill is long and decurved used to probe but not bore holes like woodpeckers.

#Cocoa Woodcreeper #Xiphorhynchus susurrans #Woodcreepers #Dendrocolaptidae #Passeriformes #perching birds #neotropics #treecreepers #tropical #forest birds #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures