Yellow-brested Flycatcher

Yellow-brested Flycatcher (Tolmomyias flaviventris)

Yellow-brested Flycatcher

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 : 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 : Yellow-brested Flycatcher (Tolmomyias flaviventris)
Length : 12 - 13 cm ( 4½ - 5 in )

This is a rare flycatcher that breeds in Tobago. It’s a bird of Mangrove woodland where it builds an intricately woven hanging nest attached to a thin branch or vine. The nest is globular with a narrow slightly downward facing entrance made entirely of dried grass or similar materials, usually around 2.4 m to 7.2 m ( 8 - 24 ft) above the ground. An insectivorous bird, the Yellow-brested flycatcher has, as it’s name suggests, yellow - orange underparts, green - brown upperparts with streaks of black and white on the wings. The tail is brown below, and black above. It has a surprisingly loud ‘chee’ or ‘tee-dee’ call for it’s size.



#Yellow-brested Flycatcher #Tolmomyias flaviventris #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #flycatcher #Passeriformes #tropical birds #birds of Tobago #birds

Bird identification images

Wattled Jacana

Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana)

Wattled Jacana

Order : Charadriiforme
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 : Jacanas (Jacanidae)
Found throughout tropics world-wide, the Jacanas are a group of tropical waders distinguished by their huge feet and unique straight claws that distribute their weight to enable them to walk on floating vegetation in shallow waters, their preferred habitat. In most species it is the male Jacana that incubates the eggs and cares for the young, the female being polyandrous, may leave the brood in search of a new mate.

Name : Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana)
Length : 25 cm ( 10 in )
Local Names : Lily- Trotter, Spurwing

With a black head, neck, and underparts, reddish brown wings and lower back, and a red bare wattled forehead and yellow bill, long legs and straight long claws, the Wattled Jacana is easy to identify. The Jacana is rare in Tobago simply for lack of suitable habitat, the Jacana preferring lily covered shallow water with reed beds surrounding the water or within close proximity. They feed on aquatic insects and invertebrates picked from the floating vegetation or from the water surface. It nests on a floating platform of lily leaves. True to all Jacana’s the female is slightly larger than the male, otherwise they appear identical.


#Wattled Jacana #Jacana jacana #Lily trotter #Jacanas #Jacanidae #Charadriiforme #tropical birds #birds of Tobago #Birds


Bird identification images

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