Birds Of Tobago

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

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.

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All photos by +Robert Brent

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

ruby-topaz hummingbird

This perky ruby-topaz hummingbird stood his territory while several others squabbled above without leaving his perch. Hummingbirds are very territorial and I have even witnessed them chasing off large birds of prey fearlessly!

Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling migrating South

Many shorebirds migrate in small groups of various species, or mingle in groups at stop over beaches throughout their journey. Here a Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling were my intended targets, I had no knowledge of the bee until I saw the photo on the PC.

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

Smooth-billed Ani juvenile guarded by female adults

A young smooth-billed Ani is guarded by two female adults as other members of the group search for food. The Smooth-billed Ani build a communal nest where females lay eggs on top of each other in one large nest. Obviously only a few eggs at the top of the nest hatch into young birds. Nesting duties and parental duties are undertaken by all members of the group which usually number around 12 birds. Smooth-billed Anis are members of the Cuckoo family (Cuculidae), and are restricted to the tropical Americas.

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All photos by +Robert Brent

Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) new born chicks

The Common Pauraque nests on the ground relying on its mottled colouration to avoid detection. Should danger approach the female will fly a short distance feigning a damaged wing to draw predators away from the nesting chicks.

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Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus) Feeding

An easy to identify as there are no other birds like the Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus), being a frequent suburban bird most know him well. In woodlands, their preferred habitat, they are still common and fairly easy to track down by their unique call and bright plumage. Caaptured this one as he moved through Kilgwyn Mangrove.

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Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

Tropical Mockingbird head shot added to the Tropical Mockingbird description page. I have noticed that unlike most species where bird plumage is near identical, the Tropical Mockingbirds here can very colouration from quite pale to strongly contrasting such as this bird shown.

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Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

A perched Tropical Kingbird, photo taken in Kilgwyn Mangrove. Fairly common throughout Tobago, can be mistaken for other bright yellow flycatchers such as the lesser Kiskadee (which is larger with pale yellow breast)

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