Birds Of Tobago

Photo of Cattle Egret in flight (Bubulcus ibis)

Photo of Cattle Egret in flight (Bubulcus ibis). A common sight around Tobago, the Cattle Egret was first recorded in Trinidad & Tobago as late as the 1950's. Roosting and nesting is communal with at times hundreds of birds gathering each evening, preferring open branches over water. This photo is of an adult Cattle Egret in mating plumage.

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Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda) of Trinidad & Tobago

The Rufous-tailed Jacamar is one of the few aerial insectivores with a long thin bill, most flycatchers having short flat bills. They are territorial in light woodland areas moving in small family groups. They catch large flying insects including butterflies and dragonflies and strip the wings off said insects before eating them at their perch.

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Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) in flight

The Southern Lapwing is quite the character, eggs are laid on the bare ground and the birds protect their nesting area aggressively. Not only will they take on birds of prey but the odd strange little photographer as well. Member of the plover family they can be seen here all year round.

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Blue-grey Tanager & Tropical Mockingbird

Two birds with one shot. Well it is a small Island 26 miles long by 8 miles wide, so one can expect to share the odd branch here and there. Both birds common in suburban areas and light woodland. Bird photography from Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.

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White-fringed Antwren (Formicivora grissa)

These beautiful antwrens are best found in light woodland tending not to enter suburban areas as frequently as other small passerines. Males are black all over while as this beauty shows females have light plumage from lower face to under belly,

Black-throated Mango Hummingbird (Anthracothoras nigricollis)

A migrant hummingbird that spends most of it's time on the mainland of South America the Black-throated Mango is a regular visitor to suburban gardens and one several hummingbirds one is likely to encounter within hotel grounds.

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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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.

See details of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron

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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.