Tropical Mockingbird

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

Tropical Mockingbird

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 : Mockingbirds (Mimidae)
The mimidae family consists of about 34 species in 10 genera including Thrashers, Tremblers and Mockingbirds. The Mockingbird accounting for about 17 species in 4 genera. These birds are noted for their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of other birds and other outdoor sounds. They are confined to the New World and tend to be dull grey or brown in appearance.

Name : Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)
Length : 25 cm ( 10 in )
Local Names : Mockingbird, Day Clean

The Tropical Mockingbird is grey above with dark eye-steaks and whitish below, with a long white-tipped tail. It builds a rough nest of twigs in a bush or tree and is aggressively territorial while rearing it’s chicks, chasing off any bird that enters it’s territory with determination. They feed mainly on insects which they hunt in low bush or from the ground where they will open their wings causing a sudden shadow, grabbing any insects that instinctively move. They will also eat fruits and some berries. The Tropical Mockingbird is widespread in suburban areas, cultivated land, open countryside and forest edges, ranging through the West Indies, Central and South America.


#Tropical Mockingbird #Mimus gilvus #Mockingbirds #Mimidae #Passeriformes #birds of the West Indies #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #Birds of Tobago #birds

Bird identification images

Tropical Kingbird

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Tropical Kingbird

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines 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. 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 : Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Length : 21 - 22 cm ( 8½ - 9 in )

This species ranges from southern North America to South America but is not know to breed throughout the Caribbean except in Trinidad and Tobago and perhaps Grenada. Distinguished by it’s Olive - green back, grey or greenish- yellow breast becoming bright yellow on the belly, dark, forked tail and grey head with dark eye streaks, this nimble flycatcher is a bird of open countryside where it may be seen alone or with a mate. The Tropical Kingbird will often sit on roadside wires waiting for flying insects, which typical of tyrant flycatchers, it will take on the wing. The nest is an open cup built of twigs and lined with grass and placed high up in a tree where 2 - 4 eggs are laid. Both parents feed the young, and aggressively defend the nest, attacking any other birds, including hawks, that invade their territory.


#Tropical Kingbird #Tyrannus melancholicus #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #flycatchers #Passeriformes  #Passerines #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification images

Tri-coloured Heron

Tri-coloured Heron (Hydranassa tricolor)

Tri-coloured 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 dependent 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 : Tri-coloured Heron (Hydranassa tricolor)
Length : 60 - 71 cm ( 24 - 28 in )
Local Names : Gaulin

The Tri-coloured Heron is a resident breeder in the Caribbean including the Gulf states of North America with post breeding dispersal well north of the breeding range. The nest is a platform of sticks, usually placed quite low in trees or shrubs, preferably over or facing water in swamp or Mangrove, where 3 - 7 eggs are laid. The Tri-coloured Heron typically stalks it’s prey in shallow water, often running as it does so. It’s diet consists of fish, crustaceans, reptiles and insects. Groups of birds can work together in the mangrove with some members chasing fish into a waiting group ambush. It is a medium to large, long necked Heron with a long pointed yellowish or greyish bill with a black tip. Adults have a blue to grey upperparts with a white line along the neck. In breeding they have long blue plumes on the head and neck, and buff ones on the back.


#Tri-coloured Heron #Heron # Hydranassa tricolor #Herons #Ardeidae #Ciconiiformes #Gaulin #birds of the Caribbean #birds of North America #Birds of Tobago #birds

Bird identification images

Southern Lapwing

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)

Southern Lapwing

Order : Charadriiformes
This is a diverse order which includes about 350 species of birds in all parts of the world. Most Chardriiformes 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 : Plover (Charadriidae)
The bird family Charadriidae is made up of about 64 to 66 species and includes the Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings. They are small to medium sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks and long usually pointed wings. The have world wide distribution and inhabit open countryside usually near water. They feed mostly on insects, worms and other invertebrates, usually obtained by a run and pause technique rather than probing like some other wader groups.

Name : Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
Length : 32 cm ( 13 in )

This strikingly marked and multi coloured bird inhabits low cut grassland and pastures near water. The nest is simply a depression on the ground, the young moving away from the nest soon after hatching. The parents defend the nesting site forcefully diving to with inches of any predator, including humans. It has a loud and distinctive warning that can be heard whenever the Lapwing is disturbed, day or night, and can act as an early warning for other species. The diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates.


#Southern Lapwing #Vanellus chilensis #Plover #Charadriidae #Charadriiformes #birds #birds of Trinindad & Tobago #birds of Tobago



Bird identification images

Smooth-billed Ani

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

Smooth-billed Ani

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 and Anis (Cuculidae)
Ani’s consist of three tropical American species that make up the genus Crotophaga, subfamily of the Cuckoo family Cuculidae. All three are similar in appearance where the Smooth-billed or Common Ani (Crotophaga ani) which is recorded in Florida, West Indies, Central and South America,can be distinguished from the slightly larger Grooved Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) which has three distinct grooves in the upper mandible and ranges from southern North America through Central America to Northern South America. The largest aptly named the Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) which is found in the West Indies, Mexico and South America mainly east of the Andes. Apart from slight physical differences all three species display similar characteristics as described for the Smooth-billed Ani.

Name : Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

An all black cuckoo, though the black is made up of intricately patterned blue and brown feathers, the Ani is easy to identify due to it’s distinctive curved bill. The tail, which, like other cuckoos, broadens towards the end and then tapers at the tip consists of only 8 feathers, which the bird uses to steady itself on what often appear to be precarious landings. The Ani live in groups of about twelve and feed mainly on grasshoppers and insects found at ground level. It is usual for at least one member of the group to remain on an open perch and sound the alarm, a shrill repeated ‘wer-ik’ at the approach of danger. The call is also used as members of the group fly with alternate glides to another location informing remaining members still feeding on the ground that the group is moving. The nest is a communal affair where several females usually deposit their eggs in layers, more or less separated by leaves, in a large bulky nest in the centre of a bush or tree. The lower eggs fail to hatch. The young are fed and guarded by all members of the group.

#Smooth-billed Ani ##Cuckoos Anis #Cuculidae #Cuculiformes #birds of North America #birds of the West indies #birds of South America #birds of Tobago #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #birds



Bird identification images

Shiny Cowbird

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)

Shiny Cowbird

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

Family : Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)
The Icteridae is a family made up of 88 species of diverse songbirds from across the Americas including blackbirds, grackles, orioles, cowbirds, meadowlarks, and oropendolas. The majority of Icterids have black in the plumage with yellow also being a predominant colour in many species. Males are usually decidedly larger than females.

Name : Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
Length 18 - 20 cm (7 - 8 in)
Local Names : Lazy bird, Blackbird’s cousin.

Originally from South America, this species is considered a rather recent arrival to the West Indies. The male is black with a strong violet gloss, the female a greyish brown with the juvenile being similar to the female. The song is a series of loud, musical whistles and a melodious warble and also soft unmusical call notes.The Shiny Cowbird is omnivorous it’s diet consisting of insects and seeds. It is a bird of open countryside and suburban areas and may roost colonially with Grackles. The Cowbird is parasitic, the female laying her eggs in the nests of other, usually smaller species. The foster parents are left to rear the young Cowbird, quite often at the expense of their own young.



#Shiny Cowbird #Molothrus bonariensis #Blackbirds #Icteridae #Passeriformes #songbirds #birds of the West Indies #parasitic birds #birds #birds of Tobago #birds of Trinidad & Tobago


Bird identification images

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) female

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) juvenile

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) male

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Order : Charadriiformes
This is a diverse order which includes about 350 species of birds in all parts of the world. Most Chardriiformes 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 : Sandpipers (Scolopacidae)
Predominantly birds of arctic regions, the Scolopacidae is a large family of waders or shorebirds, the majority of which eat small invertebrates picked out from mud, soil or sand. Different bill lengths mean that different species can feed in the same habitat without competing with each other. They are usually found in groups on or near the beach. For the most part they are silent in winter and on migration.

Name : Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
Length : 13 - 15 cm ( 5 - 6 in )

Adults have black legs and a short straight dark bill. The upperparts are dark grey-brown, underparts white, head and neck are tinged light grey-brown. Their breeding habitat is the southern tundra in Canada and Alaska where they nest near water. The males make several shallow scrapes, the female chooses one and adds grass and other materials to line the nest. The male assists in incubation, and a few days after hatching the female leaves the young with the male, however the young are able to feed themselves. The birds forage on mud flats and beaches picking up aquatic insects and crustaceans by both sight and feel. (the bill). They are long distance migrants and winter in coastal South America, the Caribbean and southern North America, migrating in flocks that can number in the hundreds of thousands, but such large groups are highly dependent on some key stop over habitats during their migration.

#Semipalmated Sandpiper #Calidris pusilla #Sandpipers #Scolopacidae #Charadriiformes #arctic shorebirds #migrant birds #coastal birds #North American migrant birds #birds #birds of Tobago

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

Rufus-brested Hermit

Rufus-brested Hermit

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 kilometres 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 : Rufus-brested Hermit (Glaucis hirsuta)
Length : 12 cm ( 5 in )

The Rufus-brested Hermit is one of the larger hummingbirds. It’s mostly brown with a long decurved bill, the lower mandible being yellow, and has white tail tips. Both sexes being similar. It feeds chiefly on nectar from a variety of plants found in shaded area’s of forest and cultivated land, and can usually be seen around cool mountain streams where it may also search for spiders and insects. The nest is a fragile hammock attached by spiders webs to the underside of a fern or similar plant, often overhanging a bank or stream.


#Rufus-brested Hermit #Glaucis hirsuta #Hummingbirds #Trochilidae #Apodiformes #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification photos

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaia interpres)

Ruddy Turnstone

Order : Charadriiformes
This is a diverse order which includes about 350 species of birds in all parts of the world. Most Chardriiformes 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 : Turnstone (Charadriidae)
The bird family Charadriidae is made up of about 64 to 66 species and includes the Plovers, Turnstones, Dotterels and Lapwings. They are small to medium sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks and long usually pointed wings. The have world wide distribution and inhabit open countryside usually near water. They feed mostly on insects, worms and other invertebrates, usually obtained by a run and pause technique rather than probing like some other wader groups.

Name : Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaia interpres)
Length : 21 - 25 cm ( 8 - 10 in )

A short legged chunky shorebird the Ruddy Turnstone ranges from northern North America to Europe and Asia. The North American species winters as far south as Argentina and Chile. In breeding plumage the species develops striking chestnut upperparts with black across the wing covets, underparts are white, the legs orange. The bill is small slender and dark. Usually seen by the coast in small numbers, the Ruddy Turnstone scavenges for small crustaceans and insects. The flight is fairly strong and direct. In the evenings each member of the group takes a sea bath, usually immersing itself completely under water, preening is accompanied with short erratic flapping that may lift the bird a few inches off the ground.



#Ruddy Turnstone #Arenaia interpres #Turnstone #Charadriidae #Charadriiformes #shorebirds #North American migrants #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification photos