Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

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 : 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 : Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Length : 19 - 40 cm ( 9 - 16 in )
Local Names : Scissor tail


One of two similar species, the other being the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forticatus) of Central Southern North America and Northern Mexico, which may also be present as it Migrates annually to South America between November and February, The Fork-tailed Flycatcher of Argentina and Chile winters in Northern South America during May and October. This, the South American species, is a bird of open countryside where it perches on trees or bushes from where they will fly out to catch their prey in flight. They can be seen at dusk, flying in loose flocks back to the roost, which is normally in mangrove, at quite a height. The distinguishing tail, 28 cm (11 in ) in males, 18 cm (7 in ) in females and immature, malts during June and September, usually growing back before it’s return south. The South American species has grey upperparts, a black head, and white underparts. The North American species has grey upperparts with light underparts and pinkish flanks.


#Fork-tailed Flycatcher #Tyrannus savana #Scissor tail #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification pictures

Eared Dove

Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)

Eared Dove

Order : Columbiformes
Made up of three families in two suborders; Columbae (pigeons, Doves, Dodoes, Solitaires) and Pterocletes (Sand grouse) where the extinct Dodoes and Solitares make up the family Raphidae, and Pigeons and Doves the family Columbidae. The names Pigeon and Dove are interchangeable having no biological distinction.

Family : Doves (Columbidae)
Made up of about 285 similar species of bird, the Pigeon family is widely dispersed, being absent only from the Arctic, Antarctic and some Oceanic Islands. Pigeons are unique in that they produce a secretion similar to mammalian milk for their young, and in their ability to suck water in a continuous draft by muscular contractions whereas other birds take a sip of water, then tip back the head to swallow.

Name : Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)
Length : 22 - 26 cm ( 9 - 10 in )

A terrestrial bird, the Eared dove appears to be spreading slowly Northwards from continental South America. Like many of this family, this Dove feeds mainly on seed taken from the ground either alone or in small groups. The Eared Dove is medium sized, greyish brown with black ont he wing covets, with black and violet markings on the side of the head. The nest is a cup of twigs usually placed fairly low in the fork of a tree branch, commonly that of a Mangrove tree where two white eges are laid. Both parents incubate and rear the young.

#Eared Dove #Zenaida auriculata #dove #Doves #Columbidae #Columbiformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Copper-rumped hummingbird

Copper-rumped hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci)

Copper-rumped Hummingbird

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 kilometers 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 : Copper-rumped hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci)

Length : 10 cm ( 4 in )

The Copper-rumped Hummingbird is iridescent green with a copper - bronze lower back and has white tufts at the thighs, and a straight bill. Both sexes being similar. It is an aggressive Hummingbird and will chase off any other Hummingbird from it’s feeding territory and will attack any bird it considers a threat to it’s brood, regardless of size. It’s nest is a small cup of plant-down usually place on a small branch. It ranges from suburban gardens and open countryside to sparse woodland and forest edges up to 600 meters ( 2000 ft ).

#Copper-rumped hummingbird #Amazilia tobaci #hummingbird #Trochilidae #Apodiformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Common Pauraque

Common Pauraque

Order : Caprimulgidae
Any of about 100 species of soft plumed birds with cryptically coloured and patterned plumage, short legs, and for the most part, long wings. Most are twilight or night flying birds, and many produce startling, strange or weirdly beautiful sounds and are surrounded by an aura of mystery. The order includes the cosmopolitan Nightjars, the Frogmouths of Australasia and south east Asia, the Australasian Owlet-nightjars, and the South American Potoos and Oilbird. All are insectivorous with the exception of the Oilbird which is the worlds only nocturnal bird that eats plant food.

Family : Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Nightjars are made up of about 60 or 70 species of birds that occur world wide except in New Zealand and some Islands of Oceania, and include the American relatives the Nighthawk, Poorwill and Pauraque. They feed predominantly on moths and other flying insects, usually taken on the wing at dusk or dawn which is when they are most active. Some species perch along a branch to assist in concealment.

Name : Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Length : 28 cm (11 in )

The Pauraque spends the day resting in shaded grass or thicket on the ground, on nothing more than bare earth. It becomes active after the sun has set, flying to a favourite open spot, usually on a dirt pathway or similar clearing where it will rest on the ground and watch for moths and other flying insects, flying up from the ground to take it’s prey on the wing. The male will call constantly, a whistled phrase ‘ker-whee-oo’, in the hope of locating a mate. Should he hear a reply he will beat his wings on the bare earth in a cupped fashion, the sound emitted is like that of a drum being played with cupped hands rather than anything you could expect from a bird. Should another Pauraque land on the track he will fly to it, and if finding another male, he will chase it off with both birds often showing unbelievable dexterity and maneuverability which is only heightened by their silent flight. The Pauraque can perch on branches, but does so only as an escape from possible danger, or while moving to locate the reply’s from another bird, spending the predominant amount of the time on the ground. It’s a strongly patterned bird, being a mottled brown with a bold white bar on each wing. The male having white outer tail feathers.

#Common #Pauraque #Nyctidromus #albicollis #Nightjar #Caprimulgidae #Caprimulgidae #birds #Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) Adult Nightjar

Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) hatchlings

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen or Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Moorhen

Order : Gruiformes
Traditionally there were about 12 wading and terrestrial bird families that did not seem to belong to any other order and were classified together as Gruiformes. These include the Buzzards, Cranes, Crakes, Rails and Buttonquails. Recent DNA analysis however shows that they are more closely related to each other than to any other bird and the order has remained surprisingly intact.

Family : Gallinules (Rallidae)
Consisting of about 134 species in 33 genera the Rallidae family has, in some circles, been alleviated to that of ordinal status (Ralliformes). Most members inhabit damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers with reed beds being a favoured habitat. Most nest in dense vegetation and are generally shy, secretive birds. Island species often become flightless, preferring to run or swim from danger than taking to wing, and most are more likely to be heard than seen. Numbers are threatened due to the introduction of terrestrial predators such as cats and rats.

Name : Common Moorhen or Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)
Length : 28 - 33 cm ( 11 - 13 in )
Local Names : Red-seal coot, water Hen

A common resident of swamps, lakes and pools throughout the Caribbean, the Common Moorhen is distinguished by it’s all black body, a white band on the flank and white under the tail and a conspicuous red frontal shield that extends to the base of it’s yellow tipped bill. It’s legs are green with red above the knees. It feeds mainly on aquatic plants, snails and other invertabrates that if finds swimming mainly along the edge of open water. The Common Moorhen can be a noisy bird repeating hen like clucks and squawks. The nest is usually near or on the ground, often amongst reeds near the waters surface. Between 3 - 9 spotted eggs are laid.

#Common Moorhen #Moorhen #Gallinule #Gallinula chloropus #Rallidae #Ralliformes #Gruiformes #wading birds #birds #Birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Bare-eyed Thrush

Bare-eyed Thrush 

Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis)

Order : Passeriformes
Thrushes are a cosmopolitan family made up of two major groups, the true thrushes and the chat thrushes, the latter being confined to Eurasia, except for the Northern Wheater, which has colonised northern Canada and Alaska. The largest genus consisting around 66 species, is found in both temperate and tropical climates. Many being known for their singing voice.

Family : Thrushes (Turidae)
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.

Name : Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis)
Length : 23 - 24 cm ( 9 - 9½ in )
Local Names : Yellow eyed Grive, Gold eye Thrush

A bird of parklands, suburban areas, light woodland and cultivated land, the Bare-eyed Thrush is distinguished by it’s large golden yellow eye ring. It has brown upperparts with grey brown underparts with a streaked throat. Both sexes are similar. The cup shaped nest is made of mud and plant material placed at a moderate height in the fork of a tree usually around March to July.

#bare-eyed thrush #turdus nudigenis #yellow eyed grive #gold eye thrush #thrushes #turidae #passeriformes #birds #perching birds #birds of tobago

Bird identification images

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

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Cattle Egret

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 dependant 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 : Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Length : 48 - 64 cm (19 - 25 in )
Local Names : Crabier, Cattle Gaulin

The Cattle Egret is a small white Heron of old world origins but has proved to be a successful coloniser and is now found in warmer parts of every continent except Antarctica, arriving as late as the 1950’s in the West Indies. It’s diet consists mainly of larger insects, especially grasshoppers, which are disturbed by grazing cattle or other livestock. Nesting takes place in colonies, often with other Herons, usually in Mangrove’s where a nest of sticks is placed facing water. Where numbers remain fairly small in Tobago, other Caribbean Islands experience breeding colonies in the thousands. It is all white, with buff neck and back plumage during breeding season.

#Cattle Egret #Bubulcus ibis #Egrets #Herons #Ardeidae #Ciconiiformes #Egratta #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Carib Grackle

Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)

Carib Grackle

Order : Passeriforme
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 : Blackbirds (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 :Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)
Length : 24 - 27 cm ( 9½ - 11 in)
Local Names : Blackbird, Bequia-sweet, Merle.

The male is a glossy purple black with a conspicuous yellow eye and the tail is long and keel-shaped. The female is smaller than the male and duller with a regular shaped tail, while juveniles are brown or mottled brown-black with brown eyes. The species roost and nests colonially building large cup shaped nests often high in palm or other trees. The call is a series of harsh clucks and squeaks often ending with a ringing bell like note. They feed mainly on insects, though they are known to eat seeds, and will readily take scraps, being just as much at home in open restaurants as in their more natural habitat of fields and mangroves.

#Carib Grackle #Quiscalus lugubris #Blackbirds #Icteridae #Passeriforme #Blackbird # Bequia-sweet #Merle #songbird #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification picures

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tryannulus)

Brown-crested Flycatcher

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 : 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 : Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tryannulus)
Length : 18cm ( 7¼ in )

The brown-crested flycatcher is fairly similar to two or three other flycatchers all of whom have some degree of yellow on the underparts, patterned brown upperparts and a brown crest, all of similar size. The brown-created flycatcher breeds around January and February in Tobago, the nest is normally situated in bamboo stumps or a hole in the tree being made of a combination of grass, roots, moss and bark. It is a bird of open countryside and forest edges, often seen on an open perch from where it will launch itself, taking flying insects on the wing. It’s diet may also include berries and seeds.

#Brown-crested Flycatcher #Myiarchus tryannulus #flycatcher #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures