White-lined Tanager

White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)

White-lined Tanager

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 : Tanagers (Thraupidae)
The Tanagers are a large group of over 200 species of songbirds of new world forests and gardens mainly in the tropics. Many are brightly coloured. They range in size from 10 - 20 cm ( 4 - 8 in ), and most are arboreal, living in trees, undergrowth and shrub. The diet consists mainly of fruit, though some species eat insects.

Name : White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)
Length : 18 cm ( 7½ in )
Local Names : Parson

The white-lined Tanager inhabits suburban areas and light woodland and forest edges where it feeds on fruit, nectar and insects. The male is a glossy black all over with a small patch of white on the underwing covets which are best observed when the bird is in flight, and has a partially white lower mandible. The female is entirely rufus brown. The pair are usually seen together. The nest is a large cup of leaves, usually situated in thick vegetation.


#White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Tanagers Thraupidae Passeriformes birds of the West Indies birds of Trinidad & Tobago birds of Tobago birds


Bird identification images

White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) female

White-cheeked Pintail

White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)

White-cheeked Pintail

Order : Anseriformes
Aquatic or marine birds commonly referred to as waterfowl or wildfowl forming two major families Anatidae ( Ducks, Geese and Swans) and Anhimidae (Screamers). The Anatidae account for about 142 species, the Anhimidae 3 species. Anseriformes breed globally except on Antarctica, and numbers of different species can range from a handful to millions, some migrating thousands of kilometers, others endemic to one small Island. Anseriforme diets are also varied and include grass, marine vegetation, fish and even plankton.

Family : Ducks (Anatidae)
The Anatidae family compromise Ducks and similar waterfowl adapted to swimming, floating on the waters surface and shallow diving. They have webbed feet and flattened bills to a greater or lesser extent. Their feathers are water repellent due to special oils. While there are various migratory vagrants traveling throughout the West Indies only about 12 species are recorded regularly.

Name :White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
Length 38 - 51 cm ( 15 - 20 in )
Local Names : Summer Duck, White-head

The White-cheeked Pintail is one of three races of dabbling Duck, restricted to the Caribbean, Galapagos Islands and South America. Dabbling Ducks are so named because it’s members mainly feed on vegetable matter by upending on the water surface as opposed to diving. They tend to be strong flyers (the Northern species being highly migratory) and their legs are placed centrally resulting in better land mobility. The Pintail occurs in waters with a degree of senility such as brackish estuaries and Mangrove swamp. The nest is built on the ground under Mangrove roots or in vegetation near the water. The sexes are similar in colour, brown with white cheeks, and a red base to the blue - grey bill. The Drake has a low squeaky call while the female quacks.


#White-cheeked Pintail #Anas bahamensis #Ducks #Anatidae #Anseriformes #waterfowl #wildfowl #migrant birds #mangrove birds #dabbling ducks #birds of Tobago #birds


Bird identification images

Whimbrel

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Whimbrel

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 : Rails (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 reedbeds 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 : Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Length : 37 - 45 cm ( 14 - 18 in )

The Whibrel is a widespread wader breeding across much of sub arctic North America, Europe and Asia. It’s a migratory species, wintering in Africa, South America, including the Caribbean and southern North America, south Asia and Australasia. It is patterned grey brown above, underparts turning white on the belly, the long bill being decurved. The species feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates and by picking small crab and similar prey off the surface. Berries forming an important part of their diet prior to migration. The nest is a bare scrape on tundra or arctic moorland where 3 - 5 eggs are laid. Adults are very defensive of the nest even attacking humans who venture too close.


#Whimbrel #Numenius phaeopus #Rails #Rallidae #Gruiformes #wading birds #migrating birds #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #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

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