List of birds of Trinidad and Tobago

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A total of 468 species of birds have been recorded on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. There are few places in the world where so many bird species can be seen in such a small area, many of them unique, very rare, or of particular interest. They range from the many species of hummingbird to the cave-dwelling Oilbird (which uses echo-location to fly in the dark) and the spectacular Scarlet Ibis.

The islands are within a few miles of Venezuela, and the species are therefore typical of tropical South America. However, the number of species is relatively impoverished compared to the mainland, as would be expected with small islands.

The resident breeding birds are augmented in the northern winter by migrants from North America, although the range of migrant passerines is very limited compared to Central America.

Species in the list occur on both islands except where indicated. Tobago has only about half the number of bird species of Trinidad, but 22 birds have occurred only on the smaller island, including 12 breeding species. Some of the smaller islands off Tobago, such as Little Tobago, have important seabird breeding colonies.

Table of contents
Non-passerines: Tinamous . Grebes . Shearwaters and petrels . Storm-petrels . Tropicbirds . Pelicans . Boobies and gannets . Cormorants . Darters . Frigatebirds . Bitterns, herons and egrets . Storks . Ibises and spoonbills . Screamers . Ducks and geese . New World vultures . Ospreys . Hawks, kites and eagles . Caracaras and falcons . Chachalacas, guans and curassows . Limpkins . Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots . Sungrebes . Jacanas . Oystercatchers . Avocets and stilts . Thick-knees . Plovers and lapwings . Sandpipers and allies . Skuas . Gulls . Terns . Skimmers . Pigeons and doves . Parrots, macaws and allies . Cuckoos and anis . Barn owls . Typical owls . Oilbirds . Potoos . Nightjars . Swifts . Hummingbirds . Trogons . Kingfishers . Motmots . Jacamars . Toucans . Woodpeckers and allies .
Passerines: Ovenbirds . Woodcreepers . Typical antbirds . Antthrushes and antpittas . Cotingas . Manakins . Tyrant flycatchers . Swallows and martins . Wagtails and pipits . Wrens . Mockingbirds and thrashers . Thrushes and allies . Gnatcatchers . Vireos . New World warblers . Bananaquits . Tanagers . Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies . Saltators, cardinals and allies . Troupials and allies . Siskins, crossbills and allies .
See also     References     Footnotes

[edit] Tinamous

Order: Tinamiformes Family: Tinamidae

The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family Tinamidae within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emu, and kiwi. There are 47 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Little Tinamou	Crypturellus soui	Trinidad only

[edit] Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide, though one—the Alaotra Grebe—may now be extinct.^[1] Of these, two species have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Least Grebe	Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps

[edit] Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide, five of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bulwer's Petrel	Bulweria bulwerii	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Cory's Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Great Shearwater	Puffinus gravis	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Manx Shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Audubon's Shearwater	Puffinus lherminieri

[edit] Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's Storm-Petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
Leach's Storm-Petrel	Oceanodroma leucorhoa

[edit] Tropicbirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are three species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-billed Tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus
White-tailed Tropicbird	Phaethon lepturus	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are eight species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis

[edit] Boobies and gannets

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are nine species worldwide, four of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Gannet	Morus bassanus	Trinidad only
Masked Booby	Sula dactylatra	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Red-footed Booby	Sula sula
Brown Booby	Sula leucogaster

[edit] Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies; the majority of species have mainly dark plumage, but some are pied black and white, and a few are more colourful. There are 38 members of this family worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago

Common name	Binomial	Status
Neotropic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax brasilianus	Trinidad only

[edit] Darters

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because they have long thin necks, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.

The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage, especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are four species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago

Common name	Binomial	Status
Anhinga	Anhinga anhinga

[edit] Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are five species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens

[edit] Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide, 21 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias
Cocoi Heron	Ardea cocoi	Trinidad only
Great Egret	Ardea alba
Reddish Egret	Egretta rufescens	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Tricolored Heron	Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea
Western Reef Heron	Egretta gularis	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	Rare/Accidental
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron	Butorides striata	Trinidad only
Green Heron	Butorides virescens
Agami Heron	Agamia agami	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Black-crowned Night-Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron	Nyctanassa violacea
Boat-billed Heron	Cochlearius cochlearius	Trinidad only
Rufescent Tiger-Heron	Tigrisoma lineatum	Trinidad only
Stripe-backed Bittern	Ixobrychus involucris	Trinidad only
Least Bittern	Ixobrychus exilis	Trinidad only
Pinnated Bittern	Botaurus pinnatus	Trinidad only

[edit] Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Jabiru	Jabiru mycteria	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide, four of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
American White Ibis	Eudocimus albus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Scarlet Ibis	Eudocimus ruber
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja

[edit] Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are six species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Caribbean Flamingo	Phoenicopterus ruber	Trinidad only

[edit] Screamers

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anhimidae

The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and territorial disputes. There are three species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Horned Screamer	Anhima cornuta	Rare/Accidental

[edit] Ducks and geese

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide, 16 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Fulvous Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna bicolor
White-faced Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna viduata	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna autumnalis
Snow Goose	Chen caerulescens	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Muscovy Duck	Cairina moschata	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Comb Duck	Sarkidiornis melanotos	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
American Wigeon	Anas americana
Green-winged Teal	Anas carolinensis	Rare/Accidental
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	Trinidad only
White-cheeked Pintail	Anas bahamensis
Blue-winged Teal	Anas discors
Northern Shoveller	Anas clypeata	Trinidad only
Southern Pochard	Netta erythrophthalma	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis
Masked Duck	Oxyura dominica

[edit] New World vultures

Order: Falconiformes Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. There are seven species worldwide, all of which are found only in the Americas, four of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
American Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus	Trinidad only
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	Trinidad only
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture	Cathartes burrovianus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
King Vulture	Sarcoramphus papa	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Ospreys

Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus

[edit] Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide, 23 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Gray-headed Kite	Leptodon cayanensis	Trinidad only
Hook-billed Kite	Chondrohierax uncinatus	Trinidad only
Swallow-tailed Kite	Elanoides forficatus
Pearl Kite	Gampsonyx swainsonii	Trinidad only
White-tailed Kite	Elanus leucurus	Trinidad only
Snail Kite	Rostrhamus sociabilis	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Double-toothed Kite	Harpagus bidentatus	Trinidad only
Plumbeous Kite	Ictinia plumbea	Trinidad only
Long-winged Harrier	Circus buffoni	Trinidad only
White Hawk	Leucopternis albicollis	Trinidad only
Rufous Crab-Hawk	Buteogallus aequinoctialis	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Common Black Hawk	Buteogallus anthracinus
Great Black Hawk	Buteogallus urubitinga
Savanna Hawk	Buteogallus meridionalis	Trinidad only
Black-collared Hawk	Busarellus nigricollis	Trinidad only
Gray Hawk	Buteo nitidus
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus
Short-tailed Hawk	Buteo brachyurus
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
White-tailed Hawk	Buteo albicaudatus	Trinidad only
Zone-tailed Hawk	Buteo albonotatus	Trinidad only
Black Hawk Eagle	Spizaetus tyrannus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Ornate Hawk Eagle	Spizaetus ornatus

[edit] Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide, eight of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Crested Caracara	Caracara cheriway	Trinidad only
Yellow-headed Caracara	Milvago chimachima
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	Trinidad only
Aplomado Falcon	Falco femoralis	Trinidad only
Merlin	Falco columbarius
Bat Falcon	Falco rufigularis	Trinidad only
Orange-breasted Falcon	Falco deiroleucus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus

[edit] Chachalacas, guans and curassows

Order: Galliformes Family: Cracidae

The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colourful facial ornaments. There are 50 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rufous-vented Chachalaca	Ortalis ruficauda	Tobago only
Trinidad Piping-guan	Aburria pipile	Endemic to Trinidad

[edit] Limpkins

Order: Gruiformes Family: Aramidae

The Limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab brown plumage and a greyer head and neck.

Name	Binomial	Status
Limpkin	Aramus guarauna	Trinidad only

[edit] Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide, 13 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Gray-breasted Crake	Laterallus exilis	Trinidad only
Clapper Rail	Rallus longirostris	Trinidad only
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail	Aramides axillaris	Trinidad only
Gray-necked Wood-Rail	Aramides cajanea	Trinidad only
Sora	Porzana carolina
Ash-throated Crake	Porzana albicollis	Trinidad only
Yellow-breasted Crake	Porzana flaviventer	Trinidad only
Paint-billed Crake	Neocrex erythrops	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Spotted Rail	Pardirallus maculatus
American Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinica
Azure Gallinule	Porphyrio flavirostris	Trinidad only
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
American Coot	Fulica americana	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
Caribbean Coot	Fulica caribaea	Rare/Accidental, Near-threatened

[edit] Sungrebes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae

The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are three species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Sungrebe	Heliornis fulica	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There eight species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Wattled Jacana	Jacana jacana

[edit] Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
American Oystercatcher	Haematopus palliatus	Rare/Accidental

[edit] Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are nine species worldwide, two of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus	Trinidad only
American Avocet	Recurvirostra americana	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are nine species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Double-striped Thick-knee	Burhinus bistriatus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide, nine of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Southern Lapwing	Vanellus chilensis
American Golden Plover	Pluvialis dominica
Black-bellied Plover	Pluvialis squatarola
Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Semipalmated Plover	Charadrius semipalmatus
Wilson's Plover	Charadrius wilsonia	Trinidad only
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus
Snowy Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
Collared Plover	Charadrius collaris

[edit] Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide, 28 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's Snipe	Gallinago delicata
South American Snipe	Gallinago paraguaiae	Trinidad only
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus
Hudsonian Godwit	Limosa haemastica	Trinidad only
Marbled Godwit	Limosa fedoa	Rare/Accidental
Eskimo Curlew	Numenius borealis	Rare/Accidental, Critically endangered (possibly extinct)
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
Long-billed Curlew	Numenius americanus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental, Near-threatened
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda
Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Rare/Accidental
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularia
Willet	Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Red Knot	Calidris canutus	Trinidad only
Sanderling	Calidris alba	Trinidad only
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla
White-rumped Sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis
Baird's Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris himantopus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Tryngites subruficollis	Near-threatened
Ruff	Philomachus pugnax	Rare/Accidental

[edit] Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are seven species worldwide, three of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
South Polar Skua	Stercorarius maccormicki	Trinidad only
Pomarine Skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Arctic Skua	Stercorarius parasiticus	Rare/Accidental

[edit] Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus	Rare/Accidental
American Herring Gull	Larus smithsonianus	Trinidad only
Black-headed Gull	Larus ridibundus
Laughing Gull	Larus atricilla
Sabine's Gull	Xema sabini	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Terns

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide, 15 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Trinidad only
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Elegant Tern	Sterna elegans	Trinidad only; Near-threatened
Sandwich Tern	Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern	Sterna maxima
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo
Least Tern	Sternula antillarum
Yellow-billed Tern	Sternula superciliaris	Trinidad only
Bridled Tern	Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscata
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	Trinidad only
Large-billed Tern	Phaetusa simplex	Trinidad only
Brown Noddy	Anous stolidus
White Tern	Gygis alba	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are three species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Black Skimmer	Rynchops niger	Trinidad only

[edit] Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide, 14 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Rock Pigeon	Columba livia	Trinidad only; Introduced species
Scaled Pigeon	Columba speciosa	Trinidad only
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata	Trinidad only
Pale-vented Pigeon	Patagioenas cayennensis
Eared Dove	Zenaida auriculata
Common Ground Dove	Columbina passerina	Trinidad only
Plain-breasted Ground Dove	Columbina minuta
Ruddy Ground Dove	Columbina talpacoti
Scaled Dove	Columbina squammata	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Blue Ground Dove	Claravis pretiosa	Trinidad only
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
Grey-fronted Dove	Leptotila rufaxilla	Trinidad only
Lined Quail-Dove	Geotrygon linearis
Ruddy Quail-Dove	Geotrygon montana	Trinidad only

[edit] Parrots, macaws and allies

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide, 11 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Blue-and-yellow Macaw	Ara ararauna	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Scarlet Macaw	Ara macao	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Red-bellied Macaw	Orthopsittaca manilata	Trinidad only
Red-shouldered Macaw	Diopsittaca nobilis	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
White-eyed Parakeet	Aratinga leucophthalmus	Trinidad only
Green-rumped Parrotlet	Forpus passerinus
Lilac-tailed Parrotlet	Touit batavica	Trinidad only
Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet	Touit huetii	Extirpated
Blue-headed Parrot	Pionus menstruus	Trinidad only
Yellow-crowned Parrot	Amazona ochrocephala	Trinidad only; Introduced species
Orange-winged Parrot	Amazona amazonica

[edit] Cuckoos and anis

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide, 10 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name	Binomial	Status
Black-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus
Mangrove Cuckoo	Coccyzus minor
Dark-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus melacoryphus	Trinidad only
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana	Trinidad only
Little Cuckoo	Piaya minuta	Trinidad only
Greater Ani	Crotophaga major	Trinidad only
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris	Trinidad only
Striped Cuckoo	Tapera naevia	Trinidad only

[edit] Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Barn Owl	Tyto alba

[edit] Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide, seven of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Tropical Screech-Owl	Megascops choliba	Trinidad only
Great Horned Owl	Bubo virginianus	Trinidad only
Mottled Owl	Ciccaba virgata	Trinidad only
Spectacled Owl	Pulsatrix perspicillata	Trinidad only
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl	Gaucidium brasilianum	Trinidad only
Striped Owl	Pseudoscops clamator	Tobago only
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	Trinidad only

[edit] Oilbirds

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Steatornithidae

The Oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the Oil palm.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Oilbird	Steatornis caripensis	Trinidad only

[edit] Potoos

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Nyctibiidae

The potoos (sometimes called Poor-Me-Ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars. There are five species, all of which are from the South American tropical region. One species occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Common Potoo	Nyctibius griseus

[edit] Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide, seven of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Short-tailed Nighthawk	Lurocalis semitorquatus	Trinidad only
Lesser Nighthawk	Chordeiles acutipennis
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	Rare/Accidental
Nacunda Nighthawk	Podager nacunda
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis	Trinidad only
Rufous Nightjar	Caprimulgus rufus	Trinidad only
White-tailed Nightjar	Caprimulgus cayennensis

[edit] Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide, 10 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Swift	Cypseloides niger	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Chestnut-collared Swift	Cypseloides rutilus	Trinidad only
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
Band-rumped Swift	Chaetura spinicaudus	Trinidad only
Lesser Antillean Swift	Chaetura martinica	Trinidad only
Gray-rumped Swift	Chaetura cinereiventris
Chimney Swift	Chaetura pelagica	Trinidad only
Chapman's Swift	Chaetura chapmani	Trinidad only
Short-tailed Swift	Chaetura brachyura
Fork-tailed Palm Swift	Tachornis squamata	Trinidad only
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift	Panyptila cayennensis	Trinidad only

[edit] Hummingbirds

Order: Trochiliformes Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. There are 337 species worldwide, 21 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rufous-breasted Hermit	Glaucis hirsuta
Green Hermit	Phaethornis guy	Trinidad only
Little Hermit	Phaethornis longuemareus	Trinidad only
White-tailed Sabrewing	Campylopterus ensipennis	Tobago only; Near-threatened
White-necked Jacobin	Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violet-ear	Colibri delphinae	Trinidad only
Green-throated Mango	Anthracothorax viridigula	Trinidad only
Black-throated Mango	Anthracothorax nigricollis
Green-throated Carib	Eulampis holosericeus	Trinidad only
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird	Chrysolampis mosquitus
Tufted Coquette	Lophornis ornatus	Trinidad only
Blue-chinned Sapphire	Chlorostilbon notatus
Blue-tailed Emerald	Chlorostilbon mellisugus	Trinidad only
Fork-tailed Woodnymph	Thalurania furcata	Trinidad only
Golden-tailed Sapphire	Chrysuronia oenone	Trinidad only
White-tailed Goldenthroat	Polytmus guainumbi	Trinidad only
White-chested Emerald	Agyrtria brevirostris	Trinidad only
Glittering-throated Emerald	Polyerata fimbriata	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Copper-rumped Hummingbird	Amazilia tobaci
Long-billed Starthroat	Heliomaster longirostris	Trinidad only
Rufous-shafted Woodstar	Chaetocercus jourdanii	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Trogons

Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide, three of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-tailed Trogon	Trogon viridis	Trinidad only
Violaceous Trogon	Trogon violaceus	Trinidad only
Collared Trogon	Trogon collaris

[edit] Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide, five of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Belted Kingfisher	Ceryle alcyon
Ringed Kingfisher	Ceryle torquata	Trinidad only
Amazon Kingfisher	Chloroceryle amazona	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Green Kingfisher	Chloroceryle americana
American Pygmy Kingfisher	Chloroceryle aenea	Trinidad only

[edit] Motmots

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Momotidae

The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails, which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft, and creating a racket-shaped tail. There are 10 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Blue-crowned Motmot	Momotus momota

[edit] Jacamars

Order: Piciformes Family: Galbulidae

The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America, with a range that extends up to Mexico. They are glossy elegant birds with long bills and tails, which feed on insects caught on the wing. In appearance and behaviour they show resemblances to the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to woodpeckers. There are 18 species, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rufous-tailed Jacamar	Galbula ruficauda

[edit] Toucans

Order: Piciformes Family: Ramphastidae

Toucans are near passerine birds from the neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colourful bills which in some species may amount to half their body length. There are 40 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Channel-billed Toucan	Ramphastos vitellinus	Trinidad only

[edit] Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-crowned Woodpecker	Melanerpes rubricapillus	Tobago only
Red-rumped Woodpecker	Veniliornis kirkii
Golden-olive Woodpecker	Piculus rubiginosus
Chestnut Woodpecker	Celeus elegans	Trinidad only
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus	Trinidad only
Crimson-crested Woodpecker	Campephilus melanoleucos	Trinidad only

[edit] Ovenbirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Furnariidae

Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. There are 243 species worldwide, five of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pale-breasted Spinetail	Synallaxis albescens	Trinidad only
Stripe-breasted Spinetail	Synallaxis cinnamomea
Yellow-chinned Spinetail	Certhiaxis cinnamomea	Trinidad only
Streaked Xenops	Xenops rutilans	Trinidad only
Gray-throated Leaftosser	Sclerurus albigularis

[edit] Woodcreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Dendrocolaptidae

The Dendrocolaptidae are brownish birds and maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks. There are 57 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Plain-brown Woodcreeper	Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	Sittasomus griseicapillus	Tobago only
Buff-throated Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus guttatus	Trinidad only
Cocoa Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Straight-billed Woodcreeper	Dendroplex picus	Trinidad only
Streak-headed Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes souleyetii	Trinidad only

[edit] Typical antbirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Thamnophilidae

The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds, and tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat the small invertebrates that leave hiding to flee the ants.Many species lack bright colour; brown, black and white being the dominant tones. There are about 212 species worldwide, eight of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great Antshrike	Taraba major	Trinidad only
Black-crested Antshrike	Sakesphorus canadensis	Trinidad only
Barred Antshrike	Thamnophilus doliatus
Plain Antvireo	Dysithamnus mentalis
White-flanked Antwren	Myrmotherula axillaris	Trinidad only
White-fringed Antwren	Formicivora grisea	Tobago only
Silvered Antbird	Sclateria naevia	Trinidad only
White-bellied Antbird	Myrmeciza longipes	Trinidad only

[edit] Antthrushes and antpittas

Order: Passeriformes Family: Formicariidae

The ground antbirds are a family comprising the antthrushes and antpittas. Antthrushes resemble small rails while antpittas resemble the true pittas with longish strong legs, very short tails and stout bills. There are about 63 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-faced Antthrush	Formicarius analis	Trinidad only
Scaled Antpitta	Grallaria guatimalensis	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Cotingas

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges of tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly coloured, or decorated with plumes or wattles. There are 71 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White Bellbird	Procnias alba	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Bearded Bellbird	Procnias averano	Trinidad only

[edit] Manakins

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pipridae

The manakins are a family bird species of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly coloured, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries and insects. There are 57 species worldwide, three of occur present in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-bearded Manakin	Manacus manacus	Trinidad only
Blue-backed Manakin	Chiroxiphia pareola	Tobago only
Golden-headed Manakin	Pipra erythrocephala	Trinidad only

[edit] Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain colouring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. There are 429 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas, 42 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet	Camptostoma obsoletum	Trinidad only
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet	Phaeomyias murina	Trinidad only
Forest Elaenia	Myiopagis gaimardii	Trinidad only
Yellow-bellied Elaenia	Elaenia flavogaster
Small-billed Elaenia	Elaenia parvirostris	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Lesser Elaenia	Elaenia chiriquensis	Trinidad only
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher	Mionectes oleagineus
Olive-striped Flycatcher	Mionectes olivaceus	Trinidad only
Slaty-capped Flycatcher	Leptopogon superciliaris	Trinidad only
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher	Sublegatus arenarum	Trinidad only
Crested Doradito	Pseudocolopteryx sclateri	Trinidad only
Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant	Myiornis ecaudatus	Trinidad only
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum maculatum	Trinidad only
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	Tolmomyias sulphurescens	Trinidad only
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher	Tolmomyias flaviventris
White-throated Spadebill	Platyrinchus mystaceus
Bran-colored Flycatcher	Myiophobus fasciatus	Trinidad only
Fuscous Flycatcher	Cnemotriccus fuscatus
Euler's Flycatcher	Lathrotriccus euleri	Trinidad only
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Contopus cooperi	Trinidad only
Tropical Pewee	Contopus cinereus	Trinidad only
Pied Water-Tyrant	Fluvicola pica	Trinidad only
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant	Arundinicola leucocephala	Trinidad only
Bright-rumped Attila	Attila spadiceus	Trinidad only
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer	Trinidad only
Swainson's Flycatcher	Myiarchus swainsoni	Trinidad only
Venezuelan Flycatcher	Myiarchus venezuelensis	Tobago only
Brown-crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Kiskadee	Pitangus sulphuratus	Trinidad only
Boat-billed Flycatcher	Megarynchus pitangua	Trinidad only
Streaked Flycatcher	Myiodynastes maculatus
Piratic Flycatcher	Legatus leucophaius
Variegated Flycatcher	Empidonomus varius	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Sulphury Flycatcher	Tyrannopsis sulphurea	Trinidad only
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray Kingbird	Tyrannus dominicensis
Fork-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus savana
White-winged Becard	Pachyramphus polychopterus
Black-tailed Tityra	Tityra cayana	Trinidad only
Masked Tityra	Tityra semifasciata	Trinidad only
Black-crowned Tityra	Tityra inquisitor	Trinidad only
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	Trinidad only

[edit] Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide, nine of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Caribbean Martin	Progne dominicensis	Tobago only
Gray-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor	Trinidad only
White-winged Swallow	Tachycineta albiventer	Trinidad only
Blue-and-white Swallow	Pygochelidon cyanoleuca	Trinidad only
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia
Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica

[edit] Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species), two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rufous-breasted Wren	Thryothorus rutilus
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon

[edit] Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their colouring tends towards dull greys and browns . There are 35 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos	Trinidad only
Tropical Mockingbird	Mimus gilvus

[edit] Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide, seven of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus aurantiirostris	Trinidad only
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Gray-cheeked Thrush	Catharus minimus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Yellow-legged Thrush	Platycichla flavipes
Cocoa Thrush	Turdus fumigatus	Trinidad only
Bare-eyed Thrush	Turdus nudigenis
White-necked Thrush	Turdus albicollis

[edit] Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish grey in colour, and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, and nest in bushes or trees. There are 15 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Long-billed Gnatwren	Ramphocaenus melanurus	Trinidad only

[edit] Vireos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. There are 52 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Yellow-throated Vireo	Vireo flavifrons	Rare/Accidental
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus
Black-whiskered Vireo	Vireo altiloquus	Trinidad only
Scrub Greenlet	Hylophilus flavipes	Tobago only
Golden-fronted Greenlet	Hylophilus aurantiifrons	Trinidad only
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	Cyclarhis gujanensis	Trinidad only

[edit] New World warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. There are 119 species worldwide, 24 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Golden-winged Warbler	Vermivora chrysoptera	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Northern Parula	Parula americana	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
Tropical Parula	Parula pitiayumi
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Dendroica pensylvanica	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Magnolia Warbler	Dendroica magnolia	Rare/Accidental
Cape May Warbler	Dendroica tigrina	Rare/Accidental
Black-throated Blue Warbler	Dendroica caerulescens	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Dendroica coronata	Tobago only; Rare/Accidental
Black-throated Green Warbler	Dendroica virens	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Prairie Warbler	Dendroica discolor	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Bay-breasted Warbler	Dendroica castanea	Rare/Accidental
Blackpoll Warbler	Dendroica striata
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla
Prothonotary Warbler	Protonotaria citrea
Worm-eating Warbler	Helmitheros vermivorus	Trinidad only
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla	Rare/Accidental
Northern Waterthrush	Seiurus noveboracensis
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas	Rare/Accidental
Masked Yellowthroat	Geothlypis aequinoctialis	Trinidad only
Hooded Warbler	Wilsonia citrina	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Golden-crowned Warbler	Basileuterus culicivorus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

[edit] Bananaquits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Coerebidae

The Bananaquit is a small passerine bird. It has a slender, curved bill, adapted to taking nectar from flowers and is the only member of the genus Coereba (Vieillot, 1809) and is normally placed within the family Coerebidae, although there is uncertainty whether that placement is correct.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola

[edit] Tanagers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. They are seed eaters, but their preference tends towards fruit and nectar. Most have short, rounded wings. There are 256 species worldwide, 24 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bicolored Conebill	Conirostrum bicolor	Trinidad only
White-shouldered Tanager	Tachyphonus luctuosus	Trinidad only
White-lined Tanager	Tachyphonus rufus
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager	Habia rubica	Trinidad only
Hepatic Tanager	Piranga flava	Trinidad only
Scarlet Tanager	Piranga olivacea	Rare/Accidental
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	Trinidad only
Silver-beaked Tanager	Ramphocelus carbo	Trinidad only
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Blue-capped Tanager	Thraupis cyanocephala	Trinidad only
Palm Tanager	Thraupis palmarum
Trinidad Euphonia	Euphonia trinitatis	Trinidad only
Violaceous Euphonia	Euphonia violacea
Elegant Euphonia	Euphonia elegantissima	Trinidad only
Antillean Euphonia	Euphonia musica	Trinidad only
Golden-rumped Euphonia	Euphonia cyanocephala	Trinidad only
Turquoise Tanager	Tangara mexicana	Trinidad only
Speckled Tanager	Tangara guttata	Trinidad only
Bay-headed Tanager	Tangara gyrola	Trinidad only
Blue Dacnis	Dacnis cayana	Trinidad only
Green Honeycreeper	Chlorophanes spiza	Trinidad only
Purple Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes caeruleus
Red-legged Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes cyaneus
Swallow-Tanager	Tersina viridis	Trinidad only

[edit] Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide, seventeen of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina
Slate-colored Seedeater	Sporophila schistacea	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Gray Seedeater	Sporophila intermedia	Trinidad only
Wing-barred Seedeater	Sporophila americana	Tobago only
Lesson's Seedeater	Sporophila bouvronides
Lined Seedeater	Sporophila lineola	Trinidad only
Yellow-bellied Seedeater	Sporophila nigricollis
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater	Sporophila minuta	Trinidad only
Large-billed Seed-Finch	Oryzoborus crassirostris	Trinidad only
Great-billed Seed-Finch	Oryzoborus maximiliani	Trinidad only
Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch	Oryzoborus angolensis	Trinidad only
Black-faced Grassquit	Tiaris bicolor	Tobago only
Sooty Grassquit	Tiaris fuliginosa	Trinidad only
Saffron Finch	Sicalis flaveola	Trinidad only
Orange-fronted Yellow Finch	Sicalis columbiana	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Grassland Yellow Finch	Sicalis luteola	Trinidad only
Red-capped Cardinal	Paroaria gularis	Trinidad only

[edit] Saltators, cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. There are 43 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lesser Antillean Saltator	Saltator albicollis	Trinidad only
Grayish Saltator	Saltator coerulescens	Trinidad only
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	Rare/Accidental
Blue-black Grosbeak	Cyanocompsa cyanoides	Trinidad only
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Dickcissel	Spiza americana	Trinidad only

[edit] Troupials and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. There are 98 species worldwide, 13 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	Rare/Accidental
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Yellow-hooded Blackbird	Agelaius icterocephalus	Trinidad only
Red-breasted Blackbird	Sturnella militaris
Carib Grackle	Quiscalus lugubris
Shiny Cowbird	Molothrus bonariensis
Giant Cowbird	Molothrus oryzivorus
Moriche Oriole	Icterus chrysocephalus	Trinidad only
Yellow Oriole	Icterus nigrogularis	Trinidad only
Troupial	Icterus icterus	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula	Rare/Accidental
Yellow-rumped Cacique	Cacicus cela	Trinidad only
Crested Oropendola	Psarocolius decumanus

[edit] Siskins, crossbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red Siskin	Carduelis cucullata	Trinidad only; Endangered

[edit] References

• ffrench, Richard (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, 2nd edition, Comstock Publishing. ISBN 0-8014-9792-2. 
• Linblad, Jan. (1966). Journey to red birds. Trans. by Gwynne Vevers. Reprint: Collins, London. 1969.
• Zahl, Paul A. (1954). Coro-Coro: The World of the Scarlet Ibis. Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis / New York.
• Worth, C. Brooke. (1967). A Naturalist in Trinidad. J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia and New York.
• Collinson, Martin Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palaearctic lists, British Birds vol 99 (June 2006), 306-323

[edit] External links

• Southeastern Caribbean Bird Alert
• Trinidad and Tobago Rare Bird Committee
• Asa Wright Nature Centre