List of birds of Trinidad and Tobago

A total of 470 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 low compared to the mainland, as would be expected on 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

References        External links

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, emus and kiwis.

Name Binomial Status
Little tinamou Crypturellus soui Trinidad only

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

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

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Common name Binomial Status
Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Great shearwater Ardenna gravis Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Audubon's shearwater Puffinus lherminieri

Storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering.

Common name Binomial Status
Wilson's storm petrel Oceanites oceanicus Tobago only - rare/accidental
Leach's storm petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Tropicbirds

Phaethon aethereus mesonauta, Little Tobago

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Common name Binomial Status
Red-billed tropicbird Phaethon aethereus
White-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Tobago only - rare/accidental

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Common name Binomial Status
Northern gannet Morus bassanus Tobago only [1]
Masked booby Sula dactylatra Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Red-footed booby Sula sula
Brown booby Sula leucogaster

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Neotropic cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Trinidad only

Darters

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Darters are often called "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 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

juvenile Pelecanus occidentalis, Tobago

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Common name Binomial Status
Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Ardea alba, Tobago
Butorides virescens virescens, Tobago
Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli, 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
Tricoloured 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 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

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

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.

Name Binomial Status
American white ibis Eudocimus albus Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Scarlet ibis Eudocimus ruber
Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

Name Binomial Status
Wood stork Mycteria americana Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Jabiru Jabiru mycteria Tobago only - rare/accidental

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. 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, uniquely, are used upside-down.

Name Binomial Status
Caribbean flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber Trinidad only

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 in territorial disputes.

Name Binomial Status
Horned screamer Anhima cornuta Rare/accidental

Ducks and geese

Dendrocygna autumnalis, Tobago
Nomonyx dominicus, Tobago

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

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 crecca Rare/accidental
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Trinidad only
Northern pintail Anas acuta
White-cheeked pintail Anas bahamensis
Blue-winged teal Anas discors
Northern shoveller Anas clypeata
Southern pochard Netta erythrophthalma Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris Rare/accidental
Lesser scaup Aythya affinis
Masked duck Oxyura dominica

New World vultures

Cathartes aura, Trinidad

Order: Cathartiformes   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.

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

Ospreys

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Pandion haliaetus, Trinidad

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

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes 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.

Name Binomial Status
Grey-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
Grey-lined 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

Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falco peregrinus, Trinidad

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 talons.

Common name Binomial Status
Northern 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

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.

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

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

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, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Name Binomial Status
Grey-breasted crake Laterallus exilis Trinidad only
Mangrove rail Rallus longirostris Trinidad only
Rufous-necked wood-rail Aramides axillaris Trinidad only
Grey-necked wood-rail Aramides cajanea Trinidad only
Sora Porzana carolina
Yellow-breasted crake Porzana flaviventer Trinidad only
Ash-throated crake Mustelirallus albicollis Trinidad only
Paint-billed crake Mustelirallus erythrops Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Spotted rail Pardirallus maculatus
American purple gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Azure gallinule Porphyrio flavirostris Trinidad only
Common gallinule Gallinula galeata
American coot Fulica americana Tobago only - rare/accidental
Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea Rare/accidental, near-threatened

Sungrebes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

Name Binomial Status
Sungrebe Heliornis fulica Trinidad only - rare/accidental

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout 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.

Name Binomial Status
Wattled jacana Jacana jacana

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Name Binomial Status
American oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Rare/accidental

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Name Binomial Status
Black-necked stilt Himantopus mexicanus Trinidad only
American avocet Recurvirostra americana Trinidad only - rare/accidental

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.

Name Binomial Status
Double-striped thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus Trinidad only - rare/accidental

Plovers and lapwings

Vanellus chilensis cayennensis, Tobago

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.

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 nivosus Tobago only - rare/accidental
Collared plover Charadrius collaris

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Arenaria interpres morinella, Tobago
Calidris fuscicollis, Tobago

Scolopacidae is 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 these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

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
Willet Tringa semipalmata
Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularia
Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres morinella
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 Calidris subruficollis Near-threatened
Ruff Calidris pugnax Rare/accidental

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.

Name Binomial Status
South polar skua Stercorarius maccormicki Trinidad only
Pomarine skua Stercorarius pomarinus Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Arctic skua Stercorarius parasiticus Rare/accidental

Gulls, terns and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, kittiwakes, terns and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds 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 known to live in excess of 30 years. 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.

Name Binomial Status
Ring-billed gull Larus delawarensis
Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus Rare/accidental
Herring gull Larus argentatus Trinidad only
Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Laughing gull Leucophaeus atricilla
Sabine's gull Xema sabini Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica Trinidad only
Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Elegant tern Thalasseus elegans Trinidad only - near-threatened
Sandwich tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Royal tern Thalasseus 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
Black skimmer Rynchops niger Trinidad only

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.

Name Binomial Status
Rock dove 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

Parrots, macaws and allies

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Amazona amazonica tobagensis, Tobago
Forpus passerinus, Trinidad

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.

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

Cuckoos and anis

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

Crotophaga ani, Tobago

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs.

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

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Common name Binomial Status
Barn owl Tyto alba

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Tropical screech-owl Megascops choliba
Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia

Trinidad only - rare/accidental
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 - rare/accidental

Oilbirds

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Steatornithidae

Steatornis caripensis, Trinidad

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

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Common potoo Nyctibius griseus

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

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 Antrostomus rufus Trinidad only
White-tailed nightjar Caprimulgus cayennensis

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend 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 which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

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
Grey-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

Hummingbirds

Glaucis hirsutus insularum, Tobago
Florisuga mellivora mellivora, Trinidad
Anthracothorax nigricollis, Tobago
Chrysolampis mosquitus, Tobago
Amazilia tobaci erythronota, Trinidad

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Rufous-breasted hermit Glaucis hirsutus insularum
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 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 Chlorestes notata
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 erythronota Trinidad only for sub-species
Copper-rumped hummingbird Amazilia tobaci tobaci Tobago only for sub-species
Long-billed starthroat Heliomaster longirostris Trinidad only
Rufous-shafted woodstar Chaetocercus jourdanii Trinidad only - rare/accidental

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.

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

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.

Megaceryle torquata, Trinidad
Common name Binomial Status
Belted kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
Ringed kingfisher Megaceryle torquata Trinidad only
Amazon kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Green kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
American pygmy kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea Trinidad only

Motmots

Momotus momota, Tobago

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Momotidae

The motmots have colourful 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Trinidad motmot Momotus momota, or Momotus bahamensis

Jacamars

Order: Piciformes   Family: Galbulidae

Galbula ruficauda ruficauda, Tobago

The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America, with a range that extends up to Mexico. They feed on insects caught on the wing, and are glossy, elegant birds with long bills and tails. In appearance and behaviour they resemble the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to woodpeckers.

Common name Binomial Status
Rufous-tailed jacamar Galbula ruficauda

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 amount to half their body length.

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

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Melanerpes rubricapillus rubricapillus, Tobago

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Red-crowned woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus 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

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.

Certhiaxis cinnamomea, Trinidad
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
Grey-throated leaftosser Sclerurus albigularis

Woodcreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Dendrocolaptidae

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii, Trinidad

The Dendrocolaptidae are brownish birds which maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks.

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

Typical antbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thamnophilidae

Thamnophilus doliatus tobagensis, Tobago

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

Common name Binomial Status
Great antshrike Taraba major Trinidad only
Black-crested antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis Trinidad only
Barred antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus tobagensis
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

Antthrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Formicariidae

Antthrushes resemble small rails with strong, longish legs, very short tails and stout bills.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-faced antthrush Formicarius analis Trinidad only

Antpittas

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Grallariidae

Common name Binomial Status
Scaled antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis Trinidad only - rare/accidental

Cotingas

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in 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.

Common name Binomial Status
White bellbird Procnias alba Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Bearded bellbird Procnias averano Trinidad only

Manakins

Manacus manacus, Trinidad

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pipridae

The manakins are a family 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.

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

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrannus dominicensis vorax, Tobago
Megarynchus pitangua, Trinidad

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Southern beardless tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum Trinidad only
Mouse-coloured 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-coloured 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
Grey kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis vorax
Fork-tailed flycatcher Tyrannus savana

Tityras, becards and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tityridae

Common name Binomial Status
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

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Common name Binomial Status
Caribbean martin Progne dominicensis Tobago only
Grey-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

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is 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.

Common name Binomial Status
White wagtail Motacilla alba Trinidad only - rare/accidental

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

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

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.

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

Thrushes and allies

Turdus nudigenis, Tobago

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Orange-billed nightingale-thrush Catharus aurantiirostris Trinidad only
Veery Catharus fuscescens Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Grey-cheeked thrush Catharus minimus Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Yellow-legged thrush Platycichla flavipes
Cocoa thrush Turdus fumigatus Trinidad only
Spectacled thrush Turdus nudigenis
White-necked thrush Turdus albicollis

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, which nest in bushes or trees.

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

Vireos

Cyclarhis gujanensis, Trinidad

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.

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 Pachysylvia aurantiifrons Trinidad only
Rufous-browed peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis Trinidad only

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.

Geothlypis aequinoctialis, Trinidad
Common name Binomial Status
Golden-winged warbler Vermivora chrysoptera Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Northern parula Setophaga americana Tobago only - rare/accidental
Tropical parula Setophaga pitiayumi
Yellow warbler Setophaga petechia
Chestnut-sided warbler Setophaga pensylvanica Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Magnolia warbler Setophaga magnolia Rare/accidental
Cape May warbler Setophaga tigrina Rare/accidental
Black-throated blue warbler Setophaga caerulescens Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Yellow-rumped warbler Setophaga coronata Tobago only - rare/accidental
Black-throated green warbler Setophaga virens Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Blackburnian warbler Setophaga fusca Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Prairie warbler Setophaga discolor Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Bay-breasted warbler Setophaga castanea Rare/accidental
Blackpoll warbler Setophaga striata
Hooded warbler Setophaga citrina Trinidad only - rare/accidental
American redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Black-and-white warbler Mniotilta varia
Prothonotary warbler Protonotaria citrea
Worm-eating warbler Helmitheros vermivorus Trinidad only
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla Rare/accidental
Northern waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis
Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Rare/accidental
Masked yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis Trinidad only
Golden-crowned warbler Basileuterus culicivorus Trinidad only - rare/accidental

Bananaquits

Coereba flaveola luteola, Trinidad

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Coerebidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola luteola

Tanagers

Thraupis episcopus berlepschi, Tobago
Chlorophanes spiza spiza, Trinidad
Cyanerpes caeruleus longirostris, Trinidad

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Bicoloured conebill Conirostrum bicolor Trinidad only
White-shouldered tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus Trinidad only
White-lined tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Silver-beaked tanager Ramphocelus carbo Trinidad only
Blue-grey tanager Thraupis episcopus berlepschi
Blue-capped tanager Thraupis cyanocephala Trinidad only
Palm tanager Thraupis palmarum
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 spiza Trinidad only
Purple honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus longirostris
Red-legged honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Swallow-tanager Tersina viridis Trinidad only
Masked cardinal Paroaria nigrogenis Trinidad only

Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Blue-black grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Slate-coloured seedeater Sporophila schistacea Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Grey 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

Saltators, cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

Common name Binomial Status
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
Lesser Antillean saltator Saltator albicollis Trinidad only
Greyish 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

Troupials and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

Psarocolius decumanus insularis, Trinidad

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, 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.

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
Venezuelan troupial Icterus icterus Trinidad only - rare/accidental
Baltimore oriole Icterus galbula Rare/accidental
Yellow-rumped cacique Cacicus cela Trinidad only
Crested oropendola Psarocolius decumanus insularis

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 twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Common name Binomial Status
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
Red siskin Carduelis cucullata Trinidad only - endangered

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Common name Binomial Status
House sparrow Passer domesticus Trinidad only

References

  1. ↑ http://ttfnc.org/livworld/lw2010/2010p78kenefick.pdf

External links

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