Table of Contents
Introduction 6
Acknowledgements 6
Geography 7
Climate 8
Habitats 10
Taxonomy and Nomenclature 12
Bird Identification 12
How to use this Book 17
Documenting and Reporting Bird Sightings 18
Ethics 18
Security 18
Where to Watch Birds in Trinidad and Tobago 19
Plates and Species Accounts 26
Tinamous Tinamidae 26
Chachalacasand Guans Cracidae 26
Screamers Anhimidae 26
Ducks and Geese Anatidae 28-36
Grebes Podicipedidae 38
Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae 38
Anhinga Anhingidae 38
Pelicans Pelecanidae 38
Storm-Petrels Hydrobatidae 40
Petrels and Shearwaters Procellariidae 40
Tropicbirds Phaethontidae 42
Frigatebirds Fregatidae 42
Boobies Sulidae 44
Herons Ardeidae 46-54
Ibises and Spoonbills Threskiornithidae 56
Limpkin Aramidae 56
Flamingos Phoenicopteridae 58
Storks Ciconiidae 58
New World Vultures Cathartidae 60
Osprey Pandionidae 62
Hawks, Kites and Eagles Accipitridae 62-80
Caracaras and Falcons Falconidae 82-86
Rails, Crakes and Gallinules Rallidae 88-92
Jacanas Jacanidae 90
Thick-Knees Burhinidae 34
Sungrebe Heliornithidae 94
Stilts and Avocets Recurvirostridae 94
Oystercatchers Haematopodidae 94
Lapwings and Plovers Charadriidae 96-98
Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae 100-112
Skuas and Jaegers Stercorariidae 114
Gulls Larinae 116-122
Terns Sterninae 124-132
Skimmers Rynchopidae 132
Pigeons and Doves Columbidae 134-140
Macaws and Parrots Psittacidae 142-144
Cuckoos Cuculidae 146-148
Barn Owls Tytonidae 150
Owls Strigidae 150-152
Oilbird Steatornithidae 154
Nightjars and Nighthawks Caprimulgidae 154-156
Potoos Nyctibiidae 156
Swifts Apodidae 158
Hummingbirds Trochilidae 160-166
Trogons Trogonidae 168
Motmots Momotidae 170
Jacamars Galbulidae 170
Toucans Ramphastidae 170
Kingfishers Alcedinidae 172
Woodpeckers Picidae 174
Ovenbirds Furnariinae 176
Woodcreepers Dendrocolaptinae 178
Antbirds Thamnophilidae 180-182
Antthrushes and Antpittas Formicariidae 184
Tyrant Flycatchers Tyrannidae 186-202
Tityras and Becards Tityridae 202
Cotingas Cotingidae 204
Manakins Pipridae 204
Vireos Vireonidae 206
Swallows and Martins Hirundinidae 208-210
Wrens Troglodytidae 212
Gnarwrens Polioptilidae 212
Mockingbirds Mimidae 212
Wagtails Motacillidae 212
Thrushes Turdidae 214-216
Tanagers Thraupidae 218-222
Bananaquit Thraupidae 222
Trans Grassquits Incertae Sedis 224
Seedeaters and Allies Emberizidae 224-230
Saltators Incertae Sedis 230
Cardinal Grosbeaks and Allies Cardinalidae 232-234
New World Warblers Parulidae 236-244
New World Blackbirds Icteridae 246-250
Finches Fringillinae 252
Euphonias Euphoniinae 252
Waxbills and Allies Estrildidae 254
Old World Sparrows Passeridae 254
Official Checklist of the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago 256
Trinidad & Tobago Birds Status and Distribution Committed 263
Index 265