Birds of Trinidad and Tobago 9781472946034, 9781408152096

Citation preview

Helm field guides

Birds of TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Second Edition Martyn Kenefick, Robin Restall and Floyd Hayes

Christopher Helm London

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To Richard ffrench, the father of ornithology in Trinidad & Tobago. His response to the first edition of this book was characteristically kind and generous, and most encouraging. We were deeply saddened by his death and feel that the fresh material within these pages, together with news of newlyconfirmed species for the islands, is a fitting tribute to his legacy.

This ebook includes bird sounds from 179 species that occur in Trinidad and Tobago, providing a representative sample of the characteristic avian calls and songs of the islands. Many migrants, such as the New World warblers, are mainly silent while on the islands, and have therefore not been included. The publishers will be happy to receive recordings of species not included in this ebook for use in future editions, and for notification of any errors. We hope that this digital field guide brings a new dimension to your field birding. Above all, we hope it will encourage more people to record the songs and calls of the birds of these magical islands. This electronic edition published in 2016 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc First published in 2007 by Christopher Helm, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP. Second edition published in 2011 Digital editions published 2014 www.bloomsbury.com www.bloomsburywildlife.com Copyright text © 2007 and 2011 Martyn Kenefick, Robin Restall and Floyd Hayes Copyright illustrations © 2007 and 2011 Robin Restall Copyright sounds © 2014 John Hammick (mandarinproductions.com) and Richard ffrench The right of Martyn Kenefick, Robin Restall and Floyd Hayes to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. ISBN (print) 978-1-4081-5209-6 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4081-8121-8 ISBN (ePDF) 978-1-4729-4603-4 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – photographic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage or retrieval systems – without permission of the publishers. Print: Commissioning Editor: Nigel Redman Designed by Julie Dando at Fluke Art Digital: Commissioning Editor: Jim Martin Assistant Editor: Alice Ward

Visit bloomsburywildlife.com to find out more about our authors and their books

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CONTENTS

Plate

Page

Introduction

6

Acknowledgements

6

Geography

7

Climate

8

Habitats

10

Taxonomy And Nomenclature

12

Bird Identification

14

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

19

Documenting And Reporting Bird Sightings

20

Ethics

20

Security

20

Where To Watch Birds In Trinidad & Tobago

21

Plates And Species Accounts

28

Tinamous   Tinamidae

1

28

Screamers   Anhimidae

1

28

Chachalacas and Guans   Cracidae

1

28

2–6

30–38

Grebes   Podicipedidae

7

40

Cormorants   Phalacrocoracidae

7

40

Anhinga   Anhingidae

7

40

Pelicans   Pelecanidae

7

40

Storm-petrels   Hydrobatidae

8

42

Ducks and Geese   Anatidae

Petrels and Shearwaters   Procellariidae

8

42

Tropicbirds   Phaethontidae

9

44

Frigatebirds   Fregatidae

9

44

Boobies   Sulidae

10

46

Herons   Ardeidae

11–15

48–56

Ibises and Spoonbills  Threskiornithidae

16

58

Limpkin   Aramidae

16

58

Flamingos   Phoenicopteridae

17

60

Storks   Ciconiidae

17

60

New World Vultures   Cathartidae

18

62

Osprey   Pandionidae

19

64

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Hawks, Kites and Eagles   Accipitridae

19–27

64–80

Caracaras and Falcons   Falconidae

28–30

82–86

Rails, Crakes and Gallinules   Rallidae

31–33

88–92

Jacanas   Jacanidae

32

90

Thick-knees   Burhinidae

34

94

Sungrebe   Heliornithidae

34

94

Stilts and Avocets   Recurvirostridae

34

94

34

94

Lapwings and Plovers   Charadriidae

Oystercatchers   Haematopodidae

35–37

96–100

Sandpipers and Allies   Scolopacidae

37–43

100–112

Skuas and Jaegers   Stercorariidae

44–45

114–116

Gulls   LariNae

46–49

118–124

Terns   sterninae

50–53

126–132

53

132

Skimmers   Rynchopidae Pigeons and Doves   Columbidae

54–57

134–140

Macaws and Parrots   Psittacidae

58–60

142–146

Cuckoos   Cuculidae

61–62

148–150

63

152

63–64

152–154

65

156

65–66

156–158

66

158

Swifts   Apodidae

66–67

158–160

Hummingbirds   Trochilidae

68–70

162–166

Trogons   Trogonidae

71

168

Motmots   Momotidae

72

170

Jacamars   Galbulidae

72

170

Barn Owls   Tytonidae Owls   Strigidae Oilbird   Steatornithidae Nightjars and Nighthawks   Caprimulgidae Potoos   Nyctibiidae

Toucans   Ramphastidae

72

170

Kingfishers   Alcedinidae

73–74

172–176

Woodpeckers   Picidae

75

176

Ovenbirds   Furnariinae

76

178

Woodcreepers   Dendrocolaptinae

77

180

78–79

182–184

80

186

81–89

188–204

89

204

Antbirds   Thamnophilidae Antthrushes and Antpittas   Formicariidae Tyrant Flycatchers   Tyrannidae Tityras and Becards  Tityridae

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Cotingas   Cotingidae

90

206

Manakins   Pipridae

90

206

Vireos   Vireonidae

91

208

92–93

210–212

Wrens   Troglodytidae

94

214

Gnatwrens   Polioptilidae

94

214

Mockingbirds   Mimidae

94

214

Swallows and Martins   Hirundinidae

Wagtails   Motacillidae

94

214

Thrushes   Turdidae

95–96

216–218

Tanagers   Thraupidae

97–99

220–224

Bananaquit and Tiaris Grassquits  Incertae Sedis

99–100

224–226

Seedeaters and Allies   Emberizidae

100–103

226–232

Cardinal Grosbeaks and Allies   Cardinalidae

103–105

232–236

104

234

Saltators   Incertae Sedis New World Warblers   Parulidae

106–110

238–246

New World Blackbirds   Icteridae

111–114

248–254

Waxbills and Allies   Estrildidae

114

254

Old World Sparrows   passeridae

114

254

Finches   fringillinae

115

256

Euphonias   Euphoniinae

115

256

Official Checklist Of The Birds Of Trinidad & Tobago

258

Trinidad & Tobago Rare Birds Committee

264

Index

266

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INTRODUCTION Located on the continental shelf of NE South America, the tropical islands of Trinidad & Tobago are host to an exceptionally rich and diverse avifauna. Their close proximity to South America brings additional species visiting from the continental mainland. Situated at the southern end of a migratory flyway, which follows a stepping-stone chain of islands between N & S America, migrants from N America have also been recorded, whilst Eurasian and African vagrants have crossed the Atlantic Ocean, assisted by either trade winds or ships. Finally, human activities have altered the native avifauna, causing the extirpation of several species of birds through habitat destruction and trapping, and introducing numerous exotic species. Trinidad & Tobago have long been a popular birding destination for visiting birders who enjoy the sheer abundance of birds and relative ease of access to a diversity of habitats. Birding, the hobby of searching for and identifying birds, and ornithology, the scientific study of birds, are both rapidly growing in popularity. They are challenging pursuits based upon the accurate identification of birds. The chief purpose of this guide, therefore, is to provide a portable tool equipping birders and ornithologists alike with the information required to accurately identify birds in the field. Consequently, we have illustrated and described every species known to occur naturally or to have been successfully introduced to Trinidad & Tobago up to mid2010. The vast majority of the illustrations have been taken from Birds of Northern South America: An Identification Guide (Restall et al. 2006), but some 500 new images have been replaced or added as necessary; in our everchanging taxonomic world, it is important that the correct subspecies occurring on the islands are depicted. The text for the field guide is new, but because of inherent space constraints we have limited the text for each species to the most essential information to identify a bird. This does not imply that study of the natural history of each species is less important than identification, but rather that it is simply beyond the scope of this book. We fervently hope this field guide will inspire others, especially local residents, to carefully study and document the status and natural history of the birds of Trinidad & Tobago, thereby augmenting our scientific knowledge. Obtaining such information is vital for implementing conservation strategies to preserve the rich but increasingly imperiled birdlife.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We acknowledge, with deep thanks and full appreciation, the help in various ways we received from the following people and institutions during the production of this book: Mark Berres, Stephen Bodnar, Kenny Calderon, Dave Cooper, Steven Easley, Jack Eitniear, Theodore Ferguson, Richard ffrench, Wordsworth Frank, Theodore Garnett, Newton George, Geoffrey Gomes, Brett Hayes, William Hayes, Cecilia Herrera, Adolphus James, Gladwyn James, Howard Kilpatrick, Guy Kirwan, the late Nedra Klein, Nigel Lallsingh, Keisha Lallsingh, Floyd Lucas, Charlie Madoo, the late James Madoo, Shawn Madoo, Tarran Maharaj, Tony Marr, William Murphy, Roger Neckles, John O’Neill, Sookdeo Ramdass, Carol Ramjohn, Dave Ramlal, Roodal Ramlal, Jogie Ramlal, Mahese Ramlal, Nigel Redman, Courtenay Rooks, Ishmaelangelo Samad, Bryan Sanasie, Chris Sharpe, Dave Smith, Kris Sookdeo, Neville Trimm, Graham White, the American Bird Conservancy, Amoco Trinidad Oil Company, Asa Wright Nature Centre, BirdLife International, British Petroleum, Caribbean Union College (now University of the Southern Caribbean), Center for the Study of Tropical Birds, Fauna & Flora International, Lincoln Park Zoo, Republic Bank Limited, Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd, University of the West Indies, and Trinmar Ltd. The plates were largely taken from Birds of Northern South America, and the task of re-composing the images to produce the plates for this book was again undertaken by Julie Dando. She also made many corrections onscreen and her skill, patience and professionalism in dealing with all the picky little comments from the authors is remarkable. She deserves special thanks and recognition. A very special thank you is long overdue to our patient and long-suffering wives, Petra, Mariela and Marta, for their tolerance, support and understanding throughout.

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GEOGRAPHY Trinidad and Tobago are continental islands that were formerly part of the South American continent. Indeed, a land bridge may have connected south-western Trinidad to the mainland as recently as 1,500 years ago, based on studies of fossil coral reefs off north-western Trinidad which could only have formed during more oceanic conditions than exist at present (Kenny 1995). Both islands were almost certainly connected to the continent during the last ice age, c. 10,000–14,000 years ago, when sea levels were considerably lower than now (Comeau 1991).

Trinidad

Trinidad is a relatively large ‘flake’ of South America, comprising 4,520 km2. It is separated from the Venezuelan mainland by the Gulf of Paria. At the northern end of the gulf, the north-western or Chaguaramas Peninsula of Trinidad is separated from the Paria Peninsula of Venezuela by the notorious Boca del Dragón or Dragon’s Mouth Strait. The Dragon’s Mouth is studded with a set of ‘teeth’ collectively referred to as the Bocas Islands, which comprises five major islands (Patos, Chacachacare, Huevos, Monos and Gaspar Grande) and many smaller islets. In the south of the gulf, the Columbus Channel separates the south-western or Icacos Peninsula of Trinidad from Venezuela by less than 20 km. Soldado Rock, a small islet, is situated off the tip of the Icacos Peninsula.

61.3°W



61.0°W

60.3°W

St Giles Is.

Main Ridge

Little Tobago

TOBAGO Galleon Passage 11.0°N

VENEZUELA Dragon’s

Mouth

Bocas Islands

Gulf of Paria

Northern Range

Atlantic Ocean

10.5°N

Central Range 700–925 m

T R IN ID A D

300–700 m 0–300 m

Serpent’s Mouth

Natural wetland

Trinity Hills

0

10

20

30

40

50 Km

Columbus Channel Major topograpical features of Trinidad and Tobago

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Trinidad possesses three distinct chains of mountains, each oriented west to east. The Northern Range is the highest, attaining a maximum height of 925 m, on Cerro del Aripo. The Central Range rises to just 308 m, at Mt Tamana, and the Southern Range reaches 304 m in the Trinity Hills. Extensive swamps occur at the mouths of rivers draining these uplands, including Caroni Swamp, Oropouche Lagoon and, formerly, Los Blanquizales on the west and south coasts, and Nariva Swamp on the east. High sediment loads along Trinidad’s coasts limit coral reefs to small, scattered patches off the north coast.

Tobago

Tobago is a 306 km2 island separated from Trinidad, to the south-west, by the 36 km-wide Galleon Passage. Several small islets, including St Giles Island, Goat Island and Little Tobago, are situated off Tobago’s northeast tip. Tobago is geologically related to the southern Caribbean Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, but has been displaced eastward. A single mountain range, the Main Ridge, forms the backbone of Tobago and attains a maximum height of 576 m on Centre Hill. The relatively flat south-west of Tobago comprises an ancient coralline platform uplifted above sea level. The only extensive swamps occur near the south-western tip of the island; remnants of Buccoo Swamp occur on the north side and Kilgwyn Swamp to the south. Coral reefs line the coasts of Tobago and are most extensive at Buccoo Reef in the south-west of the island.

CLIMATE Trinidad and Tobago are located c. 10–11°N of the equator, well within the tropics (Berridge 1981). Typical of tropical islands, temperature variation is relatively minor due to intense solar radiation throughout the year, combined with the buffering effects of high humidity and their oceanic setting. Temperatures are coolest during the northern winter, especially on clear nights in the dry season when humidity is lowest, and warmest in late spring, especially during sunny days late in the dry season. Mean temperatures are lowest during January (24.5°C/76°F at Piarco, Trinidad) and highest in May (26.6°C/80°F). Temperatures average slightly cooler during the northern summer because of frequent cloud cover and rainfall, and the buffering effects of high humidity during the wet season. In the tropics, moist air masses are warmed by direct sunshine and rise high into the atmosphere, where they cool and expand outward towards the poles. As the air masses cool, moisture condenses and gives way to precipitation. The inter-tropical convergence is formed by the conjunction of rising air masses, which shift north and south as the sun moves between the Tropic of Cancer in June and the Tropic of Capricorn

30

rainfall (cm)

25 20 15 10 5 0

J F M A M J J A S O N D month

Mean monthly rainfall on Trinidad, based on Berridge (1981).

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TOBAGO

>300 cm 250–300 cm 200–250 cm 150–200 cm