YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER   Dendroica coronata coronata

Length:  14cm (5.5 in). The “Myrtle” form of this warbler has white throat, a distinctive combination of yellow on the rump and sides of the breast that are present in all plumages except the young juvenile. The breeding male is blue-grey above with black streaks, a small yellow crown patch, white below with distinct black streaks that cover the upper breast and extend down the sides. The adult female, the non-breeding male and 1^st  winter juveniles are less bright, with brownish tones on the upper parts.

Yellow-rumped Warbler is a rare non-breeder that usually occurs in small groups in gardens, coastal dry forest and woodlands. They generally arrive in November and leave in March.

LESSER SCAUP   Aythya affinis

Local Names: Kanna Tèt Nwa

Length: 38–46cm (15–18 in).  The male has a dark head, hence the local name.  The dark head often shows a purplish sheen, but this is variable and not a reliable field mark. The breast, rump and tail are black.  The mantle is grey, sides white with faint vermiculations visible at close range.  The bill is pale blue with a black tip.  The female has dark brown upperparts, grey-brown breast and flanks, and is white below.  In winter, females have white facial patches at the base of the bill.  In flight, both sexes show a white wing stripe on the speculum, and dark grey primaries. A diving duck, it runs over the water to take off. They often dive if disturbed. 

Lesser Scaup are common in the non-breeding season, occurring in small flocks of 8 to 10 individuals, mainly in the Boriel's Pond, Vieux Fort.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD   Fregata magnificens

Local Name: Scissors

Length: 94–104cm (37–41 in). The long, deeply forked tail and long, narrow, pointed wings with sharp bend at the wrist, distinguishes Magnificent Frigatebird from other sea birds. The adult male is black with a red throat pouch that is inflated during courtship in the breeding season. The female is black with white breast; the immature is black with white head and breast.  The slender bill is hooked at the tip.  The wingspan is about 2.4m (8 ft).

They nest on the Frigate and Maria Islands, where they build a stick nest on a low bush, and lay one white egg. Breeding season is normally August to April.

Magnificent Frigatebird is a common breeding resident on the island and can frequently be seen soaring effortlessly in the air, sometimes at great heights, in the areas of Gros Islet, Pigeon Island, Castries Harbor, Vieux Fort, Dennery and Frigate Island. They feed in flight by snatching fish from the water’s surface or robbing other seabirds.

ROCK PIGEON   Columba livia livia

Local Name: Pigeon or Pegon

Length 32–34cm (13–14 in). The natural colour of the ancestral bird is grey, darkest on the head and neck (with some iridescence); two black wing bars, white rump, and dark tail tip.  Semi-domesticated birds show many colour variants, but usually retain the two black wing bars. The voice is a soft coo-cuk-cuk-cooo.

Rock Pigeon is a very common resident that occurs in both urban and rural areas.  They breed year round and nest in natural situations or in buildings where they lay two white eggs.

CLIFF SWALLOW   Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Local Name: Hirondelle Blanch

Length: 12.5–14cm (5–5.5 in).  Cliff Swallow has dark upperparts and a contrasting pale buff rump, narrow white streaks on the back, and a buff forehead.  The throat is rufous. The tail  is slightly notched.

Cliff Swallow is an uncommon migrant that occurs mainly around the coast.

BANK SWALLOW   Riparia riparia                     

Length: 12.5–14cm (5–5.5 in.) A small swallow, dark brown above and white below, with a dark band across the upper breast which contrasts with the white throat.   The breast band can be difficult to see.

This is a rare migrant that may occur in open areas, or perched on utility wires in urban areas

WILSON’S SNIPE  Gallinago delicata

Length: 27–29cm (10.5–11.5 in). This is a heavy-bodied, large-headed shorebird has a very long, straight, sturdy bill.  The head and dark upperparts have conspicuous buff stripes.  The buff breast and flanks are heavily spotted and barred; the belly is white.  The very short tail is brown and rust, with dark subterminal band, whitish sides and tip. The bill is dark; legs are greenish.  When startled, it  may escape with a zig-zag flight, and rough scaip call.

Wilson’s Snipe (formerly Common Snipe) is rare in the non-breeding season. They have been recorded at the Beausejour Sewage Pond, in Gros Islet and in the Vieux Fort area.

BARE-EYED THRUSH  Turdus nudigenis nudigenis

Local Name:  Grieve a Lunettes

Length: 23cm (9 in). The Bare-Eye Thrush (Bare-eyed Robin) is slightly smaller than the Scaly- breasted Thrasher.  It can be identified by its plain olive-gray upperparts, paler underparts and white throat with brown vertical streaks.  It has a conspicuous pale yellow eye-ring and yellowish bill.  The song is a loud, liquid, variable cheerily cheer-up cheerio, especially at dawn; also a miter-ee.

Bare-eyed Thrush feeds on fruits, berries and leaves; but also forages on the ground for insects, worms, etc.  The nest is a large cup of plant material lined with mud.   The breeding season is from late April to August; females lay 2-3 deep bluish-green eggs with reddish-brown spots.  Often there are two broods.

This thrush is a fairly common resident on St Lucia, occurring in secondary forest in the middle elevations as well as dry coastal forest.  It may also be seen along forested road edges

LITTLE BLUE HERON   Egretta caerulea

Local Name:  Crabier Noir

Length:  56–71cm (22–28 in).  Little Blue Heron is a medium-sized, long-legged wader.  The adults are uniform slate-blue-grey with a maroon or purple head and neck.  The bill is bluish with a black tip.  The immature is white in the early stage (can be mistaken for Snowy Egret) with blue-grey lores; they become mottled with the dark feathers as they gradually change to adult plumage.  The voice is gruuh.

Little Blue Heron is a common year round resident on the island and can be seen in almost all wetland habitats. 

CATTLE EGRET   Bubulcus ibis ibis

Local Name:  Garde Beuf, Crabier Beuf

Length:  48–64cm (19–25 in).  This is a relatively small egret with short, thick, yellowish bill. The breeding adult is white with buff on the crown, back and breast; the bill is orange-red, the legs are coral pink.  The eye is red; the skin around the eye is bluish-purple. In the non-breeding plumage the legs are black, the bill yellow and the buff on the head, back and breast is less conspicuous. The voice is a gruuh, gruuh.

It is the least shy, least aquatic of the herons. They are often seen along the roadside or on farmlands feeding on or around cows and where tractors are plowing.  They roost in large colonies in mangrove, and fly in formation to and from their roosts at dawn and dusk.  Nesting is in large in large colonies in mangroves, where they build a platform of twigs in a tree.  The breeding period is apparently year round; about three bluish-white eggs are laid.  Auberge Seraphine at Vigie and the mangroves at the end of the airport in Vieux Fort are two popular roosting and nesting sites.

Cattle Egret is an immigrant from the Old World, believed to have arrived in the Western Hemisphere on its own from Africa.  It was first noticed in South America in the late 1880s.  It is now abundant and widespread in North America.  Post-breeding wanderers have reached Canada and as far northwest as Alaska.

LITTLE EGRET   Egretta garzetta

Length:  55–65cm (22–25.5 in). Very similar to Snowy Egret.  In the breeding season the bird is completely white and usually has two long, narrow nape feathers in the breeding season. The bill and legs are black; feet yellow; lores are blue-grey most of the year, but reddish during the courtship period. 

Little Egret is a rare wanderer on the island. It has occurred in wetlands at Vieux fort and Cul de Sac.

SNOWY EGRET  Egretta thula brewsteri

Length:  51–71cm (20–28 in).  The “Snowy” is a small, slender, white egret with black legs, yellow feet and lores and thin, black bill.  During the breeding season, it has prominent plumes on the head, back and breast.  The legs of the immature are dark in front and greenish-yellow in back.  Can be mistaken for immature little Blue Heron, the “Little Blue” is larger, has bluish, dark-tipped bill, dark lores and greenish legs.  The voice is a harsh aahh.

Snowy Egret is common in the breeding season and occurs in the wetlands at Vigie, Cul de Sac and Vieux Fort.  Nesting is in large colonies in mangroves.  The nest is a platform of twigs in a tree; two to five greenish-blue eggs are laid.  The breeding season is from April to July, and in October

GREAT BLUE HERON  Ardea Herodias occidentalas

Length:  107–132cm (45–52 in).  The usual adult Great Blue Heron’s body is mostly blue-grey; the adult has a white head with sides of the crown and nape black; the large, straight bill is yellowish; the legs are dark.  The rarely-seen white morph is entirely white with yellow bill, greenish-yellow legs.

Great Blue Heron is the most common heron on the island in the non-breeding season, found in wetlands at Vieux Fort, Micoud and Cul De Sac. 

GREAT EGRET  Adrea alba egretta

Length:  89–107cm (35–42 in).   It is a large white egret with yellow bill and black legs and feet.   (The rare white form of Great Blue Heron is larger, with greenish-yellow legs.)  In the breeding season, it has long, lacy plumes down the back.  The voice is a hoarse croak.

Great Egret is common in the non-breeding season  on the island, occurring in wetlands at Vieux Fort and Cul De Sac.

GREEN HERON   Butorides virescens virescens

Length:  40–48cm (16–19 in). The adult of this small heron is multi-coloured, with a rich chestnut head and sides, black crown, bluish-green upperparts and wings and a pale streak below the eye, down the throat and underparts. The bill is dark.  The legs are bright orange in the breeding adult and greenish-yellow to yellow-orange in the immature.  The immature’s upperparts are dark and heavily streaked. The voice is a loud skouwp, especially when flushed; and a piercing kek, kek kak.

This small, usually solitary heron is a common resident of St Lucia’s wetland.

The nest is a platform of twigs built in trees where they lay three greenish-blue eggs. The breeding period is April to August.   

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON   Nyctanassa violacea bancrofti

Length:  56–71cm (22–28 in).  The adult is pale grey with black head, yellowish forehead, white crown and cheek patch.  Legs are yellow.  (Similar to Black-crowned Night-Heron, but is inclined to be more active during the day.)  The immature is slaty-brown with small spots on the upperparts, and steaks on the underparts.  The voice is a loud kwawk, higher-pitched than the Black-crowned Night-Heron.  In flight, the entire foot extends beyond the tail.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is a common year-round resident; mostly nocturnal and occurring in mangroves and rivers. The nest is a bulky platform of twigs in trees, often very far from wetlands. Breeding season is March to July; two or three bluish green eggs are laid.

BLACK CROWN NIGHT HERON    Nycticorax nycticorax hoactii

Local Name: Crabier do Noir.

Length: 58–71cm (23–28 in).  This is a medium-sized, stocky, short-billed, short-legged heron, usually with a little white just above the bill; black cap and back, pale grey wings, whitish underparts and a red eye.  The immature is dull grey-brown with many pale spots (larger than on immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron) on the upperparts and streaks on the underparts.  Only the toes extend beyond the tail in flight.  The voice is a loud, flat kwawk, heard at dusk or when flushed.  Generally nocturnal.

Black-crowned Night-Heron is uncommon in the non-breeding season, usually found in fresh water swamps at Cul De Sac, Grand Anse, Marquis and Vieux Fort.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO   Vireo flavifrons

Length:  12.5cm (5.5 in). It has yellow spectacles, two white wingbars and dark iris.  The chin, throat and breast are yellow, the crown and back are olive-green and rump grey. The song is a wheezy chee-wee, chee-woo, u-wee, chee-wee…….  Call a scolding chi-chi-chur-chur-chur-chur-chur.

The yellow-throated vireo is a very rare vagrant in St. Lucia; may be seen from September to April in many forest types, including natural forests, coastal scrub, woodlands, beach ridge forests and second growth.

According to Rafaele et al., the Yellow-throated Vireo is a solitary bird of the forest canopy, possibly occurring more frequently in the West Indies than records indicate.  It is likely overlooked due to being difficult to detect and its similarity to more common species.

RED-EYED VIREO   Vireo olivaceus

Length: 15cm (5.75 in). Red-eyed Vireo is distinguished by its red iris, olive upperparts, a grey cap and white eyebrow stripe, bordered by a black eyeline and crown stripe.  Similar to the Black-whiskered Vireo except for the black moustache stripe, buffier underparts and is duller green on the back and paler grey on the crown.

Red-eyed Vireo is a vagrant on the island. Usually silent in the West Indies except during its northward migration in April.  Call is a nasal, high-pitched chway.  The song consists of abrupt phrases separated by deliberate pauses, repeated many times.  Black-whiskered Vireo has a similar song, but with longer phrases.

BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO  Vireo altiloquus barbatulus

Local Name:  Chuck

Length: 15–16.5cm (5.75–6.5 in). This bird’s whitish eyebrow stripe, dark eyeline, black moustache stripe or “whisker” and absence of wingbars distinguish it.  However, it is best identified by its song, consisting of short, melodious three-syllable phrases, each a bit different and separated by a distinct pause. It responds well to “pishing.”

The Black-whiskered Vireo is a very common year-round resident in St. Lucia. It occurs in forests of all types and at all elevations, woodlands, mangroves, tall undergrowth and gardens. The nest is a cup of grass, covered with moss, pieces of bark and suspended from a branch typically in the canopy of a tall tree.  Two to three eggs are pinkish-white with spots concentrated at the broad end.  Breeds primarily in May and June.

ANTILLEAN EUPHONIA   Euphonia musica flavifrons

Local Name:  Bata Jacquot, Perruche

Length: 12cm (4.7 in).  This is a small but brilliantly coloured bird, with a distinctive sky-blue crown and hind neck.  The male is prominently greenish; the female is duller overall, but greenish above and yellowish-green below.  The rump and forehead are yellowish. The call is a variety of distinctive notes, including a rapid, subdued, almost tinkling ti-tit (sometimes one or three syllables) and a hard, metallic chi-chink.  Also a plaintive whee, like some Myiarchus flycatchers, but more melodious.  It also has a jumbled, tinkling song mixed with explosive notes.

This euphonia is easily overlooked despite its colourful appearance. The habitat is dense forest, from dry lowlands to wet mountain tops, particularly those with mistletoe. However, they often migrate to gardens during March to May where they feed on very small fruits just developing from the flowers. The Rain Forest Sky Ride at Chassin in the Castries Water Works Forest Reserve offers the best opportunity for seeing the euphonia in the canopy. Other locations include the Des Cartiers trail, Forestiere trail and Edmond Forest Reserve.

The breeding season is from January to July. The nest is domed with a side entrance, usually well concealed, built among tree epiphytes such as bromeliads and orchids, where females lay four white eggs spotted with mauve.

NORTHERN PARULA   Parula americana

Length:  10.5–12cm (4–4.75 in).  It is greyish-blue above with a greenish-yellow back, yellow throat and breast, white wing-bars and an incomplete white eye-ring.  The non-breeding adult and immature may have a faint black and reddish band across the breast.  The breeding male’s breast band is conspicuous.

Northern Parula is one of the most common migrant warblers in the West Indies, but has rarely been reported in St. Lucia. Most reports have been in the Gross Islet area.

CAPE MAY WARBLER   Dendroica tigrina

Length: 12.5–14cm (5–5.5 in).  In all plumages, the heavy striping on the breast and yellowish rump help identify this bird.  Yellow on the face usually extends to the neck. The adult male’s chestnut ear-patch and striped underparts are distinctive; usually shows a large, white wing patch.   The adult female is duller, greyer; cheek greyish-olive; two narrow white wing bars. 

This migrant warbler is uncommon on the island and all reports have been in the Gross Islet area.

BLACKPOLL WARBLER   Dendroica striata

Length:  14cm (5.5 in).  The breeding male Blackpoll Warbler can be identified by a solid black cap and white cheek patch. The breeding female is duller overall. The two white wing bars and undertail coverts, faint side streaks and pale legs are very good identification marks.  Immatures and non-breeding adults can be difficult to identify. They are generally pale greenish-yellow below with dusky streaking on the sides. Legs are pale on the front and back, and dark on the sides.  The call is a series of thin, high-pitched tseet notes.

Blackpoll Warbler is an uncommon migrant that occurs on the island mainly during the months of October and November as they move southward from North America, past the Lesser Antilles to central South America.   Habitat includes mangroves, brush, scrub forests, open areas with scattered trees and mixed woodlands.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER   Miniotilta varia

Length:  14cm (5 in). The entire body is striped black-and-white, more broadly striped on the head and crown.  The male has a black cheek patch.

The Black-and-White Warbler is rare in the non-breeding season in St Lucia. It can be easily identified because it is the only warbler that habitually climbs upward or downward on tree trunks and creeps along branches.  Reported sightings are mainly in high elevation forest.

BANANAQUIT   Coereba flaveola martinicana

Length:  10–12.5cm (4–5 in).  The Bananaquit’s curved bill, white eyebrow stripe and wing spot; along with the yellow breast, belly and rump identify it.  It is a very common bird that occurs in virtually all habitats on the island. They pierce the base of flowers to steal nectar (its primary food), and also feed on a variety of fruits including bananas and mangoes. The C. f. martinicana subspecies is endemic to Martinique and St. Lucia.

The nest is globular, constructed of grass and fine plant fibers, in which the female lays two to four whitish eggs, with a reddish tint and brown flecks.  Most breeding occurs from March to June.

BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT   Tiaris bicolour

Local Name:  Si-si Zeb

Length:  11cm (4 in).  The male has black head and underparts; the female is brownish-olive overall.  The voice is an emphatic buzz.  It is the smallest finch on the island and a very common resident, frequently seen feeding on grass seeds along roadsides and in any open area with grass and shrubs.

The nest is domed with an entrance in the side or bottom, in which the female lays three to four whitish eggs, heavily flecked with reddish-brown at the broad end.  Breeds the year-round.

GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH   Sicalis luteola

Length:  12cm (5 in).  In the male the upperparts are pale yellow, heavily streaked with blackish; underparts and rump yellow. The female is similar to the male, but duller.

The Grassland Yellow Finch is a resident species that probably recently colonized the island.  It is presently restricted to the Vieux Fort area in the south. They are commonly seen perching on the fence of Hewanorra International Airport.    

The nest is a cup of woven grass built on the ground, in which the female lays about four white eggs (sometimes washed with blue or green), and heavily spotted with brown.  Breeds primarily from February to June, but may breed year-round.

LESSER ANTILLEAN SALTATOR   Saltator albicollis albicollis

Local Name:  Gros-bec

Length:  22 cm (8.5 in).  Adult upperparts are dull green with whitish eyebrow stripe, black bill with an orange-white tip; underparts streaked with olive-green and black moustache stripe.  The immature has duller facial markings and breast streaks.

Lesser Antillean Saltator is a common resident on St Lucia.  It can be seen in second growth, dry scrub and forest edge undergrowth at lower to mid-elevations.  The S. a. albicollis subspecies is endemic to Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia.

The nest is a deep cup of twigs and leaves built in a bush or low tree, where they lay two to three light greenish-blue eggs marked with black scrawls and blotches at either end.  Breeds from April to July.

SHINY COWBIRD    Molothrus bonariensis minimus

Local Names:  Merle de Barbade

Length:  18–20 cm (8 in).  This is a medium-sized dark bird with a conical bill.   The male is uniformly glossy black with a purplish sheen; the female is greyish-brown above and lighter brown below.  Has a faint eyebrow stripe; the iris is dark brown.  (It is similar to the Carib Grackle but the grackle is much larger with longer, heavier bill, yellowish-white iris and V-shaped tail.) 

The song consists of one or more whistles, followed by melodious trill.  Also a variety of short call notes.

The Cowbird is a brood parasite that commonly resides in the lowlands and can be seen in very large flocks near farming areas. They build no nest; the female lays her eggs in the nests of other species, such as the St. Lucia Oriole, to be hatched and reared by the foster parents.  The eggs vary greatly in colour and marking, being white, light blue or light brown in base colour, and unmarked to heavily speckled with reddish-brown, especially at the broad end.  Breeds from March through to July.

The minimus subspecies of Shiny Cowbird has rapidly spread northward from Venezuela, through most of the Antilles, and into the United States.  It reached St. Lucia in 1931 (Jaramillo and Burke 1999).

RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD  Phaethon aethereus

Local Names:  Trios woo

Length:  Including tail plumes, 91–107cm (36–42 in); without plumes 46–51cm (18–20 in). Red-billed Tropicbird is generally white overall with black barring on the back, long tail plumes and a red bill.  The immature lacks long tail plumes; bill yellowish, ringed with black near tip; back barred with a black band across the hind neck. 

Red-billed Tropicbird can commonly be seen around sea cliffs at Moule-a-chique and Maria Islands in the south end of St. Lucia during the breeding season, November to May.  They nest in rock crevices on Maria Island and sea cliffs at Moule-a-chique, where they lay one egg that varies from whitish-buff to reddish-brown, with brownish or purplish-brown blotches. 

WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD   Phaethon lepturus

Length: Including tail plumes, 81cm (31 in); without plumes, 37–40 cm (15–16 in). The adults are white overall with long tail feathers and heavy black stripes on the upper wing and outermost primaries.  Bill is yellow or orange. 

Occurs mainly at sea but can be seen when the birds visit sea cliffs to nest from about March to July. They nest in rock crevices on Maria Island and sea cliffs at Moule-a-chique, where they lay one egg which is heavily spotted with dark brown. 

MOCKINGBIRD  Mimus gilvus antilarum

Local Name:  Pied Carreau

Length:  24cm (9 in).  It can be identified by its grey upperparts and head; blackish eyeline, with white eyebrow stripe. The wings are darker than the back, with two wingbars.  The tail is long and conspicuously tipped with white. The voice is repeated couplets of musical whistles and phrases lasting several seconds, and a harsh, chuck alarm call.

The Tropical Mockingbird is a very common resident on St. Lucia. The habitat is mainly croplands, around human habitation, and the dry coastal scrublands. The nest is rough cup built in a bush or tree, where they lay four greyish-green eggs, heavily marked with reddish-brown. Breeds from February to June.

BARN SWALLOW   Hirundo rustica

Local Names:  Hirondelle Roux

Length:  15–19cm (6–7.5 in).  Barn Swallow can be identified by the dark blue-black upperparts, tan underparts, dark reddish-brown throat and forehead, deeply forked tail with white spots and bi-coloured underwing. The immature’s throat and upper breast are tan; underparts white. The tail is less deeply forked than the adult’s.

The Barn Swallow is a common migrant on the island, primarily from September to October, and April to May. They can be seen in flocks zigzagging over open areas such as fields and swamps, or perched on utility wires, primarily along the south coast.  The voice is a thin unmusical chit.

GRAY KINGBIRD   Tyrannus dominicensis vorax

Local Name:  Pipirite

Length: 22–25cm (8.5–10 in).  It can be identified by the grey upperparts, pale greyish white underparts with a distinct dark mask extending under eye, and a slightly notched tail.  The small yellow orange patch on crown is rarely visible.  The call is loud, emphatic pi-tirr-ri; the song is a more musical, six-syllable variation of the call, pi-ti-réee, pi-ti-rro.  Also a sharp peet, burr, and tire.

The Gray Kingbird is very common on the island.  They can be seen on various exposed perches, such as telephone lines and bare tree tops, where they feed on insects captured by sallying from the perch. They are mainly found at low to medium elevation, nearly everywhere on the island; this is one bird you cannot miss. They are very adaptable and can be seen at night feeding on insects around street lights and other outdoor lamps.

The nest is an open structure crudely constructed of twigs and usually sparsely lined with finer materials.  It is built in trees, shrubs and man-made structures. Females lay two to four pink to reddish eggs, heavily marked at one end with irregular blotches.  Breeds mainly from April to June.

CARIBBEAN ELAENIA     Elaenia martinica martinica

Local Name:  Piole

Length: 15.5–18cm (6–7 in).  Olive-grey above with two whitish wingbars; throat and lower belly whitish with a light yellowish wash; breast pale grey; bill dark with a pinkish lower mandible.  Suggestion of slight crest; the bird displays its whitish-yellow crown patch when agitated. The call is a repetitious jui-up, wit-churr. The last syllable is softest and appears to be caused by rattling of the bill.  Song is a longer drawn out pee-wee-reereeree. 

Caribbean Elaenia, Elaenia martinica martinica, (a Lesser Antillean Regional Endemic) is a common and widespread species found in many different treed habitats including woodland, scrub and rainforest.

The nest is a flimsy, shallow cup of twigs built in a shrub or tree to 9m (30 ft.) above the ground, where they lay two to three pinkish-orange eggs with dark markings at the broad end.  Breeds primarily from January to September.

BELTED KINGFISHER   Ceryle alcyon

Length:   28–36cm (11–14 in).  The kingfisher can be identified by its large bill, greyish blue crest, rattling call and habit of diving for small fish. The male has a single blue-grey breast band; the female has two breast bands, one blue-grey and one rufous. The call is a loud rattle.

This species is uncommon in the non-breeding season on the island; it can sometimes be found near calm bodies of water, both saline and fresh.  They perch in trees, on low branches, posts and sticks; they often hover before plunging into the water after prey

ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD   Orthorhyncus cristatus exilis

Local Names:  Fou-Fou

Length:  8.5–9.5cm (3.25–3.75 in).  The male can be identified by the pointed greenish iridescent crest, green upperparts and pale grey underparts. The female is similar, but without the crest. The voice is a combination of emphatic notes usually including a pitchew, like a ricocheting bullet.

This is a common species occurring at all elevations in forested and garden areas.  It is a very small bird that can be seen feeding on nectar in flowering plants.

The nest is a tiny cup of cotton or fine fibers with lichens coating the exterior, and firmly bound together with spider webs. The female lays two to three white eggs.  Breeds year round, but primarily from January to August.

GREEN-THROATED CARIB   Eulampis holosericeus holosericeus

Local Name:  Colibri Vert

Length: 11cm (5 in).  The hummingbird’s large size, slightly down-curved bill and iridescent green breast that often appears black in poor light, are important identification marks. The blue breast mark at the lower edge of the iridescent green is discernible only under ideal conditions. The voice is a sharp chewp.

Green-throated Carib is a common resident on the island and can be seen feeding on nectar of flowering plants in gardens as well as scrub forest and woodlands. They are absent from the rainforest.

They build a tiny cup-shaped nest with lichens lining in the exterior, placed in the fork of a twig, 2–9m (7–30 ft.) above the ground; two white eggs are laid.  Generally breeds from March to mid-July.

PURPLE-THROATED CARIB      Eulampis jugularis

Local Names:  Colibri Rouge, Madeir

Length: 11.5cm (4.5 in).  It is a large hummingbird with a down-curved bill and distinguished by its emerald green wings and purplish-red throat. The throat appears black in poor light.  A very interesting sexual dimorphism in this hummingbird is manifested in the bill curve; the male has a moderately down-curved bill; the female has a longer and more sharply down-curved bill. This phenomenon suggests ecological separation, where male and female feed in different flowering plants. The voice is a sharp chewp, repeated rapidly when the bird is agitated.

Purple-throated Carib, Eulampis jugularis (a Lesser Antillean Regional Endemic) is a widely occurring hummingbird in the rainforests and banana plantations in the interior of the island. 

The female lays two white eggs in a cup-shaped nest hung in a fork of a small branch, often high above the ground, 3–18m (10–60 ft).  Breeds from January to July.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK    Buteo platypterus rivierei

Local Name: Malfini

Length: 35–41cm (14–16 in).   This is a medium-sized hawk; the tail is boldly banded (black-white-black) of almost equal widths but with a very narrow white terminal band; underparts with reddish-brown barring.  In the immature, the underparts are white, heavily streaked with dark brown; tail bands are more numerous, finer and less distinct than the adult’s.  The voice is a thin, shrill squeal, pweeeeeee.

Broad-winged Hawk is a widely distributed resident, often seen soaring above the forest canopy.  The rivierei subspecies is a regional endemic, occurring on Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia.

They build a bulky nest of sticks and leaves, lined with bark strips and other vegetation, where they lay two to four dull creamy white eggs, usually marked with brown.  Breeds from January to June. 

OSPREY   Pandion haliaetus carolinensis and Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi

Local Name: Malfini la Mer

Length: 5–6cm (21–24 in).  The widespread migratory race, P. h. carolinensis, which breeds in North America south to Florida and Gulf of California is identified by its white head with a dark bar behind the eye, and by contrast of its primarily white underparts and dark upperparts.  The resident race, P. h. ridgwayi, of the Bahamas, Cuban cays, Yucatan and Belize, somewhat sedentary, is smaller than carolinensis, has a whiter head with only a trace of an eye-lline and very little streaking on the chest (Raphael et al.)  In flight the wings are characteristically bent at the wrist, and the bird appears white below, with a dark wrist patch. 

The Osprey occurs mainly in coastal areas, primarily from September to April.  The nest is large bulky mass of twigs constructed in a tree, where they usually lay two to three creamy white eggs with shades of light tan, and drab brownish blotches.  Breeds from April to June. 

There is one breeding record (two young) of P. h. ridgwayi for St. Lucia, in the month of April, around 2006, at Savannes Bay, Vieux Fort.

MERLIN   Falco columbarius columbarius

Local Name:  Grigri Morne

Length: 25–34cm (10–13.5 in).  This small migratory falcon can be identified by its dark grey upperparts in the male; dark brown in the female. The underparts are heavily streaked; the tail is barred with black.  In flight they exhibit aggressiveness, great speed and agility; pointed wings and long, narrow tail.  It is slightly larger than the more familiar American Kestrel

This bird occurs along the coast as well as in the forest at high elevation.  Rare in the Lesser Antilles.

AMERICAN KESTREL   Falco sparverius caribaearum

Local Names:  Grigri Poulet

Length:  23–30cm (9–12 in).  This species’ small size, reddish-brown back, reddish tail with a broad black terminal band and two vertical black facial bars (are distinctive. The male’s wings are blue-grey; the female’s are reddish-brown.  The voice is a high-pitched killi-killi-killi.  

The American Kestrel is a common resident that occurs primarily in towns and around other human habitation on the island. They also occur in coastal forest and on the edge of the rainforest. 

The kestrel is a cavity nester, choosing buildings, electrical poles and in tree cavities where they lay two to four brown eggs, flecked with tan.  Breeds from January to August. 

LESSER ANTILLEAN SWIFT     Chaetura martinica

Local Names:  Hirondelle

Length: 11cm (4.25 in). This is a small swift, dull brownish-grey overall with a grey rump, dark grey underparts and very short grey tail. The Lesser Antillean Swift is a uncommon resident, occurring primarily over forests at high elevation.  Chaetura martinica is a regional endemic confined to Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia and St. Vincent; it has been recorded as vagrant on Nevis.

The nest is a half-cup of twigs glued with saliva to a vertical surface of a hollow tree or cave, in which they lay three white eggs.  Breeds in May and June. 

MANGROVE CUCKOO   Coccyzus minor                     

Local Names:  Coucou Manioc

Length: 28–30cm (11–12 in).   It can be identified by its slender body, with a long white-tipped tail and long, down-curve bill which is yellow at the base.  It has a black cheek patch and buff-coloured underparts.  The voice is a slow nasal ka-ka-ka-ka-kow, kow, kow.   A common resident cuckoo occurring at all forested habitats on the island.

The Mangrove Cuckoo builds a flimsy stick nest in a tree, where they lay two blue eggs.  Breeds from February to June.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO   Coccyzus americanus

Length: 28–32cm (11–12.5 in).  This species can be distinguished by its completely white underparts and absence of black on the cheek.  It has a long white-tipped tail and long down-curved bill that is yellow at the base. It resembles the Mangrove Cuckoo, but is smaller; lacks the black cheek patch and buff-colored underparts of the Mangrove Cuckoo.

The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo is a rare transient, occurring in lowland scrub and dry forests in September and October, and in March and April.

RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE    Geotrygon montana martiinica

Local Name:  Perdrix Rouge

Length: 25cm (10 in).  The male is predominantly reddish brown with a conspicuous light buff stripe beneath the eye. The female is browner, less reddish and with a less pronounced facial stripe than the male.  Somewhat similar to the Bridled Quail-Dove, but smaller. The voice is a mournful coo that gradually fades in strength. The call is ventriloquial, making the bird more difficult to locate.  

The Ruddy Quail Dove, Geotrygon montana martinica (a Lesser Antillean Regional Endemic) is a common resident on the island.  Ground-dwelling, it is much more often heard as it flies away than seen because they blend in very well in their habitat. Primarily found in the dense Forest Reserves of Quilesse, Edmond Forest and Castries Water Works Reserve. They are less frequent in the coastal dry forest.

The nest is built of loose twigs and leaves, usually constructed in low trees and shrubs of the rainforest and sometimes on the ground.  They lay two light buff-colored eggs.  Breeds from February to August.

BRIDLED QUAIL-DOVE   Geotrygon mystacea

Local Name:  Perdrix Croissant

Length:  30cm (12 in).  Bridled Quail-Dove can be identified by the pronounced white streak below the eye, brown upperparts (except for crown and neck) and buffy-brown underparts. The hind neck of the male is iridescent reddish-green-brown.  The female is less iridescent on the hind neck and upper back compared to the male.  The voice is a mournful, short who-whooo on one pitch; or longer, descending and trailing off towards the end.

This large glossy to iridescent, very secretive ground-dwelling dove is more often heard than seen. They are an uncommon resident on the island, occurring in coastal dry forest and in the rainforest of Quilesse, Edmond Forest and Forestiere.

The nest is made of twigs, usually built at a low height, where they lay two pinkish-buff eggs.  Breeds primarily from May to July and to a lesser extent from October to December.

COMMON GROUND DOVE   Columbina passerina antillarum

Local Names:   Zotolan

Length:  15–18cm (5.75–7 in).  This is the smallest dove on the island; about the size of a sparrow.  The male has a bluish-grey crown and hind neck; pinkish tint on the underparts; the female is more uniformly grey overall. In flight one can see flashes of a reddish brown wing patch. The voice is a repeated co-coo, co-coo, co, or a staccato hoop, hoop, hoop.

They are common residents; primarily ground-dwelling. They forage on seeds in open areas close to the cover of gardens and coastal scrub and woodlands.

The nest is constructed of grasses or twigs, placed in a bush, tree or on the ground, where they lay two glossy white eggs.  Breeds year-round with a peak in May and June.

EARED DOVE   Zenaida auriculata

Local Names:   Touterelle Ortolan

Length:  22–25cm (8.5–10 in).  A medium-sized dove.  The adults are grey-brown above with a few small black spots on scapulars; sides of neck golden with a metallic purple patch; underparts brown; reddish brown tips to outer feathers of the short tail. They are often mistaken for the Zenaida Dove, but lack the distinguishing white in wings or tail of the Zenaida.  The voice is a soft ooa-oo, u-ooa-oo, similar to the call of the Zenaida Dove, but shorter.

The Eared Dove is a common resident but only on southern end of the island.  They can be seen around Hewanorra International Airport, in the open fields near wetlands and roadsides. 

The nest is loosely built of sticks, placed in a shrub, tree and on the roof of a building, in which they lay two white eggs.  Breeds most of the year, from December to September.

ZENAIDA DOVE   Zenaida aurita

Local Names:   Tourterelle

Length: 25–28cm (10–11 in).  It is a stocky brown dove with somewhat iridescent cinnamon about the head and neck. They can be distinguished from the Eared Dove by the narrow white band on the trailing edge of the secondaries; and the rounded tail with broad white terminal band.  (Beware of confusion with the Eared Dove which has shorter tail lacking the white band, is darker below and has fewer black spots on the back.)  The voice is a gentle cooing, coo-oo, coo, coo, coo, with the second syllable rising sharply. 

Zenaida Dove is a common resident in open woodlands, scrub, gardens and coastal areas.

The nest is a thin platform of twigs built in a bush or tree, in which they lay two white eggs.  The breeding season is variable, occurring year round in urban areas.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE   Streptopelia decaocto

Length:  28–30cm (11–12 in).  It is a medium sized, very pale grey-buff dove, with dark primaries and a narrow black collar around hind neck.  Its short legs are red.  The iris is reddish but from a distance appears black and contrasts with the uniformly pale head. The squared tail is longish with outer feathers broadly tipped white (obvious in flight when tail is spread); the closed tail looks almost white from below, contrasting with the ash-grey undertail coverts, the outer webs of which extend onto the tail.  The voice is a repeated three-syllable kuk-kooooooó-kup, with brief pauses between phrases; also a harsh, growling, un-dovelike krrreeew uttered when alighting and during conflicts or in display flight.

Eurasian Collared-Dove originated in Asia; spread into Europe in the1900s.  Young birds disperse widely after fledging; although some return to their original breeding areas, their dispersal habit has contributed to rapid expansion.  Introduced to the Bahamas (perhaps by accident) in the mid-1970s and is rapidly colonizing this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

 “A new kid on the block,” very rare in St. Lucia and restricted to the northern end of the island at present.  They were first sighted in the Gross Islet area in 2006, apparently arriving from the nearby island of Martinique.  It is gregarious and often found around human habitation.  May be seen perching on utility poles or rooftops.

SCALY-NAPED PIGEON   Columba squamosa

Local Names: Red-neck Pigeon, Ramier

Length:  36–40cm (14–16 in).   It is generally a dark slate-grey colour.  At close range the hind neck and breast have an iridescent purplish-red tint, hence the local name “Red-neck pigeon.” The bare skin above the eye is reddish in the males, and pale yellow to whitish in the females. The feet and bill are red. The voice is a distinctive and emphatic cruu, cruu-cru-cruuu, with the heaviest accent on the fourth syllable.

The Scaly-Naped pigeon is a common resident of the rainforest, in the interior, and the coastal dry forest on the island.  They build a frail stick nest in a tree, where they lay two glossy white eggs.  Breeds year-round, but principally from March to June.