See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
More a bird of the
Greater Antilles, the White-crowned Pigeon reaches the
northern Lesser Antilles islands of Antigua and Barbuda,
where it is quite common. (Photo by tour participant Greg
Griffith)
I hadn't run this tour for three years so I was a little bit curious about how things had changed on "the islands." I am always nervous about the connecting flights, lost baggage (LIAT don't let us down!), and general logistics on this logistically complicated tour. However, we seem to have it down to a science after years of practice, and LIAT has gotten better! It was a great tour in 2013.
We saw all of the Lesser Antilles' endemics very well including great looks at the tough ones: Grenada Dove (my closest and best encounter ever; and at the last minute!), Imperial Parrot (chasing a pair through the Syndicate forest and eventually having them right over our heads!), St. Lucia Black-Finch (at our feet; and it does have pink feet!), and White-breasted Thrasher (twelve, count 'em twelve! on the island of Martinique). It was an adventure and I want to thank this most excellent group for doing it with me.
I can't wait to see you all again.
--Jesse aka Mot (from Lima, Peru)
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for
individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I =
introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b =
boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
All four of the
endemic parrots of the region are considered either
"Vulnerable" or "Endangered" by Birdlife International,
though all 4 have been making comebacks thanks to local
conservation programmes. The population of St. Lucia
Parrot has rebounded to 300-500 from a low of about 100 in
the 1970's. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) – Good numbers on Barbados and Antigua.
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (Anas bahamensis) – This striking duck was seen well on
Antigua where pretty common.
MASKED DUCK (Nomonyx
dominicus) – Our local guide,
Eddie, took us to a small pond on Barbados where this
species was present. We saw a number of female-plumaged
individuals, but no males.
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura
jamaicensis) – By the
thousands on Antigua.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – On St. Lucia and Martinique.
Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)
RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (Phaethon aethereus) – Our first were distant on Guadeloupe
(Chateau Point), and again from the airplane as we landed in
Montserrat, but our best views were on Barbados.
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens) – The frigatebird colony at Codrington Bay
on Barbados was pretty cool. One of the largest Magnificent
Frigatebird colonies in the world (largest in the
Caribbean), a RAMSAR site, this site is home to more than
5000 pairs of breeding frigatebirds.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
BROWN BOOBY (Sula
leucogaster) – Especially
easy from the pier on Dominica, or the hotel on St. Vincent,
but seen well on several different islands.
RED-FOOTED BOOBY (Sula sula) –
One was seen briefly by a couple of us on St. Vincent.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus
occidentalis) – Numerous on
the islands north of St. Vincent.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus
exilis) – A pair seen at Coot
Pond on Martinique. This species is uncommon and local in
the Lesser Antilles.
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) – Many of the long-legged waders, including
this species, were seen on Antigua.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea
alba) – Barbados and Antigua.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta
garzetta) – A couple on
Barbados and again on Antigua. This species is now a regular
breeder on both of these islands.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta
thula) – Both Little and
Snowy egrets are on Barbados and Antigua where you need to
look carefully to tell them apart. They appear to hybridize
on Antigua as well.
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – Fairly common throughout LA.
Purple-throated
Caribs are interesting hummingbirds in that the females
have longer, more decurved bills than the males,
presumably allowing them to feed on different types of
flowers. (Photo by tour participant Greg Griffith)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus
ibis) – Found on every
island, seen every day of the tour.
GREEN HERON (Butorides
virescens) – Fairly common
throughout the Lesser Antilles' islands.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Singles on St. Lucia.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea) – Also seen on St. Lucia, but again on
Antigua.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
COMMON BLACK-HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus) – The only island where this species is
found is St. Vincent. We saw them well on both days.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (CARIBBEAN) (Buteo platypterus insulicola) – This subspecies is found on Antigua where
we saw one individual soaring over us during our walk around
Antigua Village Pond.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (CARIBBEAN) (Buteo platypterus rivierei) – This subspecies is found from St. Lucia
to Dominica where fairly common.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (CARIBBEAN) (Buteo platypterus antillarum) – Common on the southern islands of LA, but
not found on Barbados.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SORA (Porzana
carolina) – Singles on
Barbados and again on Martinique at Coot Pond.
COMMON GALLINULE (AMERICAN) (Gallinula galeata cerceris) – Fairly common throughout the Lesser
Antilles.
CARIBBEAN COOT (Fulica
caribaea) – One on Martinique
at the appropriately named "Coot Pond." This species has a
large white foreshield that is noticeable from a distance.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
The richly
colored St. Lucia Pewee was once considered a good species
on its own, but has recently been demoted and is now
treated as conspecific with Lesser Antillean Pewee. Don't
be too surprised if it gets split again someday! (Photo by
tour participant Greg Griffith)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) – Rare migrant on Barbados where we had two
individuals.
WILSON'S PLOVER (Charadrius wilsonia) – Several at the Antigua Village Ponds.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus) – On Barbados and Antigua.
KILLDEER (Charadrius
vociferus) – A couple were
seen on Barbados, our only ones for the trip.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – Numerous on Antigua.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – Seen on a number of different islands.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) – Seen on Barbados and again on St. Lucia.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – Common on Barbados (where they migrant
through in the tens of thousands) and again on Antigua.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – Slightly less common than the previous
species.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Seen on at least three islands.
SANDERLING (Calidris
alba) – Just a single bird on
Dominica.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla) – One on Barbados.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) – Very common on Barbados, but also at
Antigua Village Pond.
STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus) – One on Barbados in near breeding plumage.
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago
delicata) – One on Barbados.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus
atricilla) – Common
throughout the Lesser Antilles. Most were showing black
hoods.
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus
maximus) – Seen on several
islands starting in St. Vincent.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba
livia) – Seen on all the
islands. [I]
SCALY-NAPED PIGEON (Patagioenas squamosa) – One of the more common Caribbean
endemics. Seen on all the islands.
WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON (Patagioenas leucocephala) – Common around the hotel in Antigua.
Though more
numerous on St. Lucia, the rare White-breasted Thrasher is
generally easier to find on Martinique, where only about
200 birds survive. (Photo by tour participant Greg
Griffith)
ZENAIDA DOVE (Zenaida
aurita) – Also a very common
dove in the Lesser Antilles.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida
auriculata rubripes) – Seen
on Grenada and St. Lucia only.
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina) – Seen on most islands.
GRENADA DOVE (Leptotila
wellsi) – One of the most
difficult of the LA endemics to see. I was very saddened to
see the habitat continue to be fragmented, plus lack of
concern for noise pollution and many mongooses. However, we
did have an amazing encounter with one finally, my closest
encounter yet! [E]
BRIDLED QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon mystacea) – Seen very well on St. Lucia, but again on
Guadeloupe and Montserrat.
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (RUDDY) (Geotrygon montana montana) – Seen on St. Vincent in flight mainly.
Heard again on St. Lucia.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
MANGROVE CUCKOO (Coccyzus minor) – Seen or heard on most of the islands.
Common.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani) – Not real common, but seen on a couple of
different islands.
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (LESSER ANTILLES) (Tyto alba insularis) – Decent looks in flight on St. Vincent. We
looked for it again on Dominica, but no luck. This is a
potential split.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
RUFOUS NIGHTJAR (ST. LUCIA) (Antrostomus rufus otiosus) – Amazing looks at this nightjar on St.
Lucia, the only island in the Caribbean where it is found.
Very closely related to Chuck-wills-widow.
Apodidae (Swifts)
LESSER ANTILLEAN SWIFT (Chaetura martinica) – Fairly common from St. Vincent to the
north.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
PURPLE-THROATED CARIB (Eulampis jugularis) – Seen on every island between St. Vincent
and Montserrat.
Pearly-eyed
Thrasher is the most numerous of the 6 species of Mimids
present in the islands. (Photo by tour participant Greg
Griffith)
BLUE-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Cyanophaia bicolor) – This hummingbird is found on just a
couple of islands in LA. We saw it well on Martinique and
again on Dominica.
ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD (LESSER
ANTILLES) (Orthorhyncus
cristatus exilis) – We really
like the haircut on this guy. This subspecies was found from
St. Lucia north to Antigua.
ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD (ST. VINCENT)
(Orthorhyncus cristatus ornatus)
ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD (BARBADOS)
(Orthorhyncus cristatus cristatus)
ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD (GRENDINES AND
GRENADA) (Orthorhyncus
cristatus emigrans)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – Singles on several islands. An uncommon
wintering species.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GUADELOUPE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes herminieri) – The only woodpecker species in LA. Seen
well on Basse-Terre. [E]
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (EASTERN CARIBBEAN)
(Falco sparverius caribaearum) – One on St. Lucia and singles again on
Montserrat.
MERLIN (Falco
columbarius) – Seen a few
times on the trip.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
RED-NECKED PARROT (Amazona arausiaca) – A common endemic on Dominica, at least in
the humid highlands. [E]
ST. LUCIA PARROT (Amazona versicolor) – Always difficult to see requiring a good
hike into the highlands, but we saw it well including an
individual in the scope that perched just in front of us
overlooking the steep valley below. Awesome. [E]
ST. VINCENT PARROT (Amazona guildingii) – The Vincie is my favorite of the LA
parrots. Seen fairly well after the downpour from the
overlook in the Vermont hills. [E]
IMPERIAL PARROT (Amazona imperialis) – A great experience chasing two birds
through the forest. We eventually caught up with them as
they called loudly above us. The rarest of the LA parrots.
[E]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Given the
disjunct distribution of the beautiful Rufous-throated
Solitaire in the islands, there is a possibility it could
be split into two or more species one day. (Photo by tour
participant Greg Griffith)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster) – Found on Grenada and St. Vincent where
fairly common by its loud, screaming voice.
LESSER ANTILLEAN PEWEE (Contopus latirostris) – We had our only one on Basse Terre at the
car park for the Chuts de Carbet. That was a cloudy and
misty morning! With a recent taxonomic changes, the St.
Lucia Pewee (once considered a separate species) is lumped
back with Lesser Antilliean Pewee. We did see St. Lucia
Pewee very well at Grande Anse.
GRENADA FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus nugator) – This Myiarchus was seen well in the thorn
forest on Grenada, but also again on St. Vincent; the only
two islands it is found on.
LESSER ANTILLEAN FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus oberi) – St. Lucia and again on Dominica.
GRAY KINGBIRD (Tyrannus
dominicensis) – Every day;
every island.
Vireonidae (Vireos)
BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO (Vireo altiloquus) – Also quite common on all the islands,
except absent from Barbados. Both Gray Kingbirds and the
vireo are resident (non-migratory) in LA, but probably
supplemented with wintering birds from the north from Oct to
March.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
CARIBBEAN MARTIN (Progne dominicensis) – Seen on most islands.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo
rustica) – A few on the north
islands.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (CARIBBEAN) (Troglodytes aedon rufescens) – The House Wrens are quite interesting on
the islands; all deserve more research attention as they
represent potentially 4 new species. This subspecies was
seen on Dominica.
The tiny island
of Barbuda gained an endemic in 2000 when the Barbuda
Warbler was split from Adelaide's and St. Lucia warblers.
(Photo by tour participant Greg Griffith)
HOUSE WREN (CARIBBEAN) (Troglodytes aedon musicus) – The St. Vincent "House" Wren.
HOUSE WREN (CARIBBEAN) (Troglodytes aedon grenadensis) – The Grenada "House" Wren.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RUFOUS-THROATED SOLITAIRE (Myadestes genibarbis) – This beautiful species with an etherial
song was seen very well on Dominica and St. Lucia.
COCOA THRUSH (LESSER ANTILLEAN) (Turdus fumigatus personus) – Several seen on St. Vincent feeding on
Melastone berries from the wet lookout.
SPECTACLED THRUSH (Turdus nudigenis) – Fairly common from Grenada to Martinique.
RED-LEGGED THRUSH (EASTERN) (Turdus plumbeus albiventris) – Though now though to have been introduced
to Dominica from Puerto Rico via travelling Carib Indians,
this species is still nice to look out.
FOREST THRUSH (Turdus
lherminieri) – Decent looks
on Guadeloupe where we had several feeding on the road in
the early morning. We had better, but brief looks on
Montserrat.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus) – On several islands.
WHITE-BREASTED THRASHER (Ramphocinclus brachyurus) – Twelve (!!) was a record for me. Seen
very nicely on the island of Martinique. We missed it on St.
Lucia.
SCALY-BREASTED THRASHER (Allenia fusca) – This LA endemic was seen starting on St.
Lucia and found north to Montserrat.
PEARLY-EYED THRASHER (Margarops fuscatus) – Common on most of the islands; also found
in the Greater Antilles.
BROWN TREMBLER (Cinclocerthia
ruficauda) – This genus is
endemic to the Lesser Antilles. They really do tremble! Our
first was on St. Vincent and seen again well on Montserrat.
The distribution of this species is broken up through the
islands.
Whistling Warbler
is endemic to St. Vincent and is one of the most unique of
the Lesser Antillean specialties. Usually quite furtive
and tough to see well, this bird put on an amazing show
for the group! (Photo by tour participant Greg Griffith)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
WHISTLING WARBLER (Catharopeza bishopi) – One of our favorites. It responded so
well; my best and closest views ever! [E]
PLUMBEOUS WARBLER (Setophaga plumbea) – Another LA endemic first seen on
Guadeloupe and again on Dominica.
YELLOW WARBLER (GOLDEN) (Setophaga petechia bartholemica) – Seen on Antigua.
YELLOW WARBLER (GOLDEN) (Setophaga petechia melanoptera) – Seen on Guadeloupe and Dominica.
YELLOW WARBLER (GOLDEN) (Setophaga petechia ruficapilla) – This is the real different looking one we
saw on Martinique with the solid rufous head (like Mangrove
Warbler from the mainland, but all of these are "Golden"
Yellow Warblers). The Yellow Warbler complex is a bit
confusing, but doesn't seem to represent many species
despite differences in chestnut on the head.
YELLOW WARBLER (GOLDEN) (Setophaga petechia petechia) – On Barbados (the nominate race!).
BARBUDA WARBLER (Setophaga subita) – Fairly common in the dry scrub on
Barbados. Our last LA endemic! [E]
ST. LUCIA WARBLER (Setophaga delicata) – Found in a variety of habitats on St.
Lucia. [E]
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
LESSER ANTILLEAN TANAGER (Tangara cucullata) – We caught up with several on St. Vincent;
missed on Grenada.
BANANAQUIT (CARIBBEAN) (Coereba flaveola bartholemica) – Despite the variability in plumage and
song, all of the Bananaquits are considered on species. Most
of these island groups look the same, but vary in throat
color and some are all black! This subspecies was found from
Dominica north to Barbados.
BANANAQUIT (CARIBBEAN) (Coereba flaveola martinicana) – St. Lucia to Martinique.
BANANAQUIT (CARIBBEAN) (Coereba flaveola barbadensis) – On Barbados.
BANANAQUIT (CARIBBEAN) (Coereba flaveola atrata) – St. Vincent.
BANANAQUIT (CARIBBEAN) (Coereba flaveola aterrima) – Grenada, where we also had the all dark
morph a.k.a. the Rotten Bananaquits
BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris bicolor) – Common on most islands.
LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH (Loxigilla noctis ridgwayi) – This subspecies was seen on Antigua. It
is one of the more distinctive looking of the subspecies
being nearly all sooty black on the face. In general, the
trend is for males to show red throats and supraloral
regions in the south with a reduction in red as one moves
further north in the islands.
The handsome
Montserrat Oriole has been declining in part due to the
recent volcanic eruptions of the Soufriere Volcano, which
destroyed nests and breeding habitat. Current populations
could be as low as about 250 pairs. (Photo by tour
participant Greg Griffith)
LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH (Loxigilla noctis noctis) – Martinique.
LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH (Loxigilla noctis sclateri) – St. Lucia.
LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH (Loxigilla noctis crissalis) – St. Vincent.
LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH (Loxigilla noctis grenadensis) – Grenada.
BARBADOS BULLFINCH (Loxigilla barbadensis) – The only endemic on Barbados. Males and
females are nearly identical and difficult to separate in
the field. Why would they evolve to have the same plumage?
What is the selection? This group, the Loxigilla
bullfinches, are the closest relative to the Darwin finches
where plumage is also irrelevant in selection. Most
important? Bill sizes! [E]
ST. LUCIA BLACK FINCH (Melanospiza richardsoni) – A wonderful male was seen very close at
Grand Anse, a new location for me. I was happy we didn't
have to return to the first spot! [E]
LESSER ANTILLEAN SALTATOR (Saltator albicollis) – Fairly common on several islands; our
first on St. Lucia.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus
lugubris guadeloupensis) –
The grackle subspecies really differ in the appearance of
the females which range from dark to sooty gray. Also, the
male song can be quite different between the islands. This
subspecies was seen from Martinique north to Antigua.
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus
lugubris inflexirostris) –
St. Lucia.
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus
lugubris contrusus) – St.
Vincent.
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus
lugubris luminosus) –
Grenada.
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus
lugubris fortirostris) –
Barbados.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus
bonariensis) – Seen on at
least three different islands.
ST. LUCIA ORIOLE (Icterus laudabilis) – A nice looking oriole seen well on the
Des Cartiers Nature Trail. [E]
MONTSERRAT ORIOLE (Icterus oberi) – One of my favorites (and the groups!).
Thanks to Blacker and Scriber for taking us right to a nest
with a pair of adults. Very cool. [E]
MARTINIQUE ORIOLE (Icterus bonana) – Perhaps my favorite of all the endemics.
We caught up with this one in the moist highlands. It is
also found in the dry scrub near the coast (but we missed it
there; it is not so common in this habitat). [E]
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
ANTILLEAN EUPHONIA (Euphonia musica) [*]
MAMMALS
BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT (Tadarida brasiliensis) – On Grenada.
GREEN MONKEY (Cercopithecus
sabaeus) – Seen by a few on
Barbados. An introduced primate native to West Africa and
originally brought to the West Indies in the 17th-century
aboard slave ships.
ANTILLEAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta antillensis) – One on Dominica.
HUMPBACK WHALE (Megaptera
novaeangliae) – One breached
behind the boat on our ferry ride back from Barbados.
SMALL ASIAN MONGOOSE (Herpestes javanicus) – Lots on Grenada (sadly for the dove), but
also again on St. Vincent and St. Lucia. [I]
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 135 bird taxa and 5 mammal taxa