List of birds of Jamaica

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Jamaica. The avifauna of Jamaica includes a total of 324 species, of which 28 are endemic, 15 have been introduced by humans, and 160 are rare or accidental. 1 species listed is extirpated in Jamaica and is not included in the species count. 12 species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Jamaica.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

* (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Jamaica.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to Jamaica.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to Jamaica as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
* (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Jamaica although populations exist elsewhere.

Conservation status is highlighted as follows:

* (N) Near-threatened
* (V) Vulnerable
* (En) Endangered
* (CE) Critically endangered

__NOTOC__

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are a species of bird that are well adapted for the sea and for diving. They are found in many parts of the world, mostly on calm and safe waters. They resemble ducks and loons is their physical appearance, but they swim lower in water than ducks do. They have an ability to submerge themselves under water, a technique they use to escape an approaching danger or predator. Despite their prowess when swimming and on water, they are much less agile and waddle quite awkwardly on land, and they are fairly poor with their flying as well. [Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-grebe.html|title=Grebes|accessmonthday=23 April|accessyear=2007] There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Least Grebe "Tachybaptus dominicus"
*Pied-billed Grebe "Podilymbus podiceps"

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. [Cite web|url=http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/petrels.html|title=Shearwaters (Petrel information included)|accessmonthday=23 April|accessyear=2007] There are 75 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black-capped Petrel "Pterodroma hasitata" (A)(N)
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus" (A)
*Little Shearwater "Puffinus assimilis" (A)
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri" (A)

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus"
*Leach's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma leucorhoa" (A)

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Red-billed Tropicbird "Phaethon aethereus" (A)
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*American White Pelican "Pelecanus erythrorhynchos" (A)
*Brown Pelican "Pelecanus occidentalis"

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra" (A)
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula" (A)
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Double-crested Cormorant "Phalacrocorax auritus" (A)
*Neotropic Cormorant "Phalacrocorax brasilianus" (A)

Darters

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Anhingidae

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, 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 a 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. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Anhinga "Anhinga anhinga" (A)

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured 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. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Magnificent Frigatebird "Fregata magnificens"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Great Blue Heron "Ardea herodias"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Reddish Egret "Egretta rufescens" (A)
*Tricolored Heron "Egretta tricolor"
*Little Blue Heron "Egretta caerulea"
*Snowy Egret "Egretta thula"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Green Heron "Butorides virescens"
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax"
*Yellow-crowned Night-Heron "Nyctanassa violacea"
*Least Bittern "Ixobrychus exilis"
*American Bittern "Botaurus lentiginosus" (A)

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Wood Stork "Mycteria americana" (A)

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The 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. There are 36 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Jamaica.

*White Ibis "Eudocimus albus"
*Scarlet Ibis "Eudocimus ruber" (A)
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus" (A)
*Roseate Spoonbill "Platalea ajaja" (A)

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to convert|5|ft|m high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. 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 are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Caribbean Flamingo "Phoenicopterus ruber" (A)

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 24 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Fulvous Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna bicolor" (A)
*West Indian Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna arborea" (V)
*Black-bellied Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna autumnalis" (A)
*Snow Goose "Chen caerulescens" (A)
*Canada Goose "Branta canadensis" (A)
*Orinoco Goose "Neochen jubata" (A) (N)
*Wood Duck "Aix sponsa" (A)
*American Wigeon "Anas americana" (A)
*Gadwall "Anas strepera" (A)
*Green-winged Teal "Anas carolinensis" (A)
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos" (A)
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta" (A)
*White-cheeked Pintail "Anas bahamensis" (A)
*Blue-winged Teal "Anas discors"
*Cinnamon Teal "Anas cyanoptera" (A)
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata" (A)
*Canvasback "Aythya valisineria" (A)
*Redhead "Aythya americana" (A)
*Ring-necked Duck "Aythya collaris" (A)
*Greater Scaup "Aythya marila" (A)
*Lesser Scaup "Aythya affinis" (A)
*Bufflehead "Bucephala albeola" (A)
*Masked Duck "Nomonyx dominica"
*Ruddy Duck "Oxyura jamaicensis"

New World vultures

Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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. There are 7 species worldwide, all of which are found only in the Americas, and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black Vulture "Coragyps atratus" (A)
*Turkey Vulture "Cathartes aura"

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

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.

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Swallow-tailed Kite "Elanoides forficatus" (A)
*Snail Kite "Rostrhamus sociabilis" (A)
*Mississippi Kite "Ictinia mississippiensis" (A)
*Northern Harrier "Circus cyaneus" (A)
*Sharp-shinned Hawk "Accipiter striatus" (A)
*Broad-winged Hawk "Buteo platypterus" (A)
*Red-tailed Hawk "Buteo jamaicensis"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

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 feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Crested Caracara "Caracara cheriway" (A)
*Southern Caracara "Caracara plancus" (A)
*American Kestrel "Falco sparverius"
*Merlin "Falco columbarius" (A)
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

New World quails

Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. There are 32 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas, and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Northern Bobwhite "Colinus virginianus" (N)

Guineafowl

Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Helmeted Guineafowl "Numida meleagris" (I)

Limpkins

Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae

The Limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab brown plumage and a greyer head and neck.

*Limpkin "Aramus guarauna"

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black Rail "Laterallus jamaicensis" (A)
*Clapper Rail "Rallus longirostris"
*King Rail "Rallus elegans" (A)
*Uniform Crake "Amaurolimnas concolor" (Ex)
*Sora "Porzana carolina" (A)
*Yellow-breasted Crake "Porzana flaviventer"
*Spotted Rail "Pardirallus maculatus" (A)
*Purple Gallinule "Porphyrio martinica"
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*American Coot "Fulica americana"
*Caribbean Coot "Fulica caribaea" (N)

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in 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. There 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Northern Jacana "Jacana spinosa"

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*American Oystercatcher "Haematopus palliatus" (A)

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black-necked Stilt "Himantopus mexicanus"
*American Avocet "Recurvirostra americana" (A)

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Jamaica.

*American Golden-Plover "Pluvialis dominica" (A)
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Semipalmated Plover "Charadrius semipalmatus"
*Wilson's Plover "Charadrius wilsonia"
*Killdeer "Charadrius vociferus"
*Piping Plover "Charadrius melodus" (A) (N)
*Snowy Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus" (A)

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Wilson's Snipe "Gallinago delicata" (A)
*Short-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus griseus"
*Long-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus scolopaceus" (A)
*Marbled Godwit "Limosa fedoa" (A)
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Long-billed Curlew "Numenius americanus" (A) (N)
*Upland Sandpiper "Bartramia longicauda" (A)
*Greater Yellowlegs "Tringa melanoleuca"
*Lesser Yellowlegs "Tringa flavipes"
*Solitary Sandpiper "Tringa solitaria" (A)
*Spotted Sandpiper "Actitis macularia"
*Willet "Catoptrophorus semipalmatus"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus" (A)
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Semipalmated Sandpiper "Calidris pusilla"
*Western Sandpiper "Calidris mauri"
*Least Sandpiper "Calidris minutilla"
*White-rumped Sandpiper "Calidris fuscicollis" (A)
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina" (A)
*Stilt Sandpiper "Calidris himantopus" (A)
*Buff-breasted Sandpiper "Tryngites subruficollis" (A) (N)
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax" (A)
*Wilson's Phalarope "Phalaropus tricolor" (A)
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus" (A)

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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. There are 7 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus" (A)
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus" (A)
*Long-tailed Jaeger "Stercorarius longicaudus" (A)

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Ring-billed Gull "Larus delawarensis" (A)
*American Herring Gull "Larus smithsonianus" (A)
*Bonaparte's Gull "Larus philadelphia"
*Laughing Gull "Larus atricilla"
*Black-legged Kittiwake "Rissa tridactyla" (A)

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Gull-billed Tern "Sterna nilotica" (A)
*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia" (A)
*Sandwich Tern "Sterna sandvicensis"
*Royal Tern "Sterna maxima"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo" (A)
*Forster's Tern "Sterna forsteri" (A)
*Least Tern "Sterna antillarum"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Black Tern "Chlidonias niger"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"

kimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rynchopidae

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. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Black Skimmer "Rynchops niger" (A)

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia" (I)
*White-crowned Pigeon "Patagioenas leucocephala" (N)
*Scaly-naped Pigeon "Patagioenas squamosa" (A)
*Ring-tailed Pigeon "Patagioenas caribaea" (E) (V)
*Plain Pigeon "Patagioenas inornata" (N)
*Eurasian Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia turtur" (I)
*African Collared-Dove "Streptopelia roseogrisea" (I)
*Mourning Dove "Zenaida macroura"
*Zenaida Dove "Zenaida aurita"
*White-winged Dove "Zenaida asiatica"
*Common Ground-Dove "Columbina passerina"
*Caribbean Dove "Leptotila jamaicensis"
*Crested Quail-Dove "Geotrygon versicolor" (E) (N)
*Ruddy Quail-Dove "Geotrygon montana"
*Blue-headed Quail-Dove "Starnoenas cyanocephala" (I) (En)

Parrots, Macaws and allies

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Olive-throated Parakeet "Aratinga nana"
*Green-rumped Parrotlet "Forpus passerinus" (I)
*Yellow-billed Amazon "Amazona collaria" (E) (V)
*Black-billed Amazon "Amazona agilis" (E) (V)

Cuckoos and Anis

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black-billed Cuckoo "Coccyzus erythropthalmus" (A)
*Yellow-billed Cuckoo "Coccyzus americanus" (A)
*Mangrove Cuckoo "Coccyzus minor"
*Jamaican Lizard-Cuckoo "Saurothera vetula" (E)
*Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo "Hyetornis pluvialis" (E)
*Smooth-billed Ani "Crotophaga ani"

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

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. There are 195 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Jamaican Owl "Pseudoscops grammicus" (E)

Potoos

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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. There are 5 species, all of which are from the South American tropical region, and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Northern Potoo "Nyctibius jamaicensis"

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Common Nighthawk "Chordeiles minor" (A)
*Antillean Nighthawk "Chordeiles gundlachii"
*Chuck-will's-widow "Caprimulgus carolinensis" (A)
*Whip-poor-will "Caprimulgus vociferus" (A)

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black Swift "Cypseloides niger"
*White-collared Swift "Streptoprocne zonaris"
*Chimney Swift "Chaetura pelagica" (A)
*Antillean Palm-Swift "Tachornis phoenicobia"

Hummingbirds

Order: TrochiliformesFamily: 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. There are 337 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Jamaican Mango "Anthracothorax mango" (E)
*Red-billed Streamertail "Trochilus polytmus" (E)
*Black-billed Streamertail "Trochilus scitulus" (E)
*Vervain Hummingbird "Mellisuga minima"
*Ruby-throated Hummingbird "Archilochus colubris" (A)

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Belted Kingfisher "Ceryle alcyon"

Todies

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Todidae

Todies are a group of small near passerine forest species of endemic to the Caribbean. These birds have colourful plumage and resemble small kingfishers, but with flattened bills with serrated edges. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Jamaican Tody "Todus todus" (E)

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

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. There are 218 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Jamaican Woodpecker "Melanerpes radiolatus" (E)
*Yellow-bellied Sapsucker "Sphyrapicus varius" (A)
*Fernandina's Flicker "Colaptes fernandinae" (A) (V)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with 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. There are 429 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas and 15 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Jamaican Elaenia "Myiopagis cotta" (E)
*Greater Antillean Elaenia "Elaenia fallax"
*Western Wood-Pewee "Contopus sordidulus" (A)
*Eastern Wood-Pewee "Contopus virens" (A)
*Jamaican Pewee "Contopus pallidus" (E)
*Willow Flycatcher "Empidonax traillii" (A)
*Sad Flycatcher "Myiarchus barbirostris" (E)
*Dusky-capped Flycatcher "Myiarchus tuberculifer" (A)
*Rufous-tailed Flycatcher "Myiarchus validus" (E)
*Stolid Flycatcher "Myiarchus stolidus"
*Eastern Kingbird "Tyrannus tyrannus" (A)
*Gray Kingbird "Tyrannus dominicensis"
*Loggerhead Kingbird "Tyrannus caudifasciatus"
*Fork-tailed Flycatcher "Tyrannus savana" (A)
*Jamaican Becard "Pachyramphus niger" (E)

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Eurasian Skylark "Alauda arvensis"

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Purple Martin "Progne subis" (A)
*Caribbean Martin "Progne dominicensis"
*Tree Swallow "Tachycineta bicolor" (A)
*Golden Swallow "Tachycineta euchrysea" (A) (V)
*Northern Rough-winged Swallow "Stelgidopteryx serripennis" (A)
*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia" (A)
*Cliff Swallow "Petrochelidon pyrrhonota" (A)
*Cave Swallow "Petrochelidon fulva"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are 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. There are 54 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*American Pipit "Anthus rubescens" (A)

Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Ruby-crowned Kinglet "Regulus calendula" (A)

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*Cedar Waxwing "Bombycilla cedrorum" (A)

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 . There are 35 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Gray Catbird "Dumetella carolinensis" (A)
*Bahama Mockingbird "Mimus gundlachii"
*Northern Mockingbird "Mimus polyglottos"
*Pearly-eyed Thrasher "Margarops fuscatus" (A)

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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. There are 335 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Rufous-throated Solitaire "Myadestes genibarbis"
*Veery "Catharus fuscescens" (A)
*Gray-cheeked Thrush "Catharus minimus"
*Bicknell's Thrush "Catharus bicknelli" (A) (V)
*Swainson's Thrush "Catharus ustulatus" (A)
*Wood Thrush "Hylocichla mustelina" (A)
*Red-legged Thrush "Turdus plumbeus"
*White-eyed Thrush "Turdus jamaicensis" (E)
*American Robin "Turdus migratorius" (A)
*White-chinned Thrush "Turdus aurantius" (E)

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Black-billed Magpie "Pica hudsonia"
*Jamaican Crow "Corvus jamaicensis" (E)

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis" (I)
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris" (I)

Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Yellow-crowned Bishop "Euplectes afer" (I)
*Orange Bishop "Euplectes franciscanus" (A)
*Red Bishop "Euplectes orix" (I)

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Nutmeg Mannikin "Lonchura punctulata" (I)
*Black-headed Munia "Lonchura malacca" (I)

Vireos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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. There are 52 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Jamaica.

*White-eyed Vireo "Vireo griseus" (A)
*Jamaican Vireo "Vireo modestus" (E)
*Blue Mountain Vireo "Vireo osburni" (E) (N)
*Yellow-throated Vireo "Vireo flavifrons" (A)
*Blue-headed Vireo "Vireo solitarius" (A)
*Warbling Vireo "Vireo gilvus"
*Philadelphia Vireo "Vireo philadelphicus" (A)
*Red-eyed Vireo "Vireo olivaceus" (A)
*Black-whiskered Vireo "Vireo altiloquus"

New World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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. There are 119 species worldwide and 38 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Blue-winged Warbler "Vermivora pinus" (A)
*Golden-winged Warbler "Vermivora chrysoptera" (A) (N)
*Tennessee Warbler "Vermivora peregrina" (A)
*Orange-crowned Warbler "Vermivora celata" (A)
*Nashville Warbler "Vermivora ruficapilla" (A)
*Northern Parula "Parula americana"
*Yellow Warbler "Dendroica petechia"
*Chestnut-sided Warbler "Dendroica pensylvanica" (A)
*Magnolia Warbler "Dendroica magnolia" (A)
*Cape May Warbler "Dendroica tigrina"
*Black-throated Blue Warbler "Dendroica caerulescens"
*Yellow-rumped Warbler "Dendroica coronata"
*Black-throated Green Warbler "Dendroica virens" (A)
*Blackburnian Warbler "Dendroica fusca" (A)
*Yellow-throated Warbler "Dendroica dominica" (A)
*Pine Warbler "Dendroica pinus" (A)
*Prairie Warbler "Dendroica discolor"
*Palm Warbler "Dendroica palmarum"
*Bay-breasted Warbler "Dendroica castanea" (A)
*Blackpoll Warbler "Dendroica striata" (A)
*Cerulean Warbler "Dendroica cerulea" (A) (V)
*Arrow-headed Warbler "Dendroica pharetra" (E)
*Black-and-white Warbler "Mniotilta varia"
*American Redstart "Setophaga ruticilla"
*Prothonotary Warbler "Protonotaria citrea" (A)
*Worm-eating Warbler "Helmitheros vermivorus" (A)
*Swainson's Warbler "Limnothlypis swainsonii" (A)
*Ovenbird "Seiurus aurocapilla"
*Northern Waterthrush "Seiurus noveboracensis"
*Louisiana Waterthrush "Seiurus motacilla"
*Kentucky Warbler "Oporornis formosus" (A)
*Connecticut Warbler "Oporornis agilis" (A)
*Mourning Warbler "Oporornis philadelphia" (A)
*Common Yellowthroat "Geothlypis trichas"
*Hooded Warbler "Wilsonia citrina" (A)
*Wilson's Warbler "Wilsonia pusilla" (A)
*Canada Warbler "Wilsonia canadensis" (A)
*Yellow-breasted Chat "Icteria virens" (A)

Bananaquit

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Coerebidae

The Bananaquit is a small passerine bird. It has a slender, curved bill, adapted to taking nectar from flowers and is the only member of the genus "Coereba" (Vieillot, 1809) and is normally placed within the family Coerebidae, although there is uncertainty whether that placement is correct.

*Bananaquit "Coereba flaveola"

Tanagers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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. There are 256 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Scarlet Tanager "Piranga olivacea" (A)
*Summer Tanager "Piranga rubra" (A)
*Jamaican Spindalis "Spindalis nigricephala" (E)
*Jamaican Euphonia "Euphonia jamaica" (E)
*Red-legged Honeycreeper "Cyanerpes cyaneus" (A)

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as 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. There are species 275 worldwide and 11 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Yellow-faced Grassquit "Tiaris olivacea"
*Black-faced Grassquit "Tiaris bicolor"
*Yellow-shouldered Grassquit "Loxipasser anoxanthus" (E)
*Orangequit "Euneornis campestris" (E)
*Greater Antillean Bullfinch "Loxigilla violacea"
*Saffron Finch "Sicalis flaveola" (I)
*Lark Sparrow "Chondestes grammacus" (A)
*Grasshopper Sparrow "Ammodramus savannarum"
*Lincoln's Sparrow "Melospiza lincolnii" (A)
*White-crowned Sparrow "Zonotrichia leucophrys" (A)
*Dark-eyed Junco "Junco hyemalis" (A)

altators, Cardinals and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. There are 43 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Rose-breasted Grosbeak "Pheucticus ludovicianus" (A)
*Blue Grosbeak "Passerina caerulea" (A)
*Indigo Bunting "Passerina cyanea" (A)
*Painted Bunting "Passerina ciris" (A) (N)
*Dickcissel "Spiza americana" (A)

Troupials and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium, 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. There are 98 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Jamaica.

*Bobolink "Dolichonyx oryzivorus"
*Jamaican Blackbird "Nesopsar nigerrimus" (E) (En)
*Greater Antillean Grackle "Quiscalus niger"
*Shiny Cowbird "Molothrus bonariensis" (I)
*Jamaican Oriole "Icterus leucopteryx"
*Venezuelan Troupial "Icterus icterus"
*Baltimore Oriole "Icterus galbula" (A)
*Orchard Oriole "Icterus spurius" (A)

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*White-winged Crossbill "Loxia leucoptera"

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Jamaica.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus" (I)

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region
* [http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/plants_and_animals_in_jamaica.html Plants & Animals in Jamaica]

Notes

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=jm&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Jamaica
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 26 April
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880