List of birds of Saint Kitts and Nevis

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The avifauna of Saint Kitts and Nevis includes a total of 140 species, of which 93 are rare or accidental. 2 species listed are extirpated in Saint Kitts and Nevis and are not included in the species count.

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. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Saint Kitts and Nevis.

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 Saint Kitts and Nevis.
* (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Saint Kitts and Nevis although populations exist elsewhere.

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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. There are 75 species worldwide and 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Leach's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma leucorhoa"

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 Saint Kitts and Nevis.

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

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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 2 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra" (A)
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

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 occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 7 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Great Blue Heron "Ardea herodias" (A)
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Little Blue Heron "Egretta caerulea" (A)
*Snowy Egret "Egretta thula" (A)
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Green Heron "Butorides virescens" (A)
*Yellow-crowned Night-Heron "Nyctanassa violacea"

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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus" (A)

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet 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 occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 10 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Fulvous Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna bicolor" (A)
*West Indian Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna arborea" (A)
*American Wigeon "Anas americana"
*Green-winged Teal "Anas carolinensis" (A)
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta" (A)
*White-cheeked Pintail "Anas bahamensis" (A)
*Blue-winged Teal "Anas discors" (A)
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"
*Lesser Scaup "Aythya affinis" (A)
*Ruddy Duck "Oxyura jamaicensis" (A)

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" (A)

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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Northern Harrier "Circus cyaneus"
*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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Northern Bobwhite "Colinus virginianus"

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 and 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Helmeted Guineafowl "Numida meleagris" (A)

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 6 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Clapper Rail "Rallus longirostris" (A)
*Sora "Porzana carolina" (A)
*Purple Gallinule "Porphyrio martinica"
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*American Coot "Fulica americana" (A)
*Caribbean Coot "Fulica caribaea" (A)

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 and 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Black-necked Stilt "Himantopus mexicanus" (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 8 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*American Golden-Plover "Pluvialis dominica" (A)
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola" (A)
*Semipalmated Plover "Charadrius semipalmatus"
*Wilson's Plover "Charadrius wilsonia"
*Killdeer "Charadrius vociferus" (A)
*Piping Plover "Charadrius melodus" (A)
*Snowy Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus" (A)
*Collared Plover "Charadrius collaris" (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 21 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Wilson's Snipe "Gallinago delicata" (A)
*Short-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus griseus" (A)
*Long-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus scolopaceus" (A)
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa" (A)
*Marbled Godwit "Limosa fedoa" (A)
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Greater Yellowlegs "Tringa melanoleuca" (A)
*Lesser Yellowlegs "Tringa flavipes" (A)
*Solitary Sandpiper "Tringa solitaria" (A)
*Spotted Sandpiper "Actitis macularia"
*Willet "Catoptrophorus semipalmatus" (A)
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus" (A)
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Semipalmated Sandpiper "Calidris pusilla"
*Western Sandpiper "Calidris mauri" (A)
*Least Sandpiper "Calidris minutilla"
*White-rumped Sandpiper "Calidris fuscicollis" (A)
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina" (A)
*Stilt Sandpiper "Calidris himantopus" (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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Ring-billed Gull "Larus delawarensis" (A)
*American Herring Gull "Larus smithsonianus" (A)
*Laughing Gull "Larus atricilla"

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 9 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia" (A)
*Sandwich Tern "Sterna sandvicensis" (A)
*Royal Tern "Sterna maxima"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii" (A)
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo" (A)
*Least Tern "Sterna antillarum" (A)
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus" (A)
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata" (A)
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus" (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 7 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia" (A)
*White-crowned Pigeon "Patagioenas leucocephala" (A)
*Scaly-naped Pigeon "Patagioenas squamosa" (A)
*Eurasian Collared-Dove "Streptopelia decaocto" (A)
*Zenaida Dove "Zenaida aurita"
*Common Ground-Dove "Columbina passerina"
*Bridled Quail-Dove "Geotrygon mystacea" (A)

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 2 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Yellow-billed Cuckoo "Coccyzus americanus" (A)
*Mangrove Cuckoo "Coccyzus minor"

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 occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Burrowing Owl "Athene cunicularia" (Ex)

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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Antillean Nighthawk "Chordeiles gundlachii" (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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Black Swift "Cypseloides niger" (A)
*White-collared Swift "Streptoprocne zonaris" (A)
*Lesser Antillean Swift "Chaetura martinica" (A)

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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Purple-throated Carib "Eulampis jugularis" (A)
*Green-throated Carib "Eulampis holosericeus"
*Antillean Crested Hummingbird "Orthorhyncus cristatus"

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 occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Belted Kingfisher "Ceryle alcyon" (A)

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 4 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Caribbean Elaenia "Elaenia martinica"
*Lesser Antillean Flycatcher "Myiarchus oberi"
*Eastern Kingbird "Tyrannus tyrannus" (A)
*Gray Kingbird "Tyrannus dominicensis"

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 4 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Caribbean Martin "Progne dominicensis" (A)
*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia" (A)
*Cliff Swallow "Petrochelidon pyrrhonota" (A)
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"

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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Brown Trembler "Cinclocerthia ruficauda" (A)
*Scaly-breasted Thrasher "Allenia fusca"
*Pearly-eyed Thrasher "Margarops fuscatus"

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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Veery "Catharus fuscescens" (A)

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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*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 14 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Northern Parula "Parula americana" (A)
*Yellow Warbler "Dendroica petechia"
*Cape May Warbler "Dendroica tigrina" (A)
*Black-throated Blue Warbler "Dendroica caerulescens" (A)
*Yellow-rumped Warbler "Dendroica coronata" (A)
*Prairie Warbler "Dendroica discolor" (A)
*Blackpoll Warbler "Dendroica striata" (A)
*Black-and-white Warbler "Mniotilta varia"
*American Redstart "Setophaga ruticilla"
*Prothonotary Warbler "Protonotaria citrea" (A)
*Ovenbird "Seiurus aurocapilla" (A)
*Northern Waterthrush "Seiurus noveboracensis" (A)
*Louisiana Waterthrush "Seiurus motacilla" (A)
*Hooded Warbler "Wilsonia citrina" (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 2 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Scarlet Tanager "Piranga olivacea" (A)
*Antillean Euphonia "Euphonia musica" (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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Black-faced Grassquit "Tiaris bicolor"
*Puerto Rican Bullfinch "Loxigilla portoricensis" (Ex)
*Lesser Antillean Bullfinch "Loxigilla noctis"

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 1 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Lesser Antillean Saltator "Saltator albicollis" (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 3 species which occur in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

*Bobolink "Dolichonyx oryzivorus" (A)
*Carib Grackle "Quiscalus lugubris"
*Baltimore Oriole "Icterus galbula" (A)

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=kn&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Saint Kitts and Nevis
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