If you have ever wondered where you can spot the rare Grenada Dove or the Caribbean seabirds, the answer is right here! With over 168 species, birds of Grenada has diverse range and natural habitats.
Here you’ll find out where to find them and where to watch for them. After reading this article, you’ll be an expert on Grenada’s birds! And don’t forget to check out our Natural Habitats section for more information.
The 168 species of birds of Grenada include 97 endemic, three endemic and one introduced species. Three species are globally threatened, rare, and extirpated, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world.
The species list is organized using the Clements’s sixth edition conventions, with common names and species counts included. A bird checklist of Grenada can be found at Avibase.
The smallest of the three main islands, St-Pierre is inhabited by 6000 people and occupies a mere 28 square kilometers.
Birders visiting Grenada for the first time in 2002 reported seeing four of five new species on St-Pierre. The island’s beaches are particularly interesting for shorebirds and seabirds, and nesting sparrows and warblers can be seen in small woods.
The island’s 165 species of birds are diverse, from tiny crows to large and majestic flamingos. There are also several species of non-passerines, including grebes, tropicbirds, and gulls.
They nest on the ground and are long-distance migrants. They migrate to tropical regions for the winter and feed on fish and planktonic crustaceans.
The LM have been subjected to two significant hurricanes in the past fifty years, though no deforestation has occurred in the island’s forests.
In both Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Georges, body mass, diet, reproduction, and survival rates all changed. Nectar-feeding, frugivorous, and omnivorous bird species increased in abundance after the storm, but all other species returned to their pre-hurricane levels during the next breeding season.
The habitat requirements of the Rare Grenada Dove are not fully known, although it is known that this species is tolerant of some human activities.
For example, in Texas, the dove’s canopy cover has been associated with the presence of white-tipped doves (Hayslette et al., 2002).
The doves often prefer walking through the gaps in the canopy to gliding over the ground. They also prefer a higher canopy cover than a low-lying forest floor.
The habitat of the Grenada Dove consists of two small parcels of dry coastal forest. It spends most of its time scouring the ground for seeds.
It can be identified by its single descending hoooo call, which is repeated every 7 to 8 seconds. During breeding season, the dove makes long, prolonged calls. Its nest is a nest made of twigs and can reach up to 4 meters above ground level.
The rare Grenada Dove is a highly endangered species. While its population numbers are estimated based on a territorial approach, some recent research has shown that the bird has no specific territory.
Some individuals have even seen and recorded two breeding pairs fighting over territories. However, this behavior is unlikely to be a factor in the long-term survival of the species.
Despite recent reports of rare Grenada doves in the Mount Hartman area, the species’ presence in the surrounding habitat is a matter of debate.
The Grenada Dove has been a protected species in many areas for decades. Grenada has also suffered from some unfair blows from politics and history.
When it was invaded by President Regan, he sent troops to put down a Cuban-led rebellion. Hurricane Ivan struck the island just as Grenada was recovering from a major hurricane. Today, the Grenada Dove remains the only bird in the island’s national park system.
These species are rare in the region and are now introduced to the island. The island is also home to several species of flamingo. Observations of Caribbean seabirds have increased dramatically in recent years, thanks to a number of dedicated bird watchers.
Although Grenada is relatively small, there are many species of birds that can be found in the island. Seabirds are especially abundant on the uninhabited islands between Grenada and Carriacou.
These species include the Red-footed booby, Brown Booby, Roseate tern, and Briled tern. These species have been rediscovered recently and will be important for monitoring their populations.
A recent workshop on rare Caribbean seabirds on the Grenadines’ islands aimed to increase the capacity of local law enforcement to protect the birds.
Six participants were trained to identify a range of species and their adaptations to the harsh marine environment. They also became familiar with local conservation threats and poaching. Several conservation efforts have resulted in a more educated and broader group of volunteers and experts in the area.
Some of the most famous species of Grenada’s marine flora and fauna include the Black-capped petrel, Leach’s storm-petrel, and Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross.
These birds have been protected by the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol, a legal framework for the protection and conservation of biodiversity in the region. The islands also house several species of terns, including the endemic Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, and the Audubon’s shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri.
The island is home to a variety of amphibian and bird species. Iguanas are the largest species of Grenada’s reptiles. They can grow up to six feet in length and are primarily green with brown markings.
Their distinctive warty necks make them an attractive sight. They are nocturnal, feeding on fruit, leaves, and shoots. The long-tongued bat lives in caves and prefers a wet, shallow environment.
The island of Grenada is home to a wide variety of migratory and breeding birds. Seabirds use Grenada as a breeding ground and stopover. Various hummingbirds make Grenada their home.
The Antillean crested hummingbird is a deep green hummingbird with a distinctive crest of feathers. The red-footed booby is also found in Grenada.
Other Grenada animals include the African mona monkey and the American black tiger. These creatures likely came to the island during the slave trade, and live in the wooded rainforests.
These mammals reach lengths of one to two feet and have a tail almost three feet long. They live in small groups of five to twenty individuals, with the dominant male being in charge of the group. These animals are nocturnal and live in caves, but they can also be seen near human settlements.
The most prominent threat to the Grenada dove is a hurricane. After Hurricane Ivan, males did not call or produce as many chicks as usual. This may be due to the lack of resources.
Fires can also wreak havoc on bird habitats, making them more susceptible to predators. To protect these unique birds, visitors should take care of their habitats. For example, they should wear protective clothing and sturdy boots.
In a recent training program for new Caribbean birding trail guides, 24 participants participated. These guides must be knowledgeable and well-equipped to identify and communicate information about birds.
Besides being skilled at bird identification, they must have an understanding of local culture and have undergone extensive training.
To help them in their work, these guides have been compiled from the expertise of local birders. To buy a guide, simply go to BirdsCaribbean.com and click on the book’s link to purchase it.
The tour includes stops in most hot spots in Grenada, from coastal areas to wetland habitats. It is aimed at birders who enjoy viewing birds in their natural habitat.
It lasts between ten and forty-five minutes between stops, and includes a brief break for lunch. While birding is an excellent way to spend a day, it’s also a great excuse for a whole holiday.
If you have a keen eye for seabirds, you should visit the southern Grenadines. This isle includes Petite Martinique and Carriacou. To access these islands, you can take an Osprey ferry that plies daily.
You can watch seabirds on the way out, although viewing was difficult due to heavy swell. But look out for two Wilson’s Plover, a rufous-capped subspecies that is found only on Grenada and St. Vincent.
The first-hand knowledge of birds is invaluable in guiding birding tours on the island. While most people aren’t enthusiastic about birds, they can provide some basic information on the species that they encounter.
BirdsCaribbean’s 20th International Conference in Jamaica in 2017 brought Juliana and Aly together to finalize the avian field guide. The delegates had to wait four years for the publication to be launched, but now they’re able to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
John is passionate about discovering the beautiful birds of the globe. He is researching & sharing the best birds of all countries that he can find to share his passion & hobby with the world.
