When you’re on a birding tour in Jamaica, you should also be looking out for the endemic Sad Flycatcher, Geotrygon versicolor, and Doctor Bird. These are just a few of the many species that call Jamaica home. No Jamaican birding tour would be complete without seeing them all. Read on to find out more about these birds and see if you can spot them all! Then, come back and share your favorite Jamaican birds with others!
Sad Flycatcher
The name of this small songbird belies its name. The bird is not actually sad at all. This small songbird can be seen in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica singing and perching on the ground. This video is filmed by Aves Puerto Rico’s Felpe. The bird is then seen flying out and calling. Watch the video below to learn more about the bird. This video is also available online.
The Sad Flycatcher is endemic to Jamaica. It is also known as the Little Tom Fool. It feeds on insects and fruit. It has a brown crown and upper body, white throat and upper breast, and yellow belly. This species is widespread throughout Jamaica, but declines are suspected because of habitat destruction. This article will explore the Sad Flycatcher’s life cycle and habitat in greater detail. The article is written with the goal of increasing public awareness of the species and facilitating conservation efforts.
Geotrygon versicolor
Geographically, the Caribbean Dove (Geotrygon versicolor) is an endemic species of the pigeon family Columbidae. These birds live on the montane forest floors of subtropical Jamaica. Their common name is derived from the latin word for quail, which means “dove.”
This species is classified as Near Threatened, but its population is estimated to be small. Humans continue to degrade habitat, so its longer-term survival is uncertain. As the Caribbean tanager is found in good secondary forest, habitat loss is the main threat to its survival. Small-scale farming, plantation expansion, and development have all caused the loss of suitable habitat. The species also suffers from illegal trade in cage-birds, and trapping for local consumption is common. To protect this species, BirdLife Jamaica recommends protecting strongholds in the Cockpit Country and Blue Mountains. The organization also recommends launching a public education campaign to discourage trapping and monitoring the population at key sites.
Doctor Bird
The Doctor Bird of Jamaica is a hummingbird indigenous to Jamaica. Its feathers are unique, iridescent, and produce colours that have no natural equivalent among the entire bird population. The erect black crest and two long tail coats give the bird its name. It has two long tails and is the only bird in the world with two tails! It is also known as the “God Bird” in some folklore in Jamaica.
The Doctor Bird of Jamaica is one of 320 species of hummingbirds. Its beautiful black and green feathers give it an iridescent appearance. It has been immortalized in folklore and song in Jamaica, and is an important member of the flower committee. The Doctor Bird of Jamaica is a rare sight! Take a moment to admire it in its natural habitat, and you may just spot it flying around.
Setophaga pharetra
The Setophaga pharetra is endemic to Jamaica. This bird is part of the family Thraupidae and lives in lowland and montane forests. It shares its habitat with the yellow-shouldered grassquit and Euneornis campestris. This species is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators. It spends its daytimes in trees while at night it feeds on insects, rodents, and small animals. The setophaga pharetra is classified as ‘Least Concern’ due to its stable population.
The arrowhead warbler is an endemic species of Jamaica. This small active bird has black and white streaking on its body and wing bars. It is often confused with the migrant Black-and-White Warbler due to its blackish arrowhead appearance from the throat to the abdomen. However, it is not a cavity-nesting bird, and does not forage on tree trunks.
Loxipasser anoxanthus
Loxipasser anoxanthus, the yellow-shouldered grassquit, is a native species of the island of Jamaica. This endemic species of grassquit is a member of the tanager family, the Thraupidae. During the winter months, it is commonly found on the foothills of the John Crow Mountains. The habitat of the Loxipasser anoxanthus is mainly subtropical lowland forest, tropical moist montane forest, and heavily degraded former forests.
Amazona agilis
The Amazona agilis is the smallest of the three parrot species native to Jamaica. Its plumage is an array of bright colors, including yellow, blue, and green, with a dark ring around its eyes. Its bill is black and the tail feathers are reddish. The Amazona agilis’ tail is extremely long, with a tail length of up to 3.5 feet.
The Jamaican Woodpecker is a woodpecker native to limestone forests between 100 and 400 m above sea level. It breeds from March to August. It uses hollows and abandoned cavities in trees to nest in. Pathogens and weathering cause tree hollows to form, so it uses these as its nest. The young fledge at nine weeks and feed on fruits and ripe plantains.
Jamaican Lizard-Cuckoo
The Jamaican lizard-Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo. The family of cuckoos is Cuculidae. Although there are many different cuckoo species, the Jamaican Lizard-Cuckoo is the most common. The species has a variety of characteristics that make it unique. This article will discuss some of those traits. Listed below are some interesting facts about the Jamaican lizard-cuckoo.
The voice of the Jamaican Lizard-Cuckoo is an excellent indicator of its presence. The voice is a rapid, uniform pitch and grows louder as it advances. The song is a distinctive and memorable sound. Be sure to listen closely if you encounter one! This endemic bird breeds only in Jamaica, so it’s important to recognize it when you see it! This guide will help you learn about the habitat and habits of this beautiful and unique bird.
Jamaican Owl
The Jamaican Owl is a medium-sized owl that is endemic to Jamaica. This owl prefers to roost on low trees. Its call is an eerie one, and its dark-grey feathers are reminiscent of a forest owl. Although a medium-sized owl, the Jamaican is an impressive bird. Despite its size, the Jamaican Owl can be a challenge to spot in the wild.
This nocturnal owl is only found in the island of Jamaica, and is a common sight in low-level forests. Despite being nocturnal, this owl is known for its boldness, which can lead to fatal encounters with predators. In fact, the local population may be responsible for the killing of many owls due to superstitious beliefs. The Jamaican government has publicly pleaded with locals to leave owls alone.
White-chinned Thrush
The White-chinned Thrush is endemic to Jamaica. It is a relatively common bird that breeds in a variety of woodlands. It feeds on fruits and invertebrates, and nests in a bulky structure in the vegetation. It is not globally threatened. Its habitat varies depending on the climate, so finding one in Jamaica will likely involve some driving.
The White-chinned Thrush can be found in primary and secondary forests and on the edge of forest patches. It is also commonly found in scrub on mountains and hills. This bird makes shrill alarm calls similar to the Common Blackbird. It also has a distinctive song that is reminiscent of the American Robin. Its shrill calls make it difficult to miss. Its song is also similar to the Common Blackbird, but is more plaintive.
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