Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Birds in Saint Lucia

There are eight endemic species of birds in St. Lucia namely the St. Lucia Parrot, Jacquot, Amazona versicolor ENDANGERED; the St. Lucia Black Finch (mois son pied blanc), Melanospiza richardsoni THREATENED; the Semper’s warbler (pied blanc) Leucopeza semper CLOSE TO EXTINCTION OR ENDANGERED; the St. Lucia Oriole (carouge) Icterus laudabilis COMMON; the St. Lucia peewee (gobe mouche), Contopus oberi COMMON; the St. Lucia warbler(chicchic), Dendroica delicate, COMMON; the St.Lucia Nightjar (jackpapow), Caprimolgus rufus ENDANGERED; the St. Lucia Wren, (Rossignol), Troglodytes aedon mesoleucus RARE.

The White breasted thrasher, Ramphocynclus brachyrus, gorge blanc, is found only on Martinique and St.Lucia. The largest population of about 1000 breeding adults is found on St.Lucia with about 436 breeding pairs existing between Praslin and Dennery.

The species is regarded as being ENDANGERED.

NGOs. Government agencies, community based organizations, schools, the private sector, churches, individuals should also participate during this month, in activities that will promote the conservation of our local bird species. Bird watching tours can be organized and bird counting or censusing in selected areas can be undertaken.

For more information on possible activities, please contact the Wildlife Officer of the Forestry Department, Mr. Donald Anthony at 4502231/02375 Ext 412 

Endemic Species

Saint Lucia Parrot

(Amazona Versicolor)

The Saint Lucia Parrot is about 42-46 cm (16.5-18´´) in length. It inhabits the rainforest in the mountains of Saint Lucia. It feeds in the forest canopy on a wide variety of fruits, seeds and flowers. The parrot nests in cavities in tall trees.

The Saint Lucia Oriole

(Icterus laudabilis) 

The adult Oriole grows to about 20-22 cm in length. It is found in woodlands including dry and moist forest. It is uncommon and perhaps becoming scarcer.  It feeds on insects, fruits, flowers and nectar. The oriole builds a nest sewn under a leaf or palm well above the ground.

The Saint Lucia Warbler

(Dendroica delicate)

The Warbler is about 12.5 cm in length. It is found in all forest types and at all altitudes. It forages for insects and spiders from leaves and twigs. It lays in a nicely woven, cup-shaped nest built in a tree about 1-5 m above the ground.

Semper’s Warbler

(Leucopeza semperi)

Endemic to Saint Lucia, critically endangered and very possibly extinct. Last certain report was in 1961, reported sightings in 1989, 1995 and on Mount Gimie in 2003. It is 5.7inches in length with pale legs and pale feet. A rain forest species.

The Saint Lucia Black Finch

(Melanospiza richardsoni)

The Black Finch is about 13-14 cm in length. It is found in both moist and dry forest areas. It forages in the leaf litter in dense understory.  The finch usually nests in a spherical nest of twigs built in a low shrub or palm about 2 m above ground.

Regional Endemic Sub-Species

The Saint Lucia Pewee

(Contopus oberi)

The adult pewee grows to about 15 cm in length. It is quite common and resides mostly in moist forest, but also found in dry forest areas. It perches low and sallies for insects. The pewee nests in a cup-shaped nest made of leaves and moss placed on a branch.

The Saint Lucia Wren

(Troglodyte aedon)

The Wren is about 11.5-13 cm. It is found in moist upland forest to dry scrub vegetation. It feeds on insects, spiders and fruits. It builds a twig nest in a cavity in a tree well above the ground.

Saint Lucia White-Breasted Thrasher

(Ramphocinclus brachyurus)

The Thrasher is about 20-21 cm in length. It inhabits dry forest areas particularly near rivers and streams. It feeds mostly on invertebrates found in the leaf litter. It lays its eggs in a roughly built nest of twigs in a shrub about 2 m in height.

The Saint Lucia Nightjar

(Caprimulgus otiosus)

The nightjar grows to about 28 cm in length. It is quite rare residing in the dry forest areas of the northeast of Saint Lucia. It is nocturnal feeding on insects that it captures in flight. The nightjar nests in a scrape on the ground.

Saint Lucia Rufous-Throated Solitaire

(Myadestes genibarbis santaeluciae)

This bird is also known as the mountain whistler (siffleur montagne). They grow up to 19cm, reddish-brown throat, foreneck and undertail coverts; light gray breast; white outer feathers visible in flight.  They mainly reside in dense, moist mountain forests.

Grey Trembler

(Cincleocerthia gutturalis macrorhyncha)

The trembler grows up to 23-26 cm.  Their upperparts dark olive-gray, underparts grayish-white or bright white.  Bill very long and slightly down-curved near tip; eye white.  Often droops wings and trembles; cocks tail over back.

Lesser Antillean Bullfinch

(Loxigilla noctis scateri)

Found only on the Lesser Antillean chain of islands in the Caribbean in the shrubby undergrowth of forests. Common throughout much of its range

Saint Lucia lesser Antillean Flycatcher

(Myiarchus oberi santaluciae)

The flycatcher grows up to 19-22 cm.  Mostly yellow underparts from upper belly to undertail coverts. Tail feathers with reddish inner webs.

Scaly-Breasted Thrasher

(Margarops fuscus schwartzi)

This thrasher grows up to 23 cm. White underparts heavily scaled with grayish-brown from throat to belly; 1 whitish wing bar; black bill; yellow-brown eye; tail tipped white. Lives in moist and semi-arid forests and woodlands.

Documents for Download

 TitleSize 
Conservation Action for Birds in St. Lucia 8.20 KBDownload
Migrant Bird Records for Saint Lucia, West Indies 357.33 KBDownload
Saint Lucia Bird Inventory1.63 MBDownload
Saint Lucia's Endemic Birds439.27 KBDownload
The White Breasted Thrasher14.78 KBDownload
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