10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2012

Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad holds a prominent position on that list of luminaries. The dichotomous republic of Trinidad and Tobago may be something of a cipher to anyone unfamiliar with the point where the Caribbean ends and South America begins. Now I’ve finally spent time at Asa Wright, I understand why.

Trinidad 250

Trinidad South America America Ecuador 250

10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2020

Sightings in Trinidad have been sporadic, 38 to be exact since the formation of the T&T Bird Status and Distribution Committee. Bon voyage , friend, may you traverse the next two thousand miles safely, may you not encounter any glass windows and may you find a mate and breed successfully! Typical of the species.

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Trinidad Birds Squirrels 2012 263

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

This was actually the place where the late Richard ffrench spent much of his time as a music teacher, amassing countless observations of birds that would later form the basis of one of the essential birding guides for Trinidad and Tobago. The subtle white edging to the gape of this bird indicates it is near breeding time.

Trinidad 263

Trinidad Birds Parrots Falcons 263

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2022

Both Plumbeous Kite and Fork-tailed Flycatcher are present for the southern winter, the former breeds here, the latter tends to bring their young with them. A member of the “trilling” (and thrilling) subspecies group of the Long-billed Gnatwren is present throughout Trinidad, and is yet another headache-inducing species.

Trinidad 264

Trinidad Squirrels Birds Parrots 264

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2020

These intrepid travelers have captivated the very essence of my being, years ago when I used to work on an industrial port on the west coast of Trinidad I noticed each year these alien looking birds would appear, stick around for a while and then depart. Their mysterious nature piqued my interest and it’s never waned since.

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Trinidad South America Blackbirds Game 255

10,000 Birds

JULY 12, 2023

This time, we are back in Trinidad and have relocated to a picturesque lodge in the very heart of the island. These large raptors are actually quite rare on Trinidad but seem to be breeding nearby as one of the sightings was of a juvenile. Yes, Red-bellied Macaws not only mate on the property, but nest here too!

Trinidad 246

Trinidad Barn Owls Owls Reptiles 246

10,000 Birds

MAY 25, 2022

It was an undeniably dank morning at the top of this island watershed, and even though we were able to discern some other species like Rufous-tailed Jacamar and the endemic Trinidad Motmot , activity was a bit slow. Part of the flock of Laughing Gulls , all in fresh breeding plumage. A Magnificent Frigatebird soars over the bay.

Trinidad 264

Trinidad Woodpeckers Ducks Abandon 264

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2021

As the boreal migrants head north, breeding season for the residents and austral migrants is beginning to pick up. There are other austral migrants breeding here, however – I’ve found two separate nesting sites of the incredulous looking Swallow Tanager thus far. Common Black Hawks , adult and juvenile. Sounds like a party.

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Raised Breeding South America Family 264

10,000 Birds

JUNE 8, 2022

But at times, in the breeding season especially, the same birds would belt some of the most complex and absolutely juicy notes that made me reconsider my feelings toward them. Back in Trinidad, both Spectacled Thrush and Cocoa Thrush would nest in our backyard. They seem to be a bit angry for the most part. Wise creatures.

Trinidad 147

Trinidad Emotional Breeding Cats 147

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2023

Some days ago I had the opportunity to explore the grossly underbirded southeastern corner of Trinidad. The Nariva Swamp is the largest wetland on Trinidad, giving to and taking from the relentless Atlantic Ocean on its eastern boundary. My humble advice is to never stop listening as there are often avian lurkers in the shadows.

Trinidad 29

Trinidad Falcons Primates Monkeys 29

10,000 Birds

MARCH 10, 2021

White-striped Woodcreeper : Faraaz Abdool recently wrote about Trinidad and Tobago’s wonderful Woodcreepers , and this one is the Woodcreeper of western Mexico’s pine-oak forests. Slate-throated Redstart : This lovely little bird is our most common resident (breeding) warbler, and in certain places you will hear it EVERYWHERE.

Trinidad 203

Trinidad Transported Mexico Emotional 203

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

I had experienced this species in much closer quarters before, on a previous sojourn on the island in 2010 I paid a visit to a local breeding facility; I even went trekking sans guide deep into the forest without much success save for one or two distant fly-bys. Nevertheless, I was more than satiated.

Grenada 130

Grenada Parrots Trinidad 2010 130

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2020

Striated Heron in breeding plumage – extra plumes and blue lores. Even though I had seen these cryptic austral migrants before, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity that was this close to home. Especially as we were at the time about to experience a rapidly advancing tropical storm.

Livestock 264

Livestock ALA Ducks illegal 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

The maps, which are positioned to the left of the text, are small and indicate primary seasonal status–whether and where the bird is a resident breeding species, seasonal breeding migrant, seasonal nonbreeding migrant, or transient migrant. I love the writing here.

Costa Rica 246

Costa Rica Belize El Salvador Birds 246

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

The guide covers the all–1194 species in the Species Accounts, including 959 native breeding species, 219 Nearctic migrants, 8 breeding visiting species, and 5 introduced species. Of the native breeding species, 112 are endemic or “very nearly endemic.” (Can Can you guess which of the species cited above are endemic?

America 214

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 214

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

There were three profound questions my birding group discussed while we birded Trinidad and Tobago, back in December 2012: (1) How many Bananaquits could fit on a banana? (2) 3) What was the best guide to the birds of Trinidad and Tobago? 2) Which hummingbird was more beautiful—Tufted Coquette or Ruby-topaz Hummingbird? (3)

Trinidad 248

Trinidad South America Birds 2011 248

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 9, 2023

With my recent relocation to the central forests of Trinidad, I have been afforded the incredible opportunity of observing three oft-confused species in close proximity to one another. While voice is a useful identifier, the Variegated Flycatcher is notoriously silent, even during breeding.

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Trinidad Abandon Abandoning Abandonment 223

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2021

The southwest peninsula of Trinidad is unfortunately rarely birded by visiting birders. The area is known for being a breeding area of the enigmatic Rufous Crab-Hawk and it was the first place I saw the species, many years ago. hours one-way. As always, an adult Scarlet Ibis shines like a beacon. Rufous Crab-Hawk.

Sea Turtles 279

Sea Turtles Bats Turtles Trinidad 279

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2012

Horned Guan by Adam Riley Mike was tempted to go with a guan as well, since he had the good fortune to encounter the Trinidad Piping Guan in the only country it can be found. Secretive, silent and undetectable outside of its breeding season, found only in the U.S. Definitely one of the highlights of my birding career!

2012 207

2012 Guatemala Birds Florida 207