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List of birds of Trinidad and Tobago
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A total of 469 species of birds have been recorded on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. There are few places in the world where so many bird species can be seen in such a small area, many of them unique, very rare, or of particular interest. They range from the many species of hummingbird to the cave-dwelling Oilbird (which uses echo-location to fly in the dark) and the spectacular Scarlet Ibis.
The islands are within a few miles of Venezuela, and the species are therefore typical of tropical South America.
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Encyclopedia
A total of 469 species of birds have been recorded on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. There are few places in the world where so many bird species can be seen in such a small area, many of them unique, very rare, or of particular interest. They range from the many species of hummingbird to the cave-dwelling Oilbird (which uses echo-location to fly in the dark) and the spectacular Scarlet Ibis.
The islands are within a few miles of Venezuela, and the species are therefore typical of tropical South America. However, the number of species is relatively impoverished compared to the mainland, as would be expected with small islands.
The resident breeding birds are augmented in the northern winter by migrants from North America, although the range of migrant passerines is very limited compared to Central America.
Species in the list occur on both islands except where indicated. Tobago has only about half the number of bird species of Trinidad, but 22 birds have occurred only on the smaller island, including 12 breeding species. Some of the smaller islands off Tobago, such as Little Tobago, have important seabird breeding colonies.
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Non-passerines:
Tinamous .
Grebes .
Shearwaters and petrels .
Storm-petrels .
Tropicbirds .
Pelicans .
Boobies and gannets .
Cormorants .
Darters .
Frigatebirds .
Bitterns, herons and egrets .
Storks .
Ibises and spoonbills .
Screamers .
Ducks and geese .
New World vultures .
Ospreys .
Hawks, kites and eagles .
Caracaras and falcons .
Chachalacas, guans and curassows .
Limpkins .
Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots .
Sungrebes .
Jacanas .
Oystercatchers .
Avocets and stilts .
Thick-knees .
Plovers and lapwings .
Sandpipers and allies .
Skuas .
Gulls .
Terns .
Skimmers .
Pigeons and doves .
Parrots, macaws and allies .
Cuckoos and anis .
Barn owls .
Typical owls .
Oilbirds .
Potoos .
Nightjars .
Swifts .
Hummingbirds .
Trogons .
Kingfishers .
Motmots .
Jacamars .
Toucans .
Woodpeckers and allies . | |
Passerines:
Ovenbirds .
Woodcreepers .
Typical antbirds .
Antthrushes and antpittas .
Cotingas .
Manakins .
Tyrant flycatchers .
Swallows and martins .
Wagtails and pipits .
Wrens .
Mockingbirds and thrashers .
Thrushes and allies .
Gnatcatchers .
Vireos .
New World warblers .
Bananaquits .
Tanagers .
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies .
Saltators, cardinals and allies .
Troupials and allies .
Siskins, crossbills and allies . | |
See also References Footnotes |
Tinamous
Order: Tinamiformes
Family: Tinamidae
The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family Tinamidae within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emu, and kiwi. There are 47 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Grebes
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: 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, five of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago
Storm-petrels
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: 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, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: 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 three species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: 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 eight species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Boobies and gannets
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are nine species worldwide, four of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies; the majority of species have mainly dark plumage, but some are pied black and white, and a few are more colourful. There are 38 members of this family worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago
Darters
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Anhingidae
Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because they have long thin necks, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.
The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage, especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are four species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| Anhinga | Anhinga anhinga | | |
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: 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 five species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: 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, 21 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
| Name | Binomial | Status |
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| Wood Stork | Mycteria americana | Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental | | Jabiru | Jabiru mycteria | Tobago only; Rare/Accidental | |
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: 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, four of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Family: 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 six species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Screamers
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anhimidae
The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and territorial disputes. There are three species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ducks and geese
Order: Anseriformes
Family: 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, 17 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
New World vultures
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Cathartidae
The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. There are seven species worldwide, all of which are found only in the Americas, four of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ospreys
Order: Falconiformes
Family: 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.
| Name | Binomial | Status |
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| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | | |
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: Falconiformes
Family: 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, 23 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Caracaras and falcons
Order: Falconiformes
Family: 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, eight of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Chachalacas, guans and curassows
Order: Galliformes
Family: Cracidae
The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colourful facial ornaments. There are 50 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Limpkins
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Aramidae
The Limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab brown plumage and a greyer head and neck.
| Name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| Limpkin | Aramus guarauna | Trinidad only | |
Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots
Order: Gruiformes
Family: 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, 13 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Sungrebes
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Heliornithidae
The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are three species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
| Name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| Sungrebe | Heliornis fulica | Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental | |
Jacanas
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There eight species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: 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, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: 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 nine species worldwide, two of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are nine species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: 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, nine of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: 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, 28 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are seven species worldwide, three of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: 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, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: 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, 15 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are three species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide, 14 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Parrots, macaws and allies
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide, 11 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Cuckoos and anis
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: 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, 10 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba | | |
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes
Family: 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, seven of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Oilbirds
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Steatornithidae
The Oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the Oil palm.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| Oilbird | Steatornis caripensis | Trinidad only | |
Potoos
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Nyctibiidae
The potoos (sometimes called Poor-Me-Ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars. There are five species, all of which are from the South American tropical region. One species occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: 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, seven of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes
Family: 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, 10 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Hummingbirds
Order: Trochiliformes
Family: 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, 21 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Trogons
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide, three of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide, five of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Motmots
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Momotidae
The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails, which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft, and creating a racket-shaped tail. There are 10 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jacamars
Order: Piciformes
Family: Galbulidae
The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America, with a range that extends up to Mexico. They are glossy elegant birds with long bills and tails, which feed on insects caught on the wing. In appearance and behaviour they show resemblances to the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to woodpeckers. There are 18 species, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Toucans
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae
Toucans are near passerine birds from the neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colourful bills which in some species may amount to half their body length. There are 40 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ovenbirds
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. There are 243 species worldwide, five of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Woodcreepers
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Dendrocolaptidae
The Dendrocolaptidae are brownish birds and maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks. There are 57 species worldwide, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Typical antbirds
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thamnophilidae
The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds, and tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat the small invertebrates that leave hiding to flee the ants.Many species lack bright colour; brown, black and white being the dominant tones. There are about 212 species worldwide, eight of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Antthrushes and antpittas
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Formicariidae
The ground antbirds are a family comprising the antthrushes and antpittas. Antthrushes resemble small rails while antpittas resemble the true pittas with longish strong legs, very short tails and stout bills. There are about 63 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Cotingas
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cotingidae
The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges of tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly coloured, or decorated with plumes or wattles. There are 71 species worldwide, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Manakins
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pipridae
The manakins are a family bird species of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly coloured, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries and insects. There are 57 species worldwide, three of occur present in Trinidad and Tobago.
Tyrant flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, 42 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, nine of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| White Wagtail | Motacilla alba | Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental | |
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae
The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species), two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Mockingbirds and thrashers
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, two of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, seven of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Gnatcatchers
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Polioptilidae
These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish grey in colour, and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, and nest in bushes or trees. There are 15 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Vireos
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
New World warblers
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, 24 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bananaquits
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|
| Bananaquit | Coereba flaveola | | |
Tanagers
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, 24 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, seventeen of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Saltators, cardinals and allies
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, six of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Troupials and allies
Order: Passeriformes
Family: 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, 13 of which occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
Siskins, crossbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
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| Red Siskin | Carduelis cucullata | Trinidad only; Endangered | |
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