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SHOREBIRDS
This section comprises the herons, the waders, Common
Gallinule and Belted Kingfisher.
These birds are generally found around the coast, near
water.
Considering the scarcity of suitable habitats, it is
remarkable that seven species of heron can be seen on Nevis, at least five
of which are resident. (All herons are known locally as ‘Gaulins’.) Most of
the waders are
passage migrants or winter visitors - in September in particular large
numbers of these birds can be seen around the coast. This is one of the most
interesting times to watch birds here, as you are never sure what is going
to turn up next! However, It should be added that it requires some practice
to differentiate between a lot of these species, especially if they are in
their drabber winter plumage.
The Belted Kingfisher is the only member of its family
which can be seen on Nevis, and is a very attractive and distinctive bird.
(Click here for a
Check List of Nevis Birds :97Kb PDF)
(Click on the photos to enlarge)
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GREEN- BACKED HERON
(Butorides virescens)
Status:
Resident on Nevis in small
numbers.
Description: 16-19”. A small
heron. Body mostly green; neck, sides of head and breast chestnut
brown. There is a white streak on the underside of the neck. The
legs are orange in the breeding season, greenish-yellow at other
times. Voice: A variety of squawking sounds. When alarmed, it flies
off with a very loud, raucous ‘kaa-kaa-kew-kew-kaa’. Behaviour:
Usually seen flying off noisily when disturbed, or standing among
reeds. Sometimes perches openly on an exposed branch.
Where to find it:
It is always found near water,
especially fresh water. Good places are at Nelson Spring and the
Bogs. |
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LITTLE BLUE
HERON (Florida caerulea)
Status:
Resident on Nevis in small
numbers.
Description:
22-28”.
Body dark blue-grey, head and neck dark brown. The bill is pale
blue-grey, with a black tip, and the legs are greenish. The immature
is white, and can be distinguished from other white herons by its
bill and legs, which are like those of the adult. Older immatures
have an irregular mixture of white and blue-grey feathers.
Behaviour: Usually seen alone or with other herons.
Where to find it:
In or near fresh water. The best
place to look on Nevis is at the Bogs. |
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CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
Local names: White Bird, Tick Bird.
Status: A very common resident . It was not recorded in the West
Indies until 1948, and probably did not reach Nevis until some time
in the 1970s. One of the most abundant birds, on the island.
Description: 21-25”. A fairly small, short-necked heron, with
orange-brown patches on the crown, neck and back, especially
prominent in the breeding season. The bill and legs are yellow (bill
reddish in the breeding season). The immature is completely white,
with a yellow bill and blackish legs. Behaviour: Usually found among
cattle, feeding on insects disturbed by the animals. In the late
afternoon can be seen in groups flying towards the coast, where
they roost in large, noisy flocks.
Where to find it: Two major roosting and nesting sites are at the
mouth of the Bath Stream, and near the mouth of the Camp River. |
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SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
Status: Resident on Nevis in small numbers.
Description: 21-27”. An elegant white heron, with a black
dagger-like bill, yellow at the base. The legs are black, and the
feet bright yellow. Young birds have legs with yellow-green backs.
Behaviour: Wades in shallow water, usually alone. Occasionally seen
perched in a tree with Cattle Egrets.
Where to find it: Usually in or near fresh water, sometimes on rocks
by the sea. The mouth of the Bath Stream and the Bogs are good
places. |
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YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
Local name: Night Gaulin.
Status: A fairly common resident of Nevis.
Description: 22-28”. A very heavily-built heron. The body is grey,
the head black, with the crown and a patch on the cheek pale yellow.
The legs are yellow, and the very heavy bill is black. Immature
birds are brown. Voice: A loud ‘wok’, usually heard after sunset.
Behaviour: Most birds rest in trees by day, although some are
active. They feed mostly on crabs.
Where to find it: By day, usually found in trees near fresh water.
Sometimes seen on beaches. Good places include the trees behind the
North end of White Bay, Nelson Spring, and around the small lake
behind Hurricane Hill beach. |
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COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
(formerly Common Gallinule)
Local name: Red-seal coot.
Status: A fairly common resident .
Description: 13”. Mainly black, with a dark brown back, and a white
line along the flanks. The undertail is also white. The base of the
bill and the frontal shield (a bony extension of the bill) are
bright red; the tip of the bill is greenish-yellow. The legs are
also greenish-yellow, with a red band near the top. Immature birds
are brown, with a dull yellow bill. Voice: A variety of calls, some
of which are loud and harsh. One call is a fast clucking
‘krek-krek-krek, krek-krek-krek’.
Behaviour: A wary bird, which will make for cover at the first sign
of danger. Usually seen swimming.
Where to find it: Usually seen swimming along most of the beaches. |
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SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius
semipalmatus)
Status: A fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant, from
September to April. Most numerous in autumn.Description: 7.25”. A
small plover, brown above and white below, with a black band across
the upper breast, black markings on the head, and a white collar.
The bill is short and dark, with an orange base. The legs are orange
or dull yellow. Immature birds have a black bill, and less black on
the face and breast.
Behaviour: Usually seen in small groups. Flies more readily than the
Thick-billed Plover.
Where to find it: On or around beaches. The north end of White Bay
is a good place. |
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THICK-BILLED PLOVER (Charadrius
wilsonia)
Other name: Wilson’s Plover.
Status: Fairly common throughout the year. Probably breeds here.
Description: 7.75”. A little larger than the previous species, it is
also paler brown above, has a longer, thicker black bill, and has
dull pinkish legs. The black breast band only occurs on males in
breeding plumage. At this time males also have a chestnut patch on
the nape. Voice: A single musical ‘wheet’.
Behaviour: Runs away when approached, flying only reluctantly.
Usually seen in small groups.
Where to find it: On or around beaches. Usually found further from
the sea than the previous species, often in vegetation behind the
beach itself. White Bay is a good place to look. |
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BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Squatarola
squatarola)
Status: Occurs in small numbers as a passage migrant in spring and
autumn; occasionally seen in winter.
Description: 12”. A large, stoutly-built plover. Normally seen in
winter plumage, when it is a spotted grey, with black bill and legs.
In flight it shows its white rump and wing-patches, and black
‘armpits’. In summer plumage, which some birds still have in
September, the underparts are black, bordered with white.
Voice: A loud ‘kyew-ee’, especially in flight.
Behaviour: Seen singly, or sometimes in a small group. Less active
than the smaller plovers.
Where to find it: On or around beaches, for example at White Bay. |
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RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria
interpres)
Status: Occurs throughout the year, common in winter. Does not breed
here. Description: 8.5”. A medium-sized wader, usually seen in
winter plumage, when it is mostly brown above and white below, with
bright orange legs. In summer plumage the upper parts are
reddish-brown, the breast black, and the head black and white. In
flight it shows distinctive white markings on the back and wings.
Behaviour: Usually seen in small groups with other waders, feeding
among washed-up seaweed.
Where to find it: On or around beaches, or sometimes rocky coastal
areas. |
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SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris
pusilla)
Status: A fairly common autumn passage migrant.
Description: 6.25”. A very small sandpiper, greyish-brown above,
white below, with black bill and legs. There is a pale stripe above
the eye. Behaviour: Usually found in small groups, often with other
waders.
Where to find it: On beaches, for example White Bay and Gallows Bay.
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SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis
macularin)
Status: A common winter visitor and passage migrant, from August to
May. Does not breed here.
Description: 7.5”. A small sandpiper, nearly always seen in winter
plumage, when it is brown above and white below, with dull yellow
legs and a dull pink bill with a black tip. In summer plumage, the
under parts are covered with large black spots. Behaviour: Usually
seen singly. Continuously bobs the rear part of the body up and
down. Also characteristic is its flight, with rapid shallow wing
beats interspersed with short glides on rigid, downward-slanting
wings.
Where to find it: Anywhere near water, salt or fresh. For example
White Bay, Pinneys beach. |
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BELTED KINGFISHER (Ceryle
alcyon)
Status: Visits Nevis in small numbers in the winter, arriving
around September.
Description: 12-13”. Unmistakeable. A fairly large kingfisher, with
a prominent crest. The upper parts and a band across the chest are
blue-grey, and the underparts white. The female has a second rich
brown chestband. The bill is fairly long, heavy and sharp.
Voice: Very distinctive - a loud, harsh rattle.
Behaviour: Normally seen in flight, occasionally on a prominent
perch. Hovers above water, into which it dives for fish.
Where to find it: Around the coast, particularly at Fort Ashby, the
Bogs, Fort Charles and Red Cliff. |
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SANDERLING (Crocethia alba)
Status: A fairly common winter visitor, found from September to
March.Description: 8”. A small sandpiper, distinguished by its very
pale grey upperparts. The underparts are pure white, and the bill
and legs black. There is a dark patch on the ‘shoulder’, and in
flight the white wingbars can be seen. Behaviour: Usually seen in
flocks, which may contain as many as 20 birds. Specializes in
feeding by dashing to and fro between the breaking waves on a beach.
Where to find it: On beaches, usually near the water - for example
White Bay and Pinneys. |
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OTHER SHOREBIRDS
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Great Egret (Egretta alba)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Common Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Pied-bill Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
American Wigeon (Anas americana)
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica)
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Willet (Elquemido semipalmatus)
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris semipalmatus)
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
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