Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

Columba livia

Bird #45:Magnificent Frigatebird

Common Name:  Magnificent Frigatebird/ Man-o-war

Scientific Name: Fregata magnificens 

Description: 37-41 inches; wingspan 85 inches; forked tail; Male: glossy black; red throat pouch which it inflates during courtship. Female: blackish-brown; white belly patch. Juvenile: brownish-black; head and breast white.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Can be seen gliding over the South and West coast, feeding  it the water around the fish markets.

Magnificent Frigatebirds has the longest wingspan in proportion to body weight of any bird.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

Bird #43: Caribbean Martin

Common Name: Caribbean Martin

Scientific Name: Progne dominicensis

Description: 8 inches; large swallow, forked tailed; upperparts glossy navy blue – black; Males:  throat navy blue – black; underparts white; Females and Juveniles:  throat faded greyish brown; underparts white

Habitat: Endemic to the West Indies; towns, open areas, freshwater ponds, cliffs; 

A resident and migratory breeder on the island;records of nesting in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, Harrison Point St Lucy on the north of the island and other cliff close to the sea.

Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica )

West Indies Endemic; Subspecies: barbadensis (Barbados endemic subspecies); Other Names: Pee-whittler; Length: 6-7"(15.5 - 18cm); Habitat: woodlands, scrubs, almost any area with trees, always found around casuarina trees. Statue: common, island wide but elusive;  Conservation Status: Least Concern.

Underparts whitish-grey to a faint yellowish wash on the belly

Underparts whitish-grey to a faint yellowish wash on the belly

Upp
erparts olive-green

Common Name: Caribbean Elaenia

Scientific Name: Elaenia martinica   sp. barbadensis   

Description: 6-7 inches; upperparts olive-green; two (2) whitish wing bars; a crest; white crown patch  can be seen when crest is raised; underparts whitish grey to a dull yellowish at the belly and tail; longish tail.

Habitat: Can be found island wide in wooded areas; scrubs and gullies.

Caribbean Elaenias are endemic to the West Indies; the subspecies barbadensis are endemic to Barbados.

Bird #41:Laughing Gull

Common Name: Laughing Gull

Scientific Name: Leucophaeus atricilla  

Description: 15-17 inches; upperparts grey; underparts white; black wing tip; black bill; White arcs around the eyes; web feet. Breeding: black head; reddish bill. Immature: upperparts mottled brown; black bill. First year: grey sides and back; tail band. Second Year: head partial hood.

Habitat: Laughing Gulls can be seen along the coastline of the island especially around fish markets at Skeets Bay, Oistins, Bridgetown, Brandon’s and Six Mens.

Pictures taken at Skeet's Bay  and Brandon's Fish Markets