Welcome to St. Helena, an island located in the South Atlantic Ocean! St. Helena is home to a variety of birds, many of which are endemic to the island. The St. Helena cuckoo-finch, the St. Helena plover, and the St.
Helena waxbill are just a few of the species of birds that can be found here. In addition to these endemic species, a variety of other birds, both migratory and resident, can be seen all year round. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced bird-watcher, St.
Helena is sure to reward you with some amazing sights and sounds.
1. Saint Helena plover
Source: ebird.org
The Saint Helena plover, or the wirebird, is a unique species of wader that is only found on the remote island of Saint Helena in the mid-Atlantic. Its legs are very thin, earning it its local name of the wirebird.
In terms of its appearance, the Saint Helena plover is similar to Kittlitz’s plover and the Madagascar plover, but it is a bit larger than both of these species. Additionally, the Saint Helena plover lacks any chamois-like coloring that is present in the other two species.
This makes it distinct in its own way and helps to distinguish it from its relatives. The Saint Helena plover is a species of conservation concern due to its limited range and decreasing numbers.
Its population is estimated to be around 2,000 individuals, and it is considered to be vulnerable to extinction due to the threats of habitat destruction and predation. As such, conservation efforts are needed to ensure the survival of the species.
Such efforts include habitat protection, monitoring of the population, and banning any activities that could disturb or harm the species. Overall, the Saint Helena plover is a unique species of wader that can only be found on the island of Saint Helena.
Its thin legs give it the local name of the wirebird, and its absence of chamois coloring differentiates it from its relatives.
This species is of conservation concern due to its limited range and decreasing population, and thus, conservation efforts are needed to ensure its survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. sanctaehelenae |
2. Common Waxbill
The common waxbill is a type of small passerine bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. It belongs to the estrildid finch family and is also known as the St Helena waxbill.
Despite its original geographic range, it has since been introduced to many other regions of the world, and its estimated global extent of occurrence is now an impressive 10,000,000 km2.
As a result, it can now be found in a wide variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to deserts, and in urban areas. The common waxbill is a relatively small bird, typically measuring between 10 and 12 cm in length.
It is usually brown or gray in color, with a distinctive white-tipped tail, and it has a short, slender beak. It feeds mainly on small insects, such as ants and termites, as well as small seeds. It is a social species and is often seen in large flocks.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Estrilda |
| Species | E. astrild |
3. Northern Storm Petrels
Northern storm petrels are a type of seabird that belong to the genus Hydrobates in the family Hydrobatidae. They are part of the order Procellariiformes, which is a group of seabirds that consist of albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters.
Until recently, the family Hydrobatidae was grouped with the austral storm petrels into one family, the combined storm petrels, due to their physical similarities.
However, recent research has revealed that the two families are not closely related and they have since been split into two distinct groups.
Northern storm petrels are unique among seabirds due to their ability to hover over the water and take off again without having to flap their wings. They are also known for their long-distance migrations, which can cover thousands of miles.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Hydrobatidae |
| Genus | Hydrobates |
4. Purple Heron
The purple heron is a species of wading bird in the heron family, Ardeidae. This species is widely distributed, breeding in many regions throughout the world. Its scientific name comes from the Latin words “ardea”, which means heron, and “purpureus”, which means colored purple.
Specifically, the purple heron breeds in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. This species is easily recognizable due to its distinct coloration. It has a purple head, neck, and chest, with white and black accents.
Its wings and back are gray, and its belly is white. The purple heron feeds on fish, frogs, and insects, and it typically hunts for food in shallow waters.
It builds its nest on the tops of tall trees, and it is often found in wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Overall, the purple heron is an interesting species of bird. Its wide distribution and unique coloration make it an impressive species to observe.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. purpurea |
5. Black Noddy
The black noddy is a species of seabird that belongs to the family Laridae. It is of medium size and has distinctive black plumage. Its most striking feature is a white cap, which gives it its alternate name of white-capped noddy.
This white cap is what sets it apart from its close relative, the lesser noddy. In the past, the two species were considered to be the same species or conspecific. However, through further study and research, it has been determined that the two birds are distinct species.
The black noddy is now recognized as a separate species from the lesser noddy.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Anous |
| Species | A. minutes |
6. Herons
Herons are a large group of birds that inhabit both freshwater and coastal areas. They are part of the Ardeidae family and there are a total of 72 species recognized. Some of these species are referred to by different names such as egrets and bitterns.
Herons are characterized by their long legs and long necks which allow them to easily move around in their habitats. They are found in a wide range of sizes from the small least bittern which is 15 cm long, to the large goliath heron which can reach up to 152 cm in length.
They are mainly found in the Northern Hemisphere, but some species can also be found in the Southern Hemisphere. Herons typically feed on fish, frogs, insects, and other aquatic animals. They are usually solitary birds, but some species may form colonies when breeding.
Herons are highly adapted to their aquatic environments and play an important role in their ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
7. Swallows
The Hirundinidae family of birds is made up of swallows, martins, and saw-wings, and are found on all continents around the world, even in Antarctica. These birds are members of the passerine songbird family and they are highly adapted to a life of aerial feeding.
They have a distinct appearance, with a generally slender body, long pointed wings, and a forked tail that is often held cocked. Swallows and martins have short bills and long tails, while saw-wings have longer bills and shorter tails.
The Hirundinidae family are generally seen flying around in flocks, searching for food or flying around their nesting sites. They are known for their aerobatic abilities, often seen swooping and diving for insects or other invertebrates.
These birds have adapted to their environment, with some species being migratory and others staying in the same location year-round. They are also known for their vocalizations, with some species producing complex and melodic songs.
The Hirundinidae family is an important part of our ecosystem, providing food for other birds and animals, as well as controlling the insect population.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
8. Brown Noddy
The brown noddy is a member of the Laridae family, which includes a variety of seabirds. It is the largest of the noddies, and can easily be distinguished from its cousin, the black noddy, by its larger size and plumage color.
The brown noddy’s feathers are dark brown in color, whereas the black noddy’s feathers are black. The brown noddy is an excellent swimmer and can often be seen in large flocks near the shoreline, where they feed on small fish and insects.
They also tend to nest in colonies on cliffs and islands and have adapted to living in a wide range of habitats. They are also known to migrate long distances, traveling hundreds of miles each year.
Overall, the brown noddy is a stunning bird that is both beautiful and resilient.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Anous |
| Species | A. stolidus |
9. Ring-necked Pheasant
The common pheasant is a type of bird found in the pheasant family. The scientific name of this bird is Phasianus colchicus, which refers to its origin.
The name is Phasianus is derived from Latin, meaning “pheasant”, while colchicums is Latin for “of Colchis”, a country on the Black Sea.
This indicates that pheasants were known to Europeans from this area.The common pheasant is a popular game bird and is found in many parts of the world. It is known for its colorful plumage, with males typically having a deep green head, a copper-brown breast, and a white belly.
The female is mostly mottled brown. The common pheasant is a ground-dwelling bird that mainly feeds on seeds, insects, and other small invertebrates. It is also known to eat small plants and buds.
While commonly found in open fields and grasslands, the pheasant can also be found in woodlands and near wetlands. The common pheasant is a popular game bird and is hunted across many parts of the world.
It is also a popular bird for domestication and can often be found in aviaries. The pheasant is known to be a hardy bird and can adapt to many different climates and habitats.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Phasianus |
| Species | P. colchicus |
10. Chukar
The chukar partridge, also known as simply chukar, is a type of gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae that is native to the Palearctic region. It is part of a superspecies complex, which includes the rock partridge, Philby’s partridge, and Przevalski’s partridge.
In the past, these four species were often considered to be the same species and were treated as conspecific. This means that they were all seen as variations of the same species, even though they may have had some differences in appearance or behavior.
Although they are now considered to be four distinct species, there is still a lot of overlap between them in terms of their habitats and characteristics.
They are all found in the same regions of the Palearctic, and all four are medium-sized gamebirds that have red bills and legs.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Alectoris |
| Species | A. chukar |
11. Red-billed Tropicbird
The red-billed tropicbird is a species of seabird that can be found in tropical oceans. This bird is closely related to two other species of tropicbird. It has a very distinct appearance, with mostly white feathers and some black markings on the wings and back.
Additionally, it has a black mask and, as its name suggests, a red bill. This red bill is what makes the red-billed tropicbird stand out from the other tropicbird species.
Its white plumage gives it a striking appearance, making it easy to spot when it’s flying around the oceans. The black markings on its wings and back provide a stark contrast to its white feathers, giving the bird an interesting look.
The black mask gives the bird a mysterious look, and the red bill is the perfect finishing touch. All in all, the red-billed tropicbird is an impressive and beautiful bird that is easily identifiable when flying around the tropical oceans.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. aethereus |
12. Sooty Tern
The sooty tern is a seabird that is part of the Laridae family. It is most commonly found in tropical oceans, where it spends most of its life. However, it does return to land once a year to breed, specifically on islands in the equatorial zone.
The sooty tern is a unique bird, as it is able to sustain itself with its aquatic lifestyle. It spends its time foraging for food in the ocean and then returns to the islands of the equatorial zone to nest and lay its eggs.
The sooty tern is an important part of the marine ecosystem, as it helps to keep populations of smaller fish and other sea creatures in check, ensuring a balanced food chain.
The sooty tern is a fascinating bird, and its unique ability to survive in both land and water has made it an important part of the ocean’s ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Onychoprion |
| Species | O. fuscatus |
13. Grey Plover
The grey plover, also known as the black-bellied plover in North America, is a species of large plover that breeds in the Arctic. This species is a long-distance migrant and has a nearly worldwide coastal distribution when not breeding.
During the breeding season, it is found primarily in the Arctic tundra, where it nests in the ground and lays its eggs. During the non-breeding season, it migrates to coastal areas around the world.
It has a preference for sandy beaches, mudflats, and saltmarshes, but can also be found in brackish and fresh waters. Its diet consists of insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. The grey plover is a beautiful bird, with grey-brown upperparts and white undersides.
It has a distinctive black belly and a white forehead, along with a black breast band and white wingtips. It has a loud, distinctive call, which is often heard during the breeding season.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Pluvialis |
| Species | P. squatarola |
14. Barn Swallow
The barn swallow is an incredibly widespread species of swallow. It has a natural distribution that is larger than any other passerine bird, covering an incredible 251 million square kilometers across the globe.
It is easily distinguishable due to its blue upperparts and its long, forked tail. This species of swallow has been spotted in nearly every continent on the planet, from Asia to Europe to the Americas.
The barn swallow is a medium-sized bird, typically reaching lengths of 16-19 cm. Its wingspan may be up to 29 cm, and its weight usually sits between 19-25 g.
It is a small bird with a slender body, long wings, and a deeply forked tail, which helps it soar through the air with ease. The upper parts of the barn swallow are glossy blue-black, while its underparts are light orange or yellow.
Its bill is black, while its legs and feet are a deep brown. The barn swallow is an insectivorous species, feeding mainly on flying insects.
It will often fly low over the water, fields, and other habitats, snatching insects from the air as it goes while its long tail helps it remain agile. It also feeds on small fruits, such as berries, when available.
The barn swallow is a highly social species, often gathering in large flocks of up to 250 individuals. The barn swallow is a species that has adapted to many different environments over time.
It is a migratory bird, traveling to warmer climates in the winter months and back to its breeding grounds during the summer.
The barn swallow is an iconic species that has been studied for years, and its incredible adaptability has enabled it to remain one of the most widespread species of swallow in the world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Hirundo |
| Species | H. rustica |
15. Black-bellied Storm Petrel
The black-bellied storm petrel is a species of seabird belonging to the family Oceanitidae. It is a migratory species, found in many areas of the southern hemisphere.
It is native to Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Bouvet Island, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
In addition, it is also found in New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
It is a small bird, with a wingspan of 20 to 25 centimeters. The black-bellied storm petrel mainly feeds on small fish and crustaceans, often hovering above the surface of the water and dipping their bills in the water in order to catch prey.
They can often be seen flying low over the ocean, searching for food. During the breeding season, they can form large colonies, often on remote islands.
Their nests are often made of small stones, collected from the beach, and are lined with grass or feathers. The black-bellied storm petrel is an important species in the ocean ecosystem, serving as a food source for other species, such as seabirds, marine mammals, and even humans.
In addition, they help to maintain healthy populations of fish and other prey species, as they consume them in large numbers. Unfortunately, their populations are declining as their habitats are being affected by climate change, pollution, and other human activities.
It is important that we work together to protect this species and its habitat so that future generations can enjoy its beauty.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Oceanitidae |
| Genus | Fregetta |
| Species | F. tropica |
Conclusion
St. Helena is home to a variety of birds, from the endemic wirebird to migratory species. With its range of habitats, there is something for every bird enthusiast to enjoy. Conservation efforts are ongoing to ensure that these birds continue to thrive in St.
Helena for generations to come.