Bermuda is a beautiful island located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is home to a wide variety of birds. As a major tourist destination, Bermuda's birds are a major attraction for visitors who come to the island to marvel at their beauty and diversity.
This article will introduce some of the most common and unique birds found in Bermuda and discuss the characteristics that make them so special.
1. Bermuda petrel
The Bermuda petrel, commonly known as the cahow, is a medium-sized gadfly petrel native to Bermuda.
This nocturnal and ground-nesting seabird has captured the hearts of many as it’s not only the national bird of Bermuda but also appears on Bermudian currency.
It's truly an iconic symbol that stands for hope in nature conservation due to its rare status; it is considered one of just two birds in existence with such rarity levels.
The cahow can be identified by their long wingspan and white head feathers contrasted against dark brown plumage across their body.
Its eerie cries are unique among all other species within this family making them easily recognizable throughout the islands they inhabit.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. cahow |
2. White-tailed tropicbird
The White-tailed Tropicbird is a beautiful seabird that lives in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
It is the smallest member of its order Phaethontiformes, measuring only 28 inches from head to tail.
Its wingspan can reach up to 45 inches wide. The bird has white plumage with black markings on its wings and tail feathers.
It also has an unmistakable long streamer which trails out behind them when they are in flight - a characteristic feature for all tropicbirds.
They nest mainly on remote islands throughout their range but have recently begun nesting on Little Tobago as well.
These birds feed primarily off flying fish or squid near the ocean's surface during daylight hours before returning back home at nightfall.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. lepturus |
3. White-eyed vireo
The White-eyed vireo is a small songbird in the family Vireonidae, native to parts of eastern United States from New England to northern Missouri, Texas and Florida.
It also occurs in Mexico, Central America, Cuba and Caribbean islands such as Bahamas.
These birds are migratory on their North American range but become resident further south towards Gulf Coast.
They inhabit wooded areas with thick shrubbery or foliage which offer plenty of insects for them to feed upon.
Their call consists of sharp 'chick' notes while they sing a sweet melodious warble during breeding season making them popular among birdwatchers all over the world.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Vireonidae |
| Genus | Vireo |
| Species | V. griseus |
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4. Eastern bluebird
The Eastern bluebird is a small migratory thrush that can be found in open woodlands, farms and orchards across North America.
The male has bright-blue breeding plumage which makes it easily recognizable by birders.
It produces melodious songs such as jeew, chir-wi and chiti WEEW wewidoo.
This popular species was declared the state bird of Missouri back in 1927 due to its beauty and charm.
In addition to being beautiful, these birds are also beneficial for farmers because they eat insects like grasshoppers and beetles which damage crops.
They nest in cavities so providing nesting boxes helps them thrive even more.
With their vibrant colors, sweet melodies and helpful nature it's easy to see why the Eastern Bluebird is beloved worldwide.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Sialia |
| Species | S. sialis |
5. Gray catbird
The Gray Catbird is a medium-sized bird native to North and Central America. It is the only species in its genus, Dumetella, which makes it unique among other perching birds of the Mimidae family.
Its plumage features shades of gray with some brownish tones on top and lighter grey below.
The underside of its tail has white feathers that contrast against their otherwise monochromatic coloration; this feature gives them their name as they often flick their tails when alarmed or excited like cats do.
They are omnivorous but mainly feed on insects such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles while also eating fruits like berries or cherries during summer months.
Despite being commonly seen alone or in pairs these birds will flock together at times for protection from predators like hawks who are drawn to their dark colouration against green foliage making them harder to spot.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Mimidae |
| Genus | Dumetella C.T. Wood, 1837 |
| Species | D. carolinensis |
6. Great kiskadee
The Great Kiskadee is a passerine bird belonging to the Tyrant Flycatcher family.
It has an unmistakable yellow and black plumage, making it easily recognizable in its native habitats of Belize, Texas, Argentina and Brazil where it is known as Bem-te-vi or Benteveo respectively.
The species inhabits open woodland with some tall trees such as cultivation areas and other places surrounding human dwellings.
This adaptable bird feeds mainly on insects but also consumes fruit for energy when needed.
Its call resembles laughter which adds to its charm among avid nature watchers who are always delighted by their presence.
A unique feature that sets this species apart from others is that they can imitate songs of other birds accurately too.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Pitangus Swainson, 1827 |
| Species | P. sulphuratus |
7. Auk
Auk is a family of birds from the order Charadriiformes. They are excellent swimmers and divers, able to "fly" through water. There are 25 species divided into 11 genera in this family, with the great auk being extinct.
Auks can fly but their walking appears awkward due to their thick feathers that make them heavy on land.
The most notable feature of these aquatic birds is the large bills they possess which helps them catch fish underwater.
Apart from feeding on sea creatures like squid or shrimp, auks also feed on grains found near shorelines during winter months when food sources become scarce in open waters.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Alcidae Leach, 1820 |
8. Pied-billed grebe
The Pied-billed Grebe is a water bird found in ponds throughout the Americas. It has earned many nicknames, including American dabchick, rail, and Carolina grebe.
This species of grebe can be recognized by its distinctive bill which is pied or mottled with black and white markings.
Its brownish body is also covered in dark spots as well as having long legs for swimming underwater to catch food such as aquatic insects and crustaceans.
The Pied-billed Grebes are monogamous birds that pair up during breeding season from spring to summer where they build their nests together on vegetation near the shoreline of lakes or slow moving rivers.
These birds are solitary outside of mating season but will form small flocks when migrating south for winter months.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Podicipediformes |
| Family | Podicipedidae |
| Genus | Podilymbus |
| Species | P. podiceps |
9. Procellariidae
Procellariidae is a diverse family of seabirds belonging to the bird order Procellariiformes.
These birds are commonly referred to as tubenoses and include fulmarine petrels, gadfly petrels, diving petrels, prions, and shearwaters.
They range in size from the small storm-petrel which measures around 18cm long to the giant albatross which can reach up to 3 meters in length.
Generally found near oceans or coasts where they feed on fish as well as squid and other marine life depending on species.
Many procellariids will also nest inland during breeding season before returning back out at sea for most of their lives.
Their wings have specially adapted feathers that give them incredible gliding abilities allowing them literally fly with minimal effort over vast distances across oceanic regions
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae Leach, 1820 |
10. Yellow-crowned night heron
The Yellow-crowned night heron is a beautiful and unique species of bird native to the Americas. It has distinctive yellow crowns on its head, making it easy to identify among other herons.
These birds are also larger than most other types of herons, reaching up to 70 cm in length and 850 g in weight.
They usually feed on small fish or crustaceans while wading through shallow waters with their long legs.
The yellow-crowned night heron can be found near marshes or lakes during breeding season when they will build nests made from twigs high above the ground for protection against predators like raccoons and foxes.
This majestic bird is an important part of wetland ecosystems as it helps keep populations of smaller aquatic animals balanced by preying upon them.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nyctanassa |
| Species | N. violacea |
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11. Rail
Rails are a diverse family of birds, ranging from small to medium size and living in habitats across the world.
They can be found around wetlands, as well as any other land-based environment except for dry deserts, polar regions or areas with persistent snow cover.
These ground-dwellers have short legs and long toes that help them maneuver through wetland vegetation easily.
Tey typically feed on insects and aquatic invertebrates but will also eat seeds and berries when available.
Species such as coots, crakes and gallinules have evolved different bill shapes to allow them to navigate their environments more efficiently while searching for food.
Rails live both alone or in pairs depending on the species; some migrate seasonally while others remain at one location year round.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
12. Sittidae
Sittidae, or nuthatches, are small passerine birds belonging to the family Sittidae. They inhabit a variety of habitats including woodlands, scrubland and gardens.
Characterized by their short bills and long tails which they use for climbing up trees in search of food, these birds can be found across Eurasia and North America.
Nuthatches have strong legs allowing them to walk headfirst down tree trunks as well as cling upside-down on branches while feeding.
Their diet consists mostly of insects but also includes nuts seeds berries conifer cones buds fruits eggs larvae sap etc., making them an important part of many ecosystems both large and small scale.
In addition to being beneficial creatures that provide pest control services they are also beloved among birdwatchers due to their handsome plumage friendly demeanor and entertaining antics.
Scientific classification:13. Skuas
Skuas are a group of predatory seabirds with seven species, all belonging to the genus Stercorarius.
They are also known as "Jaegers" in North America and their name originates from the Faroese word for Great Skua - skúgvur.
These birds typically inhabit coastal areas or open oceans where they feed on fish, krill and other marine creatures.
Skuas can be distinguished by their pointed wings which help them fly long distances while hunting food.
Their distinctive colouration varies depending on age and habitat but generally includes greyish brown upperparts and white underparts with black streaks along its belly area.
The overall size ranges from 24-40 cm making these one of the larger sea bird species.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Stercorariidae Gray, 1871 |
| Genus | Stercorarius Brisson, 1760 |
14. Treecreepers
Treecreepers are small passerine birds found in wooded areas of the Northern Hemisphere and sub-Saharan Africa.
They have dull colored plumage, long curved bills, stiff tails and strong feet that help them to climb up tree trunks while searching for food such as insects and spiders.
The two genera Certhia and Salpornis include eleven species which can be identified by their distinct call - a high pitched 'tsee-tsit'.
Treecreepers build cup shaped nests on trees usually near the base or middle trunk using mosses, lichens, grasses with leaves inside them to provide insulation from cold temperatures.
These birds also use bark crevices during winter months when they shelter in groups together against extreme weather conditions.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Certhioidea |
| Family | Certhiidae Leach, 1820 |
15. Mimid
Mimid birds are a diverse family of passerines found in the New World. They have an impressive vocal range and many species excel at mimicking other bird songs, as well as noises from their environment.
Mimids can be identified by their flat heads with short crest feathers, long tails, large eyes and strong legs for hopping between branches.
These birds typically inhabit open woodlands or scrubland areas where they feed on insects such as beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
Some species also supplement their diet with fruits or grains when available. While most do not migrate far during winter months some may undertake longer migrations to warmer climates if necessary to survive cold weather spells.
The wide variety of sounds these talented singers produce make them one of nature's great musical performers.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Muscicapoidea |
| Family | Mimidae Bonaparte, 1853 |
16. Old world flycatchers
The Old World Flycatcher is a family of small passerine birds, native to Europe, Africa and Asia. They are mainly insectivorous arboreal birds that feed on insects they catch in the air or trees.
Their wingspan ranges from 5-11 inches long with males usually being slightly larger than females.
The coloration of these birds can range greatly depending on species but typically have dull greyish brown upperparts and pale undersides which help them blend into their environment for hunting purposes.
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) are two exceptions as they can be found in North America too.
These charming little creatures make fun additions to birdwatching lists all over the world because of their vibrant colors and interesting behaviors.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Muscicapoidea |
| Family | Muscicapidae Fleming J., 1822 |
17. Nightjars
Nightjars are fascinating nocturnal or crepuscular birds belonging to the Caprimulgidae family. These medium-sized birds have long wings, short legs and very small bills.
They can be found across many parts of the world in forests, grasslands and scrubland habitats.
Nightjars feed on insects such as moths, beetles, crickets and cicadas which they catch with their sharp eyesight during night time flights over open fields when hunting for food.
Their scientific name 'Caprimulgidae' is derived from an old folktale that claims these birds suck milk from goats.
In reality though, they are harmless creatures who pose no threat to livestock whatsoever.
Nightjars make a variety of different calls ranging from whistles to chirps all throughout the night - adding further mystery to this amazing species.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes Ridgway, 1881 |
| Family | Caprimulgidae Vigors, 1825 |
18. Common gallinule
The Common Gallinule is a bird of the Rallidae family, native to parts of the Americas. It can be found in marshes, ponds and other wetland habitats which are well-vegetated.
This species prefers temperate climates and is not generally seen in polar regions or rainforests.
It has mainly greyish plumage with black wings and tail feathers, while its head has orange markings on either side along with an orange bill and yellow legs.
The underside usually appears white when flying but may have buffy undertones during breeding season.
Its diet consists primarily of aquatic vegetation as well as small invertebrates such as insects, snails or tadpoles; sometimes it will also take grains from fields nearby wetlands if available.
The Common Gallinule's main call is a loud "kuk-kaa-kow" sound that can often be heard echoing across these areas where they reside.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Gallinula |
| Species | G. galeata |
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19. Common ground dove
The Common Ground Dove is a small bird that can be found in the southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.
It's considered to be one of the smallest dove species in North American with an average length of around 6–7 inches.
This ground-dwelling species spends most of its time on foot but has been known to fly when necessary or threatened.
The plumage is pale grayish brown above while their bellies are white and speckled with black spots along their wings.
Its diet consists mainly of seeds from grasses and other low vegetation which it forages for by walking slowly across open fields or lawns looking for food items like berries, grains, insects, spiders and snails.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Columbina |
| Species | C. passerina |
20. Gadfly petrel
Gadfly petrels are seabirds belonging to the genus Pterodroma and order Procellariiformes. These birds can be recognised by their medium to large size, speedy weaving flight resembling that of a gadfly (horseflies), and short sturdy bills.
They inhabit tropical, subtropical and temperate waters around the world in search for food such as fish, squid or crustaceans.
Apart from being fast flyers they also feature highly distinctive acrobatic courtship displays which include high-energy dives or swoops close over water surface while calling loudly at each other.
Gadfly petrels breed on remote islands where they build burrows or nest under dense vegetation cover to protect themselves from predators like gulls.
This species plays an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems due to its scavenging behaviour making it an essential part of ocean health conservation efforts worldwide.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma Bonaparte, 1856 |
21. Roseate tern
The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) is a species of bird that belongs to the family Laridae. It gets its name from its pink breast in breeding plumage, which gives it a "roseate" appearance.
The genus Sterna comes from Old English and means “tern” while the specific dougallii refers to Scottish physician and collector Dr Peter McDougall (1777–1814).
This species was first described by George Montagu in 1813.
They are most common near coasts but can be found further inland occasionally too. These birds mainly feed on small fish like sardines, anchovies or herring as well as crustaceans when available.
They typically lay two eggs each year during their breeding season between May-September before migrating south for winter months.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Sterna |
| Species | S. dougallii |
22. Audubon's shearwater
Audubon's shearwater is a type of seabird belonging to the petrel family. It has many different monikers, including Baillon's shearwater, tropical shearwater, Bannerman's shearwater, Mascarene shearwater and Persian Sheawater.
This species was first discovered by French naturalist Félix Louis L'Herminier in 1836 and earned its scientific name (Puffinus lherminieri) in his honour.
These birds are found throughout tropical oceans across the world from Africa to Asia and even Hawaii.
They have dark brown back feathers with white bellies which help them blend into their environment for protection against predators.
Audubon’s Sheerwaters feed on small fish near ocean surfaces or dive deep underwater when necessary due to their strong wings allowing them excellent swimming capabilities through powerful winds at sea level as well as incredible endurance during long distance flights over vast areas of open water around islands or coastlines.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Puffinus |
| Species | P. lherminieri |
23. Calcariidae
The Calcariidae family is a small group of passerine birds which includes longspurs and snow buntings. These migratory birds are found in North America, Eurasia, and some parts of Africa.
They have adapted to living in various habitats such as grasslands, prairies, tundra regions, mountains and beaches across their range.
The smallest member of this family weighs only 20 grams (0.71 oz) - the chestnut-collared longspur while the largest bird can reach up to60 g (2 oz).
Other species include Lapland Longspur , Smith's Longspur , McCown's Longspur , Snow Bunting among others that feed on insects or seeds depending on seasonality.
Despite being difficult to spot due to their camouflage coloration they do provide important benefits for our ecosystems by controlling pest populations through predation or dispersing seeds upon feeding.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Emberizoidea |
| Family | Calcariidae Ridgway, 1901 |
24. Redhead
The Redhead is a medium-sized diving duck that can be found in North America. It has a scientific name of Aythya americana, with its Greek roots translating to an unidentified seabird and the Latin meaning "of America".
This bird measures 37 cm (15 in) long on average with an 84 cm (33 in) wingspan. The typical weight for this species ranges from 2 to 2.5 pounds, although males tend to weigh slightly more than females at around 2.4 lbs (1083 g).
Its beautiful plumage includes shades of browns and grays along with distinctive red feathers on its head which give it its name.
They mainly feed off insects, aquatic plants, small fish and crustaceans making them excellent divers.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Aythya |
| Species | A. americana |
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25. Orange-cheeked waxbill
The Orange-cheeked Waxbill is a small finch native to western and central Africa. It has an orange cheek patch, giving it its name, as well as black stripes on the head and wings that stand out against its chestnut brown feathers.
This species lives in flocks of 30 or more individuals, which can be heard by their high pitched peeps echoing through the trees.
They are very acrobatic birds too - often seen flipping midair while chasing after tiny insects for food.
The global extent of occurrence for this species is estimated to be 3.6 million km2; making them quite common across their range within Africa.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Estrilda |
| Species | E. melpoda |
26. Black-capped petrel
The Black-capped Petrel is a small seabird native to the West Indies. It has grey-brown back and wings, with a white nape and rump.
Its distinct feature is its black cap which extends to cover the eye in some individuals.
They have mainly white underparts apart from dark underwing markings as well.
These birds typically feed on crustaceans, fish eggs, squid or jellyfish plucked out of water while flying low over it with their relatively long wingspan aiding them in flight efficiency and speed.
Breeding season occurs around July-September during which they inhabit rocky cliff ledges near the shorelines for nesting purposes where they lay one egg at a time per nest.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. hasitata |
27. Trindade petrel
The Trindade petrel is a species of seabird belonging to the gadfly petrel family. It has an average size of 35-39 cm and wingspan varying between 88-102 cm.
Its plumage can be dark, light or intermediate between the two shades. Two populations were initially thought to belong to this species: one in the south Pacific and another near Trinidad Island off Brazil's Atlantic coast, hence its name ‘Trindade’ petrels.
This bird depends on open ocean for feeding as it primarily feeds on fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans like krill & squids which are found there only.
Unfortunately their population numbers have been declining due to habitat destruction caused by human activities such as overfishing & pollution leading them towards endangerment.
Scientific classification:| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. arminjoniana |