Nestled in the heart of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Middle Caicos stands out as a picturesque destination renowned for its stunning beaches, unique culture, and impressive wildlife.
Among the island’s many natural attractions, its diverse bird population continues to captivate both visitors and locals alike.
With over 50 species of resident and migratory birds inhabiting the island and its surrounding waters, Middle Caicos is a bird watcher’s paradise.
From vibrant parrots and majestic flamingos to pelicans and ospreys, the island’s feathered inhabitants offer an unparalleled glimpse into the richness and beauty of Caribbean avian life.
This article takes a closer look at the fascinating world of birds in the Middle Caicos, exploring their behaviour, habitats, and importance to both the ecosystem and the local community.
24 Native Birds Of Middle Caicos
Middle Caicos, part of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, is home to various native bird species. While I don’t have a specific list of 24 native birds from Middle Caicos, I can provide you with a list of some of the common and notable bird species found in the Turks and Caicos Islands, including Middle Caicos:
1. Mallard
The Mallard is a species of dabbling duck that can be found living in temperate and subtropical regions across the Americas, Eurasia and North Africa.
Humans have introduced it to other areas, such as New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil and South Africa.
This beautiful bird belongs to the Anatinae subfamily of waterfowl family Anatidae. The adult mallards have glossy green heads with white neck rings surrounding them.
Its brownish-grey body feathers make it look stunning when it flies away or sits in its natural habitat around lakes or ponds.
They are excellent swimmers too due to webbed feet which helps them swim fast underwater while looking for food like aquatic insects etc.. Their loud quacking sound makes them quite popular among nature lovers.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
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2. Osprey
The Osprey is a majestic bird of prey with an incredibly wide habitat range. It has distinctive brown upperparts, greyish head, and underparts, making it easily identifiable in the skies above many regions worldwide.
With a wingspan of up to 180cm (71in) and body length reaching 60cm (24in), this large raptor specializes in hunting for fish, soaring high over rivers and coasts searching for its next meal.
Despite living near water sources, they can also be found inhabiting mountainsides or even woodlands, proving their incredible adaptability. It is an impressive species that truly deserves admiration.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Pandionidae |
| Genus | Pandion |
| Species | P. haliaetus |
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3. Black-Necked Stilt
The Black-necked Stilt is an elegant shorebird that can be found from the coastal areas of California to Florida, then south through Central America and Brazil.
It has black upperparts contrasted by long white wings with a glossy sheen. Its striking red eyes are set against its white facial mask, while its legs are bright pinkish in colouration.
The Haematopus mexicanus species inhabits marshy wetlands and brackish lagoons where it feeds on insects, crustaceans, small amphibians and fish, which they catch using their slender bill or chase after them as they run across the surface of water or mudflats.
This bird typically nests near shallow waters but will use any habitat type if food resources are available nearby, making it a highly adaptable species well suited for human-altered habitats such as rice fields and sewage ponds.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Recurvirostridae |
| Genus | Himantopus |
| Species | H. mexicanus |
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4. Sanderling
The Sanderling is a small wading bird that can be found in the Arctic region. Its name comes from Old English, meaning “sand-ploughman”. Its grey feathers and light legs give it its distinct white colouration.
During summer breeding months, they are known to travel great distances – some wintering as far south as South America or Southern Africa. They typically feed on crustaceans such as shrimp and molluscs along coastal shores.
The Sanderling is an important species to watch out for because of its long migratory patterns and sensitivity to environmental change; if there’s trouble with this species, then other birds may also be affected.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. alba |
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5. Magnificent Frigatebird
The Magnificent Frigatebird is the largest frigatebird species, measuring between 89 and 114 cm in length and having a 7-8 ft wingspan.
It can be found over tropical waters off America from northern Mexico to Peru on the Pacific coast and in Florida down south.
Its diet consists mainly of fish they take from other seabirds or snatch directly from the ocean surface while flying low above it. They also feed on crustaceans and squid when available.
This impressive bird has an unmistakable silhouette with its long pointed wings, forked tail feathers and male’s red gular pouch, which inflates during courtship displays.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Fregatidae |
| Genus | Fregata |
| Species | F. magnificens |
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6. Cattle Egret
The Cattle Egret is a heron of the family Ardeidae found worldwide in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate areas. It has two subspecies: western cattle egret and eastern cattle egret.
They have white plumage with buff plumes on their head, neck and back. The beak is yellowish-orange with a black tip, while the legs are orange or yellow coloured depending on species variation.
This bird usually feeds near large herds of animals, such as cows, horses, etc., where it finds plenty of insects to eat, like grasshoppers, crickets, etc.
Its presence benefits these animals by removing ectoparasites from them, which leads to a healthier livestock population.
It nests colonially in trees or shrubs located close to water bodies during breeding season which generally takes place between March-June every year.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Bubulcus Bonaparte, 1855 |
| Species | B. ibis |
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7. Great Egret
The Great Egret is a large, white bird found in many regions of the world. It has four subspecies that reside across Asia, Africa, the Americas and southern Europe.
This species usually lives near bodies of water such as lakes and marshes. They are also now starting to spread into more northern areas of Europe due to climate change.
These birds have long yellow legs with an impressive wingspan, allowing them to soar majestically through the sky, hunting for fish or amphibians in shallow waters below.
Their feathers have been used historically by Native Americans as part of traditional garments or ceremonies, but this practice should be avoided today so these amazing creatures can thrive without harm from humans.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. alba |
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8. American Flamingo
The American flamingo is a large species of bird found in the Neotropics. It has bright pink feathers and long legs, making it easily distinguishable from other species of flamingos.
The diet consists mostly of shrimp and small fish, but they are also known to eat algae, aquatic insects, molluscs, crustaceans and seeds.
They live around coastal lagoons or salt ponds in colonies with thousands of birds nesting together on mud flats.
Flamingos build nests out of sticks that sit atop their feet as they wade through shallow waters, looking for food during low tide periods when these areas become more accessible for feeding purposes.
These birds have an interesting courtship ritual involving neck stretching, which looks like a dance to attract mates before the breeding season begins in May-June each year, leading to chicks hatching during the July-August time period.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phoenicopteriformes |
| Family | Phoenicopteridae |
| Genus | Phoenicopterus |
| Species | P. ruber |
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9. White-Cheeked Pintail
The white-cheeked pintail is a species of dabbling duck first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. This beautiful bird is mainly found in the Caribbean, South America, and Galápagos Islands.
It prefers to inhabit brackish lakes or other waters with some salinity where it swims gracefully amongst its environment.
White-cheeked pintails have striking brown plumage on their back, which contrasts beautifully against their white cheeks and bellies.
They also possess an elongated tail that aids them during flight and helps them attract potential mates while they are courting.
These birds feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates but may also consume small fish or plant material if available.
The conservation status of the white-cheeked pintail is currently considered “Least Concern” due to its wide distribution range and stable population numbers across much of its native habitat range.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. bahamensis |
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10. Cuban Crow
The Cuban crow is a beautiful and unique species of bird native to the Caribbean. It has black plumage with white feathers on its neck, giving it an elegant look.
Its bill is hooked and tapered at the tip, while its legs are stout and grey in colour. The Cuban crow feeds mainly on fruits from trees but will also feed on insects or carrion if necessary.
It often congregates in large flocks when searching for food sources, making them easy to spot among other birds of prey.
They have adapted well to human disturbance due to their ability to quickly adapt behaviorally; this makes them tolerant of people near nesting sites as long as they remain undisturbed by noise or activity nearby.
Despite threats posed by habitat destruction caused by hurricanes and deforestation, these intelligent crows continue to thrive throughout Cuba’s countryside areas today.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. nasicus |
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11. West Indian Whistling Duck
The West Indian whistling duck is a beautiful species of bird native to the Caribbean. This duck has an unmistakable call, as its name implies it can whistle.
It also has black bill and legs with grey-brown feathers that help camouflage it in its environment.
The primary breeding range of this species includes the Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, where they live mainly in shallow freshwater wetlands such as ponds or swamps.
Besides their distinctive whistles, these birds can communicate through various other calls, including grunts, honks and quacks. They feed on aquatic plants but may occasionally eat small invertebrates like insects too.
Despite being hunted for food by humans, these ducks remain widespread throughout their habitats due to successful conservation efforts over recent years, making them a symbol of hope for many wildlife enthusiasts worldwide today.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Dendrocygna |
| Species | D. arborea |
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12. Bananaquit
The Bananaquit, scientifically known as Coereba flaveola, is a small passerine bird belonging to the tanager family Thraupidae.
It was previously classified in either its own monotypic family or with other species, such as buntings and New World sparrows (Emberizidae) or warblers (Parulidae).
This beautiful little bird has a yellow-green upper body, pale grey head and chestnut brown wings. Its tail feathers are blackish, while its belly is white with some faint streaks of olive green colouration.
The bananaquit can be found across Central America and the Caribbean islands, where it feeds on fruits like bananas, from which it gets its name.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Thraupidae |
| Genus | Coereba Vieillot, 1809 |
| Species | C. flaveola |
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13. Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet is the largest seabird species in the northern Atlantic, with a white body and long neck.
It has yellowish head feathers and black-tipped wings that can reach up to 6 feet across when fully extended.
The beak is large and orange-yellow in colour. This bird breeds along western Europe’s coasts and northeastern North America.
They forage for fish by plunging into the sea from high above, making them an impressive sight to behold on any given day.
Their diet consists mainly of herring, mackerels or sand eels, which they catch midair after diving at speeds reaching over 100 miles per hour.
With their striking features, these birds are truly majestic creatures that have been around since prehistoric times – a testament to their hardiness and adaptability.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Sulidae |
| Genus | Morus |
| Species | M. bassanus |
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14. Eurasian Whimbrel
Eurasian Whimbrels are a wading bird species commonly found in subarctic regions of Europe and Asia. They have white rumps, long curved bills, brown wings and backs with light streaking on the lower breast.
These birds feed mainly on crustaceans, molluscs or worms they find while probing in the mud during low tide. During the breeding season, they can be seen nesting near coastal areas or wetlands where food is plentiful.
This species has recently been split from Hudsonian whimbrels, but some authorities still consider them to be one species due to their similarities, which include migration patterns as well as habitat preferences.
Eurasian whimbrels are an important part of many ecosystems because they help control insect populations by eating larvae before it can cause damage to crops or vegetation nearby.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Numenius |
| Species | N. phaeopus |
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15. 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 also recently begun nesting on Little Tobago.
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 |
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16. Sooty Tern
The Sooty Tern is a bird that lives in the tropics of all three major oceans. It is found mostly on remote islands, where it returns to nest and breed during its seasonal journeys.
This member of the Laridae family has been described by Carl Linnaeus as Sterna fuscata, though more recently, it was given its current name, Onychoprion fuscatus.
The sooty tern has dark grey wings and back, with white underneath for camouflage against predators when flying over open ocean waters; they are also adept at diving underwater in search of food such as fish or crustaceans, which make up their diet.
They live in colonies and usually lay two eggs each year, incubating for about four weeks before hatching into fluffy little chicks.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Onychoprion |
| Species | O. fuscatus |
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17. Bahama Woodstar
The Bahama woodstar, or ‘hummer’, is a species of hummingbird found in the Lucayan archipelago. It makes a distinct sound while feeding and can easily be identified by locals.
Hummingbirds are among the most abundant avian families, with 338 recognized species.
These birds have an impressive array of colours that range from pinks and purples to greens and blues, depending on the season.
The wingspan for this particular type ranges from 4-5 inches long – making them quite small compared to other bird types.
They feed on nectar from flowers and insects, which they obtain through their specialized bill shapes specifically adapted for hovering over plants efficiently so they can extract pollen grains quickly without expending too much energy during flight.
Furthermore, these tiny creatures also possess incredible migratory abilities; some travel up to 6500 miles round trip each year.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Nesophlox |
| Species | N. evelynae |
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18. Scaly-Naped Pigeon
The scaly-naped pigeon is a large bird belonging to the family Columbidae. It has slate grey plumage with maroon-coloured feathers around its neck, giving it the common name of red-necked pigeon.
The species originates throughout the Caribbean and can reach 14–16 inches long. Its scientific name is derived from its unique feature: small scales on its nape, which form an attractive pattern when viewed up close.
This makes them easily distinguishable from other birds within their range as they are one of few with this characteristic.
They feed mainly on fruit but consume seeds, insects and even carrion depending on availability at any time of year or location.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Patagioenas |
| Species | P. squamosa |
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19. Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan, found across North America from the Aleutian Islands all the way down to Mexico.
Its black plumage stands out against its bright orange-yellow facial skin and some extended patches of white feathers on each side of its throat.
It measures 28 – 35 inches in length and has webbed feet that enable it to swim gracefully through rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
These birds are known for their voracious appetite for fish, sometimes diving over 100 ft deep into water looking for food. Despite this reputation, they also feed on crustaceans, amphibians and insects when available.
Cormorants have been part of many cultures throughout history due to their remarkable ability to fly long distances, making them valued messengers or companions during fishing expeditions at sea.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. auritum |
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20. Brown Pelican
The majestic brown pelican is a dive-feeding bird that belongs to the pelican family. It is one of the three pelican species found in the Americas and is known to dive into water to catch its prey.
This bird can be found from the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey to the mouth of the Amazon River and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to northern Chile, including the Galapagos Islands.
Its scientific name is Pelecanus occidentalis, and it has a coloured brown plumage, which is its distinct characteristic.
The brown pelican belongs to the largest bird species that exists today, with a wingspan that can stretch up to seven feet long.
This bird helps maintain a balance in the ecosystem by eating smaller fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Pelecanidae |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | P. occidentalis |
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21. Owls
Owls are remarkable birds of prey that belong to the order Strigiformes. Known for their solitary and nocturnal behaviour, these birds are commonly associated with an upright stance, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and specially adapted feathers for silent flight.
With over 200 species, owls are mostly carnivorous and hunt small mammals, making them excellent at controlling rodent populations.
Although most owls are solitary animals, some species, such as the gregarious burrowing owl, are social and interact regularly with their own kind.
Despite their nocturnal habits, some owls, like the northern hawk owl, are diurnal and hunt during daylight hours.
All in all, owls are fascinating creatures that have intrigued bird watchers and scientists alike for many years.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Telluraves |
| Order | Strigiformes Wagler, 1830 |
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22. Turnstone
Turnstones are two species of birds in the Scolopacidae family, closely related to calidrid sandpipers. They are sometimes considered members of the Calidriini tribe.
The genus Arenaria, which includes the ruddy turnstone, was introduced by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760.
The name “arenaria” comes from the Latin word for “sandy place.” Turnstones are known for their habit of flipping over stones and other objects, such as insects and small crustaceans, to find food.
They are migratory and can be found in coastal areas worldwide, including rocky shores, tidal flats, and pebble beaches.
The two species of turnstones are the ruddy turnstone and the black turnstone, which are found primarily along the Pacific coast of North America.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Subfamily | Arenarinae |
| Genus | Arenaria Brisson, 1760 |
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23. Pomarine Jaeger
The Pomarine jaeger is a migratory seabird that belongs to the skua family Stercorariidae. It spends winter at sea in tropical oceans.
Although its relationships are not entirely understood, its mitochondrial DNA is most similar to the great skua, while its behaviour and morphology relate more to lesser skuas, such as the parasitic jaeger.
This bird’s distinctive features include a black cap and a thick, hooked bill that it uses to snatch fish from other seabirds.
It has a white belly and dark grey-brown plumage on its upper parts, making it easily recognizable as it reaps through the ocean in search of prey.
The Pomarine Jaeger is a fascinating bird that plays an important role in maintaining the ocean’s ecological balance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Stercorariidae |
| Genus | Stercorarius |
| Species | S. pomarinus |
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24. American Oystercatcher
The American oystercatcher, a member of the Haematopodidae family, is known for feeding on oysters. They were originally named the “sea pie” but were renamed in 1731 by naturalist Mark Catesby.
There are currently an estimated 43,000 American oystercatchers living in the wild. They are also referred to as the American pied oystercatcher or PiruPiru. With around 1,500 breeding pairs, these birds are considered a threatened species.
Known for their distinctive black and white plumage, American oystercatchers are often seen along the coastlines of North and South America.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Haematopodidae |
| Genus | Haematopus |
| Species | H. palliatus |
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To Recap
Middle Caicos, part of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, boasts a diverse avian population. While we don’t have an exact list of 24 native birds specific to Middle Caicos, the region is undoubtedly a haven for various bird species.
From the elegant West Indian whistling duck to the striking Caribbean Flamingo and the agile Osprey to the vibrant Bahama Woodstar, these birds contribute to the island’s ecological richness.
These avian inhabitants enhance the island’s natural beauty and play a vital role in maintaining its delicate ecosystem. Exploring Middle Caicos offers an opportunity to appreciate and conserve these native birds in their natural habitat.
