Necker Island is a private island in the British Virgin Islands, known for its stunning natural beauty and unique animal life. One of the most notable features of this island is its diverse bird population, which includes both native and migratory species.
Visitors to Necker Island can observe an array of fascinating birds, ranging from colorful flamingos to majestic frigatebirds. With its varied habitats and abundant food sources, Necker Island is an important destination for bird enthusiasts and researchers worldwide.
This article will explore the fascinating world of birds on Necker Island, highlighting their behaviors, habitats, and ecological significance.
24 Common Birds Found Near Necker Island
Necker Island is a small British Virgin Islands island owned by Sir Richard Branson. It is a popular destination for celebrities and nature lovers who enjoy its tropical climate, white sand beaches, and diverse wildlife.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Necker Island is its rich birdlife, which includes 24 common species that visitors can easily spot.
Here are some of the birds you can expect to see on Necker Island:
1. Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is a majestic bird of prey belonging to the family Falconidae. It has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head, making it easily recognizable.
This intelligent raptor is known for its incredible speed, reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph) during hunting dives. It is one of the fastest animals.
The peregrine falcon can be found worldwide, from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, thriving with humans or in high alpine mountains far from civilization.
Their beauty, power, and adaptability make them an impressive species that have earned respect among many cultures throughout history as symbols of strength and endurance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. peregrinus |
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2. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are tiny birds throughout the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Most species measure 3-5 inches long and weigh less than an ounce.
The smallest hummingbird is only 2 inches long. Hummingbirds have a unique ability to hover by rapidly flapping their wings up to 80 times per second.
They feed on nectar and insects, with some species even able to drink sap or eat pollen directly off flowers.
Their vibrant colors make them instantly recognizable as they dart through gardens searching for food and mates.
Hummingbirds truly bring joy into our lives as they remind us that nature’s beauty can be seen around every corner if we take the time to look for it.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae Vigors, 1825 |
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3. 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 a body length reaching 60cm (24in), this large raptor specializes in hunting for fish, soaring high over rivers and coasts, and 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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4. Red-Billed Tropicbird
The Red-billed Tropicbird is a beautiful seabird found in tropical oceans. It has mainly white plumage, black markings on its wings and back, a black mask, and a red bill.
These birds have distinctive long tail streamers twice their body length, which they use to soar above the ocean surface while searching for food.
They primarily feed off squid, fish, and crustaceans that inhabit coral reefs or deep-sea areas where they can dive up to 30 meters below the water’s surface.
The Red-billed Tropicbird was once thought of as an omen of bad luck, but now it serves as a reminder of how delicate our marine ecosystems are when faced with human activity such as overfishing.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. aethereus |
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5. White-Winged Dove
The White-winged Dove is an impressive bird with a large body and wingspan. Its distinctive feature is the white edge on its wings, making it easily recognizable in flight.
It has blue eyerings, red eyes, and gray plumage, while juveniles are duller in color than adults.
This dove species inhabits areas from the Southwestern United States through Mexico to Central America and Caribbean islands.
They usually live close to human settlements or cities but can also be found in agricultural fields feeding on grains like corn or wheat seeds left by farmers after harvest season ends.
In their natural habitat, they feed primarily on insects, fruits, and small plants such as certain cacti species.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Zenaida |
| Species | Z. asiatica |
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6. Magnificent Frigatebird
The Magnificent Frigatebird is the largest 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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7. Green Heron
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small heron throughout North and Central America.
Its scientific name comes from the Middle English ‘butor’, meaning bittern, and the Latin term for its distinctive greenish color – ‘virescens’.
For many years, it was considered part of the same species as the Striated Heron (Butorides striata), commonly referred to as “green-backed herons.”
The nominate subspecies inhabits wetlands across much of this range, where they can be spotted stalking about in shallow water, looking for fish or frogs on which to feed.
They are fascinating wading birds that have even been known to use tools such as sticks or baited lines when fishing.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
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8. Brown Booby
The Brown Booby is a large seabird from the booby family Sulidae. It has a pantropical range and can be found in many areas of the world.
This bird lives in flocks and forages by plunging into shallow waters to catch small fish driven near the surface by predators or storms.
The brown booby is known for its short wings, which make it highly maneuverable when hunting; this allows it to pursue prey quickly with sudden turns and dives.
Its diet also includes squid, crustaceans, eggs of other birds, and scraps from boats or ships they may come across while flying around coastlines.
They sometimes rest on floating objects during long flights between islands or continents over open water.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Sulidae |
| Genus | Sula |
| Species | S. leucogaster |
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9. Smooth-Billed Ani
The Smooth-billed Ani is a species of bird in the cuckoo family, native to regions spanning from southern Florida and the Caribbean down through Central America, South America, and parts of Argentina.
They were even introduced to Galapagos around the 1960s, where they may impact local wildlife due to their aggressive nature.
As its name suggests, these birds have smooth bills adapted for feeding on hard fruits or other items, such as insects and lizards that they find while scavenging around trees or ground-level vegetation.
They usually form small flocks when searching for food, with males slightly larger than females.
This adaptable species is found in many habitats across its broad range but does best in low-elevation open areas near water sources like marshes or swamps, making them easier targets for human disturbance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Crotophaga |
| Species | C. ani |
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10. 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 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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11. Grey Plover
The Grey Plover is a large plover bird that breeds in the Arctic region. It then migrates long distances and can be found on coastlines worldwide when not breeding.
The species was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under its binomial name “Tringa squatarola.”
In addition to being known as grey plovers or black-bellied plovers, they are sometimes referred to as “black-breasted lapwings” due to their distinctive plumage that features white underneath with dark greys above.
These birds inhabit beaches, mudflats, and saltmarshes, where they feed mainly on small invertebrates such as worms and insects.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Pluvialis |
| Species | P. squatarola |
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12. Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers are a family of waders forming the Haematopodidae, with one genus: Haematopus.
They live in coastal regions worldwide, excluding polar and some tropical areas of Africa & South East Asia.
Eurasian, South Island & Magellanic oystercatcher species also breed far inland – breeding grounds being found much deeper than other family members.
They have long beaks used to feed on mollusks such as mussels, clams, and oysters, which they crack open using their strong bills.
Oystercatchers are usually quite vocal birds, making loud calls when disturbed or alarmed.
The males display more brightly colored plumage than females, who share similar brown/black hues for camouflage purposes during nesting season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Charadrii |
| Family | Haematopodidae Bonaparte, 1838 |
| Genus | Haematopus Linnaeus, 1758 |
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13. Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret is a small white heron native to North America. Its scientific name, Egretta thula, comes from Provençal French for the little egret and an incorrect reference to the Black-necked Swan by Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782.
This beautiful bird has black legs, yellow feet, and a long plume of feathers on its head that often appears as if it’s wearing a crown.
It feeds primarily on insects and aquatic life like fish or frogs, making it well adapted for wetland habitats such as marshes or swamps and coastal areas close to shorelines.
Their graceful movements make them truly delightful creatures to observe while exploring nature.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. thula |
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14. Spotted Sandpiper
The Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius) is a small shorebird found across North America and parts of South America.
It has an appealing spotted plumage, predominately brown, with white spots on the wings, tail feathers, head, and neck.
The Common Sandpiper (A. hypoleucos) is its sister species, which takes over geographically when the other moves away; they have been known to hybridize when strays settle down among breeders.
This bird was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766 in his twelfth edition of Systema Naturae as a migratory summer visitor to Europe. Still, it also occupies many habitats like beaches, riversides, and grasslands during migration periods or for the breeding season itself.
Its diet consists mainly of insects such as air-borne flies and mollusks from shallow water areas, making them quite unique amongst waders.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Actitis |
| Species | A. macularius |
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15. Scaly-Naped Pigeon
The scaly-naped pigeon is a large bird belonging to the family Columbidae. It has slate grey plumage with maroon-colored 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 the 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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16. Zenaida Dove
The Zenaida dove is a species of doves and pigeons found mainly in the Caribbean and parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
With its distinct dark coloring, short, rounded tail, and an average length of 28-30 cm (11-12 inches), it stands out from other bird families.
It’s recognized as the national bird of Anguilla, where locals call it a ‘turtle dove.’ They fly around open grasslands or roost on tree branches close to populated areas.
These birds feed mostly on seeds they pick off the ground while walking through fields.
The Zenaida Dove breeds all year round, producing two broods during spring and summer, with both males and females taking turns incubating eggs over 14 days before hatching into chicks.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Zenaida |
| Species | Z. aurita |
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17. Caribbean Elaenia
The Caribbean elaenia is a small bird species found in the West Indies and parts of Central America.
It is part of the Tyrannidae family and inhabits tropical dry broadleaf forests, subtropical or moist lowland forests, and heavily degraded former forest areas.
In 1760, French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson provided an extensive description of this species, which has helped us gain further knowledge about it today.
The Caribbean elaenia typically measures 6-9 inches long with predominantly olive green feathers and yellowish edges to some wings and tails.
They have white throats but lack distinctive markings on their chest, unlike many other birds from its family.
This bird feeds primarily on insects such as grasshoppers collected from trees or bushes while consuming fruit when available during certain times of the year.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Elaenia |
| Species | E. martinica |
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18. Common Ground-Dove
The Common Ground is a small bird found in the southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
It’s considered one of the smallest dove species in North America, 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 |
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19. 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 well-vegetated wetland habitats.
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, an orange bill, and yellow legs.
When flying, the underside usually appears white but may have buffy undertones during breeding season.
Its diet consists primarily of aquatic vegetation and small invertebrates such as insects, snails, or tadpoles; sometimes, it will take grains from fields near wetlands if available.
The Common Gallinule’s main call is a loud “kuk-kaa-kow” sound that can often be heard echoing across the 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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20. Laughing Gull
The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized bird with gray wings, a black head, and white underparts. It has bright red legs and bill, making it easily distinguishable from other gulls.
The name comes from its unique laughing call, which can be heard in coastal areas throughout the Americas where they breed. They are opportunistic omnivores that feed on fish, carrion, insects, or even garbage when available.
During breeding season, these birds form large colonies along the Atlantic coast of North America and parts of northern South America and Caribbean islands.
There are two subspecies; L megalopturus found in Canada to Central America while L atricilla inhabits rest of their range..
These species have become more common inland due to human settlement near coasts, creating ideal habitat for them and making them scavengers around urban areas.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Leucophaeus |
| Species | L. atricilla |
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21. 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 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 colored brown plumage, its distinct characteristic.
The brown pelican belongs to the largest bird species 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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22. American Kestrel
The American kestrel, also known as the sparrow hawk, is a popular falcon species in North America. The smallest falcon can come in different sizes based on subspecies and sex.
Its weight ranges from that of a blue jay to a mourning dove. In addition to North America, this bird species is also found in South America.
There are 17 subspecies of American kestrels, each adapted to different environments.
Although small, the American kestrel is a fierce predator, often preying on insects, rodents, and other small birds.
Its impressive hunting skills and stunning coloration make it a favorite among birdwatchers and falconers.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. sparverius |
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23. Semipalmated Plover
The Semipalmated plover is a small bird with yellowish coloring. Its name comes from the Latin words semi, half, and Palma, meaning palm, referencing the bird’s unique foot structure.
The plover is known for living in ravines and river valleys and is a common sight along shorelines.
Despite its small size, the Semipalmated plover is known for being a strong and agile flier, able to dart and twist through the air quickly.
Its distinct coloring and fascinating behavior make it a popular subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. semipalmatus |
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24. Mangrove Cuckoo
The Mangrove cuckoo bird is indigenous to the Neotropics. It was first described in 1788 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin. The species belongs to the cuckoo family, formally known as Coccyzus minor.
Gmelin coined the scientific name in his revised and expanded Systema Naturae edition, categorizing it under the genus Cuculus.
The Mangrove cuckoo is a unique and fascinating bird that is beloved both for its beautiful appearance and unique behavioral characteristics.
Its habitat is mainly in the mangrove areas of the Neotropics. Although the Mangrove cuckoo bird is native to South America and parts of Central America, it has become a popular bird species among bird watchers worldwide.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Coccyzus |
| Species | C. minor |
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Conclusion
Necker Island, situated within the British Virgin Islands, is likely home to many bird species commonly found in the Caribbean region. While an exhaustive list specific to Necker Island may not be readily available, the island’s tropical climate and varied habitats likely support a rich avian community.
From majestic seabirds like the Brown Pelican and Magnificent Frigatebird to smaller passerines like the Bananaquit and Yellow Warbler, Necker Island offers a haven for resident and migratory bird species.
Continued conservation efforts and habitat preservation are essential to ensure the continued presence of these birds and the ecological balance of the island’s ecosystem.
