24 Common Birds Found Near Necker Island

Necker Island is a private island located 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 serves as an important destination for bird enthusiasts and researchers from all over the world.

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of birds on Necker Island, highlighting their behaviors, habitats, and ecological significance.

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 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 – one of the fastest animals in existence.

The peregrine falcon can be found around the world from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests thriving with humans or in high alpine mountains far away from civilization.

With their beauty, power and adaptability they are 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 found throughout the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Most species measure between 3-5 inches in length and weigh less than an ounce.

The smallest hummingbird is only 2 inches long. Hummingbirds have a unique ability of hovering 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 in search of 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 and greyish head and underparts, making it easily identifiable in the skies above many regions across the world.

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 as well as 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. 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, with black markings on its wings and back, along with a black mask and red bill.

These birds have distinctive long tail streamers that are twice their body length which they use to help them 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, which makes it easily recognizable when in flight.

It has blue eyerings, red eyes and gray plumage, while juveniles are duller in coloration than adults.

This dove species inhabits areas from Southwestern United States through Mexico to Central America as well as 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 of frigatebird, measuring between 89 and 114 cm in length and having a wingspan of 7-8 ft.

It can be found over tropical waters off America from northern Mexico to Peru on the Pacific coast, as well as 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 too.

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 found throughout North and Central America.

It's scientific name comes from Middle English ‘butor’ meaning bittern, combined with the Latin term for its distinctive greenish color - 'virescens'.

For many years it was considered to be 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 that are 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, as well as scraps from boats or ships they may come across while flying around coastlines.

They sometimes rest on floating objects during their long flights over open water between islands or continents.

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 have even been introduced to Galapagos around 1960s where they may be impacting local wildlife due to their aggressive nature.

As its name suggests, these birds have smooth bills which are adapted for feeding on hard fruits or other items such as insects and lizards that it finds while scavenging around trees or ground level vegetation.

They usually form small flocks when out searching for food with males being slightly larger than females.

Overall this adaptable species is found in many habitats across its broad range but does best at low elevation open areas near water sources like marshes or swamps making them easier targets for human disturbance as well.

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 can be found mainly 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 as well as helping 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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11. Grey plover

The Grey Plover is a large plover bird which breeds in the Arctic regions. It then migrates over long distances, and can be found on coastlines around the world 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 also 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 around the world excluding both 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 members of the family.

They have long beaks used to feed on molluscs such as mussels, clams and oysters which they crack open using their strong bills.

Oystercatchers are usually quite vocal birds making various loud calls when disturbed or alarmed.

The males tend to display more brightly coloured plumage compared to 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 with 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 both wetland habitats such as marshes or swamps plus coastal areas close to shorelines.

With their graceful movements they are truly delightful creatures to observe while out 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 that can be found across North America and parts of South America.

It has an appealing spotted plumage, predominately brown in colour 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 as well 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 but it now also occupies many habitats too like beaches, riversides and even grasslands during migration periods or for breeding season itself.

Its diet consists mainly of insects such as air-borne flies plus molluscs from shallow water areas - this makes 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 coloured feathers around its neck, giving it the common name of red-necked pigeon.

The species originates from throughout the Caribbean and can reach 14–16 inches in length.

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 that have this characteristic.

They feed mainly on fruit but also consume seeds, insects and even carrion depending on availability at any given 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, but also 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 for Anguilla where locals refer to it as 'turtle dove'. They are seen flying around open grasslands or roosting on tree branches close by populated areas.

These birds feed mostly on seeds that they pick off the ground while walking through fields.

The Zenaida Dove breeds all year round producing two broods during spring and summer months with both male and female taking turns incubating eggs over a span of 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 species of small bird that can be 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 tropical moist lowland forests, as well as heavily degraded former forest areas.

In 1760, French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson provided an extensive description on this species which has helped us gain further knowledge about it today.

The Caribbean elaenia typically measures around 6-9 inches long with predominantly olive green feathers with yellowish edges to some wings and tails.

They have white throats but lack any 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 also consuming fruit when available during certain times of 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 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

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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 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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20. Laughing gull

The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized bird with gray wings, black head and white underparts. It has bright red legs and bill which make 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 as well as 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 but also 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 found in the Americas and is known to dive into water to catch its prey.

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, this bird can be found.

Its scientific name is Pelecanus occidentalis, and it has a colored brown plumage, which is its distinct characteristic.

The brown pelican belongs to the largest bird species that exist 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. It is the smallest falcon and 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 in size, 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 alike.

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, meaning 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 quickly dart and twist through the air.

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 and is formally known as Coccyzus minor.

The scientific name was coined by Gmelin himself in his revised and expanded Systema Naturae edition, where he categorized it under the genus Cuculus.

The Mangrove cuckoo is a unique and fascinating bird which 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 all over the world.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Cuculiformes
Family	Cuculidae
Genus	Coccyzus
Species	C. minor

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