24 Native Bird Species Found on Prince Island

Prince Island is home to many bird species, making it a desirable destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The island, located in the Atlantic Ocean, boasts a diverse range of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and rocky shorelines, providing a variety of niches for birds to thrive.

This ecosystem offers shelter, food, and breeding grounds for hundreds of species of birds, both resident and migratory.

Visitors can look forward to spotting unique and beautiful birds, such as the endemic Prince Island Thrush and the endangered Cory’s Shearwater.

The island’s avian diversity and beauty make it a must-visit location for any bird enthusiast or nature lover.

1. Kingfisher

Kingfishers are a vibrant and unique family of birds, with most species found in tropical regions across Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe.

Their bright colors make them easily identifiable among the foliage of deep forests near calm ponds or rivers.

They come in three subfamilies: tree kingfishers (Halcyoninae), water kingfishers (Cerylinae) and river kingfishers (Alcedinidae).

Kingfisher birds have short legs used for perching along branches overhanging streams or lakes; they also possess strong beaks perfect for catching fish.

These little hunters will remain motionless as if suspended from thin air until an unsuspecting prey comes within reach.

Then they swoop down quickly to grab their meal. With 116 different species making up this incredible family, there’s something special about every single one.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Coraciiformes
Suborder	Alcedines
Family	Alcedinidae Rafinesque, 1815

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2. 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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3. Canada Goose

The Canada goose is a majestic bird with a black head and neck, white cheeks, chin, and brown body. It’s native to North America but occasionally migrates to northern Europe across the Atlantic.

The species has also been introduced in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Finland. Canada geese are strong flyers that travel in flocks for protection from predators and form monogamous pairs for life.

They feed on grasses or grains near ponds or wetlands where they make their nests of down, which incubate eggs during the summertime before hatching them out into goslings later on.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Branta
Species	B. canadensis

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4. 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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5. Great Cormorant

The Great Cormorant is a large seabird belonging to the Cormorant family. It has many names, including Black Shag in New Zealand and Large Cormorant in India.

Its striking black feathers make it easy to recognize along coastlines or near bodies of water. The bird can measure up to 1 meter long with a wingspan of around two meters and weighs roughly 3 kilograms.

In flight, its neck is stretched out straight ahead while its bill points downwards – an unmistakable sight for any keen observer.

Cormorants are strong swimmers and excellent divers, frequently going underwater for food, such as fish or crustaceans that they scavenge from the ocean floor.

They live primarily on coasts but have also been seen inland where suitable waterways are available – providing another opportunity for nature lovers hoping to catch a glimpse of this impressive species.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Suliformes
Family	Phalacrocoracidae
Genus	Phalacrocorax
Species	P. carbo

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6. Arctic Tern

The Arctic tern is an incredible bird with remarkable migratory behavior. It breeds in the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America during summer before migrating along a convoluted route to reach the Antarctic for winter.

This species has adapted extremely well to its environment – it can fly long distances while navigating easily, thanks to its excellent eyesight. Furthermore, they can survive in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.

The Arctic Tern is also known for being one of the longest-living birds on Earth; some have been recorded living up to 30 years old.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Laridae
Genus	Sterna
Species	S. paradisaea

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7. Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is a majestic wading bird found in many parts of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and even as far away as the Galapagos Islands.

It has an impressive wingspan which can reach up to six feet wide. Its feathers are mainly bluish-gray with brownish streaks on both its neck and chest, while its head displays white plumes.

The adult herons can also be identified by their yellow bill and legs.

They live near bodies of water such as lakes, marshes, or rivers, feeding on fish using a spear-like motion with their sharp bills.

An all-white population exists only in south Florida and the Florida Keys, making it quite unique.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Pelecaniformes
Family	Ardeidae
Genus	Ardea
Species	A. herodias

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8. Common Eider

The Common Eider is a large sea duck that inhabits the coasts of Europe, North America, and eastern Siberia.

It breeds in arctic regions and some northern temperate climates but travels further south during winter to form flocks with other ducks in temperate zones.

These birds are easily recognized by their wings’ characteristic black-and-white markings, which can be seen when they take flight.

They have light brown bodies topped off with bright yellowish-colored heads, making them quite striking creatures.

The eiders feed mainly on mollusks such as clams, mussels, snails, and worms found at the bottom of shallow coastal waters or tidal flats.

Their diet helps improve water quality through natural filtering processes carried out by foraging for food underwater, which benefits local marine ecosystems immensely.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Somateria
Species	S. mollissima

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9. Black-Tailed Godwit

The Black-tailed Godwit is a species of large shorebird that was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

These beautiful birds have an orange head, neck and chest during breeding season while they turn to grey-brown coloration in winter.

They are easily identifiable due to their black and white wing bar throughout the year. As for its habitat, these godwits breed mostly on Iceland but also across Europe, eastward through Asia Minor all the way to Mongolia; some even winter further south in Africa or India.

The Godwit has adapted well to human presence as it can be found near wetlands farms or villages where plenty of food is available from plowed fields.

It’s really amazing how such a majestic bird with colorful plumage manages so successfully in this day and age.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Scolopacidae
Genus	Limosa
Species	L. limosa

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10. Northern Gannet

The Northern Gannet is the largest species of seabird 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 color. This bird breeds along Western Europe’s coasts and in 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 existed 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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11. Black-Crowned Night Heron

The Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium-sized bird found in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and North and South America.

It has black crowns on its head with white feathers underneath. Its wings are greyish brown while its underparts are mostly white.

This species can be seen foraging near shallow water or along coastlines during dusk or dawn as it hunts small fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

They also feed on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, which they find in meadows close to freshwater bodies like lakes or ponds, where they breed during springtime, making nests using twigs lined with reeds and leaves near these waterside habitats.

In Australasia, this species hybridizes with the nankeen night heron that inhabits those areas instead; however both populations remain distinct from each other despite their overlap range regions.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Pelecaniformes
Family	Ardeidae
Genus	Nycticorax
Species	N. nycticorax

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12. Horned Grebe

The Horned Grebe is a small aquatic bird belonging to the Podicipedidae family. It has two known subspecies: P. Mauritius, which breeds in the Palearctic regions, and P. cornutus, which breeds in North America.

The Eurasian subspecies inhabit most parts of northern Europe and the Palearctic from Greenland to western China, while its American counterpart can be found across Canada and Alaska down through California and some areas of Mexico’s coasts, too.

This species adapts easily to different wetland habitats like lakes, rivers, or marshes with abundant vegetation cover for nesting purposes and providing protection against predators.

They are excellent divers who feed on fish eggs, insects, mollusks & crustaceans, and plant material such as seeds & grains when available seasonally throughout their range.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Podicipediformes
Family	Podicipedidae
Genus	Podiceps
Species	P. auritus

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13. Long-Tailed Duck

The Long-tailed duck, also known as the Oldsquaw, is a medium-sized sea duck found in the tundra and taiga regions of the Arctic during the breeding season.

It winters along the northern coastlines of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

This bird was formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The body length of this species varies from 44 to 57 cm, with wingspan extending up to 80 cm long and unique tail feathers that are nearly twice their body length.

They have an elongated head, which can be easily spotted when they swim on a water surface or fly high above it.

Their diet consists mainly of fishes, mollusks, and aquatic insects, which they hunt while swimming beneath the water’s surface using their strong feet for propulsion into deeper waters, unlike other ducks which feed on land surfaces near lakes or ponds.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Clangula Leach, 1819
Species	C. hyemalis

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14. Red-Breasted Merganser

The Red-breasted merganser is a diving duck, part of the sawbills family. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus with its Latin name “Mergus Serrator” meaning sawyer or cutter.

With their red breast feathers and blackheads, these birds are easy to spot when they’re near water bodies such as lakes and rivers hunting for fish.

They also feed on crustaceans and mollusks that they catch underwater.

During breeding season, the males develop white patches around their eyes making them even more distinct from other species of ducks.

The Red-breasted Mergansers’ population numbers have been declining over recent years due to habitat loss caused by human activities like construction projects close to wetlands where these birds live but conservation efforts can help protect this majestic bird’s future generations.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Mergus
Species	M. serrator

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15. 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 between 28 – 35 inches in length and has webbed feet that enable it to swim gracefully through rivers and lakes, as well as 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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16. Hooded Merganser

The Hooded Merganser is a beautiful and unique bird belonging to the family of mergansers. It is easily recognizable due to its distinct crest which can be raised or lowered at will.

During the breeding season, males have impressive plumage with various colors and patterns, making them stand out even more.

They live near streams, ponds or marshes where they feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans and small fish by diving in from above the water surface with their wings open before submerging completely under it.

Their nesting habits involve using hollows created by other animals, such as beavers, for laying eggs inside tree cavities too close to water bodies so that they are well-protected from predators while still providing them easy access to food sources.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Lophodytes Reichenbach, 1853
Species	L. cucullatus

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17. Northern Pintail

The Northern Pintail is a widespread duck species that breeds in northern parts of Europe, across the Palearctic and North America. This migratory bird winters south of its breeding range to the equator.

Unlike most birds with such a wide range, it has no subspecies. The male Northern Pintail has a distinctive long, thin tail and a chocolate-brown head. The female has a mottled brown body and a shorter tail.

This duck species prefers shallow wetlands or marshes for breeding and feeds on aquatic plants and insects.

The Northern Pintail is a highly migratory bird, covering great distances in search of suitable habitats.

Despite some threats, this species is not considered globally threatened, although certain populations are experiencing a decline in numbers.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Anas
Species	A. acuta

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18. Bufflehead

The Bufflehead bird is a small sea duck belonging to the Goldeneyes genus. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, and its scientific name is Bucephala albeola.

The name “Bucephala” comes from the Greek words for “bull-headed,” which refers to its oddly shaped, bulbous head.

These birds are known for their striking black and white plumage, with the males sporting distinctive iridescent green and purple feathers on their heads.

Buffleheads are found primarily in North America, spending their winters on coastal waters and migrating inland to breed in wooded areas.

They are skilled divers and feed primarily on insects and small crustaceans. Despite their small size, Buffleheads are hardy birds and can survive in extreme weather conditions.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Bucephala
Species	B. albeola

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19. Common Merganser

The Common merganser, also known as the goosander in Eurasia, is a notable seaduck found in river and lake habitats of forested regions across Europe, Asia, and North America.

This large bird primarily feeds on fish and is known for nesting in tree holes. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae.

With its distinctive appearance and adaptability, the Common merganser is a fascinating species that has captured the attention of bird watchers and ornithologists alike.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Mergus
Species	M. merganser

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20. Lesser Scaup

The Lesser scaup is a type of small diving duck that can be found in North America. In the winter months, these ducks migrate to Central America.

Their most remarkable feature is their blue bill, which has earned them colloquial names such as “little bluebill” and “broadbill.”

While it is unclear where their name “scaup” comes from, it is thought to originate from their preferred food source of scalp, a Scottish term for mollusks.

Despite being small in size, these ducks are skilled divers and can remain underwater for up to thirty seconds.

The Lesser Scaup is an important species to the ecosystem, as it helps to control the population of its prey species while providing food for predators in the area.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Aythya
Species	A. affinis

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21. 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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22. White-Winged Scoter

The White-winged scoter is a large sea duck. It is the biggest scoter in North America. The female White-winged scoter varies in weight and length, averaging between 950 and 1950 grams and 48 and 56 centimeters, respectively.

The name of this duck comes from the Greek language meaning “black duck”; Melanitta deglandi. It is one of the three scoter types that can be found in North America.

The species name is after a French animal scientist named Côme Damien Degland.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Melanitta
Subgenus	Melanitta
Species	M. deglandi

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23. Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

The yellow-billed cuckoo is a bird that can be found in America. It is also known as the rain crow or storm crow, as it often calls on hot days that prelude a storm.

This bird belongs to the cuckoo family, and its genus name ‘Coccyzus’ means to call a common cuckoo in Ancient Greek. The name ‘American’ refers to its origin in America.

The yellow-billed cuckoo is a unique bird, with its bright yellow bill and cinnamon-brown wings. It feeds on insects, fruits, and seeds, and nests in dense vegetation near water.

While its numbers have declined in recent years due to habitat loss, the yellow-billed cuckoo remains an important species for the ecosystem.

Scientific classification:

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

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24. Bobolink

The bobolink bird is a small blackbird native to North America. It is the only member of the Dolichonyx genus and is also known as the “rice bird” due to its preference for cultivated grains during migration.

These birds breed during the summer in the northern United States and Canada and spend their winters in the southern regions of South America.

One interesting feature of the bobolink is its unique vocalizations, which are described as a mix of gurgles, whistles, and bubbling sounds.

These birds are also known for their distinctive appearance, with males sporting black and white plumage and a yellow nape, while females have more subdued brown coloring. 

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the bobolink, which faces threats including habitat loss and pesticide use on agricultural lands.Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Dolichonyx Swainson, 1827
Species	D. oryzivorus

Conclusion