West Caicos is a beautiful island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. One of the most remarkable features of this stunning destination is the abundance of bird species that call it home.
With its rugged terrain, dense mangrove forests, and pristine shorelines, West Caicos is a bird watcher’s paradise. West Caicos is a haven for birds of all sizes and shapes, from the soaring ospreys to the colorful warblers.
Visitors to this island can explore its unique birdlife, observe the behavior of various species, and bask in the beautiful songs of its feathered residents. In this essay, we will look closer at the birds of West Caicos and their fascinating habitats.
24 Common Birds Of West Caicos
Like many Caribbean islands, West Caicos is home to various bird species. While I don’t have specific information on the bird population of West Caicos, I can provide a list of common bird species in the Caribbean region that might also be found on the island.
Here are 24 common birds you might encounter:
1. American Wigeon
The American Wigeon, also known as the Baldpate, is a species of dabbling duck found throughout North America.
It closely resembles its Eurasian counterpart and was formally described in 1789 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin.
This medium-sized bird has a grey body with white feathers on its face and belly, giving it a distinctive bald appearance.
Its wings are brownish black with green speculum markings, while the tail is dark brown or black at the base and gradually lightens near the tips to become chestnut-colored.
The male wigeons have purple patches on their heads during the breeding season and yellow eyes, which helps differentiate them from females, who have duller colors around their faces instead of bright ones like males.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Mareca |
| Species | M. americana |
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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 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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3. Sanderling
The Sanderling is a small wading bird found in the Arctic region. Its name comes from Old English, meaning “sand-ploughman”. It has grey feathers and light legs give it its distinct white coloration.
During summer breeding, 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 mollusks along coastal shores.
The Sanderling is an important species to watch out for because of their 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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4. 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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5. 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 colored depending on species variation.
This bird usually feeds near large herds of animals, such as cows, horses, etc., where it finds plenty of insects, 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 the breeding season, generally occurring between March and 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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6. Great Egret
The Great Egret is a large, white bird found in many regions of the world. It has four subspecies 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 spreading 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. Still, 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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7. 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, mollusks, 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.
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 period.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phoenicopteriformes |
| Family | Phoenicopteridae |
| Genus | Phoenicopterus |
| Species | P. ruber |
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8. 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 that can reach up to six feet wide. Its feathers are mainly bluish-gray with brownish streaks on 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, where they feed 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 unique.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. herodias |
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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 as well as 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. Red Knot
The Red Knot is a medium-sized shorebird that inhabits tundra and Arctic Cordillera in the far north of Canada, Europe, and Russia.
It belongs to the Calidris sandpipers family, one of its largest members, second only to the Great Knot.
This species has six subspecies recognized worldwide. During the breeding season, their diet consists mainly of arthropods and larvae; however, they may also feed on other items, such as mollusks or crustaceans, according to availability during migration periods.
They are known for their long migratory journeys, which can last up to 20,000 kilometers per year – from wintering grounds in South America through North American coasts until reaching summer nesting sites across Northern Eurasia.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. canutus |
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11. Grey Plover
The Grey Plover is a large plover bird that breeds in the Arctic region. It then migrates over 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. 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.
Despite being hunted for food by humans, these ducks remain widespread throughout their habitats due to successful conservation efforts put into place over recent years, making them a symbol of hope for many wildlife enthusiasts around the world today.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Dendrocygna |
| Species | D. arborea |
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13. 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 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 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. Still, 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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14. 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.
With their graceful movements, they are 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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15. 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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16. Redhead
The Redhead is a medium-sized diving duck found in North America. It has the scientific name Aythya americana, with its Greek roots translating to an unidentified seabird and the Latin meaning “of America.”
On average, this bird measures 37 cm (15 in) long, with an 84 cm (33 in) wingspan. The typical weight for this species ranges from 2 to 2.5 pounds, although males tend to weigh slightly more than females at around 2.4 lbs (1083 g).
Its beautiful plumage includes shades of browns and grays and distinctive red feathers on its head, giving it its name.
They mainly feed off insects, aquatic plants, small fish, and crustaceans, making them excellent divers.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Aythya |
| Species | A. americana |
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17. Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan across North America from the Aleutian Islands 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 long 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 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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18. Greater Yellowlegs
The Greater Yellowlegs is a large shorebird found in the family Scolopacidae. It nests mainly in central Canada and south Alaska while wintering in southern North America, Central America, West Indies, and South America.
German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin formally described the bird as part of his revision to Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae.
It has long yellow legs, which sets it apart from other birds; when disturbed or alarmed, they will flash these bright-colored limbs about wildly.
Its diet consists mostly of insects like flies, beetles, grasshoppers, and dragonflies, although aquatic invertebrates are occasionally eaten.
These birds have adapted well to human habitation near shallow marshes or mudflats with plenty of food sources to feed upon, making them an easier species for people who love bird watching.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Tringa |
| Species | T. melanoleuca |
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19. Columbidae
Columbidae is a bird family that includes both doves and pigeons. These birds are characterized by their stout bodies, short necks, and small, slender bills with fleshy ceres in some species.
They feed mainly on seeds, fruits, and plants found worldwide but have the greatest variety in the Indomalayan and Australasian regions.
Columbidae have an unmistakable soft cooing sound, making them one of the most beloved avian families worldwide – especially among city dwellers.
Whether it be feeding time or just hearing their soothing call throughout nature walks, these birds will remain a favorite for many more years.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Columbimorphae |
| Order | Columbiformes Latham, 1790 |
| Family | Columbidae Leach, 1820 |
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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 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, 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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21. Lesser Scaup
The Lesser scaup is a small diving duck 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, 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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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.
“Arenaria” comes from the Latin word for “sandy place.” Turnstones are known for 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. 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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24. Blue-Winged Teal
The Blue-winged teal is a North American bird and is a smaller species in the dabbling duck group. Its scientific name is Spatula discors. This bird breeds in various locations, from southern Alaska to Nova Scotia and northern Texas.
It spends its winters on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, as well as in Central America and the Caribbean islands.
The Blue-winged teal has striking blue wings and is part of the Anatidae family, which includes ducks, geese, and swans. This beautiful bird is a favorite among birdwatchers in North America.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Spatula |
| Species | S. discors |
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Conclusion
While specific information about the bird population of West Caicos isn’t readily available, the island likely hosts a diverse array of avian species common to the Caribbean region.
Depending on the habitat and ecological factors of West Caicos, you might encounter various birds ranging from waterfowl to songbirds and raptors.
It’s essential to consult local bird guides or resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the common birds of West Caicos.
