List of birds of Barbados

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Barbados. The avifauna of Barbados includes a total of 214 species, of which one is endemic, five have been introduced by humans, and 147 are rare or accidental. One species listed is extirpated in Barbados and is not included in the species count. Three species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Barbados.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. The commonly occurring, native, species do not fall into any of these categories.

• (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Barbados.
• (E) Endemic A species endemic to Barbados.
• (I) Introduced A species introduced to Barbados as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
• (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Barbados although populations exist elsewhere.
• (M) Migrant A species that migrant either passing through or wintering in Barbados.
• (B) Breeding A species that has recently started breeding in Barbados.

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps (B)

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Barbados.

• Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea (A)
• Greater Shearwater Puffinus gravis (A)
• Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus (A)
• Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri (B)

Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus (A)
• Leach's Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)

Tropicbirds

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus (B)
• White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus (A)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (A)

Boobies and gannets

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• Masked Booby Sula dactylatra (A)
• Red-footed Booby Sula sula (A)
• Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (A)

Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Barbados.

• Gray Heron Ardea cinerea (A)
• Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
• Great Egret Ardea alba
• Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor (A)
• Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
• Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis (A)
• Snowy Egret Egretta thula(B)
• Little Egret Egretta garzetta (B)
• Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis(B)
• Green Heron Butorides virescens(B)
• Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (B)
• Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea (A)
• Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis (A)
• American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus (A)
• Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea" (A)

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• White Ibis Eudocimus albus
• Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (A)

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Barbados.

• Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor (M)
• White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata (M)
• West Indian Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arborea (M)
• Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis (B)
• Snow Goose Chen caerulescens (M)
• Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata (M)
• Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope (M)
• American Wigeon Anas americana (M)
• Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis (M)
• Northern Pintail Anas acuta (M)
• White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis (M)
• Garganey Anas querquedula (A)
• Blue-winged Teal Anas discors (M)
• Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera ........It has been accepted that this species' identification was an error, it was B.W.Teal (DGB)
• Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata (M)
• Redhead Aythya americana (A) ... ???
• Common Pochard Aythya ferina (A) (Feb. 2011)
• Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (M)
• Greater Scaup Aythya marila (A) ........Still questionable, like above for C.Teal which were both identified at the same time/place (DGB)
• Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis (M)
• Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus (A)
• Masked Duck Nomonyx dominica (B)
• Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis (A)

New World vultures

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. There are 7 species worldwide, all of which are found only in the Americas, and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

Osprey

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey Pandion haliaetus (M)

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
• Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus (A)
• Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis (Ex)

Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• American Kestrel Falco sparverius (A)
• Merlin Falco columbarius (A)
• Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Barbados.

• Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris (A)
• Sora Porzana carolina (M)
• Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica (A)
• Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus(B)
• American Coot Fulica americana (M)
• Caribbean Coot Fulica caribaea (B)

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus (A)

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus (B)First recorded breeding July 2011
• American Avocet Recurvirostra americana (A)

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Double-striped Thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Barbados.

• Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (A)
• Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis (B)
• Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva (A)..... doubtful
• American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica (M)
• Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola (M)
• Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (A)
• Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus (M)
• Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia (A)
• Killdeer Charadrius vociferus (M)
• Piping Plover Charadrius melodus (A)
• Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
• Collared Plover Charadrius collaris (A)

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 33 species which occur in Barbados.

• Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus (A)
• Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata (M)
• Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus (M)
• Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus (M)
• Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica (M)
• Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa (A)
• Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis (A)
• Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (M)
• Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda (M)
• Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus (A)
• Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (A)
• Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca (M)
• Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes (M)
• Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria (M)
• Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (A)
• Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia (M)
• Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (M)
• Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (M)
• Red Knot Calidris canutus (A)
• Sanderling Calidris alba (M)
• Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla (M)
• Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri (A)
• Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla (M)
• White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis (M)
• Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii (A)
• Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (M)
• Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (A)
• Dunlin Calidris alpina (A)
• Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus (M)
• Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (M)
• Ruff Philomachus pugnax (A)
• Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor (A)
• Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius (A)

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Barbados.

• South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki
• Great Skua Stercorarius skua
• Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus (A)
• Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus (A)
• Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Barbados.

• Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis (A)
• Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus (A)
• Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (A)
• American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus (A)
• Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus (A)
• Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia (A)
• Laughing Gull Larus atricilla

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Barbados.

• Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica (A)
• Caspian Tern Sterna caspia (A)
• Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis (A)
• Royal Tern Sterna maxima
• Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii (A)
• Common Tern Sterna hirundo (A)
• Least Tern Sterna antillarum (A)
• Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus
• Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata
• Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (A)
• White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (A)
• Black Tern Chlidonias niger (A)
• Black Noddy Anous minutus (A)
• Brown Noddy Anous stolidus (A)

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes. Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Barbados.

• Rock Pigeon Columba livia (I)
• White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala
• Scaly-naped Pigeon Patagioenas squamosa(B)
• Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata (B)
• Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita(B)
• Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina(B)
• African Collared Dove "Streptopelia roseogrisea"(B) Eurasian Collared Dove may be present

Parrots, macaws and allies

Order: Psittaciformes. Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax (I) Very doubtful KSW
• Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus (I) Probably extirpated KSW
• Orange winged Amazon "Amazona amzonica" (B)
• Yellow crowned Amazon "Amazona orocephala" (B)
• Rose ringed Parakeet "Psittacula krameri" (B)

Cuckoos and anis

Order: Cuculiformes. Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
• Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus (A)
• Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus (A)

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• White-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus cayennensis (A)

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes. Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Barbados.

• Black Swift Cypseloides niger (B)
• Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
• Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura (A)
• Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba (A)

Hummingbirds

Order: Trochiliformes. Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. There are 337 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis (A)
• Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus (B)
• Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus (B)

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain colouring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. There are 429 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas and 5 species which occur in Barbados.

• Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica
• Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens (A)
• Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens
• Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
• Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana (A)

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Barbados.

• Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis
• Bank Swallow Riparia riparia (A)
• Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (A)
• Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their colouring tends towards dull greys and browns . There are 35 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• Scaly-breasted Thrasher Allenia fusca (EX)
• Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus (A)

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (A)

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• European Starling Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. There are 52 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Barbados.

• Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons (A)
• Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (A)
• Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis
• Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus

New World warblers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. There are 119 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Barbados.

• Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina (A)
• Northern Parula Parula americana (A)
• Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
• Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica (A)
• Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia (A)
• Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina (A)
• Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulescens (A)
• Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata (A)
• Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens (A)
• Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca (A)
• Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica (A)
• Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor (A)
• Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum (A)
• Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea (A)
• Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata (A)
• Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea (A)
• Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia (A)
• American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla (A)
• Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea (A)
• Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla (A)
• Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis (A)
• Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina (A)

Bananaquit

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Coerebidae

The Bananaquit is a small passerine bird. It has a slender, curved bill, adapted to taking nectar from flowers and is the only member of the genus Coereba (Vieillot, 1809) and is normally placed within the family Coerebidae, although there is uncertainty whether that placement is correct.

• Bananaquit Coereba flaveola

Tanagers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. They are seed eaters, but their preference tends towards fruit and nectar. Most have short, rounded wings. There are 256 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea (A)
• Summer Tanager Piranga rubra (A)

Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 3 species which occur in Barbados.

• Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor(B)
• Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis (E)
• Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola (B)

Saltators, Cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. There are 43 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Barbados.

• Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus (A)
• Dickcissel Spiza americana (A)

Troupials and allies

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. There are 98 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Barbados.

• Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus (A)
• Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
• Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris(B)
• Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis (B)
• Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula (A)

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Barbados.

• House Sparrow Passer domesticus (I)

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References

• Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of Barbados". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=bb&pg=checklist&list=clements. Retrieved 26 April 2007. 
• Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. pp. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.