St. Kitts Birds

This summer my family and I had a wonderful vacation on the West Indies island of St. Kitts. I kept an eye out for Caribbean birds and was not disappointed.  Several local species could be observed on the grounds of the big and beautiful Marriott resort where we stayed.  A dozen species are featured here with my brief descriptions.

A little scene-setting before we get to the birds. St. Kitts is very narrow in places as you see above. An Atlantic beach is on the left and a short distance to the right is the Caribbean Sea.

St. Kitts is a lovely island with lots to see and do.  We did the Sky Safaris zip line, visited the

impressive Brimstone Fort, swam, sunbtathed, snorkeled, jet skied, gambled, and ate many fine meals.

Love this sign at the Marriott Resort. The coconut was wet only one day during our eight days on St. Kitts.

BANANAQUIT

Little, cute, yellow, captured one with mouth open in high-pitched song!

LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH

Great name! Red on throat, bottom and between beak and eye. Female not so colorful.

GRAY KINGBIRD

Bird I saw most on St. Kitts! Like the black mask. Sociable, boisterous, not so skittish.

ZENAIDA DOVE

Very similar to the Mourning Dove seen at home. Can see my reflection in the Dove's eye in 2nd shot!

COMMON GROUND DOVE

                                  Smaller than the Zenaida Dove. Pinkish head. Unusual eyes.

 CATTLE EGRET

Saw these all over the island. Orange streaks. Big feet! Saw a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron one time.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD

What a silhoutette! Swallow/forked tailed. My favorite St. Kitts bird. Prehistoric looking.

PEARLY-EYED THRASHER

 Piercing eyes. Saw only once, in rain forest near zip line starting place.

LEAST TERN

Recognized from coastal South Carolina. Cool mask and yellow bill.

SNOWY PLOVER
Lttle beachcomber. Cute eyes.

BROWN PELICAN

                         Took these between Rum Punch sips at one of the beachfront bars on "The Strip".

LAUGHING GULL
We have these back home too.  Taken at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club across from the Marriott Resort.

OTHER CRITTERS
GREEN VELVET MONKEY

One day I saw one on our second floor balcony and on the wall behind our villa. We also spotted some around the island too.  Only saw a couple mongoose which are abundant also.

GOATS

Came upon this herd while driving along the nothern part of St. Kitts on the Atlantic Ocean side.

HORSES

Bathtime in the Atlantic near the Marriott Resort...but not for everyone!

GREEN LIZARD

Had this up close enounter right outside our villa door.

RED REEF HERMIT CRAB

There's a garden along one of the Marriott Resort's perimeter walls that is home to these colorful crabs.

CAT

The Marriott Resort is home to lots of "wild" cats.  They keep their distance but will gladly accept any handouts.

I definitely recommend St. Kitts as a vacation- and birding- destination!