Shorebirds of the Virgin Island

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

These tall shorebirds are breeding residents throughout the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands from March through October. They are easy to recognize by their long, pink legs and their black and white plumage, which has been compared to a tuxedo. Stilts can be very noisy and here in the Virgin Islands are referred to water dogs.

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)

These common migrants usually appear on St. John at the end of the summer. They are easily recognized by their yellowlegs and can be found in salt ponds with other shore birds.

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)

The Willet is a large, grayish shore bird that is a rare migrant on St John. The wing pattern is a recognizable black and white pattern in flight.

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)

The least sandpiper is one of the smallest shore birds that migrates through St. John. It can be recognized by its small size, light colored legs and brownish color, and can be found on the borders of salt ponds or in shallow mud flats.

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

This winter migrant to St. John can be identified by its light orange legs and breast band. It can be found darting in and out of the waves at the beach or on the mud flats of salt ponds.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis Macularia)

This sandpiper is the most common of the migratory shorebirds on St John. It may show up as early as July and stay until June. When they first appear they can be seen with the spots of their breeding plumage, but in winter their spots disappear. They can also recognized by their teetering walk. These sandpipers can be found in salt ponds.

Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)

A permanent resident plover, they are found on the edge or mud flat of a salt pond. They are often seen chasing fiddler crabs. The single breast band and thick black bill are good field marks.

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)

This large bird is recognizable by its black hood and long, heavy orange-red bill, and pink legs. They are permanent residents on St. John, seen mostly on rocky coastlines. In the Virgin Islands they are known as the whelk cracker.

White-cheeked Pintail Duck Family (Anas bahamensis)

The only permanent resident duck on St. John, it is easy to recognize by the red bill mark and white cheek. Common in most salt ponds, it is locally known as the Bahama duck.

White-Cheeked Pintail Duck (Anas bahamensis) Juvenile

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)

The blue-wing teal is the most common wintering duck in the Virgin Islands. Males have a white crescent on the face, and both ducks have a blue forewing, which is visible in flight. Often found in salt ponds with white-cheeked pintails.

Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus

The gallinule, also known locally as moorhen, lives in fresh or brackish water associated with salt ponds or mangroves and feeds on vegetation and insects. It has dark gray to black feathers, a red bill with a yellow tip and big yellow feet that enables it to walk on floating vegetation.

Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris)

The clapper rail is a very noisy rail often heard before seen. The rail can be recognized by its long bill and chicken-like appearance. It is found in salt ponds where it can find its favorite food -- fiddler crabs.

Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)

Grebes are from an ancient family of aquatic birds. The least grebe is small size and black in color. It prefers fresh water ponds but can be seen in some remote salt ponds.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

This is the largest heron in the Virgin Islands and can be recognized by its gray color and large size. The great blue heron is a winter migrant that can be found on offshore cays, coastlines and salt ponds.

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)

Little blue herons start out white and gradually turn blue as they mature. They are permanent residents in the Virgin Islands. They are a medium-sized heron with a grayish-blue appearance. Found on coastlines or salt ponds.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

The green heron is distinguished by its small size, dark coloration and orange legs. A common resident in most salt ponds where it feeds on fish, lizards and a variety of prey that it will sit very still for as it waits for the unwary prey to come near.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

This medium sized heron is a permanent resident and can be identified by it's yellow crown and black and white head markings. Night herons have a big eye and thick bill suited for hunting land crabs at night. During the day they can be seen in mangrove trees where they rest.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

The great egret is easily recognize by its large size and white plumage. The great egret can be found on road sides, beaches or salt ponds. They eat a variety of prey including young iguanas.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

The snowy egret is a medium-sized elegant white bird with a long neck, black legs and yellow feet. They wade in shallow water and spear fish and other aquatic animals. They sit and wait for something to swim their way.

Distinguish this species from the great egret by looking for the yellow feet.

Kung Fu Pipers

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