Jamaica, a Caribbean country, has a rich diversity of flora and
fauna. The island country also hosts several endemic species that have
evolved over millions of years due to geographical isolation.
Twenty-eight species of birds are also found only in Jamaica. They are
listed below....
28. Jamaican Euphonia
This bird, the Euphonia jamaica, is a member of
Fringillidae family. It is found in the moist lowland forests, both
tropical and subtropical, and also survive in forests that have been
heavily degraded. It is a Least Concern species on the IUCN Red List.
27. Jamaican Blackbird
The Nesopsar nigerrimus belongs to the Icteridae
family. The bird has a restricted habitat in Jamaica. It is found in
some John Crow and the Blue Mountains and the Cockpit Country of
Jamaica. These birds spend most of their time on trees and are found in
wet montane forests habitats. It is an endangered species with habitat
loss being the major threat to the species.
26. Jamaican Spindalis
The Spindalis nigricephala is an endemic bird of
Jamaica that belongs to the Thraupidae family. It is labeled as a Least
Concern species by the IUCN due to the relatively stable populations of
the bird in the country.
25. Yellow-shouldered Grassquit
This bird, the Loxipasser anoxanthus of the family
Thraupidae, is found in the moist lowland and montane forests (both
tropical and subtropical). This species of ‘Least Concern’ also inhabits
degraded primary forests.
24. Orangequit
The Euneornis campestris also shares the same
family and habitat as the yellow-shouldered grassquit. It is also
classified as a ‘Least Concern’ species by the IUCN.
23. Arrowhead Warbler
The Setophaga pharetra, a bird of the Parulidae
family, is found only in the moist montane forests of Jamaica. It is a
‘Least Concern’ species with a stable population.
22. White-chinned Thrush
A species of the Turdidae family, the Turdus aurantius
is also one of the endemic birds of Jamaica. The birds have been
recorded in the country’s Cayman Islands. It is found in both montane
and lowland forests of tropical or subtropical nature. The birds are
labeled as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List.
21. White-eyed Thrush
The Turdus jamaicensis shares the same habitat as
the previous bird mentioned in the list and is also found in the Cayman
Islands. The species also has a stable population.
20. Jamaican Crow
The Corvus jamaicensis is an endemic bird of Jamaica. It has
a length ranging between 35 to 38 cm. It is found in woodlands
interspersed with deforested habitats in Jamaica. It is mainly found at
higher elevations but can be observed in lowland habitats during the dry
season. It is also a species of ‘Least Concern.’
19. Jamaican Vireo
The Vireo modestus belongs to the Vireonidae family
and lives in the dry and moist lowland forests as well as moist montane
forests of Jamaica. It can also adapt itself to forests that have been
degraded to a great extent.
18. Blue Mountain Vireo
The Vireo osburni is an endemic Jamaican bird that
is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List. The bird has been
recorded in the moist lowland and montane forests, degraded forests as
well as plantations of Jamaica. Habitat loss is the biggest threat to
this species.
17. Jamaican Becard
The Pachyramphus niger, a member of the Tityridae family, is
also found only in Jamaican forests. The bird inhabits both lowland and
montane tropical and subtropical forests in the country.
16. Jamaican Elaenia
The Myiopagis cotta of the Tyrannidae family is also a bird
endemic to Jamaica. It is listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red
List. It also shares the same type of habitat as the Jamaican Becard.
15. Jamaican Pewee
The Contopus pallidus , a member of the Tyrannidae
family, is also found only in Jamaica. Habitat destruction is believed
to threaten the survival of this bird. However, it is still listed as a
‘Least Concern’ species on the IUCN Red List.
14. Sad Flycatcher
A member of the Tyrannidae family, the Myiarchus barbirostris,
also known as the Little Tom Fool is found in Jamaica’s lowland and
montane forests. It is also found in degraded former forests. It is the
smallest of three Myiarchus flycatcher species found in the country.
13. Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
Another Myiarchus flycatcher found in Jamaica, the Myiarchus validus is
also endemic to the Caribbean country. It also shares the same habitat
as the sad flycatcher and can be distinguished from it by the rufous
color visible in its tail and wings.
12. Black-billed Amazon
The Amazona agilis is a parrot species that is
found only in Jamaica. The black bill of the parrot easily distinguishes
it from other parrots in its range. It is the smallest Amazona parrot
with an average length of only 25 cm. The bird has been recorded in the
mountainous rainforests of Jamaica. It is most common in the limestone
rainforests of the country. IUCN labels this species as ‘Vulnerable’ as
poaching, the capture of the parrots for the pet trade, and habitat
destruction threatens the survival of the species.
11. Yellow-billed Amazon
The Amazona collaria is another parrot species that
is endemic to Jamaica. The parrot is distinguished by its yellow beak.
Its neck and throat are pink and plumage is green in color. The bird
inhabits the lowland, montane, and mangrove forests in the country. It
also occurs in rural gardens and plantations. The parrot is listed as
‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN and is threatened by capture for illegal trade
and habitat loss.
10. Jamaican Woodpecker
The Melanerpes radiolatus belongs to the Picidae
family and is the only woodpecker species that is native to Jamaica. It
inhabits the moist lowland forests and degraded former forests in
Jamaica.
9. Jamaican Tody
The Todus todus, a small and vibrant bird with a
red throat, green upper parts, and yellow underparts, is an endemic bird
of Jamaica. It nests in burrows in rotted wood or muddy banks.
8. Jamaican Mango
The Anthracothorax mango is a hummingbird belonging to the
Trochilidae family. This endemic Jamaican bird occurs in the moist
lowland forests of the country.
7. Red-billed Streamertail
The Trochilus polytmus, is the country’s national
bird. It is the most widespread and abundant hummingbird found in the
nation. It is, however, found only in the island’s eastern section. The
bird is locally known as the “doctor bird.” The birds are colored bright
green and have black tails and crowns.
6. Jamaican Poorwill
The Siphonorhis americana is a critically
endangered species that is endemic to Jamaica. The species is also
possibly extinct. Introduced predators and habitat destruction are held
responsible for pushing the bird to the brink of extinction. The
nightjar inhabits the tropical dry shrublands and forests of Jamaica.
5. Jamaican Owl
The Pseudoscops grammicus is an owl that is found only in
Jamaica. The bird is primarily found in open habitats with a sparse
distribution of trees, preferably in lowland areas. The nocturnal
species hunt insects, rodents, small birds, amphibians, reptiles, etc.,
at night. The Jamaican owl is labeled as a ‘Least Concern’ species due
to its stable and widespread populations.
4. Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo
The Coccyzus pluvialis belongs to the Cuculidae family. The
bird occurs in Jamaica’s moist lowland forests (both tropical and
subtropical). It is also found in former forests that have been heavily
degraded.
3. Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo
The Coccyzus vetula shares the same type of habitat as the chestnut-bellied cuckoo. It is one of the two endemic cuckoo species found in Jamaica.
2. Ring-tailed Pigeon
The Patagioenas caribaea is one of the members of
the Columbidae family that are endemic to Jamaica. The bird occurs in
the moist lowland and montane forests of the country. Indiscriminate
loss of habitat threatens the species. The ring-tailed pigeon is listed
as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.
1. Crested Quail-dove
A near-threatened species, the Geotrygon versicolor is also a member of the Columbidae family. The birds have been recorded in the moist montane forests of the island.
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