Common Birds of Trinidad And Tobago

Trinidad's national bird — thousands return to roost at Caroni Swamp each evening in one of the Caribbean's greatest wildlife spectacles; boat tours coincide with the sunset arrival.

A colonial cave-nesting bird that navigates by echolocation like a bat — the Dunstan Cave at Asa Wright holds a permanent colony visible from an observation platform, one of the world's easiest encounters.

Males gather at leks near Asa Wright, performing rapid jumps and wing-snapping displays — the "machine-gun" snap of wings is heard before the bird is seen.

Critically endangered and found only in northeast Trinidad — fewer than 200 survive in the interior forests; specialist guided walks with permission are the only way to encounter this extraordinary bird.

One of the most brilliantly colored birds at Asa Wright feeders — turquoise-blue and yellow-brown plumage forms a dazzling spectacle as multiple individuals jostle at fruit tables.

A hummingbird-like insectivore with glittering green plumage and a long rufous tail — perches motionlessly then sallies for large insects, rubbing them repeatedly to remove wings.

The largest toucan in Trinidad — its "yelping dog" calls and swooping flight between fruiting trees are characteristic features of Trinidad's forested hills.

One of four woodcreeper species at Asa Wright — creeps up tree trunks in a spiral, using the stiff tail as a prop; the warm brown and streaked plumage is typical of the family.