Birds main page Anseriformes Family: Anatidae - Ducks Family: Phoenicopteridae - Flamingoes

Apodiformes Family: Apodidae - Swifts Family: Trochilidae - Hummingbirds

Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae - Nighthawks and Nightjars Family: Nyctibiidae - Potoos Family: Steatornithidae - Oilbirds

Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae - Plovers Family: Burhinidae - Thick-knees Family: Haematopodidae - Oystercatchers Family: Jacanidae - Jacanas Family: Laridae - Gulls and Terns Family: Recurvirostridae - Stilts and Avocets Family: Rynchopidae - Skimmers Family: Scolopacidae - Sandpipers and Snipe Family: Stercorariidae - Skunas and Jaegers

Family: Anatidae - Ducks

Family: Phoenicopteridae - Flamingoes
Extraordinarily long necks and legs and distinctive, thick, decurved bills.

Family: Apodidae - Swifts
These birds are recognised by their rapid, fluttering flight, generally blackish plumage, long narrow wings appearing curved in flight and stream lined appearance. Most species nest in small cup-shaped nests attached to a vertical surface. often in some dark locality. Known locally as "Rain-birds", flocks of swifts frequently precede squalls and thunderstorms, exploiting the increase in the food supply as insects are swept up in the updraught.

Family: Trochilidae - Hummingbirds
This family is confined to the New World, with most species in the tropics. Many species are extremely small, some not bigger than a large bumblebee. Most are metallic green above and at close quarters in bright sunlight many display brilliant iridescent colours, especially on the crown. Female birds are often different from the male, having generally duller plumage. Hummingbirds are notable for their long, thin bills, which are straight in most species, curved in others. These birds have the ability to hover and fly backwards. These maneuvers are accomplished through rapidly beating wings which in some species produce a humming sound that gives the family its name. Hummingbirds feed upon nectar, extracted usually from the flowers by means of their very long tongues. Additionally, some hummingbirds take small insects and spiders from plants, while others catch them in mid air. Most hummingbirds have a rather limited song with extremely high pitch. Their nests are tiny structures, usually constructed of moss or plant -down, lichens or spider0webs, in which 2 white eggs are laid. The female alone incubates and cares for the young.

Family: Caprimulgidae - Nighthawks and Nightjars
Mainly nocturnal and cryptic in colour, the members of this family are best identified by their calls. They are found in a wide variety of habitats. They feed on flying insects, which they catch with their wide open mouths.

Family: Nyctibiidae - Potoos
Resembling very large, long tailed nightjars, they spend the day perched in an upright position on a post or treestump, their cryptic coloration effectively camouflaging them. At night they hawk for insects like flycatchers, their eyes conspicuously reflecting any bright light.

Family: Steatornithidae - Oilbirds
Only one species in this family and bears resemblance to the nightjars and owls in general appearance but differing in other ways. It is gregarious, living and breeding in dark or pitch-black caves during the day and coming out at night to feed on fruit.

Family: Charadriidae - Plovers
Long legged, short billed birds which frequent both seashores and inland grassy areas and pools, especially in the wet season.

Family: Burhinidae - Thick knees, Stone curlews
Large nocturnal birds resembling plovers with large eyes, long legs and short bills.

Family: Haematopodidae - Oystercatchers
Large, thickly built shorebirds inhabiting rocky or sandy shores. Black and white or all black with long, stout, bright orange-red bills.

Family: Jacanidae - Jacanas
Small rail-like marsh dwellers characterised by long legs and toes, with which they walk easily on lily leaves and other aquatic vegetation.

Family: Laridae - Gulls and Terns
Gulls have slightly hooked bills and feed while swimming or walking on the shore. Terns have more sharply pointed bills, narrower wings and dive for their food.

Family: Recurvirostidae - Stilts and Avocets
Shorebirds with very long legs with sharply contrasting black and white plumage and long, thin bills.

Family: Rynchopidae - Skimmers
Resembles large, long-winged terns with long bills which are laterally compressed lower mandible considerably longer than the upper. Frequent coastal waters and freshwater habitats, feeding low over the water by ploughing the surface with the lower mandible.

Family: Scolopacidae - Sandpipers and Snipe
Long winged shorebirds with cryptic colour, long slender bills and long legs.

Family: Stercorariidae - Skuas and Jaegers
Large powerful seabirds.