Bird Life of Central Range Forests

A pair of Channel-billed Toucans takes the sun after rain. Photo by Faraaz Abdool

Faraaz Abdool ventures into the Central Range forests from the Hacienda Jacana which is a retreat for birders and family adventures. All photos by Faraaz Abdool

 

Gently undulating hills covered in mostly unbroken forest characterize the mid-section of Trinidad. As the traveller ventures further east of the main north-south thoroughfare, the vegetation thickens and the temperature drops. Cooled by the presence of tall, broad-leaved trees, the air that flows through the valleys of the Central Range to the plains at north and south is typically pleasant.

 

Untethered by feeding stations or other official reserves, the birdlife in these parts is diverse and awe-inspiring. The main habitat is lowland seasonal forest, which means that most trees shed and sprout leaves as the seasons change. Following the trees, countless other animals from insects to birds also plan their lives around the ebb and flow of the rains.

 

A Red-bellied Macaw flies past at twilight.

The American Pygmy Kingfisher is a specialist hunter of tiny fish in secluded waterways. 

 

In any ecosystem, one can glean a general idea of its health by the presence of predators. While we may think that apex predators are not always the most prominent in the landscape, with patience there is much to be seen. On the treetops and in the sky, predatory birds prowl. The pointy-winged Plumbeous Kite, an annual visitor from South America, is a routine sighting during the austral winter. These slate-grey birds have orange wingtips and specialize in dispatching large insects such as beetles and cicadas. Further south, they also feast on the much-maligned Moruga Grasshopper.

 

Rich forests are awash with animals, all that eat need to be eaten by something. Surely, around these thick trunks lurks the elusive Ocelot! Overhead, however, the piercing bright yellow eyes of a Black Hawk-Eagle scan the trees for any nonchalant iguana or squirrel. These massive raptors can ride thermal currents high in the sky, from the ground they are barely discernible as they drift among the clouds. Other smaller birds of prey whistle their distinctive calls during the heat of the day. The Zone-tailed Hawk mimics the commoner Turkey Vulture to lure potential prey animals into a false sense of security. The Short-tailed Hawk has a brilliant white chest and belly with a dark blue helmet. 

 

 

The Grey-cowled Wood-Rail rarely strays far from cover.

To see a Little Cuckoo requires considerable luck and patience.

 

Descending into the darker reaches of the sub-canopy requires a keener eye. Along thin branches, hidden behind leaves, and hopping along the forest floor is a cornucopia of feathered dinosaurs. These birds are designed to blend in perfectly with their environment and are typically difficult to find. Even the brightly plumaged Rufous-tailed Jacamar can fade into the green and russet tones of the forest until it rockets from its perch to grab a meandering dragonfly or wasp.

 

These smaller, more demure looking birds are often as ruthless as the hawks soaring above. In fact, many of them share aspects of their diet with the larger predators! Cicadas can grow to gargantuan sizes in these forests and fall prey to not only the kites mentioned earlier but also to specialized hunters that do not snatch with talons but thick, hooked bills. The Boat-billed Flycatcher may resemble the more familiar kiskadee but sports a massive bill, perfect for bludgeoning even the most sizeable cicada. Predation occurs regardless of scale, even the diminutive Long-billed Gnatwren does not hesitate to pluck a spider from its web as it traverses the tapestry of a wooden vine network. The gnatwren however, must remain wary of other predators as it is itself rather snack-sized!

 

Although relatively common, the sight of a Purple Gallinule tends to take one's breath away.

Locally known in both Trinidad and Venezuela as "seven-colour parakeet", the Lilac-tailed Parrotlet is very social and is always found in flocks that can easily consist of several dozen individuals. 

 

A surprising predator of small birds – often while they are very young – is the Channel-billed Toucan. These charismatic and immediately recognizable birds are emblematic of Neotropical jungles and are testament to our intimate bond with continental South America. A closer look at their colourful face and distinctive bill reveals a surprising detail: sharp serrations! There is no misdirection in drawing the conclusion that a serrated bill is for the expeditious handling of meat. Channel-billed Toucans actively raid the nests of other birds to prey on eggs and young birds and have also been observed stalking small animals such as lizards and insects.

 

The vast corrugations in the land lend to endless waterways and areas where moisture collects and manifests into secluded swamps and wetlands. Thus, in addition to a healthy cast of forest characters, these green spaces harbour homes for water-dependent species. The snail-specialist Limpkin – better known by its onomatopoeic local name “craow” – patrols any moist spaces for its preferred prey at all hours of day and night. The more secretive Grey-cowled Wood-Rail also eats snails but has much more variety in its diet. Watercourses attract all manner of life, among these the most conspicuous are the herons, gallinules, and jacanas. These mostly medium-sized birds position themselves in the best way possible such that they can make the most of the opportunity presented. 

 

The Boat-billed Flycatcher's heavy-set bill is its weapon of choice.

The aptly named Long-billed Gnatwren's other distinguishing feature is its penchant for remaining hidden within thickets.

 

Some of the more unexpected beneficiaries of these basins include birds such as the Little Cuckoo. From a first glance, it surely does not seem like a bird dependent on water, as it does not swim, dive, or stalk the banks! However, the shy and secretive Little Cuckoo is almost always found near water, particularly in thick overhanging vegetation. Water attracts countless invertebrates that form a complex web on a minuscule scale. What escapes aquatic predators may ultimately fall prey to the silent, stationary, and ever-watchful cuckoo.

 

The Tufted Coquette is so tiny it can easily be overlooked. Photos by Faraaz Abdool

In terms of the vegetation, several species of palm trees proliferate. These palms provide food and housing for a variety of birds, including the aptly named Fork-tailed Palm Swift. This tiny rocket of a bird nests exclusively in palm trees, with the large moriche palm being highly favoured. Its nest consists primarily of bird feathers, which the palm swift obtains in a most acrobatic fashion: grabbing a mouthful of feathers off the back of a bird while it is airborne! Another palm-dependent species is the iconic Red-bellied Macaw. These small macaws nest in hollowed-out palm trunks and feed on the fruit from several palm species.

 

Away from the bright lights of billboards and the hum of human civilization, the forests of The Central Range are thriving. Every organism plays its part in the intricate web of life. Fireflies still take to the sky in number once darkness begins to set in. All against the backdrop of a brilliant night sky with innumerable stars shimmering like jewels in a giant velvet pincushion. Here, there is still balance.