Some of the most common resident land birds readily found at the Preserve include the Common Ground-Dove, White-crowned Pigeon, Bahama Woodstar, Thick-billed Vireo, Bahama Mockingbird, Red-legged Thrush, Bananaquit, Greater Antillean Bullfinch, and Black-faced Grassquit. Thick-billed Vireos especially are sighted frequently and can be quite tame. They often travel in pairs as they move through the understory in search of insects, fruit, and the occasional small anole lizard.
Other, less obvious species such as the Great Lizard Cuckoo, Mangrove Cuckoo, and LaSagra’s Flycatcher) are often detected first by their calls and songs, and later located on perches.
Waterbirds are restricted to the wetland areas of the Preserve and, with a few exceptions, are seen less often than the land birds. Perhaps the most regularly seen waterbirds are Green Herons and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, which prefer the edges of the ponds or mangrove swamps.
The area surrounding the Welcome Centre features a number of hummingbird feeders that draw Bahama Woodstars, which can be easily seen and photographed. The feeders also attract Bananaquits with their cheerful yellow and black plumage.
Click here to Download Bird Checklist for The Levy Preserve