Guadeloupe National Park

Birds

Guadeloupe National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with its diverse habitats ranging from coastal mangroves to dense tropical forests. Many of the birds found here are endemic to the Caribbean, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to observe rare and vibrant species.

Guadeloupe Woodpecker (Melanerpes herminieri)
Endemic to Guadeloupe, this striking black woodpecker with a red crown is often seen drumming on tree trunks in search of insects. It plays a crucial role in maintaining forest health by controlling insect populations.

Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)
A dazzling hummingbird with an iridescent green body and a deep purple throat, this species flits rapidly between flowers, feeding on nectar and playing an important role in pollination.

Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica)
This small, brightly colored songbird is often heard before it is seen, singing its melodious notes from the treetops. It primarily feeds on fruit and helps disperse seeds throughout the forest.

Bridled Quail-Dove (Geotrygon mystacea)
A secretive ground-dwelling dove, this species prefers dense forest undergrowth where it forages for fallen fruits and seeds. Its soft cooing can be heard in the early morning and late evening.

Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor)
This tiny finch-like bird is commonly found in open grassy areas, feeding on seeds and insects. Males have a distinctive black face, while females are brownish-green.

Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda)
Named for its habit of shaking its body when it sings, this bird is a unique sight in the forests of Guadeloupe. It forages on the ground for insects, using its curved beak to dig through leaf litter.

Lesser Antillean Pewee (Contopus latirostris)
A small flycatcher with a distinctive call, this bird is often seen perched on branches, waiting to snap up passing insects. It is an agile flyer, darting through the canopy with ease.

Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa)
Larger than the common pigeon, this species has a beautiful purplish sheen on its neck. It primarily feeds on fruits and is an important seed disperser in the park’s forests.

Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus)
This striking bird, with its bright red legs and gray plumage, is a frequent visitor to forest edges and gardens. It has a varied diet, feeding on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
Often seen soaring over the coast, this large seabird is known for its incredible aerial skills and the males’ striking red throat pouch, which they inflate to attract mates. It primarily feeds by snatching fish from the ocean surface or stealing from other birds.

Guadeloupe National Park offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity of the Caribbean, with its unique combination of terrestrial and avian wildlife thriving in a protected natural environment.

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Guadeloupe National Park, located in the French Caribbean, is a biodiversity hotspot known for its lush tropical forests, volcanic landscapes, and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a variety of unique animal species, many of which are found only in the Caribbean region.

Guadeloupe Raccoon (Procyon minor)
A smaller relative of the common raccoon, this endemic species is often seen foraging near rivers and in dense forests. It is highly adaptable and primarily nocturnal, feeding on fruits, small animals, and insects.

Lesser Antillean Agouti (Dasyprocta antillensis)
This shy rodent is an important seed disperser in the forest. Agoutis are known for their speed and agility, often darting through the undergrowth when startled.

Martinique Anole (Anolis roquet summus)
This vibrant green lizard is common throughout the park, frequently seen basking on tree trunks and rocks. It is a territorial species, often engaging in head-bobbing displays to ward off rivals.

Antillean Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus)
A rare and gentle marine mammal, the Antillean manatee can sometimes be spotted in the coastal waters near the park. These herbivorous creatures play a crucial role in maintaining seagrass beds and coastal ecosystems.

Guadeloupe Big-eyed Bat (Chiroderma improvisum)
One of the island’s unique bat species, this fruit-eating bat is an important pollinator and seed disperser, contributing to the health of the park’s forests.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
A large, herbivorous lizard, the green iguana is frequently seen basking in the sun or climbing trees. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are harmless and play a key role in the ecosystem by spreading plant seeds.

Boa of the Saintes (Boa nebulosa)
This non-venomous snake is endemic to Guadeloupe’s smaller islands, but individuals can sometimes be found in the park’s lower forests. It helps control rodent populations and is an essential predator in the ecosystem.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
These critically endangered turtles nest on Guadeloupe’s beaches and forage in coral reefs. They play a key role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems by feeding on sponges and other reef organisms.

Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)
Introduced to the Caribbean to control rats and snakes, the mongoose has adapted well to the forests of Guadeloupe. However, it poses a threat to native wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds and reptiles.

West Indian Whistling Frog (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei)
A tiny but loud frog, its chirping calls can be heard throughout the park, especially at night. This species plays an essential role in insect population control.

Birds

Guadeloupe National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with its diverse habitats ranging from coastal mangroves to dense tropical forests. Many of the birds found here are endemic to the Caribbean, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to observe rare and vibrant species.

Guadeloupe Woodpecker (Melanerpes herminieri)
Endemic to Guadeloupe, this striking black woodpecker with a red crown is often seen drumming on tree trunks in search of insects. It plays a crucial role in maintaining forest health by controlling insect populations.

Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)
A dazzling hummingbird with an iridescent green body and a deep purple throat, this species flits rapidly between flowers, feeding on nectar and playing an important role in pollination.

Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica)
This small, brightly colored songbird is often heard before it is seen, singing its melodious notes from the treetops. It primarily feeds on fruit and helps disperse seeds throughout the forest.

Bridled Quail-Dove (Geotrygon mystacea)
A secretive ground-dwelling dove, this species prefers dense forest undergrowth where it forages for fallen fruits and seeds. Its soft cooing can be heard in the early morning and late evening.

Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor)
This tiny finch-like bird is commonly found in open grassy areas, feeding on seeds and insects. Males have a distinctive black face, while females are brownish-green.

Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda)
Named for its habit of shaking its body when it sings, this bird is a unique sight in the forests of Guadeloupe. It forages on the ground for insects, using its curved beak to dig through leaf litter.

Lesser Antillean Pewee (Contopus latirostris)
A small flycatcher with a distinctive call, this bird is often seen perched on branches, waiting to snap up passing insects. It is an agile flyer, darting through the canopy with ease.

Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa)
Larger than the common pigeon, this species has a beautiful purplish sheen on its neck. It primarily feeds on fruits and is an important seed disperser in the park’s forests.

Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus)
This striking bird, with its bright red legs and gray plumage, is a frequent visitor to forest edges and gardens. It has a varied diet, feeding on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
Often seen soaring over the coast, this large seabird is known for its incredible aerial skills and the males’ striking red throat pouch, which they inflate to attract mates. It primarily feeds by snatching fish from the ocean surface or stealing from other birds.

Guadeloupe National Park offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity of the Caribbean, with its unique combination of terrestrial and avian wildlife thriving in a protected natural environment.