A Listing of Marsh and Lagoon Birds

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and the Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) are large migratory wading birds reaching up to 3 ft. that can sometimes be found at l’Etang aux Poissons in French Quarter.

The Plumed Egret (Egretta thula) is a bit smaller and very common in the Caribbean and in Saint Martin.

The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is the most common wading bird and it can often be seen in the fields, looking for food near the cattle. At nightfall, these egrets get together to fly back to their night quarters in the mangrove of Simpson Bay or l’Etang aux Poissons. This migratory wading bird () only arrived in South and Central America a few decades ago. It is of African or S-W Asian origin.

The Green-Backed Heron (Butorides striatus) can often be found in the marshy areas of mangroves and ponds. It has a beautiful multi-colored plumage, with a silvery green back, reddish cheeks, a green crest and white chin and neck.

The Black-Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) is a migratory bird from North America that lives in flocks on the banks of marshy areas. The same is true of the piping plover (Charadrius vociferus).

The Black-Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a small wading bird that can often be found in Saint Martin’s salty ponds such as Chevrise, Grand Case, French Quarter, Great Bay, Long Bay or Baie Rouge. Identification markers are the black and white plumage and pink or yellow legs. It lives in flocks and feeds on worms and small crustaceans. It sometimes reproduces in Saint Martin.

The White-Cheeked Pinktail (Anas bahamensis) is a small-sized duck, very common in the Caribbean, where it is sedentary. It can sometimes be found in the Lowlands salt ponds, but more often in the fresh water at the entrance of Philipsburg. It can be recognized by its white cheeks and red beak.

The Blue-Winged Teal (Anas discors) is a migratory duck from North America that can sometimes be seen in the briny ponds, mangrove and fresh water ponds.

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large raptor that feeds exclusively on fish, whose « turf » is the vicinity of l’Etang aux Poissons in French Quarter

A Listing of Forest Birds

The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest Caribbean raptor (8-12 in.). It can be commonly seen in Saint Martin, in flight or perched on a tree and it can be identified by its small size, yellow belly and striped brown and black back.

The Scaly-Naped Pigeon (Columba squamosa) is a wild pigeon that lives and nests mostly in the humid middle forest, in the heights of Saint Martin. Its burgundy and blue plumage make it hard to see in the forest cover.

The Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita) is a dove very common in the Lowlands and on the Dutch side, where hunting is prohibited. You may occasionally see them perched on power lines or flying in pairs at nightfall. They reproduce in Saint Martin between February and November. The male and female alternate brooding.

The Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) is a small brownish dove (6 in.). It is very common in the Lowlands and especially at Mullet Bay.

The Hummingbird is tiny. There are over 20 species in the Caribbean. They often sport a silvery green plumage. They feed essentially on nectar and their thin, curved bill is well adapted to their favorite flower, the Hibiscus.

The Sugarbird (Coereba Flaveola) is a small sedentary bird. It is easy to recognize, with its yellow chest, black wings and back and white stripes over the eyes. They feed on flower nectar, small insects and sweet fruit juices. They are very common on Saint Martin, and if you set a cup of sugar outside, they will gather in large numbers.

Baie longue / Baie aux prunes

Friars’ Bay / Happy Baie

The Bay of Grand Case

The best restaurants of the island are located by the Bay of Grand Case. This is a place where you can get a good meal and also have a swim.

Orient Bay

Pic Paradis