Virgin Islands (US)
The U.S. Virgin Islands comprise St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, together with numerous smaller cays in the northeastern Caribbean. The islands are largely hilly and dry, with tropical scrub, woodland, steep coastal slopes and sheltered bays. St. John is particularly notable for its protected landscapes: much of the island lies within Virgin Islands National Park, preserving dry forest, mangroves and coastal habitats. St. Croix is larger and more varied, with agricultural land, wetlands and a less mountainous interior, while St. Thomas is more densely developed. The islands sit on the eastern edge of the Caribbean and are exposed to Atlantic trade winds and hurricanes. Their status as a U.S. territory means they have relatively well-developed roads, services and tourism infrastructure.
Overview
The U.S. Virgin Islands are most interesting for Caribbean species, migrants and island forms, rather than exceptional overall diversity. St. John and St. Croix offer the best combination of protected habitat and birding opportunities. Virgin Islands National Park supports Bridled Quail-Dove, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Caribbean Elaenia and Pearly-eyed Thrasher, while coastal wetlands and mangroves attract herons, shorebirds and migrants. St. Croix's Salt River Bay and Southgate Coastal Reserve are particularly useful for wetland and coastal species. Birding is relatively straightforward, with good road access and established protected areas; St. John is especially easy to combine with a conventional Caribbean holiday. The islands are best suited to birders interested in regional Caribbean species and winter migrants rather than a long endemic-focused trip.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita | 49.0% | 40.9% | 47.9% | 50.6% | 58.7% | 56.8% | 55.4% | 54.4% | 56.6% | 50.6% | 37.8% | 36.7% | 42.1% |
| Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis | 47.3% | 48.2% | 45.6% | 44.6% | 53.4% | 51.9% | 52.4% | 49.7% | 49.2% | 46.4% | 38.8% | 40.4% | 47.0% |
| Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus | 47.0% | 40.2% | 45.0% | 51.2% | 56.4% | 56.7% | 61.7% | 56.3% | 46.2% | 28.8% | 37.6% | 43.0% | 40.9% |
| Bananaquit Coereba flaveola | 45.8% | 42.0% | 50.8% | 50.4% | 54.8% | 48.8% | 39.4% | 36.3% | 46.2% | 40.0% | 46.4% | 46.2% | 48.6% |
| Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis | 33.3% | 34.7% | 34.6% | 37.0% | 32.8% | 31.9% | 33.3% | 34.7% | 34.0% | 25.0% | 30.9% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Scaly-naped Pigeon Patagioenas squamosa | 31.1% | 25.3% | 26.3% | 27.5% | 37.0% | 41.1% | 41.2% | 40.0% | 36.6% | 25.9% | 22.9% | 24.1% | 25.5% |
| Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens | 25.0% | 21.1% | 24.7% | 26.7% | 25.2% | 23.1% | 27.2% | 26.5% | 25.6% | 17.2% | 26.3% | 28.2% | 27.9% |
| Black-faced Grassquit Melanospiza bicolor | 20.5% | 19.5% | 21.5% | 20.1% | 23.2% | 20.2% | 15.2% | 17.8% | 23.6% | 20.3% | 21.1% | 19.6% | 23.4% |
| Great Egret Ardea alba | 19.9% | 21.3% | 19.5% | 17.9% | 17.0% | 19.3% | 19.7% | 17.7% | 18.5% | 20.3% | 21.8% | 22.3% | 23.0% |
| Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus | 19.1% | 18.5% | 22.0% | 22.2% | 25.9% | 22.1% | 21.6% | 17.8% | 17.3% | 12.3% | 14.7% | 17.5% | 17.5% |