About 150 species of birds have been recorded in Grenada, although terrestrial birds only number an estimated 35 species; the remainder are migrants, waterfowl and seabirds.
There are only two endemics; the Grenada dove (Leptotila wellsi), and the Grenada hook-billed kite (a large hawk, Chondrohierax uncinatus mirus). Both are rarely seen and critically endangered, and are even on the brink of extinction.
The dove is thought to number less than 135 individuals, while the kite perhaps only 50-75. The island’s small size, predators like mongooses, cats and rats, and habitat loss has been credited for the demise in the numbers; not just hurricanes destroying forests but construction development too. However, birdwatchers may be lucky at Grand Etang which is home to the emerald-throated hummingbird, yellow-billed cuckoo, red-necked pigeon, ruddy quail-dove, cocoa thrush, lesser Antillean swift and Antillean crested hummingbird among other forest birds.
The few lakes on the island attract herons, ducks, and grebes, and shore and seabirds can be spotted at Levera National Park and on the west and southwest Atlantic coasts. These include the roseate, bridled and sooty tern, frigate birds, boobies and brown pelicans, and some of the unpopulated islets between Grenada and Carriacou are important areas for breeding seabirds, particularly the red-footed and brown booby.
