This document summarizes information about endemic birds and reptiles found only in St. Lucia. It describes 10 endemic bird species, including the St. Lucia Parrot, Black Finch, Pewee, Oriole, Warbler, Wren, and Nightjar. It also discusses 5 endemic reptile species, specifically the Whiptail, Iguana, Anolis lizard, Boa Constrictor snake, and St. Lucia Racer snake. Many of these endemic species are endangered due to habitat loss and small populations confined to the island of St. Lucia.

1. Endemic Birds &Endemic Birds & ReptilesReptiles
of St. Luciaof St. Luciaof St. Luciaof St. Lucia
Forestry Department

2. Endemic BirdsEndemic Birds
Endemic: A specie which is native to or
characteristic of a particular place or
country.
The following slides illustrate the
endemic birds of St Lucia.
Many of these species are also
endangered.

3. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia ParrotParrot
((AmazonaAmazona versicolorversicolor))
About 42-46 cm (16.5-
18´´) in length. It inhabits
the rainforest in the
mountains of St. Lucia.mountains of St. Lucia.
It feeds in the forest
canopy on a wide variety
of fruits, seeds and flowers.
The parrot nests in cavities
in tall trees.

4. The St. Lucia BlackThe St. Lucia Black FinchFinch
((MelanospizaMelanospiza richardsonirichardsoni))
The Black Finch is about 13-
14 cm in length. It is found
in both moist and dry forest
areas. It forages in the leafareas. It forages in the leaf
litter in dense understory.
The finch usually nests in a
spherical nest of twigs built
in a low shrub or palm
about 2 m above ground.

5. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia PeweePewee
((ContopusContopus oberioberi))
The adult pewee grows to
about 15 cm in length. It is
quite common and resides
mostly in moist forest, butmostly in moist forest, but
also found in dry forest areas.
It perches low and sallies for
insects. The pewee nests in a
cup-shaped nest made of
leaves and moss placed on a
branch.

6. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia OrioleOriole
((IcterusIcterus laudabilislaudabilis))
The adult oriole grows to
about 20-22 cm in length. It
is found in woodlands
including dry and moist
forest. It is uncommon andforest. It is uncommon and
perhaps becoming scarcer.
It feeds on insects, fruits,
flowers and nectar. The
oriole builds a nest sewn
under a leaf or palm well
above the ground.

7. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia WarblerWarbler
((DendroicaDendroica delicatadelicata))
The warbler is about 12.5
cm in length. It is found in
all forest types and at all
altitudes. It forages foraltitudes. It forages for
insects and spiders from
leaves and twigs.
It lays in a nicely woven,
cup-shaped nest built in
a tree about 1-5 m
above the ground.

8. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia WrenWren
(Troglodyte(Troglodyte aedonaedon))
The wren is about 11.5-13
cm. It is found in moist
upland forest to dry scrub
vegetation.vegetation.
It feeds on insects, spiders
and fruits. It builds a twig
nest in a cavity in a tree
well above the ground.

9. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia NightjarNightjar
((CaprimulgusCaprimulgus otiosusotiosus))
The nightjar grows to
about 28 cm in length. It is
quite rare residing in thequite rare residing in the
dry forest areas of the
northeast of St. Lucia.
It is nocturnal feeding on insects that it captures in
flight.The nightjar nests in a scrape on the ground.

10. Semper’sSemper’s WarblerWarbler
((LeucopezaLeucopeza semperisemperi))
Endemic to St. Lucia
critically endangered and
very possibly extinct. Last
certain report was in 1961,certain report was in 1961,
reported sightings in 1989,
1995 and on Mount Gimie
in 2003.
It is 5.7inches in length with pale legs and pale feet.
A rain forest species.

11. The St. Lucia WhiteThe St. Lucia White--breastedbreastedThrasherThrasher
(( RamphocinclusRamphocinclus brachyurusbrachyurus))
The thrasher is about 20-
21 cm in length. It inhabits
dry forest areas particularly
near rivers and streams.near rivers and streams.
It feeds mostly on invertebrates found in the leaf
litter. It lays its eggs in a roughly built nest of twigs
in a shrub about 2 m in height.

12. Endemic ReptilesEndemic Reptiles
The following slides
illustrate endemic reptiles ofillustrate endemic reptiles of
St Lucia.
These species are also
endangered.

13. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia WhiptailWhiptail
((CnemidophorusCnemidophorus vanzoivanzoi))
The Whiptail is also known
as Zandoli Terre. It was
unknown to science before
1958. It is considered one
of the world’s rarest lizards.
They feed mainly on insects
and other ground dwelling
invertebrates. Found only
on Maria and Praslin Islands.
of the world’s rarest lizards.
Males grow to about 36 cm
and female to about 25 cm.

14. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia Iguana (Iyanola)Iguana (Iyanola)
((IguanaIguana iguanaiguana))
The St. Lucia Iguana comes
from a unique population
distinct from other green
iguanas. It grows to about
155 cm (6ft) in length, its155 cm (6ft) in length, its
tail accounting for two
thirds its entire body length.
It occurs mainly along the
northeast coast of St.
Lucia. It is predominantly
vegetarian. Females may lay
up to 20 eggs in a hole
which she digs.

15. The St. LuciaThe St. Lucia AnolisAnolis
((AnolisAnolis luciaeluciae))
The St. Lucia Anolis is the
largest of 4 anoles found in
St. Lucia. It is identified
from the others by the
black and white stripeblack and white stripe
running along the sides of
the body.
It is abundant in lowlands
and also in the rainforest. It
is an insect feeder, but will
also eat ripe fruits.

16. The St. Lucia BoaThe St. Lucia Boa ConstrictorConstrictor
((Boa constrictorBoa constrictor))
The Boa Constrictor locally
called Tete Chien bears a
resemblance to that of a
dog. It may grow to about
425 cm (14ft) in length.425 cm (14ft) in length.
The boa has no poison fangs
and kills its prey by
suffocation. It bears it young
alive and may give birth to
about 70 young in one litter.
Found in both dry and wet
forest.

17. The St. Lucia Racer
(Liophis ornatus)
The St. Lucia Racer or
Couresse Snake is
restricted to Maria
Islands, its last refuge inIslands, its last refuge in
the world. It belongs to
the Colubridae family.
It grows to a length of 92 cm (3ft). The racer
feeds on lizards and frogs and possibly small birds.

18. The St LuciaViper
(Bothrops caribbaeus)
The Fer-de-Lance is locally
called serpent. The head is
broadly triangular, showing
evidence of large poison
glands. It ranges from Roseau
to Canaries on the west andto Canaries on the west and
Marquis to Micoud on the
east. It feeds on birds, and
small mammals.
The serpent may grow up to 245 cm (8ft) in length. It is a
live bearer and may give birth to as many as 70 young.
Found in both dry and rain forest