Virgin Islands National Park guide · 1 min read
Bananaquits and 140 Bird Species of St. John
BirdLife International has recognized Virgin Islands National Park as an Important Bird Area, a designation given because the park supports populations of several bird species.
Among them are bridled quail-doves, green-throated caribs, Antillean crested hummingbirds and brown pelicans.
Hummingbirds are a good place to start for anyone looking at birds in Saint John. The green-throated carib and the Antillean crested hummingbird are both found here, and the bridled quail-dove and brown pelican are also worth looking for.
Visitors may also spot the Caribbean elaenia, the Puerto Rican flycatcher, the pearly-eyed thrasher and the Lesser Antillean bullfinch. Together these Caribbean songbirds give birdwatchers a varied set of species to look for.
Much of the forest on Saint John is second-growth. Nearly the entire island was cleared for sugar cane during the colonial era, and much of the plant life today comes from introduced species. A few native plants, such as the type palm, still remain. Two-thirds of the island is national park, so visitors can explore much of that forest within the park.
Mangrove shorelines and seagrass beds surround Saint John, along with coral reefs. Snorkelers can find marine life hidden among the reefs.
