Wildlife of Dominica

There are numerous species of plants and animals on the island of Dominica. Some of these are island endemics, while others are also found on other Caribbean islands; some are also found on the mainland.

Animals

Antillean Euphonia

More than 160 bird species have been sighted on Dominica, giving it some of the most diverse birdlife in the Eastern Caribbean. Of these, 59 species nest on the island, including two endemic and endangered parrot species.

Sisserou parrot

The Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperialis), also called the imperial parrot, is Dominica's national bird and appears on the national flag. It is about 51 cm long when fully grown, the largest of all Amazon parrots. It has a dark purple breast and belly and a green back.

The Jaco Parrot (Amazona arausiaca) is somewhat smaller and greener overall, with bright splashes of varied colours. It is also called the red-necked parrot, for the fluff of red feathers commonly found at the throat.

The island has large capaud (Leptodactylus fallax) frogs, small tree frogs, many lizards, thirteen bat species, boa constrictors that grow nearly 3m in length, and four other types of snakes (none venomous).

Among invertebrates, there are 55 species of land and freshwater mollusks and 55 butterfly species.

Plants

The most abundant tree on the island is the gommier tree, a huge gum tree traditionally used to make dugout canoes. Flamboyant trees are also commonly found.

References