- Mimus gundlachii
Identification
Mostly shades of brownish gray, underside paler. Rear flanks are strongly striped with black in adult, less distinctive in juveniles. Shows a distinct pale supercilium and dark malar stripe, and two thin, pale wing bars.
Similar species
Northern Mockingbird differs in having stronger wingbars, more bluish-grey upperside, lack stripes on flanks but have spots on breast, and lack malar stripe.
Distribution
Endemic to the Caribbean (West Indies): found in Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
Two subspecies are recognized:
- M. g. gundlachii:
- M. g. hillii:
- Arid coastal lowlands of southern Jamaica
Habitat
Shrubby coastal areas with scattered trees, particularly small palm trees.
Behaviour
Somewhat secretive in its behavior.
Nest is cup-shaped and usually placed in a bush. Breeds February to June.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
- Raffaele et al. 1998. Birds of the West Indies. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0713649054
- Arthur Grosset
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Bahama Mockingbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Bahama_Mockingbird
