- Melopyrrha nigra
Identification
Length: 14-15 cm (5.5-5.75 in).
Male: black with white along edge of wing; thick curved bill.
Female: Cuban race is grayish-black, Cayman race is paler, more olive-gray.
Distribution
Only found in Cuba, where it is common and widespread, and Grand Cayman, where it is most abundant at South Sound Swamp, North Side and North Sound Estates.
Taxonomy
This is the only West Indian bullfinch species that does not belong to the genus Loxigilla.
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies[1]:
- M. n. nigra:
- Cuba and Isle of Pines
- M. n. taylori:
Habitat
Found at all elevations, in woodlands, mangroves, brushy areas, and undergrowth in pine areas.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes seeds, fruit and insects.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Arthur Grosset
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Cuban Bullfinch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cuban_Bullfinch
