Española Mockingbird
Mimus macdonaldi
Large gray-and-white songbird with a long tail, curved bill, black mask and mustache, and dark blotches on the underparts. Endemic to Galálapagos. Found only on the southeastern island of Española, where it is the only mockingbird. Very inquisitive and has almost no fear of people. Lone birds or small groups race around beaches boldly inspecting almost everything they encounter including shells, sea lions, cameras, and shoes. Often perches up on bushes or rocks.
Identification
Similar to the other species of Galápagos mockingbirds, this species has a mottled gray and brown plumage with a white underbelly. A long tail and legs give the bird its distinctive appearance. The species has a long, thin beak, useful for tapping into the eggs of seabirds. The species has the largest bill of any of the Galápagos mockingbirds. The species, along with the other Galápagos mockingbirds, is most closely related to the Bahama mockingbird (Mimus gundlachii), despite the closer geographical proximity of Ecuador's long-tailed mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mimus macdonaldi
- Authority
- (Ridgway, 1890)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Mimidae
- Genus
- Mimus
Range and habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. Found only on Española Island, the bird can be found throughout the dry scrub of the island.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The bird is extremely aggressive and curious, and has no fear of humans whatsoever. The bird will chase after tourists in search of food, drink, or any unusual object. In some cases, the species will attempt to obtain water from tourists by pecking at their water bottles.<p>The birds have a strong social structure organized into family groups. Highly territorial, these groups will cooperatively hunt within their area as well as defend it against other groups. Lower-ranking members of the group will assist in caring for the young.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-bearded Greenbul
Criniger olivaceus
A fairly large and distinctive rainforest greenbul. Mostly dark olive-green, with a brown tail and some blue-gray bare skin around the eye. The bright yellow throat feathers are slightly puffy. Generally uncommon and inconspicuous in the understory and at middle levels of lowland rainforest. Similar in appearance to Western Bearded-Greenbul, but smaller, with a less puffy throat and no gray in the plumage. Similar to Red-tailed Greenbul, but has a yellow rather than pure white throat. Somewhat similar to Icterine Greenbul, but larger and much darker on the breast and belly. The song is a series of 3-4 chatty notes, sometimes ending on an upward inflection; similar to the song of Red-tailed Greenbul, but lower-pitched and less cheerful.
Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler
Gypsophila rufipectus
Chunky babbler of the forest floor and understory in Sumatra’s highlands. Mostly dark brown, with a white throat, dark scaling on the upperparts, and the namesake rust-colored breast. Forages in pairs or small groups. Often duets loudly, with one bird giving a vibrant and repetitive up-and-down song, and another giving a continuous “pee-peet, pee-peet.” Also gives a clear, whistled “hoohoohoohoooo.”
Rufous Spinetail
Synallaxis unirufa
Plain rufous bird with dark lores and long spiky tail. Sexes alike. Uncommon in the upper subtropics and temperate zone, mostly from 2,000–3,200 m. Could be confused with Rufous Wren but smaller and shier with spiky tail and plain unbarred wings. Pairs or small family groups are found low to the ground, often around patches of bamboo, where they can be tricky to see well. Listen for the single “pweep!” call.
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