San Cristobal Mockingbird
Mimus melanotis
A fairly large gray-and-white songbird with a long tail, slightly curved bill, black mask, and blotchy gray vest. Endemic to Galápagos. Found only on San Cristóbal Island, where it is the only mockingbird. Adult may have a faint, dark mustache; juvenile has a heavily spotted breast. Uncommon and usually encountered alone or in pairs, in areas with scattered trees and cacti; tends to avoid tall, dense forest.
Identification
A fairly large gray-and-white songbird with a long tail, slightly curved bill, black mask, and blotchy gray vest. Endemic to Galápagos. Found only on San Cristóbal Island, where it is the only mockingbird. Adult may have a faint, dark mustache; juvenile has a heavily spotted breast. Uncommon and usually encountered alone or in pairs, in areas with scattered trees and cacti; tends to avoid tall, dense forest.
Taxonomy
Genus: Mimus; Family: Mimidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Mimus melanotis
- Authority
- (Gould, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Mimidae
- Genus
- Mimus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Squamate Antbird
Myrmoderus squamosus
Medium-sized, long-tailed antbird found on the ground in humid forests. Both sexes have rufous-brown crown, back, and tail and a buff vent. Males have a black face with a prominent white eyebrow and a scaly breast while females are pale and finely marked below with a duller mask.
Gabon Boubou
Laniarius bicolor
Chunky black-and-white bushshrike. There is a white slash across the wing, and the underparts are pure white. Uses habitats that include marsh, gallery forest and woodland, thick scrub, and mangroves. Found in pairs, which usually skulk, but sometimes hop about in the open. Song is a perfectly synchronized duet in which the male gives a hollow rising whistle and the female a low ratchet. Similar to Tropical Boubou, but easily separated by lack of rufous tones to the underparts and different vocalizations.
Black-necked Crane
Grus nigricollis
A regal, rather thickset crane of highland lakes and wet pastures. Pale-bodied with a black neck, a dark drooping ‘bustle’ of elongated feathers above the tail, and a patch of bare red skin on the crown. Winters at lower altitudes, along the shorelines of large lakes and flooded agricultural fields. It may be confused for the smaller and more abundant Common Crane; look out for the all-dark neck and tail.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.