Zapata Sparrow
Torreornis inexpectata
A handsome species with subtle coloration. Its yellow belly shades to olive sides, and a largely gray face is topped by a rusty crown and met below by black-borded white throat. Often found in pairs low in foliage or on the ground. No similar species occur in its range. Calls include a rapid twittering “ti-ti-ti…,” a high thin, “tzi-tzi-tzi,” and a rapid series of ten or more buzzy trilling notes that descend in pitch and grow softer towards the end.
Taxonomy
Each population is assigned to a different race due to differences in plumage and ecology. The nominate race T. i. inexpectana at Zapata is found in extensive sawgrass savannahs, the similarly-plumaged Cayo Coco race T. i. varonai is found in forests and shrubbery and the duller eastern race T. i. sigmani frequents arid areas of thorn-scrub and cacti.<p>The form varonai was described by in a Cuban publication, and further review is needed to determine its validity. Claims have been put forth relating to the obscurity or presumed non-existence of this original description. Buden and Olson (Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 477 (1989)), not reviewing the description, drew attention to Bond, who cited varonai to a different Cuban publication.<p>"Olson received a reprint of this from Regalado. The only indication of the source on this is printed at the top of page 87: 'Centre [sic] Agricola, No. 2 mayo-agosto/1981.' This is the citation given by Garrido et al. [serial Poeyana] (1986), whereas Bond [Ibid] (1982:12) cites the original description of Torreornis inexpectata varonai Regalado as 'Rev. Minist Educ. Sup. Rep. Cuba, 8, Nov. 2, 1981, pp. 87–106.,' that, apart from the initial page number being the same, would seem to be a different publication."<p>However, they failed to mention or cite Morton and Gonzalez Alonso (Wilson Bulletin, 1982, vol. 94/4), who make reference to varonai and where Centro Agricola is cited. Dickinson (Howard and Moore Complete Checklist, (2003)) also suggested that there was "an element of doubt" as to whether or not the description was published. However, copies of the serial dating to 1981 and earlier are currently deposited in the Smathers Library of the University of Florida.
- Scientific name
- Torreornis inexpectata
- Authority
- Barbour & Peters, JL, 1927
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Torreornis
Range and habitat
The Zapata sparrow is endemic to Cuba.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Typical threats are wildfires in the dry season, drainage of wetlands, and destruction of habitat due to agriculture and tourism.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Caprimulgus concretus
Small dark-brown nightjar of lowland forests. Bright white bib often noticeable. Male has silvery-white tips to the outer tail feathers; both sexes lack white in the wings. Nocturnal and extremely rarely encountered by day, when it roosts in thick, tangled foliage. Frequently hawks from a perch. Listen for its strange, mooing moan: “wuoOOOhwwhh”.
Chestnut-bellied Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula brenchleyi
A large dark pigeon with a deep chestnut belly and undertail. Entirely dark above with a contrasting paler head. Chestnut underwing separates this species from any other similar pigeon. Rare. Prefers very mature undisturbed hill forest. Most common call is a deep, drawn-out “whu-ooooow.”
Madagascar Flufftail
Sarothrura insularis
Tiny, skulking rail-like bird that is unlikely to be seen unless you’re expressly looking for it. The male is boldly red and black with white stripes, while the female is brownish and much plainer. Found on the ground in forest, scrub, heath, and wetlands in eastern, central, and northern Madagascar. Extremely shy and elusive, and most often detected by voice: a loud and explosive couple of “ki-dit” calls followed by a very long series of shorter “kit” notes. Much shorter-billed than the very rare Slender-billed Flufftail. All other rails are larger and have different coloration.
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