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.
Identification
The Zapata sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata) is a medium-sized grey and yellow bird that lives in the grasslands of the Zapata Swamp and elsewhere on the island of Cuba. Measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in length, it is grey and yellow overall with a dark reddish-brown crown and olive-grey upperparts.
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
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Rook
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Large, glossy black crow. Adult is easily passed off as another crow species unless you see the diagnostic pale patch at the base of the bill. Juvenile lacks a pale bill base and is very similar to Carrion Crow, but bill is a little more tapered; pale bill base develops late in its first winter. Inhabits farmland and other semiopen areas with hedges and groups of tall trees, where nests in rookeries. Forages on ground, usually in flocks, and associates readily with crows and jackdaws. Rook calls are higher pitched and less rolling than other crow calls.
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