Cuban Palm-Crow
Corvus minutus
Endemic to Cuba. A large, all-black, gregarious species of open woodlands, scrub, and palm savannahs; often found in flocks of up to fifty birds. Note this species’ relatively short, stout bill with extensive feathering on top. Compare with Cuban Crow, which has longer bill with less extensive feathering on top. Vocalizations are predominantly a flat, nasal “raaah,” which is rather different from any of the various calls of Cuban Crow.
Taxonomy
The Cuban palm crow was formally described in 1852 under the binomial name Corvus minutus by the German born ornithologist Juan Gundlach. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised. The Cuban palm crow was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Hispaniolan palm crow (Corvus palmarum).<p>The following cladogram is based on phylogenetic study of the Corvidae by Knud Jønsson and collaborators that was published in 2012.
- Scientific name
- Corvus minutus
- Authority
- Gundlach, 1852
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Corvus
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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A slim nightjar with a slightly elongated central tail. Both sexes have a large pale mark in the outer wing and along the sides of the tail, white in males and buff in females. Found mainly in dry savanna, but also in other open habitats. Similar to Long-tailed Nightjar, but usually shorter-tailed, and plumage is grayer in the area where their ranges overlap. Call is a slow mechanical trill, lower-pitched than similar calls of other nightjars. Also gives a “pwit” call, often in flight.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
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Breeding birds show yellow cap, black triangle under eye, streaked back and reddish-brown sides. Looks remarkably different in fall with distinctive lime green above and gray below with bold white eyering. Breeds mainly in secondary forests, especially areas with large shrubs and young trees. Does well in disturbed habitats, particularly power line cuts and areas that have been logged. Forages for insects. Winters in Central America.
Andean Hillstar
Oreotrochilus estella
Small hummingbird of the high Andes; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open and semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and alpaca wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by its extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a rusty stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.
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