Blue-winged Macaw
Primolius maracana
Fairly small macaw with a bare white face that contrasts with its dark bill. It has a small red forehead, which can be quite difficult to see, a blue crown, and a red belly. The flight feathers are striking blue. Usually seen in pairs or small groups at forest edges, palm groves, and open woodlands. The flight call is a mellow “graaaa.”
Identification
It has a total length of approximately 36–43 cm (14–17 in). It has a moderately sized black bill, a long tail and a mainly green plumage. The upperside of the remiges and primary coverts are blue, as indicated by its common name. The underside of the wings is yellowish, the tail-tip, crown and cheeks are bluish, and the tail-base and small belly-patch are red. The iris is amber. It and the red-bellied macaw are the only macaws where the bare facial-skin is yellowish, but this often fades to white in captivity. Unlike the red-bellied macaw, the blue-winged has a red lower abdomen and a red lower back. In the wild, its flight pattern is said to be a distinctive 'jerky, rearing motion.'
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Primolius maracana
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1816)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Primolius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Jamaican Euphonia
Euphonia jamaica
A very small and active inhabitant of most wooded habitats and gardens where it forages mostly on fruits and flowers. Note this species’ short, stubby bill, and mostly gray head and underparts. The Orangequit is somewhat similar but is readily distinguished by its longer and slightly curved bill. Additionally, male Orangequits are darker gray and have an orange throat, while female Orangequits have brown upperparts. Song is rapid-fire jumble of squeaks, whistles, and buzzes. The call note is a sharp “tseet.” Jamaican Euphonias also give a scratchy, squeaky “bao,” which is given singly, in series, or interjected into songs.
Pallid Swift
Apus pallidus
Medium-sized swift, dark overall with a white throat patch. Like Common Swift, nests in buildings and cliff faces, often in coastal regions, and forages over a wide range of habitats. Very similar to Common Swift but with slightly paler plumage overall (plumage tones of both species greatly influenced by lighting), subtly blunter wings, and less deeply forked tail. Shrill screaming call is subtly different from that of Common Swift as well: slightly deeper, and sometimes incorporating a slight “hiccup” at the end. Many dark swifts are not safely identified in the field.
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
A handsome and striking large wader (shorebird) with long wispy crest. Fairly common in open habitats, from grassland and farmland to wetlands, and locally on coastal mudflats. Declining in some areas with land-use changes. Forms flocks from late summer through winter, locally in hundreds or even thousands. Boldly patterned plumage looks black and white overall, but back shows green gloss in good light. Flies with deep, rather floppy wingbeats and dives steeply in breeding display; wingtips notably broad and rounded, not pointed like most waders.
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