Barbados Bullfinch

Loxigilla barbadensis

A tame and conspicuous species of gardens, scrubland, and open woodlands. Its plumage is a combination of subtle browns and grays, and its bill is stubby and thick. This species could be mistaken for a female Black-faced Grassquit, but the grassquit has an olive back and is smaller overall. Song is a rapid “tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee…” or “tsit-tsit-tsit-tsit…” often consisting of five to fifteen notes. Calls include a sharp “tseet.”

Identification

The Barbados bullfinch is a small bird, 14–15 cm (5.5–6 in). The upperparts are a dark olive-grey, the wings are mostly brown, underparts are greyish, while the under tail-coverts are tawny. The species is not sexually dimorphic, with females and males having similar plumage. The birds' calls include simple twittering, an occasional harsh petulant note, and a sharp trill [1].

Taxonomy

The Barbados bullfinch was previously considered a subspecies of the Lesser Antillean bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis), which is found on neighboring islands. Despite the misleading nature of its name, the Barbados bullfinch is not a bullfinch at all but a seedeater. The bird is known locally as a Sparrow or Sparky.

Scientific name
Loxigilla barbadensis
Authority
Cory, 1886
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Loxigilla

Range and habitat

The Barbados bullfinch is found only on the island of Barbados. The birds' habitat includes shrubbery and forest undergrowth; the species has adapted well to humans, often being found in close proximity to areas of human habitation, such as gardens.

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Barbados bullfinches are extremely innovative and tame birds. Barbados bullfinches living in urban environments were found to have better problem-solving skills and a better immunocompetence than the ones living in rural areas of Barbados. As for their temperament, urban Barbados bullfinches were found to be bolder but more neophobic than their rural counterparts.

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Honeyguide Greenbul

Honeyguide Greenbul

Baeopogon indicator

Unusual dark greenbul with upright posture that does strongly resemble a honeyguide. Males have a white eye and females a dark one. Both sexes show a large white patch in the outer tail. Found in the upper portions of lowland forest. Usually in pairs or small groups. Most often detected by call: a slow series of mewing whistles. Similar to Sjöstedt's Greenbul, but has darker gray underparts, and male further distinguished by its pale eye. Distinguished from honeyguides by its different shape, especially the longer tail. Flight is direct, unlike undulating flight of a honeyguide.

Yellow-crowned Manakin

Yellow-crowned Manakin

Heterocercus flavivertex

Fairly large, distinctive manakin. Males have olive backs and are rusty colored below, contrasting with a white throat. The yellow crown patch is usually concealed.  Females have a gray throat and lack the yellow crown. Found in seasonally flooded forests and adjacent unflooded forests near rivers, including white sand forests. The call is a very thin ascending and descending whistle: “weeee-pítch-ooo.” Females are almost inseparable from females of Flame-crowned Manakin, but there is no range overlap.

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorus

Rather large thrush, gray-brown above and whitish below with rather rounded dark spots; tail has small white corners, lacking in appreciably smaller Song Thrush. In flight, looks rather pale and grayish overall, especially when compared with dark brownish Song Thrush. Found in a variety of wooded habitats, including parks and moorland with hedges and taller trees. Often feeds on larger lawns and grassy verges, often well away from cover. Sweet and rich-sounding warbled song is similar to that of Eurasian Blackbird, and very unlike Song Thrush. Dry rattle calls are distinctive.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.