Melodious Blackbird

Dives dives

Fairly common in semi-open habitats of tropical lowlands, usually in pairs or small groups. Feeds on the ground and in trees, often flipping its tail sharply upwards; may associate loosely with grackles, but usually not mixed in with other blackbids. Distinctive but lacks obvious field marks: plumage is wholly black with a slight velvety sheen; note the sharply pointed bill, and dark eyes.

识别特征

The adult is a medium-sized blackbird with a rounded tail. The male is 25.5 cm (10.0 in) long and weighs 108 g (3.8 oz). The slightly smaller female is 23 cm (9.1 in) long and weighs 95 g (3.4 oz). The adult plumage is entirely black with a bluish gloss, and the bill, legs and feet are also black. The iris is brown. Females are identically plumaged to the males; young birds are brownish black and lack iridescence. There are no subspecies.<p>The song is a duet between pairs, with a see note, followed by a whit and a northern cardinal-like whistle. The call is a metallic puitt.

分类信息

学名
Dives dives
命名信息
(Deppe, 1830)
Passeriformes
Icteridae
Dives

分布与栖息地

D. dives is a resident breeder from coastal eastern and south-eastern Mexico to Costa Rica. Its range is expanding. El Salvador was colonized in the 1950s, and eastern Guatemala in the 1960s. Prior to 1989 there was only one Costa Rican record, but it is now easily seen at least as far south as San José, and it is expected to colonize Panama.<p>The melodious blackbird inhabits a wide range of habitats, but avoids dense forest and thick undergrowth. It has adapted to human habitation and can be seen in gardens and on lawns. The melodious blackbird forages mainly on the ground for insects but will also take nectar and ripening maize ears as well as other plants, such as the fruits of the gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba) and Trophis racemosa.

迁徙
Resident species

行为

Breeding birds are highly territorial, and adults will attack predators like the brown jay, but small flocks form outside the nesting season. A breeding pair will give a display in which each bird spreads its tail, extends its wings, and ruffles its plumage.<p>Both sexes build a cup nest of plant material 3–7 m (9.8–23.0 ft) high in a bush or tree and line it with mud and dung. The female lays three or four brown-blotched blue eggs, which she incubates alone, although the male helps with feeding the chicks. This species is not known to be parasitised by cowbirds, which presumably has also contributed to its success.

保护状况

种群趋势
rising

照片

分布

鸟叫声

其他鸟类

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

Tiny woodpecker, common and widespread across much of North America. Black-and-white plumage is nearly identical to the larger Hairy Woodpecker. Focus on the bill: Downy has a very short bill, much shorter than the length of the head. Also note the small black markings on the white outer tail feathers. Pacific population has smaller white spots on the wing and a grayer body than Eastern birds. Occurs in any wooded habitat, though western birds are more restricted to riparian areas. Often forages on smaller branches than Hairy Woodpecker. Familiar visitor to backyard feeders, especially fond of suet. Calls include a soft “pik!” and descending rattle, weaker than Hairy Woodpecker.

Orange-crowned Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

Nondescript warbler, generally olive-colored overall, but different populations vary from grayer to brighter yellow. Overall very plain and unmarked, but note short darkish line through eye and thin pale eye arcs. Forages for insects in scrubby areas, woodland edge, and thickets. Namesake orange crown is very difficult to see, and usually only a faint wash at best. More common in western North America, from Alaska to Mexico, where populations are brighter yellow-green. Birds in eastern North America are scarcer and drabber, often with a more contrasting grayish head. Bright yellow undertail coverts help separate Orange-crowned from the similarly drab Tennessee Warbler.

Hooded Butcherbird

Hooded Butcherbird

Cracticus cassicus

A large, pied bird of lowland and foothill secondary forest and edges. Note the distinctive black hood extending to the chest, Also black back, edge to the wing and end of the tail. The rest of the plumage is white. Long, silvery bill with black tip. Similar to Black-backed Butcherbird, but Hooded is larger and has a black rather than white throat and chest. Typical butcherbird low, electronic warbles which it gives while raising and lowering its wings.

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