Jamaican Blackbird
Nesopsar nigerrimus
A species of higher elevation woodlands where it is often found feeding high in the trees, even near the forest canopy, rather unlike other blackbird species. Indeed, any blackbird found foraging within Jamaica’s upper elevation forests is very likely this species. Its plumage is all black, its tail is short, and the bill is moderately long and slim. The similar Shiny Cowbird has a shorter, stouter bill and a longer tail. The Greater Antillean Grackle is larger, longer-tailed, and has a pale (not dark) eye. The song is a wheezy “whee-whee-oooo” and variations thereof; common call is emphatic, squeaky “wheet.”
识别特征
The Jamaican blackbird is a small icterid with all black plumage. It has a short tail that is often flayed.
分类信息
- 学名
- Nesopsar nigerrimus
- 命名信息
- (Osburn, 1859)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Icteridae
- 属
- Nesopsar
分布与栖息地
It is strictly arboreal and has a wheezing call. Pairs occupy large territories in a variety of wet montane forest types, including elfin and mist forests, that have substantial epiphytes and mosses on the trees. The Jamaican blackbird's habitats are confined to areas of above 575m and are rarely seen in lowland areas.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
In the absence of specialised tree probers such as the woodcreepers, ovenbirds and woodpeckers (Jamaica does have a species of woodpecker, the Jamaican woodpecker, but it is a generalist that typically feeds away from tree trunks), which occur in similar forests on the mainland, the Jamaican blackbird has convergently evolved to fill this ecological niche. The majority of the food taken by this species is found on the trunks of trees and their inner branches, feeding on animal prey, mostly insects, which it finds in bark or in bromeliads. It has shorter legs and longer claws that typical icterids, uses its tail for support when climbing tree trunks, both of which are adaptations to its niche, and has a longer bill and stronger jaw muscles than other New World blackbirds used for probing, spreading and hammering. It utilises a different niche from the other (semi) endemic icterid, the Jamaican oriole, which forages mainly in the outer branches of the trees.
保护状况
The principal threat to the Jamaican blackbird is habitat loss. There are numerous threats to Jamaican forests, including bauxite mining, charcoal production, forestry, farming and development. This species is particularly vulnerable because it is dependent on large trees which support many epiphytes. Because of these threats it is listed as Endangered by the IUCN. It is protected in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, and efforts are underway to stop bauxite mining in Cockpit Country.
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Black-capped Tinamou
Crypturellus atrocapillus
Subtly colorful tinamou of dense habitats in the lowlands and Andean foothills. Almost exclusively found in bamboo thickets, but also occasionally found in dense riverside vegetation and secondary growth, including around agriculture. Rarely seen, but frequently heard throughout the day; it usually gives about one call note per minute, a springy “bwow”. The most helpful visual field mark is its bright orange legs; it also has a black or dark gray cap, and brown plumage with cold gray head and neck, and reddish orange throat.
Western Dwarf Hornbill
Horizocerus hartlaubi
A small, dark forest hornbill found predominantly in primary forest subcanopy, where it prefers areas with abundant vines. This species is unique in its overall dark coloration and its broad white eyebrow that extends to the back of the head. The only similarly-sized forest hornbill in its range is the more reddish Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, but Western Dwarf Hornbill has a less well-defined border between the dark chest and white belly, and only Western Dwarf Hornbill has the broad white eyebrow behind the eye. Voice is a repetitive “yep yep yep yep” that can be repeated at length, sometimes accompanied with a howl.
Kea
Nestor notabilis
The world's only true alpine parrot, found only on the South Island of New Zealand. Large, with olive-green plumage. Note scarlet underwings visible in flight. Females are smaller than males with shorter bills. Juveniles have a yellow eye-ring and a paler crown. Gives a distinct loud “keee-aaa” call, mostly in flight. Very inquisitive toward people and their cars within the mountain ranges, at ski fields, at huts, and along mountain roads. Distinguished from New Zealand Kaka by blue-green flight feathers, larger size, and alpine habitat.
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