Blue Mockingbird
Melanotis caerulescens
Not closely related to Northern Mockingbird. Skulking and heard far more often than seen, this fairly large and ample-tailed songbird might be better named "denim catbird" for its overall dull blue plumage, mewing calls, and retiring behavior. Favors thickets, dense scrubby woodlands, and forest understory in foothills and highlands; locally to western lowlands in winter. Tosses leaves on the ground and also feeds at all levels in dense fruiting bushes and trees. Most often seen in short flights across roads or trails from cover to cover. Voice notably varied.
识别特征
Measuring 9.5–10.5 in (24–27 cm) in length, and weighing between 50.2 and 59.7 g (1.77 and 2.11 oz), the blue mockingbird is a medium-sized mimid. Individuals of the subspecies caerulescens have a mean body mass slightly higher than that for individuals of the subspecies longirostris — 63.5 g (2.24 oz) for the former and 59.7 g (2.11 oz) for the latter.
分类信息
When he first described the blue mockingbird in 1827, William John Swainson assigned it to the mockingbird Orpheus, and when Orpheus became a junior synonym for the genus Mimus, the species was moved accordingly. Not all authorities agreed; several placed it in the thrush Turdus. However, when Charles Lucien Bonaparte moved it to its current genus Melanotis in 1850, most authorities quickly followed suit. There is disagreement as to whether it is monotypic or not.<p>Among taxonomists who believe the species is polytypic, two subspecies are generally recognized.<p>The blue mockingbird has historically been considered conspecific with the closely related blue-and-white mockingbird. Its species name is derived from the Latin adjective caerǔlěus, meaning "blue".
- 学名
- Melanotis caerulescens
- 命名信息
- (Swainson, 1827)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Mimidae
- 属
- Melanotis
分布与栖息地
The blue mockingbird lives in a variety of woodlands: humid forest, riparian thickets, scrub, pine-oak forests and second growth. It is found at elevations ranging from lowlands to 2,450 m (8,040 ft).
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The blue mockingbird builds a cup nest of twigs and rootlets.<p>The blue mockingbird is an omnivore; it feeds primarily on invertebrates, but also on some vegetable matter.
保护状况
Because of its very large range and sizable population (estimated to number 500,000–4,999,999 individuals), the blue mockingbird is rated as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There is, however, evidence that its overall numbers are dropping, primarily due to habitat fragmentation and loss. The Mexican government has named the longirostris subspecies as a taxon of "special concern".
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Spot-backed Antbird
Hylophylax naevius
Fairly small, short-tailed antbird. Widespread in lowland forest of the Amazon basin in northern South America. More common than Dot-backed Antbird. Striking plumage with bold black chest streaks and white wingbars. Sexes similar, but males have a black throat and females have a white throat. Also note that females are buffier below. Compared with Dot-backed, note pink legs, buffier spots on back, gray face, and browner tail. Pairs are typically found in the understory, perching on vertical branches or vines near the ground. Occasionally visits army ant swarms.
Schrenck's Bittern
Botaurus eurhythmus
Small heron, usually found in reed beds, expansive marshes, and rice fields; can occasionally be found in parks with sheltered areas, particularly lotus ponds and shaded pools. Generally uncommon throughout its range; never in the high densities of Yellow Bittern. Male is smartly attired, with a black cap, brown back, and a white neck and breast with a dark line extending down from the throat. Female is darker, with fine white spotting on the back and pale brown streaks on the throat. Compare with Cinnamon Bittern. Males give a gruff “roof, roof, roof” on the breeding grounds.
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Melithreptus brevirostris
Small honeyeater with brown cap. Primarily gray-brown with olive back and lighter underparts. Eye patch and band leading from the eye to back of the head are cream-colored. Juveniles have pale blue coloration around the eye and a yellow bill. Take care to separate from juvenile White-naped Honeyeater, which lacks the pale half collar around the side of the neck. The plumage of this species varies geographically. Common in eucalypt forests, where it is usually very vocal and active. Forages in small groups.
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