- Xolmis dominicanus
Identification
- 20.5 cm.
Male
- White body
- Black wings and tail
- White wing-tips particularly noticeable in flight
Female: similar
- Crown, back of neck and back are a brownish-grey
Distribution
South-eastern Brazil (Paraná) to Paraguay, Uruguay and north-east Argentina
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
In the past, this species was placed in the genus Heteroxolmis. The second part of the scientific name has also recently been changed, from dominicana to dominicanus.
Habitat
Open areas, fields and humid fields, dry lowland grassland, seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, arable land, and pastureland.
Behaviour
Other species, such as Saffron-cowled Blackbird likes to be around this species, seemingly because it is good at detecting approaching dangers such as raptors.
Vocalisation
Mostly silent. Occasionally delivers soft calls.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- BirdLife International
- Krüger & Petry (2010). Ornitologia Tropical 21(2): 299-303
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black-and-white Monjita. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-and-white_Monjita
