From Opus

Photo by Kent
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands

Tiaris bicolor

[edit] Identification

The male has a black head and breast, gray flanks and undertail coverts, and olive green upperparts; bill is black while the legs are reddish. The female has upperparts that are similar to the male, and is slightly lighter on the underside than the upperside. The size of this bird is about 11.5 cm (4.5 inches). Judging from photos, the bill color is variable among subspecies.

Photo by AlanR
Female Grassquit, Aruba, April 2007.

[edit] Distribution

Breeds from Bahamas throughout the Caribbean to northern Venezuela and large parts of Colombia.

Accidental vagrant to southern Florida.

[edit] Taxonomy

Polytypic: eight subspecies are recognized.

[edit] Habitat

Black-faced Grassquit is found in areas with grass, and makes its nest in such an area. It will also live in gardens and forest edges, as long as seed-bearing grass is found nearby.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

Both sexes build a domed grass nest, lined with fine grasses, placed low in a bush or on a bank. 2-3 whitish eggs blotched with reddish brown are laid. Both sexes feed the young.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes seeds, especially of grasses and weeds.

[edit] External Links