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Difference between revisions of "Bahama Mockingbird" - BirdForum Opus

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;[[: Category:Mimus|Mimus]] gundlachii
 
;[[: Category:Mimus|Mimus]] gundlachii
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 +
[[Image:Bahama_Mockingbird_by_njlarsen.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Notice the pattern on the underside of the tail<br/>Photo by {{user|njlarsen|njlarsen}}<br/>Hugh Taylor Birch SP, Fort Lauderdale, [[Florida]], [[USA]], May 18, 2016]]
 
Mostly shades of brownish gray, underside paler. Rear flanks are variably striped with black in adult, while juveniles in addition show spotting on undersides. Shows a distinct pale supercilium and dark malar stripe, and two thin, pale wing bars. The central tail feathers are dark, while all other tail feathers are mostly dark with white tips; tail sometimes look graduated.  
 
Mostly shades of brownish gray, underside paler. Rear flanks are variably striped with black in adult, while juveniles in addition show spotting on undersides. Shows a distinct pale supercilium and dark malar stripe, and two thin, pale wing bars. The central tail feathers are dark, while all other tail feathers are mostly dark with white tips; tail sometimes look graduated.  
 
====Similar species====
 
====Similar species====
 
[[Northern Mockingbird]] is slightly smaller with shorter tail, has stronger whitish wingbars and a white spot at base of primaries, more bluish-grey upperside, and is less strongly marked in malar area. It lacks stripes on flanks; juveniles (but not adult) have spots on breast. Northern Mockingbird's white outer tail feathers (visible in flight as well as from underside on the resting bird) and the white areas on the wing (only visible in flight) are both very different from Bahama Mockingbird.
 
[[Northern Mockingbird]] is slightly smaller with shorter tail, has stronger whitish wingbars and a white spot at base of primaries, more bluish-grey upperside, and is less strongly marked in malar area. It lacks stripes on flanks; juveniles (but not adult) have spots on breast. Northern Mockingbird's white outer tail feathers (visible in flight as well as from underside on the resting bird) and the white areas on the wing (only visible in flight) are both very different from Bahama Mockingbird.
[[Image:Bahama_Mockingbird_by_njlarsen.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Notice the pattern on the underside of the tail<br/>Photo by {{user|njlarsen|njlarsen}}<br/>Hugh Taylor Birch SP, Fort Lauderdale, [[Florida]], [[USA]], May 18, 2016]]
+
[[Image:Bahama_Mockingbird_by_Pauhana_flight.jpg|thumb|400px|right|In flight<br/>Photo by {{user|Pauhana|Pauhana}}<br/>Leftis Key, Manatee Cty, [[Florida]], [[USA]], May 15, 2014]]
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
 
Endemic to the [[Caribbean]] ([[West Indies]]): found in [[Greater Antilles]], [[Bahamas]], [[Cuba]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], [[Jamaica]].
 
Endemic to the [[Caribbean]] ([[West Indies]]): found in [[Greater Antilles]], [[Bahamas]], [[Cuba]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], [[Jamaica]].

Revision as of 01:34, 11 March 2021

Photo by lello_a
Bahamas
Mimus gundlachii

Identification

Notice the pattern on the underside of the tail
Photo by njlarsen
Hugh Taylor Birch SP, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 18, 2016

Mostly shades of brownish gray, underside paler. Rear flanks are variably striped with black in adult, while juveniles in addition show spotting on undersides. Shows a distinct pale supercilium and dark malar stripe, and two thin, pale wing bars. The central tail feathers are dark, while all other tail feathers are mostly dark with white tips; tail sometimes look graduated.

Similar species

Northern Mockingbird is slightly smaller with shorter tail, has stronger whitish wingbars and a white spot at base of primaries, more bluish-grey upperside, and is less strongly marked in malar area. It lacks stripes on flanks; juveniles (but not adult) have spots on breast. Northern Mockingbird's white outer tail feathers (visible in flight as well as from underside on the resting bird) and the white areas on the wing (only visible in flight) are both very different from Bahama Mockingbird.

In flight
Photo by Pauhana
Leftis Key, Manatee Cty, Florida, USA, May 15, 2014

Distribution

Endemic to the Caribbean (West Indies): found in Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica.

Occurs as a vagrant to Florida

Taxonomy

Subspecies[1]

Two subspecies are recognized:

  • M. g. gundlachii:
  • M. g. hillii:
  • Arid coastal lowlands of southern Jamaica

Habitat

Shrubby coastal areas with scattered trees, particularly small palm trees.

Behaviour

Somewhat secretive in its behavior.

Nest is cup-shaped and usually placed in a bush. Breeds February to June.

References

  1. 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.
  2. Avibase
  3. Raffaele et al. 1998. Birds of the West Indies. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0713649054
  4. Arthur Grosset

Recommended Citation

External Links

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