Palmchat

Dulus dominicus

Photo by WillieWagtail

Photo taken: Las Galeras, Dominican Republic

Identification

The Palmchat, Dulus dominicus, is a small (20 cm / 8 in long) passerine bird which is the sole member of the family Dulidae. It is thought to be related to the waxwings, and is sometimes classified with that group.

This bird resembles an oriole in structure, but is brownish above, and buff, heavily streaked with brown, below. It does not have the soft silky plumage of the waxwings or silky-flycatchers.

Distribution

The Palmchat is endemic to the island of Hispaniola (The Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the Caribbean, and its adjacent keys and islets, where it is common and widespread.

Taxonomy

Traditional taxonomists generally place the Palmchat in its own family because of pecularities that suggest it is not closely related to any of the major passerine groups; it nearest realtives are often considered to be the waxwings. Sibley & Monroe (1990) concurred, although they reduced it to a tribe [Dulinae] in the Bombycillidae. It is a moderately odd bird in the field, looking most like a coarse-plumaged tanager or Old World oriole, but differing in being rather vocal (but just gurggles and "cheeps") and in its gregarious behavior.

Habitat

It inhabits lowlands to mid-elevations where palm savannas can be found, or other open areas with scattered trees, but also adapts well to areas such as city parks and gardens.

Behaviour

This bird builds large communal stick nests, mainly in royal palms (Roystonea sp.), and feeds on flowers, berries and other fruit.

External Links

• View more images of Palmchat in the gallery

The Palmchat was the bird of the month of the Society for Conservation and study of Caribbean Birds recently *this ; is a relatively complete presentation of the species.