Black catbird

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Black catbird

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Melanoptila
P.L. Sclater
, 1858
Species:
M. glabrirostris
Binomial name
Melanoptila glabrirostris
Synonyms
  • Turdus glabrirostris Gray, 1869[2]

The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is a

Mimidae. At 19–20.5 cm (7.5–8.1 in) in length and 31.6–42 g (1.11–1.48 oz) in mass, it is the smallest of the mimids. Sexes appear similar, with glossy black plumage, black legs and bill, and dark brownish eyes. The species is endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula, and is found as far south as Campeche, northern Guatemala and northern Belize. Although there are historical records from Honduras and the US state of Texas
, the species is not now known to occur in either location. It is found at low elevations in semi-arid to humid habitats ranging from shrubland and abandoned farmland to woodland with thick understory, and is primarily sedentary.

Although it is a mimid, the black catbird is not known to imitate any other species. Its song is a mix of harsh notes and clear flute-like whistles, with the phrases repeated. It builds a cup nest in low bushes or trees, and lays two bluish eggs. It is threatened by

near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
.

Taxonomy

When

Cozumel Island in a separate subspecies (M. g. cozumelana), most authorities do not feel that such distinction is warranted and the species is generally regarded as monotypic throughout its range.[5]

The genus name Melanoptila is a compound word created from two

rictal bristles which surround the black catbird's beak, in marked comparison to the prominent bristles found on the gray catbird.[8]

Description

The adult's plumage shows a purplish or greenish sheen.

At 19–20.5 cm (7.5–8.1 in) in length and 31.6–42 g (1.11–1.48 oz) in mass, the black catbird is the smallest of the mimids.

culmen, decurved toward the tip.[8] The iris is a dark reddish color in adults and gray in juveniles.[5]

Similar species

Although the black catbird is unlikely to be mistaken for any other mimid species, there are several other black birds — including the melodious blackbird, the bronzed cowbird and the giant cowbird — that occur within the same range and might conceivably cause confusion.[8] All are birds of more open habitats. The melodious blackbird is larger and longer tailed; it has dark eyes and a stocky bill with an evenly curved culmen.[10] The bronzed cowbird is thicker necked than is the catbird and has a bronzy, rather than purplish or greenish gloss to its plumage; its eye is bright red rather than dark red.[11] The giant cowbird is considerably larger, and is relatively longer tailed and thicker necked than is the catbird.[12]

Distribution and habitat

The black catbird is

American Ornithologists' Union.[14]

The species is found at low elevations in semi-arid to humid areas in habitats ranging from scrubland and abandoned farmland to wood edge.[5][8] It prefers areas with dense thickets, scrub or understory, and is uncommon in taller forest where the vegetation beneath the canopy is more open.[5] Although it is largely sedentary, there may be some localized seasonal movements away from the drier northern parts of the Yucatán Peninsula in late summer to early winter.[5]

Behavior

Dickcissel male perched on a metal pole singing, with neck stretched and beak open.

Songs and calls
Listen to Black catbird on xeno-canto
The black catbird favors areas with dense thickets, scrub or understory.

Voice

Unlike many of its fellow mimids, the black catbird is not known to imitate any other species. Its song consists of repeated phrases of notes ranging from harsh and scratchy to warbled and flute-like,[5] often interspersed with metallic clicking buzzes.[8] It often sings from exposed perches.[8] It has a variety of calls, including some which are quite similar to those of the gray catbird;[8] these are variously described as a harsh rriah, a nasal chrrh and a grating tcheeu.[5]

Food and feeding

Although no specific studies have been done on the black catbird's feeding ecology, it is thought to be an

Neotropics.[15]

Breeding

Little is known about the breeding biology of the black catbird. Its breeding season appears to run from spring through summer;

eggs.[5] However, details of nest-building, incubation times, parental care, fledging periods and number of broods are unknown.[8]

Conservation and threats

The range of the black catbird is small and dwindling further due to habitat loss. In 2008, the world population was estimated to be less than 50,000 and decreasing. Due to the speed of its decline, which is reported to have been "precipitous" on

brood parasite, into the Yucatán may cause problems for the black catbird as (based on past host choices) the catbird may become a target of the cowbird.[16]

Note

  1. ^ By convention, length is measured from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail on a dead bird (or skin) laid on its back.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Melanoptila glabrirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22711017A94273184. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  2. ^ Ridgway & Friedmann (1901), p. 215.
  3. ^ a b Ridgway & Friedmann (1901), p. 214.
  4. S2CID 51797284
    . Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Cody (2005), p. 479.
  6. ^ Jobling (2010), p. 248.
  7. ^ Jobling (2010), p. 173.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-1-8734-0395-2
    .
  9. ISBN 978-0-19-857358-6
    .
  10. ^ Jaramillo & Burke (1999), p. 329.
  11. ^ Jaramillo & Burke (1999), p. 375.
  12. ^ Jaramillo & Burke (1999), p. 371.
  13. ISBN 1-58544-284-4
    .
  14. S2CID 85725129
    .
  15. JSTOR 2387943
    .
  16. JSTOR 4163974
    . Retrieved 10 August 2014.

Cited texts

External links
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