Melanoptila glabrirostris
The Black Catbird (*Melanoptila glabrirostris*) is a striking and enigmatic member of the Mimidae family, unique among its relatives for its entirely glossy black plumage and vibrant red eyes. Measuring approximately 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 in) in length and weighing 31.6-42 g (1.1-1.5 oz), this slender bird boasts a long, graduated tail and a relatively slender, slightly decurved black bill. It is instantly identifiable by its uniform, often iridescent dark body contrasted sharply by its bright oc...
Found in lowland, dense humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, forest edges, coastal scrub, and overgrown clearings, typically below 200 meters (660 ft) elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on beetles, ants, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, supplemented significantly by small fruits and berries from various shrubs.
Black Catbirds are notoriously skulking and secretive, often remaining hidden within dense vegetation, though their distinctive vocalizations frequently betray their presence. They are active foragers, gleaning insects from foliage and bark, as well as searching the ground for fallen fruits and i...
The Black Catbird is a non-migratory, resident species found exclusively within a restricted range in Central America. Its primary distribution encompasses the northern and central Yucatán Peninsula, extending across southern Mexico (Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo states) into northern Beliz...
Vulnerable
- The Black Catbird is the only species in the Mimidae family (mockingbirds and thrashers) that is entirely black. - Its genus name, *Melanoptila*, translates to 'black feather,' and its species name, *glabrirostris*, means 'smooth-billed. - The bright, striking red eyes are a crucial identifying...