Microligea palustris
The Green-tailed Ground-Warbler, *Microligea palustris*, is a distinctive and enigmatic songbird endemic to the island of Hispaniola. Despite its misleading common name, it is not a true warbler (family Parulidae) but belongs to the small, endemic Caribbean family Phaenicophilidae, making it a unique evolutionary lineage. This small bird measures approximately 12.5-14 cm (5-5.5 inches) in length and weighs about 10-12 grams, characterized by its olive-green upperparts, pale gray-white underpa...
This species primarily inhabits dense understory vegetation within humid broadleaf forests, montane pine forests, and shaded coffee plantations across a wide elevational range.
Its diet consists predominantly of insects and other invertebrates, such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars, which it gleans from the ground and low vegetation.
The Green-tailed Ground-Warbler is a diurnal and highly active species, spending most of its time foraging stealthily within the dense undergrowth and leaf litter. Its primary foraging strategy involves hopping along the forest floor, gleaning insects and other invertebrates from decaying leaves,...
The Green-tailed Ground-Warbler is a year-round resident found exclusively on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, encompassing both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its distribution extends across various mountain ranges and humid forested regions, including the Cordillera Central and Sierra de ...
Least Concern
- The Green-tailed Ground-Warbler is one of only three species in the endemic Caribbean family Phaenicophilidae, alongside the Palmchat and Hispaniolan Spindalis. - Despite its misleading common name, it is not a true warbler (family Parulidae) but represents a distinct evolutionary lineage. - It...