Spindalis dominicensis
The Hispaniolan Spindalis (Spindalis dominicensis) is a striking medium-sized passerine, endemic to the island of Hispaniola. Males are particularly vibrant, showcasing a brilliant yellow breast and belly, a black back, and a distinctive black head marked with prominent white stripes above and below the eye, extending to the nape. Females, while more subdued, exhibit an olive-greenish head and back, often with faint streaking, and duller yellow or gray underparts, making sexual dimorphism qui...
Found in a variety of forest types including broadleaf, pine, and mixed forests, as well as disturbed woodlands, coffee plantations, and gardens, primarily at mid-elevations but from sea level to over 2,000 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of native fruits and berries, supplemented with a smaller proportion of insects and arthropods, obtained by gleaning from foliage.
Hispaniolan Spindalises are diurnal birds, active from dawn to dusk, often foraging solitarily or in pairs, though they may join small, mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning fruits and berries from trees and shrubs, showing remarkabl...
The Hispaniolan Spindalis is strictly endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, encompassing both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is a resident species, present year-round across its distribution with no significant migratory movements. Its range extends across various elevations, from ...
Least Concern
- The Hispaniolan Spindalis is one of only four species in the genus Spindalis, all of which are endemic to the Caribbean islands. - Despite its striking appearance, it was once considered a subspecies of the Western Spindalis, but genetic studies confirmed its distinct species status. - It is on...