Anguilla Backyard Birding - Part 3
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
As we enter 2023, my thoughts return to backyard birding and Anguilla’s Lesser Antilles Restricted Range Species. These are species with a geographically restricted area of distribution.
The Lesser Antilles Restricted Range includes Anguilla and south to the Grenadines. In that area, you will find approximately 38 species found nowhere else in the world. Anguilla can boast five of those species as breeding residents. They are shown in the graphic above.
Today I will highlight one of those species - the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch.
This bird is limited to the Lesser Antilles and is not found in the Grenadines. It is widely distributed across the Antilles and enjoys backyards and wetlands.
Like many bird species, the male is much flashier than the female. They display a red-orange color under the throat and tail and over the eye. This appears to become stronger during the breeding season from my observations.
The female is brown with a brown bill. Rust-colored wing and tail coverts are present. Juveniles look much like females.
Birds of the World describes its diet and foraging behavior as follows:
Diet varied; nectar, also fruits and seeds, as well as arthropods. Known to rob flowers of nectar; reaches nectar by biting a small hole at base of calyx. Uses foot to secure fruits as it eats them; essentially steps on fruit against a branch while it feeds from it.
I often observe them eating the flower of the White Cedar Trees in my yard. They are especially fond of the berries produced by Turpentine Trees.
They are not shy around hummingbird feeders, which often leads to conflict with the Green-throated Caribs. Epic battles do not deter this species from getting its fair share. They seem to have a better relationship with Bananaquits as they calmly share the sugar feeder.
Nesting in this species is generally from February to August, but I have seen it at other times of the year. The nest is constructed by both parents using plant fibers. It is dome-shaped with a hole on the side. In my experience, nests are reused.
One of the most annoying parts of this bird for a homeowner is its propensity for building nests in hanging lights. Wire mesh or screening material can be used to discourage this behavior.
They usually lay 2 to 4 white eggs with red speckles. The incubation period is approximately two weeks, and the female does most of the work. The male is never far away and provides support for the female.
The chicks are born naked and are fed by both parents. Over two to three weeks, feathers develop, and they fledge from the nest.
I am lucky to observe this species throughout the year and have witnessed several chicks fledge in the yard. I will say that the poor orchid has suffered through several Bullfinch and hummingbird nests. It is looking a bit sad.
It seems a small price to pay for the joy these birds bring throughout the year!
I hope you enjoy this little video highlighting the 2022 nesting season!
What an interesting read, thank you Jacquie.
Happy New Year.
Ellen