St Lucia Black Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni)

Family
Thraupidae (Tanagers)

Size
13 - 14 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Cory, 1886)

Habitat
Dense undergrowth in rainforest, forest edge, secondary vegetation, plantations, shrubbery, semi-arid scrub and woodland. From sea-level - 800 m.

Range (Guide)

St Lucia (B) (NB).

St Lucia, in south-central Lesser Antilles.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is 250 - 999 (2010) and decreasing.

Status EN
Clearing of undergrowth, introduced mongooses and rats that may predate eggs, nestlings and adults, are the main threats.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Primarily on the ground on seeds, fruit and insects.

Voice
A rough 'tick-zwee-swisiwis-you' with emphasis on second and last notes, slightly resembling Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola).

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (2)...)

St. Lucia Black Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni) [XC9485]
by Allen T. Chartier from Quilesse Forest Reserve, west of Micoud, St. Lucia, St Lucia (song)

St. Lucia Black Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni) [XC589924]
by Simon Elliott from near Praslin, St Lucia (song)

Subspecies
Genus may belong in tanager family (Thraupidae). Appears to be part of a clade which also includes several other Caribbean genera (Euneornis, Loxipasser, Melopyrrha, Loxigilla), Tiaris grassquits, Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), and "Darwin's finches" (Certhidea, Platyspiza, Pinaroloxias, Camarhynchus, Geospiza).

No subspecies.

Similar Species
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis) which is larger, has smaller bill and lacks pink legs.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for St Lucia Black Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the St Lucia Black Finch see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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