The Grand Cayman bullfinch (Melopyrrha taylori) is a threatened bird endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. It is the only bird species endemic to the Cayman Islands since the extinction of the Grand Cayman thrush (Turdus ravidus), though several bird subspecies are also endemic.
Grand Cayman bullfinch | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Thraupidae |
Genus: | Melopyrrha |
Species: | M. taylori
|
Binomial name | |
Melopyrrha taylori Hartert, EJO, 1896
| |
Synonyms | |
|
Taxonomy
editIt was once considered a subspecies of the Cuban bullfinch (M. nigra) as M. nigra taylori. It can be distinguished from the Cuban bullfinch by its slightly larger bill size and the much paler coloration of the female bird.[2]
Habitat
editThis species breeds primarily in the Central Mangrove Wetland.[3]
Conservation
editIts population is declining due to invasive mammals. Habitat fragmentation may also be a potential major risk, though currently this is very low.
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Pyrrhulagra taylori". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T103813133A180218485. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T103813133A180218485.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Cuban Bullfinch - Introduction | Neotropical Birds Online". neotropical.birds.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
- ^ "Saving the largest continuous wetland in the Caribbean from destruction - Conservation Action - Our work - The RSPB Community". community.rspb.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-15.