The Cuban blackbird (Ptiloxena atroviolacea) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.

Cuban blackbird
In Havana, Cuba
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Ptiloxena
Chapman, 1892
Species:
P. atroviolacea
Binomial name
Ptiloxena atroviolacea
(d'Orbigny, 1839)
Range of P. atroviolacea
Synonyms

Ptiloxena atroviolaceus
Dives atroviolaceus

Taxonomy

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It was previously placed in Dives, but now classified in its own genus, Ptiloxena.[2]

Description

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Measuring 27 cm (11 in) long, this species has entirely black plumage with a slight violet sheen on the upperparts. The only non-black body part is the brown eye.[3]

Distribution and habitat

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It is endemic to Cuba, where it is widespread and common. It is entirely absent from the Isla de la Juventud and some of the offshore cays.[3] Its natural habitats are lowland moist forests and heavily degraded former forest.

 
A Cuban blackbird in Pinar del Rio Province

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Ptiloxena atroviolacea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22724294A94858907. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  2. ^ International Ornithologists' Union. IOC World Bird List 12.2 (Multilingual Version) (Report). doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.12.2.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b Garrido, Orlando H.; Kirkconnell, Arturo (2000). Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba. Ithaca, NY: Comstock, Cornell University Press. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-8014-8631-9.
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