This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-09) for 16 March 2001. Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalists' Club, our aim is to promote birding and ornithology in the southeastern Caribbean by fostering communication among resident and visiting birders regarding the study of birds in the region. The SCBA and information about the T&TFNC are accessible on the Internet at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. Reports should be sent to Floyd Hayes by phone at 662-5918 (H) or 645-3232 x2206 (W), or by e-mail at floyd_hayes@hotmail.com. The T&T Rare Bird Committee requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see SCBA website above and end below).

HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In Barbados, the GIANT COWBIRD (1st for the West Indies) first reported last year (see SCBA 2000-11) was noted again along the south coast on 5 March and photographed at Palm Beach on 6 March.

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, the CRANE HAWK* (1st for T&T) continues to be seen sporadically at Waller Field, where it was last reported on 14 March. When seen it has been found perched within the patch of Moriche Palms during mid-morning or near the western entrance to the racetrack. Elsewhere in the Caroni Plain, four LITTLE EGRETS* (two breeding plumaged and two non-breeding plumaged) were noted at the Trincity Sewage Ponds on 16 March.

The T&TFNC birding trip along the west coast of Trinidad on 11 March was attended by only five participants. At San Fernando, three species of gulls were tallied including an immature RING-BILLED GULL* and five LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (one 1st-winter, two 2nd-winter and two adults). In South Oropouche Swamp (an unplanned destination), the highlights included a light-phased LONG-WINGED HARRIER, a GREEN-THROATED MANGO, several GREATER ANIS and two SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS*. At nearby Penal, a GREEN HERMIT was captured inside a house on 10 March.

A weekend trip to Chacachacare during 9-11 March produced the usual Bocas Islands specialties, including several BLUE-TAILED EMERALDS, many WHITE-FRINGED ANTWRENS, many MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULETS and many STREAKED SALTATORS. No Rufous-necked Wood-Rails or Black-faced Grassquits were noted. On 10 March, a RUFOUS NIGHTJAR was heard calling at dawn and a WHITE-TAILED NIGHTJAR was seen and heard at dusk the same day near the Nuns' Quarters. Three COMMON GROUND-DOVES were seen along the road to the lighthouse on 10 March. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS soared over La Tinta on 10 March. A LITTE BLUE HERON stalked the rocky shoreline near Salt Pond on 11 March.

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, the TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN* continues to be seen, though not daily, by the guard booth at TSTT's Morne Bleu communications station, where it was last reported on 15 March. Inquire with the security guards for the latest update. Although an hour's search on 16 March failed to find it, a hike to the summit of Morne Bleu was extremely productive. The best birds included a SCALED ANTPITTA* heard to the north (the same bird often heard above the Blanchisseuse Road), an unidentified QUAIL-DOVE heard, a BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH seen and several others heard, a WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD, two ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSHES seen and several others heard, several YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSHES heard, three BLUE-CAPPED TANAGERS and a SPECKLED TANAGER. A pair of HEPATIC TANAGERS was noted by the guard booth. A BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER at the guard booth on 12 March was at an unusually low elevation.

Elsewhere in the Northern Range, a DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE was seen flying over the large Christophene plantation in Arima Valley on 16 March. At Caribbean Union College, Maracas Valley, two DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITES were seen on 14 March and one on 15 March, and a RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER was seen on 15 March.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: There are several hypotheses for the origin of polygyny in birds. According to the female defense polygyny hypothesis, a male defends a cluster of females, monopolizing access to the group. Presumably this occurs most frequently when females occur in defensible clusters, in which males compete for access to the clusters. The females may be clustered for defense, or because males cluster them and it is too costly to fight males. The females would likely produce more offspring in monogamy than when in a group, but perhaps would produce more young over a lifetime if within the safety of a group of females.

BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative in nature. The T&T Rare Bird Committee, formed in 1995, requests details for all rare birds observed (see Species Review List at our website). Please submit details to the T&TRBC Secretary: Graham White, Bungalow 16, Waterloo Estate, Waterloo Rd., Carapichaima, Trinidad and Tobago; fax, 868-673-0373; e-mail, g-white@tstt.net.tt.