This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-08) for 9 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).
PHOTO GALLERY: A more recent photo of the Black-tailed Godwit (Trinidad) and a new "Mystery Bird" photo, along with the answer for the last "Mystery Bird" photo, are posted at the SCBA website (see address above).
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. LITTLE EGRETS and SNOWY EGRETS were noted nesting at Graeme Hall Swamp on 4 March. Two CARIBBEAN COOTS at Graeme Hall on 4 March were the first of the spring influx. At Chancery Lane, a male RING-NECKED DUCK and an immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were noted on 3 March. A YELLOW WARBLER thought to represent the Nearctic 'aestiva' race was seen at Bailey Hill on 28 February. During the last week of February, BLACK-WHISKERED VIREOS were noted calling with greater regularity, suggesting the arrival of recent migrants.
A few correspondents inquired whether the two Black-whiskered Vireos recently found dead at Morne Bleu, Trinidad (22 and 23 February; see last week's alert), were collected. Unfortunately they were not, but both were photographed together. Observers finding recently dead birds should always attempt to preserve them by placing them in a freezer and later donating them to a relevant collection for preparation as scientifically useful specimens.
In Guadeloupe, a breeding pair of AMERICAN COOTS (1st breeding record for Lesser Antilles) with two chicks estimated to be 5-7 days old was discovered in a reservoir at Gachet (Port-Louis) on 26 February; three other adults were present. Also noted were an immature male and two female AMERICAN WIGEONS and a male MASKED DUCK. At Pointe Beautiran (Petit-Canal), Nearctic migrant landbirds tallied on 26 February included a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, an AMERICAN REDSTART, an OVENBIRD and a dozen NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. The first CARIBBEAN MARTIN of the season was noted on 27 February at St. Francois.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, two SWALLOW-TAILED KITES were noted at Brasso Seco on 14 February, earlier than the 'first' reported in last week's alert (28 February).
Along the west coast of Trinidad, the immature RING-BILLED GULL* and five LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (one 1st-winter, two 2nd-winter and two adults) were noted among 250 LAUGHING GULLS at San Fernando on 8 March. Only two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (3rd-winter and adult) turned up among 1,420 LAUGHING GULLS at Waterloo on 3 March. Other birds noted at Waterloo's mudflats on 3 March included an immature GULL-BILLED TERN, a ROYAL TERN and four RED KNOTS; in the reed ponds at Brickfield, a single STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN was well observed. A CLAPPER RAIL was seen at Cacandee on 3 March. The NEOTROPIC CORMORANT is rarely noted in the Chaguaramas Peninsula of northwestern Trinidad, where one was noted flying west past Westmoorings on 4 March. Two WHITE-WINGED BECARDS were noted at La Brea on 1 March.
In the Caroni Rice Fields, a CLIFF SWALLOW* was noted among hundreds of BARN SWALLOWS in the morning of 3 March, but only one BARN SWALLOW was present in the early afternoon.
Along the north coast of Trinidad, two well described RED-AND-GREEN MACAWS* (presumably escaped) were noted at Blanchisseuse on 4 March. The observer investigated the reported nest site and failed to find any direct evidence of nesting. Both birds tended to associate with ORANGE-WINGED PARROTS. Further discussion with residents of the area revealed that three birds were present earlier, but one was found dead, apparently of natural causes. Undoubtedly these are the same birds (up to three) reported earlier in the area as Scarlet Macaws (see SCBA 1999-40, 1999-47, 2000-04, 2000-16).
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC Bird Group will be sponsoring a birding trip to the west coast of Trinidad on Sunday, 11 March, led by Howard Kenefick. The primary objectives of the trip are to search for rare gulls, including the Kelp Gulls (1st and 2nd for T&T), and the elusive Black-tailed Godwit (1st for T&T and South America). If you wish to participate, please contact Courtenay Rooks by phone (622-8826). We will be meeting by the south entrance to the University of the West Indies at 6:30 am (NOT 7:00 am), or by the San Fernando Fish Market (NOT the Hindu Temple at Waterloo) at 7:30 am.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: There are three major hypotheses for the evolution of monogamy. In the male assistance monogamy hypothesis, a male assists his mate by providing useful parental care and benefits by improving his offspring's chances of survival. When females are widely dispersed and difficult to find, the mate guarding monogamy hypothesis postulates that males benefit by defending a female from other competing males and by gaining increased certainty of paternity. The female enforced monogamy hypothesis postulates that a female keeps other females away from her male and benefits by having all of her male partner's assistance in rearing offspring; the males, which are forced to comply, do not benefit.
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.