This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-17) for 9 May 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 Guadeloupe, the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre is establishing a reputation as the premier land-based seabirding site in the region. On 2 May, a 1.5 hour seabird watch produced an AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER and 13 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS. On 3 May, a 1.25 hour seabird watch produced a MANX SHEARWATER (1st or 2nd for Guadeloupe), five WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, a LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, two PARASITIC JAEGERS and six unidentified seabirds. On 4 May, a 1.75 hour seabird watch produced a CORY'S SHEARWATER and three unidentified seabirds. Landbirds seen at the same locality included a lingering PALM WARBLER and a female YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER on 4 May, plus a CAPE MAY WARBLER on 3 May.

In Trinidad, few birders ventured into the field over the weekend. In the Northern Range, a hike to the Aripo Cave on 5 May produced a LITTLE TINAMOU, a BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH, an ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH and two SPECKLED TANAGERS, all seen on the way to the cave, plus about 35 OILBIRDS at the entrance to the cave. Again no Trinidad Piping-Guans (recently reported), Band-tailed Pigeons or Variegated Antpittas were noted.

At Caribbean Union College in Maracas Valley, Trinidad, researchers have been frustrated this spring by the slow pace of breeding in the colour-banded population of TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRDS, presumably due to the severe drought conditions. However, over the weekend researchers documented a territory defended by two males (one dominant, present for the last five breeding seasons; the other recently appeared on the territory but could not be relocated on 9 May) and two females, with each female incubating eggs on separate nests. Although cooperative breeding has now been well documented in this species (see Ornithological Tidbits section below), this represents the first time two females have nested simultaneously within the same territory; usually one or both females lay eggs in a single nest. Earlier in the season a female from a polygynous trio laid eggs in a nest just as the nestlings fledged from an earlier, different nest. Currently another polygynous trio is incubating a clutch of five eggs, laid by both females, in one nest.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC will be sponsoring a morning birding trip to Upper St. Anns on Sunday, 13 May. If you wish to attend, please contact the leader, Courtenay Rooks, by phone at 622-8826. We will be meeting at CIC Pembroke Street side at 6:30 am.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Are tropical birds kinkier than their closely related temperate counterparts? Although species are often classified as representing a particular breeding system (e.g., monogamous, polygynous or polyandrous), variation typically occurs within any given species. The Northern Mockingbird is almost invariably monogamous, though there is one report of serial polyandry by females within a single breeding season and a few reports of polygyny in which a male was mated to two females and simultaneously cared for offspring in two nests on separate territories. The closely related Tropical Mockingbird, however, appears to be much more flexible and cooperative in its mating systems. Of 12 territories at Caribbean Union College last year, five were defended by monogamous pairs, four by polygynous trios (both females laying eggs in the same nest with all three adults feeding young), two by polyandrous trios (both males and the female feeding young, but did the female mate with both males?), and one by a trio in which the sex of the third individual (all three fed young) was never determined (complicated by three different females that were sequentially banded, nested and disappeared), but was thought to be a male since it never incubated or laid eggs. If indeed tropical birds are kinkier, why?

BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. 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.