This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-24) for 14 June 2002. Sponsored by the TT 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 TTFNC, TT Rare Bird Committee and photo gallery are accessible at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. Reports should be sent to Floyd Hayes by phone at 662-9327 (H) or 645-3232 x2206 (W), or by e-mail at floyd_hayes@hotmail.com. The TTRBC requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see website above and 'BIRD BRAINS' below).
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In Trinidad, an adult male COMB DUCK* (5th for T&T) was found on 14 June in the Caroni Rice Fields, where it foraged in a flooded field just north of the runway. Other waterfowl seen on 14 June include six BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS, nine FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS and three WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS.
In northwestern Trinidad, the highlights of a TTFNC birding trip (with seven participants) to Fort James on 9 June included a CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN, a male RUBY-TOPAZ HUMMINGBIRD and a STREAKED SALTATOR.
Along the west coast of Trinidad, the two 1st-summer LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS last reported at San Fernando on 26 May could not be relocated among 225 LAUGHING GULLS on 8 June. Several dozen ROYAL TERNS continue to linger between Waterloo and Orange Valley.
In southwest Tobago, four Butorides herons with neck coloration within the range of variation of STRIATED HERON* (scores of 2-4) were noted among many GREEN HERONS (scores of 6-7) plus an apparent intergrade GREEN X STRIATED HERON (score of 5) in the Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 11 June. Another apparent intergrade GREEN X STRIATED HERON was noted in a stream just south of Turtle Beach on 10 June. Two 'CAYENNE' TERNS were seen off Crown Point on 10 June.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Are specialist birds more neophobic--afraid of novel situations and stimuli--than generalists? Dietary generalists exploit a larger variety of food types than specialists and presumably are more likely to encounter novel stimuli associated with food. In Barbados, S. J. Webster and L. Lefebvre (2000. Neophobia by the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, a foraging generalist, and the Bananaquit, a nectar specialist. Wilson Bull. 112:424-427) conducted field tests on Lesser Antillean Bullfinches and Bananaquits with an artificial nectar source. The bullfinches, which are dietary generalists and readily exploit food left by humans, arrived first at the feeding stations and fed more quickly than did the Bananaquits, which specialize on a diet of nectar and insects. These observations fit the predictions of ecological theory. Stay tuned next for another similar study in Barbados.
BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. The TT 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 TTRBC Secretary: Martyn Kenefick, 36 Newalloville Ave., San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago; e-mail: martynkenefick@netscape.net.