This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-12) for 29 March 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 are accessible at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc; our photo gallery is accessible at http://www.geocities.com/secaribbirds. 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 TT Rare Bird Committee requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see SCBA website above and 'BIRD BRAINS' below).
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: Along the west coast of Trinidad, a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE* (2nd for T&T) was found at Diego Martin on 24 March. We suspect that recent sightings of Streptopelia doves represent locally escaped cagebirds rather than vagrants from the northern Lesser Antilles.
In the Caroni Swamp, an unprecedented eight RUFOUS-NECKED WOOD-RAILS* were noted during high tide on 28 March. At San Fernando, a RING-BILLED GULL* and five LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS (four 1st-winter, one 3rd-winter) were noted among 450 LAUGHING GULLS on 24 March. Surprisingly no unusual gulls were noted among a large concentration of 2675 LAUGHING GULLS at Waterloo on 24 March. A RED-CAPPED CARDINAL was seen at Pointe-a-Pierre on 24 March. At the western end of the Caroni Rice Fields, the SNAIL KITE was seen again on 26 March and an immature GREAT BLUE HERON, 200 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, a STILT SANDPIPER and a dark-phased LONG-WINGED HARRIER were tallied on 24 March.
In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, a dark-phased HOOK-BILLED KITE* was seen in Arena Forest on 24 March. Six RED-BELLIED MACAWS and five SULPHURY FLYCATCHERS were noted in Aripo Savannas and another three SULPHURY FLYCATCHRS at Wallerfield on 24 March.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, four WHITE-COLLARED SWIFTS, three male SWALLOW TANAGERS, a female HEPATIC TANAGER and two SPECKLED TANAGERS were tallied along Las Lapas on 27 March. We reported last week that a polygynous male TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD was trapped inside a building for 2 days and that a rival had taken over his territory in which both females were nesting simultaneously in different nests in the same tree. Unfortunately the trapped male has not been seen subsequently and is presumed to have died. In the meanwhile, two rival males from adjacent territories have now divided the territory among themselves and apparently abandoned their former mate(s). Curiously the two colour-banded females have cozied up to both males. One nest produced at least one fledgling; the other nest failed and may have been abandoned during the commotion.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Continuing with our theme of species concepts, the unitary species concept defines a species as the most extensive unit in the natural economy such that reproductive competition occurs among their parts. According to this concept, species are bounded by limits of reproductive competition and individuals within a species are reproductively competing parts.
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.