Shiny Cowbirds At Carib Grackle's Nest

Female Shiny Cowbird

Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) are brood parasites, which means the female lays her eggs in the nests of other birds,  relying on them to incubate her eggs and rear her chicks.  While some birds reject the eggs straight off, many species do not.  This can harm the population of the host bird and can be even more devastating when the host is a threatened species.  This appears not to be the case here on the island as the main host of these birds, Carib Grackles (Quiscalus lugubris), since unaffected.

A Barbados Bullfinch parenting a 
Cowbird's chick

What is worrying, though,  are the few sightings of Barbados Bullfinch (Loxigilla barbadensis), our lone endemic,  and Golden Warbler, our subspecies of Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechial) parenting Cowbird chicks. If this becomes the norm rather than the exception, it can spell trouble for these important bird species, especially as the latter is making a spirited comeback to the Barbados landscape.  In the British Ornithological Society Checklist Series #24 - The Birds of Barbados (Buckley, Massiah, et al) said that "the decline in breeding of the Barbados Golden Warblers [I like that name] in the mid-1950s has been attributed to this species [Shiny Cowbird] but without supporting data" I personally think the reason for the decline was habitat loss, but that too is without supporting data.  

Even with the reputation these birds have I am still intrigued by them. Having on occasions seen them at Grackle colonies doing their thing I must say the process is quick and efficient. On Tuesday, March 23rd, I saw something I have never noticed before and it led to me writing this post.  Outside my bedroom window is a Bajan Cherry Tree (Malpighia emarginata) which was my birding oasis during COVID-19 lockdowns 1 and 2. (see here also here).  This year for lockdown number 2, three species were nesting or in the process of building a nest in the tree.  It was surprising that one of them was a  Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) because they are colonial nesters.   

Here is what happened that Tuesday morning: As I was passing the bedroom window I noticed three female Shiny Cowbirds inspecting the nest...  

Two of the three female Shiny Cowbirds

The first Shiny Cowbird entered the nest...

Shiny Cowbird entering the Carib Grackle's nest

Sat on it for a short while, most likely laying an egg, I thought... 

Then exited the nest and another cowbird took his place...

The conveyer-belt, assembly line-like process was quick, orderly, and efficient, taking just seconds for each bird to sit on the nest.  Seeing how methodically these cowbirds worked on this single nest was scary as I could only imagine what happens in a grackles breeding colony.  The number of Shiny Cowbirds across the island "appears" to be at an all-time high.  It is now customary to see large flocks going to and from roost, a sight that is relatively new to me.  This event caused me to question my original anecdotal thinking – Is the Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) population really sustaining this brood parasitic attack or is it slowly eroding one of our native species?  We, the local birders, must be on the watch to ensure our endemic  Barbados Bullfinch, or our sub-species of Yellow Warbler are not being adversely affected.  It emphasizes the need for a closer look to be taken at the effect of Shiny Cowbirds on our avianscape.  There is documented evidence of brood parasitic species* wreaking havoc on an ecosystem, but there are also examples where their coexists.  Lets hope our is the latter.

*Ecology and Management of Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) and Endangered Yellow-Shouldered Blackbirds (Agelaius xanthomus) in Puerto Rico by Cruz, López-Ortiz, et al

The Yearly Return of Caribbean Martins

Caribbean Martin (M) at its
Pile Bay nesting ground

Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement of birds between breeding and wintering or non-breeding grounds.  The Caribbean region is used as a pit stop for birds en route to South America, or the wintering ground for most migrants but a few species do breed in the Caribbean and migrate.

Caribbean Martin  taking a drink - St, Lucy

Caribbean Martins (Progne dominicensis) is one such species.  Research has shown that some birds winter in South America¹ and return to the Caribbean region in February.  Here in Barbados, we are starting to see them returning and hearing them call around breeding sites.  I have heard of, or have seen over ten nesting colonies throughout the island - in and around Bridgetown, using traffic and street lights for nesting, to areas along the east coast, the sea walls at Ocean City, St. Philip, or the roof of the beach facility at Barclays Park St. Andrew to the north at Mount Gay Distillery and Animal flower Cave, St. Lucy.  The Breeding season starts in April through to August² and most birds are gone by November, with a few wintering here.

Female on the power lines preening 
Cattlewash St. Joseph

So as your move around keep an eye out for these outstanding flier, effortlessly hawking for insects over “These fields and hills beyond recall [that] Are now our very own".  Like me, I am sure you will be amazed by the quickness and agility of Caribbean Martins.

¹Geolocator Data Reveal the Migration Route and Wintering Location of a Caribbean Martin (Progne dominicensis) - Noah G. Perlut, Thomas C. Klak, Eldar Rakhimberdiev - The Wilson J. of Ornithology, 129(3):605-610 (2017)

²Birds ofBarbados An Annotated Checklist - Buckley, Massiah, Hutt, et al

Grey Kingbird - Tyrant of the Skies

Grey Kingbird

Grey Kingbirds (Tyrannus dominicensis)(Pewhittler) are part of a family of birds called tyrant flycatchers.  The name explains the aggressive nature of some members of this family in that these relatively small birds are known for relentlessly attacking and driving off much larger birds that may venture into or close to their range.  I witnessed this on Saturday as an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) flew too close for comfort and was bravely repel by a single bird. See the drama in the images below as a tyrant of the skies goes to work.

Birding after the Pause

Adapted from the blog The Enthusiastic Birder

The first week back to work after the “pause” was surprisingly busy.  It was good to be out of the house after weeks of confinement but I was a little nervous, even a little afraid because of the pervasiveness of COVID in society.  The routine of mask and face shield has become the norm for me, and disposable gloves are added to the mix depending on where I am going. It was refreshing being outdoors, seeing the different birds as I moved around the island. After work, on most of the days, I visited a few of the birding hotspots, utilizing that activity for exercise as afforded by the government's COVID-19 protocols.  During that week I tallied 32 bird species from 8 checklists, also adding 2 yearbirds namely Caribbean Martin (Progne dominicensis), which I saw in Bridgetown and Laughing Gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla) at Pile Bay.  You can see the full list of the birds I saw below.

I continue to be impressed with the Canon 7D Mark II, even as it is paired with the underwhelming (because of reach) Canon EF-s  55-250mm f/4 – 5.6 IS II, which effectively becomes 89.1 - 405mm (x1.62 crop sensor of the Canon 7D II).  Here are a few highlight images for that week. All images were lightly edited using Adobe Lightroom CS2.

On March 1^st I had my best look at a Merlin (Falco columbarius) for the year. It was going after Eurasian Collared-Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) for dinner, and while the shots I got were not ones I would normally highlight, I love this one that shows the beautiful barring pattern in this raptor's tail. 

Merlin showing its tail feathers  (1/4000 @ f8 ISO 1000 – 250mm)

On the 3^rd, my after work exercising took me to Chancery Lane Swamp, Christ Church. While there, I tried to photograph an American Coot (Fulica Americana) with her chicks.  This was not an easy task as both mum and chicks played peek-a-boo with me, using the mangroves for cover.  While I easily got images of both of them alone, the image below was the only opportunity I had of them together.

Adult (1/1000 @ F/8 ISO 640 250mm)

 

Juvenile  (1/1000 @ F/8 ISO 640 250mm)

Mother & Chick ((1/1250 @ F/8 ISO 640 250mm)

The following day, the 4^th, I ended work in the north so I visited the irrigation ponds at Bawdens, St. Andrew, and had a short photo session with a pair of Pied-billed Grebes (Podilymbus podiceps).  

Pied  (1/1600 @ F/5.6 ISO 640 250mm)

The Pair (1/1250 @ F/8) ISO 640 250mm)

My last stop for the week was at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) on Friday, March 5th.  The water in most of the ponds was evaporating making foraging by wading birds much easier.  This triggered a small feeding frenzy among various species of waterbirds.  In one pond I counted 7 species of heron/egrets tallying 22 birds, 6 species of shorebirds, and in another, 68 Blue-winged Teals (Spatula discors), only a fraction of the 111 seen just a few days before. My most exciting capture, though, was that of a Sora (Porzana Carolina). This was the best look I’ve had of this shy bird for the year.  I would’ve love to get even lower but two things prevented that: first, I would have to take my camera close to the water in the pond, too close for my comfort.  Even though it is weather-sealed I am not ready for that adventure as yet with this babe. Secondly,   I am always skeptical of lying, sitting, walking in the grass, fields, or even the paved road in the parish of St. Philip.  It is notorious for its forty legs, its big, long, ugly stinging CENTIPEDES and I don’t mess around with those things.  Here are a few of the images from WSR.

Sora (1/1000 @ F/8) ISO 1000 250mm)
 

 

Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs
(1/3200 @ F/8) ISO 1000 250mm)

Lesser in flight (1/2500 @ F/8) ISO 1000 250mm)

Little Egret in flight (1/5000 @ F/8) ISO 1000 250mm)

These are the birds I saw during the first week of March

1.  Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna autumnalis
2. Blue-winged Teal - Spatula discors
3. Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca
4. Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps
5. Scaly-naped Pigeon - Patagioenas squamosa
6. Eurasian Collared-Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
7. Common Ground Dove - Columbina passerina
8. Sora - Porzana carolina
9. Common Gallinule - Gallinula galeata
10. American Coot - Fulica americana
11. Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla
12. Wilson's Snipe - Gallinago delicata
13. Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularius
14. Solitary Sandpiper - Tringa solitaria
15. Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca
16. Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes
17. Laughing Gull - Leucophaeus atricilla
18. Royal Tern - Thalasseus maximus
19. Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus
20. Brown Booby - Sula leucogaster
21. Great Egret - Ardea alba
22. Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
23. Snowy Egret - Egretta thula
24. Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
25. Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis
26. Green Heron - Butorides virescens
27. Merlin - Falco columbarius
28. Gray Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis
29. Caribbean Martin - Progne dominicensis
30. Carib Grackle - Quiscalus lugubris
31. Grassland Yellow-Finch - Sicalis luteola
32. Bananaquit - Coereba flaveola  

Barbados CWC 21 Synopsis

Pied-billed Grebe - one of the waterbird species  @ Walkers Reserve

The whole world is at a standstill because of the COVID pandemic.  Traveling between countries has all but ceased as many countries are closing borders.  Not everyone was affected, or should I say not everything, because there are a few thousand nomads whose sojourn across the globe has continued unabated. Using ancient highways in the sky, virtually unnoticed by the masses, except for a few who made it their business to notice, to document, and to find ways to assist these travelers.
Of course, the travelers we are speaking of are birds, migratory birds.  While these continue to travel from their breeding grounds to feeding grounds and back unaffected by the pandemic, for years their numbers have continued to decline, and none more so than that of waterbirds.   Waterbirds refer to birds that live on or around water, especially freshwater.  This includes shorebirds, ducks, herons, and egrets, to mention a few.  This family of migrating birds continue to suffer from the effects of climate change and loss of habitat.  To truly understand the impact and be able to provide targeted and effective solutions, data is needed.  Accurate data is the foundation of good decision-making and in our part of the world, many tools are being used to collect data.   One such tool is the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC).   This “multi-partner region-wide waterbird and wetland monitoring program [is] led by Birds Caribbean”, whose mandate among other things is to conserve “bird populations and [their] ecosystems.”

John all geared up for the count

The birders of Barbados were happy to be part of the 2020/21 survey.  Dr. John Webster and I were involved in surveying several targeted sites across the island between August 15 to October 15, 2020, the peak fall migration period, and from January 14 to February 3, 2021.  We visited these sites on multiple occasions recording the birds seen there and the quality of the site - (water levels, vegetation, food availability, or anything that could impact the birds stopping, resting, or feeding there).  We also recorded such things as, the time of day we visited, the temperature, weather conditions, wind direction, and intensity. This created a snap shot of each visit and in time would be able to highlight any trends. This got us out in the field and visiting these locations more often than we normally would. 

American Coot family at Walkers Reserve, St. Andrew

The highlight of the event, no doubt, would have been the recording and monitoring of the recommencement of the nesting of American Coots (Fulica americana)(white shielded) originally known as Caribbean Coot, on the island.  We saw many failed attempts at nest building during the first part of the survey, between August to October but were happy to record two pairs with chicks at one location and a nesting pair at another location during January. 

The Ruff seen at WSR during the CWC

A Ruff (Calidris pugnax) at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) was also a good find.  This Eurasia vagrant was seen on October 10th, 2020. 

Barbados, because of its isolated location in the Atlantic is an important link in the yearly migratory route of many birds.  How much so and how can we assist in making the travels of these regional and international nomads safer?  The data collected by programs like the CWC could help provide the answers.  We look forward to future CWC events, with the hope of expanding to other sites and eventually getting more persons involved as we seek to create a safe path for the Birds of Barbados, the region, and the world. 

Notables and images from the CWC

location: Chancery Lane Swamp, Christ Church 

• 31 Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) - September 7th
• 3  Willets (Tringa semipalmata) - August 24th
• 25 American Golden - Plover (Pluvialis dominica) - September 22nd
• 21 Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) - January
• 4 species of ducks -
• Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
• American Wigeon - (Mareca americana)
• Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
• Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

A fraction of the 31 Whimbrels  

 Lesser Scaups in January

Location: Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge

Lesser Scaup

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax) -October 10th, 2020
• 5 species of ducks in January:
• Black-bellied Whistling-Duck(Dendrocygna autumnalis) with Ducklings
• Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
• Green-winged Teal  (Anas crecca)
• Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
• Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Location: North Point, St. Lucy

• 2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) October 
• Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)
• 111 Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) September 16th
• 17 species of shorebirds

Least Sandpiper

Location Walkers Reserve, St. Andrew

• 2 pairs of American Coots (Fulica americana)(white shielded) with a total of three chicks and one bird building a nest.

American Coots taking material for nest making

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – January

The first month of the year went by pretty fast and even though it was not a normal month, due in part to the increasing spread of COVID in the society, the local birders tallied seventy-five species.  

January Rare Bird Sightings

Here is a list of Rare Birds seen during the last month parish by parish (*continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (1)* a high count of three birds was seen at this location throughout last year, one of which has been around since August 2019. Only one bird was seen during the limited visits to this location in January;
• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) A juvenile, most likely hatched at this location, this is a very big deal.

• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)* – an adult and a juvenile bird was seen at a private location. The adult most likely is the same bird seen at this location late last year
  
  
  
• Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)* - a single bird first seen on December 29^thremained into the new year.

• Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)* seen with a family of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
• Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)* two birds held over from last year

 St. Andrew 

• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) (6)*, 5 at The Walkers Reserve. Finally, we can confirm nesting of at least 2 pairs with a total of 5 chicks at this location. This is a big deal!

St.Philip

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) this yearly Eurasian visitor was seen on the 30^th 
• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* this very active bird appears to move between 2 locations in Christ Church, one being Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) and a private impoundment in this parish.
• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* this bird appears to be expanding its range from its roosting location at Bay Street, St. Michael

Christ Church

• American Wigeon (Mareca Americana)* first seen last month, was reported early in the month but was not seen after that.
• American Coot (Fulica Americana)* – a high count of three birds seen with one appeared to be nesting.
• Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) The rarer of the two night herons that can be found on the island, this one was seen and photographed by Carla Daniel of the Barbados Turtle Project on Dover Beach.
• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* - seen at WSR on the 25^th but relocated to another location in the parish of St. Philip.

St. Michael

• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* Still at Bay Street but is extending its range to other wet lands.
• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)  at Pile Bay

Feel free to contact me, Julian Moore @ 100birdsbarbados@gmail.com, John Webster @ barbadosbirds@gmail.com, or Ed Massiah @ ebmassiah@hotmail.com to report any rare bird sightings, or if you need assistance identifying a bird, we would be happy to help. 

Banded Sanderling at Six Men's

Barbados had its first banded bird sighting for the year, a Sanderling (Calidris alba) with tagged markings JK>.  It was first seen and photographed by a local photographer Himal Reece at Six Men’s, St. Peter.  I saw the bird on Saturday, January 16th, at the same location with 10 others Sanderlings and a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres).  This no doubt, is just a remnant of a larger flock I saw there on December 5^th which numbered close to 50 birds. The shorebird appeared healthy and was actively feeding, the only one in the group doing so, the others were at rest.  The sighting was reported to www.bandedbirds.com.  Six Men’s Bay is one of the wintering locations for Sanderlings on the island and over the years there have been several resightings there. See a list below of the tag IDs, the year and location of its banding, and the year of resighting at Six Men’s Bay.

• Y2L was tagged on May 22, 2015, at Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States. Resighted at six Men’s in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2020
  
  
  
• 19Y was tagged May 22, 2014, at  Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States - Resighted at Six Men’s in 2014
  
  
  
• CVE was tagged on  May 22, 2015, at Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States - Resighted at Six Men’s in 2015 and Long Beach, Christ Church in 2018.
  
  
  
• JK>  was tagged on May 5, 2019, at Kimbles Beach - South, New Jersey, United States – Its resighting history is very short  -

• 5/24/2019 - Reeds Beach - south, New Jersey, United States  
• 5/30/2019 - Kimbles Beach - north, New Jersey, United States
• 6/1/2019 - Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States
• 7/29/2019 - Moores Beach - Creek, New Jersey, United State 
• 1/3/2021 – Six Men’s Bay, St. Peter, Barbados

Banding data is useful in both scientific research, species management and conservation projects. The individual identification of birds makes possible studies of dispersal and migration, behavior and social structure, life-span and survival rate, reproductive success, and population growth.  When such data is reported, it helps in connecting parts of the puzzle that is the bird's life and journeys.  It allows for important conservational resources to be plugged in at the most effective areas for the betterment of the targeted species. So next time you happen to see a banded bird report it, share the information, look it up on www.bandedbirds.com.  It may give you a new appreciation for our feathered friends. 

Stay safe and enjoy your birding