Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis Scientific name definitions

The Lesser Antillean Bullfinch is an abundant and widespread resident of to the Lesser Antilles except for the Grenadines. This species is a common inhabitant of many habitats at all elevations, from dry forest and gardens to mangroves and rainforest, and can be easily seen in yard and bird feeders in towns all the way through pristine rainforest. This species is sexually dimorphic, as opposed to the recently split Barbados Bullfinch (Loxigilla barbadensis), which is monomorphic on the female type plumage.  The male plumage is all black, with a reddish throat and lores. The undertail coverts can vary between all black and all red. The underwings are white, but also variable. The female  plumage is a warm gray, with reddish brown wings, tail, and undertail coverts. The song is given often, and is a fast, clear warbling song consisting of three to four short full 'quip' notes,  followed by four or five rising whistles.

14–15·5 cm; 13·1–23·4 g . Male nominate race is black, with small red patch above and in front of eye, and red on throat; iris dark; bill black; legs dusky. Female is brown, with slightly rusty upperwing-coverts and uppertail-coverts, greyer below; bill brown, paler below. Juvenile resembles female. Race <em>sclateri</em> is similar to nominate, but smaller; crissalis has rufous throat patch more extensive, also undertail-coverts exten­sively chestnut-rufous; <em>grena­densis</em> is like previous, but throat patch more restricted, undertail-coverts partly black; <em>dominicana</em> has rufous undertail-coverts, sometimes mixed with black; desiradensis like previous, but has shorter wing and tarsus; <em>ridgwayi</em> is like dominicana, but smaller, with proportionately large bill and feet, also plumage greyish-black (not black), underparts slate-grey; <em>coryi</em> is like last, but slightly darker.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Tropical evergreen forest, deciduous woodlands, second growth, gardens, and forest understorey; sometimes in dry areas and mangrove swamps. Sea-level to 900 m.

Diet varied; nectar, also fruits and seeds, as well as arthropods. Known to rob flowers of nectar; reaches nectar by biting a small hole at base of calyx. Uses foot to secure fruits as it eats them; essentially steps on fruit against a branch while it feeds from it. Forages mainly up in trees ; occasionally descends closer to ground . Sometimes enters dwellings and other buildings in search of food scraps.

Song a crisp trill of 5–10 “tseep” notes usually ending with sharp “chuck” or a buzz. Call “check”.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common in Lesser Antilles; fairly common and widespread on St John; local breeder on St Croix. Arrived c. 1960 in Virgin Is, where found primarily in dry scrub; considered likely to expand its range to nearby islands.

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.