Western Spindalis
Western Spindalis
Spindalis zena
At a Glance
Apparently specialized for life on islands, the Western Spindalis is widespread in the Caribbean, but it seldom visits the mainland. In our area it is a rare visitor to southern Florida. Most records have been of single birds in winter, but reports of small groups present in spring suggest the possibility that the bird may nest in Florida occasionally. It was formerly called Stripe-headed Tanager.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Perching Birds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Region
Florida
Behavior
Direct Flight, Flitter
Population
200.000
Range & Identification
Description
6-7" (15-18 cm). Male unmistakable, with strong face pattern, tawny chest, black or olive back, wide white edgings on wings. Female is olive-gray, with pale eyebrow and whisker mark, wing pattern like male's.
Size
About the size of a Robin, About the size of a Sparrow
Color
Black, Orange, White, Yellow, Yellowish Brown
Wing Shape
Rounded
Tail Shape
Notched, Rounded, Square-tipped
Songs and Calls
Varied, high thin calls, including some that are reminiscent of Black-and-white Warbler song, transitioning to buzzier phrases.
Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Western Spindalis