Spindalis dominicensis (H.Bryant, 1867)

Taxonomy and basic measurements

The Hispaniolan spindalis (scientific name Spindalis dominicensis (H.Bryant, 1867)) is approximately 16 cm (6.3 in) long, and weighs between 25 and 33 g (0.88 to 1.2 oz).

Adult male head coloration

Adult males have a black head marked by a wide white supercilium and white 'moustache', a white chin, and a bright yellow central throat patch bordered by black on the sides.

Adult male upperpart plumage

Their nape is rich yellow, the back ranges from greenish to yellowish olive, the rump is tawny yellow, and the uppertail coverts are chestnut.

Adult male tail plumage

Their tail is black with narrow white edges to each feather.

Adult male wing plumage

Flight feathers are black with white edges, while wing coverts show a mix of chestnut, olive, and black.

Adult male underpart plumage

Adult males have a deep chestnut chest that lightens to yellower chestnut on the sides and shifts to rich yellow on the breast; their belly is white, and their undertail coverts are black.

Adult female plumage

Adult females are generally grayish olive overall, with a grayer head, yellowish olive rump, dusky brown tail, and whitish underparts marked with dusky streaks.

Juvenile plumage

Juveniles have a similar appearance to adult females, but are duller in color.

Species distribution

The Hispaniolan spindalis is distributed across the main island of Hispaniola, and also occurs on Gonâve Island in Haiti's Gulf of Gonâve.

Habitat types

It lives in a range of humid forest habitats that include thickets and other low vegetation, and can also be found in orchards and plantations.

Elevation range

It occurs at nearly any elevation, but is most abundant in highland areas.