Spindalis nigricephala (Jameson, 1835)

Taxonomy and Basic Measurements

The Jamaican spindalis, with the scientific name Spindalis nigricephala (Jameson, 1835), is approximately 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs between 38 and 65 g (1.3 to 2.3 oz).

Adult Male Head Markings

Adult males have a black head marked by a wide white supercilium and "moustache", along with a white chin and upper throat.

Adult Male Dorsal Plumage

Their back is yellowish olive, their rump tawny yellow, and their uppertail coverts black.

Adult Male Wing and Tail Plumage

The tail is black with wide white edges on the feathers, and the wings are black with white edges on most feathers.

Adult Male Ventral Plumage

Their chest is bright yellowish orange, which transitions to yellow on the breast, while the belly and undertail coverts are white.

Adult Female Plumage

Adult females have grayish olive coloring on the head, throat, and upperparts. Their chest is pale orange-yellow, the belly pale yellow, and the undertail coverts whitish.

Juvenile Plumage

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

Species Distribution

The Jamaican spindalis is distributed across all of Jamaica; it is more numerous in upland areas, and occurs only locally along the north and southwest coasts.

Habitat Preferences

It lives in forest, woodland, and brushy habitats that support fruiting trees and shrubs.