Dominica Botanic Gardens Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies

Source: Dominica’s Birds Photo: Kevin Karlson Photo: William Hull Photo: William Hull Photo: Pascal Dubois

Description:A striking black bird, 25-28 cm long (10-11 in); has glossy, generally black plumage overall, with some scaly grey on neck and upper back; has prominent, large, black bill; high, thinly-ridged upper mandible with small hook at tip; extraordinary bill distinguishing it from other black birds; has black eyes, black legs, and long, prominent black tail; feeds primarily on large insects, but also on small lizards, fruit and nuts, in grassy or low bush areas; often seen in groups as breeding females lay their eggs in a large, communal nest tended by all members of family; in the Gardens, will be seen feeding or low-flying in tall grass and scrubby areas, primarily in the economic crops section; click here to listen to its call. References: Arlington James, Stephen Durand and Bertrand Jno.Baptiste. Dominica’s Birds. Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Dominica, 2005 James Bond. Birds of the West Indies. Collins, St James Place, London, 4th Edition, 1979 Fred J. Alsop III. Birds of Florida. Smithsonian Handbooks, Dorling Kindersley Inc, NewYork, 2002.