Spindalises | Spindalidae

Spindalissen | Espindalis

Spindalises are medium-sized, stocky songbirds with a short, conical bill. They were formerly included among the tanagers; recently they have been placed in a family of their own, which occurs only in the Caribbean. Four species of the genus Spindalis live in the region: the Western Spindalis in the Bahamas, Cuba and Grand Cayman, and separate species on Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. Males have a striking black-and-white striped head, a yellow to orange breast and throat, an olive-green or rufous back, and black wings with white edgings. Females are much duller, mainly olive-grey, with only a faint head pattern. Spindalises live in forest, scrub and gardens from the lowlands to the mountains. They feed mainly on fruit and berries, supplemented with buds, flowers and insects, and often gather in fruiting trees. The song is a high, thin, wispy whistle that is easily overlooked. The nest is a loose cup in a tree or shrub.