September
10th 2011
Biodiversity
Corner - Say Hi to the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher
(Myiarchus oberi sanctaeluciae) Pipirite Gros
Tête
For the past
weeks we have been writing about our endemic
and sub-endemic birds. We hope that it has
been an eye-opener and that your appreciation
for the beautiful birds found here is growing.
Birds serve
many wonderful functions which enrich our
ecosystems and our lives. Birds are great
pollinators as well as seed-dispersers ensuring
the continuity of our plant species; not only
locally but also regionally. Regional ecosystems
develop diversity as this process continues.
It can be seen as a mutual relationship, as
well, because the migratory birds will help
to build and maintain an area where they can
feed and nest.
Birds also
play a role in the predator/prey relationship
in forest ecosystems. Though the majority
of bird species eat only fruit, some eat insects
and larger birds kill live prey to eat. These
omnivorous and carnivorous species play an
important role in maintaining healthy populations
of small mammals and reptiles. In forest ecosystems
that lack adequate bird populations, these
smaller animals begin to overtake the area,
causing disturbance in the food chain and
overall ecosystem.
Today we are
going to meet the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher
or Pipirite Gros Tête as it is locally
called. It is a beautiful bird which is a
bit elusive. It grows to a length of 19–22cm
(7.5–8.5 in) with mostly yellow underparts
from the upper belly to the undertail coverts.
The tail feathers have reddish inner webs.
It has a loud voice with a mournful whistle
peeu-wheeet and also a short whistle oo-ee,
oo-ee, or e-oo-ee. Its head is relatively
larger in proportion to its body hence the
name Pipirite Gros Tête.
Locally it
is found in the transition forest at medium
elevation and in the rainforest in the interior
of the Castries Water Works Reserve, Quilesse,
Edmund Forest and Millet areas.
The breeding
season is from March to July. The nest is
made of loose plant fibers, feathers and is
built in a tree cavity, where the female lays
3 to 4 creamy buff eggs, heavily spotted and
scrawled with purplish-brown and violet-grey.
Flycatchers are agile fliers who catch their
prey while flying. They feed extensively on
true flies caterpillars, other winged insects
and also beetles. These birds are premier
pest insect controllers.
So go out in nature and enjoy the beautiful
birds and appreciate their wondrous song!!
By: Nicole
La Force (Forestry Department)
Photos © Tseng Chiu-wen Hank
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