Biology
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The hood mocking bird is remarkably fearless of humans, and it is not uncommon for one to land on the head of a visitor to the island (3) (4). It will eagerly explore any unknown object for food or drink (4), and the result of this behaviour is an incredibly varied diet. It will feed on typical items such as insects, fruits, berries, marine arthropods and small vertebrates, but will also eat carrion from carcasses of seabirds, lizards and sea lions. Damaged seabird eggs are promptly consumed, and it will also use its powerful bill to eat intact eggs, and pluck ticks from the backs of marine and land iguanas. A unique feature of this species is its blood-drinking habit; it customarily drinks blood, especially in the dry season, from wounds in living sea lions, from sea lion placentas, and even from wounds on the legs of humans (2).
The hood mockingbird is territorial, with seven to ten adults per territorial group, but often only one breeding pair (2). The hood mockingbird is a co-operative breeder, meaning that non-breeders act as helpers at nests in their group's territory, and some breeders help raise nestlings in nests other than their own (3). The cup-shaped nest, made of twigs and lined with finer plant material, is often placed in a cactus. Breeding occurs from March to April when clutches of one to four eggs are laid, with the resulting chicks being fed by several adults (2). In the non-breeding season, hood mockingbirds gather in groups of up to 40 individuals, which forage together (5)
Conservation
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At present, there are no introduced predators on either island inhabited by the hood mockingbird, and efforts should be made to reduce the chance of this ever occurring, as well as minimising the risk of any disease being introduced to the population (2) (5). Whilst the hood mockingbird is not known to be receiving any specific conservation attention, the Galápagos Islands are designated a National Park and a World Heritage Site (6). This, along with the Ecuadorian Government and the international conservation community recognizing the importance of protecting the islands' biodiversity, should offer this fascinating bird the protection it requires from any potential threats.
Description
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The inquisitive, blood-drinking hood mockingbird is the largest of all the mockingbirds in the Galápagos Islands (3). It has a very long bill that curves downwards, and yellowish-brown eyes surrounded by a dark patch. The feathers of the upperparts have blackish-brown centres and grey to brownish-grey margins, giving the plumage a streaked or scalloped appearance (2). The whitish underparts have indistinct brown markings on the breast, and streaks on the flanks. The long, graduated tail is dark brown on top, and whitish underneath. The sexes are similar in their plumage, but the female is slightly smaller than the male. The hood mockingbird has a lengthy and strident song (2).
Habitat
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Inhabits arid lowland scrub, low thorny mesquite scrub, and deciduous woodland (2).
Range
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The hood mockingbird is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, where it occurs only on the islands of Española and Gardner-by-Española (2).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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The restricted range of the hood mockingbird is an intrinsic threat to the species. Events such as extreme weather, or an introduced predator, could rapidly affect the entire species, with devastating consequences (2) (5).
Hood mockingbird
provided by wikipedia EN
The Hood mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi), also known as the Española mockingbird, is a species of bird in the family Mimidae. It is endemic to Española Island in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, and it is one of four closely related mockingbird species endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. It is found in dry forests and is omnivorous, though it primarily is a carnivore or scavenger. The species has a highly territorial social structure and has no fear of humans. It is the only species of Galápagos mockingbird that Charles Darwin did not see or collect on the voyage of the Beagle.[2]
Description
Similar to the other species of Galápagos mockingbirds, this species has a mottled gray and brown plumage with a white underbelly. A long tail and legs give the bird its distinctive appearance. The species has a long, thin beak, useful for tapping into the eggs of seabirds. The species has the largest bill of any of the Galápagos mockingbirds.[3] The species, along with the other Galápagos mockingbirds, is most closely related to the Bahama mockingbird (Mimus gundlachii),[4] despite the closer geographical proximity of Ecuador's long-tailed mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus).[5]
Habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. Found only on Española Island, the bird can be found throughout the dry scrub of the island.[6]
Diet
The species has an omnivorous diet, but is mainly a predator or scavenger.[3] The species will eat the eggs of seabirds nesting on the island,[7] as well as eat from dead animals and kills made by other predators, such as the Galápagos hawk.[6] Sometimes, just like a vampire finch, they will feed on blood of wounded seabirds.
Behavior
An Española mockingbird attempting to drink from a tourist's water bottle.
The bird is extremely aggressive and curious, and has no fear of humans whatsoever. The bird will chase after tourists in search of food, drink, or any unusual object.[5] In some cases, the species will attempt to obtain water from tourists by pecking at their water bottles.[8]
The birds have a strong social structure organized into family groups. Highly territorial, these groups will cooperatively hunt within their area as well as defend it against other groups. Lower-ranking members of the group will assist in caring for the young.[3]
Status
The bird is considered to be vulnerable in the wild by BirdLife International due mainly to its limited area. The fragile ecosystem and high risk of adverse weather conditions put the species at particular risk of population loss.[1] It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 left in the wild.[6]
References
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^ a b BirdLife International (2020). "Mimus macdonaldi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22711070A182738354. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22711070A182738354.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
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^ Grant, K. Thalia and Estes, Gregory B. (2009). "Darwin in Galapagos: Footsteps to a New World" Princeton University Press, Princeton (online)
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^ a b c Horwell, David; Pete Oxford (August 2005). Galápagos Wildlife (2nd ed.). Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 45, 48. ISBN 1-84162-100-5.
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^ Arbogast, B.; Drovetski, S.; Curry, R.; Boag, P.; Seutin, G.; Grant, P.; Grant, B. & Anderson, D. (2006). "The Origin and Diversification of Galapagos Mockingbirds". Evolution. 60 (2): 370–82. doi:10.1554/03-749.1. PMID 16610327. S2CID 198157285.
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^ a b Rothman, Dr. Robert. "Mockingbirds". Rochester Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 2007-12-29. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
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^ a b c "Hood Mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi)". BirdLife International. 2006. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
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^ Harris, M. P. (1968). "Egg-eating by Galápagos mockingbirds" (PDF). Condor. 70 (3): 269–70. doi:10.2307/1366702. JSTOR 1366702.
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^ Allen, Christina (1999-03-04). "The Hood Mockingbird". CNN. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
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Hood mockingbird: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Hood mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi), also known as the Española mockingbird, is a species of bird in the family Mimidae. It is endemic to Española Island in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, and it is one of four closely related mockingbird species endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. It is found in dry forests and is omnivorous, though it primarily is a carnivore or scavenger. The species has a highly territorial social structure and has no fear of humans. It is the only species of Galápagos mockingbird that Charles Darwin did not see or collect on the voyage of the Beagle.
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