Cuban blackbird explained

The Cuban blackbird (Ptiloxena atroviolacea) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.

Taxonomy

It was previously placed in Dives, but now classified in its own genus, Ptiloxena.[1]

Description

Measuring 27cm (11inches) long, this species has entirely black plumage with a slight violet sheen on the upperparts. The only non-black body part is the brown eye.

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to Cuba, where it is widespread and common. It is entirely absent from the Isla de la Juventud and some of the offshore cays. Its natural habitats are lowland moist forests and heavily degraded former forest.

Notes and References

  1. International Ornithologists' Union . IOC World Bird List 12.2 (Multilingual Version) . en . 10.14344/ioc.ml.12.2 . free .