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05 July 2012

Discover The Endangered Black Catbird

By Linda Patterson


The Melanoptilaglabrirostris - The Endangered Black Catbird In New Mexico

Over the past few decades, the bird popularly known as Black Cat Bird or scientifically known as The Melanoptilaglabrirostris has been declining in population. This is evidently happening because of the fact that its environments happen to be transformed into coconut plantations and also to the development of vacation resorts. The more of the population gets displaced as more construction occurs. Over the years the decline of the Black Catbird is falling to a far more speedy decrease over the past few years. The decline continues to be somewhat abrupt and these birds' number has become considered endangered.

The black catbird was originally and mostly found in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, specifically in Belize and Guatemala. It is not commonly seen in the Cozumel Island, East Quintana Roo and Ambergis Caye. It is the only member of its genus and it's at the same time one of the smallest of its family. With its characteristic uniform glossy blue-black body coupled with dark reddish irises with unusually short wings plus a very long tail, the black catbird is truly a bird with beauty and charm. Honduras was known to be the origin of this unique bird. During the old days, the birds were captured and even made as pets but in the years right after when it was gathered, it hasn't been seen in the area once more.

These beautiful birds are commonly found in thorny shrubs in low stature woodland. They usually migrate during early winter and then goes to the drier northern Yucatan peninsula. Approximately 39 small breeding groups happen to be discovered living in the interior part of the Yucatan Peninsula. There are just about 31 of them found in Yucatan. They've been found in the Izamal, Hunucma, Dzonot Carretero with around 2 of these Black Catbirds in Campeche and an approximately 6 of them in the areas of Quintana. Today, it has been documented that they are not found in Honduras - the place where they are originally seen. Honduras had been recorded as their location of origin ever since 1856. This might be caused by a possible mislabeling of the birds.

A serious decline has also been recorded in the region of Caye Caulker.

The drop in sightings of its species over the past ten years is even more than 30% of its whole population. Tourist development, hurricanes along with other various human activities have destroyed its natural habitat which led to some of its attrition. Furthermore the Black Catbird relies on various hedges at sea level which are thorny and thick but with berries that provide a delightful wild fruit that offers nourishment to the birds. To make the beach more appealing, owners of luxury resorts usually get rid of those thorny bushes on the beach line because of the fact that guests do not want those on the beach.

This beautiful land on the Yucatan Peninsula is certainly a sight to behold as it is perfectly situated on the Caribbean Sea. The region is very tranquil and peaceful with all the scenery and sounds of the ocean's water hitting on the rocky coastline and even birds chirping blissfully. Regrettably for many of the birds, the once impassable jungle, Mangroves and even wild vegetation has become less appealing to the areas fowl. Whilst nobody wants to minimize the quantity of visitors to the area due to the economic recovery we want to campaign for environmental protection and ask people to value the natural environment of a great number of wild animals!




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