CUBAN PASSERIFORMES - Perching Birds

Perching birds have three unwebbed toes in the front and one strong, flexible toe in the back called the hallux, that lets them perch on tree branches. Most species of perching birds have 12 tail feathers. Perching birds are found in all parts of the world and they come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. Most chicks in this order are completely featherless and helpless when they hatch and must be fed by their parents.

The order is divided into two suborders - Tyranni and Passeri.

The Passeri are the songbirds. They are different from other birds because of the complex set of four muscles in their voice box or syrinx. These muscles allow songbirds to make complex songs and calls. The birds in this suborder can also learn songs. They learn their songs by listening to other birds in their species.

The Tyranni suborder is made up of over 1,000 species of tropical birds. Most are found in South America. The birds in this suborder also have songs, but they don't learn them. They are born knowing their songs.

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CUBAN PASSERIFORMES - Perching birds

Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced Breeds in NH (Birds)
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Location
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image

Species	Sounds	Occurrence
Cuban Pewee - Contopus caribaeus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Laura Gooch
Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Paul Driver
La Sagra's Flycatcher - Myiarchus sagrae		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Chris Benesh
Gray Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis		Breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Daniel Lane
Loggerhead Kingbird - Tyrannus caudifasciatus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Daniel Lane
Giant Kingbird - Tyrannus cubensis		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Jon King
White-eyed Vireo - Vireo griseus		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Thick-billed Vireo - Vireo crassirostris		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org G M Kirwan
Cuban Vireo - Vireo gundlachii		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Brian Cox
Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Mike Nelson
Black-whiskered Vireo - Vireo altiloquus		Breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Palm Crow - Corvus palmarum		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Ian Davies
Cuban Crow - Corvus nasicus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Laura Gooch
Cuban Martin - Progne cryptoleuca	No Audio Available	Endemic
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Cave Swallow - Petrochelidon fulva		Breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Stuart Fisher
Zapata Wren - Ferminia cerverai		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org G M Kirwan
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Cuban Gnatcatcher - Polioptila lembeyei		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Laura Gooch
Cuban Solitaire - Myadestes elisabeth		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Laura Gooch
Gray-cheeked Thrush - Catharus minimus		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
American Robin - Turdus migratorius		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Paul Jaszczak
Red-legged Thrush - Turdus plumbeus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Daniel Lane
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Prairie and Parkland Marsh Monitoring Program
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Mike Nelson
Bahama Mockingbird - Mimus gundlachii		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Paul Driver
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris		Introduced, Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Elias A. Ryberg
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Tayler Brooks
Ovenbird -Seiurus aurocapilla		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Mike Nelson
Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorus		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Mike Nelson
Louisiana Waterthrush - Parkesia motacilla		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Mike Nelson
Northern Waterthrush - Parkesia noveboracensis		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Daniel Parker
Blue-winged Warbler - Vermivora pinus		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Tayler Brooks
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Andrew Spencer
Swainson's Warbler - Limnothlypis swainsonii		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Mike Nelson
Red-legged Honeycreeper - Cyanerpes cyaneus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Guillermo Funes
Cuban Grassquit - Tiaris canorus	No Available Audio	Endemic
Yellow-faced Grassquit -Tiaris olivaceus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Bernabe Lopez-Lanus
Cuban Bullfinch - Melopyrrha nigra		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org William Adsett
Western Spindalis - Spindalis zena		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org William Adsett
Cuban Sparrow - Torreornis inexpectata		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Desmond Allen
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina		Non-breeding
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Chris Parrish
Red-shouldered Blackbird - Agelaius assimilis		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Desmond Allen
Olive-capped Warbler - Dendroica pityophila		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Scott Connop
Yellow-headed Warbler - Teretistris fernandinae		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org William Adsett

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Cuban Pewee - Contopus caribaeus
The Cuban pewee is found in the Bahamas and Cuba.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus
The great crested flycatcher is found in southern Canada and the eastern half of the U.S. south to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus
The great crested flycatcher is a neotropical migrant. It breeds in Canada and the U.S. and winters in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

La Sagra's Flycatcher - Myiarchus sagrae
La Sagra's flycatcher is found in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis
The gray kingbird breeds in southern Alabama and Mississippi, Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamica and winters in northern South America. It lives year-round in parts of the Caribbean and in Central America.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis
The gray kingbird perches in trees and snaps up flying insects.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Loggerhead Kingbird - Tyrannus caudifasciatus
The loggerhead kingbird is found in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Kingbird - Tyrannus cubensis
The giant kingbird is only found in Cuba.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-eyed Vireo - Vireo griseus
The white-eyed vireo is found from Nebraska east to Massachusetts and south to Central America and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-eyed Vireo - Vireo griseus
The white-eyed vireo is usually found in brushy habitats near a water source.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Thick-billed Vireo - Vireo crassirostris
The thick-billed vireo is found in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Haiti, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Vireo - Vireo gundlachii
The Cuban vireo is only found in Cuba.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons
The yellow-throated vireo breeds in the eastern half of the U.S. and winters in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-whiskered Vireo - Vireo altiloquus
The black-whiskered vireo breeds in the Florida and the Caribbean and winters in South America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Palm Crow - Corvus palmarum
The palm crow is found in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Crow - Corvus nasicus
The Cuban crow is found in Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Martin - Progne cryptoleuca
The Cuban martin is only found in Cuba.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor
In North America, the tree swallow breeds from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to California, Colorado, Nebraska, and Maryland. It winters from southern California, the Gulf Coast, and the Carolinas to Central America and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor
In North America, the tree swallow breeds from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to California, Colorado, Nebraska, and Maryland. It winters from southern California, the Gulf Coast, and the Carolinas to Central America and the Caribbean.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cave Swallow - Petrochelidon fulva
The cave swallow is found in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Zapata Wren - Ferminia cerverai
The Zapata wren is only found in the Zapata Swamp in Cuba.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea
The blue-gray gnatcatcher breeds across much of the U.S. with the exception of areas of the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountain region and the Pacific Northwest. It is a permanent resident in the southern part of its range, and it winters in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Gnatcatcher - Polioptila lembeyei
The Cuban gnatcatcher is only found in Cuba.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Solitaire - Myadestes elisabeth
The Cuban solitaire is only found in Cuba.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray-cheeked Thrush - Catharus minimus
The gray-cheeked thrush breeds in the Arctic tundra of Canada, Alaska, and Russia. It winters in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray-cheeked Thrush - Catharus minimus
An omnivore, the Gray-cheeked Thrush eats mostly insects like beetles, weevils, ants, wasps and caterpillars. It may eat spiders, crayfish, sow bugs and earthworms. In addition, the Gray-cheeked Thrush eats grapes, wild cherries, blackberries, raspberries and other fruit.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus
Swainson's thrush breeds in Canada and the northern U.S. It winters in Mexico, Central America, and South America. It winters in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus
Swainson's thrush breeds in coniferous forests and winters in tropical forests.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Robin - Turdus migratorius
The American robin is found in all of the United States and Canada, except for Hawaii and the northern most parts of Alaska and Canada. It is also found in parts of Mexico and Central America. The American robin is migratory and populations move south in the winter, although some populations stay in place.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Robin - Turdus migratorius
The American robin lives in open woodlands, fields, gardens, and yards.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Robin - Turdus migratorius
The male robin uses its voice to protect its territory and to attract a mate. It is often one of the first birds heard in the spring.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red-legged Thrush - Turdus plumbeus
The red-legged thrush is found in the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis
The gray catbird breeds across southern Canada and most of the U.S., except for parts of the west. It winters along the Gulf Coast, in Florida, and in Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis
The gray catbird can make more than 100 different types of sounds.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos
The northern mockingbird is found in most of the continental United States south to Mexico. It is also found in the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos
The mockingbird was given its name because of its ability to mimic the calls of dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird's Latin name, Mimus polyglottos, means many-tongued mimic. The mockingbird has even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens. The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bahama Mockingbird - Mimus gundlachii
The Bahama mockingbird is found in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum
The cedar waxwing's face has a narrow black mask outlined in white.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum
The cedar waxwing is only found in North America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum
Cedar Waxwings eat some insects, but are primarily fruit-eaters.
Source: Seattle Audubon Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ovenbird -Seiurus aurocapilla
The ovenbird breeds in Canada and the eastern United States.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla
The ovenbird walks on the forest floor hunting insects, spiders, snails, and worms.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorus
The worm-eating warbler breeds in the eastern United States and winters in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor
The prairie warbler is found in the eastern United States.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Louisiana Waterthrush - Seiurus motacilla
The Louisiana waterthrush breeds in the eastern United States and winters in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Louisiana Waterthrush - Seiurus motacilla
The Louisiana waterthrush is found near forest streams.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis
The northern waterthrush breeds in Canada and the northern United States. It winters in southern Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-winged Warbler - Vermivora pinus
The blue-winged warbler breeds in the eastern United States and winters in Central America and the Caribbean.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Blue-winged Warbler - Vermivora pinus
The blue-winged warbler breeds at forest and field edges.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia
The black-and-white warbler breeds in Canada and the eastern United States.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Swainson's Warbler - Limnothlypis swainsonii
Swainson's warbler breeds in the southeastern United States.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red-legged Honeycreeper - Cyanerpes cyaneus
The red-legged honeycreeper is found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Grassquit - Tiaris canorus
The Cuban grassquit is found in the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Bullfinch - Melopyrrha nigra
The Cuban bullfinch is found in the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Yellow-faced Grassquit -Tiaris olivaceus
The yellow-faced grassquit is found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Western Spindalis - Spindalis zena
"The western spindalis is found in southern Florida and the Caribbean.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Sparrow - Torreornis inexpectata
The Cuban sparrow is found in three locations in Cuba.
Source: BirdLife International Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Cuban Sparrow - Torreornis inexpectata
The Cuban sparrow has short, round wings and is a weak flier.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Sparrow - Torreornis inexpectata
The Cuban sparrow is also know as the Zapata sparrow.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina
The chipping sparrow is found in most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is also found in the Caribbean and Central America.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina
The chipping sparrow is found in a variety of habitats including open woodlands, marshes, deserts, fields, gardens, and farmland.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis
The Savannah sparrow is found across much of Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum
The grasshopper sparrow is found across most of the U.S. It is also found in southern Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum
The grasshopper sparrow gets its names from its buzzy grasshopper-like call.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna
The eastern meadowlark male can sing many versions of its song. In New York, a male was observed to sing over 100 different song patterns!
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna
The eastern meadowlark inhabits wide open spaces like farm fields, grassland and wet fields.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna
The eastern meadowlark builds its nest on the ground and sings on perches such as treetops, fence posts, and power lines.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red-shouldered Blackbird - Agelaius assimilis
The red-shouldered blackbird was once thought to be a subspecies of the red-winged blackbird.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red-shouldered Blackbird - Agelaius assimilis
The red-shouldered blackbird is found in scattered locations in central and western Cuba.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Olive-capped Warbler - Dendroica pityophila
The olive-capped warbler is found in the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School