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Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
Loxigilla noctis
The Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, a small bird with a big personality
The Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis), also called cardinal of the Antilles, is a small bird with deep black plumage and a bright red throat, typical of tropical forests and Caribbean gardens. It is part of the cringilles, a family of granivorous passerines. Present throughout the Guadeloupe archipelago, it can often be seen on the trails of the Guadeloupe Zoo.
Classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. It is found in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica, Dominica, Dominica, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent, where it adapts to forest areas as well as to open spaces. Its ability to live close to humans and to eat a wide variety of foods explains its wide distribution.
The male is distinguished by its shiny black plumage and bright red throat, while the female has more brown tones. Their name comes from their massive conical beak, perfectly suited for breaking seeds and small tropical fruits. Lesser Antillean Bullfinchs complete their menu with a few insects, especially during the breeding season, to feed their young.
At the Guadeloupe Zoo, you can easily observe these lively and curious birds, which enliven the canopy with their rapid movements and their small screams.
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Quelques anecdotes
An inseparable couple
Lesser Antillean Bullfinchs often live in pairs, following each other everywhere in their territory. Very protective, the male watches over the nest while the female broods. Together, they defend their space against intruders with determination, despite their small size.
A morning singer
At dawn, the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch is among the first to make its voice heard. Her melodious song and series of fast trills punctuate tropical mornings. In some areas of Guadeloupe, its cry is so familiar that it is often confused with that of sparrows, although it is much more modulated.
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