green-backed Western Spindalis

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Posted by Bill Pranty on 22:10:49 11/21/04

Good evening,

Given that identification criteria among the various island populations of green-backed Western Spindalises have yet to be worked out (and may prove to be inconclusive), and further considering that a black-backed spindalis from the Bahamas was documented at Bradenton in 1998, it seems premature to presume that the green-backed spindalis photographed recently at Key West came from Cuba. There are four subspecies of green-backed Western Spindalises: S.z. townsendi of the northern Bahamas; pretrei of Cuba; salvini of the Cayman Islands; and benedicti of Cozumel Island, Mexico.

While I agree that pretri is most likely based on geographic grounds, the Bradenton spindalis is proof that Bahaman spindalises can travel great distances, and I don;t think that townsendi should be dismissed. The other two races are more distant and far less likely to occur.

BTW, it's not my intention to demean the Key West spindalis in any way, and Brennan's photos -- posted to http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/messages/6928.html -- clearly document the first North American record of a non-S.z. zena Western Spindalis. Great pix!

Best regards,

Bill Pranty
Avon Park, Florida

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Comments:	: Good evening, : : Given that identification criteria among the various island populations of green-backed Western Spindalises have yet to be worked out (and may prove to be inconclusive), and further considering that a black-backed spindalis from the Bahamas was documented at Bradenton in 1998, it seems premature to presume that the green-backed spindalis photographed recently at Key West came from Cuba. There are four subspecies of green-backed Western Spindalises: S.z. townsendi of the northern Bahamas; pretrei of Cuba; salvini of the Cayman Islands; and benedicti of Cozumel Island, Mexico. : : While I agree that pretri is most likely based on geographic grounds, the Bradenton spindalis is proof that Bahaman spindalises can travel great distances, and I don;t think that townsendi should be dismissed. The other two races are more distant and far less likely to occur. : : BTW, it's not my intention to demean the Key West spindalis in any way, and Brennan's photos -- posted to http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/messages/6928.html -- clearly document the first North American record of a non-S.z. zena Western Spindalis. Great pix! : : : Best regards, : : Bill Pranty : Avon Park, Florida
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