Palmchat

The palmchat (Dulus dominicus) is a small, olive-brown passerine bird associated with palm trees, found only on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and neighboring islets. It shares taxonomic relations with waxwings and is recognized as the national bird of the Dominican Republic. It measures around 20 cm in length, with a yellow-green rump and yellow bill, and lacks sexual dimorphism. These birds are highly sociable and populate various habitats up to 1500 meters above sea level, including palm savannas and urban parks. They nest communally in large structures made of twigs, often in palms, and lay 2-4 spotted eggs. Palmchats feed on fruits, berries, and flowers. Known for their noisy and varied vocalizations, they hardly produce a coherent song despite being categorized as songbirds. The species is adaptable and not currently facing significant population declines, and therefore is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.