Spindalises

The Spindalis is a unique genus of non-migratory birds, comprising four species found primarily in the West Indies, with some populations extending to Cozumel Island and southeast Florida. Formerly categorized as oddities in the tanager family, the Spindalis species are now recognized as a distinct family, Spindalidae, and are considered closely related to the Puerto Rican tanager. The males showcase vivid plumage, in contrast to the females’ more subdued tones. These birds build cup-shaped nests and include the Hispaniolan spindalis found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Jamaican spindalis on Jamaica, the Puerto Rican spindalis in Puerto Rico, and the western spindalis which inhabits parts of Florida and the western Caribbean. Once viewed as a single species with numerous subspecies, significant morphological and vocal distinctions have prompted the reclassification of some subspecies into separate species, reflecting a more nuanced understanding of their diversity.