Agelaius assimilis


This highly range-restricted icterid was, until recently, generally considered to be an unusually well-marked subspecies of the widespread Red-winged Blackbird, which does not occur on Cuba. Very recently published genetic data (Auk, 2008) are strongly supportive of the split. For visiting birdwatchers, the species is most easily and comfortably found in the sawgrass swamps of the Zapata region (this bird was photographed at La Turba). However, it also occurs at a couple of places in the extreme west of the main island, in rice-growing areas around Cienfuegos, and on the Isle of Pines. It might be expected to also occur in the Birama Swamp of eastern Cuba, but to date none of the famous Zapata endemics has been found in this apparently suitable region.