Western spindalis

The western spindalis is a vibrant songbird once classified along with three other species under the name "stripe-headed tanager." Initially thought to be an unusual type of tanager within the Thraupidae family, they now occupy an uncertain position among songbirds with nine primary feathers, awaiting clearer classification in the newly proposed Spindalidae family.

Male western spindalis are striking, featuring a black-and-white striped head alongside a burnt orange throat, breast, and nape. Females share the same head pattern but in more subdued tones. These birds exhibit two color variations depending on their region. They typically measure about 15 cm in length and weigh around 21 grams.

You can primarily find the western spindalis in southeastern Florida and various Caribbean islands, including Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. They occasionally venture into southern Florida, where a subspecies even successfully bred in 2009. Their preferred habitats are subtropical or tropical lowland forests, montane forests, and degraded areas of previously forested land. Particularly, the zena subspecies inhabits pine forests.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) does not list the western spindalis as a threatened species. There are several subspecies, each with its own specific range, including the Central Bahamas, Grand Bahama Island, Cuba, Grand Cayman Island, and Cozumel Island.