Cigua Palmera (Palmchat) or Dolus Dominicus.

Picture by sanz3jo


  • 5408
  • 17
  • 2
  • July 26, 2013
  • Olympus E420
  • Zuiko 70-300mm
  • Shooting Style Hand Held
  • Shoots Number Single RAW File
  • Exposures Number -2,0,+2
  • Editing Software Photomatix Pro / Others
  • File Format RAW
  • Notes
Bird National Bird Dominican Republic Dolus Dominicus Cigua Palmera Palmchat Nature Endemic Uniq Oympus E420 Zuiko

17 Comments

26 Jul 04:10
sanz3jo

This is the national bird of the Dominican Republic: Dolus Dominicus or Cigua Palmera (palmchat), we have many endemic bird species some with spectacular colors like the Papagayo (Hispaniolan Trogon), Cotorra (Hispaniolan Parrot), Zumbador (Hispaniolan Emerald) Pajaro Bobo (Mangrove Cuckoo), Barrancoli (Broad-billed Tody) and many more but the Dolus Dominicus is our national brid for this reasons: "The reason must be sought in its taxonomic uniqueness and complexity of reproductive behavior, belongs to a monospecific family (Dulidae) those which are represented by a single species. That is, it is so rare, it was necessary to create a family and a genus (Dulus) to itself. There are no more than ten families monospecific in the world, and the Cigua Palmera (palmchat) is the only endemic to the Antilles. It is an enigma to scientists how this singular bird exists only in the island of Hispaniola. At the Museum of Natural History in Washington there is a unique diorama for Cigua Palmera. Genetic studies suggest a possible relationship between Dulidae and Bombicillidae, a family native to North America and Europe, which only serves to deepen the mystery". "The back is olive brown with some green in the wings. The front part is yellowish white with brown vertical streaks. The eyes are reddish. Their behavior is very active and is an excellent hunter in flight. Build a huge communal nest, in which each family have its own "apartment" with a separate exit to the outside, ensuring privacy for each couple". "Always nest in palms that are not in contact with any other tree, which prevents rats, snakes and man come up to nest. Both male and female feed the young and clean the nest. It is impossible, at first glance to distinguish the male from the female. They feed on fruits, petals, insects and lizards. Are natural reforesters as dispersing seeds of fruit they eat". Dulidae is a Greek word which means slave, this bird work continuously repairing their nest. Simón Guerrero Diario Libre Martes 11 de noviembre de 2008.

26 Jul 05:05
solapi

Nice work!!

26 Jul 06:31
belkachan

10

26 Jul 10:28
larry

10

26 Jul 12:04
cnobile

Wow, Wonderful Shot!!!

26 Jul 12:15
anonymous

nice

26 Jul 14:05
mark_sjnhs23

10

26 Jul 14:37
digicam

Excellent... Favorite!

26 Jul 15:28
zhaojisheng

10.

26 Jul 15:55
chema

perfect

26 Jul 17:35
inkslinger

Excellent Mario, the eye & other details are superb....10+++

26 Jul 17:37
karl_oparka

That is one mighty fine picture Mario

26 Jul 20:04
nikonek

skvělé

26 Jul 20:37
anonymous

very nice

26 Jul 22:37
flipd1

10

26 Jul 23:27
josephc

Fabulous shot.

26 Jul 23:54
ksaul1

Awesome HDR development, excellent shot. Fascinating bird!

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