Bahama Mockingbird - Life bird #237

       Today's featured feathered friend is the Bahama Mockingbird, the "rarest" bird we've seen so far.  It was first observed on May 15th at Leffis Key on Anna Maria Island.  Our schedule opened up on May 17th, so we made it our "target bird" of the day.  We drove north to Leffis Key hoping it would still be there.  When we arrived we noticed many other birders at the site.  Hallelujah! the Bahama Mockingbird was still there.  We joined the others and followed the bird flying from one end of the parking lot to the other.  This bird knew that it was "a star".  It seemed to fully enjoy all of the attention it was receiving from the crowd.  It was certainly in the spotlight for nearly a week.  Sadly, it has not been reported seen since May 20th.

        The Bahama Mockingbird is native to the Caribbean.  It can be found in Cuba, Jamaica, the Turks and Cacaos Islands and in the Bahamas.  The American Birding Association (ABA) has given this species a code "4" status.  That means that this species is not recorded annually in North America, but has six or more total records, including three or more records in the past 30 years.  The last sighting on the Florida Gulf Coast was in May of 2010.

        Bahama Mockingbirds are brownish-gray above, white below, with streaking on the flanks and lower belly.  It also has a distinct malar streak (a moustache stripe).  They are more "secretive" and slightly larger than Northern Mockingbirds, with a slightly bigger body.  Both species are outstanding singers, although the Bahama is not known to mimic other bird species.
        Enjoy these photos of the Bahama Mockingbird, a rare bird indeed.....tweet.....tweet!!
     Listen to it singing by clicking here ------------->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqz_xPNJ0M0&feature=youtu.be .

        
http://birds.audubon.org/birds/bahama-mockingbird


http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/652/overview/Bahama_Mockingbird.aspx