Susan Lala on the Birds of Ambergris Caye
The black-headed saltators are zeroing in on our largest
coco plumb tree. I hear their calls all day long as they swish
in and out among the branches. This means the coco plumbs
are getting ripe.
Looking back through very early photos of Caribbean
Villas the earliest photograph I have, judging from the
height of the tree, would have been when it was 3 or 4 years
old. Just a bush then and not yet bearing fruit. But by the
time we first moved onto the property it was
flowering off and on throughout the year and fruiting
bountifully.
There are always a few coco plumbs on the tree anytime
during the year, but in early winter and early summer the
branches grow heavy with thousands of rosy marshmallow
sized coco plumbs. The birds are delighted. Blackbirds and
the black-headed saltators are rarely far away.
The black-headed saltators are large birds 10 to 11
inches long. They have a rich yellow green mantel, black
head and a bold white patch at the throat lined with black.
The white patch seems to flash like a beacon in the early
morning light when the sun is low.
Their flight is swift and when they land they blend in
with the foliage. But if you stand back a bit and let your
ears lead the way you'll discover them soon.
Over the years my knowledge has grown. From time to time I will share
my observations with fellow birders, so watch this site!
Susan Lala [List of birds from Ambergris Caye]
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