Zapata Sparrow
Encyclopedia
The Zapata Sparrow, Torreornis inexpectata, is a medium sized grey and yellow bird that lives in the grasslands of the Zapata Swamp
and elsewhere on the island of Cuba
. Measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in length, it is grey and yellow overall with a dark reddish-brown crown and olive-grey upperparts.
The Zapata Sparrow is confined and endemic
to Cuba. It was discovered by Spanish zoologist, Fermín Zanón Cervera
in March 1927 around Santo Tomás in Zapata Swamp
and formally described by American herpetologist
Thomas Barbour
and his compatriot, ornithologist James Lee Peters
in 1927.
Barbour had been accompanied by Cervera on his previous visits to Cuba, and on hearing of the strange birds to be found in the Zapata area, he sent the Spaniard on a series of trips into the region, eventually leading to the finding of the sparrow. Two other populations have since been discovered, on the island of Cayo Coco
in Camagüey Province
and in a coastal region in Guantánamo Province
. As the species is no longer confined to Zapata the alternative name of Cuban Sparrow is sometimes suggested.
Each population is assigned to a different race due to differences in plumage and ecology. The nominate race T. i. inexpectana at Zapata is found in extensive sawgrass
savannas
, the similarly-plumaged Cayo Coco race T. i. varonai is found in forests and shrubbery and the duller eastern race T. i. sigmani frequents arid areas of thorn-scrub and cacti.
, who cited varonai to a different Cuban publication.
"Olson received a reprint of this from Regalado. The only indication of the source on this is printed at the top of page 87: "Centre [sic] Agricola, No. 2 mayo-agosto/1981." This is the citation given by Garrido et al. [serial Poeyana] (1986), whereas Bond [Ibid] (1982:12) cites the original description of Torreornis inexpectata varonai Regalado as "Rev. Minist Educ. Sup. Rep. Cuba, 8, Nov. 2, 1981, pp. 87-106.," that, apart from the initial page number being the same, would seem to be a different publication."
However, they failed to mention or cite Morton and Gonzalez Alonso (Wilson Bulletin, 1982, vol. 94/4), who make reference to varonai and where Centro Agricola is cited. Dickinson (Howard and Moore Complete Checklist, (2003)) also suggested that there was "an element of doubt" as to whether or not the description was published. However, copies of the serial dating to 1981 and earlier are currently deposited in the Smathers Library of the University of Florida.
The bird's song is described as "metallic high-pitched trill at intervals tziii-tzziii-tzziii ... and quiet tic-tic-tic". In the dry seasons the Zapata population feeds on seeds and flowers primarily, as well as, insects, spiders, snails and their eggs. In the wet season the Zapata Sparrow is known to eat small lizards. It is thought to breed between March and June.
Typical threats are wildfire
s in the dry season
, drainage of wetland
s, and destruction of habitat due to agriculture and tourism.
Zapata Swamp
Zapata Swamp is located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas province of Cuba. It is located less than southeast of Havana.-Species and preservation:...
and elsewhere on the island of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in length, it is grey and yellow overall with a dark reddish-brown crown and olive-grey upperparts.
The Zapata Sparrow is confined and endemic
Endemism in birds
An endemic bird area is a region of the world that contains two or more restricted-range species, while a "secondary area" contains one or more restricted-range species. Both terms were devised by Birdlife International....
to Cuba. It was discovered by Spanish zoologist, Fermín Zanón Cervera
Fermín Zanón Cervera
Fermín Zanón Cervera was a Spanish zoologist, born in Godelleta, Valencia. He fought in Cuba in the Spanish–American War and stayed on after as a member of the Civil Guard prior to becoming a professional naturalist...
in March 1927 around Santo Tomás in Zapata Swamp
Zapata Swamp
Zapata Swamp is located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas province of Cuba. It is located less than southeast of Havana.-Species and preservation:...
and formally described by American herpetologist
Herpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
Thomas Barbour
Thomas Barbour
Thomas Barbour was an American herpetologist. From 1927 until 1946, he was director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology founded in 1859 by Louis Agassiz at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
and his compatriot, ornithologist James Lee Peters
James Lee Peters
James Lee Peters was an American ornithologist.Peters was Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, at Harvard University...
in 1927.
Barbour had been accompanied by Cervera on his previous visits to Cuba, and on hearing of the strange birds to be found in the Zapata area, he sent the Spaniard on a series of trips into the region, eventually leading to the finding of the sparrow. Two other populations have since been discovered, on the island of Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco is an island in central Cuba, well known for its luxurious all inclusive resorts. It lies within the Ciego de Ávila Province and is part of a chain of islands called Jardines del Rey . The cay is administered by the Morón municipality. It is named for the white ibis, locally called Coco...
in Camagüey Province
Camagüey Province
Camagüey is the largest of the provinces of Cuba. Its capital is Camagüey. Other towns include Florida and Nuevitas.-Geography:Camagüey is mostly low lying, with no major hills or mountain ranges passing through the province...
and in a coastal region in Guantánamo Province
Guantánamo Province
Guantánamo is the easternmost province of Cuba. Its capital is also called Guantánamo. Other towns include Baracoa. The province surrounds the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo Bay.-History:...
. As the species is no longer confined to Zapata the alternative name of Cuban Sparrow is sometimes suggested.
Each population is assigned to a different race due to differences in plumage and ecology. The nominate race T. i. inexpectana at Zapata is found in extensive sawgrass
Cladium
Cladium is a genus of large sedges, with a worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate regions...
savannas
Flooded grasslands and savannas
Flooded grasslands and savannas is a terrestrial biome. Its component ecoregions are generally located at subtropical and tropical latitudes, which are flooded seasonally or year-round...
, the similarly-plumaged Cayo Coco race T. i. varonai is found in forests and shrubbery and the duller eastern race T. i. sigmani frequents arid areas of thorn-scrub and cacti.
The description of the subspecies varonai
The form varonai was described by in a Cuban publication, and further review is needed to determine its validity. Claims have been put forth relating to the obscurity or presumed non-existence of this original description. Buden and Olson (Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 477 (1989)), not reviewing the description, drew attention to BondJames Bond (ornithologist)
James Bond was a leading American ornithologist whose name was appropriated by writer Ian Fleming for his fictional spy, James Bond.-Biography:...
, who cited varonai to a different Cuban publication.
"Olson received a reprint of this from Regalado. The only indication of the source on this is printed at the top of page 87: "Centre [sic] Agricola, No. 2 mayo-agosto/1981." This is the citation given by Garrido et al. [serial Poeyana] (1986), whereas Bond [Ibid] (1982:12) cites the original description of Torreornis inexpectata varonai Regalado as "Rev. Minist Educ. Sup. Rep. Cuba, 8, Nov. 2, 1981, pp. 87-106.," that, apart from the initial page number being the same, would seem to be a different publication."
However, they failed to mention or cite Morton and Gonzalez Alonso (Wilson Bulletin, 1982, vol. 94/4), who make reference to varonai and where Centro Agricola is cited. Dickinson (Howard and Moore Complete Checklist, (2003)) also suggested that there was "an element of doubt" as to whether or not the description was published. However, copies of the serial dating to 1981 and earlier are currently deposited in the Smathers Library of the University of Florida.
The bird's song is described as "metallic high-pitched trill at intervals tziii-tzziii-tzziii ... and quiet tic-tic-tic". In the dry seasons the Zapata population feeds on seeds and flowers primarily, as well as, insects, spiders, snails and their eggs. In the wet season the Zapata Sparrow is known to eat small lizards. It is thought to breed between March and June.
Typical threats are wildfire
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
s in the dry season
Dry season
The dry season is a term commonly used when describing the weather in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which oscillates from the northern to the southern tropics over the course of the year...
, drainage of wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s, and destruction of habitat due to agriculture and tourism.
