Birdsong field guide
St. Kitts Bullfinch
Melopyrrha grandis
The St. Kitts Bullfinch is a large, likely extinct passerine endemic to the mountain forests of St. Kitts, recognized by its heavy bill and rufous-and-black plumage.
What it sounds like
Described as a series of loud, clear, penetrating whistles followed by a short, buzzy trill.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- It was originally classified as a subspecies of the Puerto Rican Bullfinch before being elevated to a full species based on significant size and morphological differences.
- The species has not been definitively recorded since 1929, leading most authorities to consider it extinct.
- A catastrophic hurricane in 1899 is believed to have decimated the population, making the survivors vulnerable to other pressures.
- Predation by introduced Green Vervet Monkeys and black rats is cited as a primary driver of its final disappearance from high-altitude ridges.
- It was significantly larger than its extant relatives, with its specific name 'grandis' reflecting its robust physical stature.
Habitat
Dense, humid montane forests and high-elevation thickets.
Range
Endemic to the island of Saint Kitts in the Lesser Antilles.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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