THE KISKADEE BIRD TRIBE OF MEXICO AND BEYOND

I have decided to share the Kiskadee bird tribe in this blog posting. I have become fascinated with this bird specie since they hang out on our balcony and wake us up each morning when they are hungry. So if you are game, let me introduce you to these colorful and interesting birds

The Mexican Kiskadee  is found only on the west coast of Mexico and the northernmost edge of Guatemala. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and heavily degraded mountains.

The spectacular Mexican Kiskdee is a black-and-yellow birtd of tropical lowlands in west Mexico. This bird  favors deciduous forests, plantations, and hedges with tall trees. It often can be fond in  towns and villages especially near streams and rivers. Usually in flocks, the Kiskadee can be found moving through the canopy to feed at flowering and fruiting trees, but also feeds readily on the ground.  

               

The adult great kiskadee is one of the largest of the tyrant flycatchers. It is 9.8 to 11.0 inches in length and weighs 1.87 to 2.52 onces.  Good no know, si! The head is black with a strong white plumage and a concealed yellow crown stripe. The bill is short, thick, and black in color.

 

                    

The great kiskadee is a common, noisy and conspicuous bird. It is almost omnivorous and hunts like a shrike or flycatcher waiting on an open perch high in a tree to fly out and catch insects or to pounce upon rodents and similar small vertebrates (such as other birds' chicks). 

It will also take prey such as small lizards and frogs and some fruit from vegetation by jumping for it or by ripping it off in mid-hover. Occasionally it dives for fish or tadpoles in shallow water making it one of the few fishing passerines.

Kiskadees like to hunt on their own or in pairs though they might be fond to make good use of prey flushed by smaller birds they do not seem to join mixed-species feeding flocks very often. When they do, they hunt in the familiar manner. Such opportunistic feeding behavior makes it one of the commonest birds in urban areas around Latin America. And its flashy belly and its shrill call make it one of the most conspicuous.

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Great kiskadees are monogamous and defend a territory. Both sexes build the large domed nest that has a side entrance. It is chiefly composed of grasses and small twigs, but can also incorporate lichen, string, and plastic. The birds will steal material from other nests.The nest is placed in a wide range of sites often in an exposed position high up in a tree or on man-made structures.  This photo was taken on our guard raid which the Kisdakees like to hang out on and which they also use to clean their bills.  

This alert and aggressive bird has a strong and maneuverable flight which it uses to good effect when it feels annoyed by raptors. Even much larger birds are attacked by the great kiskadee usually by diving down or zooming straight at them while they are in mid-air. Harsh calls are also often given during these attacks alerting all potential prey in the area of the predator's presence.

  

If not very hungry any raptor subject to a great kiskadee's mobbing behavior is likely to leave as it is almost impossible to make a good catch when subject to the tyrant flycatcher's unwelcome attention. In general, avian predators are liable to steer clear of an alert great kiskadee lest their hunting success be spoiled.  Maybe this Kiskadee is thinking about going fishing.  What do you think?  

Not being appreciated as a songbird, the great kiskadee is not usually kept caged and therefore has escaped the depredations of poaching for the pet trade. The Kiskadee bird mostly lives on prey which mades it extremely difficult to keep in captivity. This Kiskadee photographed above might have thought it was a cool place to take a time out on this umbrella below our deck.     

Our Kiskadees have become very fond of old corn chips which I break up for the their morning treat. This is one of three who comes each morning and calls me with their distinctive sound so I know they are there. PS We have also learned that they simply adore pancakes and French toast also. I keep saying to my husband we are creating avian monsters.

If you look closely you can see some  of our breakfast hotcakes hanging out of our friend's mouth! 

      

Thank you for joining me in this brief introduction to the Kiskadee bird tribe.  Until next time wishing you well and please do not hesitate to contact me if you should have any questions, suggestions, or comments.    Saludos, Laura 

PS When not blogging my passion is to join my husband in our marine world and it is always a special day when I am able to hold a Pufferfish.  Looking forward to sharing more of our world in the near future. 

CINCO DE MAYO IN MEXICO REVISITED 2023

The fifth of May (cinco de Mayo) commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It was primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as people might think, Mexico’s Independence Day which is actually September 16.

Setting the Stage

The battle at Puebla in 1862 happened at a violent and chaotic time in Mexico’s history. Mexico had finally gained independence from Spain in 1821 and a number of internal political takeovers and wars, including the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the Mexican Civil War of 1858, had mostly wiped out the national economy.

During this period Mexico had accumulated heavy debts to several nations, including Spain, England, and France, who were demanding payment. Similar debt to the U.S. was previously cleared after the Mexican-American War. France was eager to add Mexico to its empire at that time, and when Mexico finally stopped making any loan payments, France used the debt issue to establish its own "leadership" in Mexico by installing Napoleon’s relative, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, as ruler of Mexico.

Mexico Confronts the Invasion

France invaded the Gulf coast of Mexico and began to march toward Mexico City. Although American President Abraham Lincoln was sympathetic to Mexico’s cause for which he is honored in Mexico, the U.S. was involved in its own Civil War at the time and was unable to provide any direct assistance.

Marching toward Mexico City from the coast, the French army encountered strong resistance at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. Lead by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, a small poorly armed militia of about 4,500 were able to stop and defeat a well out-fitted French army of 6,500 soldiers which halted the invasion of the country.

The victory was a glorious moment for Mexican patriots and is the cause for the historical date’s celebration. Unfortunately, the victory was short lived. Upon hearing the bad news, Napoleon had found an excuse to send more troops overseas to try and invade Mexico again against the wishes of the French populace. Thirty thousand more troops and a full year later the French were eventually able to depose the Mexican army, take over Mexico City, and install Maximilian as the ruler of Mexico.

Maximilian’s rule of Mexico, however, was also short from 1864 to 1866 and ended as the United States of America began to provide more political and military assistance to Mexico to expel the French. Cinco de Mayo honors the bravery and victory of General Zaragoza’s small and outnumbered militia at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Today’s Celebration

For the most part, the holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more of a regional holiday in Mexico celebrated most vigorously in the state of Puebla for historical reasons. Though there is recognition of the holiday throughout the whole country it is nothing like that found in Puebla.

Commercial interests in the United States and Mexico have also been very successful in promoting the holiday with products and services focused on Mexican food, beverage, and festive items. Cinco de Mayo has turned into an excuse to enjoy Mexican beer and eat tacos as if anyone needed any more of an excuse!

                       

Wishing all a wonderful Cinco de Mayo from Mexico wherever you may be.

 

Saludos, Laura