Hood mockingbird
The Hood mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi), also known as the Española mockingbird, is a species of bird in the family Mimidae. It is endemic to Española Island in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, and it is one of four closely related mockingbird species endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. It is found in dry forests and is omnivorous, though it primarily is a carnivore or scavenger. The species has a highly territorial social structure and has no fear of humans. It is the only species of Galápagos mockingbird that Charles Darwin did not see or collect on the voyage of HMS Beagle.[2]
Diet[edit]
The species has an omnivorous diet, but is mainly a predator or scavenger.[3] The species will eat the eggs of seabirds nesting on the island,[7] as well as eat from dead animals and kills made by other predators, such as the Galápagos hawk.[6] Sometimes, just like a vampire finch, they will feed on blood of wounded seabirds.
Status[edit]
The bird is considered to be vulnerable in the wild by BirdLife International due mainly to its limited area. The fragile ecosystem and high risk of adverse weather conditions put the species at particular risk of population loss.[1] It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 left in the wild.[6]