Behavior

Cuban Bullfinch usually occurs alone or in pairs during both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons (Ayón and Ruiz pers. obs). In the nonbreeding season, it is also found in small groups of 4 to 5 individuals (probably the juveniles of the mating pair). Usually after breeding season these groups are composed by females and juveniles. In the winter season, it also can be found in mixed flocks with warblers as reported by others (Todd 1916; Barbour 1943, 1945; Ayón, Ruiz and Iñigo-Elias pers. obs.).

Foraging: Cuban Bullfinch forages from ground level to tree tops, as it includes a wide variety of plants (grasses, shrubs and trees) and insects in its diet (see Food).

Singing: Males typically sing from an exposed, elevated perch (height variable), but also can sing from a perch more concealed among vegetation. A third variant includes singing while flying in a defended territory, probably as part of an agonistic and courtship behavior.  See Macauly Library http://macaulaylibrary.org/

Agonistic behavior: The breeding displays of the Cuban Bullfinch have been little studied in the wild. According to Todd (1916) and Barbour (1945), the species is easier to detect during this stage of its life cycle.

The threat display of the female is different. Head forward, wings close to body and tail down and pointing forward too, producing an annoying and repeated sound; can also raise the wings to show the underwing patch, but in a smaller angle.

No information.

Presumably monogamous, although no studies have yet been done in the wild to document the breeding biology and document any extra-pair copulation.  However, during the non-breeding season in the Island of Cuba it is common to observe pairs (Iñigo-Elias pers. obs).

The following breeding behavioral observations are based on a study with captive birds in Habana City (Ayón, pers. obs.):

"Bill-up": The male moves the head upward, compressing the feathers and pointing the tail down to adopt a vertical posture, producing a low and repeated chip note. This display has a one to two seconds length and is also performed in the first male-female meeting.

"Head forward": In this case the male moves the head forward, maintaining its body horizontally and emitting a loud and repeated chouk call, while moving the head up and down. It may keep the bill open without making any sound and can also gap or raise the wings showing the white underwing patch.

"Wings-up": The male moves the head and body up adopting a vertical posture, raising the wings up and showing the underwing patch; sways from side to side while singing. In high intensity moments it pounces to oppose with legs and head forward.

In the breeding season, Cuban Bullfinch typically occurs in pairs. When not breeding, it may be found alone, in pairs or in small conspecific flocks (mainly females and juveniles), and also as a member of mixed species flocks including species such as Yellow-headed Warbler (Teretistris fernandinae) and migratory warblers such as American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens), Northern Parula (Setophaga americana), and other species.

Adult Cuban Bullfinches may be predated by diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey. In the fossil record there are records of remains of M. nigra in a cavern fossil deposit made of regurgitated pellets of Barn Owl (Tyto alba) from the Early to Middle Holocene (Jimenez et al. 2005; see Fossil history). It is possible that rats (Rattus rattus), small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), feral cats (Felis catus) and snakes (e.g., Epicrates angulifer, Tropidophis sp., and Cubophis sp.) prey on the eggs, nestlings and even adults of the species, although predation by any of these species is not yet documented. The species mentioned above, however, are the main predators of passerines across Cuba.

Humans are the principal predators of this species. In Cuba there is a long tradition of trapping and selling Cuban Bullfinches, both adult and young birds, for the cage bird trade, including the live songbird competitions. Men of different ages are very active in this trapping activity; bird trappers are known locally as pajareros or negriteros. This tradition was reported by Orbigny (1839) who comments "this species approaches to rural houses and is captured by locals using nets. It is maintained in captivity to hear the song, which recalls that of canaries". Gundlach (1876) also comments about its agreeable song and popularity as a cage pet. The excessive capture of birds for the trade was also reported by Barbour (1943). Under current law trapping is illegal in Cuba but still it may have great dimensions. Recently there have been multiple arrests in the USA of Florida residents smuggling live Cuban Bullfinches from Cuba to be sold in the USA (USJD 2012).