Palmchat Dulus dominicus

The sole member of the genus Dulus and the family Dulidae, Palmchat is confined to the Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola, where it is one of the most abundant and conspicuous residents. Palmchat easily is identified by its pale yellow bill, heavily dark streaked yellowish underparts, dark olive brown upperparts, and the red irides. Palmchat is common in urban areas, but perhaps reaches maximum densities in savannas dominated by royal palms; it is absent from dense forested regions and the island’s highest elevations. It is a communal breeder, building huge 'apartment block'nests that are used by up to ten pairs, and sometimes as many as 50 in exceptional cases. Palmchats primarily are frugivores, although some arthropods also are taken.