New World Blackbirds (Icteridae)

Cuban Blackbird (Ptiloxena atroviolacea) - HBW 16, p. 777

French: Quiscale violet German: Kubastärling Spanish: Zanate Cubano

Taxonomy: Quiscalus atroviolaceus d’Orbigny, 1839, Cuba.
Genus often subsumed in Dives, but distinctive skeletal morphology, song and nest-site choice indicate that a separate, monotypic genus is appropriate. No DNA data available, but absence from I of Pines (old reports erroneous) suggests poor dispersal capabilities and presumably a high genetic distinctiveness. Monotypic.

Distribution: Cuba.