Grey Trembler

Overview

The grey trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) is a songbird belonging to the mockingbird and thrasher family. It is an endemic species of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, where it is currently assessed as being of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Measures 23 to 26 cm in length and weighs between 65 and 76.2 g.
• Nominate subspecies feature warm gray-brown upperparts with darker faces and wings, while the throat and central breast are buffy white.
• Possesses a long, slightly downcurved bill that is longer in females than in males.
• Produces a song composed of repeated notes and phrases that range from harsh to melodic, including quavering whistles.

Habitat

Found exclusively on the islands of Martinique and Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. The bird predominantly inhabits wet mature forests but is also observed in drier scrub and open woodland environments.

Diet

The grey trembler forages from the ground up to the forest canopy, often tearing open tangles and probing epiphyte clusters. Its diet includes insects, other invertebrates, fruits, and occasionally small lizards, although detailed studies of its feeding habits are limited.

Did you know?

A specimen long believed to be a rare, extinct starling from the Mascarenes or Madagascar was identified in 2000 as an albinistic grey trembler, correcting a historical taxonomic error dating back to 1850.