Zapata Sparrow - The Description of The Subspecies varonai

The Description of The Subspecies varonai

The form varonai was described by in a Cuban publication, and further review is needed to determine its validity. Claims have been put forth relating to the obscurity or presumed non-existence of this original description. Buden and Olson (Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 477 (1989)), not reviewing the description, drew attention to Bond, who cited varonai to a different Cuban publication.

"Olson received a reprint of this from Regalado. The only indication of the source on this is printed at the top of page 87: "Centre Agricola, No. 2 mayo-agosto/1981." This is the citation given by Garrido et al. (1986), whereas Bond (1982:12) cites the original description of Torreornis inexpectata varonai Regalado as "Rev. Minist Educ. Sup. Rep. Cuba, 8, Nov. 2, 1981, pp. 87-106.," that, apart from the initial page number being the same, would seem to be a different publication."

However, they failed to mention or cite Morton and Gonzalez Alonso (Wilson Bulletin, 1982, vol. 94/4), who make reference to varonai and where Centro Agricola is cited. Dickinson (Howard and Moore Complete Checklist, (2003)) also suggested that there was "an element of doubt" as to whether or not the description was published. However, copies of the serial dating to 1981 and earlier are currently deposited in the Smathers Library of the University of Florida.

The bird's song is described as "metallic high-pitched trill at intervals tziii-tzziii-tzziii ... and quiet tic-tic-tic". In the dry seasons the Zapata population feeds on seeds and flowers primarily, as well as, insects, spiders, snails and their eggs. In the wet season the Zapata Sparrow is known to eat small lizards. It is thought to breed between March and June.

Typical threats are wildfires in the dry season, drainage of wetlands, and destruction of habitat due to agriculture and tourism.