The Grand Cayman bullfinch (''Melopyrrha taylori'') is a threatened bird endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. It is the only bird species endemic to the

Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands () is a self-governing British Overseas Territory—the largest by population in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located to the ...

since the extinction of the

Grand Cayman thrush The Grand Cayman thrush (''Turdus ravidus'') is an extinct bird from the thrush family (Turdidae). It was endemic to the island of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. Description It was generally ashy grey with a white underbelly. Undertail coverts a ...

(''Turdus ravidus''), though several bird subspecies are also endemic.

Taxonomy

It was once considered a subspecies of the Cuban bullfinch (''M. nigra'') as ''M. nigra taylori''. It can be distinguished from the Cuban bullfinch by its slightly larger bill size and the much paler coloration of the female bird.

Conservation

Its population is declining due to invasive mammals.

Habitat fragmentation Habitat fragmentation describes the emergence of discontinuities (fragmentation) in an organism's preferred environment (habitat), causing population fragmentation and ecosystem decay. Causes of habitat fragmentation include geological processes ...

may also be a potential major risk, though currently this is very low.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q27638396 Endemic birds of the Caribbean Endemic fauna of the Cayman Islands Birds of the Cayman Islands Birds described in 1896 Taxa named by Ernst Hartert Melopyrrha