Photo: Laura Gooch / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Spindalis
Spindalis zena
Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) is a member of the Phaenicophilidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 25.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Phaenicophilidae Greater Antillean Tanagers
- Genus Spindalis
- Species zena
Quick facts
- Weight
- 25.4 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Phaenicophilidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Spindalis is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Western Spindalis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) is a member of the Phaenicophilidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Is. and Cozumel I. (Mexico).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 25.4 g, with a wing length of about 7.4 cm and a tail of around 5.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 127,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Spindalis?
The Western Spindalis is a small bird that weighs around 25.4 g.
Where does the Western Spindalis live?
The Western Spindalis is found across North America with a range covering NA Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Is. and Cozumel I. (Mexico), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Western Spindalis belong to?
The Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) belongs to the Phaenicophilidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Western Spindalis eat?
The Western Spindalis is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Western Spindalis migrate?
The Western Spindalis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Spindalis endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Western Spindalis make?
1 real field recording of the Western Spindalis — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Western Spindalis's range?
The Western Spindalis has a mapped global range of about 127,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Phaenicophilidae
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.