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Dominica Botanic Gardens
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    • Introduction to Website
    • A Brief History
    • Plan of Gardens
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  • Botanic Gardens
    • Selected Trees and Shrubs
    • Medicinal Plants
    • Gardens Activities
    • Florida's Fairchild Garden
    • Parrot and Small Animal Sanctuary
    • Birds of the Gardens
    • Three Virtual Tours
    • Panoramic Views Today
    • Early Panoramic Views
    • Hurricane David's Ravages
    • Future Developments
    • Curators and Administrators
    • Reports and Documents
    • Getting Involved
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Birds of the Botanic Gardens

Smooth-billed Ani: Crotophaga ani; Local name: Mels-kobo;
Family: Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Anis)

Description:A striking black bird, 25-28 cm long (10-11 in); has glossy, generally black plumage overall, with some scaly grey on neck and upper back; has prominent, large, black bill; high, thinly-ridged upper mandible with small hook at tip; extraordinary bill distinguishing it from other black birds; has black eyes, black legs, and long, prominent black tail; feeds primarily on large insects, but also on small lizards, fruit and nuts, in grassy or low bush areas; often seen in groups as breeding females lay their eggs in a large, communal nest tended by all members of family; in the Gardens, will be seen feeding or low-flying in tall grass and scrubby areas, primarily in the economic crops section; click  here  to listen to its call.

References:
Arlington James, Stephen Durand and Bertrand Jno.Baptiste. Dominica’s Birds. Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Dominica, 2005
James Bond. Birds of the West Indies. Collins, St James Place, London, 4th Edition, 1979
Fred J. Alsop III. Birds of Florida. Smithsonian Handbooks, Dorling Kindersley Inc, NewYork, 2002.
​​Gardens Introduction

​

Preface - How it Began
Introduction to Website
A Brief History
Plan of Gardens 
Contemporary Commentary​
​Trees, Shrubs, Birds

​
​
Selected Trees and Shrubs
Medicinal Plants
​
Gardens Activities
  Florida's Fairchild Garden
Parrot/Animal Sanctuary
Birds of the Gardens
Garden Views

​
​
Three Virtual Tours
Panoramic Views Today
Early Panoramic Views
 
Hurricane David's Ravages
Future Developments
Curators/Administrators
Reports and Documents
  
Getting Involved
Related Links
Sub-sites

​

Honorees
Island Scholars
Cabinet Photos
​​Treasures of the Cathedral

​Diaspora Policy Paper
​

Visit the DAAS  Website
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Copyright © -  Davison Shillingford, Clayton Shillingford and (the late) Raglan Riviere