(Cocos Flycatcher) (Mosquerito de la
 Isla del Coco)
Observations: Several were seen on
each day, in the Chatham and Wafer
Bays areas. They responded well to
high whistles. There have been
various publications on the behavior
of this island endemic (Koodsma et
al.1987, Layton 1984, and Sherry
1985, 1986).
 Tyrannus tyrannus
 (Eastem Kingbird) (Tirano norteo)
 Observations: One was seen at the
 entrance to the forest above Chatham
 Bay on the moving of the 28th. This
 species was first collected on the
 island by Percy Howe at Wafer Bay
 on 15 November 1932 (Slud, 1967).
 Riparia riparia
 (Bank Swallow) (Golondrina
 riberea)
Observations: A group of 12 was
viewed flying above the exposed
grass part of the trail above Chatham
Bay continuously on the 25h 26th
and even on the 28h It was first
recorded on the island 21 April 1963
by Slud (1967).
 Hirundo rustica
 (Bam Swallow) (Golondrina tijereta)
 Observations: Two were seen in
 company each day with Bank
 Swallows. It was first recorded on
 the island by Edward Gifford on 5
 September 1905 (Slud 1967).
 Hirundo pyrrhonota
 (Cliff Swallow) (Golondrina
 risquera)
Observations: One was seen clearly
each day in the company of the other


swallows. It was easily identified by
its square tail, buffy rump, streaked
back, pale forehead and chestnut face
and throat. This is the first record of
this species for Cocos Island.
The Cliff Swallow is a species that
reproduces in the north, from Alaska
and the Yukon territory, throughout
Canada and the westem U. S. and
Mexico. During the northem winter,
it migrates to summering locations in
southem South America, especially
Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay
and southem Brazil. Undoubtedly,
the birds seen on Cocos Island had
detoured from their northward
migration route.
In December 2002, the second
author, (MM) observed a series of
dead swallows on the roof of Villa
Beatriz in Wafer Bay beneath a cable
which served as their perch. Their
death was presumably due to
starvation, as Cocos Island offers
very little diversity in flying insects,
their staple diet. It is possible that the
island acts as a nutritive 'Black Hole'
for many visiting birds that arrive
already weak and perish due to lack
of food.
 Dendroica petechia aureola
 (Yellow Warbler) (Reinita amarilla)
 Observations: Several (male and
 female) were seen throughout the
 trip, especially around the vegetation
 close to tide line on Chatham and
 Wafer Bay. Slud (1967) reported
 observation records of this species
 after his visit to the island in 1963.
 Pinaroloxias inornata
 (Cocos Finch) (Pinzn de la Isla del