Palm chat (Dulus dominicus) The Palm chat (Dulus dominicus), an endemic bird species, is the national bird of the Dominican Republican. Experts believe the Palm chat evolved in isolation on the island of Hispaniola and never flew to the other islands of the Caribbean. The Palm chat builds a nest larger than six feet wide and four feet high, wedged in the base of palm fronds. This initial nest is expanded and enlarged each year until it eventually doubles in size. Individuals of a single colony build these nests together, and then subdivide the space into smaller units. A group of 14 birds, for example, will split the nest into 7 cavities. By nesting together, Palm chats practice a survival strategy called dilution effect. As members of a large flock, each individual has a statistically higher chance of survival. (Photo courtesy of Eladio Fernandez)

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