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Tenants of the Trees<\/h1>\n
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By Mikaela B. and Eshana S.<\/p>\n
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no mystery how the palmchat got its name. These little birds love palm trees, and they never seem to stop chattering. High above the ground, they fill the air with their chirps, squeaks, and whistles, a soundtrack heard all across the Dominican Republic<\/strong>. They\u2019re also known in Spanish as cigua palmera<\/em>, which means \u201cpalm bird.\u201d<\/p>\n Their nests are just as remarkable as their noise. Instead of roosting alone, palmchats team up to build sprawling, shared homes in the treetops. As many as 30 pairs or more unite to create a tangled ball of twigs and vines about three feet (one meter) wide. Each pair has its own little chamber inside the communal nest. With so many birds living side by side, the tree becomes a busy, boisterous neighborhood.<\/p>\n In spring, palmchats lay their eggs, which are grayish purple with dark speckles. One mother bird can lay up to four eggs. Both parents help out by taking turns keeping the eggs warm and flying back and forth to feed berries and insects to their chicks.<\/p>\n More Than Just a Bird<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The palmchat is a distinctive species found only in the Caribbean. They\u2019re the national bird of the Dominican Republic and the only bird in the genus Dulus<\/em> and family Dulidae<\/em> worldwide. Palmchats are about eight inches (20 centimeters) long, with olive-brown feathers, creamy white streaks on their bellies, and short beaks. Protecting them helps maintain biodiversity and the health of the environment.<\/p>\n Palmchats are part of culture and history. People grow up hearing their sounds, seeing them in schoolbooks, and learning about nature from them. The birds gather in parks, gardens, and even on telephone poles, making them a familiar sight for both city and country dwellers.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A palmchat in its nest. Adaptation of “Palmchat<\/a>” by Ron Savage. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Why Palmchats Matter<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Palmchats are special for other reasons, too.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to protect the cigua palmera. They\u2019re not just birds. They\u2019re builders, helpers, symbols, and neighbors.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/DR-GMS_Palmchat_Cigua-Palmera-_-Dulus-dominicus-_-Palmchat-by-Carlos-De-Soto-Molinari.png” alt=”Wide-angle view of the Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, featuring the prominent totem-like %22Totem Telurico%22 sculpture, stone steps, green railings, and vintage-style street lamps under a clear blue sky” title_text=”DR GMS_Palmchat_Cigua Palmera _ Dulus dominicus _ Palmchat by Carlos De Soto Molinari” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/DR-GMS_Palmchat_Cigua-Palmera.-Foto-Pedrito-Guzman-7.png” alt=”Children playing in a circular splash pad fountain at Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, with streams of water shooting up and the tall %22Totem Telurico%22 sculpture visible in the background” title_text=”DR GMS_Palmchat_Cigua Palmera. Foto Pedrito Guzman 7″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Extension Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n The Dominican Republic is home to more than 300 diverse bird species. In 1987 the country chose the palmchat, a small, brown creature seen almost everywhere, as its national bird. Why do you think this familiar choice was made instead of something more exotic? What might that decision reveal about what the country values?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Dominican-Republic-GMS_Palmchat-by-Ron-Savage-1000-x-667-px.png\")
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