PuertoRicanAvifauna

NaimulIslamUniversityofPennsylvaniaMay2016

Puerto Rico’s diverse climate, geology, and topography set the stage for development of various ecologicalcommunities ranging from coral reefs offshore to elfin cloud forests atop the highest volcanic peaks. In “FieldStudy of Puerto Rico’s Ecology”, we explored the unique natural areas of the island to better understand theconnection between the abiotic and biotic factors characteristic of the wet, moist, and dry environments ondifferent bedrock. Birds with their specific habitat requirements indicated changing conditions as we movedfrom thenortheast corner of the island wherewe explored the sweep of land from El YunqueNational Forest tothe Northeast Ecological Corridor to the southwest corner where we moved along a transect from seagrass bedand fringing mangrove swamp to dry tropical forest in Guanica. Naimul’s love of birds animated our trip. Hisphotos and thoseof fellow classmates reveal thebeauty of Puerto Rico’s avifauna from the tiny hummingbird tothe elusive yellow-shouldered blackbird to the ubiquitous bananaquit. Awareness and appreciation of thesespectacular creatures is the first step towards their preservation. Thank you, Naimul!

SallyWillig, PhDLecturer and Academic AdvisorSchool of Arts and ScienceUniversity of Pennsylvania

The birds of Puerto Rico are captivating withtheir vibrant, tropical colors and their songsbeautifully entrancing. March must be themost wonderful month to visit Puerto Rico,because everywhere you turn, at everymoment there is bird activity; singing,dancing, flitting, chattering, foraging, andgathering. There's a constant thrill of findingan endemic and amazement of the beauty ofthe other tropical species. From the top of ElYunque to the cliffs of Cabo Rojo there arebirds that have adapted to all the conditionsthe island has to offer and yet there areotherbirds that have secured a niche in just one.Even when most birds call it a night and thefrog chorus begins to erupt, one can here thecomical screech owls or enjoy thewonderfully monotonous trill of the nightjar,never to be seen. Always a bird to find, andalways a song to be heard, Puerto Rico is abeautiful place to be.-Allison Fetterman

All photographs used in this publication arebelongs to Naimul Islam. Feel free to copy anduse. For more information or higher qualityimage contact through–naimul@sas.upenn.edu

Puerto Rico – incubator of evolutionPuerto Rico with an area of 5,320 square miles with its length east to west is 110 miles and widthfrom north to south is 40 miles, is the smallest island of the Greater Antilles. A team of 14 peoplefrom the class “Field Study of Puerto’s Ecology” had visited the beautiful island over the Springbreak from March 06 to March 13, 2016. Puerto Rico has enough interesting and spectacularlooking avifauna to attract nature lovers from all over the world. The island is home to 276 birdspecies (Raffaele 1989). Around 80 bird species were counted by Alison Fetterman and CaitlinWelsh during the 8 days long field trip, including 13 of Puerto Rican’s 16 endemic species. Out of141 breeding bird species (Raffaele 1989), 16 species are Puerto Rican endemics, while another 15are endemic to the Caribbean basin (AOU 1998). 120 bird species regularly nest on the mainisland. Large number of species are introduced (around 35) by man and occurs accidentally (alsoknown as straggler species).The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, located in the Northeast Caribbean, supports a wide range ofavifauna. The subtropical condition of the Island, geographical history and location has had asignificant effect on species diversity. Tropical rainforest, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, coastalmangrove patches, dry deciduous forest, wetlands (coastal and inland swamp), thorn scrub,farmlands and plantations (coffee, bananaand sugarcane) arecommon habitats for avifauna.Island bird communities are particularly susceptible to catastrophic declines due to their smallpopulation sizes and the fact that the species are often narrowly adapted to the conditions of theirlimited range (Temple 1985). According to the Birdlife International, the endemic Yellow-shouldered Blackbird has apopulation of 1250 individuals.

Taxonomy: Avifauna species presented in this magazine followed the taxonomy and thecommon names proposed by AmericanOrnithologist’s Union (AOU).Conservation status: habitat loss is the number one threat for not only birds but also for otherwildlife. Infrastructural development, rapid urban expansion and extraction of natural resourcesare main threats for conservation. However, reintroduction and restoration efforts are helpingreestablish habitat for critically endangered species like endemic Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazonavittata). Besides anthropogenic causes, increased number of natural disasters (e.g. tropicalhurricane) are also threatening biodiversity and conservation efforts. Birdlife Internationalrecognizes that conversion of land (agricultural and forest land) for housing projects, constructionof roads and forest fragmentation are major concerns as it promotes negative impacts from exoticspecies, spread of diseases, illegal hunting, filling of wetland and pollution amongstother effects.This pictorial magazine reflect our observation and experiences from the field trip. The map belowshows the important ecological spots we have visited in Puerto Rico, from March 06 to March 13in the year 2016.

ThecollectionofphotographedspeciesincludesfollowingOrderandFamilyofPuertoRicanavifauna-Order:Suliformes;Family:Fregatidae,Sulidae

Order:Pelecaniformes;Family:Pelecanidae,ArdeidaeOrder:Accipitriformes Family:Cathartidae,Pandionidae,Accipitridae

Order:Gruiformes Family:RallidaeOrder:Charadriiformes Family:Recurvirostridae ,Haematopodisae,Charadridae,Scolopacidae,Laridae

Order:Columbiformes;Family:ColumbidaeOrder:Cuculiformes;Family:CuculidaeOrder:Apodiformes;Family:TrochilidaeOrder:Coraciiformes;Family:TodidaeOder:Falconiformes;Family:Falconidae

Order:Passeriformes;Family:Tyrannidae,Vireonidae,mimidae,Parulidae,Thaupidae,Emberizidae,Icteridae,Passeridae,Fringillidae

Sites visited:Amazingly, it is possible to find great forest hike routes all over Puerto Rico, as we had uncoveredmany unfamiliar paths. We covered all three corners of the island and its ecologically importantsites, fromLuquillo to Isabela, Guanica to Cabo Rojo.El YunqueNational Forest– the oneand only rainforestunder theUS Fish andWildlifeServiceNorthestEcological Corridor (NEC) and LagunaGrande– importantnaturereserve in the islandPterocarpus Swamp Forest– forestof nativeBloodwood treewith buttressing rootsGuanica State Forest/ dry forest–U.N BiosphereReserveandworld’s best managed dry forestCabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge – where wildlife blend with history and of endangered Yellowshouldered Blackbird.Guajataca State Forest– the uniquekarst region in Puerto Ricowith exceptional landscapeandTibes Indian Ceremonial Center.

Photo: Great Egret on flight in NEC

Fregatamagnificens(MagnificientFrigatebird)New world champion bird;Large and unmistakablefrigatebird; widespread; lesspelagic than the other two(Greater Fregata minor, andLesser Fregata ariel). Malebreed in each year whilefemale breed in every otheryear. Male has Gular sac,which it inflats to attract amate. Indulge inKleptoparasitism (parasitismby theft. Birds habitually rob orsteal food from other animalfor living). Frigatebirds evenchase other birds for food andforce them to disgorge theirmeals. Silent flier and neverland on water. Common andlocal resident throughout thecoastal areas.

Sulaleucogaster (BrownBooby)Widespread breeder in the Caribbean. Feed on fish andsquid; capable to seize prey from the surface. LikeFrigatebirds, Booby has Kleptoparasitism behavior (habituallyrob or steal food from other animal for living).

Pelecanus occidentalis(BrownPelican)–

AspiritedbirdPolytypic 5 subspecies.Widespread in thewestern hemisphere;breed on island or remotecoastal locations. Dive likekingfisher, bill-first.Occasional targets ofKleptoparasitism by otherpelagic birds (e.g.frigatebirds).

Egretta caerulea (LittleBlueHeron)– Lonerbird

Widely Distributed heron. “CalicoHeron” – (Calico Plumage) at 10-13months of age, replace whiteplumage in the calico plumage. As itgets older, becomes loner. Habitat –mangrove, rocky stream, marshesand coastlines.

Cathartes aura(TurkeyVulture)

Widespread; hasextraordinary sense of smellto locate foodNo voicebox, cant sing orcall. Vocalization limited tohisses and grunts. It has thelargest olfactory (smelling)system of all birds. Turkaeyvultures can smell carrionswhich are about a day old.They prefer fresh meat.They have strong beak totear off meat, whereas,feats are useless.Work hard to gain the flightand rarely needs to flaptheir wings

Pandionhaliaetus(Osprey)

Polytypic 4 subspecies; pale-headed subspecies ridgwayifound in Puerto Rico.Widespread; cosmopolitanand highly migratory raptor.An excellent angler, successfulhunter, has reversible toeslike owl species. 99% dietincludes fish, occasionallyprey on other small birds,rodents and amphibians.Wide range of habitat, haveto be near fish sources. Oftennest on the readily useableman-madeplatform

Osprey- Acosmopolitankiller

Habitat includes well-vegetated marshes, emergentvegetation where they can easily hide and/or forage. Thissecretive birds are able to walk on the lilypads. Despite ofrapid habitat loss, moorhen population is thriving.

Gallinula galeataCommonGallinule–Anewworldchampion

Himantopus mexicanus (Black-necked Stilt ) Widespread;large shorebird with very long, thin red legs. Wide variety ofshallow wetlands including inland marshes , swamps,coastline and seasonally f looded wetlands. Tend to nest nearwater, above the surface. Highly protective and territorialduring breeding season.

Large conspicuous shorebird. Specialized in feeding on marineinvertebrates or bivalves (oysters, clams and mussels). Salt marshes, rockycoastlines, mudflats, dunes are common habitat. Commonly found in pairs.

Haematopus palliatus (AmericanOystercatcher)

Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailedHawk)Polytypic, 14 recognized Subspecies.Caribbean subspecies are fairly pale.Sexually dimorphic. Feed on smallmammals, small birds, reptiles and carrion.Wide range of habitats over wide range ofaltitude – scrublands, deserts, rainforest,woodlands and urban areas. Highly adaptiveto adverse and rapid changing conditions.Unlike other hawks, pairs remain togetherfor years. Highly territorial (depends onfood availability); female are moreaggressive around the nest, whereas, maleshows aggressive behavior when breeds.

Himantopusmexicanus - anelegantwader

Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated Plover)

‘Semipalmated’ refer to its webbed feet.Widespread neotropical shorebird.Distributed all over North and SouthAmerica. Common on beaches, lakeshores,tidal flats and near mangroves. Found inlarge, mixed g roup of shorebirds. Feed onsmall insects, crustaceans and worms

Charadrius vociferous(Killdeer)

Killdeer: Distinguishable double-breastedband. Habitat includes meadows, gravellysubstrate, coastal wetlands, grasslands andhuman-modified landscapes. Chicks areprecocial – able to feed themselves shortlyafter birth. Feed on insects, fruits andcrustaceans.

Found almost all over the world. Wide-range ofhabitat – rocky beaches, mudflats, mangrove,coastlines, swamps and coastal wetlands. Feed oninsects and crustaceans or gastropod mollusks.Able to flicks stones with its bill. Specialized inrouting (manipulate piles of seaweeds throughpecking or flicking to unearth preys), turningstones, digging, probing, hammer-probing andsurface-pecking.

Tringa solitaria (Solitary Sandpiper)

A beach bopper.Boreal and medium-sized shorebird; widespreadspecies forage alone along the beaches, coastalmarshes, mudflats, mangroves and forest edges.This boreal sandpiper lays its eggs in the nests ofRobin, Blackbirds or Kingbirds

Arenaria interpres (RuddyTurnstone)

Tringa flavipes (Lesser Yellowlegs): Mixes with other common shorebirds, in small groups. Tamer thanits larger relative, typically confuse birdwatchers. Habitat includes salt flats, mud flats, mangrove,marshes and shore. Nest in open boreal forest, near open water. Common non-breeding resident inPuerto Rico.

Actitis macularius (Spotted Sandpiper): mostwidespread sandpiper and one of the climatethreatened shorebirds (Audubon). Characterized as‘Pioneering species’, capable to colonize quicklyand frequently in new sites. Due to chronicshortage of male species, female produce less thannumber of eggs than their physiological capacity.Female follows unique ‘Polyandry’ strategy, mateswith up to four males. Often solitary sandpiper,mostly feed on insects and small fishes, commonlyfound along the bank of ponds, river and shore.Also called teeter-peer, teeter-snipe and jerk birdbecause of their teetering appearances.

Spotted Sandpiper

Calidris himantopus (StiltSandpiper)

Calidris himantopus – another climate threatenedsandpiper. Medium-sized sandpiper prefer to liveaway from own kind but close to other shorebirds.Ground nester, feed mostly on seeds, insects andsmall fishes. Forage in mangrove, marshes andshorebanks.

Calidris minutilla (Least Sandpiper) –widespread tiny bird, also known as peeps.Distinguishable by its yellowish-green legs. Oftenfound in large flocks of hundreds. Tend to forage insmall group at the upper edge of salt flats ormudflats and in drier sideof themarshes. Feed oninvertebrates. Both sexes are similar.

Thalasseus maximus (Royal Tern): A delightful Social shorebird. Flagship speciesamong the crested terns in the Western Hemisphere. Habitat includes coastal wetlands;found only near salt water bodies. Feed on small fishes in the open water along thecoastal lagoon, mangrove and salt marshes. Able to catch fish on flight, steal food fromother and sometimes feeds at night. Colonial nester; built by both sexes.

Columba squamosal (Scaly-naped Pegion): Common andWidespread in PR. Arboreal bird frequently seen in themountain rainforest (El Yunque National Forest) . Primaryfood source includes fruits, seeds and buds.

Columbina passerine(Common Ground-Dove):forms permanent pair-bonds(tend not to form a flocks).Most often hold permanentterritory. One of the smallestdoves; widespread habitat;Nest on the ground and feedon grasses and seeds.

Geotrygon mystacea (Bridled Quail-Dove): Beautiful,Shy, secretive and inconspicuous ground dwelling dove.Inhabit in dense mountain forests, woodland areas andlowlands. When forage, they walk through treebranches close to ground and feed on fruits, seeds andbuds. population declining fast because of tropicalstorm and habitat loss (structural development).Extremely rareand local in Puerto Rico.

Geotrygonmystacea–ForestGhost

Zenaida asiatica (White-winged Dove)

Zenaida aurita (ZenaidaDove)

Native, common resident andwidespread; well adapted to alteredenvironment and human presenceacross Puerto Rico. Forage on groundand feeds on seeds, fruits , berries andoccasionally nectar. Habitat includes dryforest, scrublands, mangrove, urban andsuburban gardens and coastal areas.Nest in colonies.

Medium sized browndove. Commonresident. Habitatincludes mangrove,woodland and coastalareas. Feeds on seedsand fruits. Forage onboth trees and ground.

Commoninscrubland, brushyfieldsandcoastalareas.Conicalblackbilladaptedtofeedonseedsandfruits.

Tiaris bicolor (Black-facedGrassquit)

Seiurus noveboracensis(NorthernWaterthrush)

Common non-breeding resident.Terrestrial teetering warbler species.Winters in Puerto Rico, particularlyrainforest and mangrove. Feeds oninsects and crustaceans from leaf litter.

Euphoniamusica (AntilleanEuphonia)

Puerto Rican sub-speciez has bright yellow rumpand underparts. Locally common, forage on treesand small bushes in dry scrub forests and coffeeplantation. Travel and colonize in small groups.

Butorides virescens (GreenHeron)

Small and stocky, common wetlandheron. Adults are colorful and percheson waterside overhang to catch fishand amphibians with their spear-likebill. Often use bait to attract prey.Stand motionless and noiseless onprop roots and along the edge ofponds, river and marshes. Habitatincludes coastal mangrove forests,wetlands and pterocarpus swampforests.Nest close to wet areas.

Crotophaga ani (Smooth-billed Ani) – A social lowlandsbird. Widespread and commonresident in Puerto Rico.Distinctive bill, adapted to feedon invertebrates, fruit andinsects. Forage through themiddle tier and sometimes bushcanopy and walk on the groundto search for prey. Feeds onarthropods, lizards and frog.Many female group member laysegg together in the same nest, asmany as 36 eggs may be found ina singlenest

Coccyzus vieilloti (Puerto RicanLizard-Cuckoo): Endemic to PuertoRican species. Feed on different lizardsfound in bushes and lowland forests.Inhabit in medium-sized trees and shrubsincluding mangrove species. Commonhabitat range cover coastal mangrovepatches to the mountainous forests in theGuanica dry forest and Guajataca StateForest, coffee plantation and other partsof the island. Also found in the coffeeplantations. Slowly forage into theunderstory and feed on different lizardsspecies, insects and spiders. Unlike otheravifauna, cuckoos fly in a direct line.

Coccyzusminor(MangroveCuckoo):

Silent and Widespread; sometimesdifficult to detect in bushes. notrestricted to the mangroves but toother forest and lowlands alongthe tropics. Common resident inPuerto Rico. Forage in the trees,shrubs and small bushes;sometimes found in the rockycoastal bushes in pairs. Usuallynest 2-3 meter above water in amangrove tree or in a fork of alocal tree. Diet similar to otherCoccyzus species. Both sexes aresimilar. A group of cuckoos arecollectively knownas “Cooch”.

Falcosparverius(AmericanKestrel) Agelaius xanthomus (Yellow-shoulderedBlackbird

Endangered species; endemic to Puerto Rico.Conspicuous songbird, inhabits in coastal dry forests,mangrove and adjacent pastures. Brood parasitismcaused significant damage along with anthropogenicdisturbances. Since 1976, various conservation effortsimproving its population. Feeds mainly on insects.Sedentary. Often mobs against predator in a group.

Widespread andcommon; smallestfalcon. Prey onsmall rodents , birds,insects andinvertebrates.Cavity nester.

Vireoaltiloquus (Black-whiskeredVireo)

Black-whiskered Vireo: Common breeding resident inPuerto Rico. Widespread in west-indies. Mostly found intropical and sub0tropical forests and coastal forests.Compete with warblers for food, feeds on fruits andinsects. Nests in the fork of tree branches. Forage inhigher canopy.

Vireolatimeri (PuertoRicanVireo)

Endemic to Puerto Rico. Distinctive grey head and two-toned yellowish belly. Common throughout the mainisland, mainly in forestlands. Forage into the midstoryvegetation for insects. Locally known as bien-te-veo.

Anthracothoraxdominicus (AntilleanMango)

Nesospingus speculiferus (PuertoRicanTanager)

Dendroica adelaidae (Adelaide’sWarbler)

Common and widespread tropical andsubtropical forest resident. Endemic to theWest Indies. This large and solitaryhummingbirds mostly feed on nectar takenfrom flowers. Also feeds on insects. Femalebuilt the cup-likenest on small plants.

Adelaide’sWarbler is oneof the endemic species tothe archipelago of Puerto Rico. Also known as‘butterfly-eating warbler’. Yellowish breast, greyupperpart, yellow lines over both eyes and white‘half-moon’ crescent below the eye are specialidentification features. Non-migratory commonresident in dry forests such asGuanica State Forest,limestone forests and thickets. Very distinctive callhearable all day long in themedium and small sizedtrees and shrubs. Feeds on insects (typically preferscaterpillars). Found them in pairs alongwith PuertoRican todies.

Puerto Rican Tanager – specialized in anting. Endemicto Puerto Rico. Common resident in mountain forestsuch as El Yunque Rainforest. Master of controllinginsects population. Besides insects, diet includes fruitsand small amphibians. Adapted to higher elevationsand dense vegetation. Mostly chattering and engagedforaging in small groups. Population expanding toother suitable locations, particularly where there arepalm and bamboo plant species areavailable.

Icterusicterus(VenezuelanTroupial)

Tyrannus dominicensis (GrayKingbird)

“I just think that they (birds) appear gentle,modest and alerted. And, one general thingI always wonder about birds is that theirlittle bodies could make such deep-lungedand sonorous voice, and that the night inPuerto Rico was louder/lively than thedaytime because of their presence andother insects’ calls” - Xin Wang

Mimuspolyglottos(NorthernMockingbird)

NiftySingerDistributed almost all over NorthAmerica and Puerto Rico. Highlyadaptive to disturbed and alteredenvironment. Prefers open and sparsegrassland and forages in small bushesand plantation areas for earthworms,lizards, seeds, fruits and berries(omnivorous).

Large oriole, common insouthwest Puerto Rico.Found in dry forest,scrubland and coastalareas. Unmistakablebright orange underpartand black head and tail.Feeds on insects, fruitsand nectar. ThisVenezuelan national birdwas successfullyintroduced in Puerto Rico.

Todus mexicanus (PuertoRicanTody)

Coereba flaveola (Bananaquit)

“One thing I noticed about the Puerto Rican Todywas its ability to adapt to various climates. Weobserved them in the wet conditions of therainforest and saw evidence of them burrowing intothe thick clay ridges to build nests. We also sawthem in the dry conditions of the Guanica DryForest, where they burrow into the dry, limestonecliffs. Adaptation equals success!” – Joe Durrance

Bananaquits are brilliant, bold and busybird. Common resident in the island.Found all over Puerto Rico, in almost alltypes of habitats. Forage in rainforest, dryforest, swamp forest and plantations in asmall group. Feeds on insects and nectar.

An adorable bird. Themost magnificent andenthralling endemic birdspecies of our trip. Thistiny bird has the mostspectacular combinationof classic elegance green,red and white colors.Widespread, commonresident throughoutPuerto Rico .

AflockofseriousbirdwatchersatSabana field station,PuertoRico.

References

• American Ornithologist’s Union. 1998. Check-list ofNorth American Birds. 7th edition. Washington,DC: American Ornithologist’s Union.• Temple, S. A. 1985. Why endemic island birds areso vulnerable to extinction. In: S. A. Temple,editor. Bird Conservation 2. International Councilon Bird Preservation, U.S. Section. Madison, WI:The University of Wisconsin Press; 3-6.• Raffaele, H. A. 1989. A guide to the birds of PuertoRico and the Virgin Islands. New Jersey:Princeton University Press.• Information retrieved from following onlinesources (as of May 2016) –• http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/home• http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/tree• http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=107676• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/royal-tern• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruddy_Turnstone/id