Puerto Rican vireo

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Puerto Rican vireo
Vireo latimeri 184651046.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae
Genus: Vireo
Species:
V. latimeri
Binomial name
Vireo latimeri
Baird, 1866
Vireo latimeri map.svg

The Puerto Rican vireo (Vireo latimeri) is a small bird endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico and one of the 31 species belonging to the genus Vireo of the family Vireonidae. Its local name is bien-te-veo ("see-you-well", after the call), not to be confused with the unrelated great kiskadee - also known as bien-te-veo - which is found elsewhere.

Contents

The Puerto Rican vireo has a gray head, a white breast and a yellowish belly. The species measures, on average, 12 cm (4.72 in) and weighs from 11 to 12 grams (0.3880.423 oz).

The Puerto Rican vireo is found in various forested areas of all elevations in Puerto Rico, in wet and dry forests, and mangroves. The birds have been found to be living in the various shade coffee plantations.

Breeding starts from March to July where they lay clutches of 2-3 eggs, that are palish pink with brownish brown spot. Typically, the vireos usually only have enough resources to sustain one chick, and the parents share equal responsibility in caring for the chick by gathering resources and defending the nest from other birds.

An insectivore, the species's diet consists of grasshoppers, caterpillars, cicadas, beetles and aphids and is complemented with spiders, anoles, and berries.

From 1973 until at least 1996, the species suffered a population decline in the Guánica State Forest. The primary reason for this decline was brood parasitism by the shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis). [2]

A study from the 1973-1996 measured the survival rates of Puerto Rican Vreo, by using mist netting techniques in Guiana forest which is 4000 hectares. Since there were no captures in the six of the past ten years this was evident enough to suggest a 5% decrease. Seven nets showed a decrease of from 27 in 1989 to eight captures in 1995. The original net line had a survival rate of 0.68, between 1973-1990, to 0.61 when adding 6 more years to 1996. There was an analysis done which showed after 1994 there was 0.54 annual survival rate. This suggests that either the Vireo emigrated or suffered morality. A leading cause of this was Shiny Cowbirds after being introduced had a severe reaction to the vireo population, of 83% of nests being parasited, leading to 82% of reduction in fledglings. This was evident as the main problem because of no negative decrease in other insectivore birds such as Puerto Rican Flycatcher(Myiarchus antillarum) and the Adelaide's Warblerr (Dendroica adelaidae).

Reasons for population decline are competition over nesting spots with other birds, The shiny cowbird commonly lays it's eggs in the Vireo's nest. As well as, animals brought to hunt rats like mongooses, and cats commonly all threaten their existence. Deforestation and removal of shade coffee plantations also destroys the local ecosystem displacing the vireos. The birds population has been declining for 20 years.

Annual survival rates for the Puerto Rican vireos are 0.74, and the survival rate for the first fledging was 0.40. The longevity record for the Puerto Rican Vireo is 13 years and 2 months this was found through banding and recapturing. 51 males, 14 females, and 13 fletchings, and 10 of unknown sex were the sample and the recapture rate for males was 0.92. Another study conducted after the Hurricane Georges, where they found that overall nest survival was 0.932. They found a 26% decrease in density of territorial males observed the post hurricane year. There was a return rate of 39% of color marked adults the year of the hurricane and 72% the year without the hurricane.

A study was done on genetic diversity of different vireo species, by using random ampifiled polymorphic DNA markers, they found that White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) had much higher genetic diversity with 67% being polymorphic. The island species like Puerto Rican Vireo(V. latimeri) had 38%, Jamaican Vireo (V. modestus) had 34%, and lastly the Blue Mountain Vireo (V. osburni) had 32%. [3] [4] [5]

External audio
Bird Call
Nuvola apps arts.svg Click here to listen to the Puerto Rican Vireo bien-te-veo call

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican dry forests</span> Dry forests in southern Puerto Rico

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shiny cowbird</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican amazon</span> Parrot endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican tody</span> Species of bird

The Puerto Rican tody, locally known in Spanish as San Pedrito, is a bird endemic to the main island of Puerto Rico. In 2022, the tody was approved as the official national bird of Puerto Rico by the legislative assembly. However, the proposal did not advance, largely due to the scientific name of the bird which erroneously identifies it as a native of Mexico. In 2023, the assembly approved a petition to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) seeking the renaming of the tody as Todus borinquensis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican nightjar</span> Species of bird

The Puerto Rican nightjar, Puerto Rican whip-poor-will or guabairo is a bird in the nightjar family found in the coastal dry scrub forests in localized areas of southwestern Puerto Rico. It was described in 1916 from bones found in a cave in north central Puerto Rico and a single skin specimen from 1888, and was considered extinct until observed in the wild in 1961. The current population is estimated as 1,400-2,000 mature birds. The species is currently classified as Endangered due to pressures from habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elfin woods warbler</span> Small bird of the New World warbler family endemic to Puerto Rico

The elfin woods warbler is a species of bird endemic to Puerto Rico, where it is local and uncommon. Discovered in 1968 and described in 1972, it is the most recently described New World warbler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide's warbler</span> Species of bird

Adelaide's warbler, or reinita mariposera is a bird endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico belonging to the genus Setophaga of the family Parulidae. The species is named after Maria Antoinette Adelaide Florentia del Carmen Swift Washburne (1829-1884), daughter of Robert Swift, the person who obtained the first specimen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-shouldered blackbird</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican bullfinch</span> Species of bird

The Puerto Rican bullfinch is a small bullfinch tanager endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico. The species can be commonly found in heavy forests throughout Puerto Rico, except on the easternmost tip of the island. It consumes seeds, fruits, insects, and spiders. The nest is spherical, with an entrance on the side. Typically three light green eggs are laid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guánica State Forest</span> State forest in Puerto Rico

The Guánica State Forest, popularly known as the Guánica Dry Forest is a subtropical dry forest located in southwest Puerto Rico. The area was designated as a forest reserve in 1919 and a United Nations Biosphere Reserve in 1981. It is considered the best preserved subtropical dry forest and the best example of dry forest in the Caribbean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loggerhead kingbird</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahama oriole</span> Species of songbird

The Bahama oriole is a species of songbird in the New World blackbird family Icteridae. It is endemic to the Bahamas, and listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk</span> Subspecies of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilarte State Forest</span> State forest in Puerto Rico

Guilarte State Forest is one of the 20 forests that make up the public forests system in Puerto Rico. The forest is located in the eastern half of the Central Mountain Range or Cordillera Central. The main geographical feature of the forest reserve is Monte Guilarte, which is Puerto Rico's 7th highest mountain at 3,950 feet above sea level. While Monte Guilarte is located in the municipality of Adjuntas, the forest's borders also include parts of Guayanilla, Peñuelas and Yauco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Patricio State Forest</span> Forest in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Patricio State Forest, also known as the San Patricio Urban Forest is one of the 20 forests that make up the public forest system of Puerto Rico. This is a secondary or second-growth forest is located in the Gobernador Piñero district of San Juan, between the neighborhoods of Villa Borinquen, Caparra Heights and Borinquen Towers complex. The urban forest has entrances on Roosevelt Avenue and Ensenada Street. The forest extends to almost 70 acres and it is the smallest protected area in the Puerto Rico state forest system. One of the most distinctive features of the forest is the mogote on its northern edge which can be observed from many parts of San Juan and Guaynabo. The forest is part of the Northern Karst.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vega State Forest</span> Forest in Vega Alta and Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

Vega State Forest is a state forest of Puerto Rico located in the municipalities of Vega Alta and Vega Baja. The subtropical moist forest is located in the northern coast of Puerto Rico in the middle of the karst zone known as the Carso Norteño, and it contains features typical of such geography such as sinkholes, caves and mogotes. It was designated a nature reserve in 1952 and it is fully protected by the Puerto Rico Forest laws of 1975. The forest has a total area of 1,150 acres, divided into six forest units throughout the municipalities of Vega Alta and Vega Baja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican mango</span> Species of hummingbird

The Puerto Rican mango is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Polytminae. It is found on the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and the American Virgin Islands.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Vireo latimeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22705222A94006392. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22705222A94006392.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. John Faaborg; Kate M. Dugger; Wayne J. Arendt; Bethany L. Woodworth & Michael E. Baltz (June 1997). "Population declines of the Puerto Rican Vireo in the Guánica State Forest" (PDF). Wilson Bulletin. 109 (2): 195–202. Retrieved 2006-08-15.
  3. "Puerto Rican Vireo - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  4. Faaborg, John; Dugger, Kate M.; Arendt, Wayne J.; Woodworth, Bethany L.; Baltz, Michael E. (1997). "Population Declines of the Puerto Rican Vireo in Guánica Forest". The Wilson Bulletin. 109 (2): 195–202. ISSN   0043-5643. JSTOR   4163802.
  5. Tossas, A. G (2008). "Reproductive success of the Puerto Rican Vireo in a montane habitat. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 120(3), 471-476". doi:10.1676/07-083.1.

[1]

[2]

Further reading

  1. Zwartjes, Patrick W. (October 1999). "Genetic Variability in the Endemic Vireos of Puerto Rico and Jamaica Contrasted with the Continental White-Eyed Vireo". The Auk. 116 (4): 964–975. doi:10.2307/4089676. ISSN   0004-8038. JSTOR   4089676.
  2. "From the Nest – Day 71". BirdsCaribbean. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2024-11-04.