Jamaica, the third largest island in the Caribbean, is dominated by an extensive cordillera (c.80% of the island is hilly or mountainous) which includes the John Crow Mountains (reaching more than 1,000 m in altitude) near the eastern coast, the Blue Mountains (with a highest point of 2,256 m), and a series of lower limestone hills (including the Cockpit Country) in the west.

The island was once almost entirely covered by forest, of which there are four main types whose distribution is determined by the rainfall pattern: dry (deciduous) limestone forest on southern lowlands and hills; intermediate limestone forest in the central uplands, wet and very wet limestone forest in the Cockpit Country and John Crow Mountains (mainly between 30 and 750 m); and rain forest (lowlands largely cleared, but montane forest remains in the higher parts of the Blue Mountains).

As well as being significant for restricted-range species, Jamaica is an important refuge for migratory birds. Thus, during the northern winter the native avifauna is almost doubled (to c.250 species) by long-distance migrants from North and Central America.

Jamaica has the highest number of endemic species of any Caribbean island, and a very distinct avifauna with five endemic genera-Pseudoscops, Trochilus, Loxipasser, Euneornis and Nesopsar.

All the restricted-range species occur in forest (mostly in rain forest, although a few favour forest on limestone) and, although most species occur in both the lowlands and mountains, many are altitudinal migrants which breed only in the mid- to high-level forests. Most species, like Trochilus polytmus, Jamaica’s national bird, are quite widely distributed, but its congener T. scitulus (which is treated here as a separate species, following Schuchmann 1978) is one exception, being restricted to the eastern end of the island.

The subspecific status of Jamaican Parakeet Aratinga nana nana and Jamaican Tanager Spindalis zena nigricephala is questionable and both may prove to be full species (C. Levy in litt. 1993), although they have not been treated as such here.

Jamaica’s lowlands have been mostly cleared for agriculture and overall some 75% of the original forest has been lost (Haynes et al. 1989). Remaining forest is largely secondary in nature and it is only the montane forest in the most remote, inaccessible and steep part of the island that has survived undisturbed. The last 10-20 years has seen a resurgence in the growth and profitability of coffee (for example, the world-famous Blue Mountain variety), which has led to the loss of much secondary growth, potentially good habitat for some birds. Modern methods of cultivation rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, insecticides and often herbicides, and these could pose widespread problems for wildlife. Other current threats are the establishment of plantations (mostly of Caribbean pine Pinus caribaea), removal of trees for charcoal-burning, deliberate fires, small-scale farming, clearance for development, firewood-gathering and heavy recreational use (see, e.g. Dinerstein et al. 1995; also Eyre 1987).

Periodic hurricanes are a serious threat to remaining forest areas. For example, in 1988 Hurricane Gilbert (one of the most powerful ever recorded) caused widespread damage, with 43% of trees in the John Crow mountains either toppled or with crowns broken (Varty 1991). The montane nectar-feeders and fruit-/seedeaters are especially vulnerable to damage caused by hurricanes, particularly as most lowland forest (which might provide temporary refuge) is already cleared (Wunderle et al. 1992).

Despite these conservation problems, only three restricted-range species have been identified as threatened, although five more are classified as Near Threatened. The three threatened species suffer from habitat loss (as do the other endemics) but additional dangers compound this effect. Thus, constant hunting pressure on Columba caribaea has contributed to the great reduction in its numbers and range over the past 150 years, and it is now judged to be Critical. Introduced rats and mongooses are the most likely cause of the disappearance of Siphonorhis americanus, also Critical; this bird was last recorded in 1863 and is so little known that its habitat preferences are still uncertain, but there are recent unconfirmed reports of caprimulgids that do not fit any other known species on the island, and it is therefore not treated as extinct. Poaching for food and trapping for the local bird trade is a further problem for Amazona agilis, although recent information indicates a healthy and numerous populations in the Cockpit Country (C. Levy in litt. 1997). The recent discovery on Jamaica of Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis, a brood parasite, may put the populations of some of the endemic species at risk (C. Levy in litt. 1993) (e.g. see Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, EBA 029, for a similar problem there).

Three widespread threatened birds also occur on the island: West Indian Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arborea (Vulnerable), Piping Plover Charadrius melodus (Vulnerable; winter only) and Plain Pigeon Columba inornata (Endangered). Jamaican Petrel Pterodroma caribbaea (Critical), a seabird which was once an abundant breeder in the forests of the Blue and John Crow mountains, was killed off by introduced mongooses and human exploitation, but it may conceivably still survive.

With a growing population, easier transport and economic hardships, there is increasing pressure to cultivate the higher, still-forested mountain slopes. To protect the natural vegetation and wildlife, and the largest watershed in the island, the Blue Mountain and John Crow National Park has recently been set up, extending over nearly 800 km². This is part of a system of protected areas comprising some 40 or more legally designated forest reserves throughout the island, although the long-term security and therefore value of these is uncertain, as the reserves are unmanaged and unmonitored, and neither hunting nor habitat destruction are controlled (C. Levy in litt. 1993, A. and R. Sutton in litt. 1993).

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) Endemic Bird Areas of the World. Priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series 7. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Endemic Bird Area factsheet: Jamaica. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/eba/factsheet/23 on 26/12/2024.