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• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
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Taxonomic note

Previously listed as Pyrrhulagra violacea (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) and before that in the genus Loxigilla following AOU (1998 and supplements); Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993); Stotz et al. (1996). However, Pyrrhulagra now appears to be a junior synonym of Loxigilla, so the name Melopyrrha is adopted. Several subspecies differ almost exclusively in size, and validity questionable. Proposed subspecies parishi (described from Î-à-Vache) supposedly differs in smaller size, but measurements do not confirm this; birds of Beata (and previously those of Catalina) sometimes allotted to this subspecies. Birds of Gonâve and Saona sometimes placed in maurella. Five subspecies tentatively recognized.

Taxonomic source(s)
Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International. 2022. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 7. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v7_Dec22.zip.

Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as common, at least on large islands (Stotz et al. 1996, Rising 2020).

Trend justification: The population trend has not been investigated. Tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 7% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Apart from forests, the species also inhabits thickets, scrub and gardens (Rising 2020); consequently, the current rate of tree cover loss may not be affecting the population. Therefore, in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, the population is suspected to be stable.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Greater Antillean Bullfinch Melopyrrha violacea. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-antillean-bullfinch-melopyrrha-violacea on 18/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 18/12/2024.