Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This endemic species occupies a small and restricted range and is undergoing a continuing decline in range, locations, and mature individuals. As such, it is assessed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
This species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996). The population has been estimated to number 30,000-37,000 pairs (Nytch et al. 2015); this roughly converts to 60,000-74,000 mature individuals. Although it can be difficult to find, it is widespread across Puerto Rico and is common in forests, plantations, and coastal areas at all elevations (Castro-Prieto et al. 2021, Faaborg and Wiewel 2022). Assuming that 60,000 mature individuals is the absolute minimum therefore, the population is suspected to be fairly large, and is placed here in the band of 60,000-99,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is inferred to be undergoing a moderate decline due to evidence of reduction after hurricanes, which cause severe habitat loss, with the species having limited adaptability to these post-hurricane environments.
Within its range, tree cover has been lost at a rate of c. 11-12% over the past three generations (11.01 years); since 2016 this has increased to a rate equivalent to c. 25-26% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). However, this acceleration in forest loss was largely driven by the impacts of Hurricane Irma and Maria, which hit Puerto Rico in 2017, causing an annual loss of 10-11% (Global Forest Watch 2022). In the years prior to and after these hurricanes, tree cover loss was <1% per year (Global Forest Watch 2022). The species also occurs in a variety of habitats and may be more stable in the lowlands of Puerto Rico (Castro-Prieto et al. 2021, J. Wunderle in litt. 2022), whilst it also frequents protected areas (Faaborg and Wiewel 2022).
However, it is suspected that population declines may accelerate beyond the rate of tree cover loss alone, primarily due to the limited ability of this species to adapt to post-hurricane environments which are invariably increasing due to climate change (Irizarry et al. 2021). After Hurricane Maria in 2017, it is thought that the species is particularly facing declines in the higher elevation habitats of Puerto Ricco, perhaps due to increased cover in ferns and grasses, resultantly leading to limited foraging sites and growth of fruit and seed-bearing trees (J. Wunderle in litt. 2022). Surveys following Hurricane Maria also found that the probability of occupancy and detection had declined in various habitat types (Wunderle 2017, Lloyd et al. 2019, Irizarry et al. 2021); for example, the species had disappeared from over 75 sites by 2018 (Lloyd et al. 2019). Therefore, the population is suspected to be declining at a rate of 20-29% over three generations. This rate may further accelerate in the future as hurricane occurrence increases as a consequence of climate change (Knutson et al. 2010, Walsh et al. 2016).Melopyrrha portoricensis is confined to Puerto Rico (del Hoyo et al. 2011).
The species is common at all elevations, occurring in dense mountain forests or dry, coastal thickets and irregularly in mangroves (Faaborg and Wiewel 2022). It is less abundant in the eastern part of the island but will occur along forests gaps (Faaborg and Wiewel 2022). It also occurs in coffee plantations (Castro-Prieto et al. 2021). It feeds on seeds, fruit and other plant matter (Faaborg and Wiewel 2022). The species breeds sporadically although the main breeding season is between February/March and June (Castro-Prieto et al. 2021, Faaborg and Wiewel 2022).
The species is threatened by habitat loss within its small range. Annual rates of tree cover loss are low (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), however, following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the rate of tree cover loss increased drastically. The species also has poor ability to adapt to post-hurricane environments and has undergone reduced detection in habitats following Hurricane Maria in particular (Lloyd et al. 2019). As the occurrence of hurricanes invariably increases due to climate change therefore (Knutson et al. 2010, Walsh et al. 2016), the subsequent destruction in forested habitat is likely to impact the population size significantly.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas within its range, including El Yunque National Forest. Several conservation priorities have also been identified (Nytch et al. 2015).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Investigate the impact of habitat loss through hurricanes on the population size. Research the species's biology and nesting behaviour (Faaborg and Wiewel 2022). Monitor the population trend. Protect suitable habitat within the range.
Text account compilers
Fernando, E., Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Phalan, B. & Wunderle, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: Puerto Rican Bullfinch Melopyrrha portoricensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/puerto-rican-bullfinch-melopyrrha-portoricensis on 01/01/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 01/01/2025.