VU
Puerto Rican Nightjar Antrostomus noctitherus



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Antrostomus noctitherus (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) was previously placed in the genus Caprimulgus.

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv)

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2023 Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv)
2016 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)
2012 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)
2011 Endangered B1a+b(i,ii,iii)
2010 Critically Endangered B1a+b(i,ii,iii)
2009 Critically Endangered B1a+b(i,ii,iii)
2008 Critically Endangered
2004 Critically Endangered
2000 Critically Endangered
1996 Critically Endangered
1994 Critically Endangered
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 1,570 km2 good
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 1,152 km2
Number of locations 6-10 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2700-9900 mature individuals medium estimated 2010
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 2016-2027
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-5% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-5% - - -
Generation length 3.68 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: Based on transect counts in three sites (Guanicá, Susúa and Guayanilla), the average population density was estimated at 0.86-1.73 individuals/ha (Gónzález 2010). This value may however be overly optimistic as the study was carried out at the species' strongholds (Gónzález 2010); consequently, densities in other parts of the range may be lower (see eBird 2023). It is therefore precautionarily assumed that only 25% of the forests within the range are occupied at this density (i.e., c.4,800-8,600 ha; Global Forest Watch 2023). Based on these assumptions, the global population may number around 4,100-14,900 individuals. This roughly equates to 2,700-9,900 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The population trend has not been quantified, but declines are suspected on the basis of the slow loss and degradation of its preferred dry forest habitat.
Tree cover loss within the range is currently low (2-3% over three generations; Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Even though the species shows a strong preference for dry forests and occurs at much lower densities in open, shrubby and secondary habitats, the low rate of tree cover loss is unlikely to be driving major declines. Tentatively, it is suspected that current population declines do not exceed 5% over three generations.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Puerto Rico (to USA) extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Puerto Rico (to USA) Guaniquilla and Boquerón
Puerto Rico (to USA) Karso del Sur
Puerto Rico (to USA) Maricao and Susúa
Puerto Rico (to USA) Sierra Bermeja and Laguna Cartagena
Puerto Rico (to USA) Suroeste

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable resident
Artificial/Terrestrial Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Dry major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable resident
Altitude 0 - 620 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Climate change & severe weather Storms & flooding Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Very Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Boa constrictor Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Felis catus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Herpestes auropunctatus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species mortality
Residential & commercial development Commercial & industrial areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Residential & commercial development Housing & urban areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Residential & commercial development Tourism & recreation areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Puerto Rican Nightjar Antrostomus noctitherus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/puerto-rican-nightjar-antrostomus-noctitherus on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.