Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
| Migratory status |
not a migrant |
Forest dependency |
medium |
| Land-mass type |
|
Average mass |
35 g |
Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification: The species's dependence on mature and old secondary forests makes it vulnerable to the loss of forested habitat within its range.
Over the last three generations (10.2 years; Bird et al. 2020), 19% of tree cover has been lost (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). However, this high rate is largely driven by the impacts of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which hit the island in 2017 and caused an annual rate of tree cover loss of almost 19% (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). In the years prior to and after these hurricanes, tree cover loss has been very low at <0.3% per year (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). It has been hypothesised that the species may benefit from hurricanes, as they may aid in dispersal to nearby areas of suitable habitat (Morales 2020 and references therein). The species has also likely benefited from the creation of protected areas and the restoration of habitat (Morales 2020 and references therein). Nevertheless, surveys post-Maria found that the probability of occupancy and detection had declined in various habitat types (Wunderle 2017, Lloyd et al. 2019, Irizarry et al. 2021). Overall, whilst hurricane damage and related tree cover loss within the range may have been substantial over the last three generations and evidently driving a population decline, the rate of decline is not thought to exceed 20% over this period.
It is projected that the intensity and probably the frequency of hurricanes will increase as a consequence of climate change (Knutson et al. 2010, Walsh et al. 2016). It can therefore not be ruled out that the rate of habitat loss may rise sharply in the future and that the rate of population decline may likewise accelerate.
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Puerto Rican Tanager Nesospingus speculiferus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/puerto-rican-tanager-nesospingus-speculiferus 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.
