Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
The species is endemic to a small range in Puerto Rico. As a consequence of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, rates of habitat loss and population declines have increased sharply, and may accelerate further following future hurricanes. The species is therefore assessed as Vulnerable.
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.
The species is endemic to Puerto Rico, where it occurs in montane areas in the centre of the island.
The species inhabits wet and rain forests in the lower montane and montane zone at elevations above 200 m (Morales 2020). Apart from mature and secondary forests, it is also found in plantations of pine and mahogany as long as a dense native midstory is present, but also shade-coffee plantations (Morales 2020). It feeds mainly on invertebrates and fruits, but may also take lizards, frogs and their eggs, and potentially nestlings of small birds (Morales 2020).
The species is threatened by habitat loss within its small range. Overall, annual rates of tree cover loss are very low (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and thus unlikely to drive major population declines. Following hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 however, the rate of tree cover loss increased drastically (data from Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species may initially benefit from tropical storms and hurricanes as they are believed to facilitate dispersal (Morales 2020 and references therein); nevertheless, surveys indicate that the population may suffer considerably from the impacts of major hurricanes of category 4 and higher (Lloyd et al. 2019, Irizarry et al. 2021). The projected increase in intensity and probably frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean (see e.g. Knutson et al. 2010, Walsh et al. 2016) implies that the destruction of forested habitat may accelerate again in the future and severely impact the population size.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas within its range, including El Yunque National Forest. Reforestation programmes have been established to restore native forest cover (Morales 2020).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Urgently quantify the population size. Research the species's ecology, biology and behaviour. Investigate the impact of habitat loss through hurricanes on the population size, and assess to which level it may benefit from hurricanes. Monitor the population trend.
Protect suitable habitat within the range. Continue forest restoration programmes.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S. & Ekstrom, J.
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.