Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a small range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
Global population trends have not been quantified, but there is evidence of a decline (Faaborg et al. 1997). Recent studies in the 4,000 ha Guánica Forest Reserve have shown that the vireo has declined considerably over the past twenty years, while reproductive success has also decreased markedly (Faaborg et al. 1997). It is not known if this population collapse is island-wide or confined to Guánica (Faaborg et al. 1997). A significant factor in the species's decline is undoubtedly nest parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds Molothrus bonariensis, which are much commoner in Guánica than the rest of the island (H. A. Raffaele in litt. 1998).
This species is endemic to Puerto Rico (to USA). It does not occur east of a line betwen Loiza Aldea, Caguas and Patillas (Raffaele 1983).
The species occurs chiefly in forest and undergrowth on limestone hills, and also in coffee plantations (AOU 1983). It also occurs in mangroves at Torrecilla-Piñones, but rather strangely is not found in any other mangrove areas on the island (Raffaele 1983). Breeding takes place from March to June (Raffaele et al. 1998).
Nest parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds Molothrus bonariensis has been shown to reduce breeding success to the extent that in 1990-1993 only 5% of active study nests fledged young vireos (Faaborg et al. 1997).
Text account compilers
Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S., Harding, M., Fisher, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Puerto Rican Vireo Vireo latimeri. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/puerto-rican-vireo-vireo-latimeri 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.