Puerto Rican Bullfinch

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Puerto Rican Bullfinch
Conservation status
Least Concern [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae Genus: Loxigilla Species: L. portoricensis
Binomial name
Loxigilla portoricensis Daudin, 1800

The Puerto Rican Bullfinch (Loxigilla portoricensis) is a small bullfinch endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico and one of 3 species belonging to the Loxigilla genus of the Emberizidae family.

The Puerto Rican Bullfinch has black feathers with red areas above the eyes, around its throat, and underneath the tail's base. The species measures from 17 to 19 cm and weighs approximately 32 grams.

The species can be commonly found in heavy forests throughout Puerto Rico, except on the easternmost tip of the island. It consumes seeds, fruits, insects, and spiders. The nest is spherical, with an entrance on the side. Typically three light green eggs are laid.

A subspecies, Loxigilla portoricensis grandis, endemic to St. Kitts was last reported in 1880 and is presently considered extinct.^[2]

[edit] See also

• List of endemic fauna of Puerto Rico
• List of Puerto Rican birds

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Loxigilla portoricensis. IUCN List of threatened species. IUCN (2004). Retrieved on August 21, 2006.
2. ^ Raffaele, H.. "Comments on the extinction of Loxigilla portoricensis grandis in St. Kitts, Lesser Antilles". Condor 79 (3): 389-390. Retrieved on 2006-12-02. 

[edit] References

• Oberle, Mark (2003). Las aves de Puerto Rico en fotografías. Editorial Humanitas. ISBN 0-9650104-2-2.  (Spanish)