List of Vieques birds

This is a list of birds recorded in the island of Vieques. Vieques is an island municipality of Puerto Rico located off the east coast of the main island of Puerto Rico, south of Culebra island and west of the Virgin Islands. It has a total area of 348.15 km², of which only 135 km² is land area. On May 1, 2001, the western end of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was established and on May 1, 2003, the same day of the exit of the U.S. Navy from the island, the eastern end of the refuge was established.

There are a total of 142 species recorded from the island of Vieques. Some species, such as the Puerto Rican Parrot, have been extirpated from the island but are, nonetheless, included in this list. Extinct species are not included in this list.

This list presents the following information for each species: common and scientific name of each species, preferred habitat, breeding status in Vieques and frequency of occurrence for each season (Winter spans from December to February, Spring from March to May, Summer from June to August, Fall from September to November). Tags (described below) are used to describe this information for each species.

Contents

Taxonomy

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced, stray, and extirpated species are included in the total species counts for Vieques.

The following tags have been used to describe the frequency of occurrence of each species in Vieques.

The following tags have been used to describe the habitats in which a species occurs. Species may inhabit more than one type of habitat.

The following tags have been used to describe the breeding status of each species in Vieques.

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps ML B u u u u

Tropicbirds

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. There are 3 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus Sh NB - r - -
White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Sh B r u u -

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. There are 8 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Sh St r - - -
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Sh B c c c -

Boobies

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies with only boobies occurring in Vieques. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 8 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Sh NB u u u c

Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Sh NB c c c c

Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and Egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Unlike other long necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species world wide and 11 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias ML PB u u u u
Great Egret Egretta alba ML PB c c c c
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens ML St r - - -
Tricolored Heron Hydranassa tricolor ML B c c c c
Little Blue Heron Florida caerulea ML B c c c c
Snowy Egret Egretta thula ML B c c c c
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis IA B a a a a
Green Heron Butorides virescens ML B u u u -
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ML PB r r r -
Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea ML B r r - -
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis ML B - - r -

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes. Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos (genus Phoenicopterus monotypic in family Phoenicopteridae) are gregarious wading birds, usually 3–5 feet in height, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Caribbean Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber ML St r - - r

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. There are 131 species world wide and 7 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
West Indian Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arborea ML St - - r -
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata ML WV r - - -
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis ML B u u u u
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors WV B o r - u
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis B - - - -
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Sh St r - - -
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis ML B r - r -

Osprey

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Osprey Pandion haliaetus ML WV u u - o

Hawks, Kites, and Eagles

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Accipitridae

The family Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis IA B u u u u

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species world wide and 3 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
American Kestrel Falco sparverius IA B u u u u
Merlin Falco columbarius ML M r - r -
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ML WV o o - o

New World Quails

Order: Galliformes. Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. There are 32 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas, of which one is introduced to Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus - - - -

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species world wide and 4 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris ML B u u u u
Sora Porzana carolina ML WV r - - -
Common Gallinule Gallinula chloropus ML B u u u u
Caribbean Coot Fulica caribbaea ML PB r - r -

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
American Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Sh PB r r - r

Stilts and Avocets

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus himantopus ML B c c - c

Lapwings and Plovers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species world wide and 5 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica IA M - - - r
Black-bellied Plover Squatarola squatarola ML WV u u u -
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipulmatus ML WV r r - -
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia ML B u u u -
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus IA B u u u -

Sandpipers, Curlews, Stints, Godwits, Snipes, and Phalaropes

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 86 species world wide and 16 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago ML WV r - - -
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus ML WV u u - u
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica ML St - - - r
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus ML WV r r - -
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca ML WV c c - u
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes ML WV c u - u
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria ML M - r - -
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia ML B c c - c
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus ML WV u u - -
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres ML WV u u o u
Semipalmated Sandpiper Ereunetes pusillus ML WV o o o -
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri ML WV - o - r
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla ML WV o o - -
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis ML St - - - r
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos ML M - r - r
Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himantopus ML WV o o - -

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Sh NB - - u -

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects of the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25–30 years. There are 44 species world wide and 7 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Sh St - - r -
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Sh NB - r u -
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Sh NB c c - c
Roseate Tern Sterna sandvicensis Sh B - - u -
Least Tern Sternula albifrons Sh B - - u -
Bridled Tern Onychoprion albifrons Sh NB - - - -
Sooty Tern Onychoprion albifrons Sh NB - - - -

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes. Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species world wide and 9 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
White-crowned Pigeon Columba leucocephala ML B u u u -
Scaly-naped Pigeon Columba squamosa MF B u u - -
Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita TS/ML B u u u u
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica TS B u u - -
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura TS B r - - -
Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina TS B a a a a
Key West Quail Dove Geotrygon chrysia DF PB - - r -
Bridled Quail Dove Geotrygon mystacea DF PB - - r -
Ruddy Quail Dove Geotrygon montana DF B - - r -

Budgerigars, Parakeets and Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes. Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Puerto Rican Parrot Amazona vittata NB - - - -

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes. Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species world wide and 4 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus DF B - u - -
Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor ML B u u u u
Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo Saurothera vieilloti St - - - -
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani TS B u u u u

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Puerto Rican Screech Owl Megascops nudipes PB - - - -
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus IA B - u - -

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Antillean Nighthawk Chordeiles gundlachi TS PB - - - -
Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis TS WV u - - -

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes. Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris DF St - - r -

Hummingbirds

Order: Trochiliformes. Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. There are 337 species world wide and 3 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Antillean Mango Anthracothorax dominicus FB - - - -
Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus TS/DF B c c c c
Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus TS/DF B c c c c

River kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Cerylidae

River Kingfishers are medium sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 94 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon ML WV u u u u

Woodpeckers and Sapsuckers

Order: Piciformes. Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Puerto Rican Woodpecker Melanerpes portoricensis DF B u u u u
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius St - - r -

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. There are 429 species world wide, all found only in the Americas and 4 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica TS B c c c c
Puerto Rican Flycatcher Miarchus antillarum MF PB u u u u
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis TS/IA B a a a a
Loggerhead Kingbird Tyrannus caudifasciatus DF B u u u u

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species world wide and 5 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis Sh B o o o o
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Sh M - r - -
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Sh M - r - -
Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva IA NB - - - -
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica IA WV r - - -

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Mimidae

The Mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. There are 35 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos TS/IA B c c c c
Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus TS/IA B c c c c

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris St - r - -

Estrildid finchs

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 139 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata IA B u u - -
Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata DF B - r - r

Whydahs

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Viduidae

The Viduidae is a family of small passerine birds native to Africa that includes indigobirds and whydahs. All species are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finch species. Species usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. There 19 species world wide of which 1 species is introduced to Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura DF St - - - -

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. There are 52 species world wide and 3 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus DF WV r - - -
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons DF St - - r -
Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus MF/ML B - - r -

New World warblers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some like are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. There are 119 species world wide and 22 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Northern Parula Parula americana TS/ML WV u u - u
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia ML B c c c c
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia ML WV r r - -
Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina DF WV o o - -
Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulescens ML WV r r - -
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata TS WV o - - -
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica ML WV - - - r
Adelaide's Warbler Dendroica adelaidae DF B u u u u
Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus DF M r - - r
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor TS WV u u - o
Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum ML WV u - - -
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata ML M - - - r
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia DF WV o - - o
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla TS/ML WV o o - o
Prothonotary Warbler Setophaga ruticilla DF WV r - - -
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus DF WV r - - -
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus ML WV u u - o
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus novaboracensis ML WV c c - o
Louisiana Waterthrush * Seiurus motacilla - - - -
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia ML St r - - -
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas ML M - - - r
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina ML WV r - - r

Bananaquit

Order: Passeriformes Family: Coerebidae or Genus Coereba Incertae sedis

The Bananaquit is a small passerine bird. It has a slender, curved bill, adapted to taking nectar from flowers and is the only member of the genus Coereba (Vieillot, 1809) and is normally placed within the family Coerebidae, although there is uncertainty whether that placement is correct (hence the assignment Genus: Coereba Incertae sedis).

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola TS/IA B a a a a

Tanagers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. They are seed eaters, but their preference tends towards fruit and nectar. Most have short, rounded wings. There are 256 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Antillean Euphonia[1] Euphonia musica - - - -

American sparrows, Towhees, Juncos, and Longspurs

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae

The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 world wide and 3 Puerto Rican species.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea DF B u u u u
Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor DF B c c c c
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum TS B r - r -

Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, Cowbirds, Grackles, and Orioles

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Icteridae

The Icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. There are 98 species world wide and 4 species which occur in Vieques.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus - - - -
Greater Antillean Grackle Quiscalus niger IA B a a a a
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis ML B u u u -
Greater Antillean Oriole[2] Icterus dominicensis ML S r r - -

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Vieques, which was introduced.

Common name Species Habitat Breeding Status Winter Spring Summer Fall
House Sparrow Passer domesticus IA B u u u u

See also

Puerto Rico portal
Biology portal

Notes

  1. ^ Wetmore reported the introduction of 40 individuals to the island in 1910 but apparently the population disappeared before 1916.
  2. ^ Known from a single report by Bowdish in 1900.

References