| Puerto Rican tanager | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily: | Emberizoidea |
| Family: | Nesospingidae Barker, Burns, Klicka, Lanyon, & Lovette, 2013 |
| Genus: | Nesospingus P.L. Sclater, 1885 |
| Species: | N. speculiferus |
| Binomial name | |
| Nesospingus speculiferus (Lawrence, 1875) | |
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ThePuerto Rican tanager (Nesospingus speculiferus) is a smallpasserine birdendemic to thearchipelago ofPuerto Rico. It is theonly member of the genusNesospingus and has historically been placed in thetanager family, but recent studies indicate it as either belonging in its own familyNesospingidae or as being a member ofPhaenicophilidae. Its closest relatives are likely thespindalises (familySpindalidae, sometimes also considered a member of the Phaenicophilidae).[2] The Puerto Rican tanager is known to locals asllorosa, which means 'cryer'.
The Puerto Rican tanager is a small passerine, typically measuring between 18 and 20 cm (7–8 in) in length and weighing around 36 g. Both males and females are olive-brown above with pale grey to white underparts. Adults typically have faint dusky striping on the beast and pure white throats. Adults also have a conspicuous white spot on the wing and a dark crown and face which obscures the eye.[3] Undertail coverts are pale fulvous. Males have a brown-blackmaxilla and whitemandible and females have entirely black bills. Immatures are similar in appearance to adults, but are brownish underneath and lack the white wing spot.
The most frequently heard noise emitted by the Puerto Rican tanager is a harsh call note often described as achewp orchuck. This is often heard while feeding in flocks and may be extended into a longerchi-chi-chit of varying lengths. The breeding song of the species is light, sweet rapidly sungtswet-tswet-tswet-tswet. Other interaction calls include a softsigh similar to a heavy exhale and a lighttsip-tsip-tsip.[3]
Puerto Rican tanagers are known to roost communally in large bamboo clumps or palms.[3][4] They are typically the nucleus species in mixed feeding flocks, especially in the winter when neotropical migrants are present in Puerto Rico. During the breeding season, tanagers become very territorial and defend nesting territories.[5] Puerto Rican tanagers are strong flyers, but don't often fly long distances, preferring to make short flights through the canopy or brush.
Puerto Rican tanagers feed mainly on invertebrates and fruits.[6][7] The species has been reported to occasionally consume lizards and the nestling of other birds, but most of its diet consists of spiders, insects, centipedes, snails, and various fruits.[6] Fruit consumption is determined by season, but they often feed on fruits of the genusCecropia andClusia.[7]Eleutherodactylustree frogs, such as thecommon coquí, are also an important component of the Puerto Rican tanager's diet.[6]
The breeding season lasts from January to late-July, though individuals have been recorded breeding at other times of the year.[3][5] During this time the males become strongly territorial. Nests are located at the ends of branches 2–10 m off the ground and are usually cup-shaped and approximately 9.2 cm across. They are typically constructed of vines, ferns, roots, and palm fibers and lined with feathers and palm leaves. Females have a clutch of two or three elliptical white eggs with reddish-brown splotches.[5]
Communal roosting makes the species an easy target for owls on the island, such as thePuerto Rican owl.[8] They are also a common prey item of thePuerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk.[9]
The Puerto Rican tanager is restricted to mid- to high-elevation (300–1350 m) montane forests on the island of Puerto Rico.[3] It typically inhabits mature andsecond growth montane subtropical rain and wet forests, as well as subtropical lower montane forests.[10] Much of the population is concentrated on the eastern and western sides of the central cordillera of Puerto Rico, with populations inEl Yunque National Forest andMaricao State Forest. Deforestation has contributed to fragmentation of the population, which once stretched across the entire central cordillera, but is now confined to the preserved areas and higher peaks.
| External audio | |
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| Bird Call | |
 Puerto Rican tanager vocals withcoqui in background |
