| Hispaniolan trogon | |
|---|---|
_(8082799519).jpg) | |
| InSierra de Bahoruco National Park,Dominican Republic | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Trogoniformes |
| Family: | Trogonidae |
| Genus: | Priotelus |
| Species: | P. roseigaster |
| Binomial name | |
| Priotelus roseigaster (Vieillot, 1817) | |
 | |
| Range in green | |
| Synonyms | |
Temnotrogon roseigaster | |
TheHispaniolan trogon (Priotelus roseigaster), also known ascacos is a species ofbird in the familyTrogonidae. Itisendemic toHispaniola (bothHaiti and theDominican Republic) in theCaribbean. It is one of the only two trogon species found in the Caribbean.[2]It is thenational bird of Haiti.[3]
Trogons are brightly coloured birds with long, strongly graduated tails, small feet, and short, thick bills. The Hispaniolan trogon has metallic green upperparts, a gray throat and breast, and a red belly and is separated from the closely relatedCuban trogon by the more typical tail of this species. The underside of the tail is dark, but eachrectrix is broadly tipped with white. Males and females look similar but the females' wing coverts and secondaries lack the narrow white bars. The male average measurements for wing, tail, culem from base and tarsus are 135.2, 154, 17.3, 16.8 mm respectively. The female averages are 136.6, 154, 16.5, 16.4 mm[2]
The song is rather slow and can be heard from quite a distance. It has a low rattle.[4]
Its naturalhabitats are subtropical or tropical moistmontane forests, and heavilydegraded forest. It is threatened byhabitat loss. It is mostly confined to a few remaining protected areas.[1] It inhabits rain, dry, pine and broadleaved deciduous forests. Several early records included mangrove swamps west ofMiragoane[4] but whether these were visitors or a resident population is unknown.It requires large, old decayed trees with holes for nesting.[5] It primarily occurs at 500–3,000 m, but there appears to be some altitudinal migration with birds observed at lower elevations in winter. In Haiti, it is restricted to theMassif de la Hotte andChaîne de la Selle, due to extensive habitat loss. It is still quite common in the Dominican Republic, especially in the relatively undisturbedSierra de Baoruco, although there has been a moderately rapid population reduction, owing to deforestation.[5]
It is known to mainly eat insects, though it also takes small vertebrates such asanoles and fruits, especially those of the West Indian sumac (Brunellia comocladifolia).[2]
Its foraging behaviour is presumed to be similar to that of other species of trogon: most food is taken in aerial sallies to fruit or to surrounding vegetation. The species primarily forages in the midstory of humid deciduous and pine forests. A study of mixed-species flocks on Hispaniola recorded two encounters with the Hispaniolan trogon, both of which were associated with mixed flocks.[2]
The Hispaniolan trogon'sbreeding season is thought to be March to July. The nest is a cavity in a tree, including cavities of theHispaniolan woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus).[2] The only known clutches are of two eggs; eggs are pale green and unmarked. Egg measurements[4] ranged from 27.9 by 23.5 mm to 31.4 by 23.9 mm. The lengths of the incubation period and nestling periods are unknown.[2] Generation length is estimated at 7.3 years[1]
The Hispaniolan trogon is a forest-dependent species, and is vulnerable to habitat loss or degradation.[2]TheIUCN Red List conservation status of the Hispaniolan trogon is assessed as Least Concern; however, its population is continuing to decline throughout its small range, owing toforest degradation andfragmentation.[1]Forest loss and fragmentation owing to shifting agriculture are causing a decline, particularly in moist forest areas. Dry forests have been considerably altered by charcoal production, and pine forests have been reduced as a consequence of indiscriminate logging and clear-cutting. In particular, recenthabitat destruction along highways has caused a drastic decline of the population in theCordillera Central, but it is occasionally seen on abandoned coffee farms and old cocoa groves in theCordillera Septentrional. The species is also subject to hunting.[5] However, as the range is relatively wide and not yet severely fragmented, the species is classified as Least Concern.[1]
Some populations are afforded protection by national parks, such as in theSierra de Baoruco. Proposed conservation actions include monitoring the population regularly, effectively protecting national parks that hold populations of the species, encouraging forms of agriculture which do not require forest clearance, discouraging charcoal production in native forests, and raising awareness of the uniqueness of the species, as well as discourage hunting.[5]
