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Article: Population declines of the Puerto Rican Vireo in Guanica forest.
- Article from:
- Wilson Bulletin
- Article date:
- June 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 Wilson Ornithological Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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We have monitored birds in Guanica Forest, Puerto Rico, since 1973, first with a single mist net line (1973-1996), then with multiple lines (1989-1996). Here we present evidence of a decline in abundance and possible declining survival rate of the Puerto Rican Vireo (Vireo latimeri) during the period 1973-1996. These patterns may be explained in part by the low reproductive success which has been found in this species in recent years, primarily due to parasitism by the introduced Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis; Woodworth 1995). We discuss the possible factors causing these declines in this forest. Because the Shiny Cowbird has become widespread on the island only in ...