Disclaimer


Vieques, Puerto Rico Bird Checklist
Compiled by Daphne Gemmill


September 2001

Vieques, a small island lying just off the east coast of Puerto Rico, has numerous bird species due to large tracts of natural habitat. To date one-hundred thirty-seven bird species have been reported from the island.

This list is in accordance with the sixth edition of the American Ornithological Union Checklist of North American Birds. The birds are listed by their English name followed by their Puerto Rican name.

Most of the information about Vieques birdlife was gathered during the last 20 years between December and May by Daphne Gemmill for the Vieques Conservation and Historic Trust. Bruce Sorrie provided additional information based on his observations during September 1978 and between February and June 1981. Much is still to be learned.

We are interested in maintaining and refining this checklist. We solicit your help and ask that you report any new and unusual sightings and/or comments on the seasonal status of the island's birdlife to the Vieques Conservation and Historic Trust, Calle Flamboyán #138, Vieques PR 00765, telephone (787) 741-8850, Fax: (787) 741-8850; or Email:
vcht@coqui.net. You can also email your sitings to Daphne Gemmill at gemmill@bigpockets.com.


Legend: Habitat in which the bird is most likely to be found:
Thorn Scrub(TS)
Inhabited Areas(IA)
Mangrove Lagoons(ML)
Dry Forest(DF)
Shoreline(Sh)
Moist Forest(MF)

Status:
Abundant--a commonly encountered species (a)
Common--Seen in suitable habitat (c)
Uncommon--present but rarely seen (u)
Occasional--May not be present every year (o)
Rare--Has been reported only once or twice (r)
Not present (np)
No information (*)


Breeding Status: Season:
Breeder (B) Winter (W) :: Dec. - Feb.
Probable Breeder (PB) Spring (s) :: March - May
Non-Breeder (NB) Summer (S) :: June - Aug.
Winter Vistor (WV) Fall (F) :: Sept. - Nov.
Migrant (M)  
Stray (ST)  


Family Species
(Common Name)
Species
(Puerto Rico)
Breeding Habitat W S S F
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
Zaramago
B
ML
u
u
u
u
Tropicbirds
White-tailed
Tropicbird
Chirre decola Blanca
B
Sh
r
u
u
*
Tropicbirds
Red-billed
Tropicbird
Chirre de Pico Colorado
NB
Sh
*
r
*
*
Boobies
Brown Booby
Boba Prieta
NB
Sh
u
u
u
c
Pelicans
Brown Pelican
Alcatraz
B
Sh
c
c
c
*
Pelicans
White Pelican
Pelícano Blanco
St
Sh
r
*
*
*
Cormants
Double-crested
Cormorant
Cormorán Crestado
St
ML
r
*
*
*
Frigatebirds
Magnificant
Frigatebird
Tijerilla
NB
Sh
c
c
c
c
Bitterns/Herons
Least Bittern
Martinetito
B
ML
*
*
r
*
Bitterns/Herons
Great Blue Heron
Garzon Cenizo
PB
ML
u
u
u
u
Bitterns/Herons
Great Egret
Garza Real
PB
ML
c
c
c
c
Bitterns/Herons
Snowy Egret
Garza Blanca
B
ML
c
c
c
c
Bitterns/Herons
Little Blue Heron
Garza Azul
B
ML
c
c
c
c
Bitterns/Herons
Tricolored Heron
Garza Pechiblanca
B
ML
c
c
c
c
Bitterns/Herons
Reddish Egret
Garza Rojiza
St
ML
r
*
*
*
Bitterns/Herons
Cattle Egret
Garza del Ganado
B
IA
a
a
a
a
Bitterns/Herons
Green Heron
Martinete
B
ML
u
u
u
*
Bitterns/Herons
Black-crowned
Night-Heron
Yaboa Real
PB
ML
r
r
r
*
Bitterns/Herons
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Yaboa Común
B
ML
r
r
*
*
Flamingos
Greater Flamingo
Flamenco
St
ML
r
*
*
r
Ducks
West Indian
Whistling Duck
Chiriría del Caribe
St
ML
*
*
r
*
Ducks
White-cheeked
Pintail
Pato Quijada Colorada
B
ML
u
u
u
u
Ducks
Blue-winged Teal
Pato Zarcel WV
ML
o
r
*
u
Ducks
Northern Shoveler
Pato Cuchareta WV
ML
r
*
*
*
Ducks
Red-breasted
Merganser
Mergansa Pechirroja
St
Sh
r
*
*
*
Ducks
Ruddy Duck
Pato Chorizo
B
ML
r
*
r
*
Ospreys
Osprey
Aguila de Mar WV
ML
u
u
*
o
Hawks
Red-tailed Hawk
Guaraguao Colirrajo
B
IA
u
u
u
u
Falcons
American Kestrel
Falcón Comun
B
IA
u
u
u
u
Falcons
Merlin
Falcón Migratorio
M
ML
r
*
r
*
Falcons
Peregrine Falcon
Falcón de Patos WV
ML
o
o
*
o
Rails/
Gallinules/Coots
Clapper Rail
Polo de Mangle
B
ML
u
u
u
u
Rails/
Gallinules/Coots
Sora
Gallito WV
ML
r
*
*
*
Rails/
Gallinules/Coots
Common Moorhen
Gallareta Común
B
ML
u
u
u
u
Rails/
Gallinules/Coots
Caribbean Coot
Gallinazo Antillano
PB
ML
r
*
r
*
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
Playero Carezón WV
ML
u
u
u
*
Plovers
American Golden
Plover
Playero Dorado
M
IA
*
*
*
r
Plovers
Wilson's Plover
Playero Marítimo
B
ML
u
u
u
*
Plovers
Semipalmated Plover
Playero Acollarado
WV
ML
r
r
*
*
Plovers
Killdeer
Playero Sabanero
B
IA
u
u
u
*
Oystercatchers
American Oystercatcher
Ostrero
PB
Sh
r
r
*
r
Stilts
Black-necked Stilt
Viuda
B
ML
c
c
*
c
Sandpipers
Greater Yellowlegs
Playero Guineilla Mayor
WV
ML
c
c
*
u
Sandpipers
Lesser Yellowlegs
Playero Guineilla Memor WV
ML
c
u
*
u

Sandpipers
Solitary Sandpiper
Playero Solitario
M
ML
*
r
*
*
Sandpipers
Willet
Playero Aliblanco WV
ML
u
u
*
*
Sandpipers
Spotted Sandpiper
Playero Coleador WV
ML
c
c
*
c
Sandpipers
Whimbrel
Playero Picocorvo WV
ML
r
r
*
*
Sandpipers
Hudsonian Godwit
Barga Aliblanca
St
ML
*
*
*
r
Sandpipers
Ruddy Turnstone
Playero Turco WV
ML
u
u
o
u

Sandpipers
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Playerito Gracioso WV
ML
o
o
o
*
Sandpipers
Western Sandpiper
Playero Occidental
M
ML
*
o
*
r
Sandpipers
Least Sandpiper
Playerito Menudo WV
ML
o
o
*
*
Sandpipers
White-rumped Sandpiper
Playero Rabadilla Blanca
St
Ml
*
*
*
r
Sandpipers
Pectoral Sandpiper
Playero Manchado
M
ML
*
r
*
r
Sandpipers
Stilt Sandpiper
Playero Patilargo WV
ML
o
o
*
*
Sandpipers
Short-billed Dowitcher
Chorlo Pico Corto WV
ML
u
u
*
u
Sandpipers
Common Snipe
Becasina WV
ML
r
*
*
*
Gulls/Terns
Laughing Gull
Gaviota Gallega
NB
Sh
*
*
u
*
Gulls/Terns
Caspian Tern
Gaviota de Caspia
St
Sh
*
*
r
*
Gulls/Terns
Royal Tern
Gaviota Real
NB
Sh
c
c
*
c
Gulls/Terns
Sandwich Tern
Gaviota Piquiaguda
NB
Sh
*
r
u
*
Gulls/Terns
Roseate Tern
Palometa
B
Sh
*
*
u
*
Gulls/Terns
Least Tern
Gaviota Chica
B
Sh
*
*
u
*
Gulls/Terns
Bridled Tern
Gaviota Monja
NB
Sh
*
*
*
*
Gulls/Terns
Sooty Tern
Gaviota Obscura
NB
Sh
*
*
*
*
Pigeons/Doves
Rock Dove
Paloma Casera
B
IA
c
c
c
c
Pigeons/Doves
Scaly-naped Pigeon
Paloma Rubia
B
MF
u
u
*
*
Pigeons/Doves
White-crowned Pigeon
Paloma Cabeciblanca
B
ML
u
u
u
*
Pigeons/Doves
White-winged Dove
Tortola Aliblanca
B
TS
u
u
*
*
Pigeons/Doves
Zenaida Dove
Tortola Cardosantera
B
TS/ML
u
u
u
u
Pigeons/Doves
Mourning Dove
Tortola Rabilarga
B
TS
r
*
*
*
Pigeons/Doves
Common Ground-Dove
Rolita
B
TS
a
a
a
a
Pigeons/Doves
Ruddy Quail-Dove
Perdiz Pequeña
B
DF
*
*
r
*
Pigeons/Doves
Key West Quail-Dove
Perdez Grande
PB
DF
*
*
r
*
Pigeons/Doves
Bridled Quail Dove
Perdez de Martinica
PB
DF
*
*
r
*
Cuckoos/Anis
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Pajaro Bobo Piquiamarillo
B
DF
*
u
*
*
Cuckoos/Anis
Mangrove Cuckoo
Pajaro Bobo Menor
B
ML
u
u
u
u
Cuckoos/Ani
Smooth-billed Ani
Judio
B
TS
u
u
u
u
Owls
Short-eared Owl
Múcgro Real
B
IA
*
u
*
*
Goatsuckers
Antillian Nighthawk
Querequequé
PB
TS
*
*
*
*
Goatsuckers
Chuck-will's Widow
Guabairo Mayor WV
TS
u
*
*
*
Swifts
White-collared Swift
Vencejo de Collar
S
DF
*
*
r
*
Hummingibrds
Green-throated Carib
Zumbador de Pecho Azul
B
TS/DF
c
c
c
c
Hummingbirds
Antillean Crested Hummingbird
Zumbador Crestado
B
TS/DF
c
c
c
c
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
Pajaro del Rey WV
ML
u
u
u
u
Woodpeckers
Puerto Rican Woodpecker
Carpintero
B
DF
u
u
u
u
Woodpeckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Capintero Pechiamarillo
St

*
*
r
*
Flycatchers
Caribbean Elaenia
Jui Blanco
B
TS
c
c
c
c
Flycatchers
Puerto Rican Flycatcher
Jui de Puerto Rico
PB
MF
u
u
u
u
Flycatchers
Gray Kingbird
Pitirre
B
TS/IA
a
a
a
a
Flycatchers
Loggerhead Kingbird
Clerigo
B
DF
u
u
u
u
Swallows
Caribbean Martin
Golondrina de Iglesias
B
Sh
o
o
o
o
Swallows
Bank Swallow
Golondrina Parda
M
Sh
*
r
*
*
Swallows
Cliff Swallow
Golondrina de Farallón
M
Sh
*
r
*
*
Swallows
Cave Swallow
Golondrina de Cuevas
NB
IA
*
*
*
*
Swallows
Barn Swallow
Golondrina de Horquilla WV
IA
r
*
*
*
Thrushes
Red-legged Thrush
Zorzal de Patas Coloradas
NB
IA
*
r
*
*
Mockingbirds/
Thrashers/
Starlings
Northern Mockingbird
Ruisenor
B
TS/IA
c
c
c
c
Mockingbirds/
Thrashers/
Starlings
Pearly-eyed Thrasher
Zorzal Pardo
B
TS/IA
c
c
c
c
Mockingbirds/
Thrashers/
Starlings
European Starling
Estornino
St

*
r
*
*
Vireos
Black-whiskered Vireo
Julian Chiví
B
MF/ML
*
*
r
*
Vireos
Yellow-throated Vireo
Chiví Gargantiamarillo
St
DF
*
*
r
*
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo
Julian Chivi Ojiblanco WV
DF
r
*
*
*
Emberizids
Tennessee Warbler
Reinita Gorro Gris
M

*
r
*
*
Emberizids
Northern Parula
Reinita Pechidorada WV
TS/ML
u
u
*
u
Emberizids
Yellow Warbler
Canario de Mangle
B
ML
c
c
c
c
Emberizids
Magnolia Warbler
Reinita Manchada WV
ML
r
r
*
*
Emberizids
Cape May Warbler
Reinita Tigre WV
DF
o
o
*
*
Emberizids
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Reinita Azul WV
ML
r
r
*
*
Emberizids
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Reinita Coronada WV
TS
o
*
*
*
Emberizids
Yellow-throated Warbler
Reinita Gargantia Marilla WV
ML
*
*
*
r
Emberizids
Adelaide's Warbler
Reinita Mariposera
B
DF
u
u
u
u
Emberizids
Pine Warbler
Cigüita del Pinar
M
DF
r
*
*
r
Emberizids
Prairie Warbler
Reinita Galana WV
TS
u
u
*
o
Emberizids
Palm Warbler
Reinita Palmera WV
ML
u
*
*
*
Emberizids
Blackpoll Warbler
Reinita Rayada
M
ML
*
*
*
r
Emberizids
Black-and-White Warbler
Reinita Trepadora WV
DF
o
*
*
o
Emberizids
American Redstart
Candelita WV
TS/ML
o
o
*
o
Emberizids
Prothonotary Warbler
Reinita Anaranjada WV
DF
r
*
*
*
Emberizids
Worm-eating Warbler
Reinita Gusanera WV
F
r
*
*
*
Emberizids
Ovenbird
Pizpita Dorada WV
ML
u
u
*
o
Emberizids
Northern Waterthrush
Pizpita de Mangle WV
ML
c
c
*
o
Emberizids
Mourning Warbler
Reinita Triste
S
ML
r
*
*
*
Emberizids
Common Yellowthroat
Reinita Pica Tierra
M
ML
*
*
*
r
Emberizids
Hooded Warbler
Reinita Encapuchada WV
ML
r
*
*
r
Emberizids
Bananaquit
Reinita
B
TS/IA
a
a
a
a
Emberizids
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Gorrion Barba Amarilla
B
DF
u
u
u
u
Emberizids
Black-faced Grassquit
Gorrion Negro
B
DF
c
c
c
c
Emberizids
Grasshopper Sparrow
Gorrion Chicharra
B
TS
r
*
r
*
Emberizids
Greater Antillean Grackle
Mozambique
B
IA
a
a
a
a
Emberizids
Shiny Cowbird
Tordo
B
ML
u
u
u
*
Emberizids
Baltimore Oriole
Calandrai del Norte
S
ML
r
r
*
*
Old World
Sparrows
House Sparrow
Gorrión Ingles
B
IA
u
u
u
u
Estrildids
Pin-tailed Whydah
Viuda Colicinta
St
DF
*
*
*
*
Estrildids
Bronze Mannikin
Diablito
B
IA
u
u
*
*
Estrildids
Nutmeg Mannikin
Gorrión Canela
B
DF
*
r
*
r


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