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