Kingdom Order Family Genus Species Animalia Passeriformes Vireonidae Vireo Vireo latimeri
The Puerto Rican Vireo (Vireo latimeri ) is a petite endemic songbird reaching just 12 cm (4.7 inches) long. Nicknamed “bien-te-veo ” (see-you-well) for its distinctive call, this gray-headed bird sports a white breast and yellow-hued belly.
Common Name(s) : Puerto Rican Vireo, Bien-Te-VeoFamily : VireonidaeBody Dimensions : 12 cmMale Plumage Color(s) : Gray Head, White Breast, Yellow BellyFemale Plumage Color(s) : Gray Head, White Breast, Yellow BellyHabitat : ForestsDiet : Insects, FruitsNative Countries : Puerto RicoContinent(s) : North AmericaTaxonomy Classification Year : 1866Taxonomist(s) : Spencer Fullerton Baird
https://www.bioexplorer.net/file/Puerto-Rican-Vireo.mp3
Puerto Rican Vireo Fun Facts
Weighing 11-12 grams , the Puerto Rican Vireo favors forested areas across Puerto Rico[1] , where it forages among branches for insects and spiders The Puerto Rican Vireo supplements its diet with small lizards and berries by expertly snatching up grasshoppers, caterpillars cicadas beetles Usually quiet, both sexes sing a varied, sweet warbling song. This species builds intricate hanging nests but suffers from brood parasitism by the invasive Shiny Cowbird , which hijacks vireo nests to lay its eggs. Population declines in the 1980s stemming from Shiny Cowbird nest intrusions provoked conservation concerns for the Puerto Rican Vireo. However, implementing control programs for the offending cowbird allowed vireo numbers to rebound in targeted forests like Guánica State Park . Still considered Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List though, habitat protection remains vital for this tiny endemic bird’s survival. Ensuring mature broadleaf forests with sufficient insects and fruit—the Puerto Rican Vireo’s ideal nesting and feeding grounds – is paramount. While small, widely foraging birds may seem commonplace, focusing conservation efforts on vulnerable endemic species like the “see-you-well” Puerto Rican Vireo underscores Puerto Rico’s precious biodiversity
Cite This Page
[1] – “POPULATION DECLINES OF THE PUERTO RICAN VIREO IN GUANICA FOREST” . Accessed December 26, 2023. Link .
