Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species.
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2011
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82
Number/Issue
4
Starting Page
366
Ending Page
378
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Abstract
Recent elevation of critically endangered Bahama Orioles (Icterus northropi) to species status promptedustoevaluate theirpopulation status,habitatuse,andbreedingecology.Fromsurveys,weestimatedthat at least 141 to 254 individuals remain globally, with 90 to 162, 24 to 44, and 27 to 48 individuals remaining on North Andros Island, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros Island, The Bahamas, respectively. Orioles were observed nesting exclusively in anthropogenic habitat (residential and agricultural land), but home ranges also included nearby pine forest and coppice (dry broadleaf forest). Most nests (40 of 46, or 87%) were in nonnative coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), with native Sabal palmetto and Thrinax morrisii, and an introduced Brassaia actinophylla also used. Trees selected by orioles for nesting were significantly taller, less likely to have shrubs underneath, further from cover, and had more palm trees nearby than randomly selected palm trees. Three of eight nests with known contents were parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis). Lethal yellowing disease recently devastated coconutpalmsandreducedthenumberoforiolesonNorthAndros,butpalmsonMangroveCayandSouthAndros remain healthy. The juxtaposition of anthropogenic habitat to suitable native habitats may be more important than any single factor for Bahama Orioles, especially for breeding adults and fledged young. Conservation of coppice habitat, at high risk for agricultural and residential development, is crucial for survival of this critically endangered synanthropic species.
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Keywords
breeding behavior, brood parasitism, lethal yellowing, nest site selection, Shiny Cowbird, double clutch, nest construction, nesting success, population estimate, breeding phenology, clutch size, chick nestling diet, helper at the nest, double brood
Citation
Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011) Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82(4):366–378.
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13
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