Bird Species Diversity and Richness in subtropical moist forest of Puerto Rico
Background/Question/Methods
Puerto Rico has a variety of birds with different types of ecological roles making them key species in the island. It is important to know the composition of an environment to then have the ability to access it. The purpose of the census was to determine the species of birds that inhabit the Reserva Natural Laguna Tortuguero and their diversity. By doing so it updated the previous known information that was surveyed. The reserve has different kinds of micro habitats such as a dense secondary subtropical forest, lagoons and areas with siliceous sand composed of shrubs, small trees, short vegetation and gramineous plants. In each of these areas there were marked surveyance stations called point counts. The point counts had a 25 meter perimeter in which I would stand in the center for 10 minutes to audio record and log the birds seen and heard. In addition, the birds outside the perimeter were also duly noted.
Results/Conclusions
The census registered more than 40 species of birds in the natural reserve; be it endemic, migratory or permanent resident. Among them there were 10 endemic species but for the most part they were permanent residents. Out of all the species the 3 most frequently registered were the Coereba flaveola (Common warbler) which was to be expected because they are one of the most common bird in the island, the Quiscalus niger (Greater antillean grackle) and the Tyrannus dominicensis (Grey kingbird). But in the top 10 most frequently registered birds there are 3 endemic species which make up for a good concentration overall making the reserve an important habitat for native species. Taking into account other censuses done after María it is hypothesized that the diversity and richness of birds may have been affected by the hurricane. This census, having been made the summer before the hurricane, is of great importance and it gives the opportunity for future follow up census of the birds pos-María which will be conducted the summer of 2018.