Kingdom Order Family Genus Species Animalia Passeriformes Thraupidae Melopyrrha Melopyrrha portoricensis
The Puerto Rican Bullfinch (Melopyrrha portoricensis ) is a stocky 17-19 cm frugivorous songbird adorned in black plumage offset by bright orange eye rings, throat patches, and undertail covers.
Common Name(s) : Puerto Rican BullfinchFamily : FringillidaeBody Dimensions : 17–19 cmMale Plumage Color(s) : Black With Orange Eye Rings, Throat Patch and Undertail CoversFemale Plumage Color(s) : Black With Orange Eye Rings, Throat Patch and Undertail CoversHabitat : Rainforests Diet : Fruit, Seeds, Insects Spiders Native Countries : Puerto RicoContinent(s) : North AmericaTaxonomy Classification Year : 1800Taxonomist(s) : François Marie Daudin
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Puerto Rican Bullfinch Fun Facts Puerto Rican Bullfinch (Image Source: Wikimedia ) Endemic across forested areas of Puerto Rico except the eastern tip, this Bullfinch relative feeds on fruits , seeds , spiders , and insects foraged through dense canopy and tangled undergrowth. Often joining mixed-species flocks socially foraging and roosting, pairs construct globular nests woven from grasses and bark. Lined internally with soft fibers, a side entrance accesses a cozy chamber typically nurturing 3 dull green eggs marked in dark speckles. While the Puerto Rican Bullfinch likely breeds between March and June, opportunistic nesting can occur year-round if ample fruit resources sustain breeding conditions[1] . Still, Habitat Loss Competition from Africanized honeybees over tree cavity nest sites poses an emerging threat. So, while not yet near threatened , population declines tied to encroaching agriculture and development jeopardize the Puerto Rican Bullfinch’s long-term outlook. Protecting precious tracts of mature rainforest – especially fruiting trees Sustaining adequate habitat buffers from coffee plantations and human infrastructure also allows this adaptable endemic to shift the range impacted by climate change. Safeguarding essential forest resources to shelter the boldly decorated Puerto Rican Bullfinch remains the keystone for conservation across Puerto Rico’s ecological mosaic.
Cite This Page
[1] – “Nest survival and breeding biology of the Puerto Rican Bullfinch (Loxigilla portoricensis) in southwestern Puerto Rico” . Accessed December 27,2023. Link .
