Puerto Rican Bullfinch

Overview

The Puerto Rican bullfinch (Melopyrrha portoricensis) is a small bullfinch tanager endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico. Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species is a generalist feeder found in various forested habitats across the island.

Identification

• Plumage is predominantly black with distinct orange areas above the eyes, around the throat, and underneath the base of the tail.
• The bird measures between 17 and 19 cm in length and weighs approximately 32 grams.

Habitat

This species is most common in dense mountain forests but also inhabits lower forests with dense undergrowth, coffee plantations, thick brushy areas, and dry coastal thickets. While its distribution is widespread across Puerto Rico, it is notably absent from the easternmost tip of the island and is considered an edge or open-canopy species.

Diet

Mainly frugivorous, these birds prefer fruit when available but also consume seeds, insects, and spiders. They are regarded as a generalist species due to their behavioural flexibility in food consumption and foraging methods, often feeding nestlings large quantities of animal matter during early development stages.

Did you know?

In the Guanica region, the species has been observed exhibiting cooperative breeding behaviour, where juveniles assist adults by collecting nesting material and adding it to nests. Additionally, their spherical nests are known to be reused by frog species, such as the common coquí.