Photo credit: Michael J. Morel via Arkive
The Puerto Rican Nightjar, Caprimulgus noctitherus, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The Puerto Rican Nightjar is native to south-western Puerto Rico where there are estimated to be less than 2,000 individuals. Monitoring of this species’ population has revealed that this number is continuing to fall drastically.
Habitat loss and degradation have had a significant impact on the population of the Puerto Rican Nightjar, and the problem is ongoing. One potentially serious threat to the species is the proposed wind farm development in Karso del Sur IBA, which could wipe out 5% of the total breeding population. In addition, you birds are at risk of being hunted by Short-eared Owls, and both young and eggs are predated upon by Pearly-eyed Thrashers, fire ants, and feral cats.
The Puerto Rican Nightjar is legally protected but more needs to be done; raising community awareness, effective conservation of existing reserves, and continuing research into the species will help to prevent a further decline in numbers.
Geographic Range of the Puerto Rican Nightjar
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Puerto Rican Nightjar, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species by clicking their logo below.
