Dorado

A new species has been added to the over 350 species that are present in the Puerto Rico bird catalogue. Rarely is there a chance to see a new species for Puerto Rico, but a lucky group of bird watchers saw a never-before-seen vireo on this island.

On October 11, 2014, a group of about ten observers were birdwatching at the Bajuras sector in Aguadilla. They were at the foot of the cliff. This cliff, which runs from Aguadilla to Camuy, is known as the Northwest Cliff. This place has been declared as an important bird area (IBA) by the world organization BirdLife International, because of its importance for endemic, migratory, and marine birds such as the White-tailed Tropical Bird (Phaeton lepturus). The cliff covers an area of 4147 ha.

The birdwatchers had a few good photographers. They were all gathered at the foot of the cliff at a place similar to a dry creek. There they saw many interesting birds, including a Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum). But what really caught their attention were a few very strange calls that came from two separate places. Soon, one of the callers approached them close enough to be photographed by Brenda Verdejo. Both the physical traits and vocalizations of the birds corresponded to those of the Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus). This is a wandering or errant species in Cuba and Jamaica. Somewhat surprising is that this species, that lives in much of Canada, United States and Mexico, is a rare migrator in the southeast of United States. There are no sighting reports previous to this one for Puerto Rico. Congratulations to the lucky observers!