listing of Puerto Rican introduced species

[Jim McConnell]

I recently returned from a quick trip to Puerto Rico. In addition to finding most endemics, there was an abundance of well-established introduced species (Orange Bishop, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Venezuelan Troupial, Nutmeg Mannikin, Canary-winged Parakeet, etc.) Can I count these on my life list? I'm sure the answer is easy, but I don't really focus on such rules very often. Also, I only heard Puerto Rican Screech Owl. Is it still 'legal' to count heard birds? Thanks, Jim McConnell

[AndyB]

Hi Jim, got your PM too but thought I'd reply here in case others are looking for similar discussions. All these species are on the AOU list:
http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3
and most of the Puerto Rico trip reports out there seem to mention these species as "target" birds so I guess they're self-sustaining populations there and are countable.

In terms of counting "heard" only birds, I prefer not to and had assumed others did the same but in Texas recently, we heard a Black Rail a few feet away and birders seemed to be quite happy to add it as a life bird which surprised me. I suspect this varies from birder to birder. What does everyone else do?

[Jim McConnell]

Thanks Andy,
Wow, if I knew I could count these introduced guys I would have paid more attention to looking for them. Such knowledge makes a trip to Puerto Rico more worthwhile for a world lister, because there must be 20 or so introduced species there that could be added to the list of endemic niceties (of which there are only 30 or so). So a cheap trip to Puerto Rico could produce 50 life birds for an average birder. Also, the introduced ones are often spectacular. For example, the male Orange Bishop at the Alamo Rental Car place at San Juan International Airport was one of the prettiest birds I've ever seen.
As for listing birds by call, I think I will include night birds only heard. Their calls are usually as special as their looks. I have been within a mere few feet of calling Black Rails in NJ and Fulvous Owls in Chiapas. In both cases, having them interact with me as if we were talking back and forth made them memorable enough to list, if nothing else. I thank you for the knowledge that it is listing legal to do so. Much appreciate your taking the time to let me know about this. Thanks.

[AndyB]

Hi Jim, yes those Orange Bishops are spectacular. They're becoming not too uncommon in wetlands around southern California. I wonder if their population might get to the point where they become countable ABA birds in the not too distant future. The females are nice looking birds too and could stump the unwary when you stumble across one in the fall at the edge of a marsh, looking like a cross between a Grasshopper Sparrow and a dimunitive Bobolink. Sometimes, these non-natives also seem to lose their foothold. Spotted Dove now seems to be the most requested "request for information" on LACoBirds (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LACoBirds/) from out of towners coming to LA. They're not so easy anymore and maybe it will disappear.

I don't know enough about the Puerto Rico populations of non-natives, to know if those populations are all countable I'm afraid.

Probably for the birds' welfare, counting "heard only" is the best. If everyone had to see a Black Rail, there might be carnage out there. Would love to know what other birders do, is "heard only" acceptable to everyone?
Best, Andy

[Jim McConnell]

That's neat. I didn't know Orange Bishops were in the US, but then California has everything I guess. Probably nobody will know how established alot of species are, except for a few species that get good study and articles about them, etc. But who is going to take the time for that in most cases? There might be more important things to do in this life anyway, right. Still, it's fun to know that counting is not strictly a native birds deal now. I guess there are plenty of foreign species that have been around for a while and then gone. Those Mynas in Vancouver for example. Then there are those that seem to be here pretty permanently like House Sparrow and Starling, Cattle Egret, etc. In Thailand, Spotted Doves seem to like agricultural and weedy fields, whereas in the US I think they are rather urban. Wonder if that has anything to do with it. I like to think of my world list mostly as just a record of memories that are special rather than worry too much about legal listing. I confess that for this reason I like to count most things if there's an on the fence, on way or the other, sort of option.

[AndyB]

But who is going to take the time for that in most cases?

There's a parrot study group in LA studying all the escaped/introduced species. Some mornings, it sounds like you're in an aviary around here! Of course, some are now countable species:
http://www.natureali.org/parrot_project/suburban_jungles.htm

[Jim McConnell]

Andy, I enjoyed reading the attached blurb about introduced parrots and kin in the LA area, and the study group dealing with them. Thanks for that. It was nice to get a breakdown of relative types and abundance. I find the parrot and parakeets of the world to be very classy birds, so much so that I am usually happy to hear that they are colonizing the US. Perhaps it will make up a bit for the loss of Carolina Parakeet, and Thick-billed Parrot. If only they could successfully re-introduce Thick-billed Parrot somehow. Perhaps I am a bit laisse faire about the threat introduced parrots pose to native species, though.