[order] TROGONIFORMES | [family] Trogonidae | [latin] Priotelus roseigaster | [authority] Vieillot, 1817 | [UK] Hispaniolan Trogon | [FR] Trogon damoiseau | [DE] Rosentrogon | [ES] Trogon de la Espanola | [NL] Hispaniola-trogon
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
Priotelus is a genus of birds in the Trogon family consisting of two species the Cuban (P. temnurus) and Hispaniolan Trogon (T roseigaster). The latter is usually placed in genus Priotelus, but shows significant differences from P. temnurus in bill pattern, plumage coloration and some morphological features. Hence it is by some authorities placed in its own genus Temnotrogon. Both Priotelus species are the only Trongons in the caribbean area.
Physical charateristics
The Hispaniolan Trogon is unlike any other species known to occur on Hispaniola with it’s metallic green upperparts, gray breast, red belly and dark blue tail strongly marked with white
Listen to the sound of Hispaniolan Trogon
[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/TROGONIFORMES/Trogonidae/sounds/Hispaniolan Trogon.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 27 | cm | size max.: | 30 | cm |
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| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 1 | ||
| eggs max.: | 3 |
Range
North America : Hispaniola. Priotelus roseigaster is endemic to Haiti, where habitat loss has been extensive and it is now restricted to the Massifs de la Hotte and de la Selle, and the Dominican Republic where it is still quite common, especially in the relatively undisturbed Sierra de Baoruco, although there has been a moderately rapid population reduction, owing to deforestation
Habitat
It has been reported from sea level to the highest peaks though it only rarely occurs at lower elevations. It occurs at 500-3000 meter, but there is apparently some altitudinal migration with birds observed at lower elevations in winter. It inhabits rain, dry and pine forests, but requires large, old decayed trees for nesting
Reproduction
Builds nest in a tree cavity, often an abandoned nest of a Woodpecker. Clutch size is 2 eggs.
Feeding habits
Known to mainly eat insects though also takes small vertabrates and fruit, especiallly those of the Parrot Tree, Brunellia comocladifolia.
Video Hispaniolan Trogon
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtjzo1Mg3YM
copyright: David Ascanio
Conservation
This species is considered Near Threatened because its population is continuing to decline throughout its small range owing to forest degradation and fragmentation. However, the range is not yet severely fragmented or restricted to few locations. For these reasons, the species is classified as Near Threatened.
Forest loss and fragmentation owing to shifting agriculture are causing a decline, particularly in moist forest areas. Dry forests have been considerably altered by charcoal production, and even pine forests have been devastated by indiscriminate logging and clear-cutting. In particular, recent habitat destruction along highways has caused a drastic decline of the population in the Cordillera Central, but it is occasionally seen on abandoned coffee farms and old cacao groves in the Cordillera Septentrional. The species is also subject to hunting.
Forest loss and fragmentation owing to shifting agriculture are causing a decline, particularly in moist forest areas. Dry forests have been considerably altered by charcoal production, and even pine forests have been devastated by indiscriminate logging and clear-cutting. In particular, recent habitat destruction along highways has caused a drastic decline of the population in the Cordillera Central, but it is occasionally seen on abandoned coffee farms and old cacao groves in the Cordillera Septentrional. The species is also subject to hunting.
Migration
Descends to lower levels in the non-breeding season.
Distribution map
