The Puerto Rican spindalis (Spindalis portoricensis) is a bird endemic to the island of Puerto Rico, where it is commonly known as reina mora. The species is widely distributed throughout the island and is an important part of the Puerto Rican ecosystem because of its help in seed dispersal and plant reproduction. The Puerto Rican spindalis is the unofficial national bird[N 1] of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican spindalis exhibits sexual dimorphism with males being brightly colored and females being dully colored. Males are green colored above with an orange neck and chest. They have a black head with two white stripes running across it, with one above and one below the eyes. The tail and wings are gray to black with small white stripes at the tips. In contrast, the female is a dull olive-green color with slightly noticeable white stripes. Sexual dimorphism is also noticeable in weight and size. Females are slightly heavier but smaller in length than males. The males weight ranges from 22.5 to 37.0 grams with an average of 30.8 grams while the females ranges from 28.0 to 41.1 grams with an average of 33.5 grams. The length of the males wings ranges from 82 to 88.5 mm with an average of 85.2 mm while the females range from 80 to 85.5 mm with an average of 82.6 mm. The length of the males tail ranges from 59 to 68 mm with an average of 63.3 mm while the females range from 56 to 65.5 mm with an average of 60.6 mm.
The Puerto Rican Spindalis is an endemic species restricted to the main island of Puerto Rico where it is widespread (Oberle 2018, Raffaele 1989a). This species inhabits varied habitats, from forests to gardens and plantations (Biaggi 1997, Oberle 2018, Raffaele 1989a). The atlas fieldwork yielded a total of 627 records within 330 hexagons or 69 percent of the 479 total hexagons (see map). Of the 330 hexagons where this species was found, breeding met the atlas definition of confirmed in 8 percent (25) of the hexagons, probable in 42 percent (138), and possible in 50 percent (166), while the species was observed in an additional hexagon (<1 percent) but without evidence of breeding. In addition, there were no records of the Puerto Rican Spindalis in Puerto Ricos outer islands (see map). Puerto Rican Spindalis distribution. The map shows the highest breeding code by hexagon and overlaying the ecological life zones in Puerto Rico. Note: percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
The Puerto Rican Spindalis is an abundant bird that breeds from January to June, according to previously published reports (Biaggi 1997). The nest consists of a loose cup of vegetation and is usually built low in a bush, tree, or palm (Raffaele and others 1998). Atlas results indicate an increase in breeding 261Puerto Rican Spindalis/Reinamoraactivity from March to June, and most breeding occurs in the subtropical moist forest life zone (see chart). Results show that this species breeds in all subtropical forest life zones (see table and map). It was recorded in the subtropical moist forest life zone (61 percent of the hexagons), subtropical wet and lower montane wet forest life zones (22 percent of the hexagons), and subtropical dry forest life zone (16 percent of the hexagons). There was one observation (classified as probable breeding) located in the subtropical rain and lower montane rain forest life zones.
The Puerto Rican Spindalis population is believed to be stable, and it is listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN (BirdLife International 2016). In 2005, this species was locally listed as Data Deficient, but a 2015 assessment classified it as Low Risk (PRDNER 2015). Locally, this species is not listed in any of the threatened categories of PRDNER and USFWS. In Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican Spindalis has a protected habitat in land of 11 percent or 898 km2 of the total area covered by the hexagons where evidence of breeding was found for this species (7869 km2).
The Puerto Rican Spindalis is a widely distributed endemic species that is only found on Puerto Rico’s main island (Oberle 2018, Raffaele 1989a). This species lives in a variety of settings, including gardens, plantations, and forests (Biaggi 1997, Oberle 2018, Raffaele 1989a). 627 records, or 69% of the 479 total hexagons, were found within 330 hexagons as a result of the atlas fieldwork (see map). Breeding met the atlas definition of confirmed in 8% (25) of the 330 hexagons where this species was found, probable in 42% (138), and possible in 50% (166), with the species also observed in an additional hexagon ( Furthermore, no documentation of the Puerto Rican Spindalis was found in the outer islands of Puerto Rico (see map). Puerto Rican Spindalis distribution. The map overlays Puerto Rico’s ecological life zones and displays the highest breeding code represented by a hexagon. Note: percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
Known locally as reina mora, the Puerto Rican spindalis (Spindalis portoricensis) is an endemic bird to the island of Puerto Rico. Due to its assistance in seed dispersal and plant reproduction, the species is extensively distributed throughout the island and plays a significant role in the Puerto Rican ecosystem. The unofficial national bird of Puerto Rico is the spindalis [N 1]. Male Puerto Rican spindalis are brightly colored, while females are dully colored, exhibiting sexual dimorphism. Males have an orange neck and chest and are green above. Their black head is striped with two white lines, one above and one below the eyes. With tiny white stripes at the tips, the tail and wings are gray to black in color. On the other hand, the female has faint white stripes and a dull olive-green color. Sexual dimorphism is also noticeable in weight and size. Females are slightly heavier but smaller in length than males. The males weight ranges from 22. 5 to 37. 0 grams with an average of 30. 8 grams while the females ranges from 28. 0 to 41. 1 grams with an average of 33. 5 grams. The males’ wings are between 82 and 88 inches long. 5 mm with an average of 85. 2 mm while the females range from 80 to 85. 5 mm with an average of 82. 6 mm. The male’s tail measures between 59 and 68 mm in length, with an average of 63 mm. 3 mm while the females range from 56 to 65. 5 mm with an average of 60. 6 mm.
The IUCN lists the Puerto Rican Spindalis as a species of least concern, and its population is thought to be stable (BirdLife International 2016). This species was locally listed as Data Deficient in 2005, but it was classified as Low Risk (PRDNER 2015) in an assessment conducted in 2015. This species is not included in any of the USFWS’s or PRDNER’s threatened categories locally. The Puerto Rican Spindalis occupies a protected habitat on land that makes up 11%, or 898 km2, of the hexagon-shaped area that covers Puerto Rico and where breeding evidence for the species has been found (7869 km2).
According to previously released reports, the Puerto Rican Spindalis is a common bird that breeds from January to June (Biaggi 1997) Usually constructed low in a bush, tree, or palm, the nest is made of a loose cup of vegetation (Raffaele and others 1998) According to Atlas data, there is a rise in breeding activity for 261 Puerto Rican Spindalis/Reinamora from March to June. The majority of breeding takes place in the subtropical moist forest life zone (see chart). The species reproduces in every subtropical forest life zone, according to the results (see table and map). Sixty-one percent of the hexagons were in the subtropical moist forest life zone, twenty-two percent were in the subtropical wet and lower montane wet forest life zones, and sixteen percent were in the subtropical dry forest life zone. One observation was found in the lower montane rain forest and subtropical rain forest life zones; it was categorized as likely breeding.
The Spindalis of Puerto Rico also has a great way of defending its young or its eggs. Often these birds will nest nearby each other. This enables them to mob predators in an effort to deter them from attacking their nests. They will even try to mob snakes, such as the Puerto Rican Boa, so as to protect their nests. Whether or not this behavior is successful will depend largely on the predator and the fierceness of their attacks. So the next time you visit the island or any of its beautiful destinations, keep an eye out for this fascinating little bird. Clearly the Puerto Rican Spindalis was a great choice as the national bird of Puerto Rico.
When visiting Puerto Rico, you may occasionally spot a small bird with two white stripes across its face. This is the Reina Mora, also known as the Puerto Rican Spindalis (Spindalis portoricensis), which is Puerto Rico’s national bird. The bird is common throughout the island and is crucial to the spread of seeds and the reproduction of plants. As a result, the bird is treasured by many types of Puerto Rican nature enthusiasts and is an essential component of the island’s ecosystem.
The Puerto Rican Spindalis is a member of the tanager bird species and is endemic to Puerto Rico. It is easily spotted by the two white stripes that run across the birds black head, one below the eye and one above it. The males are more brightly colored than the females, with a bright orange neck and chest, and gray or black wings which are tipped with small white stripes. The female has far less color, being only a dull olive-green and with barely noticeable white stripes on the tips of her wings. The males are lighter, but bigger than the females and the average wingspan for a male is 85 millimeters. The Puerto Rican Spindalis feeds primarily on fruit and it enjoys a variety of fruits found across the island. However, they will also feed on insects and lizards when they are able to. Man has had an impact on the Reina Moras natural environment and today they are often found in plantations instead of in the El Yunque Nature Reserve. They also tend to frequent gardens and can be enticed into houses by being offered sugar. In fact, probably the only place you wont find this little bird is at an elevation higher than 1000 meters above sea level.
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