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Setophaga pitiayumi

(Gundlach, 1855)

Tropical Parula

G5Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102272
Element CodeABPBX02020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParulidae
GenusSetophaga
Synonyms
Parula pitiayumi(Vieillot, 1817)
Other Common Names
Mariquita-do-Sul (PT) Olive-backed Warbler (EN) Parula Tropical, Pitayumí (ES) Paruline à joues noires (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (Lovette et al. 2010) indicate that all species formerly placed in Dendroica, one species formerly placed in Wilsonia (citrina), and two species formerly placed in Parula (americana and pitiayumi) form a clade with the single species traditionally placed in Setophaga (ruticilla). The generic name Setophaga has priority for this clade (AOU 2011).

Also known as Olive-backed Warbler. Groups: S. pitiayumi [Tropical Parula] and S. graysoni (Ridgway, 1887) [Socorro Warbler].

Resident population on Socorro Island has sometimes been treated as a distinct species, P. graysoni (Socorro Warbler) (AOU 1983). Constitutes a superspecies with P. americana (AOU 1998).
Conservation Status
Review Date2000-01-31
Change Date1996-12-03
Edition Date2000-01-31
Edition AuthorsDeeble, B.; revisions by D.W. Mehlman
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Range Extent Comments
RESIDENT: from southern Texas (Kenedy, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Brooks Counties) and northern Mexico south to South America (locally in Guyana and Suriname, extreme northern Brazil, much of Venezuela, western Colombia, western and eastern Ecuador, northwestern and eastern Peru, northern and eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina) and Trinidad (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997).
Threat Impact Comments
HABITAT LOSS AND DEGRADATION: Deforestation and damage to riparian communities by flood control and agricultural activities have precipitated a decline in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Brush, pers. comm.). A combination of habitat loss and habitat deterioration is probably responsible for the decline, including negative impacts of recurring droughts and freezes on large forest trees. Dewatering and the resulting succession of riparian woodland and subtropical evergreen forest to thorn-scrub communities comprised of smaller trees and shrubs may deteriorate habitat quality (Brush and Cantu 1998). PESTICIDES/POLLUTION: Use of pesticides in agricultural areas may harm this species (Oberholser 1974). Additionally, epiphytic plants used for nest substrates may be especially sensitive to air pollution (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). BROOD PARASITISM: Parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) in southern Texas (Brush 1999) and perhaps by Bronzed Cowbird (M. aeneus) (Friedmann and Kiff 1985).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

BREEDING: Confined chiefly to subtropical altitudes or latitudes and is absent from sea-level in the Tropical Zone (Chapman 1925). Forest habitats vary, ranging from low deciduous woodlands to high rain forest (AOU 1983, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, Ridgely and Tudor 1989), but rarely found where epiphytes required for nesting are absent (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). Nest built into the pendant mass of epiphytic growth on trees 2-13 meters from ground (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). Forest with abundant Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), big ball-moss (T. baileyi), small ball-moss (T. recurvata), or other masses of epiphytic growth are needed to support breeding (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997, Brush 1999). Occasionally a nest has been found buried in an orchid or a dangling cactus (Harrison 1984). Also forest edge, second growth, and less frequently, scrub (AOU 1983).

In Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, found in mixed deciduous riparian forest in closed or partially closed canopy dominated by cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia), sugar hackberry (Celtis laevigata), Texas ebony (Pithecellobium ebano), and Mexican ash (Fraxinus berlandieriana) (Brush 1999). Often in thick woods near edges of lagoons or dry river beds, with habit of frequenting the tops of forest trees (Sennett 1879 cited in Bent 1953).

In tropical deciduous forest of western Mexico detected much more frequently in pristine stands (47.5 percent of counts), than in 5 meters high (1.9 percent of counts) or 2 meters high second growth (undetected; Hutto 1989). Also inhabits oak forest in Texas, parts of Mexico, Honduras, and Colombia (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). In western Mexico, found in arid thorn forest and mangroves (Rhizophora spp.; Howell and Webb 1995). In Costa Rica, prefers canopy and edge of tall wet highland forest and taller trees, adjacent semi-open clearings and second growth (Stiles and Skutch 1989). In Honduras, in open broadleaf forest, cloud forest and pine-oak associations (Monroe 1968, cited in Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). In Costa Rica and Colombia, occurs from 304 to 1828 meters above sea level, rarely lower. In Trinidad, found in wooded areas at all elevations (Bent 1953).

In more humid regions of South America avoids lowlands; instead found in montane areas (Ridgely and Tudor 1989). In western Colombia, a resident population was observed to forage in high (more than 10 meters) forest canopy 49.4 percent, in subcanopy (3-10 meters) 33.5 percent, and in understory (0-3 meters) 17.1 percent, showing a preference for, but not an obligate use of, the highest forest strata (Chipley 1976). Shifts foraging height to lower forest strata when encountering the seasonal influx of neotropical migrants, particularly those they compete with to glean insects from foliage (Chipley 1976).

NON-BREEDING: Similar to breeding habitat (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). In southern Texas, may winter occasionally in well-wooded residential areas with tall trees or riparian forests lacking epiphytes (T. Brush, pers. comm.)

Ecology

Chipley (1976) reports observing 0.96 birds per census hour in September and 0.13 in December in a relatively isolated subtropical second-growth oak woods at 1800 meters in Colombia.

Reproduction

Permanent residents in tropical latitudes and may remain mated throughout the year (Harrison 1984). Female undertakes most nest construction, all brooding; both parents feed young (Skutch 1967). Courtship and nest-building has been reported from late March to early July, and nestlings observed until late July (Bent 1953, Webster 1977). Nest-cup of fine grasses, moss, rootlets, bark shreds, and tree blossoms, lined with fine fibers, hair, plant down and some feathers (Harrison 1978). When nesting in Spanish moss little material may be added. Texas egg dates April 28-May 30 (Bent 1953). Clutch size two to five (Regelski and Moldenhauer 1997). Fledglings observed 20 June.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodWoodland - Hardwood
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
TexasS3BYes
Roadless Areas (2)
California (2)
AreaForestAcres
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest4,703
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
References (43)
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