CARIBBEAN CLASSIC: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic · Tropical Birding Trip Report Caribbean Classic: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic: March 2020 +1-409-515-9110...

Tropical Birding Trip Report Caribbean Classic: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic: March 2020

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A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour

CARIBBEAN CLASSIC: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

3rd – 20th March 2020

SIX Caribbean specialty bird families featured: Todies, Palmchat, Chat-Tanagers,

Hispaniolan Tanagers, Puerto Rican Tanager, and Spindalises.

Tour Leader: Sam Woods and Pablo Cervantes Daza (Puerto Rico only)

Thanks to participant Lesley Cornish, who provided ALL of the photos for this report.



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INTRODUCTION: Most of the participants who joined this tour had not visited either of these islands, or the Caribbean region before. Thus, this meant there were not only a healthy list of island endemic bird species on offer as lifebirds, but also more widespread Caribbean specialties available too. On top of that, were SIX Caribbean endemic bird families that everyone in the group managed good views of: Todies were represented by three species, one seen on Puerto Rico (Puerto Rican Tody) and two recorded on the Dominican Republic (Narrow-billed and Broad Billed Todies), endemic Spindalises were also recorded on both islands; Puerto Rican Tanager, a monotypic family featured on the first morning on that island, Palmchat (another monotypic, endemic bird family) was seen within the capital city of Santo Domingo, while the Chat-Tanager family was acquired by all on the same island of Hispaniola; lastly was the Hispaniolan Tanager family, with the widespread Black-crowned Palm-Tanager starring regularly on that island, but the other two representatives of the family, White-winged and Green-tailed Warblers, only showing up on a single, incredible day, in the highlands of the Dominican Republic.

Black-crowned Palm-Tanager, from the endemic Hispaniolan Tanager family, was seen frequently (Lesley Cornish)

Other highlights included a long look at Antillean Crested Hummingbird near the Puerto Rican capital, a good brace of endemic nightbirds that turned up during one single nightbirding session near Guanica, with first Puerto Rican Nightjar, followed by Puerto Rican Screech-Owl; a spritely pair of Elfin-woods Warblers in montane Puerto Rico at Maricao; and extreme close ups of the endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird in the coastal lowlands on the same island.



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On the island of Hispaniola, the much-wanted Hispaniolan Crossbill was tracked down in the pines of the highlands on a magnificent day that also included excellent views of the rare La Selle Thrush, Hispaniolan Trogon, and the famously tough, Bay-breasted Cuckoo; the same day closed with wonderful views of White-fronted Quail-Dove near our base lower down. The tour ended with some superb final birding day avian peaks, with the critically endangered Ridgway’s Hawk circling during the morning, and an Ashy-faced Owl by spotlight after dinner.

Hispaniolan Crossbill was a major highlight of our time in the highlands on Hispaniola (Lesley Cornish)

TOUR SUMMARY: Puerto Rico: The tour began in the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. However, our birding began with a trip up into the scenic mountains of El Yunque National Forest. This is where our endemic haul was kickstarted with the beautiful Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, (which both then turned up daily), Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Puerto Rican Oriole, and the monotypic endemic bird family, Puerto Rican Tanager all featuring. From there, we moved south to Bosque de Pterocrapus, Humacao, where our number one target, Antillean Crested Hummingbird took its merry time to be found, but showed well once it was. We were soon on the move from there, however, and moved into the southwest of the island, with a two-night stay in a beautiful seaside resort in Guanica. Our late afternoon arrival there was swiftly succeeded by one of the major highlights on the island, an early evening nightbirding session that resulted in views of both Puerto Rican Nightjar and Puerto Rican Screech-Owl. One day we ventured up into the cooler, forested mountains north of Guanica, visiting the wonderful Maricao State Forest, where Puerto Rican Tanager performed again, Puerto Rican Vireo was sighted, and our only records of Green Mango and Elfin-woods Warbler occurred. Our time in the dry southwest of Puerto Rico was capped with an afternoon around coastal Cabo Rojo, where Caribbean Elaenia, Venezuelan Troupial, Antillean (Puerto Rican) Mango, and superb looks at the endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.



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Our time came to a close in northern Puerto Rico, at Cambalache State Forest, where the birding was quieter than hoped, but did turn up a Key West Quail-Dove for only a few unfortunately, and multiple further sightings of Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, and Puerto Rican Tody to finish off our time in this unincorporated US territory.

Puerto Rican Woodpecker was seen frequently (above) and the endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird put on a great show! (Lesley Cornish)



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Hispaniolan Parakeet was seen in Santo Domingo (Lesley Cornish)

Dominican Republic: Our time on our second island opened with us meeting our wonderful local guide for the tour, Efrain, during a busy opening evening that coincided with the local carnival celebrations, making for quite an introduction to the capital, Santo Domingo! Thankfully, things were much more peaceful the following morning within Santo Domingo Botanical Garden, where we noted Hispaniolan Parakeet before we even entered the gardens, and quickly picked up the islands most distinguished bird family, Palmchat, appropriately within a number of the local palms that inside the well-manicured gardens. This wonderful opening site also brought us West Indian Whistling-Ducks, the striking Black-crowned Palm-Tanager (which represented a new bird family for most, and was to turn up with regularity), and our first of many Hispaniolan Woodpeckers, and Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo. One of the World’s smallest birds was also seen several times in the capital, Vervain Hummingbird, which at a length of 6 centimeters/2.4 inches, is only marginally larger than Cuba’s Bee Hummingbird, officially, the World’s smallest bird. From Santo Domingo, we moved west to Puerto Escondido, where we were based at Villa Barrancoli for two nights, right on the edge of Sierra de Baharuco National Park. Arguably, the best day of this leg followed, with an incredibly early start required to reach the heights of Zapoten within the park, a high elevation (only 1600m/5250ft) site that yielded a really good list of endemics for the day. Our early start was to ensure we were in prime position to view the road at dawn, where, famously, the rare and shy La Selle Thrush often comes out to feed during the early minutes of daylight. The strategy paid off with sightings obtained soon after arrival that were followed with even better looks once full daylight had arrived. From then on, this morning represented an ongoing procession of endemics; Green-tailed Warbler (actually part of the endemic Hispaniolan Tanager family), turned up on multiple occasions, although its decidedly trickier congener, White-winged Warbler took some effort before everybody got a look.



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Hispaniolan Woodpeckers and Palmchats were quickly picked up during our first birding in Santo Domingo (Lesley Cornish)



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Broad-billed Tody gave some fabulous looks on Hispaniola (Lesley Cornish)

We were all pleasantly surprised to add another key family, with an unusually showy pair of Western Chat-Tanagers during this same heady session. Another standout bird came with several early Hispaniolan Trogons, which were followed by other montane highlights, like Narrow-billed Tody, Antillean Piculet, Hispaniolan Spindalis, Antillean Siskin, and then a superb showing from a burnt red male Hispaniolan Crossbill within pines at the highest point visited on the tour. Less flashy endemics up at Zapoten, included Hispaniolan Pewee, Greater Antillean Elaenia, and our only sighting of the local form of Loggerhead Kingbird. A Bay-breasted Cuckoo during lunch was both fortunate and completely unexpected. On the way down, we added Antillean Euphonia, a species that had frustratingly eluded us in Puerto Rico, and got our first decent looks at Broad-billed Tody, making it a two-tody day. Once back at base lower down, we walked the famous Robo de Gato trail, which produced much-appreciated White-necked Crows, and then culminated in a good sighting of White-fronted Quail-Dove in the late afternoon. A visit to nearby La Placa saw us pick up Flat-billed Vireo too. An evening visit to La Mina produced a multiple views of a foraging Hispaniolan Emerald, and a single sighting of Greater Antillean (Hispaniolan) Nightjar as dusk fell. After our heady time at the high elevations of Sierra de Baharuco National Park, we spent some time in pines at a different site, El Aceitillar, where the star bird, (Hispaniolan) Palm Crow gave itself up easily, as did a few groups of Hispaniolan Parrots. Golden Swallows, Stolid Flycatchers, and Pine Warblers were also appreciated there, while several burly Plain Pigeons passed overhead at the same site. A lunch stop on one day, eventually, produced some far-off White-tailed Tropicbirds and a flock of Caribbean Martins. A visit to another montane site, Cachote, produced joy and frustration in equal measure; the site’s celebrity species, Eastern Chat-Tanager, was predictably elusive, showing well to some of the group, but not to most, as it was blocked for many. The same site did yield a good look at Rufous-throated Solitaire at least!



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Three Hispaniolan Trogons were seen in the highlands, near Zapoten (Lesley Cornish)

We were surprised to run into the scarce Hispaniolan Parrot on two occasions on the island (Lesley Cornish) The tour finished with a stop at Sabana del Mar, close to the outskirts of Los Haitises National Park over on the eastern side of the island. The morning at Cano Hondo produced its most important avian attraction, the critically endangered Ridgway’s Hawk, after some sterling work by the local guide. In the afternoon a relaxed boat ride along the coast produced both a dramatic perspective on the national park, along with plentiful frigatebirds, and a handful of close West Indian Whistling-Ducks. Then, the tour ended, dramatically with a post dinner Ashy-faced Owl, to land the final endemic of the tour (thanks to Efrain), before we all departed the next day.



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West Indian Whistling-Duck and Magnificent Frigatebird at Los Haitises NP on Hispaniola (Lesley Cornish)



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Red-legged Thrush and Scaly-naped Pigeon were both seen regularly on Puerto Rico (Lesley Cornish)



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Caribbean specialties on Puerto Rico: Caribbean Elaenia (above) and Puerto Rican Flycatcher (Lesley Cornish)



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Black-crowned Palm-Tanagers were a regular sighting on the Dominican Republic, where we also found Prairie Warbler (Lesley Cornish)



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American Flamingos and Stilt Sandpipers were seen at Cabo Rojo on Hispaniola (Lesley Cornish)



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CHECKLISTS: BIRDS The taxonomy of the bird list follows: Clements, James F., White, Anthony W., and Fitzpatrick, John W. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Cornell, 2007. This list is up to date with the major changes published by Cornell up until August 2019. Alternative names and potential splits listed in the field guide “Birds of the West Indies”, by Lynx Edicions (2019) are also stated.

Abbreviations: DR: Dominican Republic H: Indicates Heard Only. HE: Hispaniolan Endemic GO: Indicates recorded by the Guide Only. NE: Near Endemic PR: Puerto Rico PRE: Puerto Rican Endemic WIE: West Indian Endemic Endemics are highlighted in RED. Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) West Indian Whistling-Duck (WIE) Dendrocygna arborea: Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens & Los Haitises (DR). Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors: Noted at Cabo Rojo (DR). White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis: A few were seen at Cabo Rojo (DR). Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus: 2 were seen at Cano Hondo, DR. Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos) American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber: A few individuals were seen at Cabo Rojo (DR). Podicipedidae (Grebes) Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps: A few were seen in Puerto Rico and on Hispaniola. Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) Rock Pigeon Columba livia: Recorded regularly throughout. Scaly-naped Pigeon (NE) Patagioenas squamosa: Seen daily on PR, and also noted on DR. Plain Pigeon (WIE) Patagioenas inornate: A few were seen at El Aceitillar, including a perched one! (DR) Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto: Recorded regularly on PR. Common Ground Dove Columbina passerine: Noted regularly on PR. White-fronted Quail-Dove (HE) Geotrygon leucometopia: Good views at Robo de Gato, and on Haitises boat trip (DR). Key West Quail-Dove (WIE) Geotrygon chrysie: One or two people managed to see this at Cambalache (PR). White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica: Regularly recorded throughout. Zenaida Dove (NE) Zenaida aurita: Multiple sightings on PR. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura: Sighted on most days on DR. Cuculidae (Cuckoos) Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani: Regularly sighted on both islands. Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor: A few were seen at Guanica and Cambalache on PR. Bay-breasted Cuckoo (HE) Coccyzus rufigularis: A really good sighting near Zapoten (DR). Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo (PRE) Coccyzus vieilloti: Noted at El Yunque and Cambalache (PR). Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo (HE) Coccyzus longirostris: Noted on four days in the DR.



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Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) Greater Antillean (Hispaniolan) Nightjar (HE) Antrostomus cubanensis: One passed overhead at La Mina (DR). Puerto Rican Nightjar (PRE) Antrostomus noctitherus: Two birds were seen in Guanica (PR). Apodidae (Swifts) Antillean Palm-Swift (WIE) Tachornis phoenicobia: Many on DR, including in Santo Domingo. Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) Antillean (Puerto Rican) Mango (PR) Anthracothorax dominicus aurulentus: Seen several times, including at Cabo Rojo. Antillean (Hispaniolan) Mango (HE) Anthracothorax dominicus dominicus: Seen at 3 different sites on DR. Green Mango (PRE) Anthracothorax viridis: One was found at Maricao (PR). Vervain Hummingbird (WIE) Mellisuga minima: A few were seen in Santo Domingo (DR). Hispaniolan Emerald (HE) Chlorostilbon swainsonii: recorded on five occasions on DR. Puerto Rican Emerald (PRE) Chlorostilbon maugaeus: Just a couple were seen on PR (e.g. Maricao). Antillean Crested Hummingbird (WIE) Orthorhyncus cristatus: A cooperative bird was seen at Humacao PR. Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata: A few were noted on both islands. Aramidae (Limpkin) Limpkin Aramus guarauna: 1 was seen near Los Haitises NP (DR). Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus: Recorded on DR at Cabo Rojo. Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus: A few were seen on both PR and DR. Killdeer Charadrius vociferous: A few sightings, on both PR and DR. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus: Several were seen at Cano Rojo on DR. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla: A few were seen on PR and DR. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius: A couple of sightings on DR only. Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca: Small numbers on both PR and DR. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes: Recorded once on DR. Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia: A single was seen on DR, at Cano Rojo. Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus: A number of sightings on both islands. Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds) White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus: At least three birds were seen over lunch on DR. Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens: Frequently sighted in coastal areas on both islands. Pelecanidae (Pelicans) Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis: Commonly encountered on both islands. Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) Great Blue Heron Ardea Herodias: Just a couple were seen on DR. (American) Great Egret Ardea alba egretta: Regularly noted throughout. Snowy Egret Egretta thula: A few sightings only on both islands.



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Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea: Noted on 3 days on DR, including on the boat trip in Haitises. Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor: A few were seen at Cabo Rojo in DR. (Western) Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ibis: Recorded on most days of the tour. Green Heron Butorides virescens: A few sightings on each island. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax: 3 birds were seen on the boat trip in Los Haitises (DR). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea: 2 were seen on the bat trip in Los Haitises (DR). Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) White Ibis Eudocimus albus: One was seen at Cabo Rojo in the DR. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: 2 were seen at Cabo Rojo in the DR. Cathartidae (New World Vultures) Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura: A regularly sighted species on both islands. Pandionidae (Osprey) (Western) Osprey Pandion haliaetus carolinensis: Noted on four days in PR. Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus: 1 was seen on the journey to Cano Hondo (DR). Ridgway's Hawk (HE) Buteo ridgwayi: 1 was seen circling above the trees at Cano Hondo (DR). Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis: Noted daily on PR. Tytonidae (Barn-Owls) Ashy-faced Owl (HE) Tyto glaucops: The final endemic addition on the last night at Cano Hondo (DR). Strigidae (Owls) Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia: A couple were seen on the journey to Zapoten (DR). Puerto Rican Screech-Owl (PRE) Megascops nudipes nudipes: One at El Yunque, and a better one at Guanica (PR). Trogonidae (Trogons) Hispaniolan Trogon (HE) Priotelus roseigaster: 3 birds were seen at Zapoten (DR). Todidae (Todies) CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FAMILY Broad-billed Tody (HE) Todus subulatus: Some great views around Puerto Escondido (DR). Narrow-billed Tody (HE) Todus angustirostris: 1 was seen in the mountains at Zapoten (DR). Puerto Rican Tody (PRE) Todus mexicanus: Seen daily on PR. Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon: 1 sighting on PR, and others on DR. Picidae (Woodpeckers) Antillean Piculet (HE) Nesoctites micromegas: A couple were seen at Zapoten, and another at Cachote (DR). Puerto Rican Woodpecker (PRE) Melanerpes portoricensis: A pleasantly common bird on PR. Hispaniolan Woodpecker (HE) Melanerpes striatus: Noted every day on DR. Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) American Kestrel Falco sparverius: Recorded on almost every day of the tour, on both islands. Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots) Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus: Noted twice on PR, including at Cambalache. White-winged Parakeet Brotogeris versicolurus: 2 birds were seen at Cambalache (PR). Hispaniolan (Amazon) Parrot (HE) Amazona ventralis: Noted twice, at Robo de Gato, and El Aceitillar (DR). Hispaniolan Parakeet (HE) Psittacara chloropterus: Some great views in Santo Domingo (DR).



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Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) Caribbean Elaenia (NE) Elaenia martinica riisii: Good views at Cabo Rojo (PR). Greater Antillean (Hispaniolan) Elaenia (HE) Elaenia fallax cherriei: Multiples at Zapoten, and El Aceitillar (DR). Hispaniolan Pewee (HE) Contopus hispaniolensis: A few were seen at Zapoten (DR). Stolid Flycatcher (WIE) Myiarchus stolidus: A few were seen at El Aceitillar and another at Los Haitises (DR). Puerto Rican Flycatcher (PRE) Myiarchus antillarum: Recorded on 3 days, including at Cambalache (PR). Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis: Noted on most days of the tour, on both islands. Loggerhead (Puerto Rican) Kingbird (PRE) Tyrannus caudifasciatus taylori: recorded at least five times in PR. Loggerhead (Hispaniolan) Kingbird (HE) Tyrannus caudifasciatus gabbii: Only one was seen near Zapoten (DR). Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis) Puerto Rican Vireo (PRE) Vireo latimerid: Noted at 2 sites: Maricao and Cambalache (PR). Flat-billed Vireo (HE) Vireo nanus: A pair was seen at La Placa on DR. Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus: Regularly recorded on both islands. Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) (Hispaniolan) Palm Crow (HE) Corvus palmarum palmarum: Four were seen at El Aceitillar (DR). White-necked Crow (HE) Corvus leucognaphalus: Excellent views were obtained at Robo de Gato (DR). Hirundinidae (Swallows) Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis: Just one sighting on PR. Caribbean Martin (NE) Progne dominicensis: One sighting on each island. Golden Swallow (HE) Tachycineta euchrysea: Two sightings on DR, at Zapoten and El Aceitillar. (Caribbean) Cave Swallow (NE) Petrochelidon fulva fulva: A few were seen near San Juan (PR), and later on DR too. Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) Pearly-eyed Thrasher (NE) Margarops fuscatus: Recorded every day on PR. Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos: Regular sightings on both islands. Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) Rufous-throated Solitaire (WIE) Myadestes genibarbis: Singles were seen at Zapoten and Cachote on DR. Bicknell's Thrush Catharus bicknelli: A presumed Bicknell’s was seen at Zapoten (DR). La Selle Thrush (HE) Turdus swalesi: 3 birds were seen at Zapoten (DR). Good views! (Eastern) Red-legged Thrush (WIE) Turdus plumbeus ardosiaceus: Recorded on most days, on both islands. Dulidae (Palmchat) CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FAMILY Palmchat (HE) Dulus dominicus: regularly encountered on DR, incuding in Santo Domingo. Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies) Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus: A single was seen on DR. Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Regularly documented throughout the tour. Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies) Antillean (Hispaniolan) Euphonia (HE) Euphonia musica musica: A pair was seen on our descent from zapoten (DR). Hispaniolan Crossbill (HE) Loxia megaplaga: A pair showed well above Zapoten (DR). Antillean Siskin (HE) Spinus dominicensis: A few were seen at Zapoten and others at El Aceitillar (DR). Calyptophilidae (Chat-Tanagers) CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FAMILY Western Chat-Tanager (HE) Calyptophilus tertius: A pair gave very decent views near Zapoten (DR). Eastern Chat-Tanager (HE) Calyptophilus frugivorus: 1 gave brief good looks at Cachote (DR). Typically, not seen by all.



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Phaenicophilidae (Hispaniolan Tanagers) CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FAMILY Black-crowned Palm-Tanager (HE) Phaenicophilus palmarum: Recorded each day on DR. White-winged Warbler (HE) Xenoligea montana: Two different birds were seen at Zapoten (DR). Green-tailed Warbler (HE) Microligea palustris: At least three birds were seen near Zapoten (DR). Nesospingidae (Puerto Rican Tanager) CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FAMILY Puerto Rican Tanager (PRE) Nesospingus speculiferus: Parties were seen in El Yunque and Maricao (PR). Spindalidae (Spindalises) CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FAMILY Hispaniolan Spindalis (HE) Spindalis dominicensis: three were seen up at Zapoten (DR). Puerto Rican Spindalis (PRE) Spindalis portoricensis: A daily bird on PR. Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) Hispaniolan Oriole (HE) Icterus dominicensis: This tricky bird was seen twoce ner Puerto Escondido (DR). Puerto Rican Oriole (PRE) Icterus portoricensis: Two were seen, 1 at El Yunque and another at Guanica (PR). Venezuelan Troupial Icterus icterus: A few of these introduced birds were seen at Cabo Rojo in PR. Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (PRE) Agelaius xanthomus: Excellent views were had at Cabo Rojo (PR). Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis: Scattered sightings on both PR and DR. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus: A couple of sightings were had on PR. Greater Antillean Grackle (WIE) Quiscalus niger: An abundant and common bird throughout the tour. Parulidae (New World Warblers) Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla: A couple were seen on DR (e.g. Santo Domingo). Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla: Noted twice at Robo de Gato (DR). Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis: Recorded once on PR. Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera: Recorded at one site, Cambalache (PR). Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia: Recorded 5 times, on both PR and DR. (Eastern) Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas trichas: One was seen at Cabo Rojo on DR. Elfin-woods Warbler (PRE) Setophaga angelae: A wonderful pair was seen at Maricao (PR). Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina: A stunning male was seen at Cambalache (PR). American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla: Recorded at least six times throughout the tour. Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina: Two sightings on DR, at Zapoten and Cano Hondo. Northern Parula Setophaga Americana: 5 sightings, seen on both islands. Yellow (Golden) Warbler Setophaga petechia [petechia Group]: Several were seen at a coastal site on DR. Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica: One of the group spotted one at Humacao, PR. Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens: A couple of singles at Zapoten in the highlands of the DR. (Western) Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum palmarum: A few were seen at El Aceitillar (DR). Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus: A few were seen at El Aceitillar (DR). Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler Setophaga coronata coronate: A few were found in the pines of El Aceitillar (DR). Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor: Recorded on three days in the DR. Adelaide's Warbler (PRE) Setophaga adelaidae: Noted on 4 days on PR. Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) (Greater Antillean) Bananaquit (WIE) Coereba flaveola bananivora/flaveola: Noted on four different days on DR. (Common) Bananaquit Coereba flaveola portoricensis: Common and conspicuous on PR. Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus: Just a few seen on DR (e.g. Cano Hondo). Puerto Rican Bullfinch (PRE) Melopyrrha portoricensis: A daily feature of our time on Puerto Rico. Black-faced Grassquit Melanospiza bicolor: A few were seen on the first few days in PR (e.g. El Yunque).

CARIBBEAN CLASSIC: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic · Tropical Birding Trip Report Caribbean Classic: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic: March 2020 +1-409-515-9110...

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