Composition of avian assemblage in a protected forested area in Haiti : evidence for recent decline of both forest-dependent and insectivore species

Abstract

Although past and present deforestation is regarded as a major environmental issue in Haiti, its direct impact on biodiversity remains largely undocumented. We assessed the composition of the avian assemblage at Parc National La Visite, a protected area in the Massif de La Selle, southeastern Haiti, and compared our results to those obtained there about 15 years ago in a previous study. We combined mist-netting with visual observations and use of camera traps to document the presence and relative abundance of bird species over 13 field sessions from December 2019 to January 2022. We recorded the presence of 42 different bird species, belonging to 12 different orders, 26 families and 39 genera, during the course of our survey, including 16 (38.1 %) Hispaniola-endemics and seven North-American migrant species (16.7 %). Most species 81 % observed during our survey are currently classified as Least Concern in the IUCN red list, but eight species are of conservation concern, including one Near-Threatened species, five Vulnerable species and two Endangered.