Recent breeding records and status review of the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
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Abstract: The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) has previously nested once on St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, during the first half of the 20th century at Rust-op-Twist Salt Pond. We document recent breeding records (2005-2006) of the Ruddy Duck on St. Croix, at Southgate Pond. These breeding records strengthen the argument that Southgate Pond, and formerly Rust-op-Twist, are the two most productive seasonal salt ponds on St. Croix for rare waterbirds.
Keywords: breeding record, nests, non-breeding status, Oxyura jamaicensis, Ruddy Duck, St. Croix, salt pond, Southgate Pond, subspecies, surveys, US Virgin Islands, waterbirds
Resumen: Registros recientes de cría y revisión del estado de Oxyura jamaicensis en San Croix, Islas Vírgenes de EEUU- El Pato Chorizo (Oxyura jamaicensis) ha nidificado una vez anteriormente en San Croix, Islas Vírgenes de EEUU, durante la primera mitad del siglo 20 en Rust-op-Twist Salt Pond. Documentamos registros recientes de cría (2005-2006) del Pato Chorizo en Southgate Pond, San Croix. Estos registros apoyan fuertemente que Southgate Pond, y anteriormente Rust-op-Twist, son dos de los humedales estacionales más productivos en San Croix para especies de aves acuáticas raras.
Palabras clave: aves acuáticas, estado no reproductivo, humedal, muestreos, nidos, Islas Vírgenes de EEUU, Oxyura jamaicensis, registros de cría, San Croix, Southgate Pond, subespecie
Résumé: Observations récentes de nidification de l’Erismature rousse à St. Croix, Iles Vierges Américaines- L’Erismature rousse (Oxyura jamaicensis) avait niché une seule fois à St. Croix, Iles Vierges Américaines, dans la première moitié du 20 ème siècle à Rust-op-Twist Salt Pond. Nous fournissons des données récentes de nidification (2005-2006) de l’espèce à St. Croix, Southgate Pond. Ces observations appuient l’hypothèse que Southgate Pond, et autrefois Rust-op-Twist, sont les deux salines temporaires les plus riches à St. Croix pour les espèces rares d’oiseaux d’eau.
Mots clés: Erismature rousse, études, Iles Vierges américaines, nidification, nids, oiseaux d’eau, statut non nicheur, Oxyura jamaicensis, St. Croix, saline, Southgate Pond, sous-espèce
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