Birds on the outer cays of the Turks and Caicos Islands
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Abstract: We surveyed outer cays of the Turks and Caicos in June 2002, and found large proportions of the Caribbean breeding populations of Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus), and Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata). Numbers of the first two species are the greatest known from the Caribbean. Internationally important numbers were found also of White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus), Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla), Royal Tern (Sterna maxima), Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), and Least Tern (Sterna antillarum). Other bird species seen are noted. Comments are made on conservation requirements.
Keywords: bird records, breeding seabirds, conservation, Turks and Caicos Islands
Resumen: Las aves de los cayos exteriores de las islas Turks y Caicos- En Junio del 2002, hicimos muestreos en los cayos más externos de las islas Turks y Caicos y se encontraron elevados valores poblacionales de Anous stolidus, Sterna anaethetus and Sterna fuscata con respecto a las poblaciones nidificantes en el Caribe. Los valores de las dos primeras especies son los mayores conocidos para el Caribe. Además se encontraron valores poblacionales importantes internacionalmente de Phaethon lepturus, Fregata magnificens, Larus atricilla, Sterna maxima, Sterna sandvicensis, Sterna dougallii and Sterna antillarum. También fueron observadas otras especies de aves. Se hacen comentarios sobre las necesidades de conservación.
Palabras claves: aves marinas nidificantes, conservación, registro de aves, Islas Turks y Caicos
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