Threats to the Bahama Oriole
As one of the few endemic species found in the Bahamas, the Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is subjected to a changing world. Lethal Yellowing Disease, anthropogenic encroachment, and brood parasitism are main threats to the bird.
Lethal Yellowing DiseaseLethal yellowing disease affects the Bahama Oriole's favored nesting habitat. With coconut palms in decline on North Andros Island, nesting success of the oriole is in decline.
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Shiny Cowbird
The introduced Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) was first found on North Andros Island in 1994. This introduced species favors the Bahama Oriole as a parasitic brood host. What does this mean? The Shiny Cowbird lays their own eggs in the oriole's nests leading to nest failures and increased nest competition.
Some birds, such as the Shiny Cowbird, do not rear their own young. That responsibility is thus put forward onto the Bahama Oriole where the chicks are cared for and fed; this in turn reduces food intake for the Bahama Oriole chicks and reduces nesting success.
Anthropogenic threats
Destruction of coppice habitats for agricultural development is also a concern for the survival of the Bahama Oriole. With increased development and habitat loss, there will be fewer and fewer places to forage and feed their chicks. Coppice habitat is important for the future of the oriole.
Sources
Baltz, M. E. 1997. Status of the Black-cowled Oriole (Icterus dominicensis northropi) in the Bahamas. Department of Agriculture, Nassau, Bahamas.
Friesen, Lyle E., Garth Casbourn, Virgil Martin, and R. Jock Mackay. "Nest Predation in an Anthropogenic Landscape." The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 125.3 (2013): 562-69. Web of Science. Web. 6 Oct. 2016.
Johnston, R. F. 2001. Synanthropic Birds of North America. In: Avian ecology and conservation in an urbanizing world (J. M. Marzluff, R. Bowman, and R. Donnelly, eds.), pp. 49–67. Kluwer Academy Publishers, Boston, MA.
Myers, N., R. A. Mittermeier, C. G. Mittermeier, G. A. B. dA Fonseca, and J. Kent. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858.Boxill, Ian. "Chapter 4."
Introduction to Social Research: With Applications to the Caribbean. Barbados: Canoe U of the West Indies, 1997. 36. Print.
Price, Melissa R., Valerie A. Lee, and William K. Hayes. "Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species."Journal of Field Ornithology 82.4 (2011): 366-378.
Friesen, Lyle E., Garth Casbourn, Virgil Martin, and R. Jock Mackay. "Nest Predation in an Anthropogenic Landscape." The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 125.3 (2013): 562-69. Web of Science. Web. 6 Oct. 2016.
Johnston, R. F. 2001. Synanthropic Birds of North America. In: Avian ecology and conservation in an urbanizing world (J. M. Marzluff, R. Bowman, and R. Donnelly, eds.), pp. 49–67. Kluwer Academy Publishers, Boston, MA.
Myers, N., R. A. Mittermeier, C. G. Mittermeier, G. A. B. dA Fonseca, and J. Kent. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858.Boxill, Ian. "Chapter 4."
Introduction to Social Research: With Applications to the Caribbean. Barbados: Canoe U of the West Indies, 1997. 36. Print.
Price, Melissa R., Valerie A. Lee, and William K. Hayes. "Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species."Journal of Field Ornithology 82.4 (2011): 366-378.