The status and conservation of Jamaica's threatened and endemic forest avifauna and their habitats following Hurricane Gilbert

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Abstract
Summary: Despite serious and widespread hurricane damage to the natural forests of Jamaica (43% of trees either toppled or with crowns broken in the John Crow Mountains, for instance), the populations of the endemic Ring-tailed PigeonColumba caribaea, Crested Quail-doveGeotrygon versicolor, Black-billed ParrotAmazona agilis, Yellow-billed ParrotA. collaria, Blue Mountain VireoVireo osburniand Jamaican BlackbirdNesopsar nigerrimusappear to have survived Hurricane Gilbert well. However, the expected reduction in food supplies, notably for the frugivores, caused by the severe damage to many trees, coupled with continuing and in some cases increasing human destruction and disturbance of the forests, puts the longer-term survival of these species in some doubt. The establishment of functioning protected areas encompassing the key forest regions for these birds; upgrading and more rigorous enforcement of the legislation governing conservation and management of wildlife and the natural forests; and the control and improvement of agricultural practices around forest areas, would greatly help to ensure the preservation of the forest avifauna and are recommended.