It inhabits relatively undisturbed humid forest and woodland, and wet limestone forest, at elevations of 100-2,000 m. It breeds mostly in the highlands in spring and summer (from late February to August), occurring locally to sea-level on the wetter, north side of the island^1,2. Some birds move to lower altitudes at certain times, but these movements are poorly understood¹. It feeds in small flocks on fruits and seeds high in the canopy, and large flocks are sometimes seen moving to different feeding locations^1,2. The nest is constructed high in a tall tree.

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Version

2008

BirdLife International

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Justification

History

• 2004
  Vulnerable
• 2000
  Vulnerable
• 1996
  Critically Endangered
• 1994
  Critically Endangered

Population estimate = 0.3-6.3 individuals/km2 x 1,420 km2 (20% EOO) = 426-8,946 but probably best placed within band 2,500-10,000, as counts of 13.3-31.4 birds per 10-hr period (Varty 1991) indicate that density likely to be at upper end of range of estimates (from lowest to the lower quartile of nine estimates for six congeners of forest habitats in the BirdLife Population Density Spreadsheet).

Decreasing

Unabating pressure from illegal hunting, logging and clearance for plantation agriculture is responsible for this species's ongoing decline¹. However, the potential for bauxite mining in Cockpit Country is the currently the most important threat for the important populations in west-central Jamaica³.

Conservation Actions Underway
It is legally protected, but this is not enforced. Habitat in the Blue and John Crow Mountains has been declared a national park, but there is little enforcement or management¹. Funding is actively being sought for conservation in Cockpit Country¹ and current efforts are being directed to supporting Forestry Department and community-based Local Forest Management Committees to protect the Forest Reserves and private buffer lands in the Cockpit Country Conservation Area³. There is an on-going, high profile public awareness campaign to prevent bauxite mining in Cockpit Country; Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group and Local Forest Management Committees are engaged in the process of voicing opposition to mining and having the area declared "closed to mining" by Minister's Discretion³.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to assess numbers and precise distribution. Prevent bauxite mining in Cockpit Country by declaring the area "closed to mining". Maintain corridors linking highland forests and lowland areas¹. Enforce legal protection. Ensure de facto protection of the national park in the Blue and John Crow Mountains¹.