Priorities for Future Research

Few quantitative data are available for the Bridled Quail-Dove; the majority of what is known is derived from surveys and qualitative observations. Any quantitative research examining spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use and requirements, survival and population demography, gene flow among islands, breeding ecology, and influence of human activities would be valuable. Bridled Quail-Dove is uncommon to extremely rare across the islands and, depending on the location, its status ranges from a conservation priority (Garcia-Bermudez et al. 2005) to endangered (Platenberg et al. 2005). This suggests the most critical research needs include development of a clear understanding of population trends among the islands where it still occurs. This would require estimates of occupancy, density, and population sizes; the species may be more common than currently data suggests among some islands due to low detection probability and clumped spatial distributions. Identification of what the limiting factors are, and more specific understanding of the species habitat requirements also would facilitate conservation strategy development. Count and demographic data would allow better assessment of population status among islands, whereas banding and telemetry studies would enhance the understanding of the species seasonal movements and resource requirements. General opinion of knowledgeable biologists within the distribution of the Bridled Quail-Dove, and the status afforded the species in Puerto Rico (Garcia-Bermudez et al. 2005), the U.S. Virgin Islands (Platenberg et al. 2005), Saba (Voos and Koelers 1967, Rojer 1997) and St. Eustatius (Voos and Koelers 1967), are not consistent with the IUCN classification of the species as of Least Concern. This is largely due to limited quantitative data available for the species distribution wide; a detailed assessment and revision of the population status may be warranted.