Johnson and Haight • BIOLOGY AND STATUS OF BLACK CATBIRD 
233 
birds than the storm itself (Lynch 1991, Mor- 
genthaler 2003). 
Development lor tourism and urbanization does 
not always decimate Black Catbird populations if 
patches of native vegetation remain, especially 
littoral vegetation (e.g.. mangroves). Healthy 
populations of Black Catbirds currently exist on 
Ambergris Caye, Belize, and Isla Cozumel, 
Mexico, despite continuing development, A 
beachfront residence with a lagoon and expanding 
stands of mangroves on Ambergris supports a 
population of Black Catbirds (Dan Plunkett, pers. 
comm.) and, despite expanding tourism on 
Cozumel, concentrations of the species exist, 
often near golf courses where water and man¬ 
groves remain (J. O. Cornelia and S. I. Swain, 
pers. comm.). 
Another serious consideration for the Black 
Catbird relates to the small number of two to three 
eggs per nest (Morgenthaler 2003. LaPergola et 
al. 2009). In addition, a high mortality rate of 80% 
for nestlings (LaPergola et al. 2009, Roldan-Clara 
el al. 2009) results largely from predation 
(Morgenthaler 2003, LaPergola et al. 2009. 
Roldan-Clara et al. 2009). This low' reproductive 
potential increases the danger of being unable to 
recover, especially if there is a catastrophe, e.g.. a 
severe hurricane or loss of large tracts of suitable 
habitat. These factors, combined with losses of 
coastal, island, and inland wetland ecosystems, 
result in a precarious situation for the Black 
Catbird in Belize and throughout much of its 
remaining range. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
A large number of professionals that have worked with 
the avifauna of the Yucatan Peninsula assisted. We 
especially thank S. M. Russell who discussed his past 
work in the area and made available difficult to find 
reference materials. L. F. KilTdiscussed his past work in the 
area ami. with Travis Rosen berry, assisted with references 
from The Peregrine Fund library: E. E. Klaas and A. M. Rea 
discussed their past work in the urea, and B. W. and C. M. 
Miller, currently working in Belize, provided helpful 
information. J, O Cornelia. Dan Plunkett, and S. I. Swain 
provided up-to-date information on the species on Amber¬ 
gris Caye and Isla Cozumel. C. E. Braun, K. J. Kingsley, E. 
E. Klaas, and an unknown reviewer made helpful 
suggestions on the final manuscript. 
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