Current Research

1. Long-term (44 yr) monitoring of a dry-forest bird community within the Guanica Biosphere Reserve in SW Puerto Rico. Non-Forest Service Collaborators: John R. Faaborg (University of Missouri, Columbia), Judith D. Toms (Eco-Logic Consulting and Canadian Wildlife Service), and Miguel Canals (Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources).

2. Comparing structure and diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate communities in a landscape mosaic: a first step in evaluating and conserving Nicaragua's biodiversity and promoting sustainable ecotourism in critical watersheds in a rapidly changing climate, in collaboration with USFS/IITF-International Cooperation (Gerald P. "Jerry" Bauer) (Major non-Forest Service Collaborators: Conservation NGO Paso Pacifico (Sarah M. Otterstrom); Central American University (UCA, Marvin A. Torrez); Fundacion Cocibolca (Jose Manuel Zolotoff, Roger Mendieta).

3. Comparison of avian diversity, abundance, and habitat use in shade coffee and broadleaf forest in the Mombacho Volcano Reserve: an international cooperative study. Non-Forest Service Collaborator: Fundacion Cocibolca (Jose Manuel Zolotoff and Roger Mendieta).

4. Training Caribbean and Mesoamerican biologists, tour guides and local youth in wildlife ecology, animal survey techniques, bird study and identification in the field and in hand. Current and past Instructors: Marvin A. Torrez (Central American University and the Juan Roberto Zarruck Biological Station, Finca Santa Maura); Mariamar Gutiérrez (Ph.D. candidate, University of Massachusetts, Amherst); Pomares Salmerón Belli (currently with a natural resources agency in Spain).

5. Urban bird communities as indicators of watershed integrity and vehicles for community engagement. In collababoration with USFS/IITF-International Cooperation (Jerry Bauer) and the USFS Northern Research Station (David King and Susannah Lerner).

Research Interests

I am a research ornithologist and have been with the USDA Forest Service’s International Institute of Tropical Forestry for 38 years. I am stationed at the Sabana Research Field Station in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (El Yunque National Forest) in northeastern Puerto Rico. My research, natural resources management, and community outreach interests are broad, ranging from avian morphometrics, life histories, migratory bird ecology and population dynamics, to sustaining the biodiversity of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna and forest health throughout the Neotropics in a constantly changing climate by saving rare, often endemic and endangered animals from extinction and their habitats from destruction or alteration, including anthropic intervention. Over the years, I have written some 200 scientific articles and technical reports and have trained hundreds of biologists, natural resource stewards, including eco- and avetourism guides, in the principles and techniques of wildlife ecology, population surveillance, avian community dynamics, ectoparasitism, and bird identification (audio-visual recognition) throughout the Caribbean and Mesoamerica. As a result of my mentoring and technical training, several private reserve owners and nature tour guides in Nicaragua have increased their livelihoods through eco- and avetourism revenues. More recently, I have broadened my scope to include urban forestry by initiating avian research in green areas as part of the USAID/USFS-IITF Santo Domingo ULTRA project in collaboration with David King (Research Wildlife Biologist) and Susannah Lerner (Urban Ecologist) at the USFS Northern Research Station located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Past Research

Scientific accomplishments and contributions

Knowledge and discovery

1. Philornis ectoparasitism Research in the Luquillo Experimental Forest.

2. Birds, rats, bees, and bots: keystone species in Puerto Rican Parrot Restoration efforts.

3. Avian Supertramps in the West Indian Fauna.

4. Pearly-eyed Thrasher’s Response to Habitat Destruction Caused by Hurricanes

5. Long-term avian research in mature dry forest within the Guánica Biosphere Reserve 6. Avian Ecomorphology.

Featured Publications & Products

• Arendt, Wayne J. 2006. Adaptations of an avian supertramp: distribution, ecology, and life history of the pearly-eyed thrasher (Margarops fuscatus)..
• Arendt, Wayne J. 2006. Adaptations of an avian supertramp: distribution, ecology, and life history of the pearly-eyed thrasher (Margarops fuscatus)..
• Arendt, Wayne J. 2000. Impact of nest predators, competitors, and ectoparasites on Pearly-eyed Thrashers, with comments on the potential implications for Puerto Rican Parrot recovery.
• Arendt, W.J.; Qian, S.S.; Mineard, K. 2013. Population decline of the Elfin-woods Warbler Setophaga angelae in eastern Puerto Rico.
• Arendt, Wayne J.; Tórrez, Marvin; Vílchez, Sergio. 2012. Diversidad de aves en agropaisajes en la region norte de Nicaragua.

Publications

• Arendt, Wayne J.; Tuckfield, R. Cary; Martínez-Sánchez, Juan Carlos; Reidy, Jennifer L.; Thompson III, Frank R.; Jr., Joseph M. Wunderle; Zolotoff, José Manuel. 2020. Avian Community Density and Distribution Patterns among Nicaraguan Conventional and Organic Shade-Coffee Plantations.
• Arendt, Wayne J.; Paulino, María M.; Paulino, Luis R.; Tórrez, Marvin A.; Lane, Oksana P. 2019. Colonization of Hispaniola by Margarops fuscatus Vieillot (Pearly-eyed Thrasher).
• Lerman, Susannah B.; King, David I; Arendt, Wayne ; Paulina María M., ; Paulino, Luis R. 2019. Mourning dove nest on a Palmchat colony in urban Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
• Tórrez, Marvin A. ; Arendt, Wayne J.; Medina Fitoria, Arnulfo. 2018. Especies vertebradas en sotobosque de la reserva natural Datanl -El Diablo: especies cineg ticas y prioridad para la conservaci n.
• Campos-Cerqueira, Marconi ; Arendt, Wayne J.; Wunderle, Joseph M.; Aide, T. Mitchell. 2017. Have bird distributions shifted along an elevational gradient on a tropical mountain.
• Tórrez, Marvin Alejandro,; Arendt, Wayne. 2017. La muda en especies de aves selectas de Nicaragua.
• Wunderle, Joseph, Jr..; Arendt, Wayne. 2017. The Plight of Migrant Birds Wintering in the Caribbean: Rainfall Effects in the Annual Cycle.
• Torrez, M.A.; Arendt, Wayne; Diaz, L. 2016. Consumption of Mullerian Bodies by Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) in Nicaragua's Highlands.
• Arendt, Wayne J.; Faaborg, John; Canals, Miguel; Bauer, Jerry. 2015. Bird checklist, Gu nica Biosphere Reserve, Puerto Rico.
• Torrez, M.A.; Arendt, Wayne; Castillo, I. 2015. Nuevos rangos altitudinales para dos especies de la avifauna de Nicaragua.
• Herrera-Rosales, H.M.; Tórrez, M.; Arendt, W.J. 2014. Registros del Cuco Hormiguero (Neomorphus geoffroyi) en la Reserva de Biosfera de Bosawas, Nicaragua.
• Boal, C.W.; Wunderle Jr., J.M., Jr..; Arendt, W.J. 2013. Autumn monitoring of resident avifauna on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands.
• Torrez, M.; Arendt, W.J.; Sotelo, M. 2013. Composicion de aves del Pacifico Sur de Nicaragua enfatizando las especies indicadoras dependientes de bosque Community composition of Nicaragua's Pacific Slope forest birds, emphasizing forest quality-dependent species.
• Torrez, M.; Arendt, W.; Maes, J. M. 2013. Comunidades de aves y lepidopteros diurnos y las relaciones entre ellas en bosque nuboso y cafetal de Finca Santa Maura, Jinotega.
• Arendt, W.J.; Torrez, M.A. 2013. First record of Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea for Nicaragua.
• Arendt, W. J.; Lane, O.; Torrez, M.A.; Gamez Castellon, J.C. 2013. First record of Tricoloured Munia (Lonchura malacca) for Nicaragua.
• Faaborg, J.; Arendt, W. J.; Toms, J. D.; Dugger, K. M.; Cox, W. A.; Canals Mora, M. 2013. Long-term decline of a winter-resident bird community in Puerto Rico.
• Lane, O.P.; Arendt, W.J.; Torrez, M.A.; Gamez Castellon, J.C. 2013. Pilot assessment of mercury exposure in selected biota from the lowlands of Nicaragua Evaluacion piloto de exposicion al mercurio en biota selecta de las tierras bajas de Nicaragua.
• Toms, Judith D.; Eggert, Lori S.; Arendt, Wayne J.; Faaborg, John. 2012. A genetic polymorphism in the sex-linked ATP5A1 gene is associated with individual fitness in Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla).
• Toms, J. D.; Faaborg, J.; Arendt, W. J. 2012. Climate change and birds in the forgotten tropics: the importance of tropical dry forests.
• Wunderle, Jr, Joseph, Jr..; Arendt, Wayne J. 2011. Avian studies and research opportunities in the Luquillo Experimental Forest: a tropical rain forest in Puerto Rico.
• Torrez, Marvin; Arendt, Wayne J. 2011. Claves y pautas graficas en la determinacion de edad en dos especies del genero Thryothorus (Troglodytidae) en el Pacifico de Nicaragua.
• Arendt, Wayne. 2011. Hourly laying patterns of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) in Puerto Rico.
• Sandoval, Luis; Arendt, Wayne J. 2011. Two new species for Nicaragua and other notes on the avifauna of the Atlantic Region and Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor.
• Beltran, Jose William; Wunderle, Jr., Joseph M.; Arendt, Wayne J. 2010. Changes in home range of breeding and post-breeding male Pearly-eyed Thrashers in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico.
• Finch, Deborah M.; Pearson, Dean; Wunderle, Joseph; Arendt, Wayne. 2010. Terrestrial animals as invasive species and as species at risk from invasions.
• Tórrez, Marvin A.; Arendt, Wayne; Salmeron, Pomares. 2009. Aves hormigueras en bosque seco del Pac fico de Nicaragua: uso de h bitat y comportamiento paras tico.
• Muñoz, Francisco J.; Arendt, Wayne J; Chavarria, Liliana; Somarriba, Pablo; Cruz, Aura L. 2009. Primer registro de Empidonax fulvifrons en Nicaragua.
• Muñoz, Francisco J.; Arendt, Wayne J.; Tórrez, Marvin A.; Chavarría, Liliana; Pinell., Arlen. 2009. Reavistamientos de Corvus corax en las tierras altas de Nicaragua.
• Philpott, S.M.; Arendt, W.J.; Armbrecht, I.; Bichier, P.; Diestch, T.V.; Gordon, C.; Greenberg, R.; Perfecto, I.; Reynoso-Santos, R.; Soto-Pinto, L.; Tejeda-Cruz, C.; Williams-Linera, G.; Valenzuela, J.; Zolotoff, J.M. 2008. Biodiversity loss in Latin American coffee landscapes: review of the evidence on ants, birds, and trees.
• Arendt, W.J.; Tórrez, M.A. 2008. Primer reporte del h brido intergen rico Vermivora chrysoptera x Vermivora pinus ( Brewsters Warbler ) en Nicaragua.
• Morales, S.; Martínez-Salinas, A.; Arendt, W.J.; Tórrez, M.A. 2008. Redescubrimiento de Dendroica chrysoparia en Nicaragua.
• DALSGAARD, B.; HILTON, G. M.; GRAY, G. A. L.; AYMER, L.; BOATSWAIN, J.; DALEY, J. FENTON, C..; MARTIN, J.; MARTIN, L.; MURRAIN, P.; ARENDT, W. J.; GIBBONSD, W. OLESEN, J. M. 2007. Impacts of a volcanic eruption on the forest birdcommunity of Montserrat, Lesser Antilles..
• Faaborg, John; Dugger, Katie M.; Arendt, Wayne J. 2007. Long-term variation in the winter resident bird community of Guanica Forest, Puerto Rico: lessons for measuring and monitoring species richness..
• Cook, Mark I.; Beissinger, Steven R.; Toranzos, Gary A.; Arendt, Wayne J. 2005. Incubation reduces microbial growth on eggshells and the opportunity for trans-shell infection..
• ARENDT, WAYNE J. 2005. Shell Properties, Water Vapor Loss, and Hatching Success of Eggs from a Rain Forest Population of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus).
• BEISSINGER, STEVEN R.; COOK, MARK I.; ARENDT, WAYNE J. 2005. THE SHELF LIFE OF BIRD EGGS: TESTING EGG VIABILITY USING A TROPICAL CLIMATE GRADIENT.
• ARENDT, WAYNE J. 2004. A Quarter Century of Variation in Color and Allometric Characteristics of Eggs from a Rain Forest Population of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus)..
• Dugger, Katie M.; Faaborg, John G; Arendt, Wayne J.; Hobson, Keith A. 2004. Understanding Survival And Abundance Of Overwintering Warblers: Does Rainfall Matter.
• Hilton, Geoff M.; Atkinson, Phil W.; Gray, Gerard A.L.; Arendt, Wayne J.; Gibbons, David W. 2003. Rapid decline of the volcanically threatened Montserrat oriole..
• WOODWORTH, BETHANY L.; FAABORG, JOHN; ARENDT, WAYNE J. 1998. BREEDING AND NATAL DISPERSAL IN THE PUERTO RICAN VIREO.
• FAABORG, JOHN; DUGGER, KATE M.; ARENDT, WAYNE J.; WOODWORTH, BETHANY L.; BALTZ, MICHAEL E. 1997. POPULATION DECLINES OF THE PUERTO RICAN VIREO IN GUANICA FOREST..
• Lindsey, G.D.; Arendt, W.J.; Kalina, J. 1994. Survival and causes of mortality in juvenile Puerto Rican parrots.
• Arendt, W.J.; Arendt, A.I. 1988. Aspects of the breeding biology of the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in Montserrat, West Indies, and its impact on nest vegetation.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
IITF-2014-119	Agroscapes Combined with Preserved Forest Remnants Promote Biodiversity at Local and Landscape Levels Agroecological practices and resultant agroscapes, coupled with the preservation of forest remnants, have a positive impact on local biodiversit ...	2014
IITF-2012-02	Avian Diversity in the Agroscapes of Nicaragua's Northern Highlands Creating biological corridors to sustain biodiversity, while increasing revenue for local farmers	2012
IITF-2018-38	Distribution of keystone species in the Datanlí-El Diablo Reserve, Nicaragua: Continued presence of game and other species of conservation concern confirms the area’s integrity as a nature reserve 24 keystone vertebrate species remotely photographed within Nicaragua’s northern Datanlí-El Diablo Nature Reserve exemplify wise management i ...	2018
IITF-2018-29	Have bird distributions shifted along an elevation gradient with climate change over a 17-year period in El Yunque National Forest? Expected elevational shifts in bird distributions with global warming may be species-specific and, hence not readily predictable for many bird s ...	2018
IITF-2012-07	Photographic Key Determines Age and Gender in Two Thryothorus Wrens From Nicaragua's Pacific Slope A visual and metric aid to determining age and gender in tropical wrens	2012
IITF-2013-021	Steep Decline of a Winter Resident Bird Community in Puerto Rico Needs Swift Action The migratory bird community inhabiting one of the Caribbean's most unadulterated and extensive remaining dry forests, the Gu�nica Biosphere R ...	2013
IITF-2019-16	Urban Green Areas and Birds Save the Dominican Government and Santo Domingo Residents Millions of Dollars Each Year In the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo’s green areas and avian communities provide a full complement of ecosystem services to its residents, ...	2019