We report identifications of 225 bird bones from the Trants site, Montserrat, Lesser Antilles. The site was occupied by Saladoid peoples from ca. 500 bc to ad 400. The prehistoric bird assemblage represents 11 species and is dominated by pigeons, doves, and large passerines that probably were used as food by Saladoid peoples. The species of columbid found most commonly at Trants today (Zenaida aurita, characteristic of second-growth forest and edges) is uncommon in the bone assemblage, whereas bones of two other columbids not found at the site today (Columba squamosa and Geotrygonmystacea, both forest dwellers) are common. This suggests more forested conditions near Trants when Saladoid peoples occupied the site Three species of birds recorded from Trants (Puffinus Iherminieri, Porphyria martinicus, Amazona sp.) no longer occur on Montserrat. As on other West Indian islands, the avifauna of Montserrat has lost species to anthropogenic habitat destruction and predation by humans and introduced species. Catastrophic volcanic activity since 1995 has destroyed or degraded much of Montserrat's terrestrial ecosystems, undoubtedly with additional major negative impacts on the avifauna.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.