Ornitología Neotropical (E-Journal)
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FIRST INSIGHTS INTO THE MIGRATION PATTERN OF AN UPLAND GOOSE (CHLOEPHAGA PICTA) BASED ON SATELLITE TRACKING
Get PDFDetailed knowledge of the migratory strategies is important to understand the ecology and evolution of migration and the conservation of migratory birds The Argentinean federal government declared sheldgeese (Chloephaga spp.) pests in 1930, claiming that they reduce crop yield. Currently sheldgeese have suffered severe reductions in their populations and are the focus of serious conservation concern. From September to April they breed in southern Patagonia (Argentina and Chile) while from May to September they winter mainly in the southern Pampas (central east Argentina). The precise knowledge of their migratory routes is essential to ensure protection of necessary resources and sites needed on their annual journeys. Here, by using a satellite transmitter for the first time we unravel the migration route of an Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta), a species endemic to southern South America with an unknown migration strategy. We received data for 121 days (from September 2014 to January 2015). During this time, the bird migrated 1485 km from the wintering grounds in Buenos Aires Province to the breeding area in Santa Cruz province, Patagonia. Part of the migration route was over the sea. The largest displacement was 817 km in 19 hours, representing a minimum mean speed of 43 km h-1
PRIMERA DESCRIPCIÓN DEL NIDO DEL PINCHAFLOR SATINADO (DIGLOSSA LAFRESNAYII) EN EL PARQUE NACIONAL PODOCARPUS, ANDES DEL SUR DE ECUADOR
Get PDFRESUMEN ∙ El conocimiento de la ecología reproductiva del género Diglossa (Thraupidae) es incompleto. Aquí proporciono información nueva y detallada del nido del Pinchaflor Satinado (Diglossa lafresnayii). Esta pequeña ave paseriforme se considera común en su área de distribución, pero la información sobre su reproducción es limitada. El nido fue encontrado en el Parque Nacional Podocarpus, localizado en los Andes del sur de Ecuador. Consistía de una copa abierta y robusta, elaborada principalmente de musgo, similar a los pocos nidos de Diglossa conocidos, ubicado a 1,3 m del suelo, encontrado al interior de un arbusto del género Brachyotum. La información aquí descrita, proporciona nuevos datos de campo que incrementan nuestro conocimiento sobre la reproducción de esta Tangara altoandina.ABSTRACT ∙ First description of the nest of Glossy Glowerpiercer (Diglossa lafresnayii), from Podocarpus National Park, southern Ecuadorian Andes Knowledge of the reproductive ecology of the genus Diglossa (Thraupidae) is incomplete. Here I provide new detailed information of the nest of the Glossy Frowerpiercer (Diglossa lafresnayii). This small passerine is considered common in its distribution range but there is limited information on its reproduction. The nest was found in the Podocarpus National Park, located in the Andes of southern Ecuador. It was a robust open cup consisting mainly of moss, similar to the few known Diglossa nests, located at 1.3 m above the ground, inside of a Brachyotum shrub. The information described here provides new field data, which increases our knowledge on the reproduction of this Andean tanager.
DIVERSIDAD DE AVES DE SOTOBOSQUE EN BOSQUES TROPICALES, ÁREAS DE REGENERACIÓN NATURAL Y CULTIVOS DE PALMA AFRICANA EN HUMEDALES DEL LAGO DE IZABAL, GUATEMALA
Get PDFDiversity of understory birds in tropical forests, natural recovery areas, and African oil palm crops in wetlands of the Izabal Lake, Guatemala. – African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) crops have been identified as one of the most important threats to biodiversity of tropical forests. By mean of mist nets, species richness, diversity and structure of understory bird communities were studied in three vegetation types of a Neotropical wetland: humid tropical forest remnants, natural regeneration sites (“guamiles”), and African oil palm plantations. We captured a total of 734 birds of 106 species, belonging to 22 families. The habitat with highest diversity was forest (63 species and 329 individuals), followed by guamiles (62 species and 368 individuals) and finally oil palm plantations (11 species and 37 individuals). As expected, statistical differences were found among the studied habitats. Only 11% of species and 5% of the total captured birds were recorded in the African oil palm plantations. Our data show that oil palm cultivation represents a serious threat to biological diversity, making it a priority to generate guidelines based on scientific and conservation criteria
INTERSPECIFIC PARENTAL CARE BY A RUFOUS‐COLLARED SPARROW (ZONOTRICHIA CAPENSIS) AT A NEST OF THE PALE‐BREASTED THRUSH (TURDUS LEUCOMELAS) PARASITIZED BY A COWBIRD (MOLOTHRUS BONARIENSIS)
Get PDFABSTRACT ∙ Interspecific parental care (IPC) in birds, when one individual helps to rear the offspring of another species, is rare outside the context of brood parasitism. Reports of IPC addressed to non‐brood‐parasitic bird species are mostly anecdotal, and in some cases have been explained as a non‐adaptive response to the begging calls of interspecific nestlings in the vicinity of the helper's own nest. Here, we report a case study of a Rufous‐collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) feeding three nestlings in a Pale‐breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas) nest, including one Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) nestling. The combined feeding rate of the nest owners was not significantly different from that of the helper, which fed all nestlings and removed their fecal sacs. To our knowledge, this is the first IPC case reported for South America, and we hypothesize that parasite begging sounds are one of the proximate causes of this behavior.RESUMO ∙ Cuidado parental interespecífico por um tico‐tico (Zonotrichia capensis) em um ninho de sabiá‐barranco (Turdus leucomelas) parasitado por um chopim (Molothrus bonariensis) Cuidado parental interespecífico (IPC) em aves, quando um indivíduo ajuda a criar filhotes de outra espécie, é raro fora do contexto de parasitismo de ninhada. Registros de IPC direcionado a espécies de aves que não são parasitas de ninhada são geralmente anedóticos, e em alguns casos têm sido explicados como uma resposta não adaptativa às vocalizações dos filhotes de outras espécies na vizinhança do ninho do ajudante. Nesse estudo, registramos um estudo de caso de um tico‐tico (Zonotrichia capensis) alimentando três ninhegos em um ninho de sabiá‐barranco (Turdus leucomelas), incluindo um ninhego de chopim (Molothrus bonariensis). A taxa de alimentação combinada dos parentais não diferiu significativamente daquela do ajudante, que alimentou todos os ninhegos e removeu seus sacos fecais. Ao nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro IPC registrado na América do Sul, e nós hipotetizamos que os chamados do parasita estão entre as causas próximas deste comportamento
EDITORIAL DECISIONS AND RESPONSES BY AUTHORS: HOW TO PREPARE A REVISED VERSION OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT AND THE COVER LETTER
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NESTING AND SOCIAL ROOSTING OF THE OCHRE-COLLARED PICULET (PICUMNUS TEMMINCKII) AND WHITE-BARRED PICULET (PICUMNUS CIRRATUS), AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EVOLUTION OF WOODPECKER (PICIDAE) BREEDING BIOLOGY
Get PDFTo understand the evolution of reproductive strategies and social behavior in woodpeckers (Picidae), it is useful to compare breeding biology between the two largest subfamilies: Picinae (true woodpeckers) and Picumninae (piculets). The piculets include four species in the Old World (Sasia, Verreauxia, and Picumnus spp.) and a recent radiation of 25 Picumnus spp. in the Neotropics; however, information about their breeding biology is limited. We studied four nests and one roost of the Ochre-collared Piculet (Picumnus temminckii) in the Atlantic Forest of Misiones and eight nests of the White-barred Piculet (Picumnus cirratus) in the Chaco region, of Argentina, and reviewed the published literature on other species of Picumnus. Cavities were excavated in dead branches and tree trunks. Entrance diameters were 2.2 ± 0.2 cm (mean ± SE) for the Ochre-collared Piculet and 2.5 ± 0.1 cm for the White-barred Piculet. In both species, both parents excavated cavities, incubated eggs, fed nestlings, and maintained the cavity clean of feces. In the Ochre-collared Piculet, incubation lasted 13 days, on-bouts were 42 ± 4 (± SE) min for females and 48 ± 7 min for males, and nest attentiveness was nearly 100% during incubation and the first 10 days after hatching. Nestling Ochre-collared Piculets hatched without feathers, their eyes and pin feathers opened on day 13, and they fledged on days 26 and 27. Nestlings of both species were fed ant larvae and other small prey. In Ochre-collared Piculets, the rate of food delivery (especially by the female) increased with nestling age. Females removed 71% and males 29% of fecal sacs. Fledgling Picumnus have dark crowns and look like adult females, which is different from Sasia, Verreauxia, and most Picinae. Unlike Picinae, Picumnus parents roost together in their nest cavity before laying, throughout nesting, and (accompanied by their offspring) after fledging. They also roost in pairs or groups when not breeding. If Old World piculets also roost socially, this trait may reflect an ancestral condition of the woodpeckers
CURRENT DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT USE, AND BREEDING RECORDS OF THE HOUSE SPARROW (PASSER DOMESTICUS) IN VENEZUELA
Get PDFABSTRACT ∙ The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus, Passeridae), native to Eurasia and northern Africa, was introduced to the Americas and Australia where it inhabits mainly urban environments. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of the House Sparrow in Venezuela from our own observations and data reported in personal communications, published material, and eBird records. House Sparrows were recorded for first time in Venezuela in 1996 at the port of La Guaira. Since then, records have increased, and we found 133 records of the House Sparrow until July 2015, in the states of Falcón, Zulia, Vargas, Miranda, Carabobo, Anzoátegui, and Los Roques Archipelago. The states of Falcón and Vargas included the greatest number of records, and 2015 was the year with the most records. Most sightings occurred in urban areas of coastal Venezuela. House Sparrows were recorded within three protected areas: Refugio de Fauna Silvestre de Cuare (Falcón), Refugio de Fauna Silvestre y Reserva de Pesca Ciénaga de los Olivitos (Zulia), and Parque Nacional Archipiélago Los Roques. Two records for Caracas, one for Barquisimeto and another for Margarita Island, need confirmation. Breeding was confirmed in five states where the House Sparrow is currently present, and records indicated that the nesting season extends from February to November. Most nests (84%) were located in man‐made structures, but two breeding records included a nesting colony in cavities of an exotic palm (Phoenix sp.) in Falcón and a nest under a pile of dead coral fragments in Los Roques Archipelago. We found evidence of foraging on new food items from two coastal trees (Conocarpus erectus and Coccoloba uvifera). Formal research and long‐term surveys are required to assess the functional ecological role of this exotic species in the avian communities of Venezuela. RESUMEN ∙ Distribución actual, uso de hábitat y registros reproductivos del Gorrión Común (Passer domesticus) en Venezuela El Gorrión Común (Passer domesticus, Passeridae), nativo de Eurasia y el norte de África, fue introducido en gran parte de América y Australia, donde ocupa principalmente hábitats urbanos. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en determinar la distribución del Gorrión Común en Venezuela con base en nuestras observaciones y datos reportados en comunicaciones personales, material publicado y registros en eBird. Los Gorriones Comunes se registraron por primera vez en Venezuela en 1996 en el puerto de La Guaira. Desde entonces, el número de registros se ha incrementado y nosotros encontramos 133 registros de Gorrión Común fechados hasta el julio de 2015 para los estados Falcón, Zulia, Vargas, Miranda, Carabobo, Anzoátegui y el Archipiélago de Los Roques. Los estados con mayor número de registros fueron Falcón y Vargas, y el año con el mayor número de registros fue 2015. La mayor parte de los avistamientos se realizaron dentro de áreas urbanas en la costa de Venezuela. Se registraron gorriones en tres áreas protegidas: el Refugio de Fauna Silvestre de Cuare (Falcón), el Refugio de Fauna Silvestre y Reserva de Pesca Ciénaga de los Olivitos (Zulia) y el Parque Nacional Archipiélago Los Roques. Dos reportes de avistamientos para Caracas, uno para Barquisimeto y otro para la Isla de Margarita requieren confirmación. La reproducción fue confirmada en cinco de los estados donde el Gorrión Común está presente actualmente, y los registros indican que la época reproductiva se extiende de febrero a noviembre. La mayoría de los nidos (84%) se ubicaron en estructuras hechas por el hombre, pero dos registros reproductivos incluyen una colonia de anidación en cavidades de una palma exótica (Phoenix sp.) en Falcón, y un nido bajo una pila de fragmentos de coral muerto en el Archipiélago de Los Roques. Encontramos nueva evidencia de alimentación con ítems de dos árboles costeros (Conocarpus erectus y Coccoloba uvifera). Estudios formales y monitoreo a largo plazo son necesarios para evaluar el rol ecológico funcional de esta especie exótica en las comunidades de aves en Venezuela
SELECCIÓN DE CAVIDADES POR LA GOLONDRINA AZUL CUBANA (PROGNE CRYPTOLEUCA) EN UN ÁREA URBANA
Get PDFRESUMEN ∙ La Golondrina Azul Cubana (Progne cryptoleuca) es un ave migratoria Neotropical pobremente estudiada, que solo cría en el archipiélago cubano. Algunas cavidades artificiales presentes en las ciudades constituyen un sitio de nidificación alternativo para los individuos de esta especie. Entre 2012 y 2015, se examinaron las características de las cavidades disponibles y potencialmente usadas como sitio de nidificación por la Golondrina Azul Cubana en la mayor colonia reproductiva existente en La Habana. Las cavidades usadas por la Golondrina Azul Cubana se caracterizaron por estar ubicadas entre 18–36 m de altura (cavidades más altas entre las disponibles), orientadas hacia áreas abiertas, expuestas al sol en algún momento del día, con una sola entrada y donde la accesibilidad es mínima. No obstante, la altura de la cavidad fue la única variable que discriminó entre las cavidades usadas y no usadas. El uso de las cavidades más altas podría optimizar las actividades de forrajeo de este insectívoro aéreo, así como la evasión de posible competidores. Futuros estudios podrían estar dirigidos a evaluar el efecto de este y otros factores (ej., presencia de competidores potenciales en el área) sobre el uso de cavidades y el éxito reproductivo de la Golondrina Azul Cubana.ABSTRACT ∙ Cavity selection by the Cuban Martin (Progne cryptoleuca) in an urban area The Cuban Martin is a poorly known Neotropical migratory bird that only breeds on the Cuban archipelago, Greater Antilles. The species is an obligate secondary cavity nester that has taken to using artificial cavities in man‐made structures within cities. Between 2012 and 2015, we examined the characteristics of available cavities and potential nest‐ sites of the largest breeding colony of Cuban Martin known in Havana, Cuba. Cavities used by the Cuban Martin were found to be between 18–36 m of height (the highest‐situated cavities among those available), oriented toward open areas, exposed to the sun for some duration during the day, contained only one entrance hole, and had minimal accessibility. However, cavity height was the only variable that discriminated between used and unused cavities. We hypothesize that occupying the highest cavities may optimize foraging activities by this aerial insectivore and avoid potential nest competitors. Future studies should assess the effect of this and other factors (e.g., presence of potential competitors in the area) on use of cavities and reproductive success of the Cuban Martin
TREE COVER, PATCH STRUCTURE AND PATCH ISOLATION CORRELATE WITH PATTERNS OF TUFTED TIT‐SPINETAIL (LEPTASTHENURA PLATENSIS) OCCURRENCE IN ESPINAL FOREST REMNANTS FROM EAST‐CENTRAL ARGENTINA
Get PDFAbstract ∙ The Tufted Tit‐Spinetail (Leptasthenura platensis) is a common species from the southern Neotropical Region, but several ecological aspects, such as abundance patterns and habitat use, remain poorly known. I studied the relationship between Tufted Tit‐Spinetail presence and characteristics of native forest patches (tree cover, patch area and interpatch distance) in eastern Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The probability of presence increased with tree cover and patch area and decreased with interpatch distance. Occurrence probability also decreased from summer to winter. Although the Tufted Tit‐Spinetail is not considered a species under threat, my results show that habitat features related to forest fragmentation are major factors explaining occurrence patterns in forest patches, and suggest that it could be a species sensitive to fragmentation. Resumen ∙ La cobertura de árboles, la estructura del parche y el aislamiento de los parches se correlacionan con los patrones de ocurrencia del Coludito Copetón (Leptasthenura platensis) en remanentes de bosque del Espinal del centro‐este de ArgentinaEl Coludito Copetón (Leptasthenura platensis) es una especie común del sur de la región Neotropical, pero varios aspectos de su ecología, como patrones de abundancia y uso de hábitat, son escasamente conocidos. Estudié la relación entre la presencia de Coludito Copetón y características de parches de bosque nativo (cobertura de árboles, área del parche y distancia entre parches) en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La probabilidad de presencia de Coludito Copetón aumentó con la cobertura arbórea y el área del parche, y disminuyó con un incremento en la distancia entre parches. La probabilidad de presencia también disminuyó desde el invierno hacia el verano. Aunque no es considerada una especie bajo amenaza, mis resultados muestran que ciertas características del hábitat asociadas a la fragmentación representan factores clave que explican patrones de ocupación en parches de bosque, y apoyan la idea de que sería una especie sensible a la fragmentación
ANDEAN CONDOR (VULTUR GRYPHUS) NESTING IN NORTHEASTERN COLOMBIA AND DIFFERENCES IN LAYING DATES ALONG THE ANDES
Get PDFABSTRACT Little is known about the breeding behavior of the Andean Condor in the wild, especially in the Northern Andes, where densities of this species are low and their nests are difficult to find. We describe an active Andean Condor nest found in March 2015 on the western slope of the eastern Colombian Andes, representing the first country nest record since 1972, and report observations on nesting behavior. We recorded behavior of the male and female attending the nest using direct observations and a camera trap during two months. Both parents attended the nest, but the female did so significantly longer than the male. We assume that the nesting attempt failed because our photographic observation showed no evidence of the adults, the egg, or any chick at the end of the observation period. In addition, we collated available information about the nesting and incubation periods of Andean Condors in the wild along the Andes range. We found latitudinal differences in laying dates. Egg laying occurs in the second half of the year in southern latitudes of the Andean Condor’s range (Chile, Argentina), and primarily in the first half of the year in northern latitudes (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru). RESUMEN ∙ Nidificación del Cóndor Andino (Vultur gryphus) en el norte de la cordillera oriental de Colombia y diferencias en las temporadas de incubación en los AndesEl comportamiento reproductivo del Cóndor Andino es poco conocido, especialmente en el norte de los Andes, en donde las poblaciones de la especie se encuentran reducidas en número y sus nidos son difíciles de encontrar. En éste artículo presentamos el hallazgo de un nido activo de Cóndor Andino en el páramo del Almorzadero, en la Cordillera Oriental colombiana en marzo de 2015. Este sería el primer registro de un nido de cóndores silvestres para Colombia desde 1972. Se presentan adicionalmente descripciones del comportamiento de los adultos en cuanto al cuidado del nido y atención del huevo realizadas mediante observaciones con binoculares y fotografías capturadas con una cámara trampa durante un periodo de dos meses. Mediante los dos métodos de registro (observación directa y fotografías de la cámara trampa), se encontró que, aunque los dos padres atendieron el nido y el huevo, la hembra lo hizo durante un tiempo significativamente mayor. Se consideró que el evento de reproducción fue fallido dado que no se obtuvieron registros de los adultos, el huevo o el polluelo al final de la temporada de observación. Debido a que las variaciones climáticas generadas por la latitud afectan la fisiología y biología reproductiva de las aves, se realizó una revisión de los artículos disponibles sobre las temporadas de anidación de la especie a lo largo de la Cordillera de los Andes. La información disponible sugiere que la latitud puede tener un efecto sobre las temporadas de incubación del Cóndor Andino, ocurriendo en el sur de los Andes (Chile, Argentina) en el segundo semestre del año y para la región norte (Colombia, Ecuador, Perú) durante el primer semestre