& centerdot; The Venezuelan Llanos is a floodplain region of global importance for waterbirds, but comprehensive surveys of waterbird assemblages that encompass the entire annual cycle are lacking. We conducted monthly fixed-point surveys of waterbirds at eight permanent lagoons within an agroforestry landscape in the Llanos over an entire annual cycle, from April 2022 to March 2023. We recorded species richness and abundance and evaluated diversity, dominance, turnover patterns, and spatio-temporal variation to characterize assemblages and assess the conservation value of these wetlands. We recorded a total of 54 waterbird species, with greatest species richness and abundance at the largest Samancito lagoon. Month of the year significantly influenced species richness and abundance, peaking during the dry season. Structural traits (diversity, dominance, and species turnover) varied among lagoons, reflecting distinct ecological values and assemblages, with certain lagoons serving as functional hotspots for specific guilds, such as Gandaria lagoon for waders. Migratory species comprised a modest percent of species richness and total bird counts, peaking in the month of September (20% species richness; 12% abundance). Our findings underscore that wetlands within the Venezuelan Llanos were not functionally uniform, including also temporal dynamics of waterbird assemblages. Conservation and management strategies should recognize the complementary roles of different wetlands and account for seasonal variability in species use, thereby preserving permanent wetlands to support waterbird assemblages year-round, particularly during resource-scarce dry season.
Effective management of coastal protected areas is essential for sustaining shorebird populations, but there is limited empirical evidence on how management actions influence reproductive success in human-dominated coastal landscapes. We evaluated the influence of management actions implemented between 2019 and 2026 on reproductive performance of the American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus in the Quinchao Bay Wetland Nature Sanctuary, southern Chile. We conducted nest monitoring over four breeding seasons (2022-2026), recording number of nesting attempts, hatching success, and chick survival. We recorded 6.25 +/- 2.06 nesting attempts/season (range 4-9 nesting attempts), with a mean 2.5 +/- 0.7 eggs/nesting attempt. There was complete hatching failure in the first two breeding seasons (2022-2023, 2023-2024). However, after establishment of management strategies of restricted vehicular access, a human exclusion zone, construction of bird observatories, and responsible pet ownership ordinance, the system transitioned from a scenario of complete reproductive failure to partial recovery. Hatching success increased in the latter two breeding seasons to just over a third of all eggs hatching in 2025-2026, with high chick survival. Vegetation encroachment also led to displacement of nests outside the human exclusion zone, a pattern that was reversed following targeted substrate restoration. Overall, our results suggest that early management actions, informed by ecological monitoring, can contribute to improved reproductive success by addressing specific demographic bottlenecks, particularly during the egg-to-chick stage. This study provides applied evidence of how the integration of monitoring, adaptive management, and local governance can guide effective conservation interventions in coastal systems shaped by human activities.
& centerdot; The White-winged Cotinga Xipholena atropurpurea is a threatened species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with a restricted distribution in a few forest fragments. In this study, we report the discovery from field surveys of a new occurrence site for the species, after nearly 10 years since its last record in Paraiba, Brazil. We also collected occurrence, vegetation type, and dietary data from records in citizen science platforms, and modeled density of species records across its distribution. Our results revealed a density of occurrence records in areas where the species had previously been considered probably extirpated. We found more records in open ombrophilous forests and records of fruit consumption predominantly from the Araliaceae family. Our results provide insights into the species' current distribution in the Pernambuco Endemism Center region. We recommend establishing conservation units in the newly identified occurrence site, requiring monitoring and additional studies to aid future conservation efforts.
center dot Interspecific feeding, the provisioning of young of another species, is a rare, non-adaptive behavior in birds. On 22 February 2025, during a birdwatching trip to the Parque Nacional da Tijuca, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, A. Rayegani detected a Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea nest. He observed the nest for 0.5-2 h on four days over a 14-day period. On 22, 26, and 28 February 2025, both the Euphonia parents and a pair of Red-necked Tanagers Tangara cyanocephala fed the three Euphonia nestlings at the nest entrance. This non-adaptive feeding by the tanagers may have been caused by the loss of their eggs or nestlings, which triggered the transfer of their misplaced parental instincts onto the Euphonia brood. Our observation is the first report of interspecific feeding in the tropics that did not involve brood parasitism and contributes to our knowledge of this non-adaptive behavior in Neotropical birds.
& centerdot; Adult hummingbirds were formerly thought to undergo only a single prebasic molt per year, but prealternate molts have recently been documented that may or may not include the bright and iridescent feathers of males. I examined 2,738 images of the Bee Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae at the Macaulay Library. Among images of 653 males and 135 females, I documented prealternate molt occurring in adults, during which the iridescent red gorget feathers of males were completely replaced with non-iridescent feathers in July-September and replaced again with iridescent feathers in December-January. Molt of flight feathers occurred in October-December. I defend a terminology whereby the first replacement of body feathers is part of a definitive prealternate molt. I further suggest that cryptic coloration due to loss of the gorget feathers may have evolved for predation avoidance or reduction of territorial disputes during a vulnerable period in which primaries are being replaced.
Para identificar recursos usados por los atajacaminos y añaperos (Caprimulgidae) es importante entender su dieta, que es poco conocida para especies del Neotrópico. En base a contenido estomacal de 19 individuos atropellados y fotografías de insectos hallados oportunistamente en las bocas de 13 individuos capturados, aportamos información sobre la dieta de 6 especies de Caprimulgidae en la Reserva Natural Rincón de Santa María, Corrientes, Argentina. Identificamos 424 insectos, incluyendo 7 órdenes, al menos 23 familias y 34 géneros en muestras de estómagos y bocas. Los órdenes más representados fueron Coleoptera (presas en estómagos: 88%; presas en bocas: 30%) y Lepidoptera (estómagos: 8%, bocas: 67%). El 85% de los coleópteros fueron de la familia Scarabaeidae (presentes en las seis especies de caprimúlgidos estudiados) y el 89% de los lepidópteros fueron de la familia Noctuidae (presentes en cinco de las especies de caprimúlgidos). Encontramos evidencia de ingesta de piedritas (gastrolitos) en 16% de los estómagos y en tres especies. Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de Scarabaeidae y Noctuidae en la dieta de atajacaminos en un sitio subtropical de alta diversidad de atajacaminos e insectos. Las diferencias que observamos entre estómagos y bocas refuerzan que los contenidos estomacales submuestrean presas blandas como lepidópteros, pero son útiles para determinar familias y géneros de coleópteros y fundamentales para detectar gastrolitos.
Los hombres históricamente han dominado la ornitología y la observación de aves. En Chile, en un contexto de mayor interés en las aves, la participación no se ha evaluado con perspectiva de género. El objetivo de este estudio fue diagnosticar el nivel de participación de mujeres y hombres en varias actividades ornitológicas, y su tendencia en el tiempo. Para el año 2022, consideramos la participación por género en cuatro niveles: i) redes sociales ornitológicas; ii) el uso de eBird; iii) socios de organizaciones de entusiastas de las aves; y iv) publicaciones en revistas ornitológicas nacionales. Además, evaluamos la tendencia en el tiempo de la participación en eBird (2018–2022), y en publicaciones en revistas ornitológicas nacionales (2006–2022). Levemente más mujeres (55%) que hombres siguieron cuentas ornitológicas en las redes sociales. Sin embargo, la participación de las mujeres disminuyó con la profesionalización de la ornitología, con 26% autores mujeres en publicaciones de revistas ornitológicas nacionales en 2022. Al revisar las tendencias, la participación de las mujeres en eBird ha aumentado constantemente en los últimos cinco años, y su participación en publicaciones científicas ha aumentado ligeramente, pero no de manera consistente. A pesar de un interés transversal en la observación de aves entre hombres y mujeres, encontramos una menor participación de las mujeres en actividades que conforman la profesionalización de la ornitología. Es imperativo que las organizaciones y entusiastas ornitológicas comiencen a pensar en la inclusión de mujeres y minorías de género de manera interseccional, en todo tipo de actividades relacionadas con la ornitología.
Avian mixed-species foraging flocks are a well-studied phenomenon that offer a useful system for invesgang the distribuon of Neotrop-ical avian funconal diversity. To characterize the variaon in such flocks at different elevaons, we studied the species composion of these flocks over a 624 m elevaonal gradient on both sides of the connental divide that crosses the Tilar & aacute;n Cordillera in northwest Costa Rica. We characterized the change in the diversity of these flocks across the elevaonal gradient using several measures of diversity: species richness, trophic guild diversity, funconal richness, funconal evenness, and funconal divergence. We hypothesized that species richness would decline when moving upslope along the elevaonal gradient, but this paern would not be mirrored in all measures of funconal diversity. Paerns of funconal diversity were different and revealed important turnover in species' ecological funcons along the elevaonal gradient. While the lower elevaons of the Atlanc side featured higher species richness, the lower elevaons of the Pacific side featured the greatest funconal richness and greatest funconal diver-gence. Upper elevaons showed the lowest species richness and lowest funcevenness. This study highlights the importance of incorporang funconal diversity analyses into montane conservaon planning that addresses ancipated species altudinal range shis with climate change.
To identify resources used by nightjars and nighthawks (Caprimulgidae) it is important to understand their diet, which is poorly known for Neotropical species. Based on the stomach contents of 19 road-killed individuals and photographs of insects opportunistically found in the mouths of 13 captured individuals, we provide information on the diet of 6 species of Caprimulgidae at Reserva Natural Rincon de Santa Mar & iacute;a, Corrientes, Argentina. We identified 424 insects, including 7 orders, at least 23 families, and 34 genera in stomach and mouth samples. The most represented orders were Coleoptera (prey in stomachs: 88%; prey in mouths: 30%) and Lepidoptera (stomachs: 8%, mouths: 67%). Eighty five percent of Coleoptera were from the Scarabaeidae family (present in all six species of caprimulgids studied) and 89% of the Lepidoptera were from the Noctuidae family (present in five of the caprimulgid species). We found evidence of grit (gastroliths) ingestion in 16% of the stomachs and in three species. Our results highlight the importance of Scarabaeidae and Noctuidae in the diet of nightjars at a subtropical site with a high diversity of nightjars and insects. The differences we observed between stomachs and mouths reinforce the idea that stomach contents under-sample soft prey such as Lepidoptera, but they are useful for determining families and genera of Coleoptera and key for detecting ingestion of grit.
Recapture analysis of banded birds helps researchers evaluate parameters such as longevity and survival, which provide insight into the life history, demography and general ecology of species and communities. However, long-term recapture data on Neotropical species are relatively scarce. As part of the Monitoring Overwinter Survival (MoSI) program, we have been banding and monitoring birds on Ometepe island in Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua, intermittently since 2006. Here, we report the longevity of a Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus which was banded in 2007 and recaptured in good health in 2023, making the bird at least 17 years 8.5 months old. After searching the extant literature for longevity records for all species in Tyrannidae, and finding published data on 41 of these, we believe our data provides a new published record for the family.
Men have historically dominated ornithology and birdwatching. In Chile, amid heightened interest in birds, participation has not been assessed from a gender perspective. The objective of this study was to diagnose the level of participation of women and men in various ornithological activities and their trends over time. For 2022, we considered participation by gender at four levels: i) ornithological social networks; ii) eBird use; iii) membership in bird enthusiast organizations; and iv) publications in national ornithological journals. In addition, we evaluated temporal trends of participation in eBird (2018-2022) and publications in national ornithological journals (2006-2022). Slightly more women (55%) than men followed ornithological accounts on social media. However, women's participation decreased with the professionalization of ornithology, with 26% of female authors in national ornithological journal publications in 2022. Reviewing trends, the participation of women in eBird has steadily increased over the past five years, and their participation in scientific publications has increased slightly, but not consistently. Despite a transversal interest in birding between men and women, we found lower participation of women in activities that constitute the professionalization of ornithology. It is imperative that ornithological organizations and enthusiasts begin to think about including women and gender minorities in an intersectional way in all types of ornithology-related activities.
Wastewater treatment plants comprise the largest artificial wetlands in many metropolitan areas. Nesting colonies of the Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis have been identified in natural wetlands but not in water treatment plants. In this study, we documented a breeding colony Chilean flamingos located at a wastewater treatment plant in Mendoza, Argentina. We registered 114 nests, including 17 nests with eggs and a minimum of three chicks. We observed nest construction in November and December 2023, nests with eggs in January 2024, and chicks in February 2024. This finding represents the first documented record of Chilean Flamingo nesting in a wastewater treatment plant for the Neotropics. This information is important to encourage the management and operation of wastewater treatment plants for the conservation of waterbirds, and as partial compensation for the loss of natural wetlands.
Grazing by livestock can have negative effects on bird biodiversity by reducing habitat quality, trampling nests, and facilitating the presence of domestic predators. For the high Andean wetlands of Arequipa, an optimal load is considered to be 1.35 alpacas/ha and 0. llamas/ha, but it is unknown what effect this load could have on birds that nest in wetlands. In this study we evaluated the effect of livestock load of llamas and alpacas on the nesting of birds in nine high Andean wetlands in Arequipa, Peru. In December 2021, we implemented an experiment with 900 artificial nests (100 nests per site), exposed for 14 days in wetlands subject to different livestock loads. We determined that livestock load had a significant effect on artificial nests, increasing nest trampling. In addition, 32.8% of nests were removed by human activity. Given that livestock loads constitute a threat to birds that nest in wetlands, we recommend regulating livestock loads, as well as using rotational grazing systems, and excluding livestock during avian reproductive seasons.
The Black-wingedSaltator Saltator atripennis is common in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. However, only anecdotal information exists on its reproductive biology. In this study, I describe its nest and clutch size based on three nests found between May and June 2020 in northwestern Ecuador. For each nest, I measured daily egg/nestling weights and performed linear regressions to determine their change over time. All nests were cup-shaped and were built in dense shrubbery. Clutch size consisted of two eggs, incubation lasted 14 days, and eggs lost weight at an average daily rate of 0.4 g. The fledglings disappeared after four days, gaining weight at a daily rate of 3.3 g, almost twice that recorded for other Saltator species. The information presented in this study increases our knowledge of the reproductive biology of S. atripennis, but further studies are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the species’ full breeding cycle.
Las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales conforman los humedales artificiales de mayor extensión en muchas áreas metropolitanas. Las colonias de nidificación de Flamenco austral Phoenicopterus chilensis han sido identificadas en humedales naturales, y no había registros en plantas de tratamiento. En este estudio documentamos una colonia reproductiva de flamenco austral localizada en una planta de tratamiento en Mendoza, Argentina. Registramos 114 nidos, incluyendo 17 con huevos y al menos tres pichones. Observamos la construcción de nidos en noviembre–diciembre 2023, nidos con huevos en enero 2024 y pichones en febrero 2024. Este hallazgo constituye el primer registro documentado de nidificación del flamenco austral en una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales en el Neotrópico. Esta información es importante para incentivar la gestión y el manejo de las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales para la conservación de las aves acuáticas y como compensación parcial por la pérdida de humedales naturales.
El pastoreo por ganado puede tener efectos negativos sobre la biodiversidad de aves al reducir la calidad del hábitat, pisoteando nidos y facilitando la presencia de depredadores domésticos. Para los humedales altoandinos del Arequipa se ha considerado una carga óptima de 1,35 alpacas/ha y 0,9 llamas/ha, desconociéndose el efecto que dicha carga pudiese tener sobre la avifauna que anida en los humedales. En este estudio evaluamos el efecto de la carga ganadera de llamas y alpacas (pastoreo complementario) sobre la nidificación de aves en nueve humedales altoandinos de Arequipa, Perú. En diciembre 2021, implementamos un experimento con 900 nidos artificiales (100 nidos por sitio), expuestos durante 14 días en los humedales con distintas cargas ganaderas de llamas y alpacas. Determinamos que la carga ganadera tuvo un efecto significativo sobre los nidos artificiales, incrementando el pisoteo de los nidos. Además, 32,8% de los nidos fueron removidos por actividad humana. En vista de que las cargas de ganado constituyen una amenaza hacia las aves que anidan en humedales, recomendamos regular la carga ganadera, así como emplear sistemas de pastoreo rotativo y excluir el ganado en las épocas reproductivas de aves.
Data on reproductive parameters from different populations of a species may elucidate variations in reproductive strategies, and identify factors affecting local populations. We present data on reproductive biology of the Burrowing Parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus from a poorly studied colony at Las Grutas, in Río Negro, northern Argentine Patagonia. We estimated colony size, and over two breeding seasons in 2019–2020 and 2021–2022, we inspected 46 and 82 nests to determine reproductive parameters of clutch and brood size, hatching success, nestling survival, and nest success. We recorded 960 burrowing parrots in the colony. Mean clutch and brood sizes were 3.2 ± 1.3 eggs and 2.8 ± 1.2 nestlings in 2019, and a lower 2.8 ± 1.3 eggs and 1.6 ± 1.6 nestlings in 2021. Hatching success and nestling survival were also higher during 2019–2020 with 81.3% and 63.4% respectively, whereas in the 2021–2022 season there was 64.1% hatching success and 40.6% nestling survival. Apparent nest success was higher in 2019–2020 with 80.4% of the nests fledging at least one chick, against 51.2% for the 2021–2022 breeding season. Hatching failure and brood reductions were observed during both seasons, as well as nest abandonment, which was more pronounced during the 2021–2022 breeding season. Our data suggest that the Las Grutas colony has remained stable over the last 16 years. The reproductive parameters observed in the present study are lower than for the large El Condor population, but similar to an urban colony in southern Buenos Aires Province.
Research on avian bioacoustics in the Neotropics has surged over the last several decades due to increased interest in the large diversity of vocal behaviors and vocalization and the broader accessibility of recording equipment and software. Here, we present a synthesis of the current and past knowledge of Neotropical bird bioacoustics. This synthesis is the result of the symposium "Bioacoustics in the Neotropics", organized for the XI Neotropical Ornithological Congress in San Jose, Costa Rica, in July 2019. We covered what we consider the main topics in avian bioacoustics that have been studied in this region over the last 30 years. Our review includes repertoire descriptions, geographic variation, diversity in vocal behaviors, seasonality, duetting, genetic association, and playback experiments. Additionally, we present information for what we believe may be the main veins of investigation for the coming future in the Neotropics, considering the large diversity of species that are found in the region and the new investigations developed in other geographic areas. We expect this review to work as a summary of the current literature and a guide to stimulate future research in important areas within the field of avian bioacoustics in the Neotropics.
Aproximadamente la mitad de las aves que anidan en Canadá y Estados Unidos migran al Neotrópico durante la temporada no reproductiva, pasando entre seis y nueve meses en sus zonas de invernada. De manera similar, alrededor de un tercio de la avifauna de México migra hacia el norte, a Canadá y Estados Unidos, durante la temporada de nidificación, que ocurre entre abril y agosto. La conservación de las aves migratorias Neotropicales es una responsabilidad compartida por todos los países y personas de las Américas. Desde 1989, el Programa MoSI, una red de cooperadores independientes administrado por el Institute for Bird Populations, trabaja para entender la ecología de las aves migratorias durante su temporada no reproductiva. En los últimos años, el programa ha tenido un crecimiento notable, tanto en el número de participantes como en los sub-programas que ha instituido.
La protección y conservación de las aves terrestres migratorias neártico-neotropicales es una responsabilidad compartida por varios países del hemisferio occidental. Sin embargo, la colaboración transfronteriza entre múltiples organizaciones, misiones e idiomas puede ser un desafío. El Instituto de Poblaciones de Aves, la Universidad Estatal de Colorado, la Universidad de California en Los Ángeles y la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México se están embarcando en una ambiciosa iniciativa de investigación y monitoreo que fomentará la colaboración hemisférica. El objetivo principal es mejorar los resultados de conservación de las aves migratorias, proporcionando información a los profesionales de la conservación para (1) determinar los patrones de migración de las aves terrestres y vincular las áreas de reproducción, migración, e invernada a nivel poblacional; (2) describir las tasas vitales y los movimientos de las aves terrestres migratorias neotropicales; (3) comprender los aspectos clave de la ecología básica de las aves residentes del neotrópico; (4) definir los movimientos de las especies objetivo con el uso de marcadores electrónicos; (5) capacitar investigadores a nivel local en América Latina; y (6) explorar nuevas líneas de investigación y colaboración. Como punto de partida, estamos utilizando una red internacional ya establecida de estaciones de anillamiento y monitoreo de aves, el programa MoSI, y una colaboración existente con el Proyecto Bird Genoscape, que sirve como plataforma para comprender los movimientos migratorios de aves. Además, estamos buscando activamente nuevos socios para esta iniciativa.
