Despite being endangered, little is known about the natural history and habitat use of Wattled Curassows (Crax globulosa). From September 2008 to March 2009, we examined habitat associations of this species on three islands in the lower Caquetá River, Colombia. Observations of curassows were made during line-transect walks, and habitat variables were measured at points where curassows were and were not observed along those transects to assess potential habitat preferences. A total of 182 sightings yielded encounter rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.89 observations/km across transects. Curassows were more likely to be observed close to the river and to lakes on the islands. Additionally, the importance of the river increased as the distance to internal water sources increased. Other habitat characteristics, including tree density, tree diameter, understory density, and canopy cover, did not differ between areas where Wattled Curassows were and were not observed. Flock size ranged from 1 to 9 individuals; most solitary individuals were males and flocks (>2 individuals) generally consisted of more females than males. The association of Wattled Curassows with water sources during the low-water season may have conservation implications because it could increase their vulnerability to anthropogenic activities such as agricultural activities, fishing, and hunting. As a result, conservation of these curassows on islands in the lower Caquetá River will likely depend on local support.
1 December 2015 in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Two captive pairs of Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui) were studied to describe reproduction, development, and associated behaviors of this extremely cryptic forest dwelling species. Pairs were strongly territorial. Precopulatory courtship behaviors were performed by the female. Male tinamous showed strong nest attendance during incubation and sat without leaving the nest from day 14 until the eggs hatched. Nest abandonment and false abandonment occurred due to environmental stress, flushing by humans, eggs being laid in a poor location, and if clutch size was too large. Renewed reproductive efforts began shortly following loss of a previous clutch, with calling activity and inter-clutch duration being a minimum of 3 and 5 days, respectively.
I studied the ecology of Black-legged (Chunga burmeisteri) and Red-legged (Cariama cristata) Seriemas in the central Paraguayan Chaco from September 1989 to August 1990, including observations of a baited family group of Chunga. Both species are allotopic in habitat use, with Chunga typically associated with drier forested areas and Cariama inhabiting savanna and wetland periphery. Interspecific territories were overlapping. Wind velocity and temperature correlated significantly with activity of Cariama and baite Chunga, respectively. The average density of Chunga was 0.38/km2. Reptiles are an important prey item and I describe an interesting feeding behavior. The breeding season in Chunga takes place during the Paraguayan summer (November – March). Bonding and courtship occurred around November and December, and the following 13 weeks were used for nest building, incubation, hatching, and chick development.
We provide an inventory of the avifauna of the Pongos Basin, northern Amazonas Department, Peru based on museum specimens collected during expeditions spanning >60 years within the 20th century. Four hundred and thirty-eight species representing 52 families are reported. Differences between lowland and higher elevation avifaunas were apparent. Species accounts with overviews of specimen data are provided for four species representing distributional records, two threatened species, and 26 species of Nearctic and Austral migrants, of which six are considered probable migrants.