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A review of the Santiago Purple Heron Ardea purpurea bournei, with a report of a new colony

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

C. J. Hazevoet
C. J. Hazevoet
Affiliation:
Institute of Taxonomic Zoology, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 4766, 1009 AT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Summary

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The Santiago Purple Heron Ardea (purpurea) bournei is endemic to the island of Santiago, Cape Verde Islands. In contrast to nominate purpurea, it nests high in the crowns of large trees. During the 1950s and 1960s, the total population was probably c. 75 pairs, mainly at the now defunct heronry at São Domingos. After the disappearance of that colony during the early 1970s, the only known nesting site was at Boa Entrada, Santa Catarina region, comprising less than 10 pairs. In January 1991, a new colony was discovered at Banana, Ribeira Montanha, with c. 20 recently used nests of which 2–3 had large young in January–February. The current population is thought not to exceed c. 20 pairs. Breeding occurs from late August to March. Apart from two old records in April, there are no records from the non-breeding season. Probably the birds disperse into the mountainous interior of the island after breeding and feed on the dry hillsides. The causes of the decline are unclear, but scarcity of suitable nest-sites and deteriorating climatic conditions may be significant. Because of the extremely small population, the birds and their nesting sites must be protected by law and the local people informed about the birds and their need for protection; educational materials are being developed.

A Garça-vermelha de Santiago Ardea (purpurea) bournei é endêmica à Ilha de Santiago nas Ilhas de Cabo Verde. Em contraste com a A. purpurea continental, nidifica no alto das grandes árvores. Durante os anos de 1950 e 1960, a população total era provavelmente cerca de 75 casais, principalmente na colônia em São Domingos, agora defunta. Depois do desaparecimento da colônia durante os anos de 1970, o único sítio de reprodução era em Boa Entrada na região de Santa Catarina, constituíndo menos de 10 pares. Em janeiro de 1991 uma nova colônia foi descoberta em Banana, Ribeira Montanha, com cerca de 20 ninhos recentemente ocupados, dos quais 2–3 tinham grandes jovens em janeiro–fevereiro. Pensa-se que a população atual não excede cerca de 20 pares. Reprodução ocorre em fins de agosto até março. A parte de dois velhos registros em abril, não existem registros do período não-reprodutivo. Provavelmente as aves se dispersam no interior montanhoso da ilha, depois de reproduzir, e alimentam-se nas colinas secas. As causas do declínio não são bem percebidas, mas a escassez de sitios de nidificação e a deterioração de condições climáticas podem ser significantes. Devido à população minúscula, as aves e seus sítios de nidificação devem ser protegidos por lei, e o povo local deve ser informado sobre as aves e a necessidade de protege-las. Materials educativos estão sendo desenvolvidos.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1992 , pp. 15 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1992

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