Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-4rdrl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-03T17:17:05.344Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The biology and conservation status of Central and South American Falconiformes: a survey of current knowledge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

Richard O. Bierregaard Jr
Richard O. Bierregaard Jr
Affiliation:
Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, U.S.A.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Based on an extensive literature review for the 81 species of Falconiformes (excluding vultures) that breed primarily in Central and South America, I summarize the current state of our knowledge of the biology and conservation status of these birds. Most of what is known about the diurnal raptors in the region is based on studies carried out in the southern U.S.A., the Petén of Guatemala, extreme north-eastern South America (Venezuela through the Guianas) and Chile. The least-known species are residents of primary forest, especially in the genera Accipiter, Leucoptemis and Micrastur. Nests remain undescribed for 19 species, and less than five nests have been described for an additional 12 species. No prey data are available for six species and only anecdotal data have been published for a further 25 species. Breeding behaviour is unknown for 27 species and known only anecdotally for an additional 18. The migratory habits of 28 species are poorly understood. Available data permit a reasonable assessment of the conservation status for 39 species and a well-educated guess for another 31, but any assessment for the remaining 11 would be speculation at best.

Basado en un estudio muy extensivo de la literatura para 81 especies de Falconiformes(excluyendo Cathartidae) que se aparean principalmente en Centro y Sur América, hago un resumen de nuestro conocimiento más actual de la biologia y el estado de conservación en que se encuentran estas aves. La mayor parte de la información que se tiene sobre raptores diurnos de la región está basada en estudios que fueron llevados acabo en el sur de los Estados Unidos, el Petén en Guatemala, la parte noreste de América del Sur (Venezuela hasta las Guianas) y Chile. Las especies menos conocidos son residentes de bosque primario, especialmente de los géneros Accipiter, Leucoptemis y Micrastur. Falta describir nidos para 19 especies y menos de cinco nidos han sido descritos para 12 especies adicionales. No hay informacion sobre la alimentatión para seis especies y solamente información anecdotal ha sido publicada para 25 especies adicionales. Comportamiento de apareo se desconoce para 27 especies y solamente es conocido por anécdotas par 18 especies adicionales, Las costumbres migratorias de 28 especies se conocen muy poco. Información disponible permite juzgar razonablemente el estado de conservación para 39 especies y se puede estimarlo para 31 más, pero el juzgar de los 11 que restan seria solamente especulación.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 5 , Issue 2-3: In memory of Ted Parker , September 1995 , pp. 325 - 340
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1995

References

Referances

Alvarez, E. (1993) Synopsis: what have we learned about the Harpy Eagle. Peregrine Fund Newsletter 23 (winter): 14.Google Scholar
Alvarez, E. (1994) Harpy Eagles. Wildbird Magazine 1: 30–33.Google Scholar
Alvarez-López, H. and Kattan, G. H. (1995) Conservation status of resident diurnal raptors of the middle Cauca Valley, Colombia. Bird Conserv. Internatn. 5: 341–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baker, A. J. P. and Whitacre, D. F. (1993) Orange-breasted Falcon reproduction, density and behavior in northern Central America. Raptor Res. 27: 64.Google Scholar
Banks, R. C. and Dove, C. J. (1992) The generic name for Crested Caracaras (Aves: Falconidae) Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 105: 420–425.Google Scholar
Bednarz, J. C. and Lignon, J. D. (1988) A study of the ecological bases of cooperative breeding in the Harris' Hawk. Ecology 69: 1176–1187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beissinger, S. R. (1983) Hunting behavior, prey selection and energetics of Snail Kites in Guyana: consumer choice by a specialist. Auk 100: 84–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beissinger, S. R., Thomas, B. T. and Strahl, S. D. (1988) Vocalizations, food habits, and nesting biology of the Slender-billed Kite, with comparisons to the Snail Kite. Wilson Bull. 100: 604–616.Google Scholar
Bierregaard, R. O. Jr (1985) Observations of the nesting biology of the Guiana Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis). Wilson Bull. 96: 1–5.Google Scholar
Boinski, S. and Scott, P. E. (1988) Association of birds with monkeys in Costa Rica. Biotropica 20: 136–143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boinski, S. and Timm, R. M. (1985) Predation by squirrel monkeys and Double-toothed Kites on tent-making bats. Amer. J. Primatol. 9: 121–127.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Collar, N. J., Gonzaga, L. P., Krabbe, N., MadroñoNieto, A., Naranjo, L. G., Parker, T. A. III and Wege, D. C. (1992) Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. Cambridge U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation.Google Scholar
Egler, S. G. (1991) Double-toothed Kites following tamarins. Wilson Bull. 103: 510–512.Google Scholar
Fontaine, R. (1980) Observations of the foraging association of Double-toothed Kites and white-faced capuchin monkeys. Auk 97: 94–98.Google Scholar
Fowler, J. M. and Cope, J. B. (1964) Notes on the Harpy Eagle in British Guiana. Auk 81: 257–273.Google Scholar
Gentry, A. W., ed. (1990) Four Neotropical rainforests. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Greenlaw, J. S. (1967) Foraging behavior of the Double-toothed Kite in association with white-faced monkeys. Auk 84: 596–597.Google Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1947) The Black Vulture and the Caracara as vegetarians. Condor 49: 210.Google Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1954) Evening flights of the Southern Everglades Kite and Blue and Yellow Macaw in Surinam. Wilson Bull. 66: 264–265.Google Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1959a) Elamis leucurus breeding in Surinam. Auk 76: 526.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1959b) Notes on Heliocolestes hamatus in Surinam. Auk 76: 32–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1962) Notes on the feeding habits and food of some hawks in Surinam. Condor 64: 154–158.Google Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1964) Beobachtungen an Chondrohierax uncinatus (Temminck) in Suri nam. J. Oru. 105: 64–66.Google Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1968) Birds of Surinam. London: Oliver and Boyd.Google Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1970) Notes on the Snail Kite in Surinam. Auk 87: 580–584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1972) Accipiter poliogaster in Surinam. J. Orn. 113: 338–339.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haverschmidt, F. (1980) Falco deiroleucus Temminck in Surinam. J. Orn. 104: 443–445.Google Scholar
Heymann, E. W. (1992) Associations of tamarins (Saguinas mystax and Saguinas fuscicollis) and Double-toothed Kites (Harpagus bidentatus) in Peruvian Amazonia. Folia Primatol 59: 51–55CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hickey, J. J., ed. (1969) Peregrine Falcon populations: their biology and decline. Madison, Milwaukee, and London: University of Wisconsin Press,Google Scholar
del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J., eds. (1994) Handbook of birds of the world, 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.Google Scholar
Jaksic, F. M. and Delibes, M. (1987) A comparative analysis of food-niche relationships and trophic guild structure in two assemblages of vertebrate predators differing in species richness: causes, correlations and consequences. Oecologia 71: 461–472.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jaksic, F. M., Greene, H. W. and Yanez, J. L. (1981) The guild structure of a community of predatory vertebrates in central Chile. Oecologia 49: 21–28.Google Scholar
Jaksic, F. M., Jiménez, J. E., Castro, S. A. and Feinsinger, P. (1992) Numerical and functional response of predators to a long-term decline in mammalian prey at a semiarid Neotropical site. Oecologia 89: 90–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jaksic, F. M., Rozzi, R., Labra, A. and Jiménez, J. E. (1987) The hunting behavior of Black-shouldered Kites (Elanus caeruleus leucurus) in central Chile. Condor 89: 907–911CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jaksic, F. M., Silva, S., Marquet, P. A. and Contreras, L. C. (1991) Food habits of Gurney's Buzzard in pre-Andean ranges and the high Andean plateau of northernmost Chile. J. Raptor Res. 25: 116–119.Google Scholar
Jaksic, F. M., Yáňez, J. L. and Schlatter, R. P. (1980) Prey of the Harris' Hawk in Central Chile. Auk 97: 196–198.Google Scholar
Jenny, J. P. (1989) Observations of the Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus) in the northern Peten from 1979–1989. Pp.93–97 in Burnham, W. A., Jenny, J. P. and Turley, C. W., eds. (1989) Maya Project: use of raptors as environmental indices for design and management of protected areas and for building local capacity for conservation in Latin America. Boise, Idaho: The Peregrine Fund, Inc. (Progress Report II, 1989).Google Scholar
Jenny, J. P. and Cade, T. J. (1986) Observations on the biology of the Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus. Birds of Prey Bull. 3: 119–124.Google Scholar
Klein, B. C. and Bierregaard, R. O. Jr (1988a) Capture and telemetry techniques for the Lined Forest-falcon (Micrastur gilvicollis). J. Raptor Res. 22: 29.Google Scholar
Klein, B. C. and Bierregaard, R. O. Jr (1988b) Movement and calling behavior of the Lined Forest-falcon (Micrastur gilvicollis) in the Brazilian Amazon. Condor 90: 497–499CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Klein, B. C, Harper, L. H., Bierregaard, R. O. Jr and Powell, G. V. N. (1988) Nesting and feeding behavior of the Ornate Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus ornatus. Condor 90: 239–241Google Scholar
Mader, W. J. (1979a) Breeding behavior of a polyandrous trio of Harris' Hawks in southern Arizona. Auk 96: 776–788.Google Scholar
Mader, W. J. (1979b) First nest description for the genus Micrastur (forest-falcons). Condor 81: 320.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mader, W. J. (1981) Notes on nesting raptors in the llanos of Venezuela. Condor 83: 48–51.Google Scholar
Mader, W. J. (1982) Ecology and breeding habits of the Savanna Hawk in the Llanos of Venezuela. Condor 84: 261–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moynihan, M. (1976) The new world primates. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University PressGoogle Scholar
Olrog, C. C. (1979) Alarmante escasez de rapaces en el sur argentino. Romero 12: 82–84.Google Scholar
Parker, T. A. III, Schulenberg, T. S., Graves, G. R. and Braun, M. J. (1985) The avifauna of the Huancabamba region, northern Peru. Pp.169–197 in Buckley, P. A., Foster, M. S., Morton, E. S., Ridgely, R. S. and Buckley, F. G., eds. Neotropical ornithology. Washington D.C.: American Ornithologists' Union.Google Scholar
Redford, K. (1992) The empty forest. BioScience 42: 412–422.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rettig, N. L. (1977) In the nest of the snatcher. Audubon Mag. 79: 26–49.Google Scholar
Rettig, N. L. (1978) Breeding behavior of the Harpy Eagle. Auk 95: 629–643.Google Scholar
Stresemann, E. and Amadon, D. (1979) Falconiformes. Pp.271–425 in Mayr, E. and Cottrell, G. W., eds. Check-list of birds of the world, 1. Cambridge, Mass.: Museum of Com parative Zoology.Google Scholar
Terborgh, J. (1983) Five New World primates: a study in comparative ecology. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar
Terborgh, J. (1992) Maintenance of diversity in tropical forests. Biotropica 24: 283–292.Google Scholar
Terborgh, J., Robinson, S., Parker, T. A. III, Munn, C. and Pierpont, N. (1990) Structure and organization of an Amazonian forest bird community Ecol. Monogr. 60: 213–238.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1984) Raptor community structure of a primary rain forest in French Guiana and effect of human hunting pressure. J. Raptor Res. 18: 117–122.Google Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1985a) Birds of prey in French Guiana - a preliminary survey. Bull. World Working Group Birds of Prey 2: 11–15.Google Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1985b) Falconiformes of tropical rainforests: a review. Pp. 155–165 in Newton, I. and Chancellor, R. D., eds. Conservation studies on raptors. Cambridge U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation. (ICBP Tech. Publ. 5).Google Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1985c) Species diversity and comparative ecology of rainforest Fal-coniformes on three continents. Pp. 167–179 in Newton, I. and Chancellor, R. D., eds. Conservation studies on raptors. Cambridge U.K.: International Council for Bird Preser vation (Techn. Publ. 5).Google Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1989a) Area requirements for the conservation of rain forest raptors and game birds in French Guiana. Conserv. Biol. 3: 128–137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1989b) Censusing of diurnal raptors in a primary rain forest: comparative methods and species detectability. J. Raptor Res. 23: 72–84.Google Scholar
Thiollay, J.-M. (1991) Foraging, home range use, and social behavior of a group-living rainforest raptor, the Red-throated Caracara, Daptrius americanus. Ibis 133: 382–393.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thorstrom, R. K. (1989) Breeding biology, behavior, and home range of the Barred Forest-falcon (Micrastur ruficollis). Pp.81–91 in Burnham, W. A.Jenny, J. P. and Turle, C. W., eds. Maya Project: use of raptors as environmental indices for design and management of protected areas and for building local capacity for conservation in Latin America. Boise, Idaho: The Peregrine Fund, Inc. (Progress Report II, 1989).Google Scholar
Thorstrom, R. K. (1990) Breeding biology of the Barred Forest-falcon (Micrastur ruficollis). Pp. 145–148 in Burnham, W. A., Whitacre, D. F. and Jenny, J. P., eds. Maya Project: use of raptors as environmental indices for design and management of protected areas and for building local capacity for conservation in Latin America. Boise, Idaho: The Peregrine Fund, Inc. (Progress Report III, 1990).Google Scholar
Thorstrom, R. K. and Morales, C. M. (1993) Breeding biology, food habits, and home range of the Barred Forest-falcon (Micrastur gilvicollis) in Guatemala. J. Raptor Res. 27: 83.Google Scholar
Thorstrom, R. K., Morales, C. M. and Mateo, C. S. (1992) Breeding biology, home range, and population dynamics of the Barred Forest-falcon in Tikal National Park. Pp.201–208 in Whitacre, D. F. and Thorstrom, R. K., eds. Maya Project: use of raptors and fauna as environmental indicators for design, management, and monitoring of protected areas and for building local capacity for conservation in Latin America. Boise, Idaho: The Peregrine Fund, Inc. (Progress Report V, 1992).Google Scholar
Thorstrom, R. K., Quixchan, A. M. and Morales, C. M. (1991) Breeding biology of the Barred Forest-falcon (Micrastur ruficollis). Pp. 121–126 in Whitacre, D. F., Burnham, W. A. and Jenny, J. P., eds. Maya Project: using raptors and other fauna as environmental indicators for design and management of protected areas and for building local capacity for conservation in Latin America. Boise, Idaho: The Peregrine Fund, Inc. (Progress Report IV, 1991).Google Scholar
Thorstrom, R. K., Turley, C. W., Ramirez, F. G. and Gilroy, B. A. (1990) Descriptions of nest, eggs and young of the Barred Forest-falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) and of the Collared Forest-falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus). Condor 90: 237–239.Google Scholar
Whitacre, D. F. and Thorstrom, R. K. eds. (1992) Maya Project: use of raptors as environ mental indicators for design, management, and monitoring of protected areas and for building local capacity for conservation in Latin America. Boise, Idaho: Peregrine Fund, Inc. (Progress Report V, 1992).Google Scholar