Specialization on bamboo by Neotropical birds

COCKLE, KRISTINA L; ARETA, JUAN I

THE CONDOR

COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Año: 2013 vol. 115 p. 217 - 220

0010-5422

The four papers in this special section show that the presence of woody bamboos adds to regional bird diversity in the neotropics by supporting a taxonomically and ecologically diverse suite of specialists. The conservation of these birds depends critically on the preservation of bamboo habitats, made difficult by the strong spatial and temporal fluctuations of bamboo resources generated by the bamboos’ cycle of flowering. We hope that this special section draws attention to the important role of bamboos in the conservation of neotropical birds. We believe that bamboo should be recognized as a critical habitat that deserves specific conservation measures through networks of reserves that provide continuous resources for all groups of bamboo specialists. We further hope this set of papers will inspire ornithologists, birders, and students to pay close attention to the natural history and ecology of the birds and bamboos they observe in the field and to study the fascinating relationships between these specialist animals and their fluctuating resources.