Effects of altitude on the distribution of Nearctic and resident grassland birds in Cordoba province, Argentina

VICKERY, PETER D.; CASAÑAS, HERNAN E.; DI GIACOMO, ADRIÁN S.

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Blackwell Publishing

Lugar: Danvers, MA; Año: 2003 vol. 74 p. 172 - 178

0273-8570

We determined the distribution and relative abundance of resident and Nearctic-breeding, long distance migrant grassland bird species in Cordoba province, Argentina. We sampled montane and lowland sites to determine if altitudinal differences might affect the grassland birds found there. We recorded a total of 48 grassland bird species; 38 species were recorded in the montane region and 42 species were observed on the lowland sites. Darwin’s Nothura (Nothura darwinii) and Long-tailed Meadowlarks (Sturnella loyca) were restricted to the montane region. Field Flickers (Colaptes campestris) were more common in the montane region whereas Chimango Caracaras (Milvago chimango), Southern Lapwings (Vanellus chilensis), and Fork-tailed Flycatchers (Tyrannus savanna) were more common on the lowland sites. Short-billed Pipits (Anthus furcatus), Yellowish Pipits (A. lutescens), and Chaco Pipits (A. chacoensis) only occurred in the lowlands. We found that Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) and Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) wintered in scattered flocks in the lowlands of east and south Cordoba but that these two species did not occur in the montane grasslands. We did not find Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) in Cordoba. The only globally threatened species we observed was the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), which was recorded twice in the highlands. In general, Cordoba province is an important region for grassland birds, especially Nearctic-breeding migrants, but this area no longer supports globally threatened species other than the Andean Condor. Intensification of agricultural practices and insecticide application to control insect pests constitute the primary threats to grassland birds in this region.