Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network

NRN Advisory Board Convenes in Panama On the first and second of November character of the NRN. Our first 2004 The Peregrine Fund convened order of business was to work out the first ever meeting of the Advisory a mission statement of the NRN. Board (AB) for the NRN. The Advi- After some tinkering we came up sory Board to the NRN consists of ten with one modeled on a similar volunteers working with raptors in the and successful organization in Neotropics and representing or with Asia, the Asian Raptor Research an interest in Neotropical countries. and Conservation Network The members of the first NRN Advi- (ARRCN): The NRN is a mem- sor Board are: Sergio Seipke, Sharon bership based organization aimed Matola, Cesar Sanchez, Rick Watson, to enhance the capacity and effec- Keith Bildstein, Jaime Jimenez, Marc tiveness of people working with Bechard, Jorge Albuqurque, and my- raptors in the Neotropics. Its self the coordinator Cameron Ellis. goal is to aid the research and The objectives of the meeting conservation of Neotropical rap- were to establish the Bylaws and tors by promoting communication identify the direction, activities and (Continued on page 5)

Table of Contents II Neotropical NRN Advisory Board 1 Raptor Meeting Conference Fall Raptor Migration 2 and NRN Logo 3 Symposium on 4 Raptors Releases of the II Neotropical Raptor 6 Conference Southern Cone SAICR I 8 Articles in 2004 9 Iguazu, Argentina Iguazu Falls, Argentina 10 June 11-14, 2006 See pages 6 and 10 Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Migration Counts Network Fall Raptor Migration in and Costa Rica by Cesar Sanchez Common Name Scientific Name México Costa Rica Every year millions of birds escape the cold weather of North America, and travel south Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 2,148,329 1,025,289 into the tropics where they spend sometimes Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2,232 2,214 more than six months of the year, and rap- Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus 225 65 tors are no exception. Around 30 species of Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus 143 1,175 diurnal raptors are known to migrate Snail Kite Rosthramus sociabilis - 2 through the Americas. Some owl species Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis 184,948 262,129 are known to migrate, although the informa- Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea - 239 tion available for the Neotropical region is scarce. Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus 106 4 Southward movements can be seen Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 2,218 17 as early as late August. The migration be- Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii 1,688 5 gins with species such as Swallow-tailed Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 4 - (Elanoides forficatus) or Mississippi Kites Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus 8 - (Ictinia mississippienses) and it continues Harris' Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus 7 - until early December, when the most pre- Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus 612 - dominant migrating species are late migrat- Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus 14 - ing Turkey Vultures. Due to the large num- bers of late migrating Turkey Vultures Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus 2,080,931 1,117,733 (Cathartes aura), Broad-winged (Buteo Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus 1 - Platypterus) and Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni 1,025,619 449,771 Swansoni), the majority of these movements Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus 173 44 occur during October and November. These Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 129 14 species form large dense flocks of several Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis 3 - thousands of birds as they pass through nar- Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 6 - row migration corridors in Mexico and Cen- American Kestrel Falco sparverius 3,256 6 tral America. The migration routes cover a wide variety of habitats including savannas, Merlin Falco columbarius 134 207 tropical rain forests, and even cloud forest in Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 677 3,219 the top of mountain ranges; still, accurate Unidentified Raptor 42828 2,650 route information for individual species is Total 5,494,291 2,864,783 often poorly known or unavailable. During the past years, strategically placed raptor watch sites have been estab- Call for Future Articles lished to monitor the movements of raptors This is the first of the NRN’s biannual Newsletter. The idea for this through the Neotropical region. The 2004 newsletter was put forth at NRN Advisory Board meeting in Novem- Fall migration marks the most recent chap- ber of 2004. For this reason we did not have a chance to call for con- ter in this continuing investigation. Raptor tributions from the broader membership of the NRN, and the articles counts were carried out in Mexico, Costa were written primarily by members of the Advisory Board. However, Rica and Panama. Here, included are total this newsletter is a chance to share the projects and experiences of all counts for the migratory season in Veracruz, NRN members. If you would like to write an article for the next Mexico and Kéköldi, Costa Rica. NRN Newsletter please send it to me by June 27th 2005. Articles can ———————————- be about any subject so long as it pertains to the theme of the NRN, Veracruz, River of Raptors and we encourage them to be light and easy to read. Please contact Rafael Rodríguez: me if you have any further questions or you would like to submit an [email protected] article. Kéköldi contact: [email protected] Pablo Porras: Issue #1 / 3.3.2005 / Page 2

The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network The NRN Logo Comes to Life By Cameron Ellis

Almost half a year ago the first could not address the wide range efforts of people dedicated to the round of NRN logo artwork was of raptors that can be found in the of this diverse, varied, elusive received with some amount of 47 distinct biogeographical prov- and raptor-rich Realm. dissent. The dissent was due inces of the Neotropical Realm. Rather than allude to largely to the fact that whatever Frustration mounted in the what is known, certain and uni- bird was depicted in the logo, it logo search, until finally it brought versal about Neotropical raptors, only represented the interests of the issue under a whole new light. we have chosen to allude the some among the roughly 140 attempting to describe the NRN, it mystery, adventure, thrill, and members of the NRN. This dif- is impossible to ask one raptor, or ultimately the hard work that is ficulty is to be expected in a re- even several raptors, to stand in for common to all of us working gion as large and diverse as the the whole of raptor species in the with raptors in the Neotropics. Neotropics, where no raptor ex- Neotropics. The most biogeo- The Black and Chestnut ists to mirror exactly, impar- graphically diverse realm on the (Isidor’s) Eagle, high in the An- dean cloud for- ests, represents those character- istics and em- bodies the elu- sive and sover- eign nature of Neotropical rap- tors. The logo exists in two forms. The extended version of the logo includes the Black and Chestnut Eagle tially, and uniquely the planet is not so easily captured! with a fanciful depiction of the Neotropical bio-geographical While perhaps a feather in the cap South and Meso-American land realm. Indeed, the Neotropical of Neotropical researchers and con- masses. The condensed form is Realm means humid forests to servationists, it makes a ‘common in a circular shape, depicting some, soaring mountains to oth- denominator species’ approach sin- mountains, forests and water, ers, arid plains to still more, and gularly difficult and poses an inter- presided over by the Black and the list goes on. esting dilemma for any organization Chestnut Eagle. The logo was We then expanded our attempting to address the entire selected by the Advisory Board vision of the logo to include Realm. This diversity of habitats to the NRN. several birds. Several birds al- and species can be seen as an im- The artist is Frederick lowed some flexibility to ad- possible puzzle of fracture lines Pallinger of Brazil. He is a good dress the different habitats and breaking the region into so many friend to the NRN and he has varied species of the Neotrop- distinct units, but in the same breath been very generous in producing ics… but that approach diluted it reveals a different sort of unity. It this wonderful artwork! the artistic and symbolic value reveals a unity in diversity. It re- —————————- of the logos, and still, no matter veals a unity among the conserva- Contact Frederick about his art which birds were chosen, they tion, investigation and exploration at: [email protected] Issue #1 / 3.3.2005 / Page 3

The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network

Harpy Eagle Releases in Belize Photo: Russell Thorstrom by Sharon Matola

As the Belize coordinator for The Peregrine Fund’s Harpy Eagle Restoration Program, it is good to report that both captive bred birds hard released in northwestern Be- lize in early June of this year, within the protected forests of the Rio Bravo Conservation Manage- ment Area, are doing well. The female was reported eating a Coati (Nasua narica), on the 31st of October. The male has yet to be noted hunting independ- ently, but he has avoided the lodge/ research station area which is not far from his release site. The Rio Bravo hard re- lease site has a robust prey base. Deer, peccary, various birds and reptiles are plentiful and the feel- have been posted in the Darien ing is optimistic that the released region of Panama as well. The eagles will thrive in this area. is working to develop Garganta de San In December, the project a t-shirt to popularize the Harpy received a visit from ornithologist Eagle in Belize. Plans for the and author of the Birds of Belize, 4th Hoodwink the Martin, Iguazu!!! Dr. Lee Jones. He is also part of Owl children’s an effort to assess the prey base book about the along a river system which cuts Belize Harpy Ea- through this tropical forest. gle Restoration Another female Harpy Program are now captive bred and released is hunt- being initiated and ing independently, however, in a it is projected that forested area south of the Maya this Harpy Eagle ruins of Caracol, in a hard-to- conservation pro- access area. This highly-karstified gram will have a region of Belize makes it difficult heightened profile to trap the bird for transfer to the and receive much hard-release site, and there is some attention, both in concern about her being too close Belize, and outside to the Guatemalan border where the borders of this potentially dangerous conflict with nation. people could occur. Posters featuring an imma- ture Harpy Eagle are given out Photo: continuously in Belize, and a few Rick Watson

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The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor La Garganta de San Martin Network Photo: Rick Watson ...NRN AB Meeting and collaboration among biologists, ornithologists, raptor enthusiasts and other conservationists working in the Neotropics. After establishing the NRN Mission Statement and addressing the structural aspects of the NRN, the Ad- visory Board went on to identify the limiting factors for raptor research and conservation in the Neotropics. Not surprisingly, funding and training were named among the pri- mary limiting factors for researchers and conservationists. To address this and other issues related to the effec- tiveness of scientific and conservation work in the Neotropics, the NRN Ad- visory Board outlined a series of pro- Neotropical Raptor Conference jects in the NRN Bylaws, the govern- newsletter deals specifically with ing document of this fledgling organi- the conference and preparations. and Harpy Eagle Symposium. The zation. See pages 7 and 10. idea behind the NRN is collabora- The NRN Bylaws identify five Overall, the meeting was a tion, and we are committed to organizational projects and a flexible success and as coordinator of the wielding the NRN in such a way capacity to engage in further scientific NRN it is a thrill to work with the that it best benefits all members. and conservation oriented projects. Advisory Board as well as the So please, do not hesitate to con- The Organizational Projects make up broader membership of the NRN. tact me for any for any reason with the core of activity for the NRN, they This recent meeting has given struc- questions or suggestions, we are are: An NRN List-server, a periodic ture and commitment to what began working for you and we would like Neotropical Raptor Conference, an NRN e-Newsletter, an NRN webpage as a simple notion at the 2002 to hear how we can do better! and an updated guide to the NRN Neotropical Raptor Research and Con- servation Priorities. The Bylaws pro- duced at the recent NRN-AB meeting also include a capacity to directly en- gage in scientific and conservation pro- jects, as they are approved by the Ad- visory Board and in keeping with the NRN Mission Statement, these are the NRN Scientific and Conservation Pro- jects. Check out the website for a more in depth look at the different as- pects of the NRN. The final activity of the NRN- AB meeting was to begin planning for the next Neotropical Raptor Confer- ence. It will be held in June of 2006 in Iguazu, Argentina. An article in this Issue #1 / 3.3.2005 / Page 5 La Garganta del Diablo Photo: Rick Watson

The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network The 2006 Neotropical Raptor Conference and Symposium on Raptors of the Southern Cone Today, considering worldwide con- cern over threats to the environ- ment, and considering the large ar- ray of species and habitats included in the Neotropical region (here de- fined as all Latin America and the Caribbean) it is not surprising that Neotropical conservation issues fre- quently reach the world stage. The immense diversity of habitats in the Neotropics are home to many of the world’s most impressive raptors, including the Andean Condor (the world’s largest flying bird), the Harpy Eagle (possibly the world’s most powerful bird of prey), rare falcons and owls, and many species that are still unstudied. For centu- ries the raptors of the Neotropics have sparked the enthusiasm of naturalists, falconers, scientists, and other conservationists worldwide. Even prior to that, they had promi- nent roles in the myth and social fabric of Pre-Columbian cultures. However, raptors are more than just interesting and charismatic animals. They are important com- ponents of ecosystems, and at the top of the food chain they are excel- miner’s cage,’ they provide us with hance the research and conservation lent indicators of environmental an early warning of declining envi- capacity of Neotropical raptors and health. Long before the forests are ronmental conditions and ecosystem provide for regular Neotropical Rap- clear-cut and lost or a contaminant health. As such, they are uniquely tor Conferences every four years. precipitates extensive environ- valuable animals and if properly Since its inception, the NRN mental harm, symptoms of a dam- executed, raptor research and con- has become a unifying element for the aged ecosystem often appear first in servation can be an important tool raptor research and conservation com- the animals at the top of the food for expanding knowledge and our munity across the Neotropics; and as chain. Peregrine Falcons alerted the protective capacity of Neotropical a young organization we are now world to the dangers of the pesticide biodiversity. gearing up for the Second Neotropical DDT, and recently a crisis facing Encouraged by positive re- Raptor Conference, to be held in three species of Gyps vultures in sults and enthusiasm among atten- Iguazu, Argentina on June 11th-14th, Asia has uncovered the first ever dees of the first Neotropical Raptor 2006. The Neotropical Raptor Con- known case of a pharmaceutical Conference, held in Panama City, ferences are of great importance for drug causing widespread environ- Panama in 2002, The Peregrine sharing information and ideas, and mental impact. Raptors have been Fund helped establish the Neotropi- establishing working relationships likened to the ‘canary in the coal- cal Raptor Network (NRN) to en- between scientists, raptor enthusiasts, Issue #1 / 3.3.2005 / Page 6

The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network ...2006 Neotropical Raptor Conference, continued.

policy makers and other conservationists working in the Neotropics. Due to its loca- tion and focus, this conference will be of singular importance to the issues, species and habitat of South America and the South- ern Cone in particular. The Second Neotropical Raptor Conference is a collaborative project, coor- dinated by the NRN and sponsored by The Peregrine Fund (USA), the Sheraton Inter- national Iguazu Resort (Arg.), Aves Argen- tinas/AOP (Arg.), Hawk Mountain Sanctu- ary (USA), Museo de la Plata (Arg.) and Guira-Oga (Arg.). The 2006 Neotropical Raptor Conference will be attended by over 200 professionals and students from throughout the Neotropics and around the world. Further support will be central to the success of the 2006 Neotropical Raptor Conference. We are currently offering sev- eral distinct levels and forms of involvement from direct financial support of conference costs, to travel assistance for students and prospective conference attendees, to in-kind, logistical and material support from those organizations disposed to help. All assis- tance will be received with profound thanks and contributions will be acknowledged in conference literature on a special sponsor-

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The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network received a Proceedings Book that SAICR I: First Argentine Symposium includes extended abstracts of each presentation, these proceedings are on the Investigation and Conservation currently out of stock, but soon will of Raptors by Sergio Seipke be converted to PDF and available on the internet. In the last 10 years we have been as the creation of an Argentine NGO The first SAICR made an fortunate to see a notable prolifera- bringing together people working in indelible impression on those who tion of investigators and conserva- fields related to raptor research and participated in it. It can be said that tionists working with raptors in conservation, the frequency for the the ‘raptor community’ of Argentina Latin America; and scientific con- SAICR conferences and the possibil- acquired a solid and optimistic vision ferences have proved to be among ity of hosting the next Neotropical of itself, one that was previously al- the best means to encourage interac- Raptor Conference in Argentina in most non-existent. It was, without a tion and promote communication 2006. doubt, proof of both the capacity of between those scientists and conser- The SAICR I produced its participants and the relevance of vationists. strong results and has laid a founda- the field. The first Neotropical Rap- tion for future work: SAICR I pro- Perhaps one day in the not tor Conference (NRC) and Harpy moted direct communication between too distant future every country in the Eagle Symposium, convened by The researchers, students, conservation- Neotropical Realm will celebrate its Peregrine Fund in Panama City, ists and other related people; it initi- own raptor conference. In each Panama, in October of 2002, was a ated the creation of a national organi- country, and in the Neotropics as a significant moment in the history of zation; it agreed to a two year fre- whole, that day will be a triumph for collaboration and communication quency of SAICR meetings; and fi- both the people who dedicate their between investigators and conserva- nally it has put together a great at- energies to the understanding and tionists of Neotropical raptors. Ar- mosphere for sharing experiences. conservation of raptors, and a tri- gentina had a regrettably small pres- All the attendees of the conference umph for the birds themselves. ence at this important conference; however, this country is actually home to a large number of phe- ...more falls in Iguazu NP nomenal people actively dedicated to this area of study and conserva- Photo: Rick Watson tion. In light of this strong group of people, and with the goal of for- malizing a community dedicated to the conservation and investigation of raptors in Argentina, we cele- brated in La Plata, Buenos Aires, the First Argentine Symposium on the Investigation and Conservation of Raptors (SAICR I) on the first and second of October 2004. This event was attended by more than 100 peo- ple, among them researchers, con- servationists, students, falconers, directors of NGO’s, as well as resi- dents of Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay. Twenty six oral presenta- tions were given in sessions accord- ing to subject matter, these presenta- tions were complimented by five thematic tables (discussion groups and theme-specific workshops) and three moderated debates. The de- bates addressed relevant issues such

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The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network Relevant Articles Published in 2004 compiled by Cesar Sanchez

- Andrade, A., P. Teta, & J.R. Contreras. 2004. Dieta de la Lechucita Vizcachera (Speotyto cunicularia) en el Parque Na- cional Médanos del Chaco (Paraguay). Ornitologia Neotropical 15(1): 87-92. - Booth-Binczik,S.D., G.A. Binczik,& R.F. Labisky. 2004. A Possible Foraging Association between White Hawks and White-nosed Coatis. Wilson Bulletin 116(1): 101-103. - Delgado-V., C.A. & E.J.F. Cataño-B. 2004. Diet of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in the lowlands of Antioquia, Colombia. Orni- tologia Neotropical 15(3): 413-415. - Dreitz, V.J.,.M., & D.L.. 2004. Effects of natal departure and water level on survival of juvenile Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) in . Auk 121(3): 894–903. - Ellis, D.H., C.H., B.A., A.M., J., J.K.Fackler, C.T., T.G., J., D.G., & M.éry. 2004. Summer diet of the Peregrine Falcon in faunistically rich and poor zones of Arizona analyzed with capture-recapture modeling. Condor 106(4):873–886. - Esteves Lopes, L., R. Goes, S. Souza & R. de Melo Ferreira. White-throated Hawk (Buteo Albigula) in Deciduous Forests of 2004. Observations on a nest of the Stygian Owl (Asio stygius) Central Chie. Journal of Raptor Research. 38 (2): 186-189. in the central Brazilian Cerrado. Ornitologia Neotropical 15 - Robbins, M.B., M.J. Braun, & D.W. Finch. 2004. Avifauna of (3): 423-427. - Gerhardt, R.P.,.M., & M.A.ásquez. 2004. Food delivered to the Guyana southern Rupununi, with comparisons to other savan- nests of Swallow-tailed Kites in Tikal National Park, Guate- nas of northern South America. Ornitologia Neotropical 15(2): 173-200. mala. Condor 106(1):177–181. - Sahores, M., & A. Trejo. 2004. Diet shift of Barn Owls (Tyto - Henrique Borges,., L. Magalli Henriques, & A. Carvalhaes. aba) after natural fires in Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Rap- 2004. Density and habitat use by owls in two Amazonian for- est types. Journal of Field Ornithology 75(2):176-182. tor Research. 38 (2): 174-177 - Kusch, A. 2004. Distribución y uso de dormideros por el - Scheibler,. R. 2004.Geographic variation in the size of mam- malian prey taken by White-tailed Kites in the Americas. Journal Condor Andino (Vultur gryphus) en Patagonia chilena. Ornito- of Field Ornithology 75(3): 218-222. logia Neotropical 15(3): 313-317. - Scheibler, D.R. & A.U. Christoff. 2004. Small mammals in the - LaHaye, W.S.,.S., & R. J.érrez. 2004. Temporal variation in the vital rates of an insular population of Spotted Owls (Strix diet of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in agroecosystems of southern occidentalis occidentalis): contrasting effects of weather. Brazil. Ornitologia Neotropical 15(1): 65-70. - Smith, R.B., E.C. Greiner, & B.O. Wolf. 2004. Migratory Auk121 (4): 1056–1069. movements of Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) captured - Leveau, L.M., C.M. Leveau & U.F.J. Pardinas. 2004. Tro- in New Mexico in relation to prevalence, intensity, and biogeog- phic relations between White-tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) and Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in southern Buenos Aires province, raphy of avian Hematozoa. Auk 121(3): 837–846. Argentina. 38 (2): 178-181. - Tomazzonia, A.C., E. Pedó, & S.M. Hartz. 2004. Food habits of the Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) in the breeding season - Macías-Duarte, A., A.B., W.G. Hunt, A.ón-Terrazas, & in Lami Biological Reserve, southern Brazil. Ornitologia Neotro- R.Tafanelli. 2004. Reproduction, prey and habitat of the Aplo- pical 15(2): 279-282. mado Falcon (Falco femoralis) in desert grasslands of Chihua- hua, Mexico. Auk 121(4):1081–1093. - Trejo, A., V. Ojeda, L. Sympson, M. Gelain. 2004. Breeding - Mendes de Carvalho Filho, G. Zorzin, & G.V.A. Specht. biology and nest characteristics of the White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula) in northwestern Argentine Patagonia. 38 (1): 1- 2004. Breeding biology of the King Vulture (Sarcoramphus 8. papa) in southeastern Brazil. Ornitologia Neotropical 15(2): - Trejo, A. & V. Ojeda. 2004. Diet of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in 219-224. - Meyer, K.D.,.M., & M.W.. 2004. Food deliveries at Swal- forested habitats of northwestern argentine Patagonia. Ornitolo- low-tailed Kites nests in southern Florida. Condor 106(1):171– gia Neotropical 15(3): 307-311. - Valdez, U. & S. Osborn. 2004. Observations on the ecology of 176. the Black-and-Chestnut Eagle (Oroaetus isidori) in a montane - Murphy,.T., J. Zysik,& A. Pierce. 2004. Biogeography of the forest of southern Peru. Ornitologia Neotropical 15(1): 31-40. birds of the Bahamas with special reference to the island of - Whiteman, N.K. & P.G. Parker. 2004. Body condition and para- San Salvador. Journal of Field Ornithology 75(1): 18-30. - Naka, L. N. 2004. Structure and organization of canopy bird site load predict territory ownership in the Galapagos Hawk. Condor 106(4): 915–92. assemblages in Central Amazonia. Auk 121(1): 88–102. - Young, K.E., B.C. Thompson, A.L. Terrazas, A.B. Montoya, R. - Pavez, E.F., C. Gonzalez, B.A. Gonzalez, C. Saucedo, S. Valdez. 2004. Aplomado Falcon abundance and distribution in Alvarado, J.P. Gabella, & A. Arnello. 2004. Nesting of the the northern Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico. 38 (2): 107-117. Issue #1 / 3.3.2005 / Page 9

The Peregrine Fund Newsletter of the Neotropical Raptor Network June, 11th–14th ing to raptor research and conserva- Location: tion, as well as a host of social activi- ties and the constant lure of the Iguazú Falls and National Park. Iguazu, This conference will mark four years since the first Neotropical Argentina Raptor Conference held in Panama City, Panama in October 2002. The Advisory Board to the NRN chose The Neotropical Raptor Network Iguazú, Argentina for several rea- sons. Among them the NRN and the invites you the Second Neotropi- cal Raptor Conference, with a NRC are for all people working with Symposium on Raptors of the birds of prey in the Neotropics, the biogeographical region that extends Southern Cone. Join scientists, conservationists, resource manag- from Mexico to the end of Tierra del ers, falconers, representatives of Fuego. Argentina brings this confer- zoos, government and non- ence across the equator and closer to government organizations and many of its members… and species! other persons and institutions with Argentina and the Southern an interest in the research and/or Cone were also identified as regions conservation of birds of prey in with a burgeoning population of en- Latin America and the Caribbean thusiastic individuals entering the field to participate in a meeting to of raptor biology and among the goals share knowledge, interests, and of the NRN is to empower this grow- concerns and help develop a net- ing potential. Argentina’s varied land- work of practitioners in the fields scapes and climates, from sub-tropical of raptor conservation, research, to sub-Antarctic, offers a wide range captive breeding and falconry. of habitats inhabited by many species The meeting will include and an important opportunity to ad- (Leucopternis polionota) featured in a symposium dedicated to re- dress aspects of Raptor biology and search and conservation of raptors conservation in the Neotropical realm, the conference image are among the of the Southern Cone, invited outside the tropics. most rare and threatened raptor spe- cies in the Americas. speakers on raptor biology and Iguazú is on the border with conservation, contributed papers Brazil and Paraguay, it constitutes a ...and, of course, Iguazú and posters on raptor biology and part of the Atlantic Forest, a threat- Falls are a world renowned tourist destination that absolutely everyone conservation, workshops (some ened biome which harbors several with a passion for our natural world still open to suggestion) pertain- species of raptors, some of which are rare endemics. The Mantled Hawk must experience! Editor: Cameron Ellis Art:: Frederick Pallinger, Aldo Chiape Photos: Rick Watson, Angel Muela, Jaime Jimenez, Russell Thorstrom Contributors: Cesar Sanchez, Sharon Matola, Sergio Seipke Translation: Sergio Seipke, Cameron Ellis, Christian Polar

Newsletter Contact info: Phone: 208.362.3716 Fax: 208.362.2376 email: [email protected] www.neotropicalraptors.org www.peregrinefund.org

Issue #1 / 3.3.2005 / Page 10

The Peregrine Fund