COTINGA 2 Cerro Blanco

New and interesting records of from a dry forest reserve in south-west Ecuador

Karl S. Berg

Resum en La reserva forestal Cerro Blanco es una de las pocas áreas protegidas con más de 200 ha de bosque seco sobre el oeste ecuatoriano. Aunque existen listas de registros de aves en la reserva, con frecuencia no se conocen las fechas ni localidades en que fueron tomados. De otro lado, esta información no incluye observaciones de algunas de las partes de más difícil acceso en la reserva, ni muestra con precisión las diferentes altitudes, los tipos de bosques o las estaciones. Una información más amplia será cada vez más importante para la conservación y manejo de la vida silvestre de la reserva a medida que se intensifica la industria y la agricultura alrededor de Guayaquil, y se amenaza con aislar ecológicamente Cerro Blanco. Este artículo presenta los registros de aves para la reserva, detalles de algunas especies poco conocidas o amenazadas, y una lista actualizada de las especies del bosque. Cerro Blanco (02°10'S 80°02'W) is a protected aid of various fieldguides3,5,8,9 and were made dry tropical forest approximately 15 km west 15 to 45 days apart throughout the 10 month of Guayaquil, Guayas province, south-west period. Trails surveyed were Quebrada Canoa, Ecuador. The 2000 ha forest is at the south­ Buenavista, the road between the Mirador de ern end of the Cordillera de la Costa that runs los Monos and Quebrada de los Papagayos (see from the Gulf of Guayaquil, north to the prov­ Map). Based on lists compiled since the crea­ ince of Esmeraldas (see Map). The southern tion of the reserve4,6,7,10, these most recent ob­ end of this cordillera, where Cerro Blanco is servations include several new for located, is named the Cordillera de Chongón. Cerro Blanco, and provide details of poorly The Cerro Blanco reserve comprises dry and known, often endemic and/or threatened birds. semi-deciduous humid forest in ravines and Perhaps the most interesting discovery ridges which reach an altitude of c.400 m. The was that of the threatened Pacific Royal Fly­ dry forests of south-west Ecuador and north­ c a tc h e r Onychorhynchus [coronatus] west (the Tumbesian region) are biologi­ occidentalis1. This curious and beautiful fly­ cally isolated by surrounding geographical fea­ catcher had not been previously recorded but tures: the Andes to the east; the desert scrub was seen on five different occasions during the of coastal Peru, and coastal El Oro and Guayas surveys, with an active nest found in April provinces, Ecuador to the south and west; and 1993 at Quebrada Canoa. The species was the humid forest of north-west Ecuador and seen making short, darting flights for western to the north. Consequent (especially middle-storey lepidoptera), and high levels of endemism, combined with the was occasionally found in loose, mixed-species problems of rapid human population growth flocks. The nest was an odd structure, and associated , have attracted c.1 m long, hanging precariously from the attention of national and international branches and vines 2–3 m above a forested conservation organisations (see Parker & creek (see also13). The nest material was col­ Carr10). Cerro Blanco is one of very few Ecua­ lected on the wing and comprised slender dorian protected areas in the Tumbesian cen­ twigs, tendrils, moss and fine roots, the lat­ tre of endemism that are larger than 200 ha. ter taken from epiphytes and plants with roots The reserve is host to several threatened, and exposed on the creek bank (see also13). The un­ numerous poorly known birds1,10, in an area kempt appearance of the nest seems to be a where massive biological extinction may have method of camouflaging, especially appropri­ already occurred2. Between June 1992 and ate in wet forest where similar collections of May 1993, records were kept of all species en­ moss and other plant matter hang from nearly countered during nine visits to the reserve. every tree. The 4–6 hour surveys were conducted with the Data from two other nests (one of which

14 2 Cerro Blanco

Map of the Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (map based on original from Fundación Natura)

failed) found at Manta Real (75 km south-east W ood -Ra il Aramides axillaris along the of Cerro Blanco) in March–April 1993, suggests Buenavista trail was after a night of heavy incubation of the two eggs takes 26–34 days. rain which flooded the nearby , and The eggs are brownish with ruddy streaks be­ may have forced this bird onto the higher coming fused at the larger end, and are placed ground in the reserve, although records from in a small shallow chamber. The chicks are the Sozoranga area of Loja, and Tumbes Na­ scaled or barred brown and grey, much as has tional Forest in Peru, suggest that deciduous been described of the Central American form forests are also favoured of this spe­ O. [coronatus] coronatus11. According to Parker cies (B. J. Best pers. comm.). & Carr10, a healthy presence of P a c ific R oyal The Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner Flycatchers is one of the best indicators of Hylocryptus erythrocephalus, a rare and “good” moist forest in south-west Ecuador. threatened Tumbesian endemic1, was seen on Cerro Blanco, Machalilla National Park and three separate occasions (also recorded by N. Jauneche reserve are the only Ecuadorian Krabbe in 1992). The first sighting was in a protected areas where this globally threatened thicket on a ridge-top at the source of the species has been found. Quebrada de los Papagayos. The bird was ap­ Other records include a colourful female parently visiting a nest-hole in the side of the Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea, the creek, which was wet but not flowing. This first record for the reserve, was seen on two species is easily frightened and difficult to see, occasions perched less than 1 m from the especially where the vegetation is dense. How­ ground at the side of a small pool near the ever, the call, once known, is heard continu­ Quebrada Canoa ridge-top. This creek, as with ously (dee-dee-dee-dee... dee-dee-dee-dee). Cerro most in the area, is dry for half the year apart Blanco and Machalilla National Park are the from occasional small pools that remain at only protected areas in Ecuador where this certain points along the creek. These pools are species has been observed. Unfortunately, the only source of water for many months, and most of the Cerro Blanco reserve has been at are important to populations of mammals (and least selectively logged during the present cen­ birds) needing water throughout the year10. A tury10. Primary forest only persists along surprise encounter with a Rufous-necked quebradas (creeks) and on steep banks where

15 COTINGA 2 Cerro Blanco it is rather patchy, but sufficient remains to quebrada bottom10. Several groups (of 18–25) allow an enjoyable excursion into one of the of the threatened Saffron Siskin Carduelis last significant tracts of Ecuadorian dry tropi­ siemiradzkii, known from only a few localities cal forest, where in fact the avifauna is very in an area of c.10 000 km2 in south-west Ec­ similar to that of the more pristine Tumbes uador and adjacent Tumbes, Peru, have also National Forest in Peru10. been found along Quebrada Canoa1,10. The Quebrada Canoa trail is close to the The Buenavista trail begins at the base of guard-house and has a well maintained trail the hillside and traverses the scrubby second­ and boardwalk along which the threatened1 ary forest, eventually arriving at the ridge- Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Grey-breasted top from where one can view the forested Flycatcher Lathrotriccus griseipectus and quebrada below. The raucous grunting of the Ochre-bellied DoveLeptotila ochraceiventris Mantled Howler Monkey Alouatta palliata or can all be seen, often some distance up the the powerful squawk of the Great Green creek. At least three male Ochre-bellied Macaw Ara ambigua guayaquilensis can be Doves called persistently from viny thickets heard from this point. This later species, a in the undergrowth along the quebrada in small group of which is present on Cerro January 1991, although it seems likely that Blanco, is present as a remnant population this rare dove occurs here only during the wet that barely survives here and in the Cordillera season (December–April)10. The clear whistle de Colonche to the north-west10. Flocks of 30– of the Grey-and-gold W arbler Basileuterus 50 Grey-cheeked Parakeets Brotogeris fraseri is commonly heard during most walks pyrrhopterus are a common sight, as are sight­ in the forest, as they forage in the middle-sto­ ings of the smaller Pacific P arrotlet Forpus rey, especially above creek banks. Through the coelestis. At first light, or just as the sun is numerous light-gaps Grey-backed Hawks setting, large flocks (50–70 pairs) of Red-lored occidentalis (also threatened1) Amazons Amazona autumnalis pass to and can be seen soaring overhead, often giving a from Cerro Blanco and Cerro Azul (to the single sshreee call. A pair of this threatened north) to the mangroves across the highway, hawk was thought to be nesting in tall trees where they apparently roost. Once along the along this quebrada in January 199110. Other ridge of the Buenavista trail, the forest be­ species of interest due to their restricted dis­ comes taller and at several points one can look tributions include Pale-browed Tinamou directly into the upper middle-storey of the Crypturellus transfasciatus, several of which forest. Also along this trail, interesting dry have been heard along this quebrada (in Janu­ forest and scrub endemics such as Elegant ary), and large numbers of Grey-cheeked Crescentchest Melanopareia elegans, Col­ P arakeet Brotogeris pyrrhopterus which have lared A ntshrike Sakesphorus bernardi and been seen in the tops of tall Ficus trees in the the threatened Blackish-headed Spinetail Synallaxis tithys and the Henna-hooded Fo­ liage-gleaner1 (see above) can be found. Raptor watching is particularly good in the reserve with some 32 species recorded, due in part to the excellent visibility afforded within a deciduous, dry tropical forest. To access the more remote parts of the re­ serve (i.e. Quebrada de los Papagayos), roads do exist, but special permission is needed from the management and must be coordinated through La Cemento Nacional, the cement manufacturer that owns the reserve. Tourists wishing to visit the reserve should give prior notice to the Fundación N atura office in Guayaquil (Tel: [593]-4-201-628). Admission to the reserve is US$5 per person, and camping sites are available. Taxis from Guayaquil will Collared Antshrike Sakesphorus bernardi do the trip for c.US$10, although the bus line (David D. Beadle)

16 COTINGA 2 Cerro Blanco

Top left: Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea, male (D. Wechsler — Vireo)

Top right: Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea, fe­ male (D. Wechsler — Vireo)

Bottom left: Blackish-headed Spinetail Synallaxis tithys (Rob Williams)

Bottom right: Grey-and-gold Warbler Basileuterus fraseri (Rob Williams)

17 COTINGA 2 Cerro Blanco “La Chongonera” runs from Parque Victoria, port to Fundación Natura. in the centre of Guayaquil out past the re­ 5. Hilty, S. L. & Brown, W. L. (1986) A Guide serve to the pueblo of Chongón, every hour to the Birds of Colombia. Princeton, New for less than US$0.50. Guayaquil, although Jersey: Princeton University Press. rather inhospitable at first glance, is a mod­ 6. Jones, R., Greenfield, P., Scharf, P., ern city of nearly 2 million people (the larg­ Coopmans, R, Kaestner, P. & Strang, C. est city in Ecuador), and numerous interest­ (1991) A of Cerro Blanco. Un­ ing birding locations are within easy reach. published report to Fundación Natura. Cerro Blanco, home to at least 39 dry forest/ 7. Krabbe, N. (1992) Aves terrestres de scrub endemic bird species and located only Cordillera Colonche y Peninsula de Santa 15 minutes from Guayaquil, is a must for any Helena. Guayaquil: Fundación Natura. birdwatcher in Ecuador. 8. Meyer de Schauensee, R. (1970) A guide to Acknowledgements the birds of South America. Wynnewood, This inventory was made possible by Penn.: Livingston Publishing Company. Fundación Natura, Capitulo Guayaquil, U.S. 9. Ortiz, F., Greenfield, P. J. & Matheus, J. C. Peace Corps — Ecuador and La Cemento (1990) Aves del Ecuador: continente y Nacional. Special thanks to Niels Krabbe for archipielago de Galápagos. Quito: helpful comments on the manuscript and es­ FEPROTUR. pecially on current taxonomic revisions; to 10. Parker, T. A. & Carr, J. L. (1992) Status of Roberto Phillips for logistical support; and forest remnants in the Cordillera de la Costa Walker Herzog for his hospitality and knowl­ and adjacent areas of southwestern Ecua­ edge of trails and birds of the reserve. dor Washington, D.C.: Conservation Inter­ R eferences national (RAP working papers 2). 1. Collar, N. J., Gonzaga, L. P, Krabbe, N., 11. Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Long, A.J. Madroño Nieto, A., Naranjo, L. G., Parker, and Wege, D.C. (in prep.) A global direc­ T. A. & Wege, D. C. (1992) Threatened birds tory of endemic bird areas. Cambridge, of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data U.K.: BirdLife International (BirdLife Con­ Book (Third edition, part 2). Cambridge, servation Series). U. K.: International Council for Bird Pres­ 12. Stiles, F. G. & Skutch, A. F. (1989) A Guide ervation. to the Birds of Costa Rica. London: Chris­ 2. Dodson, C. H. & Gentry, A. H. (1991) Bio­ topher Helm. logical extinction in Western Ecuador. Ann. 13. Whittingham, M.J. (1994) Observations at Missouri Bot. Gard. 78: 273–295. a nest of Pacific Royal Flycatcher 3. Dunning, J. S. (1987) South American Birds: Onychorhynchus coronatus occidentalis. a photographic aid to identification. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 114: 131–132. Newtown Square, Penn.: Harrowood Books. Karl S. Berg 4. Farquhar, C. C. (1992) Observations of Cuerpo de Paz, Casilla 17-03-635, Quito, raptors in Cerro Blanco. Unpublished re­ Ecuador.

Appendix: a list of the birds of Cerro Blanco Forest Reserve, Guayas province, south-west Ecuador. Pale-browed Tinamou King Vulture Zone-tailed Hawk Black Hawk- Crypturellus transfasciatus * Sarcoramphus papa albonotatus Spizaetus tyrannus Least Grebe Black Vulture Osprey Podiceps dominicus Coragyps atratus Buteo magnirostris Pandion haliaetus Pied-billed Grebe Turkey Vulture Short-tailed Hawk Laughing Falcon Podilymbus podiceps Cathartes aura Buteo brachyurus Herpetotheres cachinnans Neotropic Cormorant Pearl Kite Grey Hawk Collared Forest-Falcon Phalacrocorax olivaceus Gampsonyx swainsonii Buteo nitidus Micrastur semitorquatus Magnificent Frigatebird Hook-billed Kite Harris’ Hawk Barred Forest-Falcon Fregata magnificens Chondrohierax uncinatus unicinctus Micrastur ruficollis Great Egret -tailed Kite Grey-backed Hawk Red-throated Caracara Egretta albus Elanoides forficatus Leucopternis occidentalis * Daptrius americanus Snowy Egret Double-toothed Kite Plumbeous Hawk Crested Caracara Egretta thula Harpagus bidentatus Leucopternis plumbea Polyborus plancus Striated Heron Plumbeous Kite Black Hawk Bat Falcon Butorides striatus Ictinia plumbea subtilis Falco rufigularis Cattle Egret Snail Kite Peregrine Falcon Bubulcus ibis Rostrhamus sociabilis Buteogallus urubitinga Falco peregrinas Wood Stork Bicoloured Hawk American Kestrel Mycteria americana Accipiter bicolor Buteogallus meridionalis Falco sparverius Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Red-backed Hawk Crane Hawk Rufous-headed Chachalaca Dendrocygna bicolor Buteo polyosoma Geranospiza caerulescens Ortalis erythroptera *

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Crested Guan Violet-bellied Hummingbird Rusty-margined Flycatcher Giant Cowbird Penelope purpurascens Damophila julie Myiozetetes cayanensis Scaphidura oryzivora Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail Amazilia Hummingbird Social Flycatcher Russet-backed Oropendola Odontophorus erythrops Amazilia amazilia Myiozetetes similis Psarocolius angustifrons Rufous-necked Wood-Rail Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Dusky-capped Flycatcher Yellow-rumped Cacique Aramides axillaris Amazilia tzacatl Myiarchus tuberculifer Cacicus cela Common Gallinule Long-billed Starthroat Sooty-crowned Flycatcher Yellow-billed Cacique Gallínula chloropus Heliomaster longirostris Myiarchus phaeocephalus* Amblycercus holosericeus Sungrebe Short-tailed Woodstar Tropical Pewee Scrub Blackbird Heliornis fulica Myrmia micrura * Contopus cinereus Dives warszewiczi Killdeer Black-tailed Trogon Grey-breasted Flycatcher White-edged Oriole Charadrius vociferas Trogon melanurus Lathrotriccus griseipectus * Icterus graceannae * Greater Yellowlegs Violaceous Trogon Black-tailed Flycatcher Yellow-tailed Oriole Tringa melanoleuca Trogon violaceus Myiobius atricaudus Icterus mesomelas Spotted Sandpiper Ringed Kingfisher Bran-coloured Flycatcher Peruvian Meadowlark Actitis macularia Ceryle torquata Myiophobus fasciatus Sturnella bellicosa Rock Dove Green Kingfisher Pacific Royal Flycatcher Tropical Parula Columba livia Chloroceryle americana Onychorhynchus occidentalis * Parula pitiayumi Pale-vented Pigeon Pygmy Kingfisher Yellow-olive Flycatcher American Redstart Columba cajennensis Chloroceryle aenea Tolmomyias sulphurescens Setophaga ruticilla White-winged Dove Blue-crowned Motmot Common Tody-Flycatcher Northern Waterthrush Zenaida asiatica Momotus momota Todirostrum cinereum Seiurus noveboracensis Ecuadorian Ground-Dove White-necked Puffbird Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Masked Yellowthroat Columbina buckleyi * Notharchus macrorhyncus Lophotriccus pileatus Geothlypis aequinoctialis Croaking Ground-Dove Ecuadorian Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Grey-and-gold Warbler Columbina cruziana sclateri * Euscarthmus meloryphus Basileuterus fraseri * Blue Ground-Dove Black-cheeked Yellow-bellied Elaenia Bananaquit Claravis pretiosa Melanerpes pucherani Elaenia flavogaster Coereba flaveola O chre-bellied D ove Golden-olive Woodpecker Pacific Elaenia Orange-crowned Euphonia Leptotila ochraceiventris * Piculus rubiginosus Myiopagis subplacens * Euphonia saturata White-tipped Dove Lineated Woodpecker Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet Thick-billed Euphonia Leptotila verreauxi Dryocopus lineatus Phaeomyias murina Euphonia laniirostris Pallid Dove Scarlet-backed Woodpecker Southern Beardless Tyrannulet Blue-grey Tanager Leptotila pallida Veniliornis callonotus Camptostoma obsoletum Thraupis episcopus Great Green Macaw Red-rumped Woodpecker Slaty-capped Flycatcher Hepatic Tanager Ara ambigua Veniliornis kirkii Leptopogon superciliaris Piranga flava Red-masked Parakeet Guayaquil Woodpecker Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Summer Tanager Aratinga erythrogenys * Campephilus guayaquilensis Mionectes oleaginea Piranga rubra Pacific Parrotlet Olivaceous Woodcreeper S laty B ecard White-shouldered Tanager Forpus coelestis * Sittasomus griseicapillus Pachyramphus spodiurus * Tachyphonus luctuosus Grey-cheeked Parakeet Streak-headed Woodcreeper Cinnamon Guira Tanager Brotogeris pyrrhopterus * Lepidocolaptes souleyetii Pachyramphus cinnamomeus Hemithraupis guira Bronze-winged Parrot Red-billed Scythebill Black-and-white Becard Black-and-white Tanager Pionus chalcopterus Campylorhamphus trochilirostris Pachyramphus albogriseus Conothraupis speculigera Red-lored Amazon Pacific Hornero One-coloured Becard Streaked Saltator Amazona autumnalis Furnarius [leucopus] cinnamomeus Pachyramphus homochrous Saltator albicollis Grey-capped Cuckoo Blackish-headed Spinetail Grey-breasted Martin Buff-throated Saltator Coccyzus lansbergi Synallaxis tithys * chalybea Saltator maximus Squirrel Cuckoo Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner Blue-and-white Swallow Southern Yellow Grosbeak Playa cayana Hylocryptus erythrocephala * Notiochelidon cyanoleuca Pheucticus chrysogaster Smooth-billed Ani Streaked Xenops Southern Rough-winged Swallow Blue-black Grassquit Crotophaga ani Xenops rutilans ruficollis Volatinia jacarina Groove-billed Ani Great Antshrike White-tailed Jay Variable Seedeater Crotophaga sulcirostris Taraba major Cyanocorax mystacalis * Sporophila americana Striped Cuckoo Collared Antshrike Fasciated Parrot-billed Seedeater Tapera naevia Sakesphorus bernardi * fasciatus Sporophila peruviana Barn Owl Plain Antvireo Speckled-breasted Wren Chestnut-throated Seedeater Tyto alba Dysithamnus mentalis Thryothorus sclateri Sporophila telasco Spectacled Owl Pacific Fire-eye Superciliated Wren Saffron Pulsatrix perspicillata Pyriglena pacifica Thryothorus superciliaris * Sicalis flaveola Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Elegant Crescentchest House Wren Crimson Finch Glaucidium brasilianum Melanopareia elegans * Troglodytes aedon Rhodospingus cruentas Common Potoo Short-tailed Field-Tyrant Long-tailed Mockingbird Black-capped Sparrow Nyctibius griseus Muscigralla brevicauda Mimus longicaudatus Arremon abeillei * Lesser Nighthawk Masked Water-Tyrant Swainson’s Saffron Siskin Chordeiles acutipennis Fluvicola nengeta Catharus ustulatus Carduelis siermiradzkii * Pauraque Vermillion Flycatcher Plumbeous-backed Thrush Nyctidromus albicollis Pyrocephalus rubinus Turdus reevei * Species highlighted in bold are Anthony’s Nightjar Fork-tailed Flycatcher Ecuadorian Thrush threatened1 (these total eight), Caprimulgus anthonyi * Tyrannus savana Turdus maculirostris * White-collared Swift Tropical Kingbird Long-billed Gnatwren and those marked with an Streptoprocne zonaris Tyrannus melancholicus Ramphocaenus melanurus asterisk (*) are endemic to the Grey-rumped Swift Snowy-throated Kingbird Tropical Gnatcatcher Tumbesian endemic bird Chaetura cinereiventris Tyrannus niveigularis Polioptila plumbea area11 (totalling 29 species). Short-tailed Swift White-ringed Flycatcher Rufous-browed Peppershrike Chaetura brachyura Conopias parva Cyclarhis gujanensis List compiled by Karl S. Berg, Long-tailed Hermit Boat-billed Flycatcher Red-eyed Vireo Phaethornis superciliosus Megarhynchus pitangua Vireo olivaceus based on Farquhar4, Jones et Little Hermit Baird’s Flycatcher Lesser Greenlet al.6, Krabbe7, Parker & Carr10 Phaethornis longuemareus Myiodynastes bairdii * Hylophilus minor and personal observations Blue-tailed Emerald Streaked Flycatcher Shiny Cowbird (1992–1993). Chlorostilbon mellisugus Myiodynastes maculatus Molothrus bonariensis

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