DOCSLIB.ORG

The Taxonomy, Distribution, and Status of Coastal California Cactus Wrens

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Taxonomy, Distribution, and Status of Coastal California Cactus Wrens WESTERN BIRDS Volume 21, Number 3, 1990 THE TAXONOMY, DISTRIBUTION, AND STATUS OF COASTAL CALIFORNIA CACTUS WRENS AMADEO M. REA, San Diego Natural History Museum, P. O Box 1390, San Diego, California 92112 KENNETH L. WEAVER, 1113 SenwoodWay, Fallbrook,California 92028 The southerncoastal sage scrub is a distinctiveplant communityof southernCalifornia (Munz and Keck 1959, Mooney 1977). Beginningvery narrowlyin the Santa Barbararegion, it is bestdeveloped in Ventura,Los Angeles,Orange, and San Diegocounties, and endsin northwesternBaja California,where a differentplant assemblage,the maritimedesert scrub, begins(Thorne 1976). One very prominentfeature of coastalsage scrub is thicketsof cactus,including the CoastalCholla, Opun tia prolifera, and two speciesof prickly-pears,Opuntia littoralis and O. oricola. The coastalsage scrub is the primary habitat of two birds, the California Gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica californica, and the San Diego Cactus Wren, Campylorhynchusbrunneicapillus sandiegensis, that are decliningrap- idlybecause of lossof habitatto urbanization.(For explanationof variations in the spellingof the CactusWren's scientificname, see Appendix 1). This paper hasfour goals.First, we presentthe charactersdistinguishing C. b. sandiegensisas a validsubspecies distinct from adjacentraces of Baja Californiaand the interiorcontinental deserts. The charactersare givenin sufficientdetail that anyone with a specimenin hand shouldbe able to identifyit. Second,we evaluatethe taxonomicstatus of the CactusWrens occupyingVentura, Los Angeles,and Orange counties.In the original description (Rea 1986:119), these were referred to as less typical sandiegensis,and the birdsfrom the San FernandoValley, Los Angeles Co., were called anthonyi (Phillips 1986:120). Third, we analyze the habitatrequirements of C. b. sandiegensis.And finally,we presentcensus data from the last ten years demonstratingthe rapid declineof the San Diego CactusWren due to habitatloss. TAXONOMIC BACKGROUND Taxonomistshave long recognizedthat the Cactus Wren population isolatedalong the Californiacoast is distinctive,but opinionsdiffered as to Western Birds 21:81-126, 1990 81 COASTAL CALIFORNIA CACTUS WRENS the significanceof the difference(Table 1). Debate often focusedon whetherthe wrensbelonged to a continentalor a peninsularsubspecies. The peninsularforms in Baja California(C. b. bryanti and C. b. affinis, including"C. b. purus")have the entiretail black barred with white, except for the centralbrown pair of rectrices,have little or no buff washon the flanksand abdomen, and have large spots rather uniformly distributed over the underparts.The blackthroat spots are mostlydouble on eachfeather. In contrast,the variouscontinental forms have quite a differentappearance. Their tailsare essentiallyblack except for the browncentral pair. The black feathershave a subterminalwhite bar Withadditional white barsbeing restrictedto the outerone or two pairsof rectrices.The birdshave a strong cinnamon-buffwash on the abdomenand a clusterof largeblack spots on the throat.There is usuallya singlelarge spot along the shaftof eachthroat feather.The remainingunderparts are morefinely spotted. The differencesbetween the two groupsof subspeciesare readilyap- parentin the fieldas well as in the hand.Actually the two groupslook like differentspecies. Furthermore,the two subspeciesnearest the southernCalifornia coastal populationdiffer strongly in dorsalcoloration. Carnpylorhynch us b. bryanti of northernBaja (31ø-29øN) is rather uniformdark umberbrown above, whereasC. b. anthonyi of the desertsof southernCalifornia, adjacent northeastBaja California,southern Arizona, and northwesternSonora has a brownishgray backthat contrastswith the darker,strongly rufous crown and nape (seeFigure 1 for distributions). When A. W. Anthony(1894) erectedthe subspeciesC. b. bryanti for the CactusWrens of northernBaja California(type localitySan Telmo), he referredSan Diego Countybirds to his new race. He wrote, "eastof the CuyamacaMts., ! am unableto find any indicationof either bryanti or Table 1 Historical Treatment of Coastal Cactus Wrens Author Date Disposition A. W. Anthony 1894 Racedifferent from that in Baja or desert (unnamed) E. A. Mearns 1902 bryanti H. S. Swarth 1904 coue$i R. Ridgway 1904 brpanti{not typical) in San Diegoregion; couesi in LosAngeles region F. Stephens 1904 bryanti "blendinginto couesi(or anthonyi)" J. Grinnell 1915 "Meetingground of couesiand bryanti"in samelocality, possibly without intergradation J. Grinnell 1921 couesiwith slighttendency toward bryanti G. Bancroft 1923 Distinctdisjunct subspecies (unnamed) J. Grinnell 1928 co•esi Grinnell and Miller 1944 couesi G. Bancroft 1946 Western "group" A.M. Rea 1986 Describedsubspecies sandiegensis M. R. Browning 1990 Recognizedsandiegensis 82 COASTAL CALIFORNIA CACTUS WRENS ...... :::::::<:::::!'J••: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: .':':'":':':'i'•:':':':':':':':':':'•':'•'•:':':':':' ,.,.i:!:i:!:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:: !:i:!:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i: 0 :':':':':';':':':':':';':':':': ,';':':':';';':':';':' ';':':':':':': __ X :::::::;: :::::::::::::::::::::::: ,,',.::•',,"•::::::::::::::::::::::: • :,:,:,:.:,:,:,:,:,:,:,:,: ,,:,:,:.:,:,:,:.:,:,:,:,:,-I-,:,:,:,:,:,: •; ,',:,;,',;,',;,:,:,:1,:,:,: :,:,:.:,:,:,:,:,:,:,:,:,:,:•:,:.:,:.:,:, • •: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::', , ,•'.,,:•:::::::::::::::::::::::: •:::i:i:i:i:!:i:i:'":,•" '•>•'•:'.•', .... .i" .:..':'::'"''' ':i:i:i:i:i:i :::::, .'.','.'.:,::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::: .,,.. :.,,-,, o .:':'::i:i:i::.:.,'i.::i:!:!:!,:i:i'!O:!:i:i:i:::::i:i:i:i:' '""'::i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:,Oi:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i" ..• ß :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 113 "!:!:!:i:!:i:!,:i:i:i:.•::• - •_ _;•'•..- .......... •i!•i:•ii••?: :.•!i:: ...:...-,:..... 83 COASTAL CALIFORNIA CACTUS WRENS affinis," notingthat birdsfrom the interioror desertportion of the county are unlikethose of BajaCalifornia but the sameas those from the restof the Sonoran Desert of southernCalifornia, Arizona, and New Mexico. He also noted that the rufouswash of the underparts"is not so pronouncedin westernSan Diego County skinsas those from San BernardinoCounty (Cal.),Arizona, and New Mexico."In an addendumAnthony noted, "Owing to the lackof material,I am unableto makea satisfactorydisposition of the CactusWren from northof the boundary.The seriesat handpoints toward a raceinhabiting the southwesternpart of California,differing from the bird of Arizona,New Mexico,and Texas."Also in 1894, Anthonycollected four specimens(now in the Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh)from Valle de las Palmasand Carrizo Valley, a bit southeastof Tijuana in Baja California. These alsoshow the San Diego combinationof characters. The CactusWren as a specieshad beendescribed originally by Lafresnaye in 1835 from "Californie."Edgar A. Mearns(1902) attemptedto determine where, in what was broadlyconceived in the 1830s as constitutingCali- fornia, the originalspecimen might have been taken because,as Mearns explained,"the CactusWren of the portion of Californiawest of the Coast Range Mountainsis different from that of east." At his request,Robert Ridgwayat the SmithsonianInstitution examined the type specimenpre- servedat the BostonSociety of NaturalHistory. He concludedthat it best matched material from Guaymas,Sonora, thus fixing this as the type locality.Mearns then describedthe subspeciesC. b. anthonyi with type localitynear Tacna,Yuma County,Arizona, and gaveits rangeas "interior desertsof the southwesternUnited States, south into the Mexican statesof Chihuahua,Sonora, and northeasternLower California (eastof the Coast Range)." He retained the populationwest of the PeninsularRanges in bryanti. Swarth (1904) took exceptionto Mearns' treatment, consideringC. b. anthonyi and C. b. bryanti (at leastas representedin southernCalifornia) both synonymsof C. b. couesi(type localityLaredo, lower Rio Grande, Texas).Swarth conceded that bryanti might be a validrace from the Baja Californiaarea Anthonyascribed to it. Swarth'sinability to see more than one subspeciesis hardlysurprising because his specimens were all fromthe rangeof anthonyi as we defineit here. The same year Ridgway (1904) completed the third volume of his monumentalBirds of North and MiddleAmerica. He treatedC. b. anthonyi as a synonymof C. b. couesiof the lower Rio Grande, rangingwest to Orange, Los Angeles,and interior San Diego counties,and includedthe "coast district of San Diego County" in the range of C. b. bryanti of northernBaja California. Before the volumewas issued,Ridgway received Swarth's publication and noted in an addendum(Ridgway 1904:753-754) that he agreedwith Swarth in synonymizinganthonyi but not with Swarth's treatment of bryanti: "Mr. Swarth's California material apparentlydid not contain a specimenfrom the coast district(or any other portion?)of San Diego County, to which H. b. bryanti (not typical,however) is restrictedin its California range." The third edition of the A.O.U. Check-list(1910) es- sentiallyfollowed Ridgway's (1904) treatment. 84 COASTAL CALIFORNIA CACTUS WRENS Frank Stephens(1904) likewiseresponded to Swarth'spaper. Stephens gavean excellentanalysis of the northwestcontinental and the two penin- sularraces. On the basisof a "hastystudy" of A. W. Anthony'sspecimens, Stephensassigned two skinsfrom San Diegoto bryanti, notedthe differ- encein crowncolor between the birdsof coastalSan Diego and the interior, but concludedthere were "morecones/[or anthonyi, if distinct]south of the borderthan bryantinorth of it." He did not specifywhether
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 6.5 Coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus Brunneicapillus Sandiegensis) – Category SO Management Units with Known Occurrences
    Volume 2D: Goals and Objectives for Species Focus Management Species 6.0 Birds 6.5 Coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus sandiegensis) – Category SO Management Units with Known Occurrences Coastal cactus wrens are restricted to cactus-dominated coastal sage scrub habitats in Southern California, from Ventura south to San Diego County and inland to western San Bernardino and western Riverside Counties. These wrens differ ecologically from more common desert wrens in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Coastal cactus wrens began significantly declining in San Diego County in the early 1980s due to habitat loss to agriculture and urban development (Rea and Weaver 1990). By 1990 there was a 33% population decline from the previous decade as a result of the loss of coastal birds and smaller populations, and a decline in abundance of remaining populations. Coastal cactus wren surveys and cactus mapping were implemented on Conserved Lands in the MSPA in 2009 and 2011 (USFWS 2011). Cactus wrens were documented on Conserved Lands in MUs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (see Occurrence Table and online map: http://arcg.is/2kU1bka). A range-wide genetics and banding study was conducted across occupied cactus scrub habitats in 2011–2013 by USGS to determine coastal cactus wren population genetic structure, connectivity, and genetic diversity in Southern California (Barr et al. 2015). The study found 3 main genetic clusters in San Diego County: Otay; San Diego/El Cajon (Sweetwater/Encanto/Lake Jennings); and San Pasqual. In the San Diego/El Cajon genetic cluster, wrens in the Sweetwater River watershed are connected to occurrences in Fletcher Hills and Lake Jennings to the northeast in MU4 and to occurrences in Encanto Canyon and other urban canyons to the west in MU2.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Cruz County Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report
    Santa Cruz County Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report JUNE 2017 CENTRAL COAST WETLANDS GROUP MOSS LANDING MARINE LABS | 8272 MOSS LANDING RD, MOSS LANDING, CA Santa Cruz County Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report This page intentionally left blank Santa Cruz County Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report i Prepared by Central Coast Wetlands Group at Moss Landing Marine Labs Technical assistance provided by: ESA Revell Coastal The Nature Conservancy Center for Ocean Solutions Prepared for The County of Santa Cruz Funding Provided by: The California Ocean Protection Council Grant number C0300700 Santa Cruz County Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report ii Primary Authors: Central Coast Wetlands group Ross Clark Sarah Stoner-Duncan Jason Adelaars Sierra Tobin Kamille Hammerstrom Acknowledgements: California State Ocean Protection Council Abe Doherty Paige Berube Nick Sadrpour Santa Cruz County David Carlson City of Capitola Rich Grunow Coastal Conservation and Research Jim Oakden Science Team David Revell, Revell Coastal Bob Battalio, ESA James Gregory, ESA James Jackson, ESA GIS Layer support AMBAG Santa Cruz County Adapt Monterey Bay Kelly Leo, TNC Sarah Newkirk, TNC Eric Hartge, Center for Ocean Solution Santa Cruz County Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report iii Contents Contents Summary of Findings ........................................................................................................................ viii 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Overall Finish Results 189 Entries Inaugural Lucenra SCORE Baja
    Inaugural Lucenra SCORE Baja 400 Page 1 of 5 Ensenada Printed: 11/12/2019 8:53 pm * Penalty Applied September 21, 2019 Overall Finish Results 189 Entries Place Racer City, State Nbr Class Pos. Brand Laps Elapsed Group: A 1 Ryan Arciero Huntington Beach, CA 32 SCORE Trophy Truck 1 HEF 1 08:26:31.918 2 Andy Mc Millin San Diego, CA 31 SCORE Trophy Truck * 2 CHV 1 08:28:08.863 3 Tavo Vildosola Mexicali, BC 21 SCORE Trophy Truck * 3 CTM 1 08:28:55.694 4 Justin Lofton Brawley, CA 41 SCORE Trophy Truck 4 FOR 1 08:30:14.965 5 Alan Ampudia Ensenada, BC 10 SCORE Trophy Truck * 5 FOR 1 08:30:47.564 6 Cameron Steele San Clemente, CA 16 SCORE Trophy Truck 6 GEI 1 08:30:50.372 7 B. J. Baldwin Las Vegas, NV 97 SCORE Trophy Truck * 7 TOY 1 08:31:25.754 8 Justin Morgan El Cajon, CA 1X Pro Moto Unlimited 1 HON 1 08:32:29.892 9 Santiago Creel Mexico City, MX 66X Pro Moto Unlimited 2 KTM 1 08:32:36.032 10 Chris Miller Rancho Santa Fe, CA 40 SCORE Trophy Truck * 8 TOY 1 08:33:20.350 11 Ricky Jonson Lake Elsinore, CA 6 SCORE Trophy Truck 9 MAS 1 08:35:30.957 12 Bobby Pecoy Anaheim, CA 14 SCORE Trophy Truck 10 FOR 1 08:35:57.490 13 Bryce Menzies Las Vegas, NV 7 SCORE Trophy Truck 11 FOR 1 08:39:35.123 14 Luke Mc Millin El Cajon, CA 83 SCORE Trophy Truck 12 FOR 1 08:40:17.860 15 Mike Walser Comfort, TX 89 SCORE Trophy Truck 13 MAS 1 08:43:02.295 16 Robby Gordon Orange, CA 77 SCORE Trophy Truck * 14 CHV 1 08:44:07.231 17 Dave Taylor Page, AZ 26 SCORE Trophy Truck * 15 FOR 1 08:44:22.550 18 Troy Herbst Huntington Beach, CA 54 SCORE Trophy Truck 16 HEF 1 08:45:44.371
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Site R031XY001CA Limy Hill 4-6" P.Z
    Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological site R031XY001CA Limy Hill 4-6" p.z. Accessed: 09/27/2021 General information Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site. Figure 1. Mapped extent Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated. MLRA notes Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 031X–Lower Colorado Desert MLRA Description: Major land resource area (MLRA) 31 is the Lower Colorado Desert. This area is in the extreme southeastern part of California, in areas along the Colorado River, and in Western Arizona. The area is comprised of rough, barren, steep, and strongly dissected mountain ranges, generally northwest to southwest trending that are separated by intermontane basins. Elevation ranges from approximately 275 feet below sea level at the lowest point in the Salton Trough to 2700 feet along low northwest to southeast trending mountain ranges. The average annual precipitation is 2 to 6 inches with high temporal and spatial variability. Winter temperatures are mild, summer temperatures are hot, and seasonal and diurnal temperature fluctuations are large. Monthly minimum temperature averages range from 40 to 80 degrees F (4 to 27 degrees C). Monthly maximum temperature averages range from 65 to 110 degrees F (18 to 43 degrees C) (WRCC 2002).
    [Show full text]
  • Coastal Climate Change Hazards
    January 11, 2017 King Tide at Its Beach source: Visit Santa Cruz County City of Santa Cruz Beaches Urban Climate Adaptation Policy Implication & Response Strategy Evaluation Technical Report June 30, 2020 This page intentionally left blank for doodling City of Santa Cruz Beaches Climate Adaptation Policy Response Strategy Technical Report ii Report Prepared for the City of Santa Cruz Report prepared by the Central Coast Wetlands Group at Moss Landing Marine Labs and Integral Consulting Authors: Ross Clark, Sarah Stoner-Duncan, David Revell, Rachel Pausch, Andre Joseph-Witzig Funding Provided by the California Coastal Commission City of Santa Cruz Beaches Climate Adaptation Policy Response Strategy Technical Report iii Table of Contents 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Project Goals .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Planning Context .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Project Process ......................................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Comisi6n Estatal De Servicios P0blicos De Tijuana
    COMISI6N ESTATAL DE SERVICIOS P0BLICOS DE TIJUANA Jullo2008 www.cuidoelagua.or 1- www.cespt.gob.mxg INDICE 1.- ANTECEDENTES CESPT (Cobertura de Agua y Eficiencia) 2.- EL AGUA COMO PROMOTOR DE DESARROLLO 3.- PROBLEMÁTICA BINACIONAL 4.- CERO DESCARGAS 5.- PROYECTO MORADO Y CERCA 6.- METAS CESPT 2013 1.-ANTECEDENTES CESPT I www.cespt.gob.mx ANTECEDENTES CESPT • Empresa descentralizada del Gobierno del estado encargada del servicio de agua potable y alcantarillado para las ciudades de Tijuana y Playas de Rosarito. • Más de 500,000 conexiones. • 1,764 empleados. • 7 Distritos de operación y mantenimiento. • 13 Centros de atención foráneos y 5 cajeros automáticos. • 3 Plantas potabilizadoras. • 13 plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales operadas por CESPT y una planta de tratamiento operada por los Estados unidos. • Arranque de una nueva planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales (Monte de los Olivos). • 90 % del suministro de agua proviene del Río Colorado (250 Kms de distancia y 1060 mts de altura) Cobertura de Agua y Eficiencia 50 46 43.9 41.9 42.2 42.2 40 41 40.1 38.9 38.2 CR EDIT 33.5 JA O P 31.5 PON LAN ES MAE 30 B STR ID 25 NA O, -BA 26.4 27.3 %-2 DB NO 2% ANK- 3 B 25.5 25.2 24.2 EPA 5%- RA 26.1 20% 25% S 24.8 23.5 20 21.7 21.5 19 . 2 19 18 . 8 18.5 10 0 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 CRECIMIENTO DE LA POBLACIÓN Eficiencia Física desde 1990 hasta 2009 1990 to 2009 58.1 % hasta 81.5 % 773,327 - 1,664,339 hab (115.3%) Promedio Anual 6.4 % COMUNICADO Fitch Rating• conflnna Ia callflc:aciOn de A+(mex) de Ia ComlsiOn Estatal de Servlclos P&lbllcos de Tijuana (CESPT) N.L.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan
    The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats and Associated Birds in California A Project of California Partners in Flight and PRBO Conservation Science The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats and Associated Birds in California Version 2.0 2004 Conservation Plan Authors Grant Ballard, PRBO Conservation Science Mary K. Chase, PRBO Conservation Science Tom Gardali, PRBO Conservation Science Geoffrey R. Geupel, PRBO Conservation Science Tonya Haff, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at Museum of Natural History Collections, Environmental Studies Dept., University of CA) Aaron Holmes, PRBO Conservation Science Diana Humple, PRBO Conservation Science John C. Lovio, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, U.S. Navy (Currently at TAIC, San Diego) Mike Lynes, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at Hastings University) Sandy Scoggin, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at San Francisco Bay Joint Venture) Christopher Solek, Cal Poly Ponoma (Currently at UC Berkeley) Diana Stralberg, PRBO Conservation Science Species Account Authors Completed Accounts Mountain Quail - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Greater Roadrunner - Pete Famolaro, Sweetwater Authority Water District. Coastal Cactus Wren - Laszlo Szijj and Chris Solek, Cal Poly Pomona. Wrentit - Geoff Geupel, Grant Ballard, and Mary K. Chase, PRBO Conservation Science. Gray Vireo - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Black-chinned Sparrow - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Costa's Hummingbird (coastal) - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Sage Sparrow - Barbara A. Carlson, UC-Riverside Reserve System, and Mary K. Chase. California Gnatcatcher - Patrick Mock, URS Consultants (San Diego). Accounts in Progress Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Scott Morrison, The Nature Conservancy (San Diego).
    [Show full text]
  • Campylorhynchus Rufinucha) Rufinucha) (Campylorhynchus
    Nest-site characteristics of Rufous-naped Wrens Artículo (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) in Acacia trees may serve to avoid vertebrate predators Características de sitios de los nidos de Campylorhynchus rufinucha en árboles de Acacia posiblemente sirven para evadir depredación por vertebrados Ignacio Escalante1 1Sistema de Estudios de Posgrado, Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica. Ornitología Colombiana Ornitología [email protected] Abstract The high rate of nest predation in tropical birds results in strong selection pressure. The Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) nests in Bullhorn trees (Acacia) in the Mesoamerican dry forest. It has been proposed that bullhorns and their aggressive ants (Pseudomyrmex spp.) help to prevent nest predation. I tested the hypothesis that these birds place their nests in particular acacia micro- habitats to avoid predation by vertebrates such as tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus). I expected to find nests in locations that avoided the foraging behavior preferences of the monkeys. Along 6 km gravel road in Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, I found 52 Rufous-naped Wren nests. The proportion of ant species in acacias with nests did not differ from the background proportion of ant species in acacias without nests, so birds did not prefer to nest in acacias with the most aggressive ant species. Acacia trees with wren nests were larger in diameter than control acacias without nests. I found more nests in acacias that were clustered, which consisted of one to five acacias in a 3m radius plot around the acacia with nest. However, the number of acacias with or without nests did not differ in their isolation from other non-acacia trees.
    [Show full text]
  • Tinamiformes – Falconiformes
    LIST OF THE 2,008 BIRD SPECIES (WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ENGLISH NAMES) KNOWN FROM THE A.O.U. CHECK-LIST AREA. Notes: "(A)" = accidental/casualin A.O.U. area; "(H)" -- recordedin A.O.U. area only from Hawaii; "(I)" = introducedinto A.O.U. area; "(N)" = has not bred in A.O.U. area but occursregularly as nonbreedingvisitor; "?" precedingname = extinct. TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE Tinamus major Great Tinamou. Nothocercusbonapartei Highland Tinamou. Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou. Crypturelluscinnamomeus Thicket Tinamou. Crypturellusboucardi Slaty-breastedTinamou. Crypturellus kerriae Choco Tinamou. GAVIIFORMES GAVIIDAE Gavia stellata Red-throated Loon. Gavia arctica Arctic Loon. Gavia pacifica Pacific Loon. Gavia immer Common Loon. Gavia adamsii Yellow-billed Loon. PODICIPEDIFORMES PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptusdominicus Least Grebe. Podilymbuspodiceps Pied-billed Grebe. ?Podilymbusgigas Atitlan Grebe. Podicepsauritus Horned Grebe. Podicepsgrisegena Red-neckedGrebe. Podicepsnigricollis Eared Grebe. Aechmophorusoccidentalis Western Grebe. Aechmophorusclarkii Clark's Grebe. PROCELLARIIFORMES DIOMEDEIDAE Thalassarchechlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross. (A) Thalassarchecauta Shy Albatross.(A) Thalassarchemelanophris Black-browed Albatross. (A) Phoebetriapalpebrata Light-mantled Albatross. (A) Diomedea exulans WanderingAlbatross. (A) Phoebastriaimmutabilis Laysan Albatross. Phoebastrianigripes Black-lootedAlbatross. Phoebastriaalbatrus Short-tailedAlbatross. (N) PROCELLARIIDAE Fulmarus glacialis Northern Fulmar. Pterodroma neglecta KermadecPetrel. (A) Pterodroma
    [Show full text]
  • 3.4 Biological Resources
    3.4 Biological Resources 3.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 3.4.1 Introduction This section evaluates the potential for implementation of the Proposed Project to have impacts on biological resources, including sensitive plants, animals, and habitats. The Notice of Preparation (NOP) (Appendix A) identified the potential for impacts associated to candidate, sensitive, or special status species (as defined in Section 3.4.6 below), sensitive natural communities, jurisdictional waters of the United States, wildlife corridors or other significant migratory pathway, and a potential to conflict with local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources. Data used to prepare this section were taken from the Orange County General Plan, the City of Lake Forest General Plan, Lake Forest Municipal Code, field observations, and other sources, referenced within this section, for background information. Full bibliographic references are noted in Section 3.4.12 (References). No comments with respect to biological resources were received during the NOP comment period. The Proposed Project includes a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and zone change for development of Sites 1 to 6 and creation of public facilities overlay on Site 7. 3.4.2 Environmental Setting Regional Characteristics The City of Lake Forest, with a population of approximately 77,700 as of January 2004, is an area of 16.6 square miles located in the heart of South Orange County and Saddleback Valley, between the coastal floodplain and the Santa Ana Mountains (see Figure 2-1, Regional Location). The western portion of the City is near sea level, while the northeastern portion reaches elevations of up to 1,500 feet.
    [Show full text]
  • Predation on Vertebrates by Neotropical Passerine Birds Leonardo E
    Lundiana 6(1):57-66, 2005 © 2005 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG ISSN 1676-6180 Predation on vertebrates by Neotropical passerine birds Leonardo E. Lopes1,2, Alexandre M. Fernandes1,3 & Miguel Â. Marini1,4 1 Depto. de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-910, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. 2 Current address: Lab. de Ornitologia, Depto. de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-910, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]. 3 Current address: Coleções Zoológicas, Aves, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Avenida André Araújo, 2936, INPA II, 69083-000, Manaus, AM, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]. 4 Current address: Lab. de Ornitologia, Depto. de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract We investigated if passerine birds act as important predators of small vertebrates within the Neotropics. We surveyed published studies on bird diets, and information on labels of museum specimens, compiling data on the contents of 5,221 stomachs. Eighteen samples (0.3%) presented evidence of predation on vertebrates. Our bibliographic survey also provided records of 203 passerine species preying upon vertebrates, mainly frogs and lizards. Our data suggest that vertebrate predation by passerines is relatively uncommon in the Neotropics and not characteristic of any family. On the other hand, although rare, the ability to prey on vertebrates seems to be widely distributed among Neotropical passerines, which may respond opportunistically to the stimulus of a potential food item.
    [Show full text]