Recent Records of Crowned Eagles &Lpar;<I>Harpyhaliaetus Coronatus

206 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS VOL. 36, NO. 3

MO}•mSON,J.L. 1996. Crested Caracara (Caracaraplan- RIVERA~RODRiGUEZ, L.B. AND R. RODR•GUEZ-ESTRELLA cus). InA. Poole and F. Gill [EDs.]. The birds of North 1998. Breeding biology of the Crested Caracarain the America, No. 249. The Academy of Natural Sciences, cape region of Baja California, Mexico. J. Field Orni- Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' thol. 69:149-159. Union, Washington, DC U.S.A. ROSENFIELD,R.N. ANDJ. BIELEFEI.DT.1992. Natal dispersal •. 1998. Effectsof double brooding on productivity and inbreeding in the Cooper's Hawk. WilsonBull. of Crested Caracaras. Auk 115:979-987. 104:182-184. --. 1999. Breeding biology and productivity of Flor- U.S. FISHAND WILDLIFE SERVICE. 1987. Endangeredand ida's Crested Caracaras. Condor 101:505-517. threatened wildlife and plants; threatened statusfor • AND S.R. HUMPHREY. 2001. Conservation value of the Florida population of the Audubon'sCrested Ca- private landsfor CrestedCaracaras in Florida. Conserr. racara. Final Rule. Fed.Reg. 52:25229-25231. Biol. 15:675-684. Voous, K.H. 1955. Birds of the Netherlands Antilles. De --AND M. M•TmE. 1998. Methods for gender iden- Walberg Pets. Curacao, Natuurweten-Schappelijke tification of Crested Caracaras.J. RaptorRes. 33:128- Werkgroep,Nederlandse, Antilien. 133. WALTEP,S,J.R. 2000. Dispersalbehavior: an ornithological NFWTON,I. AND M. MARQUlSS.1983. Dispersal of Spar- frontier. Condor 102:479-481. rowhawksbetween birthplace and breeding places.J. Anita. Ecol. 52:463-477. W}mELE}•,B.K. AND W.S. C•m•. 1996. A photographic guide to North American raptors. Academic Press, PAP,AmS, E., S.R. B)dLLm, W.J. SUTHERLAND,^2qD R.D. New York, NY U.S.A. GREGORY.1998. Patterns of natal and breeding dispersal in birds.J. Anita.Ecol. 67:518-536. WmLUND,C.G. 1996. Determinants of dispersalin breed- PusF.¾,A.E. 1987. Sex-biaseddispersal and inbreeding ing Merlins (P•lcocolumbarius). Ecoloffy 77:1920-1927. avoidance in birds and mammals. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2: 295-299. Received13 September2001; accepted24 April 2002

j RaptorRes. 36(3):206-212 ¸ 2002 The Raptor ResearchFoundation, inc.

RECENT RECORDSOF CROWNEDEAGLES (HARPYHALiAETUS CORONATUS) FROM ARGENTINA, 1981-2000

M. ISABEl,BELLOCQ, • PATRIC10 RAMiREZ-LLORENS, AND JULIETA FILLOY Departamentode CienciasBioldgicas, FCEN-Universidad de BuenosAires, Ciudad Universitalia,Pab. 2, BuenosAires' 1428 Argentina

KEY WORDS; CrownedEagle;, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus; lation numbers and habitat i?agmentationhave been rec- new records;conservation; status; Argentina. ognized as primary contributors to the eagle's current status (Collar et al. 1992). Previous studies on habitat use The Crowned Eagle (Harpyhaliaetuscoronams) is a vul- by this eagle identified the potential negativeeffects of nerable specieswhose distribution is limited to south-cen- continuingafforestation (Bellocq et al. 1998). Over 60% tral South America (Collar et al. 1992, Garcia-Fern'•ndez of the Crowned Eagle records are from Argentina, where et al. 1997). The specieshas been protectedin Argentina it occurs primarily in shrublands, savannas,and semi- smcc 1954 and is listed as a threatened speciesin Brazil open woodlands(Collar et al. 1992, Bellocq et al. 1998, and Paraguay.The ecologyof this large eagle is poorly Gonnet and Blendinger 1998). CrownedEagles were also known. It t•eds on a variety of vertebrates including reported recentlyin subtropicalrainforests (Ch6bez et al. snakes(e.g., Waglerophismerremi), birds, skunks (Conepatus 1998, Gonnet and Blendinger 1998). Here, we report spp.), armadillos (Dasypodidae),and weasels(Collar et new records of Crowned Eagles and integrate them with al 1992). The nest of the Crowned Eagle consistsof a the previousinformation on this speciesfrom Argentina large platform placed in treeswhere one egg is laid (De for 1981-2000. la Pefia 1992, Bellocq et al. 1998). Naturally low popu- METHODS Road surveysfor raptorswere conductedin the north- E-mail address:[email protected] west portion of Santa Fe province, north-centralArgen- SEPTEMBER 2002 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 207

72 ø 68 ø 64 ø 60 ø 56ø N 52 ø

36 ø

O. , 20,0 , . 50•,km

/-' 64-70 71 ./

o * 52 ø

Figure 1. Observation records of Crowned Eagles (Harpyhaliaetuscoronatus) from Argentina during 1981-2000 (see Appendix for details on records). Zones A (northwestern Santa Fe), B (northeastern Mendoza and northern San Luis), and C (central La Pampa) are areaswith a high number of records.

tina (west of Zone A, Fig. 1). The surveywas conducted obtain complete information. Reference numbers were along 210 km of road, driving north at a speedof 60-80 basicallyassigned for records from north to south. km/hr during 21 (from Nueva Italia to Tostado) and 22 November 2000 (north of Tostado). Raptor counts were RESUI TS AND DISCUSSION made by one observer (who was not driving) while in transit, and occasionalstops were made for identification A total of 343 individual raptorswas recorded during and counting of individualsin groups. the road surveyin 2000; these included 161 Swainson's We compiled information and identified locationsfor Hawks (Buteoswainsoni), 114 Crested Caracaras (Polyborus records of Crowned Eaglesfrom Argentina for the period plancus), 56 Black Vultures (Coragypsatratus), four 1981-2000. Gonnet and Blendinger (1998) compiled Crowned Eagles (Harpyhaliaetuscoronatus), four Black- most records from 1987-97. For each record, we ob- chested Buzzard-Eagles (Geranoaetusmelanoleucus), two tained the following information (when available): location, geographic coordinates,province, date, number of Chimango Caracaras (Milvago chimango),one Roadside individuals, and source. When not provided in the Hawk (Bu•o magnirostris),and one Snail Kite (Rostrhamus source, we obtained geographic coordinatesat the lnsti- sociabilis). tuto GeogrfificoMilitar (IGM) or contacted observersto We observed four Crowned Eagles during the raptor 208 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS VOL. 36, No. 3 survey and one additional individual while traveling aphylla, Bougainvilleaspinosa, Prosopis alpataco, and Chu- around the area. We were able to identify distinguishing quiragaerinacea. Zone C is located in central La Pampa plumage features of eachjuvenile indicating that we ob- province. In the eastern part of this zone (El Espinal re- served different individuals. All individuals were seen be- gion, del Caldan District), the natural xerophic forest tween 29-$0øSand 61-62øW,where the land is usedpri- dominated by Prosopiscaldenia has been modified as a marily for ranching. result of afforestationfollowed by ranching. Currently, On 20 November 2000, an adult and a juvenile eagle this zone consistsof shrublands(mostly Larrea spp.) with were observed at Hwy 2, 20.5 km north of Nueva Italia isolated P caldenia or small woodlots. Some common ac- (29ø47'S, 61ø$2'W; record number 32 in Fig. 1). The companying shrubs are Lycium chilense,Prosopis .fiexuosa, adult was perched on an electric pole and the ,juvenile Condalia microphylla,C. erinacea,and G. decorticans.The was on the ground holding a snake (PhilodryaspataKon- western part of zone C is within the Monte phytogeo- lensis)in its talons.The surroundinghabitat had twoveg- graphic region described above. etation strata, trees and grasses,where Geoffroeadecorticans Of the 72 records found from Argentina for 1981- (height about 6 m) dominated the canopycovering 40- 2000, approximately23%, 21%, and 19% are from zones 60% of the ground surface. A, B, and C, respectively(Fig. 1). Gonnet and Blendinger On 20 November 2000, a juvenile wasseen perched on (1998) suggestedzones A and B as potential areasto in- a power pole at Hwy 2, 37 km southof Tostado(29ø26'S, tensify research and conservation efforts. Zone A, how- 61ø43'W;record number 27 in Fig. 1). We were able to ever, has some advantagesover zones B and C. First, zone approach the base of the pole without flushing this eagle. A is locatednear the central portion of the species'range The habitat was a Prosopissavanna with sparse G. decorti- compared to other zones. Second, many of the records Ctt TgS . from zones B (40%) and C (57%) are from or around On 21 November 2000, we observeda juvenile perched natural reserves, whereas no record from zone A is from on a Prosopistree (height about 6 m), on Hwy 9,5,21 km natural reserves.Eagles are more likely to be seenin nat- north of the intersectionwith Hwy 2 (29ø07'S,61ø45'W; ural reservesdue to increasedsampling efforts and re- record number 21 in Fig. 1). The eagle was perched in duced habitat alteration and hunting pressure (Gonnet a pasture with isolated Prosopiswhere cattle grazed. Sur- and Blendinger 1998). The conservation of large-bodied, rounding fields were cultivatedwith sunflower. low-density, upper-trophic-level species often requires On 21 November 2000, we recorded a juvenile eagle suitable habitat beyond the size of existing natural re- while traveling around the area. The eagle was perched serves(Meffe and Carroll 1997). Third, our resultsmight on a fence pole on Hwy 13, 18.5 km south of the inter- indicate a relativelyhigh densityof eaglesin zone A, con- sectionbetween Hwys 13 and 98 (29ø26'S,61ø05'W; re- sidering both the naturally low population numbers and cord number 26 in Fig. 1). The habitat was a pasture the resultsof previoussurveys. The availableinformation where Spatrinaspp. was the mostcommon grass(60-80% from previoussurveys (Travaini et al. 1995, Bellocqet al cover). 1998, Contreras and Justo 1998, Gonnet and Blendinger We compiled72 recordsfrom Argentinafor 1981-2000 1998) suggeststhat sightingfive CrownedEagles in 2 days (record numbers in Appendix correspond to location of observationsis unusuallyhigh. numbers in Fig. 1). The three zoneswith a high ii•equen- In summary,we reportedfbur new recordsof Crowned cy of records (Fig. 1) have a semiarid climate, and each Eagles(including five individuals),compiled and provided include a portion of two phytogeographicregions (fol- details of records in Argentina for 1981-2000, and iden- lowing Cabrera 1971), and the ecotonc betweenthem. tified three zoneswith high frequencyof recent records Zone A is located in the northwesternportion of Santa Basedon this study,we suggestthe following prioritiesfor Fe province. In the northern part of this zone (Chaquefia researchand conservationof the CrownedEagle: (1) com- region, de las SabanasDistrict), vegetationtypes include plete surveysalong the Espinal phytogcographicregion, savannasof Elionurusmuticus in the upper areasand 3•ar- (2) identify variablesassociated with high frequenciesof tma argentinensisin the lower areas.In the southern part eagle sightingsat larger geographical scales(e.g., land- of zone A (El Espinal region, del Algarrobo District), scape), and (3) conduct studieson reproductivesuccess close to open woodlands,Prosopis spp. and G. decorticans and mortality to identify viable populations. dominate the landscape.The area is affected by affores- tation and the land is primarily used for ranching. G. RESUMEN.--E1ftguila coronada (Harpyhaliaetuscoronatus) decorticansforests occur in areas disturbed by ranching. es una especievulnerable y rara de ver. Se observaron Zone B comprisesnortheastern Mendoza and northern cuatro ejemplares durante un relevamiento de rapaces San Luis provinces. In northern San Luis (Chaquefia re- por carretera a lo largo de 210 km, y un individuo adi- gion, Serrano District), the original woodlands of Schin- cional cuando se recorria el area en el centro-norte de opt'isspp. were replaced by shrublands with isolated Argentina (Santa Fe). Se compilaron los registrosde Ar- woodlots of Prosopisspp. In eastern Mendoza (Monte re- gentina para el per•odo 1981-2000 y se identificarontres g•on), the primary vegetationtype is a shrubland domi- zonas de alta frecuencia de registros recientes. La zona nated by Larrea spp. Other shrub speciesinclude Monttea ubicada en el noroestede la provincia de SantaFe parece SEPTEMBER 2002 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 209 ser la m'Asapropiada para intensificar investigaci6ny ac- --. 1999. Aves Argentinas, Lista y Distribuci6n. E&- clones de conservaci6n, debido a su posici6n relativa- torial L.O.L.A, BuenosAires, Argentina. mente central dentro de los limites de distribuci6n de la DELHEY,R. 1992. Algunas avesnuevas o poco conoc•das especiey su alta frecuencia de registrosrecientes afuera para la regi6n de Bahia Blanca. NuestrasAves 27 31- de reservas naturales. 32. [Traducci6n de los autores] DE Lucca, E.R. 1992. E1 •tguila coronada Harpyhaliaetus coronatusen San Juan. NuestrasAves 26:25. ACKNOWI •EDGMENTS --. 1993. E1 •guila coronada. NuestrasAves 29:14-17 We thank AvesArgentinas for helping with literature DI GIACOMO,A. 1996. Reservaeco16gica E1 Bagual, un search and G. Carrizo, from the Museo Argentino de ejemplo concreto. NuestrasAves 34:1-4. CienciasNaturales Bernardino Rivadavia,for identifying GAR(:iA-FERNA•DEZ,JJ., R.A. OJF•r)^,R.M. FRA•^, G.B. the snake. J.M. Gonnet and two anonymous reviewers DiAz, ANDRJ. BAIC.I•N. 1997. Libro rojo de mamifcros provided commentsthat improved the manuscript.The researchwas supported by the Consejo Nacional de In- y aves amenazados de la Argentina. EU.C.E.M A, vestigacionesCientificas y Ttcnicas of Argentina and the A.P.N., Buenos Aircs, Argentina. Lincoln Park Zoo. GIL, G., E. HAENE,ANDJ.C. CHP•BEZ.1995. Notas sobre la avifauna de Sierra de las Quijadas. NuestrasAves 31. LITERATURE CITED 26-28. BELLOCQ,M.I., S.M. BONAVENTURA,EN. MARCELINO,AND GON•ET,J.M. ^ND P.G. BLENDINGER.1998. Nuevos reg•s- M. SABATINI.1998. Habitat use by Crowned Eagles tros de distribuci6ndel 'Aguilacoronada (Harpyhahae- (Ha•yhaliaetus coronatus)in the southern limit of the tus co•vnatus)en el oestede Argentina. Hornero15.39- species'range. J. RaptorRes. 32:312-314. 42. CABRERA,A.L. 1971. Fitogeograffade la ReptlblicaArgen- KASP^R,J., V. DELnE¾,AND M. CARRET[.1999. Aves nuevas tina. Bol. Soc.Argent. Bot.: 14 (1-2). o poco conocidaspara el sudoestede la provincia de CHI•BEZ,J.C., N.R. REY, M. BABARSKAS,AND A.G. DX GX- Buenos Aires, Argentina. NuestrasAves 40:11-12. ACOMO.1998. Las aves de los Parques Nacionales de M[EE[, G.K. AND C.D. CARROLL. 1997. Conscrvation re- la Argentina. Administracitn de ParquesNacionales servesin heterogeneouslandscapes. Pages 305-343 •n y Asociacitn Ornitoltgica del Plata. Monograf/a Es- G.K. Meffe and C.R. Carroll lEDs.], Principlesof con- pecial, L.O.L.A. No. 12, BuenosAires, Argentina. servation biology. Sinauer, MA U.S.A. COLLAR,N.J., L.P. GONZAGA,N. KRABBE,A. MADROIqO, NELLAR-ROMANELIA,M.M. ]993. Aves de la provincia de L.G. NARAUJO,T.A. PARKER,AND D.C. WEGE. 1992. San Luis: lista y distribuci6n.Museo Privado dc C•en- Threatened birds of the Americas. The ICBP/IUCN ciasNaturales e InvestigacionesOrnitol6gicas Guiller- red data book. Smithsonian Institution Press, Wash- mo E. Hudson, San Luis, Argentina. ington, DC U.S.A. SALVADOr, S.A. AND P.G. E•OLES. 1994. Notas sobre aves CONTRERAS,J.R. ANDE.R. JuSTO. 1998. Abundancia y den- de Santiago dcl Estero. NuestrasAves 30:24-25. sidad relativa de rapaces (Aves:Accipitridae y Falcon- TRAVAINI,A., A. RODRk;UEZ,O. CEBALI,OS,J.A. DONAZAR, idae) en el noreste de la provincia de La Pampa. Nt- ANDF. HmALDO.1995. Roadsideraptor surveysin cen- tulas Faunisticas 92:1-3. tral Argentina. Hornero14:64-66. DE LA PE•qA,M.R. 1992. Guia de avesargentinas. Editorial L.O.L.A. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Received5 March 2001; accepted14 May 2002 210 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS VoI,. 36, NO. 3

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