COTINGA 4 Parque Nacional Cerro Corá
The birds of Parque Nacional Cerro Corá, Paraguay
Floyd E. Hayes and Paul A. Scharf
Resumen El Parque Nacional Cerro Corá está compuesta de 12 038 ha que se caracteriza por vegetación campos cerrados, una formación de monte bajo y sábanas que cubre una gran región de Brasil. El parque tiene algunos ríos y arroyos permanentes que fluyen entre cerros aislados y abruptos. Se presenta una lista de 199 especies de aves registradas en el parque, basada en trabajos ornitológicos anteriores y observaciones de los autores durante 8 días desde 1987 hasta 1990. También se presentan direcciones para observar las aves a lo largo de los senderos del parque.
Parque Nacional Cerro Corá, established in authors spent eight days observing birds 1976, is nestled among scenic, precipitous within the park. A list of 199 species is given cerros (hills) about 35 km south-west of Pedro in Table 1, based primarily on previously pub Juan Caballero, Departamento Amambay, in lished checklists1,6 and augmented by our north-eastern Paraguay. The park encom observations. Undoubtedly many further spe passes 12/ 038 ha dominated by campos cerrados cies will be added in the future as birders vegetation, a unique scrub forest-grassland spend more time in the park. formation typical of a large area of adjacent Although the park can be reached by car Brazil. Patches of humid forest occur on the or bus from Asunción, getting there requires slopes of the tall cerros, drained by the Rio driving most of the day through rural commu Aquidibán and several tributary streams. The nities where the original forest habitat has park provided a dramatic background for the long been cleared. Bus tickets can be booked last tragic scenes of the War of the Triple Alli at the main terminal in Asunción. Daily flights ance. A large monument pays tribute to the between Asunción and Pedro Juan Caballero Paraguayan president, Francisco Solano facilitate access to the park, although trans López, and other Paraguayans who bravely portation must then be arranged from Pedro fought and died during the battle there on 1 Juan Caballero to the main (eastern) entrance March 1870. of the park on the north side of the highway Ornithological work within the park began (Ruta 5) about 35 km to the south-west. Camp in June 1977, when Philip Myers and Ken ing is available within the park; the nearest Creighton of the University of Michigan Mu hotels are in Pedro Juan Caballero. seum of Zoology (Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.) spent several weeks collecting birds and mam mals within the park. During the early 1980s, an extensive collection of birds was obtained from the park by the Inventario Biológico Nacional, a fledgling project under the auspices of the Servicio Forestal Nacional3; the collec tion is currently housed at the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay (MNHNP). Published information on the birds of the park include two published checklists1,6 (which in cluded the specimens collected by the MNHNP), a few species mentioned in a brief review of the park2, and a few specimens and sight records reported in recent technical pub Campos cerrados forest, typical of Parque Nacional lications5,7. During the period of 1987–1990, the Cerro Corá , Paraguay. (Floyd E. Hayes)
20 COTINGA 4 Parque Nacional Cerro Corá
Map of Parque Nacional Cerro Corá
The park headquarters is located along a the road there is a runway for small aircraft dirt road just a few hundred metres from the on the right and another road branching off entrance. This dirt road continues toward the to the left (which connects with the main high north-west for several kilometres, alternately way at the western entrance). Beyond this, the passing through woods and meadows that are road passes through a large clearing studded excellent for birding. Along this road there are with historical monuments that pay homage several trails that branch off. Watch for a trail to Paraguayan military heroes. Red-winged on the right that leads up to the ridge with a Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens is fairly easy large patch of humid forest on the north side to see in this area. The road continues past a and scenic views of the valley to the south. military base, crosses the relatively shallow Variable Screech-Owls Otus atricapillus have Río Aquidabán, and continues up the hill be been observed along this trail and a variety of yond the park’s borders. Social Flycatcher forest birds, such as the R ed -ru ffed Myiozetetes similis has been seen along the riv Fruitcrow Pyroderus scutatus, Bare-throated er’s edge. B ellbird Procnias nudicollis and Sharpbill Another area worth birding is on the south Oxyruncus cristatus, should be looked for along side of the highway, where a road extends the ridge. Further west another trail on the southward from the main entrance. About a right passes through lowland areas. kilometre to the south a trail branches off to If you wish to explore further along this the right toward a large, precipitous hill. The road, several kilometres from headquarters trail winds through a patch of humid forest the road passes by a camping area situated where Rufous-capped Motmot Baryph- along a scenic stream with a small waterfall thengus ruficapillus and Flavescent Warbler on the left. The Blue-throated Piping-Guan Basileuterus flaveolus can be found, passes near Pipile pipile has been seen in this area. A na an overhanging rock decorated with indian ture trail on the south side of the waterfall hieroglyphics, and eventually wanders up the winds through a patch of forest. Farther along moderately steep southern slope of the hill.
21 COTINGA 4 Parque Nacional Cerro Corá The Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea 7. Storer, R. W. (1989) Notes on Paraguayan and breath-taking views can be obtained by birds. Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan scrambling along the boulders and brush at 719: 1–21. the top of the hill. Birding is probably best within a few kilo Floyd E. Hayes metres of park headquarters. Some of the Department of Biology, Caribbean Union College, more ubiquitous species include P ea ch - P .O. Box 175, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. fronted Parakeet Aratinga aurea, Rusty-backed Antwren Formicivora rufa and Paul A. Scharf Rufous Casiornis Casiornis rufa. In the early USMILGP Guatemala, Unit 3301, APO AA morning and evening, listen for calls of Un 34024. dulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus, Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis, Spot winged Wood-Quail Odontophorus capueira, Table 1. The birds of Parque Nacional Tropical Screech-Owl Otus choliba, Variable Cerro Corá, Paraguay. Screech-Owl Otus atricapillus, Ferruginous The symbols before each species denote rela P ygm y-ow l Glaucidium brasilianum, tive abundance: C = common (observed daily Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis and Rufous in appropriate habitat); U = uncommon (seen Nightjar Caprimulgus rufus. every 2–10 days); R = rare (seen at intervals of 10 or more days). Taxonomy follows the Acknowledgements most recent review of the birds of Paraguay4. Fieldwork by FEH was conducted while serv TINAMIDAE ing as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer for the C Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus R Small-billed Tinamou Crypturellus parvirostris Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Para C Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa guay. Fieldwork by PAS was conducted U Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens incidental to his duties at the U.S. Embassy U Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa in Asunción. We thank the companionship of ARDEIDAE several individuals, notably M. Hayes and C. U Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix Aguilar, who shared our adventures and dis U Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis coveries in the field. CICONIIDAE R Wood Stork Mycteria americana References CATHARTIDAE 1. Anon. (1982) Plan de manejo y desarrollo U Black Vulture Coragyps atratus conceptual del Parque Nacional Cerro Corá. U Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura R King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, Dirección Técnica, Ministerio de Agricultura y ANATIDAE Ganadería and Servicio Forestal Nacional, R Brazilian Duck Amazonetta brasiliensis Asunción. ACCIPITRIDAE R American Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus 2. Anón. (1982) IUCN Directory of Neotropical R Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii Protected Areas. Dublin: Tycooly Interna U Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea tional Publishing Limited. C Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris 3. Foster, M. S. (1983) Training biologists and R Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus resource managers in lesser developed FALCONIDAE countries. Interciencia 8: 289–293. U Crested Caracara Caracara plancus C Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima 4. Hayes, F. E. (1995) Status, distribution and R Barred Forest-falcon Micrastur ruficollis biogeography of the birds of Paraguay. Colo C American Kestrel Falco sparverius rado Springs, Colorado: American Birding R Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis Association (Monogr. Field Ornithol. 1). CRACIDAE 5. Hayes, F. E., Scharf, P. A. & Ridgely, R. S. U Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis (1994) Austral bird migrants in Paraguay. U Blue-throated Piping-Guan Pipile pipile Condor 96: 83–97. ODONTOPHORIDAE 6. López, N. (undated) Parque Nacional Cerro U Spot-winged Wood-Quail Odontophorus capueira Corá: lista de aves. Amambay, Paraguay: RALLIDAE Servicio Forestal Nacional de Paraguay. R Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea
22 COTINGA 4 Parque Nacional Cerro Corá CARIAMIDAE BUCCONIDAE U Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata R White-necked Puffbird Notharchus macrorhynchos U White-eared Puffbird Nystalus chacuru CHARADRIIDAE U Spot-backed Puffbird Nystalus maculatus C Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis R Rusty-breasted Nunlet Nonnula rubecula JACANIDAE RAMPHASTIDAE R Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana C Chestnut-eared Aracari Pteroglossus castanotis COLUMBIDAE C Red-breasted Toucan Ramphastos dicolorus C Picazuro Pigeon Columba picazuro U Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco C Scaled Dove Columbina squammata PICIDAE C Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti C White-barred Piculet Picumnus cirratus C Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui U White Woodpecker Melanerpes candidus R Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa U Yellow-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes flavifrons C White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi U Little Woodpecker Veniliornis passerinus R Violaceous Quail-Dove Geotrygon violacea C Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros C Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris PSITTACIDAE C Pale-crested Woodpecker Celeus lugubris U Blue-crowned Parakeet Aratinga acuticaudata R Helmeted Woodpecker Dryocopus galeatus U White-eyed Parakeet Aratinga leucophthalmus C Peach-fronted Parakeet Aratinga aurea C Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus C Reddish-bellied Parakeet Pyrrhura frontalis U Robust Woodpecker Campephilus robustus R Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius FURNARIIDAE C Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri C Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus U Turquoise-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva U Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis U Gray-bellied Spinetail Synallaxis cinerascens CUCULIDAE R Russet-mantled Foliage-gleaner Philydor dimidiatus R Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus C Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner Philydor C Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana lichtensteini U Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia U Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus C Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani U White-eyed Foliage-gleaner Automolus C Guira Cuckoo Guira guira leucophthalmus STRIGIDAE DENDROCOLAPTIDAE C Tropical Screech-owl Otus choliba U Thrush-like Woodcreeper Dendrocincla turdina U Variable Screech-owl Otus atricapillus C Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus U Ferruginous Pygmy-owl Glaucidium brasilianum U White-throated Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes albicollis C Burrowing Owl Speotyto cunicularia R Planalto Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes platyrostris CAPRIMULGIDAE C Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes R Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor angustirostris R Nacunda Nighthawk Podager nacunda FORMICARIIDAE C Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis R Spot-backed Antshrike Hypoedaleus guttatus C Rufous Nightjar Caprimulgus rufus R Giant Antshrike Batara cinerea U Little Nightjar Caprimulgus parvulus C Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens U Scissor-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis brasiliana R Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis NYCTIBIIDAE R Black-capped Antwren Herpsilochmus atricapillus U Gray Potoo Nyctibius griseus U Rusty-backed Antwren Formicívora rufa U Short-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza campanisona TROCHILIDAE U Scale-throated Hermit Phaethornis eurynome TYRANNID AE U Planalto Hermit Phaethornis pretrei U Southern Beardless-tyrannulet Camptostoma R Black-breasted Plovercrest Stephanoxis lalandi obsoletum C Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon U Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster aureoventris R Large Elaenia Elaenia spectabilis R Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata R White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps U Gilded Sapphire Hylocharis chrysura R Small-billed Elaenia Elaenia parvirostris R Versicolored Emerald Amazilia versicolor R Gray-hooded Flycatcher Mionectes rufiventris U Blue-tufted Starthroat Heliomaster furcifer U Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon R Amethyst Woodstar Calliphlox amethystina amaurocephalus U Southern Antpipit Corythopis delalandi TROGONIDAE U Eared Pygmy-tyrant Myiornis auricularis R Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus C Pearly-vented Tody-tyrant Hemitriccus C Surucua Trogon Trogon surrucura margaritaceiventer R White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus MOMOTIDAE U Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus C Rufous-capped Motmot Baryphthengus ruficapillus U Euler’s Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri ALCEDINIDAE U Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus C Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata U Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus U Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona R White-rumped Monjita Xolmis velata U Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana U Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
23 COTINGA 4 Parque Nacional Cerro Corá R Streamer-tailed Tyrant Gubernetes yetapa U Black-goggled Tanager Trichothraupis melanops R Yellow-browed Tyrant Satrapa icterophrys R White-rumped Tanager Cypsnagra hirundinacea U Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea U Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata C Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus C Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira C Rufous Casiornis Casiornis rufa U Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis C Sirystes Sirystes sibilator U Black-throated Saltator Saltator atricollis U Short-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus ferox C Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus C Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus U Saffron-billed Sparrow Arremon flavirostris C Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus U Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina C Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua R Rusty-collared Seedeater Sporophila collaris U Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis U Double-collared Seedeater Sporophila caerulescens U Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus U Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola U Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius U Wedge-tailed Grass-finch Emberizoides herbicola C Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus C Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis U Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana C Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis C Green-backed Becard Pachyramphus viridis C Chopi Blackbird Gnorimopsar chopi U Crested Becard Pachyramphus validus C Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis U Greenish Schiffornis Schiffornis virescens C Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis U Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana C Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous U Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor COTINGIDAE R Red-ruffed Fruitcrow Pyroderus scutatus R Bare-throated Bellbird Procnias nudicollis PIPRIDAE U Blue (Swallow-tailed) Manakin Chiroxiphia caudata R Band-tailed Manakin Pipra fasciicauda OXYRUNCID AE R Sharpbill Oxyruncus cristatus HIRUNDINIDAE U Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea CORVIDAE C Purplish Jay Cyanocorax cyanomelas C Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax Chrysops TROGLODYTIDAE U Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapillus C House Wren Troglodytes aedon MUSCICAPIDAE U Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola R Slaty Thrush Turdus nigriceps U Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris C Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas C Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus MIMIDAE C Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus VIREONIDAE U Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus U Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis EMBERIZIDAE C Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi U Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis U Flavescent Warbler Basileuterus flaveolus C Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus U White-browed Warbler Basileuterus leucoblepharus C Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum U Fawn-breasted Tanager Pipraeidea melanonota U Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana C Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana U Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violácea U Chestnut-bellied Euphonia Euphonia pectoralis C Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca R Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum R Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata U Ruby-crowned Tanager Tachyphonus coronatus
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