Wading Birds of Northern Belize

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Wading Birds of Northern Belize WEC425 Birding and Conservation Reference Wading Birds of Belize is home to over 605 bird species. At Jones. H. L. 2004. Birds of Belize. University of Northern Belize least 20 percent are migrants, choosing to Texas Press, Austin, TX. over-winter in the lush tropics and contributing to incredible avifaunal diversity. For More Information Contact In Northern Belize, migrants are seen earlier than in other parts of the country, making this area a true birder’s paradise. Lamanai Field Research Center Along the New River and associated Indian Church Village marshes, a multitude of birds can be seen. Orange Walk, Belize Here we present some of the most common Tel: (501) 678-9785 and some of the rarest long-legged wading [email protected] bird species you may encounter along the way. www.lamanai.org Long-legged wading birds are medium to crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu large-bodied birds that are charismatic in Like or follow @TheCrocDocs both their coloration and behavior. Tied to low water levels (usually <30cm deep), long -legged wading birds are intriguing to watch as they quietly and patiently hunt and stalk prey. These birds generally hunt for small fishes and invertebrates using a variety of techniques, like slow stalking, active chasing, or probing. The calls of these birds are generally not well described in the literature, though some are distinctive, like the limpkin. As it can be difficult to distinguish calls, the best way to identify Photos credit Jorge E. Ruano long-legged wading birds is by their physical appearance. We include some call 1. This document is WEC425, one of a series of the De- partment of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/ characteristics in addition to plumage IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2020. description and key measurements of body Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the size (LT) and wingspan (WS) for each currently supported version of this publication. species in this fact sheet. 2. Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, research ecologist; Jorge E. Ruano, local Lamanai bird guide; Justin R. Dalaba, Bird-watching is a major contributor to science writer and outreach coordinator; and Frank J. successful wildlife conservation and Mazzotti, professor, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Re- search and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, enhances the value of important biodiversity Gainesville, FL 32611. and habitat that are being lost to development. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified in Belize and portions The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an are located within Protected Areas under Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individu- local or national management. This fact als and institutions that function with non-discrimination with sheet and your local guide will help you respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, identify and fall in love with some of your sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political wading birds. Enjoy the sights and sounds. opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. April 2020 Agami Heron (Agamia agamia) LT Pinnated Bittern Limpkin (Aramus 28 in, WS 40 in Reclusive, medium- (Botaurus guarauna) LT 26 in, WS sized heron with short legs and a pinnatus) LT 27 40 in Large, dark brown in thin bill. Striking plumage with in, WS 55 in color with a long bill. reddish-brown neck and belly, blue Large, sturdy Uncommon and -grey/green wings, and white heron with buffy- inconspicuous in brushy stripe down foreneck, wispy white brown plumage swamps seen walking feathers on crown, neck and back. and cryptic slowly along water’s Stalks prey. Rattling call. patterning. Rarely seen. Patient hunter. edge searching for apple snails. Usually solitary. Very loud, Solitary breeder. Rough rawk-rawk-rawk call. haunting scream or wail heard mainly at night. Bare-throated Tiger At dusk, male call is deep poonk/poonkoo. Heron (Tigrisoma Least Bittern mexicanum) LT 31 in, Great Blue (Ixobrychus exilis) WS 45 in Heron (Ardea LT 13 in, WS 17 in Large heron with black herodias) Small, reddish- crown and narrow, grey LT 46 in, WS 72 brown bird with buff and buff striping. Throat in Largest heron -striped breast and a is bare and foreneck is white bordered by black. Solitary, with a grey-blue short black cap. motionless hunter seen standing tall, with neck uncoiled in body, long legs Uncommon and open habitat. Produces a hoarse howk-howk-howk call and and a long neck solitary in marshes. males emit a loud hrrrowwr call at sunset. that can be coiled or extended. Stands or Often seen clinging to reeds watching for fish below. walks slowly while foraging. Graceful flight Sometimes flies short distance just above reeds with Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius with slow wing-beats and arched wings. Call is quick wingbeats. Song is a low cooing poo-poo-poo. cochlearius) LT 21 in, WS 30 in a deep, hoarse trumpeting or croaking. Large, sturdy heron with pale grey Tri-colored Heron wings, buff breast and brown belly. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) (Egretta tricolor) Large, dark eyes. Broad, black bill LT 24 in, WS 41 in Small LT 26 in, WS 36 in used to scoop prey from shallow with all-white plumage, thin Slender, medium- water. Forages nocturnally, leaving black bill, yellow feet and sized bird found in roost 30 minutes after sundown to lacy feathers. Common and open shallow water. perch over water, often in pairs. found in mixed roosts. Solitary but roosts Deep squawking call. communally. Actively ON COVER: Great Egret (Ardea alba) Jabiru Stork (Jabiru mycteria) LT 55 in, WS 108 chases fish. Long brown neck and bill, dark blue-grey in Tallest bird with second largest wingspan in body and white belly. Moaning, croaking call. LT 39 in, WS 51 Large size, very long neck, deep gravelly Neotropics. Black, featherless head and neck with flexible red pouch at base. Large, pointy Woodstork (Mycteria Glossy Ibis (Plegadis bill and white plumage. Forages with open bill americana) LT 40 in, falcinellus) LT 23 in, WS when wading in WS 60 in Very large 36 in shallow water. stork with a white Slender, medium-sized Powerful, graceful body and black flight bird with reddish-brown flier. Not abundant feathers. Dark head body and glossy, blue- but protected in and neck are bare of green wings. Often appears dark at a distance. Long Belize. Hoarse feathers. Walks in curved bill used to probe for prey in muddy pools and chatter voice, bill- shallow, muddy pools with submerged bill foraging for marshes. Forages, roosts and nests communally with other clatters in breeding. fish. Often soars with vultures and roosts in colonies. wading birds. Nasal grunting voice. Mute except bill-clattering during nest displays. .
Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • REGUA Bird List July 2020.Xlsx
    Birds of REGUA/Aves da REGUA Updated July 2020. The taxonomy and nomenclature follows the Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee, updated June 2015 - based on the checklist of the South American Classification Committee (SACC). Atualizado julho de 2020. A taxonomia e nomenclatura seguem o Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Lista anotada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos, atualizada em junho de 2015 - fundamentada na lista do Comitê de Classificação da América do Sul (SACC).
    [Show full text]
  • Some New Information on the Distribution of Venezuelan Birds
    Some new information on the distribution of Venezuelan birds Peter Boesman Como resultado de la observación de aves en el campo durante los ultimos 10 años, se presenta un resumen de nuevos datos de distribución de aves en Venezuela. Los datos están organizados por area (20 en total), la mayoria de las areas son poco conocidas. Las observaciones de mayor importancia se detallan en ‘appendix 1’. En Falcón, la Serranía de San Luis tiene muchas más especies tipicas de las alturas sub-tropicales de la Cordillera de la Costa que previamente conocido, las serranias en el noreste de Falcón, de alturas bajas, tienen una avifauna abundante de especies de selva tropical, y areas de agua dulce en esta misma parte de Falcón y el norte de Carabobo son un refugio para muchas especies acuaticas poco conocidas. Los Andes en Lara y Trujillo no han sido estudiados tan profundamente como en Mérida, y por consecuencia se han descubierto importantes extensiones en la distribución de varias especies. En Mérida, se documenta indicaciones de una ruta migratoria muy importante a través del Valle del Río Santo Domingo. Las alturas bajas del Parque Nacional Tamá en Táchira (en el valle de los ríos Frio y Negro) y las areas adjacentes en Apure merecen mayor investigación en vista de algunas observaciones sorprendentes. Igualmente, los descubrimientos en islas del Río Orinoco fueron inesperados. La selva del Río Caura en el norte de Bolívar alberga especies previamente conocidas solamente del estado de Amazonas, y la región del Río Grande en el noreste de Bolívar tiene una avifauna tipicamente Guyanesa.
    [Show full text]
  • The Story So
    The Story So Far 2012 - 2016 The Bitterns in Rice Project A curious rice grower photograped some strange birds in his crop, triggering the Ricegrowers' Association of Australia, Birdlife Australia, Riverina Local Land Services and other organisations to come together to learn more about bitterns in rice and see what could be done to aid in their conservation. Since 2012, the Bitterns in Rice Project has been uncovering the well-guarded secrets of Australia’s Bunyip Bird – the globally endangered Australasian Bittern – and raising awareness of its plight. Bitterns arrive in rice crops about two months after sowing and begin nesting once there is sufficient cover. We now know that rice growers in the New South Wales Riverina are custodians of the world's largest known breeding population. "If we can help bitterns by providing them with a habitat to live in and breed in then it's a win-win situation for everyone." Coleambally Rice Farmer, Ian Payne Farming and Nature Conservation Global demand for food continues to grow, while biodiversity continues to decline. Dedicated conservation areas, such as national parks, are central in protecting biodiversity but need to be complemented by conservation on private land. Sustainable agriculture, rich in wildlife, can help bridge the gap if land and water are managed for both farming and nature conservation, rather than one or the other. The Bitterns in Rice Project is about uniting two traditionally separate schools of thought, and using land and water for dual purposes. Our vision is to see bitterns and other significant wildlife prosper alongside productive rice farming; building on existing habitat values, and demonstrating that agriculture and wildlife conservation can work together.
    [Show full text]
  • Alpha Codes for 2168 Bird Species (And 113 Non-Species Taxa) in Accordance with the 62Nd AOU Supplement (2021), Sorted Taxonomically
    Four-letter (English Name) and Six-letter (Scientific Name) Alpha Codes for 2168 Bird Species (and 113 Non-Species Taxa) in accordance with the 62nd AOU Supplement (2021), sorted taxonomically Prepared by Peter Pyle and David F. DeSante The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org ENGLISH NAME 4-LETTER CODE SCIENTIFIC NAME 6-LETTER CODE Highland Tinamou HITI Nothocercus bonapartei NOTBON Great Tinamou GRTI Tinamus major TINMAJ Little Tinamou LITI Crypturellus soui CRYSOU Thicket Tinamou THTI Crypturellus cinnamomeus CRYCIN Slaty-breasted Tinamou SBTI Crypturellus boucardi CRYBOU Choco Tinamou CHTI Crypturellus kerriae CRYKER White-faced Whistling-Duck WFWD Dendrocygna viduata DENVID Black-bellied Whistling-Duck BBWD Dendrocygna autumnalis DENAUT West Indian Whistling-Duck WIWD Dendrocygna arborea DENARB Fulvous Whistling-Duck FUWD Dendrocygna bicolor DENBIC Emperor Goose EMGO Anser canagicus ANSCAN Snow Goose SNGO Anser caerulescens ANSCAE + Lesser Snow Goose White-morph LSGW Anser caerulescens caerulescens ANSCCA + Lesser Snow Goose Intermediate-morph LSGI Anser caerulescens caerulescens ANSCCA + Lesser Snow Goose Blue-morph LSGB Anser caerulescens caerulescens ANSCCA + Greater Snow Goose White-morph GSGW Anser caerulescens atlantica ANSCAT + Greater Snow Goose Intermediate-morph GSGI Anser caerulescens atlantica ANSCAT + Greater Snow Goose Blue-morph GSGB Anser caerulescens atlantica ANSCAT + Snow X Ross's Goose Hybrid SRGH Anser caerulescens x rossii ANSCAR + Snow/Ross's Goose SRGO Anser caerulescens/rossii ANSCRO Ross's Goose
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: SECRETIVE MARSHBIRDS of URBAN WETLANDS in the WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA Patrice Nielson
    ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: SECRETIVE MARSHBIRDS OF URBAN WETLANDS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA Patrice Nielson, Doctor of Philosophy 2016 Dissertation directed by: Dr. William Bowerman and Dr. Andrew Baldwin Environmental Science and Technology Secretive marshbirds are in decline across their range and are species of greatest conservation need in state Wildlife Action Plans. However, their secretive nature means there is relatively sparse information available on their ecology. There is demand for this information in the Washington, DC area for updating conservation plans and guiding wetland restoration. Rapid Wetland Assessment Methods are often used to monitor success of restoration but it is unknown how well they indicate marshbird habitat. Using the Standardized North American Marshbird Monitoring Protocol, I surveyed 51 points in 25 marshes in the DC area in 2013 – 2015. I also collected data on marsh area, buffer width, vegetation/water interspersion, vegetation characteristics, flooding, and invertebrates. At each bird survey point I assessed wetland quality using the Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQAI) and California Rapid Wetland Assessment (CRAM) methods. I used Program Presence to model detection and occupancy probabilities of secretive marshbirds as a function of habitat variables. I found king rails (Rallus elegans) at five survey sites and least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) at thirteen survey sites. Secretive marshbirds were using both restored and natural marshes, marshes with and without invasive plant species, and marshes with a variety of dominant vegetation species. King rail occupancy was positively correlated with plant diversity and invertebrate abundance and weakly negatively correlated with persistent vegetation. Least bittern occupancy was strongly negatively correlated woody vegetation and invertebrate abundance and weakly positively correlated with persistent vegetation.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Birds in Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica
    http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/paloverde/paloverdebirdlist.html Page 1 of 8 List of Birds in Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica SPECIES English Spanish TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE Crypturellus cinnamomeus Thicket Tinamou Tinamú Canelo PODICIPEDIFORMES PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptus dominicus Least Grebe Zambullidor Enano Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed Grebe Zambullidor Piquipinto PELECANIFORMES PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax brasilianus Neotropic Cormorant Cormorán Neotropical ANHINGIDAE Anhinga anhinga Anhinga Pato Aguja FREGATIDAE Fregata magnificens Magnificent Frigatebird Rabihorcado Magno CICONIIFORMES ARDEIDAE Botaurus pinnatus Pinnated Bittern Avetoro Neotropical Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern Avetorillo Pantanero Tigrisoma mexicanum Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Garza-Tigre Cuellinuda Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron Garzón Azulado Ardea alba Great Egret Garceta Grande Egretta thula Snowy Egret Garceta Nivosa Egretta caerulea Little Blue Heron Garceta Azul Egretta tricolor Tricolored Heron Garceta Tricolor Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret Garcilla Bueyera Butorides virescens Green Heron Garcilla Verde Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-Heron Martinete Coroninegro Nyctanassa violacea Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Martinete Cabecipinto Cochlearius cochlearius Boat-billed Heron Pico-Cuchara THRESKIORNITHIDAE Threskiornithinae Eudocimus albus White Ibis Ibis Blanco Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis Ibis Morito Plataleinae Platalea ajaja Roseate Spoonbill Espátula Rosada CICONIIDAE Jabiru mycteria Jabiru Jabirú Mycteria americana Wood Stork Cigueñon
    [Show full text]
  • Conservación Checklist to the Birds of Colombia 2009
    Número 8 • Mayo 2009 C Coonnsseerrvvaacciióónn CCoolloommbbiiaannaa tá • Colombia ISSN 1900-1592 ©2009 Fundación ProAves • Bogo ©2009 Fundación CChheecckklliisstt ttoo tthhee bbiirrddss ooff CCoolloommbbiiaa 22000099 LLiissttaaddoo ddee AAvveess ddee CCoolloommbbiiaa 22000099 Paul Salaman, Thomas Donegan & David Caro Conservacion Colombiana – Número 8 – Mayo 2009 1 Conservación Colombiana Journal for the diffusion of biodiversity conservation activities en Colombia. Revista de difusión de acciones de conservación de la biodiversidad en Colombia. ISSN 1900–1592. Non-profit entity no. S0022872 – Commercial Chamber of Bogotá ISSN 1900–1592. Entidad sin ánimo de lucro S0022872 – Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá. Conservación Colombiana Es una revista científica publicada por la Fundación ProAves, institución que tiene como misión «proteger las aves silvestres y sus hábitat en Colombia a través de la investigación, acciones de conservación puntuales y el acercamiento a la comunidad. El propósito de la revista es divulgar las acciones de conservación que se llevan a cabo en Colombia, para avanzar en su conocimiento y en las técnicas correspondientes. El formato y tipo de los manuscritos que se publican es variado, incluyendo reportes de las actividades de conservación desarrolladas, resultados de las investigaciones y el monitoreo de especies amenazadas, proyectos de grado de estudiantes universitarios, inventarios y conteos poblacionales, planes de acción o estrategias desarrolladas para especies particulares, sitios o regiones y avances en la expansión de la red de áreas protegidas en Colombia. Conservación Colombiana está dirigida a un público amplio, incluyendo científicos, conservacionistas y personas en general interesadas en la conservación de las especies amenazadas de Colombia y sus hábitats. Fundación ProAves Dirección: Carrera 20 No.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Observations on the Laysan Duck, Anas Wyvilliana Laysanensis Author(S): Vernon E
    Some Observations on the Laysan Duck, Anas wyvilliana laysanensis Author(s): Vernon E. Brock Source: The Auk, Vol. 68, No. 3 (Jul., 1951), pp. 371-372 Published by: University of California Press on behalf of the American Ornithologists' Union Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4080988 Accessed: 16/11/2009 13:29 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=ucal. Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. University of California Press and American Ornithologists' Union are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Auk. http://www.jstor.org Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Birding List
    B I R D C H E C K L I S T THE MAGIC BIRDING & BIRD PHOTO CIRCUIT OF ECUADOR Checklist by: Luis Alcivar & Genesis Lopez Works Cited: BirdLife International (2004). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 10 feb 2010. Locations: Paramo and Treeline Forest: Antisana (A) - Cayambe Coca & Papallacta Pass (P) Upper Andean Forest: San Jorge Quito (Q) - Yanacocha Road (Y) Dry Inter-Andean Forest: Old Hypodrome, Pululahua Crater & Jerusalem Ecological Park (J) (Western) Andean Cloud Forest: San Tadeo Road, Santa Rosa Road, & San Jorge Tandayapa (T) (Western) Upper Tropical Forest: Umbrellabird LEK & San Jorge Milpe (M) (Western) Lower Tropical Forest: Pedro Vicente Maldonado & Silanche (V) Pacific Lowlands (Coast): San Jorge Estero Hondo & surrounding fresh water lakes (E) (Eastern) Andean Cloud Forest: Cuyuja River, Baeza, Borja, San Jorge Guacamayos, & San Jorge Cosanga (C) Upper Amazon Basin: Ollin/Narupa Reserve (O) Napo-Galeras & Sumaco National Park (S) Lower Amazon Basin (Amazon Lowlands): San Jorge Sumaco Bajo, Limoncocha Biological Reserve, Napo River & Yasuni National Park (Z) Abundance: (1) Common (2) Fairly Common (3) Uncommon (4) Rare (5) Very Rare (6) Extremely Rare > 5 observations 1 2 3 4 5 6 Endemism: N: National Endemic - Cho: Choco region (NW Ecuador and W Colombia only) - Tum: Tumbesian region (SW Ecuador and NW Peru only) E/C: Ecuador and Colombia only - (E/P) Ecuador and Peru only - (E/P/C) Ecuador, Peru & Colombia only Status: LC: Least Concern NT: Near Threatened VU: Vulnerable
    [Show full text]
  • Botaurus Pinnatus (Pinnated Bittern)
    UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Behaviour Botaurus pinnatus (Pinnated Bittern) Family: Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets and Bitterns) Order: Pelecanifermes Class: Aves (Birds) Fig. 1. Pinnated bittern, Botaurus pinnatus. https://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/pinbit1/overview TRAITS. Pinnated bitterns, also referred to as South American bitterns, are generally brown, large (60 – 80 cm), and cryptically patterned; they have yellow eyes and lores, and yellowish/yellow-olive legs (Howell and Webb, 1995). Their feathers are intricately variegated with colours of yellow, black, brown, and buff in an array of cryptic patterns of bars and streaks (Campbell and Lack, 2010). They have a dark brown forecrown; the hindcrown, as well as the sides and back of the neck, is buff (pale yellow-brown) in colour with fine, black bars; the other upper parts of their bodies are buff-streaked and striated in blackish colours; their flight feathers are black with brownish tips (seen as a band on the rear end of the wing during flight); their throats are white but have white to buff coloured underparts and forenecks with light brown streaks (Hilty and Brown, 1986). They have strong, pointed bills; long, slender toes (with the middle one being pectinated), and are generally at least 370 g in weight. Both males and females are similar in appearance although the females may be more streaked on their upper parts (Campbell and Lack, 2010). ECOLOGY. The pinnated bittern is a marsh bird, occurring mainly in temperate zones, breeding and feeding in wetlands among areas with scattered low shrubs and tall grass (Campbell and Lack, 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Records of Pinnated Bittern Botaurus Pinnatus in Bolivia
    Cotinga29-080304.qxp 3/4/2008 10:51 AM Page 164 Cotinga 29 Recent records of Pinnated Bittern Botaurus pinnatus in Bolivia Oswaldo Maillard Z. and Steffen Reichle Received 5 November 2005; final revision accepted 19 November 2007 Cotinga 29 (2008): 164–166 Botaurus pinnatus es una especie poco conocida a lo largo de todo su rango de distribución desde México hasta Argentina, y en Trinidad. Hasta 1996 fue desconocida en Bolivia. Desde entonces ha sido observada varias veces en las sabanas estacionalmente inundadas del departamento de Santa Cruz y una vez en el departamento de Beni. Aquí resumimos estos registros y especulamos sobre el posible estatus de Botaurus pinnatus en Bolivia. Pinnated Bittern Botaurus pinnatus occurs in Flor de Oro, Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado shallow freshwater wetlands from Mexico to (13º22’S 61º00’W). Argentina, and in Trinidad6. Until as recently as On 11 December 2001 a Pinnated Bittern was 1996 it was unknown in Bolivia. Since then the found beside the unpaved road between San Rafael species has been recorded on several occasions in and San Matías, on the western edge of the the lowlands of dpto. Santa Cruz and once in dpto. Bolivian Pantanal (16°48’S 60°30’W). The bird was Beni. Here we summarise all known records and initially located in tall grasses but subsequently discuss its probable status. perched in short emergent vegetation in a small marsh. It was watched for c.1 hour during which it Records occasionally sang a deep, resonant, gulping song, Sightings are primarily listed in chronological transcribed as gu-gloo.
    [Show full text]