Cotinga 18

Birds of the Potaro Plateau, w ith eight new for

Adrian Barnett, Rebecca Shapley, Paul Benjamin, Everton Henry and Michael McGarrell 1 8 (2002): 19– 36

La meseta Potaro, en Guyana occidental, es un tepui de 11 655 ha. La meseta es la pieza más occidental del Escudo Guyanés. Con una altitud que va entre 500 y 2042 m, la vegetación oscila entre el matorral de arena blanca, bosque ribereño inundado, bosque de montaña típico de los tepuis, y matorral de tepui alto. Entre el 20 de junio y el 3 de agosto de 1998 se estudiaron las aves de la meseta, como parte de relevamientos zoológicos generales. Se registraron 187 especies de aves, de las cuales ocho ( Colibri coruscans, Polytmus milleri, Automolus roraimae, Lochmias nematura, simplex, Troglodytes rufulus, Diglossa major y Gymnomystax mexicanus) son nuevas para Guyana. Siete de estas especies son especialistas de bosque de montaña, y ya fueron registradas en la porción venezolana del Monte , a menos de 100 km al oeste de la meseta. La recopilación de datos, en su mayor parte inéditos, de la región de la meseta Potaro, resultó en un listado de 334 especies de aves, o 43% de las aves terrestres de Guyana. En la meseta habitan 21 de las 22 especies endémicas del Escudo Guyanés, y dos tercios de las especies de bosque de montaña en Guyana. Esta región debe ser considerada importante para la conservación de aves a nivel regional y nacional.

Introduction on the Potaro Plateau from 13 June to 4 August We report here on observations from the Potaro 1998( the late wet season). All our data are based Plateau, western Guyana (see Fig. 1). The plateau solely on sight records. Species were identified in covers an area of some 11 655 ha38,67 and forms the the field using Meyer de Schauensee & Phelps37 and easternmost extension of the Guiana Highlands24,34. confirmed by subsequently comparing field notes The plateau, effectively a huge tepui, has a basal with the literature14,26,27,31,32,36,37,44,45,53,57,58,61. Final altitude of 600 m, with stud-like peaks reaching over 1200 m (e.g. Mts. Ayanganna at 2042 m, Kopinang at 1594 m, Wokamung at 1470 m and Kowa at 1300 m). Soil, derived mostly from 1600– 1800- million-year-old Proterozoic sandstones, is poor and vegetation varies from white-sand scrub to flooded riparian , basi-montane forest, montane for­ est, upper montane forest, high tepui forest and high tepui scrub28. Located on the plateau’s eastern edge, the Kaieteur Falls is a popular tourist destina­ tion2,67. The tepuis of neighbouring and Bra­ zil (e.g. Mts. Roraima, Duida and others) have been subject to considerable ornithological work7,14– 18,20,21,28–42, while in Guyana avifaunal research has been conducted in the Kanuku Mountains35, with reports from Guyana’s Mt. Twek-Quey9,49 and Merume Mountains50, both of which are within 150 km of Potaro (Fig. 1). However, little has been pub­ lished on the of the Potaro Plateau59. Key to localities: Specimens were collected at Kaieteur Falls by E. F. 1 Cerro Duida 10 Potaro Plateau □ im Thurn in October 187829,52 and by C. Bovallius 2 Quaiquinima (see also Fig. 2) in 190522, and a small collection from Mt. Ayanganna 3 A y a n T e p u i 1 1 Parakakatoi was made by A. Thompson in 196047,48. Snyder58 and 4 Pararaima Mts (part) 12 Iwokrama Mts. Stephens & Traylor59 make occasional reference to 5 Mt. Roraima 13 K a r a n a m b o collections from Ayanganna, Paramakatoi village 6 M t. Twek-Quay 14 Kanuku Mts. 7 Alaroo River 15 A c a r i M ts . and Kaieteur Falls. Gyldenstolpe22 reported a new, 8 M e r u m e M ts 16 M a ra c á subsequently discredited, subspecies of Cyanerpes 9 Mt. Ayanganna cyaneus from Potaro. We know of no other published records for the of the area. With permission from Guyana’s Environmen­ Figure 2. Relative location of the Potaro Plateau to other tal Protection Agency, field work was undertaken localities m entioned in the text.

19 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

sclerophyllous shrubs such as Martinella odorata (Bignoniaceae), Cyrilla racemosa (Cyrillidaceae) and Doliocarpus tetracera (Delleniaceae), as well as occasional small trees of Andira grandistipula and Ephera jenmanii (Papilionaceae: Caesalpinoidae).

Kaieteur Falls A mist-laden environment characterised by giant terrestrial bromeliads Brocchinia micrantha and small trees of Distictella elongata (Bignoniaceae), Clusia grandiflora and Morouobea jenmanii (Guttiferaceae), and clump wallaba Dicymbe altsonii (Papilionaceae: Caesalpinoidae).

Chenapou village and surrounding forest The forest around the village (population c. 300) in­ L e gend cludes Ocotea radioi, Dimorphandra mora, Carapa 1 lower Potaro River guianensis, Ephera sp., and species of Parkia, Inga 2 upper Potaro River and Hymaneia (Fabaceae), as well as Caryocar 3 Plateau limits (taken at 600-m contour) nuciferum (Caryocaraceae). Maximum canopy 4 Kaieteur Falls height is 20–25 m and there is a well-developed 5 National Park, current limits understorey of Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae 6 Muri-muri Creek shrubs. Vines are large and frequent, macro- 7 Anamuri Creek 8 Tiger Bay village epiphytic cover moderate and consists mostly of 9 Chenapou village Araceae. The village has fruit trees and cassava 10 Tappa airstrip fields, but the surrounding forest is still largely in­ 11 Paramakatoi village tact. 12 Mt. Kowa 13 M t. W o k a m u n g Tappa airstrip and surrounding 14 Mt. Ayanganna The following were common to abundant: Pithecellobium racemosum ( Papilionaceae: Figure 2. Relative locations of study sites on the Potaro Momoisoidae), Eschweilera decolorans P latea u. (Lecythidaceae) (in valley bottoms), E. pernetorum (replaces E. decolorans on ridges and higher checks on these identifications were made by study ground), Eperua falcata ( Papilionaceae: of bird skins in the collection of the Academy of Caesalpinoidae), Aspidosperma excelsum Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (ANSP). (Apocynaceae), Arrabidaea nigrescens Observations were made at the following sites (Bignoniaceae) and Caryocar nuciferum (see Fig. 2): Kaieteur Falls (05°10'N 59°28'W, 500 (Caryocaraceae). Canopy height is 15–20 m. m; 20–21 June 1998, 26 July and 1–3 August), Muri- Understorey is sparser than at Chenapou, with muri (05°09'N 59°30'W, 550 m) and Anamuri creeks some well-developed cane breaks. Epiphyte flora is (05°07'N 59°32'W) (28 July– 1 August), Chenapou more diverse, with more ferns and mosses. village (04°59'N 59°34'W, 600 m; 21 June–3 July and 25–27 July), Tiger Bay (04°59'N 59°50'W, 600 m; 21 M t . K o w a June–3 July and 25–27 July), Tappa airstrip Twenty-eight species of fruiting tree were identi­ (04°53'N 59°32'W, 800 m; 6 and 21–23 July) and Mt. fied using van Roosmalen46. Atop Mt. Kowa (1300 Kowa (04°51'N 59°41'W, 1300 m; 8–20 July) and in m), common tree species included: Eschweilera transit between these locations. odorata ( Lecythidaceae), mombin (), Guarea silvatica (Meliaceae), V e g e t a t i o n Dioclea macrantha (Papilionaceae: Papilionoidae), Oreographic and altitudinal effects give the plateau Catostemma fragrans ( Bombacaceae), a highly varied flora. The vegetation is as follows. Cheiloclinium sp. (Celastiaceae). Canopy height is 10–12 m. Epiphyte cover was extensive and rich, Kaieteur Top covering both boles and limbs, and included many An area of white-sand scrub characterised by the small orchids (notably Lepanthes and Pleurothallis), terrestrial bromeliad Brocchinia reducta, other epiphytic Ericaceae (including Cavendishia and smaller, carnivorous including Drosera P sa m isia ) and abundant ferns ( including roraimae (Droseraceae), Genlisea nigrocaulis and Hymenophyllaceae), mosses and lichens. There is Ultricularia amethystina (Lentibulariaceae) and an extensive open understorey of melastomes,

20 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Marantaceae and gesneriad shrubs (including and Paramakatoi in Snyder58. The combined total Alloplectus savannarum). Air is perpetually misty is 334 species. This represents 43% of the 786 species and the mountain often cloud-covered. Along reported from Guyana by Braun et al.11. The list, watercourses Swartzia grandiflora (Papilionaceae: the first for the Potaro Plateau, forms Table 1. Order Papilionoidae) and Pagamea aff. capitata follows Parker et al.39. and English names (Rubiaceae) are locally abundant. In a low-lying area follow Ridgely & Tudor44,45 and Meyer de Schauensee there is a swamp dominated by itare palms Euterpe & Phelps37, except for taxonomy which follows sp. The approach to the summit is via a rubble-filled Juniper & Parr32. gorge, dominated by extensive groves of Heliconia sp. ( Heliconiaceae) and Phenakospermum Selected species accounts (guyanense?) (Strelitziaceae). The steep walls were Grey-bellied Hawk Accipiter poliogaster covered with lithophilous gesneriads (Nautilocalyx Two, both near Chenapou village. On 25 July an sp.), piperomias, aroids, ferns and mosses. adult was perched c. 25 m up on an exposed bough Based on the classification of Huber et al.23, of a dead tree beside the village compound, and was Kaieteur Top’s flora would be ‘upland scrub sa­ identified through a telescope at a range of 300 m. vanna’, that at Chenapou ‘tall/medium evergreen Separated from Bicoloured Hawk A. bicolor by the pre- and basi-montane forest’, Tappa ‘tall/medium presence of white (not rufous) thigh feathers and lower montane forest’, and Mt. Kowa ‘low evergreen from Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon M icrastur upper montane forest’. mirandollei by its lack of bare yellow facial skin. The second, a juvenile, was observed on 26 July from Previous ornithological w ork a canoe at less than 15 m. It was perched 10 m up Part of the plateau has been a national park since in a dead tree beside the Potaro River and was iden­ 192367. A combination of protection and the region’s tified by the rufous nape and post-ocular area, black remoteness and isolation has left much of the natu­ malar stripe and strongly black-spotted white belly. ral vegetation intact67. Though some birds (including Synder58 considered it to be ‘rare … spottily distrib­ , Black Curassow Crax alector, Grey-winged uted’ in Guyana. Deemed rare by Parker et al.39, T ru m p eter Psophia crepitans and Sungrebe Braun et al.11 considered it probably an austral mi­ Heliornis fulica) are kept locally as pets, the high grant, typically present in May–September. densities of primates, parrots and cracids attest to low hunting pressure5,6. Even the region’s Patamona Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja Amerindian people very rarely visit Mt. Kowa. The An adult observed in flight 10 m above the canopy area has received no ornithological attention. The at Muri-muri Creek (1 August). Distinguished from only previous confirmed scientific study there, a Crested Eagle Morphnus guianensis by its black brief botanical visit, was in 1966. Consequently, Mt. chest-band and barred wing lining. Interviews with Kowa has pristine forest and the birds are confid­ hunters suggested that the species is still relatively ing. As Tate60 recorded at a similar altitude and common on the plateau and is not hunted. Listed habitat on Mt. Roraima, birds under such conditions as Near Threatened by BirdLife International8 and are generally inquisitive and not wary. Many ap­ rare by Parker et al.39, while Braun et al.11 consid­ proached us or could be approached to within a few ered it scarce in Guyana. metres, greatly facilitating identification. A total of 187 bird species was observed, eight Fiery-shouldered Parakeet Pyrrhura egregia of which are new for Guyana. Details of these, and Observed in groups of 5–8 within open scrubby veg­ other species of interest, are presented below. To etation bordering forest near Tappa airstrip (800 furnish a more comprehensive list for the Potaro m). They were noisily active among dense stands of Plateau, we added to our observations the shrubs (Solanaceae and Boraginaceae). Our records unpublished sight records of S. Lehman (pers. comm. are well within the range given by Juniper & Parr32, 1999) made in March 1997, and unpublished field who, like Braun et al.11, consider it to be a fairly data from visits to the Kaieteur area by D. common Pantepui endemic. Not seen in similar open and colleagues (January 1991, September 1993, habitats around Chenapou and Tiger Bay (c. 600 m), February, September and November 1994, consistent with Juniper & Parr32 who give the lower September 1995, February 1996, April 1997 and altitudinal limit for P. egregia as 700 m. April 1998), by C. Perrins (August and October 1959), R. Brown (April 1991), I. D. K. Whitelesey Red-fan Parrot Deroptyus accipitrinus (July–August 1991), A. Warren (July 1988, July– Known to 400 m32, but recorded at Kaieteur Falls August 1969)65 and birds known to occur there by (500 m). A small party observed twice in forest ad­ R. S. Ridgely (pers. comm. 2001). In addition, we jacent to the falls, and a single individual seen once. compiled information on those species collected on This parrot is patchily distributed across its wide Mt. Ayanganna by A. Thompson in January–April range32. 196047,48, and records for Mt. Ayanganna, Kaieteur

21 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

T a b le 1. Bird species known from the Potaro Plateau

KEY L o c a tio n s ( for birds recorded by the authors) Kai = Kaieteur (Kaieteur Falls, Kaieteur Top, Menzie’s Landing and adjacent areas of the upper Potaro River, including Muri- muri and Anamuri Creeks. ‘Kaieteur Falls’ refers to the falls and to the moist forest on the immediately surrounding cliffs. ‘Kaieteur Top’ refers to the drier forest and white-sand scrub vegetation types not immediately adjacent to the falls and cliffs.)

Chenapou = forest and agricultural lands around Chenapou and Tiger Bay villages and the stretch of the upper River Potaro between th e m . En route = trail through forest between Chenapou and Mt. Kowa, including Tappa airstrip. Kowa base = in pre-montane forest at the base of Mt. Kowa. Kowa top = top of Mt. Kowa.

H a b ita ts F = forest; Fw = forest streams; S = natural scrub or open areas, U = village/agricultural, W = open water (rivers, marshes, lakes, soaks).

F re q u e n c y 1 = abundant: 100+ records and/or seen many times per day 2 = common: 50–99 records and/or several sightings each day 3 = frequent: 20–49 records and/or one or tw o sightings each day 4 = occasional: 6– 19 records but not seen every day 5 = rare: 1–5 records, few sightings.

U = uncommon ( 1– 4 pairs per km2); R = rare (fewer than one bird/km 2); C = easily seen during brief periods of field w ork (>15 birds/ km2) (after Parker et al.39).

Additional authorities and sites A T ( ay) = A. Thompson ( Mt. Ayanganna), listed by Roth48. AW = A. W arren (records from 1968, 1969 and 1971) B ( k t,u p ) = recorded by R. Brown (unpubl., 1991: Kaieteur Top, upper Potaro River). CP = records from C. Perrins (pers. comm.) from two-m onth visit in 1959: (t) = Turkait, (kf) = Kaieteur Falls, (a) = Mt Aladaima (near Chenapou), (e) = Echerak. D F ( kf) = records from ten short visits to Kaieteur Falls by D. Finch (pers. comm.) and colleagues. DS ( a y )* = record from Ayanganna credited by Snyder58 to the Thompson–W illiams Expedition of 1960, but not on Roth’s48 list of the expedition’s specimens. DS ( kf) = reported by Snyder58 (Kaieteur Falls). DS ( p k) = reported by Snyder58 (Paramakatoi). DS (sr-ay)* = record from Sukabi River credited by Snyder58 to the Thompson–W illiam s Expedition of 1960, but not on Roth’s48 list of the expedition’s specimens. RR ( kf) = records from Kaieteur Falls, R. S. Ridgely (pers. comm.). SL ( k t) = records from Kaieteur Top, S. Lehman (pers. comm.). TH = T. Henkel: (ir) = Ireng River, (kf) = Kaieteur Falls. W ( k t) = records of Mr. W hitelesey (unpubl., 1991; Kaieteur Top). WE = W ilderness Explorers (collation of records from multiple trips to Kaieteur since the early 1990s).

N o te s 1 = reported in interviews by the villagers of Chenapou. 2 = species reported by Roth ( 1960b), but not reported from Guyana by P a rk e r et a l.39 and status of record currently unclear. 3 = as Glyphorhynchus cuneatus. 4 = as poliophrys. 5 = as Lathria cinera. 6 = Legatus albicollis successor.

Scientific name English name Kai C henapou en K o w a K o w a Other records ro u te Base T o p Tinamus major Great Tinamou AW, CP (t), Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou CP ( a) Phalacrocorax brasilianus Neotropic Cormorant - W 2 - - - Anhinga anhinga A nhinga - W 2 - - - Tigrisoma fasciatum Fasciated Tiger-Heron T H ( ir) Tigrisoma sp. juv. tig e r-h e ro n sp. CP ( c) 1 Ardeola ibis Egret T H ( kf), W E Ardea alba Great Egret DF Butorides striatus Striated Heron - W 3 - - - CP (kt-e), TH (kf), WE Egretta caerulea Little Blue Heron - W 4 - - - Mesembrinibis cayennensis G re e n Ibis - W 5 - - - CP (kt-e), DF Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture A W , DF Cathartes melambrotus Greater Yellow-headed Vulture F3 F3 F5 DF Coragyps atratus Black Vulture T H ( kf), W - - Sarcoramphus papa King Vulture F5 - - A W , DF, T H ( ir)

22 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Pandion haliaetus Osprey Leptodon cayanensis Grey-headed Kite Elanoides forficatus Swallow-tailed Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii Pearl Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail Kite Ictinia plumbea Plumbeous Kite Accipiter bicolor Bicoloured Hawk Accipiter poliogaster Grey-bellied Hawk Leucopternis albicollis White Hawk Leucopternis melanops? Black-faced Hawk Buteogallus albicaudatus White-tailed Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga Great Black-Hawk Buteo brachyurus Short-tailed Hawk Buteo magnirostris Roadside Hawk Asturina nitida Grey Hawk Morphnus guianensis Crested Eagle Harpia harpyja Harpy Eagle Caracara plancus Crested Caracara Spizaetus ornatus Ornate Hawk-Eagle Daptrius americanus Red-throated Caracara Milvago chimachima Yellow-headed Caracara Micrastur gilvicollis? Lined Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus Collared Forest-Falcon Falco deiroleucus Orange-breasted Falcon Falco femoralis Aplomado Falcon Falco rufigularis Bat Falcon Falco sparverius American Kestrel Ortalis motmot Little Penelope jacquacu Spix’s Guan Penelope marail Marail Guan Penelope sp. Spix’s Guan / Marail Guan Crax alector Black Curassow Colinus cristatus Crested Bobwhite Odontophorus gujanensis Marbled Wood-quail Psophia crepitans Grey-winged Trumpeter Aramides cajonea Grey-necked Wood-Rail Heliornis fulica Sungrebe Hoploxypterus cayanus Pied Lapwing Actitis maculata Spotted Sandpiper Calidris minuta Least Sandpiper Columba cayennensis Pale-vented Pigeon Columbina passerina Common Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Ruddy Ground-Dove Leptotila rufaxilla Grey-fronted Dove Leptotila verreauxi White-tipped Dove Ara ararauna Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara chloroptera Red-and-green Macaw Ara macao Scarlet Macaw Aratinga pertinax Brown-throated Parakeet Pyrrhura egregia Fiery-shouldered Parakeet Forpus passerinus Green-rumped Brotogeris chrysopterus Golden-winged Parakeet panychlora Pionites melanocephala Black-headed Parrot Pionopsitta caica Caica Parrot fuscus Dusky Parrot Pionus menstruus Blue-headed Parrot Pionus sordidus Red-billed Parrot Amazona amazonica Orange-winged Parrot Amazona dufresniana Blue-cheeked Parrot Amazona ochrocephala Yellow-headed Parrot Deroptyus accipitrinus Red-fan Parrot Crotophaga ani Smooth-billed Ani Piaya cayana Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya melanogaster Black-bellied Cuckoo Piaya minuta Little Cuckoo Steatornis caripensis Oilbird Nyctibius griseus Common Potoo Lurocalis semitorquatus Short-tailed Nighthawk Caprimulgus cayennensis White-tailed

23 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Caprimulgus nigrescens Blackish Nightjar Cypseloides cryptus White-chinned Cypseloides phelpsi Tepui Swift zonaris White-collared Swift Chaetura andrei Ashy-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura Short-tailed Swift Chaetura cinereiventris Grey-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicauda Band-rumped Swift Aeronautes montivagus White-tipped Swift Tachornis squamata Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Panyptila cayennensis Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Doryfera johannae Blue-fronted Lancebill Glaucis hirsute Rufous-breasted Hermit Threnetes leucurus Pale-tailed Barbthroat Phaethornis augusti Sooty-capped Hermit Phaethornis bourcieri Straight-billed Hermit Phaethornis longuemareus Little Hermit Phaethornis ruber Reddish Hermit Phaethornis squalidus Dusky-throated Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus Long-tailed Hermit Campylopterus hyperythrus Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis Grey-breasted Sabrewing Florisuga mellivora White-necked Jacobin Colibri coruscans Sparkling Violetear Chrysolampis mosquitus Ruby-topaz ornata? longicauda Racket-tailed Coquette Chlorestes notatus Blue-chinned Sapphire Chlorostilbon mellisugus Blue-tailed Emerald Thalurania furcata Fork-tailed Woodnymph Hylocharis cyanus White-chinned Sapphire Polytmus guainumbi White-tailed Polytmus milleri Polytmus theresiae Green-tailed Goldenthroat Amazilia brevirostris White-chested Emerald Amazilia fimbriata Glittering-throated Emerald Amazilia leucogaster Plain-bellied Hummingbird Topaza pella Crimson Topaz Heliodoxa xanthogonys Velvet-browed Brilliant Heliothryx aurita Black-crowned Fairy Calliphlox amethystina Amethyst Woodstar personatus Masked Trogon Trogon rufus Black-throated Trogon Trogon violaceus Violaceous Trogon Trogon viridis White-tailed Trogon Ceryle torquata Ringed Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle inda Green-and-rufous Kingfisher Momotus momota Blue-crowned Motmot albirostris Yellow-billed Galbula dea Paradise Jacamar Jacamerops aurea Great Jacamar Bucco tamatia Spotted Puffbird Monasa atra Black Nunbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa Swallow-winged Puffbird Capito niger Black-spotted Barbet Aulacorhynchus derbianus Chestnut-tipped Toucanet Pteroglossus Black-necked Aracari Pteroglossus viridis culik Guianan Toucanet tucanus White-throated Ramphastos vitellinus Channel-billed Toucan Picumnus exilis Golden-spangled Piculet Melanerpes cruentatus Yellow-tufted Veniliornis passerinus Little Woodpecker Piculus chrysochloros? Golden-green Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus Golden-olive Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus Lineated Woodpecker

24 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Celeus elegans Chestnut Woodpecker undatus Waved Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis Red-necked Woodpecker Dendrocincla fuliginosa Plain-brown Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus Olivaceous Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus pardalotus Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper Synallaxis albescens Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis gujanensis Plain-crowned Spinetail Synallaxis rutilons Ruddy Spinetail demissa Tepui Spinetail Roraimia adusta Roraiman Barbtail Philydor erythrocercum Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner Philydor ruficaudata Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus roraimae White-throated Foliage-gleaner Xenops minutus Plain Xenops Sclerurus caudacutus Black-tailed Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus rufigularis Short-billed Leaftosser Lochmias nematura Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Taraba major Great Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus murinus Mouse-coloured Antshrike Thamnophilus punctatus Eastern Slaty-Antshrike axillaris White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula behni Plain-winged Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii Grey Antwren Myrmotherula surinamensis Guianan Streaked-Antwren Conopophaga aurita Chestnut-belted Gnateater roraimae? (Roraiman) Antwren Formicivora grisea White-fringed Antwren Cercomacra tyrannina Dusky Myrmoborus leucophrys White-browed Antbird Hypocnemis cantator Warbling Antbird Sclateria naevia Silvered Antbird Schistocichla leucostigma Spot-winged Antbird Pithys albifrons White-plumed Antbird Gymnopithys rufigula Rufous-throated Antbird Hylophylax poecilinota Scale-backed Antbird Formicarius colma Rufous-capped Antthrush Chamaeza campanisona Short-tailed Antthrush Myrmornis torquata Wing-banded Antbird Myrmothera simplex Tepui Zimmerius gracilipes Slender-footed Tyrannulet Ornithion inerme White-lored Tyrannulet Elaenia cristata Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia dayi Great Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia ruficeps Rufous-crowned Elaenia Mionectes macconnelli McConnell’s Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Lophotriccus galeatus Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant Atalotriccus pilaris Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant Todirostrum sylvia Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Tolmomyias poliocephalus Grey-crowned Flycatcher Platyrinchus coronatus Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus White-throated Spadebill Terenotriccus erythrurus Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Myiobius barbatus Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Contopus fumigatus Smoke-coloured Pewee Knipolegus poecilurus Rufous-tailed Tyrant Fluvicola Pied Water-tyrant cinnamomeus Cinnamon Attila simplex Greyish Mourner Satrapa icterophrys Yellow-browed Tyrant Hirundinea ferruginea Cliff Flycatcher

25 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Myiarchus tuberculifer Dusky-capped Flycatcher Pitangus sulphuratus Great Kiskadee Megarynchus pitangua Boat-billed Flycatcher Conopias parva Yellow-throated Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius Myiozetetes cayanensis Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Social Flycatcher Tyrannus melancholicus Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus savana Fork-tailed Flycatcher Pachyramphus minor Pink-throated Becard Tityra cayana Black-crowned Tityra Schiffornis turdinus -like Schiffornis Chloropipo uniformis Olive Corapipo gutturalis White-throated Manakin Chiroxiphia pareóla Blue-backed Manakin Pipra cornuta Scarlet-horned Manakin Pipra erythrocephala Golden-headed Manakin Pipra pipra White-crowned Manakin Pipra s u avissima Orange-bellied Manakin Pipreola whitelyi Red-banded Fruiteater streptophorus Rose-collared Piha Lipaugus vociferans Cotinga cayana Spangled Cotinga punicea Perissocephalus tricolor Capuchinbird Procnias alba Procnias averano Rupicola rupicola Guianan Cock-of-the-rock Tachycineta albiventer White-winged Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca Blue-and-white Swallow Atticora fasciata White-banded Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Southern Rough-winged Swallow Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Thryothorus coraya Coraya Troglodytes aedon House Wren Troglodytes rufulus Tepui Wren Henicorhina leucosticta White-breasted Wood-Wren Cyphorhinus arada Musician Wren ustulatus Mimus gilvus Tropical Mockingbird Turdus albicollis White-throated Thrush Turdus fumigatus Cocoa Thrush Turdus ignobilis Black-billed Thrush Turdus leucomelas Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus olivater Black-hooded Thrush Zonotrichia capensis Rufous-collared Sparrow Cyanocompsa cyanoides Blue-black Grosbeak Ramphocaenus melanurus Long-billed Gnatwren Volatinia jacarina Blue-black Grassquit bouvronides Lesson’s Seedeater Sporophila intermedia Grey Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila plumbea Plumbeous Seedeater Paroaria gularis Red-capped Cardinal taciturnus Pectoral Sparrow Caryothraustes canadensis Yellow-green Grosbeak Schistochlamys melanopis Black-faced Hemithraupis flavicollis Yellow-backed Tanager Nemosia pileata Hooded Tanager Mitrospingus oleagineus Olive-backed Tanager Eucometis penicillata Grey-headed Tanager Lanio fulvus Fulvous Shrike-tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus phoenicius Red-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus rufus White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus surinamus Fulvous-crested Tanager Piranga flava Hepatic Tanager Ramphocelus carbo Silver-beaked Tanager Thraupis episcopus Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis palmarum Palm Tanager

26 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Euphonia cayennensis Golden-sided Euphonia chlorotica Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia finschi Finsch’s Euphonia Euphonia minuta White-vented Euphonia Euphonia plumbea Plumbeous Euphonia Euphonia violacea Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster Orange-bellied Euphonia cayana Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara chilensis Paradise Tanager Tangara gyrola Bay-headed Tanager Tangara punctata Spotted Tanager Tangara velia Opal-rumped Tanager Dacnis cayana Blue Dacnis Chlorophanes spiza Green Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus Red-legged Honeycreeper Diglossa major Greater Flowerpiercer Tersina viridis Swallow Tanager Dendroica striata Blackpoll Warbler Myioborus castaneocapillus Tepui Redstart Myioborus miniatus Slate-throated Redstart Coereba flaveola Bananaquit Phaeothlypis rivularis River Warbler Cyclarhis gujanensis Rufous-browed Peppershrike Hylophilus muscicapinus Buff-cheeked Greenlet Hylophilus ochraceiceps Tawny-crowned Greenlet Hylophilus sclateri Tepui Greenlet Hylophilus thoracicus Lemon-chested Greenlet Icterus chrysocephalus Moriche Oriole Icterus nigrogularis Yellow Oriole Psarocolius decumanus Crested Psarocolius viridis Green Oropendola Cacicus cela Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous Red-rumped Cacique Gymnomystax mexicanus Oriole Blackbird Macroagelaius imthurni Tepui Mountain Grackle lugubris Carib Grackle Carduelis magellanica Hooded Siskin cayanus

Tepui Swift Cypseloides phelpsi Nappi Mountain in the western Kanukus38. R. S. Pantepui endemic11,14,39 observed at Kaieteur Falls, Ridgely and D. Agro also observed it at Mabura Hill where it was a rare but regular member of large in August 1994 (R. S. Ridgely pers. comm. 2001). mixed flocks of swifts present at dawn and dusk. The only similar species is Chestnut-collared Swift White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus C. rutilus, which does not occur in the Pantepui14, Numerous at Kaieteur Falls, roosting with making the orange-red nuchal collar and foreneck Streptoprocne zonaris and Cypseloides swifts behind of adult C. phelpsi a characteristic field mark in the the falls. Identified by the unique white tail tips in Potaro area. In Guyana, previously recorded only males and large white flank tufts of both sexes14. in the Merume Mountains to the north13,14. Consid­ Patchily distributed, Kaieteur Falls does not appear ered quite scarce by Chantier & Driessens14, who on the distribution map in Chantier & Driessens14, note that it always nests close to water. nor is Guyana included within its range there. Not listed by Snyder58, but recorded in the Kanuku White-chinned Swift Cypseloides cryptus Mountains, 220 km to the south, in February 199338, Also recorded at Kaieteur Falls, where it presum­ and included on the Guyana list compiled by Wil­ ably roosts. Chantier & Driessens14 consider C. derness Explorers66 for Kaieteur Falls and the cryptus one of the rarest Neotropical swifts and note lowland plains at Karanambo. Braun et al.11 note its ‘preference for mountainous areas with gorges sight records and that it is locally fairly common. and behind or beside which it nests’. Dis­ tinguished from C. phelpsi by its much squarer Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans (unforked) tail, darker head and pale chin14. Close Individuals were observed on narrow branches of observations at the lip of the falls permitted good overhanging vegetation at Muri-muri and Anamuri views of these characters. Known from only two Creeks (31 July-1 August). Clear views were ob­ published localities in Guyana: a single specimen tained in good light at distances of less than 5 m. collected at Kaieteur Falls58 and sightings from Virtually unmistakable due to its size, other large

27 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

green of the region (e.g. Straight­ Phelps37 report it as 100–150 m, while Parker et al.39 billed Hermit Phaethornis bourcieri, Long-tailed restrict it to below 900 m, although Gilliard21 col­ Hermit P. superciliosus, Fork-tailed Woodnymph lected C. largipennis at 1100 m on Auyán-tepui, Thalurania furcata , White-necked Jacobin Venezuela. Three observations of Rufous-breasted Florisuga mellivora or Velvet-browed Brilliant Sabrewing C. hyperythrus atop Mt. Kowa ( 12, 14 Heliodoxa xanthogonys) were eliminated by the vio­ and 20 July). All had buffy breasts, rather than the let chin and malar to ear-covert area and deep rich warm chestnut typical of the species, and were blue-violet patch on the upper belly, the shape and presumably either worn, moulting or juvenile. Buff­ pattern of the blue-greenish tail and slightly breasted Sabrewing C. duidae occurs on tepuis much decurved dark bill. Parker et al.39 consider C. further west and is unlikely on Mt. Kowa37. A tepui coruscans a highland form that generally occurs at endemic, C. hyperythrus is characteristic of high 1300–3600 m, only occasionally as low as 600 m. montane forests37,39 as well as stunted woodland and Not previously recorded in Guyana39,58, with the borders, especially on sandy soils (R. S. Ridgely pers. exception of a mention for east Guyana in comm. 2001). Neither Snyder58 nor Parker et al.39 Schuchmann51 (which R. S. Ridgely pers. comm. list it for Guyana, but Braun et al.11 included it, 2001 considers may be in error, as west Guyana, at based on a recent record by W. Prince, who photo­ least, appears more likely), but known from several graphed C. hyperythrus on Mt. Ayanganna (D. Finch Venezuelan tepuis, including Cerro Guaiquinima in pers. comm. 2001). Mt. Kowa becomes the second neighbouring Bolívar37 and from Venezuelan Mt. locality in the country. Roraima58. Previously excluded from the Guianan list by Phelps40,41. Spotted Puffbird Bucco tamatia Parker et al.39 note the range as up to 500 m and its Tepui Goldenthroat Polytmus m illeri habitat as lowland forest. For Guyana, Braun et al.11 Observed on 9 and 14 July foraging in sparse, consider B. tamatia frequent in lowland forests. shrubby vegetation on the side of a moist, steep However, in Venezuela, it is known to reach 1400 gorge on the south side of Mt. Kowa, one of only two m37. We found it in montane forest atop Mt. Kowa areas on the mountain with the more open scrubby (1300 m). Distinguished from potential confusion savanna considered typical of the species51,53. Iden­ species ( e.g. Collared Bucco capensis and White­ tification confirmed as the tail was fanned when chested Puffbirds Malacoptila fusca) by the rusty one hovered at some red-flowered gesneriads forehead, crown, chin and throat, black ear-coverts, (Nautilocalyx cf. cordatas) on the gorge wall. The black bill and a white chest heavily, but irregularly, tail had white tips, which were far more extensive barred black. than the grey in White-tailed Goldenthroat P. guainumbi observed at Chenapou. The pale patches Tepui Spinetail Cranioleuca demissa at the bases of the outer rectrices were also more Observed within a mixed flock containing Golden- extensive. The bill appeared dark rather than red olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus, Buff-cheeked as in P. guainumbi. P. milleri is endemic to the Greenlet Hylophilus muscicapinus, Plain-brown tepuis, where considered fairly common56. The Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa, Fulvous record on Mt. Kowa is at the lower limit of the Shrike-Tanager Lanio fulvus, Blue-grey Tanager species’ altitudinal range, given by Meyer de Thraupis episcopus, Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana and Schauensee & Phelps33 as 1300 m. Not previously Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola, feeding in the recorded in Guyana11,39,58. crowns of low (7– 10 m) moss- and epiphyte-covered trees at 900 m, around the base of Kowa Top (the Velvet-browed Brilliant Heliodoxa xanthogonys final summit of Mt. Kowa) on 9 July. Distinguished Tepui endemic11,39 frequently observed on Mt. Kowa, by its pale brown supercilium, cinnamon crown, most commonly in more open forests near small wings and rectrices, olive back and dove-grey belly, streams, and especially around groves of the a pattern unlike other spinetails in the region. bromeliad Vriessia splendens, the yellow tubular Rusty-backed C. vulpina has the crown, nape and flowers of which it frequently visited. Known from back cinnamon; Pale-breasted Synallaxis albescens several other mountains in Guyana, including the tail grey-brown and belly white; Azara’s S. Ayanganna, Merume and Wupaima58, but not in the azarae the throat finely marked black and white, Kanukus38. with a cinnamon cap and nape, tail as long as the head and body (two-thirds head and body length in Sabrewings Campylopterus spp. C. demissa); and Dusky S. moesta the breast and Grey-breasted Sabrewing C. largipennis was ob­ belly much darker grey and cinnamon cap, super­ served in clearings and riverside vegetation at 800 ciliary and nape. Ridgely & Tudor45 considered C. m at the base of Mt. Kowa (9 July) and at Chenapou demissa, within its restricted range, to be fairly com­ (26 June). Uncertainty exists concerning the spe­ mon in canopy and borders of montane forest. Braun cies’ altitudinal range: Meyer de Schauensee & et al.11 regard it as a tepui endemic. In Guyana, only

28 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana known from Mt. Ayanganna37, where a specimen was possibly feeding on . Not previously recorded taken by the Thompson–Williams expedition of in Guyana. Ridgely & Tudor45 noted its occurrence 196058. Thus Mt. Kowa represents the second local­ in eastern Bolivar, Venezuela, and considered that ity for Guyana, and a southern range extension of it ‘probably occurs in adjacent Guyana’. 48 km. Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis cantator White-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus Known in this region to 1100 m39,45, but recorded roraimae atop Mt. Kowa (1300 m). It was noted on three oc­ Two records: one was observed on a narrow vine 1.5 casions between 14 and 17 July; a pair was twice m above ground in dense tangled vegetation at the seen gleaning the undersides of leaves in dense vine edge of a natural tree fall on 12 July, and two days and shrub tangles c. 1.5 m above ground and once later two (a pair?) were in approximately the same feeding near ground level within a very dense tan­ place. Ridgely & Tudor45 note that it commonly as­ gle at a natural tree fall. sociates with mixed flocks, but these were alone. A. roraimae has a very prominent white superciliary Short-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza campanison a and dark ear-coverts. This pattern, its cream throat One was well observed on rising ground 20 m dis­ and warm brown belly distinguishes it from Olive- tant on the opposite side of a vegetated gully( 16 backed Foliage-gleaner A. infuscatus, which has a July). In Guyana, the only published records are very faint eyestripe, brown ear-coverts, a dirty white from the Merume Mountains (112 km north-north­ throat and grey-brown belly and chest. This pat­ west) and from Mt. Ayanganna (48 km to the tern also separates A. roraimae from north)58. Wilderness Explorers67 and Ridgely & Chestnut-crowned Foliage-gleaner A. rufipileatus, Agro43 also list it for the Iwokrama Mountains, which has no eyestripe, a dirty white throat and making our observations at Mt. Kowa the fourth the belly warm greyish buff, and from Buff-throated locality in the country. Braun et al.11 considered this Foliage-gleaner A. ochrolaemus, which has brown montane-forest specialist ‘scarce’. ear-coverts and a buffy throat. Not previously re­ corded in Guyana, though Ridgely & Tudor45 noted An tw ren Herpsilochmus sp. its occurrence in adjacent eastern Bolívar, Ven­ Two records on Mt. Kowa: on 14 July a pair of ezuela, and given its overall distribution, considered Herpsilochmus was observed intermittently for 15 that it ‘likely occurs in adjacent Guyana as well’. minutes, foraging in the canopy of a recently fallen tree at a distance of c. 8 m; and three days later a Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Lochmias nematura pair was observed foraging in the canopy within a Observed almost daily on moss-vegetated stretches mixed flock containing Golden-olive Woodpecker of the bank of a deep-gullied, shallow stream on Mt. Piculus rubiginosas, Tepui Greenlet Hylophilus Kowa, although all records probably involved the sclateri, White-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus same individual. It often approached to within 2 m roraimae, Plain Xenops Xenops minutus, Blue as AB set live traps for fishing mice (Ichthyomyini) Dacnis Dacnis cayana and Bay-headed Tanager in the area. Good views were obtained of the spe­ Tangara gyrola. Several very similar species are cies’ characteristic, slightly decurved, dark bill, likely in the region ( e.g. Spot-backed H. spotted throat, spotted underparts and undertail- dorsimaculatus, Roraiman H. roraimae, Todd’s H. coverts, and bold white eyestripe. It probed mossy stictocephalus and Spot-tailed Antwrens H. clumps and tossed dead leaves aside with its bill, sticturus37,45. Only H. roraimae reaches altitudes and was only seen along steeper sided parts of the similar to those of Mt. Kowa37,45. We noted four rows stream. Not previously recorded in Guyana, but of white spots on the uppertail of those observed on Ridgely & Tudor46 map it to the Guyana border and Mt. Kowa. Examination of specimens at ANSP note that it ‘seems likely in western Guyana’. shows only H. roraimae has this; H. stictocephalus has three sets of spots and H. sticturus has two, but Myrmothera simplex neither occurs as high as H. roraimae, which is This tepui endemic replaces the widespread Thrush­ known from Mt. Twek-quay45,58. However, M. like Antpitta M. campanisona at higher altitudes45. Robbins (pers. comm. 1999) reports that this Four records on 12– 18 July in dense forest atop Mt. character is very difficult to discern except in the Kowa (1300 m). We noted the breast and flanks as hand. Without further evidence, caution dictates dark grey (not streaked as in M. campanisona). In that our records be considered unconfirmed but they three instances pairs were observed, always on the would represent a south-easterly range extension ground in dense vegetation. On the fourth occasion, within Guyana. Further data on Herpsilochmus in a single was seen, in deep shade, crossing an old, Guyana are to be presented in a report on the birds large, fallen tree trunk. One pair pecked at fallen of Iwokrama (Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, in prep.). flowers of Alloplectus savannarum (Gesneriaceae),

29 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Chestnut-belted Gnateater Conopophaga aurita from Mt. Twek-quay45,58, making Mt. Kowa the sec­ One observed very clearly, within c. 60 cm, in the ond Guianan locality. lower 30 cm of underbrush and stems bordering the camp clearing on Mt. Kowa, on 12 July; it resem­ Rose-collared Piha Lipaugus streptophorus bled a tiny antpitta in its movements and behaviour. Only rarely seen but its distinctive voice was fre­ Obviously a female by its white, rather than black, quent in forests near Kaieteur, around Chenapou throat, species identification was determined by the and on Mt. Kowa. Snow57 suggested that Rose-col­ exceedingly short tail, broad rufous breast-band and lared Piha forms nesting pairs; there are no other very prominent white eyestripe. Ridgely & Tudor45 published observations on breeding in L. reported C. aurita in east Guyana and M. Robbins streptophorus45. On 20 July, between Mt. Kowa and (pers. comm. 1999) found it in the Acari Mountains Tappa, we encountered a possible lek of L. of south Guyana. Not previously recorded this far streptophorus. Three were observed well, each hav­ west in Guyana, and then only to 700 m, making ing the characteristic pink collar and possibly 4–6 our record from Mt. Kowa an altitudinal and intra­ others were active in nearby vegetation, but could country extension. Braun et a l.11 considered C. not be seen clearly. Several repeatedly flew between aurita to be ‘scarce’. the exposed, sunlit lower boughs (15–20 m above ground) of large yellow-flowered Tabebuia sp. trees Scarlet-horned Manakin Pipra comuta beside the Muribang River (30 minutes north-east Lekking males were observed almost daily on Mt. of a mining camp at 04°51'N 59°42'W). Vocalisations Kowa on 13–19 July. Females were in attendance were intense and repetitive, and consisted of explo­ on several occasions. Behaviour and calls resembled sive pow, pow calls and screeching trills. Not known those reported by Snow56. Density of leks appeared to flock and no other activity in the area indicated greater than found by him, but numbers of males any cause for unusual excitement. This display were similar (2–3 at each lek), suggesting that such closely resembles that of L. numbers may not be a function of low population fuscocinereus reported by S. Hilty in northern Co­ density56. Vocal and mechanical sounds were simi­ lombia57 and more recently by López-Lanús33, who lar to those noted by Snow at his study site near recorded a lekking display by four L. fuscocinereus Ptari-tepui, Venezuela. Males displayed throughout involving a dipping flight display between exposed the day, though (contra Snow56) they were observed boughs of tall trees and high-pitched whistling calls. to break off to feed on berries of Melastomataceae While thus engaged the bird unfolded its wings to understorey trees. Snow56 observed two displays, the produce a loud low-frequency mechanical sound of ‘backward slide’ and the ‘side-to-side slide’. Despite short duration. This may also have been the source extensive observations, we did not see the former of the explosive noise we heard from L. on Mt. Kowa, but did note a ‘slide-hop’ display, which streptophorus. L. streptophorus is a tepui endemic is probably a lower intensity side-to-side slide dis­ with a very limited range45. In Guyana it has only play. During this, the male would intermittently been previously recorded from Mt. Twek-quay45,58. slide and side-hop along its display stem; the dis­ Our records represent a south-easterly range ex­ tance moved was as in the ‘side-to-side slide’. tension of 112 km. Characteristic mechanical ‘clicks’ were given dur­ ing this display. A tepui endemic known from south Spangled Cotinga Cotinga cayana Venezuela and adjacent Guyana, it has been re­ Seen twice on Mt. Kowa: a lone male in the same corded by the Adaroo River, at the headwaters of tree as, though evidently not associated with, a the Mazaruni58,59. Mt. Kowa is south-east of this and mixed feeding flock (15 July), and a loose group of of the distribution mapped in Ridgely & Tudor45, three in the upper branches of an unidentified making this an intra-country range extension. tree growing beside a natural clearing (18 July). Widespread, but seldom recorded as high Red-banded Fruiteater Pipreola whitelyi as 1300 m, usually being found below 600 m 39,45,57. Considered one the most distinct tepui endemics35,45, As the purple was restricted to the throat, Purple­ a male, presumably the same individual, was ob­ breasted Cotinga C. cotinga can be eliminated and served twice on Mt. Kowa, both times in the same the very similar Plum-throated Cotinga C. maynana place, c. 2 m up in the lower branches of a small fruit­ is out of range45. Possibly a seasonal (altitudinal?) ing Melastomataceae, surrounded by dense migrant57, its occurrence on Mt. Kowa was perhaps undergrowth in a natural creek-side clearing. Not a consequence of the widespread drought and for­ observed feeding, but other members of the est fires in Guyana during the El Niño of 19983,4,23. feed extensively on Melastomataceae fruits57. The C. cayana is an obligate frugivore57 and these events natural history of P. whitelyi is little known, but may have forced it to higher altitudes than usual most Pipreola occur singly and forage in low or mid­ (see Waide63,64 and Wunderle et al.68 for similar ef­ dle forest layers45,57, making our observations fects following hurricane damage). typical. In Guyana, it was previously known only

30 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Bellbirds Procnias spp. obvious white wingbar, and by voice25 (in M. bambla A male White Bellbird P. alba called throughout our each phrase is a series of short whistles that stay in Chenapou and was clearly observed at its progressively decrease in time separation like a perch, a branch atop a very tall dead tree at the small ball dropping on a hard surface, culminating edge of the forest, overlooking the village football in a long whistle). pitch. Known throughout forested Guyana58, locally, P. alba was collected at nearby Mt. Ayanganna by Tepui W ren Troglodytes rufulus A. Thompson48, and recently observed at Kaieteur Seven sightings, probably involving three individu­ Falls (S. Lehman pers. comm. 1999). Two male als and all on Mt. Kowa, in dense tangled second Bearded Bellbird P. averano were present through­ growth at the edge of a tree-fall clearing, on the out our stay atop Mt. Kowa. Between Kowa and ground or less than 1 m above it. Unlike the illus­ Chenapou, the species’ characteristic explosive bock tration in Meyer de Schauensee & Phelps37, but calls were audible in forest at the base on the moun­ similar to a specimen (50454) at ANSP from adja­ tain and around Tappa (listed as ‘en route’ in Table cent Bolivar, Venezuela, T. rufulus at Mt. Kowa has 1). One male on Kowa called from debarked limbs a contrasting warm gingery supercilium that ex­ of an old dead emergent at the edge of a large tree- tends only behind the eye, not onto the lores. Ridgely fall clearing, its characteristic brown head and black & Tudor44 consider the species little known. Alti­ wattles clearly visible. It appeared to be young, its tude and habitat on Mt. Kowa are consistent with song being punctuated by many discordant shrieks, published preferences, and this represents the first rasps and false starts54,55. P. averano has been re­ Guianan locality. corded twice in Guyana: Snyder58 lists a specimen from 1939 collected by the Adaroo River. Snow57 Black-hooded Thrush Turdus olivater mentions another (unspecified) locality, which may Infrequently observed at forest edge and in scrub be that of Blake’s 1948 record9 from Mt. Twek-quay. around Chenapou (600 m). Though generally re­ Though both species may undertake altitudinal garded as an inhabitant of montane forest11,58, and migrations outside the breeding season57, they most previously recorded only at 800–2600 m39, we did commonly breed in montane forests above 1000 m not record it at higher altitudes. The only previous and appear to overlap only in a small part of Ven- record in Guyana appears to be from Mt. Twek- ezuela//Guyana39,57. Altitudinal and habitat qway44,58, 112 km to the north-west. separation are little studied, though Snow57 noted P. alba on the lower slopes of Ptari-tepui, Venezuela, Olive-backed Tanager Mitrospingus oleagineus at 1100– 1250 m; higher on the same mountain, at Frequently observed in groups of 5–7, in both 1700–1900 m, he found P. averano. He noted that montane forest on Mt. Kowa and in fruiting trees P. alba and P. averano occur at lower altitudes in and clearings (a highly aberrant habitat: R. S. Guyana and proposed that ‘there is a gradual re­ Ridgely pers. comm. 2001) around Chenapou and placement, with some interdigitation, of the White Menzie’s Landing (near Kaieteur Falls). Previously Bellbird by the Bearded as one moves from the lower known in Guyana only from a mountainous local­ mountains of to the more lofty ity 177 km north-west of Mt. Kowa45,59. Our records highlands … of Venezuela’. This may account for P. represent a south-easterly range extension and the alba’s apparent altitudinal replacement on and second locality in Guyana. The species is a tepui around Mt. Kowa. endemic11.

Flutist W re n Microcerculus ustulatus Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana M. ustulatus was first located by its song, which Not previously noted above c. 1000 m44, this unmis­ consists of drawn-out upward-tending pure whis­ takable bird was recorded atop Mt. Kowa (1300 m) tles of 3–5 seconds duration, interspersed by where it was seen occasionally between 12 and 17 descending phrases of 5–10 mournful notes, in con­ July at the edge of clearings and tree-falls. It was trast to the bubbling, tuneful call of the Musician also seen in mixed feeding flocks in the crowns of Wren Cyphorhinus arada , which is a combination low (7–10 m) moss- and epiphyte-covered trees at of whistles and ‘chucks’25. M. ustulatus was observed 900 m, at the base of Kowa Top. on four occasions on Mt. Kowa at up to 1 m above ground within dense vegetation. Judging from the Great Flowerpiercer Diglossa major frequency with which song was heard, it is common This unmistakable species was observed at the foot on Mt. Kowa. A tepui endemic11, the only previous of Mt. Kowa (9 July at 800 m) and its summit (12, record for Guyana appears to be on Mt. Twek- 15 and 17 July at 1300 m). The former observation quay45,58. Mt. Kowa is 112 km south-east of that lowers the known altitudinal range by c. 500 m44. mountain, and becomes the second locality in Guy­ According to Ridgely & Tudor44, the species has not ana. M. ustulatus is easily separated from actually been observed to pierce flowers. Though we Wing-banded Wren M. bambla by its lack of an did not observe this action directly, the species was

31 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

seen visiting trees with flowering epiphytic savannarum and, among birds, Guianan Cock-of- Psamisia (Ericaceae) bushes. Fallen flowers directly the-r ock Rupicola rupicola. below had the characteristic pierce/slash marks of flowerpiercer foraging19,30, which were distinguished Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris from those of Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon Distinguished from other in the region by mellisugus in being smaller, more circular and fre­ its all-black plumage and contrasting pale yellow quently in the calyx rather than the corolla. Not iris, Q. lugubris was occasionally observed in forest previously recorded in Guyana, though Ridgely & edge, agricultural and open habitats around Tudor44 predicted that its range would be extended Chenapou. Though Q. lugubris is common in coastal from neighbouring Venezuela. and disturbed habitats11,58, it has not previously been recorded inland in Guyana, though it is known Tepui Redstart Myioborus castaneocapillus from such areas in Venezuela and north-east Co­ Tepui endemic common in both canopy and bushes lombia (R. S. Ridgely pers. comm. 2001, see also of natural tree-fall clearings on Mt. Kowa. With Snyder58 and Parker et al.38). This unusual record Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus, Tepui was perhaps a consequence of the widespread Greenlet Hylophilus sclateri, White-throated Foli­ drought and forest fires in Guyana during the El age-gleaner Automolus roraimae, Plain Xenops Niño of 19983,4,23. Xenops minutus, Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana and Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola, it was a fre­ D i s c u s s i o n quent member of mixed-species flocks in montane forest atop Mt. Kowa. Consistent with its known New records for Guyana altitudinal range ( 1200–2200 m44), M. We recorded eight species new to Guyana: Colibri castaneocapillus was not observed below 800 m on coruscans, Polytmus milleri, Automolus roraimae, Mt. Kowa, but Slate-throated Redstart M. miniatus Lochmias nematura, Myrmothera simplex, Troglo­ was frequent at lower altitudes (see Table 1), sup­ dytes rufulus, Diglossa major and Gymnomystax porting Ridgely & Tudor’s44 suggestion that they mexicanus. With the exception of C. coruscans and altitudinally replace each other. G. mexicanus, all the new records were from Mt. Kowa (1300 m). The vegetation there, classi­ Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus fied as Medium, evergreen montane forest28, and Four of this highly distinctive were seen re­ characterised by Vochysia ( Vochysiaceae), peatedly in fruiting trees near a marshy pond at ( Sapotaceae) and E uterpe Chenapou (26–28 June). Though G. mexicanus is (), strongly resembles those reported by common within its range in open grassy areas with Tate60 for Arabupu (1219 m) and Philip Camp scattered trees, there are no recent records in Guy­ (1585 m) on Mt. Roraima (see also Maguire34), ana44 or nearby areas26,35,61. Snyder58 listed the where many of the same bird species have been species based on a Tring specimen labelled collected15–17. ‘Demerera’ from c. 1840, but Braun et al.11 removed Phelps40,41 excluded 33 species from the Guyana it from the Guyana list ‘for lack of concrete docu­ list on the grounds that each was known only from mentation’. The Chenapou sighting therefore the area formerly known as ‘British Mount Roraima’ represents a new country record. Unknown from and that refinements, made in 1932, to the inter­ adjacent Venezuela, G. mexicanus has been reported national frontier in the Mt. Roraima region made it recently from Ilha de Maracá Ecological Station, on highly unlikely that specimens of these species had the rio Uraricoera, Roraima, Brazil12, c. 300 km been collected on the Guianan side. This list was south-west of the Potaro Plateau. followed by Snyder58, Gilliard21 and Meyer de Schauensee & Phelps37. Among those species are all Tepui Mountain Grackle Macroagelaius imthurni eight recorded by us as new to Guyana. (It should Common on Mt. Kowa, where noted in flocks of up be emphasised that all are based solely on sight to 30, usually in flight at treetop level (c. 20 m). records and, ideally, further work should confirm Observed only in montane forest atop the moun­ their presence with tape-recordings, photographs or tain, although the type-series was collected in specimens.) This is unsurprising, as Mt. Roraima is October 1878 in forest at Kaieteur Falls29,52. Though just 70 km west of Mt. Kowa, there are similar habi­ almost 800 m lower than the top of Mt. Kowa, the tats (see above) and several other high tepui-like forest around the falls (as opposed to the area’s peaks occur within intervening areas (including white-sand scrub) appears to have many floristic Mts. Ayanganna at 2042 m, Kopinang 1594 m and and faunal similarities to Kowa. They are, for ex­ Wokamung 1470 m). It would be unsurprising if ample, the only two localities where we recorded further studies in the Potaro region were to docu­ the bromeliad Vriessia splendens, the gesneriads ment other species from the Phelps list in Guyana. Nautilocalyx cf. cordatus and Alloplectus In the Mt. Twek-quay area field work by E. Blake

32 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potara Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana documented the presence of Sharpbill Oxyruncus the 40 species confined to the coast and offshore cristatus, Procnias averano and Pipra cornuta9,18, waters are excluded, then the Potaro Plateau pos­ and additions continue to be made to the known sesses 45% of Guyana’s rainforest bird species. avifauna of Guyana. For example, Agro & Ridgely1 Based on Parker et al.39 it is apparent that Potaro recently recorded Striped Manakin Machaeropterus has two-thirds of the country’s 21 species that are regulus in Guyana, while field work by Braun et restricted to montane forest (excluding our new al.11 added a further 17 species to the country list. country records). Including these new additions, the plateau holds 21 of Guyana’s 22 Pantepui endemics Other records of interest (as defined by Parker et al.39: only Table 1 lists 334 species for the Potaro Plateau, Lophornis pavoninus is missing), or 6.25% of the based on the combined records of a number of work­ total species known from the Plateau. These data ers (see Previous ornithological work, above). Among demonstrate that the Potaro Plateau is an impor­ these the record of Rufous-tailed Tyrant Knipolegus tant centre of avian diversity within Guyana and poecilurus is of interest. The species was excluded should be considered important for bird conserva­ from the Guianan list by Phelps40,41 on the grounds tion at both national and regional levels. that a previous record was in Venezuelan territory (see above). Ridgely & Tudor45 considered it likely Acknowledgem ents to occur in Guyana and subsequently Braun et al.11 We thank the Office of the President of Guyana, confirmed its presence in the country based on speci­ members of the Guyanese Environmental Protec­ mens collected on a recent Smithsonian Institution tion Agency and Minister for Amerindian Affairs expedition to the Acari Mountains (D. Finch pers. for their assistance and for granting us permission comm. 2001). Widespread in the Pantepui, this ­ to work on the Potaro Plateau. Our thanks also go catcher has also recently been discovered on to the people of Chenapou village, members of the Auyán-tepui7, demonstrating that it can escape de­ Dept, of Biology, University of Guyana, and Mike tection even at comparatively well-studied localities. Phang. We are grateful to the staff of the The observation referred to in Table 1 was made by Ornithology Dept, at the Academy of Natural Sci­ C. Perrins in 1959, and would be the first record for ences, Philadelphia (especially Robert S. Ridgely the country. and Leo Joseph), Mark B. Robbins (Ornithology, Uni­ versity of Kansas), Michael J. Braun (Ornithology, Comparisons with other areas Smithsonian Institution), Vicky Funk, Carol Kelloff In both species composition and species richness, and Tom Hollowell (Biological Diversity of the the bird fauna of the Potaro Plateau is a rich and Program, Smithsonian Institution), Chris interesting one. The absence of owls and low number Perrins (Edward Grey Institute, Oxford University), of caprimulgids is probably due to the lack of ap­ Davis W. Finch (Wings), Karen Waldren and Tony propriate field work in an area where overnight Thorne (Wilderness Explorers, Georgetown), Shawn stays require a special permit. Avifaunal richness Lehman (Dept. of Anthropology, University of To­ compares favourably with similar areas in Guyana ronto), Adrian N. Warren (Last Refuge Ltd.), Richard (e.g. in order of geographical proximity, Kanuku Ryan (Neotropical Bird Tours), Kevin Loughlin (Ad­ Mountains; 349 species/172 shared38, 49.2%; Mt. venture Camera, Exton, PA), Ben Le Page (Geology, Iwokrama; 377 species/214 shared43, 56.8%). For the University of Pennsylvania), David Rosane (Orni­ Kanuku Mountains, avifaunal differences primarily thology, Cornell University), Rex Bradshaw, Julia reflect the lack of montane specialists (‘upper , Ann Sylph and other staff at the library of tropical’ or ‘F4’ as defined by Parker et al.39) and the Zoological Society of London and staff of the Pantepui endemics compared with Potaro. Montane libraries at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila­ specialists comprise 0.53% (two species) of those delphia, University of California, Berkeley and the known from Iwokrama. No montane specialists California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco. occur in the Kanukus38, but these account for the Michael Braun and Mark Robbins generously majority of species that occur on the Potaro Pla­ shared unpublished data. The manuscript benefited teau that do not occur on Iwokrama and the considerably from the expertise and suggestions of Kanukus. Jaccard Similarity Coefficients62 between Robert S. Ridgely and Guy M. Kirwan. The study the Potaro Mountains, Mt. Iwokrama and the was financed by the Royal Geographical Society, Kanuku Mountains are, respectively, 0.75 and 0.504, Percy Sladen Memorial Fund, International Otter indicating that Potaro’s avifauna is most similar to Survival Fund, the University of Surrey that of Iwokrama and not the geographically most Roehampton, Julia Africa, Esso Guyana and Akodon proximate Kanukus (though the effects of greater Ecological Consulting. Field work equipment was sampling at Iwokrama should not be discounted). donated by Princeton Tech, Coulston Products, The Potaro Plateau’s 334 species represents 43% Amatuk (Guyana), and Akodon Ecological Consult­ of the Guyana avifauna11. If, following Parker et al.38, ing with additional support from PUR Drinking

33 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Water Systems and Sherman Traps. We thank 16. Chapman, F. M. (1929) Descriptions of new birds Kirsten Thompson for the Spanish summary. from Mt. Duida. Amer. Mus. Novit. 380: 1–27. 17. Chapman, F. M. (1931) The upper zonal birds of R e f e r e n c e s Mts. Roraima and Duida. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. 1. Agro, D. J. & Ridgely, R. S. (1998) First record of Hist. 63: 1– 135. the Striped Manakin Machaeropterus regulus 18. Chapman, F. M. (1939) The upper zonal birds of in Guyana. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 118: 122–123. Mt. Auyán-Tepui, Venezuela. Amer. Mus. Novit. 2. Andersen, D. L. (1996) Kaieteur National Park: 1051: 1– 15. a springboard for nature tourism plans in Guy­ 19. Colwell, R. K., Betts, B. J., Bunnell, F., Carpen­ ana. Newsletter Env. Conserv. Tourism Assoc. ter, F. L. & Feinsinger, P. (1974) Competition 1( 2): 1–4. for the nectar of Centropogon valerii by the 3. Anon. (1998) Guyana: then it rained. The Econo­ hummingbird Colibri thalassinus and the mist 347( 8065): 40. flower-piercer Diglossa plumbea, and its evo­ 4. Anon. ( 1998) Latin America: the season of El lutionary implications. Condor 76: 447–484. Niño. The Economist 347( 8067): 35–38. 20. Dickerman, R. W. & Phelps, W. H. (1982) An an­ 5. Barnett, A. A., Shapley, R., Lehman, S., Henry, notated list of the birds of Cerro Urutaní on E. & Benjamin, P. (2000) Records of the Giant the border of Estado Bolívar, Venezuela, and Otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, from Guyana. Territorio Roraima, Brazil. Amer. Mus. Novit. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bull. 17( 2): 65– 2732: 1–20. 74. 21. Gilliard, E. T. ( 1941) The birds of Mt. Auyán- 6. Barnett A. A., Shapley, R., Lehman, S., Mayor, tepui, Venezuela. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. M., Henry, E., Benjamin, P., McGarrell, M. & 77: 439–508. Nagala, R. (2000) Prim ate records from west­ 22. Gyldenstolpe, N. ( 1945) The bird fauna of rio ern Guyana, including the first record of Cebus Juruá in western Brazil. Kung. Svenska Veten. albifrons east of the rio Branco, Brazil. Hand. 22: 3–338. Neotrop. Primates 8: 35–40. 23. Hammond, D. S. & ter Steege, H. ( 1998) Pro­ 7. Barrowclough, G. F., Lentino, M. & Sweet, P. R. pensity for fire in Guianan rainforests. (1997) New records of birds from Auyán-tepui, Conserv. Biol. 12: 944–947. Estado Bolívar, Venezuela. Bull. Brit. Orn. 24. Haffer, J. (1974) Avian speciation in tropical Club 117: 194–198. , with a systematic survey of 8. BirdLife International (2000). Threatened birds the (Rhamphastidae) and of the world. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions & (Galbulidae). Publ. Nuttall Orn. Club 14: 1– Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. 390. 9. Blake, E. R. (1948) Three new records for Brit­ 25. Hardy, J. W. & Coffey, B. B. (1991) Voices of the ish Guiana. Auk 65: 316–317. . Gainesville, FL: ARA Records. 10. Braun, M. J. & Robbins, M. B. (1998) Prelimi­ 26. Haverschmidt, F. & Mees, G. F. (1994) Birds of nary report of an avifaunal inventory of the . Paramaribo: VACO. Acari Mountains & Wai-Wai village (=Gunn’s 27. Howell, S. N. G. & Webb, S. (1995) A guide to the Landing) Guyana, August–September 1998. birds of and northern Central America. Unpubl. report to Smithsonian Institution. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 11. Braun, M. J., Finch, D. W, Robbins, M. B. & 28. Huber, O., Gharbarran, G. & Funk, V. ( 1995) Schmidt, B. K. (2000) A field checklist of the Vegetation map of Guyana. Georgetown: Cen­ birds of Guyana. Washington DC: Smithsonian tre for the Study of Biological Diversity. Institution. 29. Im Thurn, E. F. ( 1883) Among the Indians of 12. Cardoso da Silva, J. M. (1998) The birds of the Guiana: being sketches chiefly anthropologic Ilha de Maracá. In: Milliken, W. & Ratter, J. from the interior of . London, (eds.) Maracá: the biodiversity and environ­ UK: Kegan Paul & Trench & Co. ment of an Amazonian rainforest. Chichester 30. Inouye, D. W. ( 1980) The terminology of floral & New York: John Wiley & Sons. larceny. Ecol. 61: 1251–1253. 13. Chantier, P. (1999) Apodidae (swifts). In: del 31. Isler, M. L. & Isler, P. R. (1987) The : Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) H and­ natural history, distribution and identification. book of the birds of the world, 5. Barcelona: Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Lynx Edicions. Press. 14. Chantier, P. & Driessens, G. (2000) Swifts: a 32. Juniper, T. & Parr, M. (1998) Parrots: a guide to guide to swifts and tree-swifts of the world. Sec­ the parrots of the world. Robertsbridge: Pica ond edition. Robertsbridge: Pica Press. Press. 15. Chapman, F. M. (1929) Descriptions of new birds 33. López-Lanús, B. (2000) Display and mechani­ from Mt. Roraima. Amer. Mus. Novit. 341: 1– cal sound in Dusky Piha L ipaugus 7. fuscocinereus. Cotinga 13: 44–45.

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34. Maguire, B. (1970) On the flora of the Guayana 50. Salvin, O. & Godman, F. D. (1882) Notes on birds Highland. Biotropica 2: 85– 100. from British Guiana. Ibis (4)6: 76–84, 203–212, 35. Mayr, E. & Phelps, W. H. ( 1967) The origin of 443–452. the bird fauna of the south Venezuelan high­ 51. Schuchmann, K. L. ( 1999) Trochilidae (hum ­ lands. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 136: 272– mingbirds). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & 327. Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the 36. Meyer de Schauensee, R. (1970) A guide to the world, 5. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. birds of South America. Wynnewood, PA: 52. Sclater, P. L. (1881) On some birds collected by Livingston Publishing Co. E. F. im Thurn in British Guiana. Proc. Zool. 37. Meyer de Schauensee, R. & Phelps, W. H. (1978) Soc. London 1881: 212–214. A guide to the birds of Venezuela. Princeton, 53. Sick, H. (1993) Birds in Brazil: a natural his­ NJ: Princeton University Press. tory. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University 38. Parker, T. A., Foster, R. B., Emmons, L. B., Freed, Press. R, Forsyth, A. B., Hoffman, B. & Gill, B. D. 54. Snow, B. K. (1970) A field study of the Bearded (1993) A biological assessment of the Kanuku Bellbird in Trinidad. Ibis 112: 299–329. Mountains region of southwestern Guyana. 55. Snow, B. K. (1973) Notes on the behavior of the Washington DC: Conservation International White Bellbird. Auk 90: 743-751. (RAP Working Papers 5). 56. Snow, D. W. (1977) The display of the Scarlet­ 39. Parker, T. A., Stotz, D. F. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. horned Manakin. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 97:23- (1996) Ecological and distributional databases. 27. In: Stotz, D. F., Fitzpatrick, J. W, Parker, T. A. 57. Snow, D. W. ( 1982) The : bellbirds, & Moskovits, D. K. Neotropical birds: ecology umbrellabirds and other species. London: Brit. and conservation. Chicago: Chicago University Mus. (Nat. Hist.) & Ithaca, NY: Cornell Press. University Press. 40. Phelps, W. H. (1938) La procedencia geográfica 58. Snyder, D. E. ( 1966) Birds o f Guyana. Salem, de las aves coleccionadas en el Cerro Roraima. MA.: Peabody Museum. Bol. Soc. Venez. Cienc. Nat. 36: 57–82. 59. Stephens, L. & Traylor, M. A. ( 1985) Ornitho­ 41. Phelps, W. H. (1938) The geographical status of logical gazetteer of the Guianas. Cambridge, the birds collected at Mount Roraima. Bol. Soc. MA: Harvard University, Museum of Compara­ Venez. Cienc. Nat. 36: 86–95. tive Zoology. 42. Phelps, W. H. & Dickerman, R. W. (1980) Cuatro 60. Tate, G. H. H. (1932) Life zones at Mount subespecies nuevas de aves (Furnariidae, Roraima. Ecol. 13: 235–257. Formicariidae) de la region de Pantepui, 61. Tostain, O., Dujardin, J.-L., Erard, C. & Thiollay, Estado Bolívar y Territorio Amazonas, Ven­ J.-M. (1992) Oiseaux de Guyane. Cayenne: ezuela. Bol. Soc. Venez. Cienc. Nat. 138: 139– Société d’Études Ornithologiques. 147. 62. Voss, R. S., Lunde, D. O. & Simmons N. B. (2001) 43. Ridgely, R. S. & Agro, D. J. (2000) Preliminary The mammals of Paracou, : a list of the birds in the Iwokrama Reserve. http:/ Neotropical lowland rainforest fauna. Part 2: /www.acnatsci.org/ornith/iwok-list.html. nonvolant species. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 44. Ridgely, R. S. & Tudor, G. ( 1989) The birds of 263: 1–236. South America, 1. Austin: University of Texas 63. Waide, R. B. (1991) The effect of Hurricane Hugo Press. on bird populations in the Lunquillo Experi­ 45. Ridgely, R. S. & Tudor, G. ( 1994) The birds of mental Forest, Puerto Rico. Biotropica 23: 475– South America, 2. Austin: University of Texas 480. Press. 64. Waide, R. B. (1991) Summary of the response of 46. van Roosmalen, M. G. M. ( 1985) Fruits of the populations to hurricanes in the Car­ Guyana flora. Utrecht: Institute of Systematic ibbean. Biotropica 23: 508–512. Botany, Utrecht University. 65. Warren, A. (1970) Expeditions to Guyana, South 47. Roth, V. (1960) Thompson Ayangana [sic] Expe­ America 1968/9. Unpubl. report to Royal Geo­ dition. J. Brit. Guiana Mus. Zool. 26: 30. graphical Society, London, UK. 48. Roth, V. (1960) Museum acquisitions from 66. Wilderness Explorers (1998) Birds of Guyana. Thompson–Williams Ayanganna Mountain Ex­ Georgetown: Wilderness Explorers. pedition, January–April, 1960. J. Brit. Guiana 67. World Bank (1998) Guyana: National Protected Mus. Zool. 26: 74–76. Areas system project. Washington DC: World 49. Salvin, O. (1885– 1886) A list of birds obtained Bank. by Mr. Henry Whitley in British Guiana. Ibis 68. Wunderle, J. M., Lodge, D. W. & Waide, R. B. (5)3: 195–219, 291–306, 418–439; (5)4: 57–78, (1992) Short-term effects of Hurricane Gilbert 168– 181, 499–510. on terrestrial bird populations in . Auk 109: 148–166.

35 Cotinga 18 Birds of the Potaro Plateau, with eight new species for Guyana

Adrian Barnett School of Life Sciences, University of Surrey, Roehampton, London SW15 3SN, UK. Cacajao@yahoo. com.

Rebecca Shapley Akodon Ecological Consulting, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA.

Paul Benjamin Chenapou Village School, Chenapou Village, Potaro Plateau, Section 8, Guyana.

Everton Henry Everton’s Ecological Expeditions, Georgetown, Guyana.

Michael McGarrell Chenapou Village, Potaro Plateau, Section 8, Guyana.

36