>> FEATURE FINDING THE RIGHT UMBRELLA(BIRD) TO FOSTER NEOTROPICAL FOREST CONSERVATION Finding the right umbrella(bird) to foster Neotropical forest conservation Alejandro Solano-Ugalde and Juan F. Freile No matter how much imagination you have, umbrellabirds will defy the limits of what you deemed possible in the living world. Taking advantage of their unique charm, two neotropical conservationists explain why and how these birds can help protect less inspiring species. he Neotropics encompass a wide array of The eccentric ecology of the ecosystems, from very humid to very dry, T where different geological and climatic forces umbrellabirds have shaped the evolution of a huge avifauna of Since the first description of an umbrellabird in over 3,250 bird species, the richest avifauna in the 1809, they have informed ideas on sexual selection world! Unfortunately, the survival of a great many and evolution, especially when it was later learnt Neotropical birds is dramatically affected by the that these big birds have a breeding strategy that rapid spread of destructive practices, responsible involves complex displays and vocalisations. Their for the fact that 25% of the world’s threatened bird special courtship and reproductive strategies species are found in this biogeographic region. are perhaps their most interesting behavioural With insufficient resources available for traits. All three species have leks, where the biodiversity conservation, and an enormous males display for the females. At these arenas, conservation crisis placing Neotropical birds at observers can best appreciate the awkward ever-increasing risk, finding shortcuts to assess grace of the male umbrellabirds, especially the conservation value of a given area or to during the early morning. However, remember raise people’s awareness about its conservation that the leks of Bare-necked Umbrellabird, 20 become priceless . One such initiative focuses at least, are seasonal3, and that peak display on the identification of species to fulfill the two hours can be mid morning, as in Long-wattled following criteria; first, being so charismatic that Umbrellabird9. Although some leks are also 20 they can foster forest conservation , and second, active during afternoon the intensity of activity being strongly reliant on a specific forest type is meagre in comparison to the busy mornings. 16 in which many other species co-exist . In brief, The social structure of umbrellabirds is this alternative focuses on species that are good fascinating. As a rule, most lekking species are flagships for conservation messages and strong polygynous (i.e. a male mates with several females umbrellas for conserving less striking species. but is emancipated from nesting duties), and are Coincidentally, three large, imposing, mainly frugivorous19. The general explanation forest-based birds are known as umbrellabirds for this is that, because fruits are a reliable and (Cephalopterus spp.). They belong to the superabundant food source, females can assume impressive Cotingidae, a family well known all of the nesting activities without the assistance for their amazing displays and plumages. of males. On the other hand, the males are Umbrellabirds have effectively been used as divorced from parental responsibilities and spend flagship species for enhancing conservation most time at their arenas, trying to ‘seduce’ the 2,10 action at various scales . Here, we report females19. Females single-handedly construct interesting facts about this fantastic trio while the rather large open cup nest, which is built mentioning our preferred sites to watch them of small twigs, leaves and mosses. These are in Ecuador and Costa Rica, two countries usually placed in the midstorey, being sometimes with a fantastic assortment of Neotropical so flimsy that the single egg is visible from birds (see box and maps for details). 15 neotropical birding 7 neotropical birding 7 15 Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger, north-west Ecuador (Murray Cooper) 16 neotropical birding 7 Top: Rufous-crowned Antpitta Pittasoma rufopileatum (Dubi Shapiro) shares its habitat with Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger in north-west Ecuador Bottom, left and right: The threatened Banded Ground Cuckoo Neomorphus radiolosus (Murray Cooper) occurs in the same areas as Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger neotropical birding 7 17 >> FEATURE FINDING THE RIGHT UMBRELLA(BIRD) TO FOSTER NEOTROPICAL FOREST CONSERVATION 8 below , although fungus may grow between the 7 Long-wattled Umbrellabird branches, effectively binding the entire nest . Cephalopterus penduliger (Vulnerable) Their intricate social arrangement illustrates Although all umbrellabirds are seriously shocking another of nature’s concentric rings. Given that in their appearance, this species wins the prize for fruit is essential for survival, knowing a few of the over-generous formality of its all-black ‘suit’ their favourite plants will prove handy. Laurels, and disproportionately long ‘tie’. This extraordinary several palms, Cecropia, figs, two genera in species has evolved in a tremendously bird-rich the nutmeg family, serrette, and small-seeded zone in north-west South America, the Chocó plants in the families Asteraceae, Passifloraceae, Endemic Bird Area17, which extends from south- Marcgraviaceae and Piperaceae have been west Colombia to north-west Ecuador. This EBA reported in the diet of all three species4,5,12,18. hosts more than 60 endemics14,17. Most visitors These plant species benefit greatly from the experience this irresistible birders’ magnet in seed dispersal provided by the umbrellabirds. Ecuador, for example in the legendary cloud Remarkably, the different sexes of Long-wattled forests of the Mindo region, where birders Umbrellabird help with seed dispersal in can enjoy the Long-wattled Umbrellabird. different ways12. As the males congregate, the The best place in the latter region is the easily seeds they disperse tend to concentrate below accessed Reserva Mangaloma, where a lekking area their lekking places, whereas those carried is apparently active year-round. The lek is at the by the females, which tend to roam more end of the ‘blue’ trail, however umbrellabirds have extensively in the forest while searching for been reported from the ‘red’ and ‘yellow’ trails food or mates, are dispersed further afield12. as well. The trail network allows you to search for other enigmatic birds such as the recently Species accounts rediscovered Banded Ground Cuckoo Neomorphus radiolosus, the little-known Rufous-crowned Bare-necked Umbrellabird Antpitta Pittasoma rufopileatum, and some 30 Cephalopterus glabricollis (Vulnerable) other Chocó endemics. Another potentially good Possibly the best-studied umbrellabird, this species site is Sachatamia Lodge, from where the first- occurs in the small Costa Rican and Panamanian ever nest was described in 200311. Pale-mandibled highlands Endemic Bird Area17. In Costa Rica, Araçari Pteroglossus erythropygius, Chocó one of the best lekking areas to visit is on the Toucan Ramphastos brevis and Toucan Barbet Caribbean slope of the Tilarán Mountains, in the Semnornis ramphastinus visit feeding trays here. vicinity of the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest2,3. Another great site for this umbrellabird, The reserve with the most accessible lek is owned where a great deal of research into the species is and managed by the Monteverde Conservation currently underway12, is Bilsa Biological Station in League. The best season to observe its spectacular Esmeraldas province. This privately run reserve display is April, when ten or more males gather in lies inside the large Mache-Chindul Ecological the forest interior. The birds fill their red throat Reserve, which protects the last large tract of wet pouches (actually an expanded air sac) to later forest in the coastal mountains. Good weather empty it, while bobbing their bodies up and down, is almost a prerequisite for reaching Bilsa; whilst and uttering a unique hollow sound that fills the drier months (July–December) permit car access forest. Reaching the lekking area necessitates right to the station or at least close to it, wetter being in good physical condition, and spending months (January–May) demand a four-hour one night at the San Gerardo field station (3–4 journey on a muddy road. Nonetheless, Long- hours walk), where c.300 bird species are possible. wattled Umbrellabird and 300 other species If you are in the Monteverde area you should offer more than recompense for the effort. The definitely also try for Resplendent Quetzal most accessible lek at Bilsa is just a 30-minute Pharomachrus moccino and the strident Three- walk from the cabins, via a forest trail that starts wattled Bellbird Procnias tricarunculatus. Other midway between the station and La Yecita village. locations for which recent sightings of Bare- Following an early-morning visit to a lek with necked Umbrellabird are available (all seemingly 5–15 displaying umbrellabirds, Brown Wood outside breeding areas) include the new Hanging Rail Aramides wolfi and Banded Ground Cuckoo Bridges in the Arenal Volcano area, the Aerial are just two of the many possibilities during a Tram in the vicinity of Braulio Carrillo National full morning of superb birding along this trail. Park, the Quebrada Gonzáles sector of the If you are after an extreme mixture of same park, and La Selva Biological Station. endemics, visit Buenaventura Reserve in the 18 neotropical birding 7 south-west Andean foothills. A ‘hidden’