Cotinga 14 The threatened birds of the río Toche, Cordillera Central, C o lo m b ia Bernabé López-Lanús, Paul G. W Salaman, Timothy P. Cowley, Sandra Arango and Luis Miguel Renjifo Cotinga 14 (2000): 17– 23 El río Toche y sus alrededores es un área de 261 km2 con 15% de bosque montano húmedo, entre los 1900 y 3500 m, ubicado la ladera Este de la parte central de la Cordillera Central de Colombia, Departamento del Tolima. Esta área es tratada como Area Clave para la conservación de especies amenazadas y considerada dentro de dos EBAs (del ingles Endemic Birds Areas) por la presencia de diez especies con graves problemas de conservación. Se presenta un listado anotado actualizado de las aves de la zona y se analiza la situación de diez especies amenazadas y cuatro cuasi amenazadas. La presencia de nuevas especies amenazadas en la región de río Toche enfatiza la necesidad de tomar alguna medida de protección en al área, la cual podria ser tratada dentro del programa de IBAs (Important Bird Areas) de la BirdLife International. Introduction Andean slopes, 042 Northern Central Andes and 044 Man’s inability to stem the destruction of Colom­ Central Andean páramo) and supports 29 Endemic bia’s natural resources, particularly over the three Bird Area species above 1000 m — of which 16 are unique Andean cordilleras and Sierra Nevada de threatened species9. This ratio of Red Data Book Santa Marta, is sharply reflected in the status of species to endemics is the highest of any biogeo- the country’s rich avifauna. In 1992, Colombia har­ graphical region in north-west South America, and boured 57 threatened species3. Today, Colombia is a reflection of ever-dwindling natural habitat and holds 80 threatened species (BirdLife International paucity of protected areas within this 41 000-km2 in litt.), and this total is increasing by a mean three biogeographical region. species per annum, reflecting the avifauna’s dire A typical example of the critical conservation plight. problems faced is the Rio Toche watershed, lying The 650-km-long Central Cordillera contains on the eastern slope of the Central Cordillera. The three Endemic Bird Areas (040 Colombian inter- río Toche is one of the six most important Key Ar- Figure 1. Map of the río Toche study area. 17 Cotinga 14 The threatened birds of the río Toche, Cordillera Central, Colombia Figure 2. Landscape view of the study area with areas of w a x p alm s Ceroxylon quindiuense (Bernabé López-Lanús) Figure 3. Yellow-eared Parrot O gnorhynchus icterotis (Bernabé López-Lanús) Figure 4. Female Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps (Bernabé López-Lanús, from notebook). eas (CO 28) in Colombia, containing six threatened deforestation has taken place in the past 50 years, species10 and having no formal protection. Given the concentrated at 1900–32 00 m, with only c. 15% of site’s avifaunal importance, we present the status natural vegetation remaining. Only scattered ma­ of all bird species registered in the area from vari­ ture secondary forest patches remain, mainly along ous studies over the past decade as well as detailed watercourses and surrounded by pasture. Forest information for the site’s threatened species, includ­ clearance continues annually. Above 3200 m, ing four threatened species not reported previously. continuous old-growth forest predominates and is replaced by elfin forest at 3400–3650 m. Despite Study area whole-scale deforestation, almost all land at 2400– The 261-km2 río Toche watershed lies on the south­ 3200 m has wax palms Ceroxylon quindiuense eastern flank of the Volcán Tolima–Ruiz massif in — Colombia’s national tree — that characterise the the municipalities of Cajamarca and Ibagué, Tolima landscape and all forest patches. This tree has an Department, Colombia (04°26'N 75°22'W), encom­ extremely hard trunk that has deterred logging, passing an unprotected mosaic of humid montane resulting in palm groves within pastures or potato forest fragments and pasture at 1900–3500 m. The fields. While C. quindiuense has been legally pro­ río Toche commences in the páramo of Nevado del tected since 1985, forest around wax palm groves Quindío, within PNN Los Nevados, at over 4000 m continues to be cleared. Below 2200 m and around and sharply descends south through a steep ravine the town of Toche little forest exists as the land is to the town of Toche (4°31'N 75°24W, 2100 m) and intensively farmed for potatoes and beans, and used on towards Cajamarca. The study area also includes for cattle grazing. Quebrada San Juan, the río Tochecito and south to Tapias village. The watershed is bordered to the east Methods by Ibagué city and to the west by Quindío Depart­ Bird observations were made by the authors be­ ment. tween 1990 and 1999. For each species recorded the Photos and descriptions from 19112 and 19431 observers are noted together with an overall abun­ reveal a much greater expanse of natural vegeta­ dance estimate (see appendix). Records from a tion in the Toche valley than at present. Extensive collection in 19112 are included for selected species. 18 Cotinga 14 The threatened birds of the río Toche, Cordillera Central, Colombia Tape-recordings were made of many of the inter­ Rufous-fronted Parakeet Bolborhynchus esting species registered in the Toche area and have ferrugineifrons been deposited at the British Library National Endangered Sound Archive, London, UK. Sight records were Rare. A flock of 10 was seen on 5 December 1998 largely made from the road, which passes through (BLL) flying over elfin woodland at the head of the various forest patches, trails through fincas and to río Toche, at 3400 m. The species is locally common otherwise inaccessible forested slopes throughout in the elfin forest / páramo ecotone (3100–4000 m) the study area. The avifaunal inventory was prin­ in PNN Los Nevados (PS). cipally compiled by TPC and BLL, from their observations in August–December 1995 (four Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps months) and June 1998–May 1999 (12 months). Vulnerable Additional brief visits were made by LMR (28 May– Rare. The race berlepschi was recorded around the 1 June 1990), SA (all of June 1993) and PS (18 March town of Toche on 9 March 1999 (BLL). The species’ and 6 October 1997). apparent scarcity is probably due to its inconspicu­ ous habits and localised distribution. Results Of 249 species registered, 248 were confirmed in Bicoloured Antpitta Grallaria rufocinerea the past decade. Forty-three families occur in the Endangered area, including 10 threatened (nine recognised by Rare. Registered in the Toche area by LMR at Ha­ BirdLife International and one that we consider cienda La Leona, in May 19909, and by BLL at deserves this categorisation) and four near-threat­ Hacienda La Carbonera (04°32'N 75°28'W, 1950 m), ened species. The full inventory is presented in the on 9 June 1998, and Hacienda Las Cruces (04°31'N Appendix 1. 75°26'W, 2500 m), on 15–21 June 1998. A pair was observed in response to playback at the border of a Threatened species large isolated secondary forest patch. Not recorded Specific accounts are presented for nine threatened again in the same forest patches until April 1999 species3,9. suggesting that the species may move between simi­ lar forest patches or that seasonal variations in its Tolima Dove Leptotila conoveri detectability exist. Endangered Locally fairly common. Recorded by TPC (August Brown-banded Antpitta Grallaria milleri 1995) and PS et al. (October 1997) just east of Tapias, Critical and at the same location in 1988 and 19903. A few Locally uncommon. Recorded by BLL at 1800–2600 pairs and individuals are regularly seen feeding m, being heard and seen at Hacienda La Carbonera along the roadside, at dawn and dusk, at 2000– (1830 m) in June and September 1998, and Janu- 2200 m, often near small patches of second-growth ary–March 1999; Hacienda Las Cruces (2550m) on forest. No old-growth forest is known from areas 17–19 June 1998; and Alto de Yerbabuenal (near where the species has been recorded. It has never Toche), at c. 2600 m, on 24 June 1998. All records been found in more humid areas of the río Toche are from six well-preserved secondary-forest valley. patches, except one which is a heavily degraded 0.5- ha patch that has few trees. On 17 June 1998, a Golden-plumed Parakeet Leptosittaca branickii pair was observed, at 11h 10 for 52 minutes, feeding Vulnerable a fledgling juvenile and briefly joining an under­ Abundant. Recorded daily in flocks, typically com­ growth mixed-species foraging flock (Grey-breasted prising 10-15 individuals, and at dusk flocks of c. 200 Wood-wren Henicorhina leucophrys and Chestnut- roost within inaccessible forest patches in steep capped Brushf inch Atlapetes brunneinucha). ravines. Breeds throughout the Toche area8. The During the entire period the family party remained sizeable resident population (total c. 500 birds) within a 10-m radius in the dense undergrowth of makes Toche the species’ global stronghold. an extensive area (c. 5 ha) of secondary forest. Ar­ thropods were caught using rapid sprints and by Yellow-eared Parrot Ognorhynchus icterotis shaking leaves. The juvenile was similar to the il­ Critical lustration of a juvenile Tawny Antpitta Grallaria Rare. Flocks observed flying over the study area in quitensis in Fjeldså & Krabbe4 with dark barring September and November 1995 (TPC) and October on the crown and neck, and the entire plumage 1997 (PS et al.). Full details have already been pub­ flecked. The bill was pinkish red with a blackish lished6,7,8. tip. 19 Cotinga 14 The threatened birds of the río Toche, Cordillera Central, Colombia Historically known only from the Quindío and Black-thighed Puffleg Eriocnemis derbyi Caldas Departments3,4 but recently discovered in Near-threatened Parque Regional Natural Ucumarí, Risaralda A female was seen by TPC near the treeline above Department5.