Daniel M. Brooks

Avian camera trap image data from two game reserves in southwestern South Sudan produced three new country records, four other range extensions, and one filled a distributional gap between north-west Ethiopia and eastern Central African Republic. The study took place at Bangangai (31 traps, January 2015–February 2016) and Bire Kpatuos Game Reserves (52 traps, September 2015–August 2017). A total of 40 species (18 families) was recorded, including two Near Threatened species of global conservation concern: Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus and White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha. The occurrence of Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus, Grey-throated Rail Canirallus oculeus and Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus represent first records for South Sudan.

Aquí describimos la alta riqueza de especies de aves, especialmente Ardeidos de América del Norte de Crooked Tree Lagoon, en el norte de Belice. Registramos un total de 62 especies y 27 familias, incluidas 33 especies de migrantes. Las especies dominantes incluyen Carrao (Aramus guarauna), Cormorán Neotropical (Nannopterum brasilianum), Garceta grande (Ardea alba) y Milano caracol (Rostrhamus sociabilis). Por macrohábitat, 38 especies (61%) son principalmente acuáticas, 17 (27%) principalmente terrestres y siete (11%) de transición. Las ardeidas son la familia más rica en especies, con 13 de las 16 especies de garzas y garcetas de América del Norte representadas; las especies más dominantes son la Garceta grande y la Garza azul. Discutimos las explicaciones de la gran diversidad observada, así como las razones de la ausencia de tres especies. Esta reserva es importante no solo para las Ardeidas y otras especies acuáticas, sino también para muchas especies de aves terrestres migratorias.

The Tumbesian region of Peru and Ecuador, located within a global biodiversity hotspot, is home to a large number of endemic and little-known species. Endemic terrestrial birds (tinamous, cracids, and doves) are at increased risk of extinction due to restricted distribu-tion and exposure to habitat conversion. In this study, we used 24 camera traps in Cerros de Amotape National Park (northwestern Peru) to record terrestrial birds at three sites, each representing a different forest type: dry, evergreen, and transitional forests. After 4318 camera-days of results, we obtained 334 independent events of 23 species. We describe habitat association and daily and seasonal activity patterns for Crypturellus transfasciatus, Penelope purpurascens, and four dove species (Claravis pretiosa, Leptotila pallida, L. verreauxi, and L. ochraceiventris), with opportunistic anecdotes of breeding biology and behavior. We also provide a bird conservation assessment for the region. Our results are discussed and compared with the current knowledge of Tumbesian birds.

Using camera-trap data, we describe the ecology and occupancy of several species of gamebirds while assessing associations at Namha National Protected Area (Lao People’s Democratic Republic). We detected three species of Arborophila Partridges, albeit in low numbers. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus show typical diurnal activity, and we provide a record of a male–female pair commensally associated with a boar Sus scrofa. Silver Pheasants Lophura nycthemera have sex ratios slightly favoring females, and are mostly solitary; we provide novel findings of male age structure and rectrix molt. Gray Peacock Pheasants Polyplectron bicalcaratum sex ratios also favor females; males are recorded displaying as early as late February, while daily activity is somewhat bimodal, and we provide novel findings of male age structure. Analysis of the association between occupancy and 14 environmental covariates indicated that Silver Pheasant and Gray Peacock-Pheasant were associated with rougher terrain, and Red Junglefowl had higher occupancy far from well-groomed trails used for tourism. We discuss our results by comparing and contrasting our findings with other studies, and consider implications for conservation in the region.

Estudiamos la diversidad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en un área no protegida de la Orinoquia Colombiana durante tres años, empleando cámaras trampa en 72 estaciones de muestreo y haciendo recorridos por bosques y sabanas. Con un esfuerzo de 1789 días-cámara y 469.5 km recorridos se documentaron 31 especies de mamíferos (9 órdenes, 19 familias). Se registraron especies amenazadas como ocarro (Priodontes maximus), danta (Tapirus terrestris), pecarí de labio blanco (Tayassu pecari) y hormiguero gigante (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Se registraron especies raras, como el perro vinagre (Speothos venaticus) y semiendémicas como el cachicamo sabanero (Dasypus sabanicola). Las especies mejor representadas a través del índice de abundancia relativa fueron el pecarí de collar (Pecari tajacu) y la zarigüeya (Didelphis marsupialis). Las especies registradas se enfrentan a diversas presiones, como cacería para subsistencia, especies invasoras y ganadería. Por lo tanto, los resultados sugieren que las áreas no protegidas son importantes para la conservación de los mamíferos en los Llanos Orientales de Colombia.

Mico melanurus is an endangered primate in Paraguay, with most Paraguayan records in the vicinity of Agua Dulce (Defensores del Chaco National Park). We report the first well-documented locality outside of the Agua Dulce/Linea 1 transect, representing the most northeastern record in Paraguay, as well as a new habitat for the species, transitional Pantanal-Cerrado. This note demonstrates the importance of monitoring areas which have been insufficiently studied for conservation purposes.