Christmas Bird Count: Atitlan Volcano 2008
Compilers: Knut Eisermann & Claudia Avendaño
The second edition of the Christmas Bird Count at Atitlán Volcano took place on 14 December 2008. A total of 48 observers counted birds in Reserva Natural Privada Los Andes, Reserva Natural Privada Los Tarrales, Finca San Jerónimo Miramar, Fincas Santo Tomás Perdido & Santa Teresa, and Reserva Natural Privada Pachuj, and in the Santiago and Tolimán bays of lake Atitlán.
In this count several local guides, children and teenagers participated, improving their birding skills. Weather conditions were favorable; the night was clear and the day was sunny. Heavy rain holded back until the late afternoon allowing the groups to count until sunset.In this count several local guides, children and teenagers participated, improving their birding skills. Weather conditions were favorable; the night was clear and the day was sunny. Heavy rain holded back until the late afternoon allowing the groups to count until sunset.
A total of 3590 birds of 229 species was recorded. In addition, five more species were recorded during the count week. Only three species were recorded by each of the nine birding groups: Black Vulture, Yellow-winged Tanager, and Baltimore Oriole. A total of 116 species was recorded by only one or two of the nine birding groups, indicating a high percentage of "rare" species in the bird communities within the count circle.A total of 3590 birds of 229 species was recorded. In addition, five more species were recorded during the count week. Only three species were recorded by each of the nine birding groups: Black Vulture, Yellow-winged Tanager, and Baltimore Oriole. A total of 116 species was recorded by only one or two of the nine birding groups, indicating a high percentage of "rare" species in the bird communities within the count circle.
The most abundant species during this Christmas Bird Count were American Coot (449 individuals), Pacific Parakeet (189), Tennessee Warbler (151), Great-tailed Grackle (132), Red-legged Honeycreeper (117), White-collared Swift (112), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (77), Wilson's Warbler (74), White-throated Swift (70), Vaux's Swift (69), Orange-chinned Parakeet (64), and Yellow-winged Tanager (51). The most abundant Nearctic-Neotropical migratory species was Tennessee Warbler, followed by Wilson's and Townsend's Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, and Black-and-White Warbler.
Not surprisingly, several endemic birds of the North Central American Highlands were recorded, such as Highland and Horned Guan, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-gem, Bushy-crested Jay, Black-capped Swallow, Rufous-browed Wren, Rufous-collared Thrush, Pink-headed Warbler, and Azure-rumped Tanager.
Noteworthy were two Yellow-green Vireos, because this species is mainly a summer resident in Guatemala and winters in South America. The status of Cave Swallow is uncertain in Guatemala (Eisermann & Avendaño 2007), but in the last years it has been recorded several times along the Guatemalan Pacific slope mountains (A. Jaramillo, C. Wood and M. Iliff in Jones & Komar 2008b). Up to 24 birds of this species were recorded during this Christmas Bird Count. A total of 21 Nashville Warblers was an unexpected high number; only one bird was recorded during last year's count. A singing Blue Seedeater adds to the several records of this species at Atitlán volcano in 2008 (K. Eisermann in Jones & Komar 2008a, 2009). Kentucky Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler occur mainly on the Guatemalan Atlantic slope, but they have previously been reported from the Pacific slope (Eisermann & Avendaño 2007) and were also recorded during this count.
Atitlán volcano is part of the Atitlán Important Bird Area (IBA GT015) and this Christmas Bird Count is a simple tool to monitor bird populations in this IBA. Among the species of conservation concern recorded during the 2008 count were two globally Endangered species (Horned Guan, Azure-rumped Tanager), and two Vulnerable species (Highland Guan, Pink-headed Warbler).
It follows a list of species and numbers of individuals recorded during the second Christmas Bird Count at Atitlán Volcano (Nomenclature according to AOU 1998 and supplements, most recent update AOU 2008). Species recorded during the count week are marked with (cw).
- ANATIDAE
- Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis 3
- CRACIDAE
- White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra 4
- Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens 17
- Highland Guan Penelopina nigra 12
- Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus 1
- ODONTOPHORIDAE
- Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus 18
- PELECANIDAE
- Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 2
- ARDEIDAE
- Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 9
- Great Egret Ardea alba 11
- Snowy Egret Egretta thula 1
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 28
- Green Heron Butorides virescens 5
- CATHARTIDAE
- Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 31
- Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 26
- King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa 2
- ACCIPITRIDAE
- Sharp-shinned (White-breasted) Hawk Accipiter striatus chionogaster 1
- Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris 2
- Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus 2
- Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus 7
- Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus 5
- Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 2
- Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus 3
- Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus 2
- FALCONIDAE
- Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus 2
- Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway 1
- Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans 1
- American Kestrel Falco sparverius 3
- Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis 1
- Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
- RALLIDAE
- Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 3
- American Coot Fulica americana 449
- COLUMBIDAE
- Rock Pigeon Columba livia 10
- Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris 2
- Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata 5
- White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 6
- Inca Dove Columbina inca 6
- Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti 12
- White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 32
- White-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifacies 8
- PSITTACIDAE
- Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua 189
- Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis 19
- Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola 2
- Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis 64
- Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata 14
- CUCULIDAE
- Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana 12
- Lesser Roadrunner Geococcyx velox 1
- Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris 4
- STRIGIDAE
- Whiskered Screech-Owl Megascops trichopsis 1
- Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus (cw)
- Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma 1
- Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 5
- Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata 20
- CAPRIMULGIDAE
- Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis 32
- Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus 3
- APODIDAE
- Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila 2
- White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 112
- Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi 69
- Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennenis (cw)
- White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 70
- TROCHILIDAE
- Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus 6
- Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus 3
- Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus 19
- Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii 3
- Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei 16
- Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae 9
- White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis 1
- White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida 6
- Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala 1
- Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina 5
- Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura 19
- Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila 9
- Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens 9
- Amethyst-throated Hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus 2
- Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens 5
- Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris 7
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris 22
- TROGONIDAE
- Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus 2
- Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus 5
- Collared Trogon Trogon collaris 10
- MOMOTIDAE
- Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula 5
- Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis 12
- Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota 18
- Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa 1
- ALCEDINIDAE
- Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 1
- Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana (cw)
- RAMPHASTIDAE
- Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus 19
- Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus 9
- PICIDAE
- Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus 1
- Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons 23
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius 2
- Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 1
- Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus 2
- Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus 25
- Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus 4
- Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis 2
- FURNARIIDAE
- Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax 1
- Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps 9
- Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus 9
- Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus 3
- Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster 4
- Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius 3
- Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis 5
- THAMNOPHILIDAE
- Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus 7
- TYRANNIDAE
- Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe 5
- Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata 6
- Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii 1
- Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus 9
- Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare 3
- Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum 13
- Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens 3
- Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus 2
- Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax 17
- Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus 7
- Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris 2
- Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii 2
- Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus 5
- Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii 4
- Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens 9
- Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 5
- Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer 15
- Nutting's Flycatcher Myiarchus nuttingi 1
- Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 4
- Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus 8
- Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua 22
- Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis 12
- Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus 31
- Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 13
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus 1
- Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae 5
- Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata 20
- PIPRIDAE
- Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis 14
- VIREONIDAE
- Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons 5
- Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius 4
- Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus 6
- Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis 2
- Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys 1
- Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus 4
- Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis 12
- CORVIDAE
- White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa 35
- Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus 34
- Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo 2
- HIRUNDINIDAE
- Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea 9
- Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina (cw)
- Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata 27
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 77
- Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva 24
- AEGITHALIDAE
- Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus 2
- TROGLODYTIDAE
- Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus 9
- Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha 28
- Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus 22
- Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus 10
- Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus 20
- House Wren Troglodytes aedon 9
- Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus 3
- White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta 4
- Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys 21
- SYLVIIDAE
- Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus 2
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea 5
- TURDIDAE
- Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis 37
- Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris 4
- Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii 5
- Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryas 4
- Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 19
- Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 11
- Black Thrush Turdus infuscatus 8
- Mountain Thrush Turdus plebejus 1
- Clay-colored Thrush Turdus grayi 38
- White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis 8
- Rufous-collared Thrush Turdus rufitorques 6
- MIMIDAE
- Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 1
- Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus 2
- Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus 3
- PTILOGONATIDAE
- Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus 4
- PARULIDAE
- Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus 2
- Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina 151
- Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla 21
- Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa 3
- Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia 4
- Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica 2
- Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia 15
- Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens 13
- Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi 61
- Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia 26
- American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla 3
- Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum 1
- Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla 4
- Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus 2
- Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla 74
- Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor 1
- Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus 20
- Fan-tailed Warbler Euthlypis lachrymosa 1
- Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus 23
- Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons 13
- Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli 10
- Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens 3
- THRAUPIDAE
- Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus 19
- Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica 6
- Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda 2
- Summer Tanager Piranga rubra 26
- Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 18
- Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata 4
- White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera 19
- Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus 20
- Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas 51
- Azure-rumped Tanager Tangara cabanisi 20
- Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus 117
- EMBERIZIDAE
- Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina 1
- White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola 13
- Blue Seedeater Amaurospiza concolor 1
- Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus 1
- Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula 2
- White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha 2
- Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Arremon brunneinucha 9
- Prevost's Ground-Sparrow Melozone biarcuata 4
- White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis 22
- Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis 3
- CARDINALIDAE
- Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens 2
- Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps 25
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 12
- Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 12
- Painted Bunting Passerina ciris (cw)
- ICTERIDAE
- Melodious Blackbird Dives dives 24
- Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 132
- Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius 17
- Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis 3
- Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 40
- Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus 4
- FRINGILLIDAE
- Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis 4
- Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea 17
- Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima 6
- Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis 9
- Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria 9
- Hooded Grosbeak Coccothraustes abeillei 3
- PASSERIDAE
- House Sparrow Passer domesticus 10
References
AOU (1998) The American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. 7th edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
AOU (2008) Forty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union check-list of North American birds. Auk 125: 758-768.
Eisermann, K. & C. Avendaño (2007) Lista comentada de las aves de Guatemala - Annotated checklist of the birds of Guatemala. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
Jones, H. L. & O. Komar (2008a) The winter season, December 2007 through February 2008: Central America. North American Birds 62: 314-318.
Jones, H. L. & O. Komar (2008b) Spring migration, March through May 2008: Central America. North American Birds 62: 487-491.
Jones, H. L. & O. Komar (2009, in press) Fall migration, August through November 2008: Central America. North American Birds 62.
To see results of all Christmas Bird Counts throughout the Americas visit http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.
