Christmas Bird Count: Atitlan Volcano 2009

The third edition of the Christmas Bird Count at Atitlán volcano took place on 16 December 2009. A total of 34 observers in nine groups counted birds in the private nature reserves Los Andes, Los Tarrales, San Jerónimo Miramar, Santo Tomás Perdido, and Santa Teresa, and in the Santiago and Tolimán bays of lake Atitlán. Weather conditions were favorable with a clear night and a sunny day. Soft rain was falling only on the southernmost part in the afternoon.

A total of 4872 birds of 233 species was recorded. In addition, five more species were observed during the count week. Four species were recorded by all groups, which are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-tipped Dove, Wilson's Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole.

The most abundant species during this Christmas Bird Count with more than 100 detected individuals were Vaux's Swift, American Coot, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Great-tailed Grackle, Tennessee Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-collared Swift, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Pacific Parakeet. The most abundant Nearctic-Neotropical migratory landbirds with more than 25 detected individuals were Tennessee Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Townsend's Warbler.

Many of the endemics of the North Central American Highlands were again recorded, such as Highland Guan, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-gem, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Blue-throated Motmot, Bushy-crested Jay, Black-throated Jay, Black-capped Swallow, Rufous-browed Wren, Rufous-collared Thrush, Pink-headed Warbler, and Azure-rumped Tanager. Horned Guan was observed in the count week.

Noteworthy was a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck which was moving among Blue-winged Teals and American Coots at Lake Atitlán. The whistling-duck occurs mainly in the lowlands. The observed bird may have been a straying individual from the Pacific lowlands, which are only 60 km away. But it cannot be ruled out that this individual was an escaped bird from one of the villages at Lake Atitlán. Also a single Willet at Lake Atitlán was noteworthy, as this shorebird is usually restricted to coastal areas. Olive-sided Flycatcher is mainly a transient bird in Guatemala and wintering birds are rare (Eisermann & Avendaño 2007). An photographed individual in Los Tarrales was therefore noteworthy.

Atitlán volcano is part of the Atitlán Important Bird Area (IBA GT015) and this Christmas Bird Count helps to monitor bird populations in this IBA. Among the species of conservation concern recorded during the 2009 count (incl. count week) 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 third Christmas Bird Count at Atitlán Volcano (Nomenclature according to AOU 1998 and supplements, most recent update AOU 2009). Species recorded during the count week are marked with (cw).

ANATIDAE

1. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis 1
2. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 6

CRACIDAE

3. White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra 4
4. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens 25
5. Highland Guan Penelopina nigra 44
6. Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus (cw)

ODONTOPHORIDAE

7. Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx leucophrys 2
8. Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus 11
9. Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus 6

ARDEIDAE

10. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 11
11. Great Egret Ardea alba 23
12. Snowy Egret Egretta thula 6
13. Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor 5
14. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 19
15. Green Heron Butorides virescens 18

CATHARTIDAE

16. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 70
17. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 22
18. King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa 4

ACCIPITRIDAE

19. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 1
20. Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii 2
21. Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris 5
22. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus 1
23. Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus 5
24. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus 5
25. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 3
26. Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus 2
27. Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus 2

FALCONIDAE

28. Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis (cw)
29. Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus 2
30. Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway 1
31. Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans 4
32. American Kestrel Falco sparverius 6
33. Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis 1
34. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1

RALLIDAE

35. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
36. American Coot Fulica americana 298

SCOLOPACIDAE

37. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 6
38. Willet Tringa semipalmata 1

LARIDAE

39. Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla 4

COLUMBIDAE

40. Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris 54
41. Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata 3
42. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 5
43. Inca Dove Columbina inca 5
44. Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti 6
45. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 80
46. White-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifacies 11
47. Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana 1

PSITTACIDAE

48. Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua 111
49. Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis 4
50. Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola 19
51. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis 9
52. White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons 2
53. Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata 9

CUCULIDAE

54. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana 9
55. Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia (cw)
56. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris 2

STRIGIDAE

57. Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata 1
58. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 2
59. Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata 17
60. Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata 6

CAPRIMULGIDAE

61. Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis 22
62. Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis 12
63. Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus 1

APODIDAE

64. Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila 3
65. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 140
66. Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi 500

TROCHILIDAE

67. Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus 21
68. Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus 5
69. Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus 10
70. Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei 26
71. Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae 47
72. White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis 3
73. White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida 7
74. Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala 9
75. Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina 8
76. Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura 38
77. Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila 7
78. Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens 11
79. Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens 12
80. Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris 2
81. Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird Tilmatura dupontii 1
82. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris 168
83. Wine-throated Hummingbird Atthis ellioti 1

TROGONIDAE

84. Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus 14
85. Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus 1
86. Collared Trogon Trogon collaris 29
87. Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno 3

MOMOTIDAE

88. Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula 4
89. Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis 13
90. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota 24

ALCEDINIDAE

91. Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 1
92. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana 1

RAMPHASTIDAE

93. Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus 22
94. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus 18

PICIDAE

95. Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus 2
96. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons 33
97. Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus 6
98. Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus 22
99. Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus 2
100. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis 2

FURNARIIDAE

101. Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax 5
102. Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps 6
103. Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus 4
104. Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus 2
105. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster 10
106. Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius 3
107. Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis 4

THAMNOPHILIDAE

108. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus 19

TYRANNIDAE

109. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe 11
110. Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata 8
111. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus 3
112. Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus 28
113. Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum 18
114. Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris 2
115. Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens 7
116. Stub-tailed Spadebill Platyrinchus cancrominus 2
117. Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus 3
118. Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi 1
119. Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax 19
120. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus 20
121. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris 4
122. Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus 15
123. Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii 1
124. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens 3
125. Empidonax sp. 1
126. Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 2
127. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer 22
128. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 11
129. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus (cw)
130. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua 24
131. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis 48
132. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus 30
133. Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 58
134. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus 4
135. Gray-collared Becard Pachyramphus major 1
136. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae 6
137. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata 19

PIPRIDAE

138. Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis 33

VIREONIDAE

139. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons 10
140. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius 2
141. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus 10
142. Vireo sp. 1
143. Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus 7
144. Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys 1
145. Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus 4
146. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis 13

CORVIDAE

147. White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa 32
148. Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus 61
149. Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo 2

HIRUNDINIDAE

150. Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea 27
151. Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina 1
152. Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata 48
153. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 129
154. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 81

TROGLODYTIDAE

155. Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus 17
156. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha 12
157. Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus 32
158. Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus 8
159. Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus 25
160. House Wren Troglodytes aedon 7
161. Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus 3
162. White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta 6
163. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys 9

SYLVIIDAE

164. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus 11
165. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea 3

TURDIDAE

166. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 7
167. Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis 52
168. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris 17
169. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii 4
170. Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 17
171. Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus 1
172. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 5
173. Black Thrush Turdus infuscatus 1
174. Clay-colored Thrush Turdus grayi 37
175. White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis 33
176. Rufous-collared Robin Turdus rufitorques 1

MIMIDAE

177. Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 2
178. Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus 2
179. Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus 1

PTILOGONATIDAE

180. Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus 8

PARULIDAE

181. Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus 1
182. Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera (cw)
183. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina 179
184. Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla 5
185. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia 5
186. Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica 1
187. Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia 12
188. Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens 10
189. Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi 27
190. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia 22
191. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla 3
192. Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum 1
193. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla 3
194. MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei 2
195. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 1
196. Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla 59
197. Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor 1
198. Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus 25
199. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus 20
200. Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons 13
201. Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli 6
202. Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens 4

THRAUPIDAE

203. Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus 19
204. Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus 6
205. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas 68
206. Azure-rumped Tanager Tangara cabanisi 25
207. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus 272

Genus INCERTAE SEDIS

208. Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens 9
209. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps 42

EMBERIZIDAE

210. Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina 1
211. White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola 6
212. Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Arremon brunneinucha 4
213. Prevost's Ground-Sparrow Melozone biarcuata 6
214. White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis 13
215. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis 1

CARDINALIDAE

216. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra 25
217. Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 18
218. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata 1
219. White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera 26
220. Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica 2
221. Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda 4
222. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 28
223. Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 9
224. Painted Bunting Passerina ciris 3

ICTERIDAE

225. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives 52
226. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 210
227. Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus 8
228. Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus 2
229. Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius 17
230. Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis 4
231. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis 11
232. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 45
233. Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus 8

FRINGILLIDAE

234. Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis 1
235. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea 33
236. Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima 16
237. Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis 11
238. Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria 14
239. Hooded Grosbeak Coccothraustes abeillei 2

PASSERIDAE

240. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 7

References

AOU (1998) The American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. 7th edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.

AOU (2009) Fiftieth supplement to the AOU check-list of North American birds. Auk 126: 705-714.

Eisermann, K. & C. Avendaño (2007) Lista comentada de las aves de Guatemala - Annotated checklist of the birds of Guatemala. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

To see results of all Christmas Bird Counts throughout the Americas visit http://cbc.audubon.org/cbccurrent/current_table.html

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Christmas Bird Counts > Atitlan Volcano 2009