Christmas Bird Count: Atitlan Volcano 2007

The circle of the Christmas Bird Count at Atitlan Volcano includes the volcanoes Atitlan and Toliman, and the southern parts of Lake Atitlan, and ranges in altitude from 500 to 3500 m. Habitats are diverse and include humid and semihumid broadleaf forest, mixed forest, scrub, grassland, shade coffee plantation and other agricultural area, lava fields, lakes and rivers, and urban area.

A total of 35 observers participated in the first Christmas Bird Count at Atitlan Volcano on 14 December 2007. Several groups counted birds in Los Tarrales Reserve, Los Andes Reserve, Pachuj Reserve, Santo Tomás Perdido and Santa Teresa Reserves, Finca San Jerónimo Miramar, and in the bay of Santiago Atitlan.

Noteworthy observations

A total of 3518 birds of 216 species was recorded during the First Christmas Bird Count at Atitlan Volcano on 14 December 2007. An additional 13 species were recorded during the count week.

Although none of the recorded birds were unusual for this site, several of regional endemic species have been recorded for the first time in a Audubon Christmas Bird Count, like Horned and Highland Guan, White-bellied Chachalaca, Fulvous Owl, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-gem, Slender Sheartail, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Black-capped Swallow, Rufous-collared Robin, Bushy-crested and Black-throated Jay, Azure-rumped Tanager, and Bar-winged Oriole.

Barred Forest-Falcon and White-necked Jacobin occur in Guatemala mainly on the Atlantic slope. Both species have been recorded several times in the surroundings of Atitlan volcano (Eisermann & Avendaño 2007, K. Eisermann & C. Avendaño in Jones & Komar 2007, J. de León Lux in Jones & Komar 2008), and they were also recorded during the Christmas Bird Count. A total of 82 Red-legged Honeycreepers is noteworthy. The species is wintering in the area and during these months abundant in the canopy of shade coffee plantations and forests. The most abundant species was American Coot. A total of 1189 was counted in the Santiago bay of Lake Atitlan.

It follows a list of species and numbers of individuals recorded during the First Christmas Bird Count at Atitlan Volcano (Nomenclature according to AOU 1998 and supplements, most recent update AOU 2007). Species recorded during count week are marked with (cw).

CRACIDAE

1. White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra 15
2. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens 5
3. Highland Guan Penelopina nigra 15
4. Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus 4

ODONTOPHORIDAE

5. Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus 6
6. Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus 12

ARDEIDAE

7. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 10
8. Great Egret Ardea alba 17
9. Snowy Egret Egretta thula 3
10. Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea (cw)
11. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 48
12. Green Heron Butorides virescens 7
13. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea 1

CATHARTIDAE

14. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 38
15. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 28

ACCIPITRIDAE

16. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 1
17. White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis 3
18. Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris 1
19. Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus 8
20. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus 3
21. Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus 2
22. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 1
23. Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus 2

FALCONIDAE

24. Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis 1
25. Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus 3
26. Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway 1
27. Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans (cw)
28. American Kestrel Falco sparverius 2
29. Merlin Falco columbarius 1
30. Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis 1

RALLIDAE

31. American Coot Fulica americana 1189

SCOLOPACIDAE

32. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 3

LARIDAE

33. Laughing Gull Larus atricilla 5

COLUMBIDAE

34. Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris 10
35. Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata 67
36. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 17
37. Inca Dove Columbina inca 4
38. Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti 2
39. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 14
40. White-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifacies 1

PSITTACIDAE

41. Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua 150
42. Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis 75
43. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis 38
44. Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata 6

CUCULIDAE

45. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana 7
46. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris 10

STRIGIDAE

47. Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 3
48. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 2
49. Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata 2
50. Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens 1

CAPRIMULGIDAE

51. Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis 1
52. Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis 11
53. Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus (cw)

APODIDAE

54. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 47
55. Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi 100
56. White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 12

TROCHILIDAE

57. Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus 11
58. Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus 6
59. White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora 1
60. Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus 19
61. Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii 1
62. Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei 12
63. Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae 3
64. White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis 2
65. White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida 6
66. Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina 4
67. Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura 9
68. Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila 5
69. Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens 6
70. Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami 1
71. Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens 9
72. Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris 3
73. Slender Sheartail Doricha enicura 1
74. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris 12
75. Wine-throated Hummingbird Atthis ellioti 1

TROGONIDAE

76. Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus 1
77. Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus 4
78. Collared Trogon Trogon collaris 5
79. Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno 6

MOMOTIDAE

80. Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula 1
81. Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis 11
82. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota 8
83. Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa 1

ALCEDINIDAE

84. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana (cw)

RAMPHASTIDAE

85. Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus 14
86. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus 5

PICIDAE

87. Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus 2
88. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons 22
89. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius 1
90. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 2
91. Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus 2
92. Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus 15
93. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus 1
94. Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus 4
95. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis 1

FURNARIIDAE

96. Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax (cw)
97. Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps 8
98. Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus 1
99. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster 7
100. Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius 1
101. Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis 2

THAMNOPHILIDAE

102. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus 6

TYRANNIDAE

103. Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata 4
104. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus 3
105. Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus 7
106. Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum 3
107. Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens 3
108. Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus 4
109. Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax 10
110. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus 5
111. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris 1
112. Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii 2
113. Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus 7
114. Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii 3
115. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens 3
116. Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 2
117. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer 11
118. Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus 1
119. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 2
120. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus 3
121. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua 5
122. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis 25
123. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus 19
124. Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 7
125. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus 5
126. Gray-collared Becard Pachyramphus major 1
127. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae 6
128. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata 8

PIPRIDAE

129. Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis 8

VIREONIDAE

130. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons 1
131. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius 8
132. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus 7
133. Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus (cw)
134. Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys 2
135. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis 9

CORVIDAE

136. White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa 7
137. Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus 27
138. Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo 6

HIRUNDINIDAE

139. Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea (cw)
140. Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina 2
141. Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata 46
142. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 111
143. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 12

TROGLODYTIDAE

144. Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus 11
145. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha 8
146. Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus 2
147. Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus 2
148. Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus 13
149. House Wren Troglodytes aedon 5
150. Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus 4
151. White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta 2
152. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys 13

SYLVIIDAE

153. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus 1
154. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea 2

TURDIDAE

155. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 6
156. Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis 26
157. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris 9
158. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii 6
159. Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryas 4
160. Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 2
161. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 1
162. Black Robin Turdus infuscatus (cw)
163. Mountain Robin Turdus plebejus 1
164. Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi 45
165. White-throated Robin Turdus assimilis 20
166. Rufous-collared Robin Turdus rufitorques 10

MIMIDAE

167. Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 1
168. Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus 1
169. Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus 2

PTILOGONATIDAE

170. Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus 13

PEUCEDRAMIDAE

171. Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus 1

PARULIDAE

172. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina 41
173. Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla 1
174. Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa 1
175. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia 2
176. Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia 3
177. Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens 5
178. Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi 33
179. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia 14
180. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla 1
181. Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum (cw)
182. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla 4
183. MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei 5
184. Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla 36
185. Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor (cw)
186. Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus 14
187. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus 8
188. Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons 4
189. Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli 9
190. Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens 1

THRAUPIDAE

191. Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus 16
192. Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda 2
193. Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava 1
194. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra 17
195. Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 5
196. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata 1
197. White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera 14
198. Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus 6
199. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas 29
200. Azure-rumped Tanager Tangara cabanisi 27
201. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus 82

EMBERIZIDAE

202. White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola 8
203. Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula 4
204. Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha 6
205. Prevost's Ground-Sparrow Melozone biarcuata 1
206. White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis 11
207. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis 1
208. Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus 2

CARDINALIDAE

209. Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens 1
210. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps 19
211. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 7
212. Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea (cw)
213. Painted Bunting Passerina ciris (cw)

ICTERIDAE

214. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives 12
215. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 122
216. Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus 8
217. Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri 1
218. Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus 1
219. Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius 13
220. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis 1
221. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 23
222. Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus 3

FRINGILLIDAE

223. Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis 4
224. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea 5
225. Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima 2
226. Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis 8
227. Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria 6
228. Hooded Grosbeak Coccothraustes abeillei (cw)

PASSERIDAE

229. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 1

References

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

AOU (2007) Forty-eighth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union check-list of North American birds. Auk 124: 1109-1115.

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 (2007) The spring migration, March through May 2007: Central America. North American Birds 61: 521-525.

Jones, H. L. & O. Komar (2008, in print) The nesting season, June through July 2007: Central America. North American Birds 61, No 4.

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

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