Christmas Bird Count: Atitlan Volcano 2011

The fifth Christmas Bird Count at Atitlán Volcano was conducted on 20 December 2010. A total of 30 observers in 8 groups counted birds in the private nature reserves Los Andes, Los Tarrales, San Jerónimo Miramar, Santo Tomás Perdido, and Santa Teresa, and in the bay of Santiago Atitlán of Lake Atitlán. Weather conditions were favorable. Clouds covered the areas below 2000 m in the morning, while it was clear on the top of the volcano cone.

A total of 5344 birds of 239 species was recorded. Four more species were observed during the count week. The most abundant species during this Christmas Bird Count with more than 50 detected individuals were (in descending order of abundance): American Coot, Great-tailed Grackle, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Blue-throated Goldentail, Tennessee Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black Vulture, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Yellow-winged Tanager, Green Violetear, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Cattle Egret, Townsend's Warbler, Barred Parakeet, and Wilson's Warbler.

Horned Guan was recorded during the countweek. Most of the other endemics of northern Central American highlands were recorded on the countday, including Azure-rumped Tanager, Pink-headed Warbler, Black-capped Siskin, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Highland Guan, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-gem, Rufous-browed Wren, Black-throated Jay, Bar-winged Oriole, and Rufous-collared Thrush.

Noteworthy was an Olive-sided Flycatcher, which is a rare wintering bird in Guatemala, and two Redheads at Lake Atitlán.

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 2010 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 fourth Christmas Bird Count at Atitlán Volcano (Nomenclature according to AOU 1998 and supplements, most recent update AOU 2011). Species recorded during the count week are marked with (cw).

Tinamidae

1. Thicket Tinamou Crypturellus cinnamomeus 1

Anatidae

2. Redhead Aythya americana 2

Cracidae

3. White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra 6
4. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens 14
5. Highland Guan Penelopina nigra 32
6. Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus cw

Odontophoridae

7. Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx leucophrys 10
8. Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus 11
9. Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus 20

Ardeidae

10. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 8
11. Great Egret Ardea alba 19
12. Snowy Egret Egretta thula 3
13. Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor 4
14. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 61
15. Green Heron Butorides virescens 42

Cathartidae

16. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 93
17. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 40
18. King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa 1

Pandionidae

19. Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1

Accipitridae

20. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 1
21. White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis 1
22. Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus 1
23. Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga 1
24. Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris 4
25. Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus 4
26. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus 5
27. Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus cw
28. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 3
29. Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus 2
30. Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus 1

Falconidae

31. Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus 1
32. Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans 2
33. American Kestrel Falco sparverius 2
34. Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis 3
35. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1

Rallidae

36. Sora Porzana carolina 1
37. Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata 8
38. American Coot Fulica americana 1952

Jacanidae

39. Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa 2

Scolopacidae

40. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 1

Columbidae

41. Rock Pigeon Columba livia 3
42. Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris 28
43. Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata 7
44. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 8
45. Inca Dove Columbina inca 3
46. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 20
47. White-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifacies 2

Psittacidae

48. Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua 23
49. Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis 64
50. Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola 52
51. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis 19
52. Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata 6

Cuculidae

53. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana 6
54. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris 4

Strigidae

55. Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma 2
56. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 2
57. Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata 4
58. Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata 4
59. Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens 5

Caprimulgidae

60. Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis 7
61. Mexican Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus arizonae 7

Nyctibiidae

62. Northern Potoo Nyctibius jamaicensis 1

Apodidae

63. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 10
64. Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi 39
65. White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 2

Trochilidae

66. Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus 19
67. Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus 11
68. White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora 1
69. Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus 66
70. Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii 2
71. Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei 44
72. Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae 110
73. White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis 2
74. White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida 5
75. Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala 3
76. Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina 8
77. Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura 20
78. Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila 6
79. Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens 2
80. Amethyst-throated Hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus 5
81. Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami 1
82. Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens 2
83. Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris 6
84. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris 98
85. Wine-throated Hummingbird Atthis ellioti 1

Trogonidae

86. Gartered Trogon Trogon caligatus 4
87. Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus 7
88. Collared Trogon Trogon collaris 15
89. Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno 2

Momotidae

90. Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula 4
91. Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis 18
92. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota 19

Alcedinidae

93. Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 1

Ramphastidae

94. Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus 40
95. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus 7

Picidae

96. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons 19
97. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 5
98. Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus 4
99. Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus 11
100. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus 1
101. Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus 8
102. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis 2
103. woodpecker sp 1

Thamnophilidae

104. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus 5

Furnariidae

105. Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus 2
106. Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax 6
107. Scaly-throated Foliage-gleane Anabacerthia variegaticeps 7
108. Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus 2
109. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster 3
110. Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius 2
111. woodcreeper sp 1
112. Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis 3

Tyrannidae

113. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe 4
114. Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata 6
115. Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus 18
116. Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare 3
117. Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum 8
118. Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris 1
119. Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens 4
120. Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus 3
121. Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi 1
122. Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax 17
123. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus 10
124. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris 3
125. Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii 1
126. Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus 10
127. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens 3
128. Empidonax sp. 3
129. Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 7
130. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer 26
131. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 3
132. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus cw
133. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua 23
134. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis 33
135. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus 10
136. Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 19
137. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus 3

Tityridae

138. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata 10
139. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae 9

Pipridae

140. Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis 11

Vireonidae

141. White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus cw
142. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius 17
143. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus 11
144. Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys 1
145. Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus 7
146. Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys 2
147. Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus 6
148. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis 5

Corvidae

149. Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo 17
150. White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa 24
151. Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus 40
152. Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri 1

Hirundinidae

153. Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina 1
154. Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata 14
155. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 82
156. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 9

Troglodytidae

157. Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus 14
158. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha 18
159. Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus 15
160. Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus 6
161. Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus 21
162. House Wren Troglodytes aedon 10
163. Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus 6
164. White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta 10
165. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys 35

Polioptilidae

166. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus 6
167. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea 3

Turdidae

168. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 5
169. Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis 49
170. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thr Catharus aurantiirostris 10
171. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thru Catharus frantzii 14
172. Spotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryas 3
173. Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 13
174. Black Thrush Turdus infuscatus 1
175. Clay-colored Thrush Turdus grayi 35
176. White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis 21
177. Rufous-collared Robin Turdus rufitorques 6

Mimidae

178. Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus 2
179. Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus 5

Ptilogonatidae

180. Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus 8

Peucedramidae

181. Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus 4

Parulidae

182. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla 5
183. Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum 4
184. Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla 1
185. Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera 1
186. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia 15
187. Crescent-chested Warbler Oreothlypis superciliosa 1
188. Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina 107
189. Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapilla 10
190. Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala 1
191. MacGillivray's Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei 9
192. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 2
193. Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina 1
194. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla 1
195. Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia 12
196. Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia 6
197. Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata 1
198. Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi 56
199. Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens 14
200. Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons 12
201. Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli 9
202. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus 17
203. Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla 50
204. Pink-headed Warbler Cardellina versicolor 2
205. Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus 29
206. Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens 4

Thraupidae

207. Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus 13
208. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas 68
209. Azure-rumped Tanager Tangara cabanisi 24
210. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus 155

Genus Incertae Sedis

211. Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens 6
212. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps 31

Emberizidae

213. White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola 8
214. Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus 1
215. Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpierce Diglossa baritula 6
216. Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Arremon brunneinucha 6
217. White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha 1
218. White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis 17
219. Prevost's Ground-Sparrow Melozone biarcuata 8
220. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis 2
221. Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus 35

Cardinalidae

222. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra 18
223. Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 20
224. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata 2
225. White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera 16
226. Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda 7
227. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 43
228. Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 18
229. Painted Bunting Passerina ciris 5

Icteridae

230. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives 39
231. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 183
232. Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri 1
233. Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus 2
234. Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius 8
235. Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis 5
236. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis 4
237. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 29
238. Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus 9

Fringillidae

239. Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis 11
240. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea 14
241. Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima 16
242. Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis 12
243. Black-capped Siskin Spinus atriceps 2
244. Black-headed Siskin Spinus notatus 9
245. Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria 4

Passeridae

246. 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 (2011) Fifty-second supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union check-list of North American birds. Auk 128: 600-613.

To see results of all Christmas Bird Counts throughout the Americas visit http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count/

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Christmas Bird Counts > Atitlan Volcano 2011