Abstract

LENTIJO, Gloria M.  and  BOTERO, Jorge E.. BIRDS OF COFFEE-GROWING REGIONS OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MANIZALES AND PALESTINA, CALDAS, COLOMBIA. Bol. Cient. Mus. Hist. Nat. Univ. Caldas [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.1, pp.111-128. ISSN 0123-3068.

The contribution of agricultural lands to biodiversity conservation has acquired special importance, due to transformations and reductions of natural habitats. There is a need to study biodiversity in agricultural areas in order to identify tools that promote biodiversity conservation. With the support of Darwin Initiative for the Preservation of Species, we characterized the avifauna in 80 coffee farms of Manizales and Palestina municipalities, in Caldas, Colombia. Birds were recorded during free walks along pathways in each farm. For each species, we determined its abundance, trophic and habitat guilds, and vulnerability index. We recorded a total of 100 species in both municipalities: 11 were Neotropical migrants and 89 were resident species. Sixty-eight species were present in both municipalities, whereas 24 were recorded only in Palestina and 8 were recorded only in Manizales. The bird community included a large proportion of species from open areas, a few species with high abundance and a large percentage were species with low abundance. In addition, we found very few specialized birds, and a great majority were species with low vulnerability index. Species with the highest vulnerability index were completely absent. The results of our study can be used to identify the habitats of the rural landscapes that have more value, and where the conservation efforts should be focused.

Keywords : Birds; Coffee-growing regions; Caldas; Colombia.

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