Abstract

ARDILA-TELLEZ, Juan David  and  CRUZ-BERNATE, Lorena. ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF NEARTIC MIGRANT BIRDS IN THE UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE CAMPUS. Bol. Cient. Mus. Hist. Nat. Univ. Caldas [online]. 2014, vol.18, n.2, pp.93-108. ISSN 0123-3068.

Due to the destruction and fragmentation of pristine habitats, urban sprawl and lack of basic information, it is necessary to research on community ecology of birds. Urban arboreal areas represent permanent arboreal habitats that support,and maintain conservation of local and continental avifauna. The studies on Nearctic migratory birds in Colombia are focused on the determination of richness but there is a lack on ecological details about their migration dynamics. The objective of this study was to determine ecological aspects of Neartic birds in an urban habitat such as arrival and departure dates, abundance, sex ratio, variation in fat deposits and interactions with residents. Between September 2011 and May 2012, bird watching and capture tours were carried out using mist nets on the Universidad del Valle campus at 990 meters above sea level. The first and last entries were done on September 20, 2011 and May 5, 2012, respectively. A total of 13 migratory bird species were recorded from which Setophaga petechia and Piranga rubra displayed the highest relative importance index (IIR = 2.386 and1.136, respectively). Differences in sex and species patterns were observed on the arrival and departure toward wintering areas. No correlation was found between weight and length of stay of birds, and the variation of energy reserves through the season is described. The study demonstrates importance of the arboreal sites, within urban areas, as temporary harbor for migratory birds.

Keywords : arrival fat deposits; interspecific interactions; urban ornithology; arrival patterns; residence time; sex; wintering territories; time of stay.

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