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Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina

Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 344–348 SHORT-COMMUNICATION December 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina 1,2,5 2,3 2,4 Rodrigo Aráoz , Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch CONICET, Instituto de Ecología Regional (IER), Horco Molle, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Yerba Buena (4007), Tucumán, Argentina. Centro Nacional de Anillado de Aves (CENAA), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán (4000), Tucumán, Argentina. Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces (CeRAR), Reserva Experimental Horco Molle, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán (4000), Tucumán, Argentina. Cátedra de Biornitología Argentina, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán (4000), Tucumán, Argentina. Corresponding author: rodrigo_araoz83@yahoo.com.ar Received on 22 July 2016. Accepted on 19 November 2016. ABSTRACT: We present data from 97 live specimens from 20 different taxa of diurnal raptors from Argentina. Data were obtained from bird banding campaigns conducted by the Centro Nacional de Anillado de Aves (CENAA), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. Another important source of data was the Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces (CeRAR). We used mist nets and bal- chatri traps to catch birds during CENAA campaigns in central and northern Argentina, in order to band them and study their migration. During fieldwork, we measured total body length, bill length (exposed culmen and culmen with cere), wing chord, and body mass of each bird. The biometric information of raptors in Argentina is scarce. These measurements can therefore be useful for a variety of topics such as conservation, ecology, biology, taxonomy and phylogeny. KEY-WORDS: Accipitridae, Cathartidae, diurnal raptors, Falconidae, measurements. In Argentina, 40 species of diurnal raptors, 20 species of Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces (CeRAR) of Reserva nocturnal raptors and five scavengers are present, but very Experimental de Horco Molle (REHM), which is part of little is known about their biology and ecology due to their the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, low population abundance and the difficulties associated Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. The CeRAR, created in with their study (Trejo et al. 2007). Previous studies 2008 and under authorization from the Departamento de reporting body masses of birds in the region include Flora y Fauna of Tucumán Province, rescues, rehabilitates, Belton (1984) and Dunning-Jr. (1992, 2008). However, and releases raptors. These interventions are conducted in general, biometric data of raptors in Argentina is scarce according to international protocols and guidelines of (Trejo 2007). These measurements can be useful for a the International Union for Conservation of Nature and variety of topics such as conservation, ecology, biology, Natural Resources (IUCN), taking into account both taxonomy and phylogenetic studies. conservation and animal welfare. Many of these birds, Few studies on austral raptors present morphometric especially of Geranoaetus polyosoma, were part of the data, and these are mostly based on specimens housed undergraduate thesis work of Aráoz (2012). in collections, instead of live birds. Therefore, certain We also used mist nets and bal-chatri traps (Bloom measurements such as body mass or total body length et al. 2007) to catch birds during CENAA campaigns are nonexistent or inaccurate (Jiménez 1995). Here, we in central and northern Argentina, in order to band present information on body measurements and body them and study their migration. The bal-chatri traps, a mass of 20 species of scavengers and raptors belonging handmade box of thick wire with numerous plastic wire to the families Cathartidae, Accipitridae and Falconidae. ties on its exterior, upper surface, were baited with live Data were obtained from bird banding campaigns laboratory mice. These plastic ties slide and entangle the conducted by the Centro Nacional de Anillado de Aves de legs of the raptors that attempt to take the mice, without Argentina (CENAA), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. causing injury to the birds. A heavy weight tied to the Another important source of data was the Centro de trap prevents birds from lifting the trap off the ground. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch The two capture methods are different: mist nets catch Comandante Fontana (25°20'S; 59°41'W); Tucumán: prey at random, while bal-chatri traps deliberately aim to Ruta 9, Tapia (26°13'S; 65°16'W), Burruyacu (26°29'S; capture a particular individual. The later method presents 64°44'W), Altos de Medina (26°36'S; 65°05'W), Amaicha some difficulties, for example, the capture success of the del Valle (26°36'S; 65°55'W), Tafí Viejo (26°43'S; bal-chatri with G. polyosoma is usually very low, with only 55°33'W), San Javier (26°43'S; 65°22'W), Pinar de a few individuals captured in dozens of attempts. Velárdez (26°43'S; 65°22'W), Horco Molle (26°45'S; The capture of bir ds of prey with nets was only 65°23'W), El Infiernillo (26°45'S; 65°40'W), Villa occasionally possible, as several hawks, Barred Forest- Mariano Moreno (26°46'S; 65°12'W), Cebil Redondo falcons and American Kestrels (Accipiter bicolor, A. (26°47'S; 65°17'W), Alderetes (26°49'S; 65°08'W), striatus, Micrastur ruficollis, and Falco sparverius, Yerba Buena (26°49'S; 65°19'W), Country Las Yungas respectively) were entangled as they tried to feed on small (26°49'S; 65°19'W),Villa Amalia (26°51'S; 65°12'W), birds caught in the nets; all of these captures occurred in San Pablo (26°52'S; 65°18'W), Los Vallistos (26°59'S; dense forest. However, bal-chatri traps were specifically 65°15'W), Tafí del Valle (26°52'S; 65°41'W), Lastenia effective for Variable and Savanna Hawks (G. polyosoma, (26°52'S; 65°09'W), Las Cejas (26°53'S; 64°44'W), B. meridionalis, respectively) and Black-chested Buzzard- La Aguadita (26°69'S; 65°12'W), Famaillá (27°03'S; Eagles (Geranoaetus melanoleucus). We found that these 65°24'W), Río Colorado (27°09'S; 65°21'W), Simoca traps operated better in open landscapes, such as at 3000 (27°16'S; 65°20'W), Concepción (27°20'S; 65°35'W), m high pastures composed of tall grasses. Reserva Provincial de Santa Ana (27°26'S; 65°46'W), During fieldwork, we measured t he total body Escaba (27°39'S; 65°45'W); Misiones: Posadas (26°55'S; length, bill length (exposed culmen and culmen with 54°31'W); Catamarca: Santa María (26°41'S; 66°02'W), cere), and wing chord of every captured bird. We used Capital (28°28'S; 65°46'W); Santiago del Estero: Rapelli a caliper to measure the bill, a metal ruler to measure (26°23'S; 64°30'W), Guasayán (27°06'S; 64°16'W), Pozo wing chord and total body length, and 100 g, 500 g and Hondo (27°10'S; 64°29'W), Capital (27°47'S; 64°16'W), 1000 g Pesola scales to measure body mass. For heavier Loreto (28°18'S; 64°12'W), Sumampa (29°22'S; birds, a 50 kg digital scale was used. Birds were banded 63°28'W); San Luis: Bajo de Véliz (32°18'S; 65°24'W); with bands from the Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad La Pampa: Guatraché (37°40'S; 63°32'W). de Tucumán, and later released. Many birds were also banded with colored bands. Age of G. polyosoma and G. melanoleucus was determined by plumage (Cabot & De Vries 2004, Seipke 2007). For the nomenclature of raptor species, we followed the list of species proposed by Remsen-Jr. et al. (2016). We distinguish between captive birds and those captured in the field. Raptors raised from young might be smaller, and although measurements may be similar to those found in natural conditions if they have been in captivity for a longtime, their masses may be inaccurate (i.e., they may be either very thin or very fat in comparison to natural conditions). Some specimens were sexed by plumage (F. sparverius, G. polyosoma, Vultur gryphus), while others that died at the CeRAR were sexed by gonad examination during necropsy. The sex of some birds with no sexual dimorphism in plumage remained undetermined; although females are usually larger, small females can frequently have measurements that overlap with smaller males. The localities in Argentina (Figure 1) where specimens were obtained, by province, were: Salta: Orán (23°08'S; 64°19'W), Rosario de la Frontera (25°48'S; 64°58'W), Gaona (25°12'S; 64°05'W), Potrerillos (26.08°S; 65.46°W), Tolombón (26°12'S; 65°55'W); Jujuy: Caimancito, Calilegua (23°48'S; 64°47'W), FIGURE 1. Sampling sites in Argentina where specimens were captured Aguas Negras, Calilegua (23°55'S; 64°50'W); Formosa: (black dots). Tucumán Province is displayed at the bottom right. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch At El Infiernillo, Tafí del Valle, Tucumán Province, magnirostris) were captured: saturatus from the Yungas, we captured 17 specimens during the impressive pucherani from the eastern Chaco, and magniplumis migration of birds of prey that takes place in fall, and from the Atlantic Rainforest (Table 1). Regarding G. p. which belongs to an Andean migratory route (Capllonch poecilochrous, which is common and resident in Tafí del et al. 2011). The area is a true migratory corridor that Valle, it was earlier considered a distinct species, with acts as a “funnel” for soaring birds (Trejo et al. 2007, some authors still considering it as a full species, but later Capllonch & Ortiz 2009). This region constitutes the genetic studies placed it subspecifically (Riesing et al. first site with a migration of such magnitude, in terms 2003). This subspecies coexists during winter months with of number of birds, described for migrating raptors in G. p. polyosoma in valleys between 2000 and 3500 m a.s.l. Argentina (Capllonch et al. 2011), especially for G. For F. sparverius, all of which belong to the same polyosoma (Aráoz 2012). The valley, which reaches 2000 subspecies in Argentina, individuals captured in the m a.s.l. and has an extension of 20 km between 27°S southern area of Argentina are larger than those in the and 65°W, acts as a connection between two mountain north, confirming Bergmann's Rule. Specimens captured chains, Aconquija and Cumbres Calchaquíes, and thus, in La Pampa Province (Guatraché) and in Bajo de Véliz, at specimens are able to acquire greater speeds when crossing 32°S, in San Luis Province (the two most southerly points the valley in a N-S direction. in Figure 1), are strikingly larger than those captured in We obtained data from 97 live specimens from Tucumán Province, at 26°S. The same applies to some 20 different taxa. The most captured species were G. specimens caught at 2000 m a.s.l. in Tafí del Valle, polyosoma, G. melanoleucus, Buteo magnirostris, and Tucumán Province, which are larger than those captured F. sparverius. Three subspecies of Roadside Hawk (B. on the plains. TABLE 1. Body mass, total body length, wing chord, tail, bill, and tarsus length measurements of 97 live specimens. CERAR = data provided by Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces; CENAA = data obtained from bird banding campaigns conducted by the National Bird Banding Center; M = male; F = female; A = adult; SA = subadult; - data not obtained. Total Culmen Culmen Sex Body Wing Tarsus Species body Tail with without Locationn and mass chord length Place length (cm) cere cere age (g) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Cathartidae Vultur gryphus Tafí del Valle 1 AF 10000 107 77.4 40 7.1 4.6 14.5 CeRAR Sarcorhamphus papa Catamarca 1 A 3100 75 51 22 - - - CeRAR Cathartes aura Tafí Viejo 1 A 1460 66.5 54.6 - 5 - 7.6 CeRAR Accipitridae Geranoaetus Santa María, Guasayán, 7/9/10 A 2125.5 68.75 52.25 29 5.12 3.68 11.85 melanoleucus Las Cejas, Yerba Buena, (n = 10) (n = 9) (n = 9) (n = 10) (n = 10) (n = 7) (n = 10) CeRAR Rapelli, Alto de Medina, Concepción, Santiago del Estero, Burruyacú Spizastur melanoleucus Orán 1 SA 1030 60 38 28 5.5 4 8 CeRAR Rupornis magnirostris Comandante 1 AF 340 37 25.6 17 3.7 1.9 8 pucherani Fontana CENAA Rupornis magnirostris Posadas 1 A 365 31 - - 2.5 1.9 7 magniplumis CeRAR Rupornis magnirostris Aguas Negras, Reserva Santa 10/12/ A 311.92 39.33 26.60 18.55 2.85 1.83 7.5 saturatus Ana, Reserva La Florida, 14/15 (n = 14) (n = 14) (n = 15) (n = 14) (n = 12) (n =10) (n = 14) CENAA San Javier, Tucumán, San (215–410) (37–44) (24–28) (16–21) (2.5–3.5) (1.7–2.3) (7–8.4) CeRAR Pablo, Yerba Buena, Banda del Río Salí, Famaillá Geranoaetus polyosoma Calilegua, Caimancito, 3 M 738.33 46.3 36.8 22.1 3.3 2.4 9.23 CENAA Valle de La Sala, Tafi del (720–770) (43–47) (41–32) (21–23) (3.1–3.5) (2.2–2.6) (8.7–9.8) Valle Tucumán, Amaicha del Valle Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch Total Culmen Culmen Sex Body Wing Tarsus Species body Tail with without Locationn and mass chord length Place length (cm) cere cere age (g) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Geranoaetus polyosoma Tolombón, El Infiernillo, 7 SA 797.85 48.6 38.5 22.1 3.3 2.3 10.1 CeRAR, CENAA Tafi del Va lle (660–900) (46.5–50) (34–42.5) (21.5–23) (3.1–3.5) (2.2–2.5) (9–10) Geranoaetus polyosoma El Infiernillo 2 SA - 49.25 44.25 22.65 3.5 2.5 10.5 poecilochrous (49–49.5) (43.5–45) (22.5–22.8) (10–11) CENAA Buteogallus urubitinga Simoca 1 SA - 64 42 27 4.5 3.2 13 CeRAR M Buteogallus Comandante Fontana, 2/3 A 840 49.8 40.6 21.6 3.7 2.8 12.25 meridionalis Guachula, Loreto (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 2) (n = 2) CENAA, CeRAR (740–895) (48–53) (38–43) (21–23) (3.3–4) (2.6–3) (12–12.5) Parabuteo unicinctus Agua Amarga 1 A 880 53 33 24 3.5 2.5 10 CeRAR Accipiter striatus Potrerillos 1 A 100 26 16.4 13.7 - 1 4.6 CENAA Accipiter bicolor Rosario de la Frontera 1 A 149 31.5 25.5 16.8 - - 5.1 CENAA CeRAR Tafí Viejo 1 A 42 32 21 2.5 2.0 7 Falconidae Falco sparverius Pozo Hondo, Tucumán, 5/8/9 AM 105.5 25.3 18.1 12.6 1.5 1.1 4.2 CENAA, CeRAR Guatrache, Tafi del Valle. (n = 9) (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 5) (n = 8) (80–120) (22.5–27.2) (16–19) (11–13.4) (1.5–1.6) (1.1–1.2) (4/4.6) Falco sparverius Gaona, Bajo de Véliz, 11/12 AF 116.8 26 19 13.2 1.5/1.2 1.2 4 CENAA, CeRAR Alderetes, Cebil Redondo, (n = 11) (n = 12) (n = 11) (n = 12) (n = 12) (n = 11) (n = 12) Tucumán, Tafi del Valle, (90–152) (23–28) (17–21) (10.9–15) (1.5–1.8) (1.2–1.4) (3.8–4.5) Tafi Viejo Falco femoralis Villa Mariano Moreno 1 A 230 32 24 10 2.2 1.6 6 CeRAR Caracara plancus La Aguadita, Tucumán, 3/4/5/6 A 811.25 53.1 37.1 23 4/3 3 9.84 CeRAR Banda del Rio Salí, Escaba, (n = 4) (n = 5) (n = 6) (n = 6) (n = 6) (n = 3) (n = 5) Lastenia. (700–960) (50–57) (32–40.1) (20.5–25) (3.5–4.3) (3–3.1) (9.1–10.2) Caracara plancus Tucumán, Capital 1 SA 835 52 36 22.4 5 2.7 7.5 CeRAR Milvago chimango Villa Amalia, Yerba Buena, 6/7/8/9 A 226.87 35.3 27.7 18.5 2.6/1.8 1.8 5.6 CeRAR Rio Colorado, Los Vallistos, (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 7) (n = 8) (n = 9) (n = 6) (n = 9) La Aguadita, Ruta 9, (170–260) (32–39.4) (25–29.9) (10–19.5) (2.5–3.1) (1.7–2.1) (4.8–6.7) Tucumán Spiziapteryx Sumampa, Bajo de Velis 2 A 157.5 28.7 17.2 15 1.9 1.6 4.8 circumcincta (155–160) (28.3–29.2) (17–17.4) (14.8–15.5) (4.5–5.1) CENAA Micrastur ruficollis Reserva Santa Ana, Pinar 2/3 A 190 37 18 18.5 1.8/1.5 1.5 6.1 CENAA Velárdez, Santa Lucía. (n = 3) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (180–207) (35–39) 18.5–19) (18–19) (1.7–1.9) (1.4–1.6) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES Aráoz, R. 2012. Dinámica y abundancia del Aguilucho Común This research was supported by the Centro Nacional de (Buteo polyosoma polyosoma) (Quoy y Gaymard, 1824) en Tafí del Anillado de Aves. We are grateful to the CENAA banders Valle, Tucumán, Argentina. Bachelors' Monography, Universidad for their help with fieldwork. This study was made possible Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. by funds provided by CONICET and the Universidad Belton, W. 1984. Birds of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 178: 369–631. Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. Finally, we thank the Bloom, P.; Clark, W. & Kidd, J. 2007. Capture techniques, p. 193– Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, 219. In: Bird, D. M. & Bildstein, K. L. (eds.). Raptor research and Universidad Nacional de Tucumán for providing vehicles management techniques. Blain: Hancock House Publishers. and drivers. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch Cabot, J. & De Vries, T. 2004. Age- and sex-differentiated p lumages on mitochondrial marker sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and in the two colour morphs of the Variable Buzzard Buteo Evolution, 27: 328–342. polyosoma: a case of delayed maturation with subadult males Seipke, S. H. 2007. Aging Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles (Geranoaetus disguised in definitive adult female plumage. Bulletin of the British melanoleucus). P. 220–228. In: Bildstein, K. L., Barber, D. R. & Ornithologists' Club, 124: 272–285. Zimmerman, A. (eds.), Neotropical Ornithology. Orwigsburg: Capllonch, P. & Ortiz, D. 2009. Migración del Aguilucho Común Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. (Buteo polyosoma) en Tafi del Va lle, Tucumán, Argentina. Nuestras Trejo, A. 2007. Bibliografía comentada sobre aves rapaces de Aves, 54: 33–35. Argentina. Hornero, 22: 185–217. Capllonch, P.; Ortiz, D. & Ferro, I. 2011. Avifauna de las Cumbres Trejo, A.; Bó, M. S.; Bellocq, M. I. & López-de-Casenave, J. 2007. Calchaquíes, Tucumán, Argentina. Acta Zoológica Lilloana, 55: Editorial - ecología y conservación de aves rapaces en Argentina. 50–63. Hornero, 22: 81–83. Dunning-Jr., J. B. 1992. CRC handbook of avian body masses. Boca Trejo, A., Capllonch, P. & Sympson, L. 2007. Migratory status of Raton, CRC Press. the White-Throated Hawk (Bu teo albigula): What do we know up nd Dunning-Jr., J. B. 2008. CRC handbook of avian body masses, 2 edn. to now? Ornitología Neotropical, 18: 11–19. Boca Raton, CRC Press. Jiménez, J. E. 1995. Historia natural del Aguilucho Buteo polyosoma: una revisión. Hornero, 141–8. Riesing, M. J.; Kruckenhauser, L.; Gamauf, A. & Haring, E. 2003. Molecular phylogeny of the genus Buteo (Aves: Accipitridae) based Associate Editor: Luis F. Silveira. 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Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina

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Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 344–348 SHORT-COMMUNICATION December 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina 1,2,5 2,3 2,4 Rodrigo Aráoz , Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch CONICET, Instituto de Ecología Regional (IER), Horco Molle, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Yerba Buena (4007), Tucumán, Argentina. Centro Nacional de Anillado de Aves (CENAA), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán (4000), Tucumán, Argentina. Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces (CeRAR), Reserva Experimental Horco Molle, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán (4000), Tucumán, Argentina. Cátedra de Biornitología Argentina, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán (4000), Tucumán, Argentina. Corresponding author: rodrigo_araoz83@yahoo.com.ar Received on 22 July 2016. Accepted on 19 November 2016. ABSTRACT: We present data from 97 live specimens from 20 different taxa of diurnal raptors from Argentina. Data were obtained from bird banding campaigns conducted by the Centro Nacional de Anillado de Aves (CENAA), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. Another important source of data was the Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces (CeRAR). We used mist nets and bal- chatri traps to catch birds during CENAA campaigns in central and northern Argentina, in order to band them and study their migration. During fieldwork, we measured total body length, bill length (exposed culmen and culmen with cere), wing chord, and body mass of each bird. The biometric information of raptors in Argentina is scarce. These measurements can therefore be useful for a variety of topics such as conservation, ecology, biology, taxonomy and phylogeny. KEY-WORDS: Accipitridae, Cathartidae, diurnal raptors, Falconidae, measurements. In Argentina, 40 species of diurnal raptors, 20 species of Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces (CeRAR) of Reserva nocturnal raptors and five scavengers are present, but very Experimental de Horco Molle (REHM), which is part of little is known about their biology and ecology due to their the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, low population abundance and the difficulties associated Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. The CeRAR, created in with their study (Trejo et al. 2007). Previous studies 2008 and under authorization from the Departamento de reporting body masses of birds in the region include Flora y Fauna of Tucumán Province, rescues, rehabilitates, Belton (1984) and Dunning-Jr. (1992, 2008). However, and releases raptors. These interventions are conducted in general, biometric data of raptors in Argentina is scarce according to international protocols and guidelines of (Trejo 2007). These measurements can be useful for a the International Union for Conservation of Nature and variety of topics such as conservation, ecology, biology, Natural Resources (IUCN), taking into account both taxonomy and phylogenetic studies. conservation and animal welfare. Many of these birds, Few studies on austral raptors present morphometric especially of Geranoaetus polyosoma, were part of the data, and these are mostly based on specimens housed undergraduate thesis work of Aráoz (2012). in collections, instead of live birds. Therefore, certain We also used mist nets and bal-chatri traps (Bloom measurements such as body mass or total body length et al. 2007) to catch birds during CENAA campaigns are nonexistent or inaccurate (Jiménez 1995). Here, we in central and northern Argentina, in order to band present information on body measurements and body them and study their migration. The bal-chatri traps, a mass of 20 species of scavengers and raptors belonging handmade box of thick wire with numerous plastic wire to the families Cathartidae, Accipitridae and Falconidae. ties on its exterior, upper surface, were baited with live Data were obtained from bird banding campaigns laboratory mice. These plastic ties slide and entangle the conducted by the Centro Nacional de Anillado de Aves de legs of the raptors that attempt to take the mice, without Argentina (CENAA), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. causing injury to the birds. A heavy weight tied to the Another important source of data was the Centro de trap prevents birds from lifting the trap off the ground. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch The two capture methods are different: mist nets catch Comandante Fontana (25°20'S; 59°41'W); Tucumán: prey at random, while bal-chatri traps deliberately aim to Ruta 9, Tapia (26°13'S; 65°16'W), Burruyacu (26°29'S; capture a particular individual. The later method presents 64°44'W), Altos de Medina (26°36'S; 65°05'W), Amaicha some difficulties, for example, the capture success of the del Valle (26°36'S; 65°55'W), Tafí Viejo (26°43'S; bal-chatri with G. polyosoma is usually very low, with only 55°33'W), San Javier (26°43'S; 65°22'W), Pinar de a few individuals captured in dozens of attempts. Velárdez (26°43'S; 65°22'W), Horco Molle (26°45'S; The capture of bir ds of prey with nets was only 65°23'W), El Infiernillo (26°45'S; 65°40'W), Villa occasionally possible, as several hawks, Barred Forest- Mariano Moreno (26°46'S; 65°12'W), Cebil Redondo falcons and American Kestrels (Accipiter bicolor, A. (26°47'S; 65°17'W), Alderetes (26°49'S; 65°08'W), striatus, Micrastur ruficollis, and Falco sparverius, Yerba Buena (26°49'S; 65°19'W), Country Las Yungas respectively) were entangled as they tried to feed on small (26°49'S; 65°19'W),Villa Amalia (26°51'S; 65°12'W), birds caught in the nets; all of these captures occurred in San Pablo (26°52'S; 65°18'W), Los Vallistos (26°59'S; dense forest. However, bal-chatri traps were specifically 65°15'W), Tafí del Valle (26°52'S; 65°41'W), Lastenia effective for Variable and Savanna Hawks (G. polyosoma, (26°52'S; 65°09'W), Las Cejas (26°53'S; 64°44'W), B. meridionalis, respectively) and Black-chested Buzzard- La Aguadita (26°69'S; 65°12'W), Famaillá (27°03'S; Eagles (Geranoaetus melanoleucus). We found that these 65°24'W), Río Colorado (27°09'S; 65°21'W), Simoca traps operated better in open landscapes, such as at 3000 (27°16'S; 65°20'W), Concepción (27°20'S; 65°35'W), m high pastures composed of tall grasses. Reserva Provincial de Santa Ana (27°26'S; 65°46'W), During fieldwork, we measured t he total body Escaba (27°39'S; 65°45'W); Misiones: Posadas (26°55'S; length, bill length (exposed culmen and culmen with 54°31'W); Catamarca: Santa María (26°41'S; 66°02'W), cere), and wing chord of every captured bird. We used Capital (28°28'S; 65°46'W); Santiago del Estero: Rapelli a caliper to measure the bill, a metal ruler to measure (26°23'S; 64°30'W), Guasayán (27°06'S; 64°16'W), Pozo wing chord and total body length, and 100 g, 500 g and Hondo (27°10'S; 64°29'W), Capital (27°47'S; 64°16'W), 1000 g Pesola scales to measure body mass. For heavier Loreto (28°18'S; 64°12'W), Sumampa (29°22'S; birds, a 50 kg digital scale was used. Birds were banded 63°28'W); San Luis: Bajo de Véliz (32°18'S; 65°24'W); with bands from the Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad La Pampa: Guatraché (37°40'S; 63°32'W). de Tucumán, and later released. Many birds were also banded with colored bands. Age of G. polyosoma and G. melanoleucus was determined by plumage (Cabot & De Vries 2004, Seipke 2007). For the nomenclature of raptor species, we followed the list of species proposed by Remsen-Jr. et al. (2016). We distinguish between captive birds and those captured in the field. Raptors raised from young might be smaller, and although measurements may be similar to those found in natural conditions if they have been in captivity for a longtime, their masses may be inaccurate (i.e., they may be either very thin or very fat in comparison to natural conditions). Some specimens were sexed by plumage (F. sparverius, G. polyosoma, Vultur gryphus), while others that died at the CeRAR were sexed by gonad examination during necropsy. The sex of some birds with no sexual dimorphism in plumage remained undetermined; although females are usually larger, small females can frequently have measurements that overlap with smaller males. The localities in Argentina (Figure 1) where specimens were obtained, by province, were: Salta: Orán (23°08'S; 64°19'W), Rosario de la Frontera (25°48'S; 64°58'W), Gaona (25°12'S; 64°05'W), Potrerillos (26.08°S; 65.46°W), Tolombón (26°12'S; 65°55'W); Jujuy: Caimancito, Calilegua (23°48'S; 64°47'W), FIGURE 1. Sampling sites in Argentina where specimens were captured Aguas Negras, Calilegua (23°55'S; 64°50'W); Formosa: (black dots). Tucumán Province is displayed at the bottom right. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch At El Infiernillo, Tafí del Valle, Tucumán Province, magnirostris) were captured: saturatus from the Yungas, we captured 17 specimens during the impressive pucherani from the eastern Chaco, and magniplumis migration of birds of prey that takes place in fall, and from the Atlantic Rainforest (Table 1). Regarding G. p. which belongs to an Andean migratory route (Capllonch poecilochrous, which is common and resident in Tafí del et al. 2011). The area is a true migratory corridor that Valle, it was earlier considered a distinct species, with acts as a “funnel” for soaring birds (Trejo et al. 2007, some authors still considering it as a full species, but later Capllonch & Ortiz 2009). This region constitutes the genetic studies placed it subspecifically (Riesing et al. first site with a migration of such magnitude, in terms 2003). This subspecies coexists during winter months with of number of birds, described for migrating raptors in G. p. polyosoma in valleys between 2000 and 3500 m a.s.l. Argentina (Capllonch et al. 2011), especially for G. For F. sparverius, all of which belong to the same polyosoma (Aráoz 2012). The valley, which reaches 2000 subspecies in Argentina, individuals captured in the m a.s.l. and has an extension of 20 km between 27°S southern area of Argentina are larger than those in the and 65°W, acts as a connection between two mountain north, confirming Bergmann's Rule. Specimens captured chains, Aconquija and Cumbres Calchaquíes, and thus, in La Pampa Province (Guatraché) and in Bajo de Véliz, at specimens are able to acquire greater speeds when crossing 32°S, in San Luis Province (the two most southerly points the valley in a N-S direction. in Figure 1), are strikingly larger than those captured in We obtained data from 97 live specimens from Tucumán Province, at 26°S. The same applies to some 20 different taxa. The most captured species were G. specimens caught at 2000 m a.s.l. in Tafí del Valle, polyosoma, G. melanoleucus, Buteo magnirostris, and Tucumán Province, which are larger than those captured F. sparverius. Three subspecies of Roadside Hawk (B. on the plains. TABLE 1. Body mass, total body length, wing chord, tail, bill, and tarsus length measurements of 97 live specimens. CERAR = data provided by Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Rapaces; CENAA = data obtained from bird banding campaigns conducted by the National Bird Banding Center; M = male; F = female; A = adult; SA = subadult; - data not obtained. Total Culmen Culmen Sex Body Wing Tarsus Species body Tail with without Locationn and mass chord length Place length (cm) cere cere age (g) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Cathartidae Vultur gryphus Tafí del Valle 1 AF 10000 107 77.4 40 7.1 4.6 14.5 CeRAR Sarcorhamphus papa Catamarca 1 A 3100 75 51 22 - - - CeRAR Cathartes aura Tafí Viejo 1 A 1460 66.5 54.6 - 5 - 7.6 CeRAR Accipitridae Geranoaetus Santa María, Guasayán, 7/9/10 A 2125.5 68.75 52.25 29 5.12 3.68 11.85 melanoleucus Las Cejas, Yerba Buena, (n = 10) (n = 9) (n = 9) (n = 10) (n = 10) (n = 7) (n = 10) CeRAR Rapelli, Alto de Medina, Concepción, Santiago del Estero, Burruyacú Spizastur melanoleucus Orán 1 SA 1030 60 38 28 5.5 4 8 CeRAR Rupornis magnirostris Comandante 1 AF 340 37 25.6 17 3.7 1.9 8 pucherani Fontana CENAA Rupornis magnirostris Posadas 1 A 365 31 - - 2.5 1.9 7 magniplumis CeRAR Rupornis magnirostris Aguas Negras, Reserva Santa 10/12/ A 311.92 39.33 26.60 18.55 2.85 1.83 7.5 saturatus Ana, Reserva La Florida, 14/15 (n = 14) (n = 14) (n = 15) (n = 14) (n = 12) (n =10) (n = 14) CENAA San Javier, Tucumán, San (215–410) (37–44) (24–28) (16–21) (2.5–3.5) (1.7–2.3) (7–8.4) CeRAR Pablo, Yerba Buena, Banda del Río Salí, Famaillá Geranoaetus polyosoma Calilegua, Caimancito, 3 M 738.33 46.3 36.8 22.1 3.3 2.4 9.23 CENAA Valle de La Sala, Tafi del (720–770) (43–47) (41–32) (21–23) (3.1–3.5) (2.2–2.6) (8.7–9.8) Valle Tucumán, Amaicha del Valle Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016 Biometrics and body masses of some birds of prey of Argentina Rodrigo Aráoz, Diego Ortiz and Patricia Capllonch Total Culmen Culmen Sex Body Wing Tarsus Species body Tail with without Locationn and mass chord length Place length (cm) cere cere age (g) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Geranoaetus polyosoma Tolombón, El Infiernillo, 7 SA 797.85 48.6 38.5 22.1 3.3 2.3 10.1 CeRAR, CENAA Tafi del Va lle (660–900) (46.5–50) (34–42.5) (21.5–23) (3.1–3.5) (2.2–2.5) (9–10) Geranoaetus polyosoma El Infiernillo 2 SA - 49.25 44.25 22.65 3.5 2.5 10.5 poecilochrous (49–49.5) (43.5–45) (22.5–22.8) (10–11) CENAA Buteogallus urubitinga Simoca 1 SA - 64 42 27 4.5 3.2 13 CeRAR M Buteogallus Comandante Fontana, 2/3 A 840 49.8 40.6 21.6 3.7 2.8 12.25 meridionalis Guachula, Loreto (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 3) (n = 2) (n = 2) CENAA, CeRAR (740–895) (48–53) (38–43) (21–23) (3.3–4) (2.6–3) (12–12.5) Parabuteo unicinctus Agua Amarga 1 A 880 53 33 24 3.5 2.5 10 CeRAR Accipiter striatus Potrerillos 1 A 100 26 16.4 13.7 - 1 4.6 CENAA Accipiter bicolor Rosario de la Frontera 1 A 149 31.5 25.5 16.8 - - 5.1 CENAA CeRAR Tafí Viejo 1 A 42 32 21 2.5 2.0 7 Falconidae Falco sparverius Pozo Hondo, Tucumán, 5/8/9 AM 105.5 25.3 18.1 12.6 1.5 1.1 4.2 CENAA, CeRAR Guatrache, Tafi del Valle. (n = 9) (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 5) (n = 8) (80–120) (22.5–27.2) (16–19) (11–13.4) (1.5–1.6) (1.1–1.2) (4/4.6) Falco sparverius Gaona, Bajo de Véliz, 11/12 AF 116.8 26 19 13.2 1.5/1.2 1.2 4 CENAA, CeRAR Alderetes, Cebil Redondo, (n = 11) (n = 12) (n = 11) (n = 12) (n = 12) (n = 11) (n = 12) Tucumán, Tafi del Valle, (90–152) (23–28) (17–21) (10.9–15) (1.5–1.8) (1.2–1.4) (3.8–4.5) Tafi Viejo Falco femoralis Villa Mariano Moreno 1 A 230 32 24 10 2.2 1.6 6 CeRAR Caracara plancus La Aguadita, Tucumán, 3/4/5/6 A 811.25 53.1 37.1 23 4/3 3 9.84 CeRAR Banda del Rio Salí, Escaba, (n = 4) (n = 5) (n = 6) (n = 6) (n = 6) (n = 3) (n = 5) Lastenia. (700–960) (50–57) (32–40.1) (20.5–25) (3.5–4.3) (3–3.1) (9.1–10.2) Caracara plancus Tucumán, Capital 1 SA 835 52 36 22.4 5 2.7 7.5 CeRAR Milvago chimango Villa Amalia, Yerba Buena, 6/7/8/9 A 226.87 35.3 27.7 18.5 2.6/1.8 1.8 5.6 CeRAR Rio Colorado, Los Vallistos, (n = 8) (n = 8) (n = 7) (n = 8) (n = 9) (n = 6) (n = 9) La Aguadita, Ruta 9, (170–260) (32–39.4) (25–29.9) (10–19.5) (2.5–3.1) (1.7–2.1) (4.8–6.7) Tucumán Spiziapteryx Sumampa, Bajo de Velis 2 A 157.5 28.7 17.2 15 1.9 1.6 4.8 circumcincta (155–160) (28.3–29.2) (17–17.4) (14.8–15.5) (4.5–5.1) CENAA Micrastur ruficollis Reserva Santa Ana, Pinar 2/3 A 190 37 18 18.5 1.8/1.5 1.5 6.1 CENAA Velárdez, Santa Lucía. (n = 3) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (n = 2) (180–207) (35–39) 18.5–19) (18–19) (1.7–1.9) (1.4–1.6) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES Aráoz, R. 2012. Dinámica y abundancia del Aguilucho Común This research was supported by the Centro Nacional de (Buteo polyosoma polyosoma) (Quoy y Gaymard, 1824) en Tafí del Anillado de Aves. We are grateful to the CENAA banders Valle, Tucumán, Argentina. Bachelors' Monography, Universidad for their help with fieldwork. This study was made possible Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. by funds provided by CONICET and the Universidad Belton, W. 1984. Birds of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 178: 369–631. Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. Finally, we thank the Bloom, P.; Clark, W. & Kidd, J. 2007. Capture techniques, p. 193– Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, 219. In: Bird, D. M. & Bildstein, K. L. (eds.). Raptor research and Universidad Nacional de Tucumán for providing vehicles management techniques. Blain: Hancock House Publishers. and drivers. 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Capllonch, P.; Ortiz, D. & Ferro, I. 2011. Avifauna de las Cumbres Trejo, A.; Bó, M. S.; Bellocq, M. I. & López-de-Casenave, J. 2007. Calchaquíes, Tucumán, Argentina. Acta Zoológica Lilloana, 55: Editorial - ecología y conservación de aves rapaces en Argentina. 50–63. Hornero, 22: 81–83. Dunning-Jr., J. B. 1992. CRC handbook of avian body masses. Boca Trejo, A., Capllonch, P. & Sympson, L. 2007. Migratory status of Raton, CRC Press. the White-Throated Hawk (Bu teo albigula): What do we know up nd Dunning-Jr., J. B. 2008. CRC handbook of avian body masses, 2 edn. to now? Ornitología Neotropical, 18: 11–19. Boca Raton, CRC Press. Jiménez, J. E. 1995. Historia natural del Aguilucho Buteo polyosoma: una revisión. Hornero, 141–8. Riesing, M. J.; Kruckenhauser, L.; Gamauf, A. & Haring, E. 2003. Molecular phylogeny of the genus Buteo (Aves: Accipitridae) based Associate Editor: Luis F. Silveira. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 24(4), 2016

Journal

Ornithology Research – Springer Journals

Published: Dec 1, 2016

Keywords: Accipitridae; Cathartidae; diurnal raptors; Falconidae; measurements

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