[mou] Fwd: Another grail bird found in Northern Peru!!

[Jim Williams]

Forward by Jim Williams
Wayzata

Begin forwarded message:

From: Gunnar Engblom <gengblom@GMAIL.COM>
Date: March 22, 2007 8:53:18 AM CST
To: BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Another grail bird found in Northern Peru!!
Reply-To: Gunnar Engblom <gengblom@GMAIL.COM>

Dear all.

It has finally been found!! Check the pics! The article below was
recieved from Steve Holmer - ABC.

http://www.abcbirds.org/whiskeredowlpic.htm

Long Sought After Bird Spotted in Peruvian Nature Reserve
Endangered species known only from captured individuals seen in wild
for first time

The extremely rare Long-whiskered Owlet (Xenoglaux loweryi), a species
that wasn't discovered until 1976, and until now was only known from a
few specimens captured in nets after dark, has been seen in the wild
for the first time by researchers monitoring the Area de Conservaci=F3n
Privada de Abra Patricia =96 Alto Nieva, a private conservation area in
Northern Peru. The sighting is considered a holy grail of South
American ornithology and has not been accomplished in thirty years,
despite the efforts of hundreds of birders.

The species is among the world's smallest owls. It is so distinct that
it has been named in its own genus: Xenoglaux meaning "strange owl" on
account of the long wispy feathers or whiskers that stream out from
its wild-looking reddish-orange eyes. The owl inhabits the dense
undergrowth of mountain forests in a remote part of northern Peru.

"Seeing the Long-whiskered Owlet is a huge thrill," said David Geale
of Asociaci=F3n Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) who was part of the research
team. "Its population is estimated to be less than 1,000 birds, and
possibly as few as 250. Due to the rapid destruction of its forest
habitat and its tiny range, it is inferred that the species is in
serious decline. Until recently, the owlet's key habitat was
completely unprotected."

The Long-whiskered Owlet has previously been captured by researchers
on at least three occasions, but until 2002 nothing was known of the
bird's natural history. At that point, calls were recorded from a
captive bird, but its biology still remained virtually unknown. Last
month, researchers Geale and Juvenal Ccahuana, rangers of Abra
Patricia and monitors of the MNBCA program from Alto Mayo, encountered
the owlet three times during daylight hours and recorded its calls
frequently at night. Several photographs were also taken of a bird
captured in a mist-net and later released onto a tree branch where it
posed for photographs before disappearing into the night. These
additional photos are available at
http://www.abcbirds.org/whiskeredowlpic.htm and high resolution copies
are available upon request.

"The creation of the Area de Conservaci=F3n Privada de Abra Patricia =96
Alto Nieva, located in the Northern end of the Peruvian Yungas
ecosystem, provides protection for the key site for the Long-whiskered
Owlet," said Hugo Arnal, American Bird Conservancy's (ABC) Tropical
Andes Program Director. "By establishing a reserve and protecting the
owlet's forest habitat, ABC and its partner ECOAN are giving many
other species a chance to survive as well."

The northeastern section of the Peruvian Yungas, comprises habitat for
317 resident bird species, of which 23 are considered globally
threatened. The conservation area also protects much of the known
habitat for the endangered Ochre-fronted Antpitta, and has been
declared a priority by the Alliance for Zero Extinction. Other
endemics in the area include the endangered Royal Sunangel (a
hummingbird), the rare and recently-described Johnson's Tody-Tyrant,
and the endangered Ash-throated Antwren.

Several songbirds that breed in North America such as the beautiful
Blackburnian Warbler also use these forests during the winter. Other
migratory species include the Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk,
Swainson's Thrush, and Alder Flycatcher. In total, 29 neotropical
migrant species use this area, of which 13 are of conservation
concern. Nearly 98% of the reserve consists of well-preserved stands
of typical Yungas forests, and it is also considered a rich area for
orchids.



--=20
Gunnar Engblom-Lima, Peru.
Kolibri Expeditions=96Birdwatching in South America. More Birds!
http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com
www.birding-peru.com - checklist and data-base. Record your sightings
on-line, forum, pictures, identification, Expedition Birding, etc.
Tel: +51 1 4765016 cel: 51-1-96437749 or 99007886

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