The following are the species added to the list of Birds of Peru in 2018.
The information below was extracted from the report generated by the Comité de Registros de Aves Peruanas (C.R.A.P), located on the website managed by the “Union de Ornitologos del Peru (UNOP).
Species Added to the List of Birds of Peru.
Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis)
Observation: Between 11 May 2003 and September 9, 2018, J. Vizcarra and D. Lane observed and photographed at least 4 individuals Silvery Grebe of the form occipitalis (Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis) at the Ite wetlands, Department of Tacna (17°52’44.16”S / 71°0’50.09”W, 10 m). The only form of Silvery Grebe known as a breeding resident in Peru is P. o. juninensis.
Determination: The committee accepted the form P. o. occipitalis (nominate subspecies) as a vagrant austral migrant in Peru.
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Guira Cuckoos (Guira guira)
Observation: H. Báez photographed a pair of Guira Cuckoos in Madre de Dios. This record was first submitted to the committee in 2013 and re-reviewed in 2015.
Determination: There have been several reports of this cuckoo in Madre de Dios. The photograph submitted for review leaves no doubt of the identity of the species. Hence, the committee added the Guira Cuckoo to the main Peruvian list as a vagrant species.
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Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Observation: On 15 January 2018, J. Nilsson and others photographed seven individuals of a tern that they identified as a Caspian Tern in non-breeding plumage. This observation took place at Santuario Nacional Manglares de Tumbes, Department of Tumbes (3°26’20.09” S/ 80°13’16.89” W, 0 m).
Determination: Members of the committee agreed with the identification and accepted the record. Caspian Tern was added to the main Peruvian list as a vagrant.
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Tennessee Warbler (Dendroica peregrina)
Observation: On 8 November 2018, G. Bautista and his tour group observed and photographed a Tennessee Warbler accompanying an understory mixed-species flock. This observation took place in Pillahuata, Province of Paucartambo, Department of Cusco (13°09’44.5”S / 71°35’39.0”W, 2565 m).
Determination: The photographic material shows various conclusive field marks of a Tennessee Warbler. The committee accepted the record and added this species to the main Peruvian list as a vagrant.
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Species with Status Change.
The following species were in the Peru list as hypothetical. After reviewing the material regarding their presence and status in the country, the committee added them to the main list of Birds of Peru.
Ash-colored Cuckoo (Coccycua cinerea)
F. Angulo photographed a group of three individuals on the grounds of Amazonia Lodge in Southeast Peru, alto Río Madre de Dios, Department of Madre de Dios (12°52’10.86”S / 71°22’26.93”W). The Ash-colored Cuckoo is now on the main Peru list as an irregular Austral migrant.
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Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti)
For at least a decade, there have been multiple reports of this hummingbird from the Cerros de Amotape National Park, Department of Tumbes. F. Angulo and A. Begazo submitted photos to the committee. Additionally, there are multiple records many, with photographic evidence, on the eBird database. This hummingbird has been moved to the main Peru list as a breeding resident.
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Stripe-backed Bittern (Ixobrychus involucris)
There have been several undocumented records of this species from Madre de Dios. Kilby et al. (2018) provide documented proof of this species’ presence in Peru. Stripe-backed Bittern is now considered a rare Austral migrant in the main Peru list.
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Rusty-backed Spinetail (Cranioleuca vulpina)
On 4 October 2017, G. Carrasco and G. Bautista encountered and photographed an individual at Caño de Pacacocha at Lago Yarinacocha, Department of Ucayali. The documentation submitted was conclusive and the species has been moved to the main Peru list as a breeding resident.
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Literature Cited
- Kilby, R., M. Ugarte, S. Timson, D. Góngora Romero (2018). First documented record of the Stripe-backed Bittern, Ixobrychus involucris (Vieillot, 1823) (Aves, Ardeidae) in Peru. Check List, 14: 519-552.