The birds of “Pitipalena-Añihué” Marine Protected Area, Chilean Patagonia

Abstract

Añihué Reserve is located at the center of “Pitipalena-Añihué” Marine Protected Area, in Chilean Patagonia. This contribution corresponds to the first update of the bird survey in Anihué Reserve, the marine protected area and neighboring sites, based on photographic voucher of sighted species during systematic and opportunistic data collection in land and from coastal boats between February 2, 2011 and November 11, 2016. Point count method (n= 442; 110.5 h; 720 km) and walking transects (56 km) methods were applied as systematic survey efforts. A richness of 88 bird species, belonging to 34 families from 14 orders was documented. Passeriformes was the largest represented (28 spp) followed by Charadriiformes (11 spp). Species richness appears to stay stable throughout the year without significant phenological differences despite its composition varied seasonally. About half of the species were recorded during all seasons. Special cases of unusual seasonal occurrence, geographic range extensions and a distinct phenotypic expression of a local population are described. These results are presented in collaboration with the marine protected area and its birdwatching potential was discussed accordingly.