A study developed by researchers from Pajareando Ando Ecuador, National Institute of Biodiversity (Inabio), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) and Birds and Birds Ecuador describes for the first time the nest and eggs of the Peruvian Curlew (Burhinus superciliarismore) in the Santa Elena peninsula, that is, the northern limit of its global distribution.
The Peruvian Curlew is distributed in arid coastal areas from southern Ecuador to the extreme north of Chile. And in our country it is considered endangered because its populations are small and declining.
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The researchers, Héctor Cadena-Ortiz, associated with Inabio; Anaid Paladines and Denis Mosquera, reported monitoring a nest of B. superciliaris Found in a cleared area of three meter radius surrounding an oil well, 2 km from the coast, on the outskirts of Ancón, Santa Elena province. This site corresponds to the Tumbesian ecoregion, with a predominance of shrubby, dry, thorny and tropical desert vegetation, which is in decline due to the expansion of oil and agricultural activities, according to the study.
The researchers, In addition, they found two adults of B. superciliaris a meter away, one standing and the other sitting. “When this second individual arose, they observed a nest with two eggs. Despite their presence, the two adults remained close, vigilant, less than 3 meters from the nest,” the investigation details.
The experts measured the nest and weighed the two eggs. For several days their permanence in the nest was verified until at one point the species became more alarmed than usual. One day later, the researchers found the nest without eggs, with feces (in a trajectory towards the west of the nest, where there are scrubs) and down (possibly from the nestlings), but they did not observe any individuals in the surroundings.
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Later, they extended the search up to 200 meters away from the nest, in open and closed areas, without finding nestlings or adults. “The observed nest was simple bare; that is, a slight depression without any plant present, living or dead; It was oval in shape, 17 x 12 cm, with small stones inside and outside,” the publication says.
According to the investigation, in Santa Elena there would barely be 20 – 25 pairs of B. superciliaris based on relative abundances of 0.47–1.27 individuals/km surveyed, and it is suggested that this species could breed in the first half of the year in this province. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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