Hugo del Castillo

Status of the avifauna of San Rafael National Park, one of the last large fragments of Atlantic Forest in Paraguay

Summary We provide new information on all birds known from San Rafael National Park, Paraguay. Ornithological records from the period 1997 to 2006 have been reviewed, adding 112 new species to the reserve’s avifauna. We provide data on the presence of 405 species in seven basic habitats types, and on their relative abundance. Biogeographically, San Rafael has a mixed avifauna, consisting of 70 Atlantic Forest endemic species, two Mesopotamian Grassland endemics, and many with a wider distribution in South America. At least 12 species are threatened and 16 nearthreatened, including important populations of Dryocopus galeatus, Platyrinchus leucoryphus, Alectrurus tricolor and Xanthopsar flavus. We provide brief comments on records of these 28 species within the study site. The avifauna of the reserve is one the most important in Paraguay, due to its high diversity and endemism. At the same time, it is under great threat and its viability is at risk unless urgent actions are taken. Fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest in Paraguay has left the San Rafael block almost totally isolated from other forests. The degradation of its forests through selective logging and clearance for agriculture still has severe impacts, as do hunting and frequent fires in grasslands and forests. Unfortunately, the legal situation of the National Park is extremely precarious, creating great uncertainty and problems for its conservation.

The Owls of Paraguay

Paraguay is located at the center of South America at the confluence of several biomes: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Mesopotamian Grasslands, Chaco, and Pantanal. Some 719 bird species are documented for the country, of which 16 are owls. No owls are endemic to Paraguay, but one species is endemic to the Chaco biome and three species and one subspecies are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. In Paraguay, ornithological research has experienced productive periods and other long periods without advances; currently there are no studies underway that focus on the ecology or conservation of owls, although some studies on diet and behavior have been published. Only one species, Rusty-barred Owl (Strix hylophila), is considered at risk internationally, but seven species are considered at risk at the national level. The principal threats to the owls of Paraguay are habitat destruction, lack of protected areas or poor implementation of existing areas, popular beliefs that nocturnal birds bring bad luck, forest management incompatible with owl conservation, and lack of information about the basic biology of these birds.