Use of urban areas by two emblematic and threatened birds in the central Andes of Colombia

Abstract

The Turquoise Dacnis (Dacnis hartlaubi) and the Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) are categorized as “vulnerable” at global scale. Habitat loss and degradation following rapid agricultural expansion and urban development are the main causes of their declines. In this note we present the first documented records of these species in urban green areas in South America. Our observations were undertaken between 2007–2014 during surveys of the avifauna of Armenia City in the central Andes of Colombia. We recorded Turquoise Dacnis on 19 occasions and Cerulean Warbler on 10. Most records were solitary males foraging in Cecropia angustifolia and Inga ornata trees, and some were associated with mixed species flocks. Both species used forest patches, parks and areas with scattered trees. Our observations suggest that cities may provide passage and/or wintering areas for these threatened species.