Victor Raimilla Almonacid

RESUMEN.— Las aves rapaces han simbolizado poder a nivel global y son parte de los mitos y las leyendas locales. En la zona sur-austral de Chile, las actitudes humanas hacia las aves rapaces son ampliamente variadas como resultado de una mezcla cultural, principalmente entre con-quistadores españoles y pueblos nativos (mapuche, selk'nam, yagán). Las aves rapaces han sido consideradas por los humanos como beneficiosas para la agricultura (e.g., control de plagas) pero también como perjudiciales al alimentarse de aves de corral o por ser " de mal agüero ". Se realizó una búsqueda sinóptica pero comprehensiva de la literatura académica y de libros sobre mitos y leyendas del sur de Chile con el fin de evaluar la percepción que los pobladores de esa zona tienen de ellas. Se encontró que Milvago chimango, Caracara plancus, Parabuteo unicinctus, los búhos y las aves rapaces conocidas localmente con el nombre genérico de peucos están asociados con daños o malos augurios. Milvago chimango, Elanus leucurus y los búhos se consideran benefi-ciosos para la salud y la economía de subsistencia humana. PALABRAS CLAVE: etno-ornitología, inspiración poética, mitos, relatos históricos, mal agüero. ABSTRACT. HUMAN PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS BIRDS OF PREY: A SYNOPTIC REVIEW CENTERED IN THE CUSTOMS AND MYTHS IN THE SOUTH-AUSTRAL ZONE OF CHILE.— Raptors have symbolized power at global scale and have participated in myths and local legends. In the south-austral zone of Chile, human perceptions towards raptors are widely varied mainly as a result of a cultural mix between Spanish conquerors and native peoples (mapuche, selk'nam, yagan). Raptors have been considered by humans as beneficial birds to agriculture (e.g., pest control), but also as harmful because they prey over poultry and are believed as " bad omens ". We conducted a synoptic but comprehensive search of the academic literature, along with books on myths and legends of south-austral Chile in order to evaluate the perception that inhabitants have of them. We found that Milvago chimango, Caracara plancus, Parabuteo unicinctus, owls and raptors with the generic name of hawks are associated with harmfulness or bad omens. Milvago chimango, Elanus leucurus and owls are considered beneficial to health and the human subsistence economy.

ABSTRACT The Hellmayr’s Pipit (Anthus hellmayri) is a poorly known species distributed through southern South America. It is represented by three subspecies, one of them migratory. The migratory A.h. dabbenei is thought to be migratory in Chile, although data is lacking to clarify its real status in the country, in fact it has been treated as either a vagrant or rare to the country historically. Through a systematic search for this species in the Araucania Region of Chile, in addition to historical records, a total of 57 individuals were located. These were found from sea level to 1400 m s.n.m., between September to March and between the years 2003 and 2011, confirming that this appears to be a migratory species in Chile. The habitats used are similar to those reported in Argentina and Uruguay, and can be categorized as grasslands dominated by annual plants, and with presence of isolated shrubs. We discuss about the reproduction and seasonality of Hellmayr’s Pipit in Chile.

Fuegian Snipe Gallinago stricklandii is a poorly known wader found in southern Chile and south-west Argentina, but knowledge of its distribution is still incomplete. Historical records suggest a breeding range between 48°S and 56°S in the Patagonian fjords, however especially few data are available for the north of its presumed distribution. Here we report two records of Fuegian Snipe during the breeding season at 46°S and 48°S. We captured two individuals at Ventisquero Jorge Montt (48°19’S) in early December 2021 (late spring), both with a dry and shrivelled incubation patch, usually indicative of a recently completed incubation period. We also report a photo record and displays at the río Exploradores (46°19’S, 73°24’W). These findings suggest that the northern limit of the species’ breeding range extends to at least 46°S.

Gestión local de la información en biodiversidad: fomentando la ciencia participativa en el sur de Chile. La caracterización, la cuantificación y el seguimiento de la biodiversidad han sido algunos de los principales retos de la conservación. El Sistema de Información en Biodiversidad para Aysén (SIB-Aysén) es una plataforma colaborativa e interactiva para la consulta y gestión de datos biológicos que actualmente contiene más de 10 000 registros de unas 2800 especies de plantas, animales, hongos y microalgas presentes en la región subantártica de Aysén, Chile. Para construir la base de datos, se recopilaron los registros publicados en revistas especializadas, publicaciones divulgativas y documentos técnicos validados por la comunidad científica y se sistematizaron de acuerdo al estándar Darwin Core. En la plataforma, construida usando herramientas de libre acceso, para cada especie se muestra una ficha con descripción general, galería de fotografías y registros geolocalizados. Se encuentra disponible para todo público en internet a través del enlace https://kataix.umag.cl/sib-aysen. Se dispone de un módulo para la participación ciudadana que permite a las comunidades locales ingresar sus propios registros participativos, los cuales deben ser validados por especialistas. El proceso participativo se ha desarrollado mediante diversas iniciativas de innovación social como Hongusto y el Laboratorio Abierto de Ciencias Subantárticas, en los que se han involucrado científicos y comunidades locales. En este artículo se presenta el proceso de generación de este sistema para ampliar el conocimiento y valoración de la biodiversidad local.

We studied the influence of seven habitat variables, including tree species, for nesting by the Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis) in an urban area of southern Chile. Variables were compared between 30 trees with nests and 30 randomly selected trees without nests. Nests were found in big trees with large diameters and heights. However, the only variable found to have a significant effect on site selection was tree species, which explained 57.9% of data variability (deviance) and suggested a selection of exotic conifers, mainly Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Tree species and tree diameter also had significant effects upon the number of nests per tree, jointly explaining 68.9% of data deviance. Our results suggest that in urban environments the Black-faced Ibis uses larger trees that provide greater nest stability and protection.

Se estudió la comunidad de anfibios del sector "Predio Nahuel", del área protegida privada "Parque La Tapera" ubicada en un área cercana al ventisquero Jorge Montt, límite norte del Campo de Hielo Patagónico Sur. Esta zona periglaciar es geológicamente reciente, y aparece posterior al retroceso glaciar ocurrido entre los años 1945 y 1976, por lo que su superficie aún es dominada por afloramientos rocosos. Se registró un total de 101 individuos de seis especies: Alsodes coppingeri, Batrachyla antartandica, Chaltenobatrachus grandisonae, Nannophryne variegata, Eupsophus calcaratus e Hylorina sylvatica. Ambientes de pozas y riachuelos fueron los hábitats con mayor diversidad. Se describen los microhábitat de la nueva población de C. grandisonae.

La rana de hojarasca de párpados verdes (Eupsophus emiliopugini) posee su límite de distribución sur en la Isla Clemente, Reserva Nacional Las Guaitecas en la región de Aysén. Aquí recopilamos los registros de la región de Aysén provenientes de diversas expediciones y literatura publicada, aumentando el rango de distribución en 100 km al sur de lo previamente reportado.

The southern distribution limit of the White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula) has recently ex- tended to near Caleta Tortel (48°S), Aysen region, southern Chile. Here we report 22 new records of this hawk species in the Aysen region and the first two records in Magallanes region. These new records extend the southern distribution range approximately 730 km southward (54°S) in Chile.

Basados en los criterios del Web of Science® (WoS) analizamos la productividad científica sobre la investigación de aves rapaces en Chile entre 1988 y 2011. Nuestro análisis consideró las citas acumuladas de artículos hasta 2013 y el factor de impacto de las revistas donde estos artículos fueron publicados. Identificamos un total de 160 artículos con información sobre aves rapaces chilenas. Dieciocho artículos recibieron entre 11–30 citas alcanzando el estatus de " artículo conocido ". La revista Journal of Raptor Research concentró casi el 40% de los artículos WoS (31 de 78). El factor de impacto de las revistas donde los autores chilenos publicaron sus artículos varió entre 0,261–3,011. Un número considerable de artículos (N = 71) fueron también publicados en revistas registradas en otras bases de datos (e.g., SciELO). Entre estas revistas, el Boletín Chileno de Ornitología y Hornero (Argentina) concentraron en conjunto el 28,2% de los artículos publicados. Una pequeña fracción de las publicaciones (11 de 160) correspondieron a capítulos de libro. Debido al paradigma productivista adoptado por la academia chilena, hay una presión obvia para generar más artículos WoS. Para promover la importancia de las sociedades científicas en Chile es necesario que éstas mantengan revistas que estén registradas al menos en una base formal de datos y que cuenten con un comité editorial para asegurar la participación de pares. Esto aseguraría la calidad de los artículos publicados.
ABSTRACT.-Based on Web of Science® (WoS) criteria, we analyzed the scientific productivity of raptor research in Chile between 1988 and 2011. Our analysis considered cumulative citations of articles up to 2013 and the impact factor of journals where that articles were published. We identified a total of 160 articles with information on Chilean raptors. Eighteen articles received between 11–30 citations, reaching the status of " known articles. " The Journal of Raptor Research concentrated almost 40% (31 out of 78) of the WoS articles. The impact factor of journals where Chilean authors published their papers ranged from 0.261–3.011. A considerable number of articles (N = 71) were also published in journals included in another databases (e.g., SciELO). Among these, the Boletín Chileno de Ornitología and Hornero (Argentina) jointly concentrated 28.2% of published articles. A small fraction of all publications (11 out of 160) corresponded to book chapters.

We studied the influence of seven habitat variables, including tree species, for nesting by the Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis) in an urban area of southern Chile. Variables were compared between 30 trees with nests and 30 randomly selected trees without nests. Nests were found in big trees with large diameters and heights. However, the only variable found to have a significant effect on site selection was tree species, which explained 57.9% of data variability (deviance) and suggested a selection of exotic conifers, mainly Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Tree species and tree diameter also had significant effects upon the number of nests per tree, jointly explaining 68.9% of data deviance. Our results suggest that in urban environments the Black-faced Ibis uses larger trees that provide greater nest stability and protection.

The Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) is a neotropical cormorant, with a moderately small population and currently categorized as “Near Threatened”. The Red-legged Cormorant is distributed only in the coasts of Perú, Argentina and Chile; however, just a small area in Chile constitutes an important breeding population for this species. Between 1998 and 2000 the entire breeding population size of Red-legged Cormorant and its distribution in Chile were determined, but some areas were poorly surveyed. Red-legged Cormorants along the Araucania coast, an area of south-central Chile not considered in previous studies were surveyed, and determined their breeding population size. A total of 3,175 nests and 13,018 adults were distributed over 10 breeding colonies. Our results modified the entire breeding population size of Red-legged Cormorant known for Chile by almost 62% (from 5,018–5,218 to 8,193–8,393 breeding pairs) and by almost 43.4% the world estimates population (from 30,000 to 43,018 individuals).  This area could be one of the most important breeding areas for this species in the world. Currently, the colonies of Piureo-Puaucho (1,506 nests), Nigue (1,009 nests) and Punta Ronca-Queule (964 nests), represent almost 42% of the breeding population of this species in Chile, so these breeding sites should be a priority for conservation efforts.

"Increasing global interest for studying birds of prey has lead to the need to identify research priorities to better focus conservation efforts. In Chile, studies on raptors date back to 1891, and the number of publications has considerably increased in the last decades. To our knowledge, however, analysis on information gaps and research priorities is lacking. Based on the published information from 1970 and 2011, we assessed the current state of knowledge for Chilean raptors to identify the topics where information is absent or is insufficient and to determine what information is a research priority. We analyzed the information according to species, species groups (diurnal and nocturnal), research topics and geographical area where the studies were conducted. We found that the number of papers increased linearly with time, but the tendency was strongly biased toward only two species (Tyto alba, Geranoaetus polyosoma). Most studies focused on diet and were with an interest more pronounced towards nocturnal than diurnal raptors. The remainder of topics was only moderately or poorly studied. The least studied raptors were migrant species (Buteo swainsoni, Pandion haliaetus, Circus buffoni), forest specialists (Strix rufipes, Accipiter bicolor, Buteo ventralis and B. albigula) and members of the genus Phalcoboenus, most of which have some conservation problem. The number of studies by geographical area was similar between diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Remarkably, a high proportion of studies concentrated in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. We conclude that research must be focused on (a) poorly studied and threatened species, (b) scarcely studied topics such as migration, population density, taxonomy, management, parasites and use and selection habitat, and (c) species inhabiting remote islands, fragmented or humanmodified landscapes, and heavily populated areas.

Key words:
birds of prey, Chile, conservation, research priorities, threatened species."

Buteo ventralis es una rapaz endémica y virtualmente desconocida de los bosques templados de Nothofagus de Chile y Argentina. Estudiamos el comportamiento reproductivo de una pareja en el mismo nido durante dos temporadas reproductivas consecutivas (2008-09 y 2009-2010) en el Monumento Natural Cerro Ñielol, cerca de Temuco en el sur de Chile, de julio del 2008 a marzo del 2010. La pareja construyó y mejoró un nido en un árbol alto de Aextoxicon punctatum en el fondo de una quebrada densamente vegetada. El macho defendió activamente el territorio. La hembra incubó exclusivamente los huevos durante 33-34 días, comenzando a principios de octubre. La pareja produjo tres y un pichones, en 2008-09 y 2009-2010 respectivamente, los cuales dejaron el nido a los 49 - 56 días de edad y dejaron de visitar el nido a los 91 días de edad. La pareja y los juveniles permanecieron en el área del nido hasta finales de marzo. El comportamiento reproductivo de B. ventralis fue similar al de otros Buteo, especialmente al de su pariente más cercano, B. jamaicensis en América del Norte.

The Hellmayr’s Pipit (Anthus hellmayri) is a poorly known species distributed through southern South America. It is represented by three subspecies, one of them, A.h. dabbenei is considered migratory. Although it is believed that A. h. dabbenei is migratory in Chile, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that this is the case. In the period between 2010 and 2011 we conducted an exhaustive search for this species in the Araucania Region of south-central Chile. In addition historical records and previous records by the authors were included in the analysis. In total, we recorded 57 individuals from sea level to 1400 m asl, found in the period between September and March in the years 2003 to 2011. These findings support what appears to be regular migratory behavior of a summer resident species in Chile, not a vagrant as suggested by previous works. The habitats used in Chile are similar to those reported in Argentina and Uruguay, and can be categorized as grasslands dominated by annual plants, and with the presence of isolated shrubs. We also discuss reproduction and seasonality of Hellmayr’s Pipit in Chile.

The endemic Dusky Tapaculo (Scytalopus  fuscus) normally  ranges from 29º throughout 36ºS in Chile. In the present note we report on 14 independent sightings of Dusky Tapaculos at localities around the Cordillera of Nahuelbuta (37-38º S) in the Araucania region, southern Chile. All individuals were identified by their calls, both spontaneous (N=10) and induced by play-back (N=4) and were observed on hill slopes and densely vegetated gullies. At the sites we also observed other tapaculo species including Magellanic (S. magellanicus) and Ochre-flanked (Eugralla paradoxa). This report extends the previous known specie‘s distribution in ca. 190 km south.

as aves en ambientes de turbera del sur de Sudamérica han sido escasamente estudiadas. La riqueza de especies de estos ambientes comparada con otros tipos de humedales es baja, variando desde 3 a 46 especies, sin embargo, su composición ha sido descrita muy diferente a la de otros tipos de humedales, por lo que representaría un hábitat particular para las aves. Para la región de Aysén se evaluó la diversidad de aves y su uso del hábitat en 13 turberas (rango = 1,35 - 174 ha) fisonómicamente distintas: turberas de Sphagnum, de Sphagnum arbolada o con arbustos, graminiformes y pulvinadas, con y sin intervención (cosecha de musgo). Un total de 195 individuos de 26 especies fueron registrados. La riqueza específica entre turberas varió desde 1 a 10 especies. Al comparar las diversidades (riqueza y abundancia) encontradas entre las turberas, éstas no fueron significativas. Al agruparlas fisonómicamente, las turberas de Sphagnum y Sphagnum arbolada fueron las que presentaron el mayor número de especies, con 15 (57,7% del total) y 11 (42,3% del total), respectivamente. Las aves de las turberas de la región de Aysén fueron principalmente de hábitos terrestres (88,46%) y utilizaron mayormente los árboles y arbustos (65,78%) para sus actividades. Considerando la dieta, los gremios más representados fueron los insectívoros (46,15%) y omnívoros (19,23%), con el fío-fío (Elaenia albiceps), golondrina chilena (Tachycineta leucopyga) y el chercán (Troglodytes aedon) como las aves más abundantes. La dominancia de aves terrestres reafirmaría que las turberas son sistemas interconectados con los bosques circundantes, antecedente ecológico con implicancia para su conservación.