NEW AND NOTEWORTHY BIRD - Museum of Natural … of malaria and several other diseases, the pace of deforestation has increased dramatically (Viña & Cavelier 1999). During the last

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY BIRD RECORDS FROM THE EASTSLOPE OF THE ANDES OF COLOMBIA

Nuevos y significativos registros de aves de la vertiente orientalde los Andes colombianos

PAUL G.W. SALAMAN

Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road,Oxford OX1 3PS, U.K. [email protected]

F. GARY STILES

Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Apartado 7495, Bogo-tá, Colombia. [email protected]

CLARA ISABEL BOHÓRQUEZ

MAURICIO ÁLVAREZ-R.Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, Apartado 53207, Bogotá, Colombia.

ANA MARÍA UMAÑA

Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, Apartado 8693, Bogotá, Colombia.

THOMAS M. DONEGAN

Christ’s College, Cambridge University, CB2 3BU, U.K.

ANDRÉS M. CUERVO

Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Apartado 1226, Medellín, Colombia.

ABSTRACT

We present significant new information on the distribution and status of 138 speciesof birds from the Andean East Slope of Colombia, based upon fieldwork between1990 and 2000 at 28 sites from central Dpto. Boyacá south to the Ecuador border.The first Colombian specimens of two species (Campylopterus villaviscensio, NapoSabrewing; Myrmotherula spodionota, Foothill Antwren) are reported. Three othertaxa (Ocreatus underwoodii addae, Piculus leucolaemus leucolaemus andMyiophobus p. phoenicomitra), the first two sometimes considered species distinctfrom known Colombian forms, represent first reports from Colombia based uponsightings or photographs; we add several more sightings of two species (Pipreolachlorolepidota, Iridisornis analis) previously known from single sight records. Inall, we report 35 species from the Andean East Slope of Colombia for the first time,southward range extensions on this slope for 47 species, northward extensions for21, upward or downward altitudinal extensions for 19, filling in of major discontinuitiesin distribution for 22; for ten of the latter, known from very few reports, new informationindicates a continuous distribution and far greater abundance than previouslysupposed. Range extensions and previously undiscovered populations of severalrestricted-range, Vulnerable, Near-threatened and Threatened species help toemphasize the importance of implementing conservation measures in the face of the

Caldasia 24(1) 2002: 157-189ZOOLOGÍA

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increasing colonization pressures and insecurity. Based on our observations, wepresent several recommendations for setting conservation priorities in this rich butstill relatively poorly known region.

Key words. Andean East Slope, birds, Colombia, conservation, distribution, status.

RESUMENPresentamos información nueva y significativa sobre la distribución y situación de138 especies de aves de la vertiente oriental de los Andes colombianos, con base entrabajo de campo entre 1990 y 2000 en 28 sitios desde el centro-oriente del Dpto.Boyacá hasta la frontera con Ecuador. Registramos los primeros ejemplares colec-cionados en territorio colombiano de Campylopterus villaviscensio (Trochilidae) yMyrmotherula spodionota (Formicariidae). Presentamos los primeros registros vi-suales o fotográficos para Ocreatus underwoodii addae, Piculus l. leucolaemus yMyiophobus p. phoenicomitra, las dos primeras a veces consideradas como espe-cies distintas de formas colombianas, y varios registros visuales adicionales paraPipreola chlorolepidota y Iridisornis analis, antes anotadas en Colombia conbase en un solo avistamiento cada uno y aún no documentadas con ejemplares. Entotal registramos a 35 especies por primera vez sobre la vertiente oriental de losAndes colombianos; para 47 especies nuestros datos representan extensiones sig-nificativas hacia el sur sobre esta vertiente y para 21, hacia el norte; las distribucio-nes altitudinales de 19 especies se extienden hacia arriba o hacia abajo; para 22especies nuestros datos ayudan a rellenar brechas grandes en las distribucionesantes conocidas. Diez especies muy poco conocidas en esta vertiente en Colombiaresultaron ser mucho más comunes y ampliamente distribuidas de lo que se creíaanteriormente. Nuevos datos sobre varias especies de rango restringido y bajoalgún grado de amenaza, ponen de manifiesto la importancia de tomar medidas deconservación frente a presiones cada vez mayores de colonización y deforestación.Con base en nuestras observaciones presentamos varias recomendaciones parafijar prioridades de conservación en esta región tan rica en aves y todavía pobre-mente conocida.

Palabras clave. Aves, Colombia, conservación, distribución, nuevos registros, ver-tiente oriental de los Andes.

INTRODUCTION

The Andean East Slope is a jagged wall risingabruptly from the vast interior lowlands ofSouth America to form the western limits ofthe Amazon and Orinoco watersheds in Co-lombia. As we use the term here, the AndeanEast Slope includes the eastern versant of theCordillera Oriental (Colombian Eastern Andes)south from the Tamá ridge and the Táchira

Depression to the junction of this range withthe main Andean ridge (Macizo Colombiano),and the eastern versant of this latter rangesouth into Ecuador. The Serranía de Perijá, aspur of the Cordillera Oriental extending nearlydue north from the Táchira Depression, formsthe western part of the Lago de Maracaibodrainage, while the main Venezuelan Andesto the northeast continue the northern borderof the Orinoco watershed (see Fig. 1).

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Figure 1. Map of the Andean East slope in Colombia, showing our grouped study sites,important topographic features and major cities.

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Exceptionally harsh physical relief and highrainfall from convective cloud formations havelong restricted human access to the AndeanEast Slope, hindering colonization anddevelopment as well as exploration. Untilrelatively recently, forest cover wascontinuous from the lowlands up to treelineover most of these slopes in Colombia.However, following biomedical research in themid-twentieth century that permitted effectivecontrol of malaria and several other diseases,the pace of deforestation has increaseddramatically (Viña & Cavelier 1999). Duringthe last 40 years the Colombian governmenthas sponsored massive road construction andcolonization projects to open up the Llanosand Amazonian lowlands for exploitation. Theforests of the foothills and adjacent lowlandshave been eliminated from most sectors, andthe few remaining forest connections betweenupper and lower slopes are under increasingpressure, even where nominally protected. Amajor highway now under construction to linkVenezuela with Ecuador along the entireeastern base of the Andes will surely stimulatefurther deforestation and unplanned anduncontrolled exploitation.

By contrast, the pace of ornithologicalexploration of these slopes has been far moremodest. Although a number of birds from theAndean East Slope had been described in theheyday of the “Bogotá” skin trade, the firstcareful sampling of the avifauna wasaccomplished by Chapman and hiscollaborators (Chapman 1917). BrotherNicéforo of the Museo de La Salle made a fewcollections in the 1930s and 1940s, and K. vonSneidern made extensive collections in severalareas, summarized by Meyer de Schauensee(1948-1952). Personnel of the Instituto de Cien-cias Naturales of the Universidad Nacionalde Colombia made smaller collections atseveral points along the Andean East Slopefrom the 1950s through the 1970s (Olivares1963, 1969, 1971), and a short visit by E. O.

Willis in 1962 produced a number of importantobservations (Willis 1988). Other relativelybrief collecting and birdwatching visits byHilty and others in the 1970s and 1980sproduced additional new records, summarizedby Hilty & Brown (1986). Thus, by the end ofthe 1980s, information on the birds of theAndean East Slope was extremely fragmentary,based largely upon collections as much as 70years old and a scattering of recentobservations: in fact, the only presumedrecords for several species were “Bogotá”specimens a century old without definite dataof any sort. A workshop of Colombianzoologists and botanists at the InstitutoAlexander von Humboldt in Villa de Leyva in1995 identified the Andean East Slope,especially at subtropical elevations (1000-2000m) as one of the most poorly known regionsof Colombia and of highest priority forbiological exploration (IAVH 1997).

In spite of increasing security problems dueto the civil conflict in Colombia, a number ofvisits and expeditions by the authors andothers to the Andean East Slope in recentyears have produced a wealth of newinformation on the avifauna of this importantregion. In this paper we summarize the mostimportant additions to knowledge about thedistribution and status of the birds of theAndean East Slope that have resulted fromthis fieldwork. As security problems continueto mount in the region, further fieldwork isbecoming progressively more difficult, so wefeel that it is important to place ourobservations on record at this time. We alsohope that these new data will help to orientconservation efforts in this rich and stillrelatively poorly explored part of Colombia.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Field work was conducted by variousindividuals and institutions over much of theAndean East Slope between 1990 and 2000.

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Between 1990 and 1997, the Instituto de Cien-cias Naturales (ICN) of the Universidad Na-cional de Colombia conducted several fieldtrips of 10-14 days to the general region ofNW Meta, extreme SE Boyacá and ECundinamarca, some as class field trips andothers as biodiversity surveys under contractto regional or national institutions related tonatural resource management such as IDEAM(Instituto Nacional de Estudios Ambientalesy Meteorologia), Corpoguavio andCorpochivor. Ornithological data weregathered by FGS, who also made several briefvisits to other areas in E Cundinamarca and,with Loreta Rosselli, conducted a 10-monthstudy (3-6 days per month) in high Andeanforest in E Cundinamarca in 1991-1992. Varyingintensities of field work were conducted ateach site using mist-nets, observations andsound recordings. Specimens collected aredeposited in the ICN collection.

During 1997-2000, the Instituto Alexander vonHumboldt sponsored rapid ecologicalinventories in seven sectors along the AndeanEast Slope. In each sector, surveys focusedlargely on elevations between 1000 and 2000m with approximately two weeks per sector.Ornithological data of these surveys weretaken by MAR, CIB, AMU and Sergio Córdo-ba. Standardized field work includingobservations, mist-netting and ca. 2 hours ofsound recordings per day, was conductedalong transects of approximately 2000 m ateach study site. Specimens collected aredeposited mainly in the collection of the IAVH,with a few in that of the ICN. Sound recordingsby MAR and CIB have been deposited in theBanco de Sonidos Animales (BSA) at IAVH.Tissue samples of specimens were depositedwith the IAVH Molecular Genetics Laboratoryfacilities in Cali, Colombia.

During July-August 1998 and 1999, the Co-lombia ’98 Expedition and the Colombian ’99EBA Project studied seven selected primary

forest study sites at ca. 300 m elevational stepsfrom 350 m to 2450 m in the Serranía de losChurumbelos in extreme E Dpto. del Cauca,with an average of six days of intensiveobservations and mist-netting per site. Allmist-netted bird species were weighed,measured and photographed from variousangles; photographs have been cataloguedwith VIREO, Academy of Natural Sciences,Philadelphia. These surveys were conductedby PS, AMC and TMD, assisted in 1998 at thefour lower-elevation sites by Dan Davison andLiliana Dávalos. Further details of Serranía delos Churumbelos expeditions are found inSalaman et al. (1999) and Salaman & Donegan(in prep). Specimens collected during theseexpeditions are housed in the collection ofthe ICN and sound recordings by PS andAMC have been deposited with the NationalSound Archive, Wildlife Section, BritishLibrary.

For completeness, we also present significantdistributional information obtained duringshorter field trips to several other sites on theAndean East Slope of Colombia, and mentionseveral previously unreported specimens inthe ICN collection, collected during the 1970sand early 1980s by Hernando Romero andcollaborators, that contribute important rangeextensions.

LOCALITIES. The data presented here wereobtained at some 28 field sites distributedalong approximately 500 km and 5° of latitudeof the Andean East Slope in Colombia, fromBoyacá to Putumayo and Nariño (Fig. 1). Foreasy reference, we group these localities intoten sectors, number them approximately fromnorth to south and present their names,assignment to political subdivisions(department, municipality), coordinates andsampling effort in Table 1. Sampling effort isdescribed in terms of field-days (FD: one FD= one day with one or more observers in thefield for at least 8 hr) and mist-net hours (MNH:

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Table 1. Study sites on the Andean East Slope of Colombia, numbered approximately fromnorth to south and grouped by sector (bold face, capital letters); for each site are given thepolitical subdivisions of Municipality and Department, coordinates of latitude and longitude,and sampling effort in terms of field-days (FD) and mist-net hours (MNH) (for definitions seetext, as well as for dates, observers and ecological characteristics of each site).

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one MNH = one twelve-meter mist-net openfor one hour). Here, we briefly mention theecological characteristics of each site and thedates (months and years), and observer(s).Note that the number of each locality is pre-ceded by the letter denoting its sector (seeTable 1) and that numbering is continuous,not commencing anew with each sector.

A1. Pajarito. Premontane humid forest(canopy height ca. 22 m) in a largelyundisturbed and isolated ridgetop forest patchin a fragmented landscape, on rocky andsandy ground, between 1200 and 1300 m. Jun1997: CIB.A2. Cerro Comijoque. Montane humid forestin a large area of pristine forest on steep slopesoverlooking the upper Río Cusiana, withsecondary forest and pastures below, at thebase of Cerro Comijoque between 2000 and2400 m, near the Sogamoso-Yopal road. Thearea receives very high rainfall and isfrequently covered by mist: the forest ischaracterized by high abundance anddiversity of bryophytes and vascularepiphytes, a canopy of ca. 25 m dominated byHyeronima oblonga (Euphorbiaceae) and adense understory. Jun 1997: CIB.B3. Santa María and vicinity. Mostlysecondary forest and scrub around the townof Santa María between 850 and 950 m, withless disturbed premontane wet forest on steepslopes overlooking the road up to ChivorReservoir between 950 and 1100 m. Apr 1997:FGS.B4. La Almenara. An extensive area of 30 yrold secondary forest with patches of remnantprimary forest, mostly on steep slopesoverlooking Santa María between 1250 and1500 m. Canopy height averages 15-20m, theunderstory varies from very dense to sparse,mosses are abundant but vascular epiphytesare rather scarce except in remnants of primaryforest; dominant trees in the young forest aretall melastomes (Tibouchina, Miconia). Apr1997: FGS; Sep 2000: S. Córdoba.

B5. Vereda Campo Hermoso. Lightlydisturbed to pristine, very wet cloud foreston steep slopes and on the top of Cerro ElRetiro and the adjacent ridge to the westbetween 1700 and 2020 m, canopy height ca.18-20 m with abundant moss and epiphytes,understory rather open with many tree-ferns.Jul 1998: FGS.B6. Mámbita. Secondary woodland aroundthe small town of Mámbita, largely dominatedby Albizzia carbonaria (Mimosaceae), withtaller and more diverse, disturbed forest alongseveral streams and ravines between 800 and900 m. Jun-Jul 1998: FGS.B7. Vereda La Soya. Riverine scrub andsecondary woodland dominated by Albizziacarbonaria trees along the Río Saguea(Zaguela) between 550 and 650 m. Jun 1998:FGS.B8. Río Gazaunta, Medina. Five field sites onslopes in the upper Río Gazaunta drainage, atelevations of 1400, 1600, 1700, 1800 and 1900m; premontane very wet forest between 1400and 1800 m, lower montane wet forest at higherelevations to 2100 m. Forest clearance anddisturbance extensive below 1400 m, forestmostly pristine above this elevation but witha few small clearings as high as 1700 m.Premontane forest notable for its abundanceof hemiepiphytes, especially of the genusCoussapoa (Moraceae); lower montane forestcharacterized by a canopy height of 20-25 mand high abundance of epiphytes, especiallyof the Clusiaceae. Mar 1997: MAR & S. Cór-doba.C9. Finca Cárpatos. Lightly disturbed highAndean forest on moderate to steep slopesbetween 2800 and 3100 m: on more exposedslopes forest subject to frequent blowdownsby high winds, a 15-20 m canopy dominatedby Weinmannia (Cunoniaceae), Brunellia(Brunelliaceae) and Tibouchina (Melasto-mataceae); in more sheltered spots canopy to25 m, dominant trees include Ocoteacalophylla (Lauraceae) and Hyeronima rufa(Euphorbiaceae); understory dominated by

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Chusquea bamboos and, locally, by Geonomaweberbauri palms; for further details see Stiles& Rosselli (1998). Sep 1991-Jul 1992: FGS & L.Rosselli.D10. Monterredondo-El Calvario Road.Observations made along Cuchilla Loma Gran-de ridge between 1900 and 2400 m, ca. 3-6 kmENE Monterredondo on the main Bogotá-Villavicencio highway. Forest disturbed andpatchy below 1900 m, with much pasture andsecond-growth scrub. Between 1900 and 2400m there is very wet, lightly to moderatelydisturbed lower montane forest (describedmore fully in Stiles 1992) with less disturbedmontane forests higher up. May 1990, Jan1991: FGS with P. G. Kaestner, L. M. Renjifo, L.Rosselli.D11. Restrepo. Small (ca. 3 ha) patch ofsecondary woodland with surrounding areasof pastures with many trees, second-growthscrub and taller secondary forest alongstreams, 600-650 m, mainly near the CREADfield station of the Universidad Tecnologicade los Llanos ca. 0.7 km NW of the town ofRestrepo. Feb 1990, Oct 1994, Apr 1996: FGS.D12. Salinas de Upín. Moderately to heavilydisturbed forest and secondary woodland andscrub on steep slopes and ridges between900 and 1100 m. Oct 1994, Apr 1996: FGS.D13. Bosque de Bavaria. A moderate-sized(ca. 400 ha) fragment of lightly to moderatelydisturbed forest on slopes above the Bavariabrewery ca. 2 km NW Villavicencio, protectedby the brewery as a watershed preserve. Atits lower edge (ca. 500 m) near the breweryand the Río Guatiquía, mostly old secondaryforest dominated by Albizzia carbonaria; ongentler slopes and ridges to ca. 850 m forest istall (25-30 m canopy) with a rather sparseunderstory, many lianas and rather fewepiphytes; on steeper slopes at higherelevations (to ca. 1050 m) the forest is lowerand scrubbier, with secondary forest andscrub on frequent landslide scars. Oct 1994,Oct-Nov 1995, Apr 1996, Dec 1996: FGS, CIB,L. Rosselli, S. De la Zerda & S. Córdoba.

E14. Vereda El Vergel Alto. Dense patches ofmoderately to heavily disturbed forestseparated by pastures between 1100 and 1250m; forest more continuous but still moderatelydisturbed 1250-1350 m, on notably shallow,rocky soil. Jun 1996: FGS.E15. Serranía de Aguas Claras. Heavily cut-over but regenerating tropical wet forest,characterized by huge gaps in the canopyfilled by impenetrable second growth, alongsteep ridges between 700 and 900 m; between900 and 1075 m slopes are less steep and forestis more continuous, only lightly disturbedexcept along a major trail to a recentlyabandoned farm at 1075 m with scrubbypastures and low second-growth woodland.Nov 1995: FGS.F16. La Esperanza. Patch of premontane wetforest surrounded by pastures along the RíoPato near the town of Guayabal, between 1300and 1390 m. Dec 1997: CIB & MAR.F17. Cerro La Mica. Primary forest dominatedby the palm Wettinia praemorsa with a canopyof 20-25 m between 1600 and 1800m, thenmontane forest with a lower canopy (15 m),abundant epiphytes and a very denseunderstory between 1800 and 2150 m. Alsosecondary woodland around Finca Andalu-cía at 1600 m. Nov 1997: CIB & MAR.G18. Fragua. Transect located in Vereda LaEsmeralda, in subtropical forest characterizedby a rather low canopy of 20-22 m and a den-se, tangled understory due to frequenttreefalls on steep slopes, between 900 and1400 m in the upper watershed of the RíoYurayaco. Sep 2000: AMU.H19. Puerto Bello. Lowland wet forest at thebase of the Serranía de los Churumbelos at350 m, near the newly-constructed road to thehamlet of Puerto Bello in the foothills. A 1200m transect extended from the forest edgethrough a transition of tall secondary forestto primary forest with a canopy height of ca.30 m. Jul 1998; 7 FD, 2700 MNH and Aug 2000:PS, AMC, TMD et al. Further data on this andthe following six localities in the Serranía de

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los Churumbelos can be found in Salaman etal. (1999).H20. Río Nabueno. An extensive tract of verywet tropical forest with a low (ca. 20 m) canopyand a dense understory, on a steep east-facingflank of the Serranía de los Churumbelos. Anold hunters’ trail climbing steeply from theRío Nabueno to a flat ridgetop at ca. 650-700m formed the transect. Jul 1998: PS, AMC,TMD et al.H21. Alto Río Hornoyaco. A 700m transectran through 400 m of primary forest on steepslopes, then into dense young secondaryforest (3-5 yr old) up to a pasture clearing ofca. 4 ha, 1000-1100 m. In floristic compositionand structure the forest appeared most simi-lar to lower montane forests of much higherelevations. Aug 1998: PS, AMC, TMD et al.H22. Villa Iguana. The transect extended for800 m over a plateau between two mesetas inupper premontane very wet cloud forest atca. 1450 m with a low canopy (ca. 12 m) andvery high density and diversity of epiphytesand bryophytes, including many elementscharacteristic of higher elevations. Briefsurveys were also made on the adjacent me-seta of Alto Cagadero (1600 m). Aug 1998;PS, AMC, TMD et al.H23. Nabú. The transect extended 800 m inprimary lower montane wet forest along a ridgeat 1900 m on the NW flank of the Serranía delos Churumbelos between the Río Villalobosand the Mocoa-Pitalito highway. The forestwas characterized by a dense understory, a20-25 m canopy dominated by oaks (Quercus)and a dense growth of epiphytes. Jul 1999:PS, AMC, TMD.H24. Tatauí. A 600 m transect extended alonga flat ridgeline at 2250 m in a stunted forest(canopy height 7m) with a dense understorydominated by terrestrial bromeliads andSphagnum mosses, similar in structure totreeline elfin forest, influenced by perpetual

mists and strong winds. Jul 1999: PS, AMC,TMD.H25. El Dorón. The transect ran along a ridgeat 2500 m on the divide between the Amazonand Río Magdalena watersheds at the crestof the Serranía de los Churumbelos, from aclearing through primary forest with someselective logging. The rather low canopy (ca.15 m) was dominated by stunted white oaks(Quercus sp.) with heavy epiphyte loads andthe understory was dominated by floweringEricaceae, shrubs and epiphytes. Jul 1999: PS,AMC, TMD.I26. El Mirador. Rather stunted forest mosaicin and between landslide scars on very steepslopes along the Pasto-Mocoa road betweenkms 116 and 125, at elevations between 1500and 2100 m in the upper Río Guinea-Río Blan-co watersheds. The area is subjected to highrainfall and is almost constantly shrouded inmist. Mar 1997, 1998 and 1999, Oct 1997: PS etal.; Jan 1999: MAR, AMU.I27. Estación de Bombeo Guamués. Anobservation transect was conducted along thetrans-Andean oil pipeline west of Orito,through humid foothill secondary growth tomature forest at ca. 800 m. Aug 1993: PS et al.J28. Río Rumiyaco. Four sites at elevationsof 800, 1000, 1400 and 1550 m were studied inthe Río Rumiyaco watershed of the ReservaIndígena Kofán. Above 750 m forests in thereserve were in good condition, with only afew clearings for coca and subsistence farmingby the Kofán indigenous community. Below1000m forests showed a strong Amazonianinfluence and were dominated by palms,especially Iriartea deltoidea, with a canopy30-35 m tall. Premontane wet forest (1200-ca.1700 m) was dominated by one species ofEleagia (Rubiaceae) with an abundance ofhemiepiphytes of the family Clusiaceae;canopy height averaged 25-30 m. Sep-Oct1998: CIB, MAR.

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RESULTS

Here we mention briefly our records of eachspecies, and how these records add toprevious knowledge of the species’ status ordistribution on the Andean East Slope in Co-lombia, based principally on Hilty & Brown(1986), the most recent general summary.Previously known elevational limits are fromHilty & Brown (op. cit)., Ridgely & Tudor(1989, 1994) and Parker et al. (1996). Wemention the numbers of individuals capturedin mist-nets or collected at a given locality inparentheses.

Tinamus tao, GRAY TINAMOU: Individuals ofthis very large, plain tinamou were observedforaging on two separate occasions at VillaIguana (H22) by TMD on the floor of pristineforest. Rare and local in mainly well-shadedfoothill forests of four areas of Colombia,including along the eastern base of CordilleraOriental northwards from the Serranía de laMacarena (3°N) (Hilty & Brown 1986). Thisrecord represents a 320 km southwardsextension and provides a link to populationsin eastern Ecuador.

Leucopternis princeps, BLACK-CHESTED (BA-RRED) HAWK: FGS saw and heard a pair soaringand calling freely over forest and pasturesabove El Vergel Alto (E14) on severaloccasions on 8 and 9 Jun 1996; his attentionwas first drawn to the birds by their distinctiveloud, melodious calls. Apparently the first re-cord for the Andean East Slope in Colombia,although known from this slope in Ecuadorand from the head of the Magdalena Valley inDpto Huila.

Micrastur ruficollis, BARRED FOREST-FALCON: An adult female was caught andphotographed at Alto Río Hornoyaco (H21)on 7 Aug 1998 in primary forest. Severalindividuals were heard at dawn in primaryforest at Villa Iguana (H22) between 12 and 17Aug. The species was not heard despite dawn

searches below 1000 m. Also, one was seen at1500 m in the Río Gazaunta watershed aboveMedina (B8), and this species was heardcalling at dawn and once during a very darkperiod just before a heavy rain at La Almena-ra (B4) on 22 and 24 Apr 1998. These recordsrepresent the first for the Andean East Slope;the species was known in eastern Colombiaonly from two sites in the Serranía de laMacarena.

Micrastur gilvicollis, LINED FOREST-FALCON:Between 2 and 4 individuals were heardregularly at sunrise (05:50 h) in selectivelylogged and primary forest at Puerto Bello(H19), 16-20 Aug 1998. At Río Nabúeno (H20)at least 3 individuals were tape-recordedcalling at dawn from emergent trees along theforested ridge on 25-30 July 1998 (PS), and anadult female was caught on 27 Jul at 06:45 hrsattempting to take small birds caught in a mist-net. Previously recorded from five lowlandhumid forest localities across eastern Colom-bia but not from the Andean East Slope, whereit appears to be replaced by M. ruficollis athigher elevations.

Odontophorus hyperythrus, CHESTNUT

WOOD-QUAIL: Found to be fairly common atmiddle and upper-elevation sites in the Serra-nía de los Churumbelos: heard at Villa Iguanaand Tatauí, heard and seen at Nabú (H22-24),heard daily and tape-recorded at El Dorón(H25), where two family groups appeared tobe present along the transect. These recordsrepresent a small southeast range extensionfrom the head of the Magdalena valley, butare the first for the Andean East Slope.

Geotrygon frenata, WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE: Observed and captured on fouroccasions at Alto Río Hornoyaco (H21) inprimary forest: twice flushed from the forestfloor at Villa Iguana. Previously recorded onthe Andean East Slope only from Nariño, andfrom the head of the Magdalena Valley.

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Ara militaris, MILITARY MACAW: Flocks ofup to 12 individuals were seen regularly atAlto Río Hornoyaco and Villa Iguana (H21,22)throughout the day and were observed flyingand feeding throughout the forested valleysfrom 1600 m (Alto Cagadero) down to ca.700m. Flocks were observed daily at both La Es-peranza and Cerro La Mica (F16, 17), and aflock was also observed flying over El Mira-dor (I26) at 2100 m on 18 Aug 1998. The con-siderable localized activity, particularly inforests adjacent to the large limestone cliffsof Alto Cagadero, suggests that the area is animportant breeding and / or foraging area forthis threatened species, and that the protectionof these forests could be important for theconservation of this species, whose disjunctand nomadic populations in various uplandareas of Colombia are declining rapidly, leadingto the classification of this species as Vulne-rable in Collar et al. (1994).

Touit stictoptera, SPOT-WINGED PARROTLET:One flock was heard and observed at 1600 mat Cerro La Mica (F17) on 24 November 1997by CIB and A. Repizzo. This poorly knownand Threatened species was previouslyknown from three widely scattered subtropicallocalities in Colombia, including from Serra-nía de Macarena and west slope of the Cordi-llera Oriental. This is the first record for theAndean East Slope and has importantconservation implications, being from withina protected area containing an extensive blockof pristine forest over a wide elevation range.

Pionus chalcopterus, BRONZE-WINGED

PARROT: On 12 Jan 1991 FGS observed a pairperched in a tall snag and a group of fourflying over a forested canyon at ca. 2000 m onthe Monterredondo-El Calvario road; thevoice of this species was noted as being lessmetallic and more strident than that of Blue-headed Parrot P. menstruus (FGS). Individualsand groups of up to 4 were observedrepeatedly at La Esperanza and Cerro La Mica

(F16-17); one individual observed by MARwas feeding on fruits of Coussapoa sp. in anemergent tree in forest canopy. These are thefirst records of this species on the AndeanEast Slope, although it had been recorded atthe head of the Magdalena valley.

Pionus sordidus, RED-BILLED PARROT: Thisspecies appeared to replace the preceding onein the Serranía de los Churumbelos, with smallflocks observed daily at Nabú, Tatauí and ElDorón (H23-25). This is the first definite re-cord for the Andean East Slope south of theSerranía de Perijá, although the species isknown from “Bogotá” skins and has beenrecorded from the head of the Magdalenavalley just across the divide.

Amazona mercenaria, SCALY-NAPED PARROT:Two individuals were observed flying overprimary forest at Cerro Comijoque (A2) on 9Jun 1997; also seen on several occasions overthe heavily forested upper slopes of La Espe-ranza (F16). Observed daily flying over Tatauí(H24) at dawn and dusk. Previously recordedonly from Dptos. Meta and Cundinamarca (ca.4°N) on the Andean East Slope, these recordsrepresent range extensions to both north andsouth.

Bolborhynchus lineola, BARRED PARAKEET:Flocks of 6-20+ seen on numerous occasionsat Finca Cárpatos between Dec 1991 and Feb1992 in association with a seeding episode ofthe common Chusquea bamboo; none wereseen before or after these dates. Several flocksof 8-30+ were seen and heard daily flyingsouth at dawn and north at dusk over Tatauíand El Dorón (H24-25), clearly moving betweenroosting and foraging areas. Previouslyknown on the Andean East Slope from onesite in Dpto. Caquetá and two in Dpto Nortede Santander; the present reports help to fill ahuge gap in the known range and extend itslightly southward.

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Pulsatrix melanota, BAND-BELLIED OWL: Anadult was caught at 05.45 hrs on 26 July 1998at Río Nabúeno (H20) and photographed.Individuals and pairs were heard and tape-recorded most evenings in primary forest atthis site (25-30 Jul 1998) and Alto RíoHornoyaco (H21, 3-9 Aug). A pair wasobserved and tape-recorded in the canopy ofan emergent tree over several days at 1000 mat Río Rumiyaco (J28). One individual wasobserved in August 1993 at Estación de Bom-beo Guamués (I27) (Javier Bustos per PS).These represent the first Colombian recordsfrom definite localities: the species waspreviously known only from a specimenwithout definite locality or date (Hilty &Brown 1986). P. melanota appears to replacethe lowland Spectacled Owl P. perspicillatain foothill forests upwards from ca.700-1100m, although in Ecuador the two species arelocally syntopic (R. Ridgely personalcommunication).

Glaucidium jardinii, ANDEAN PYGMY-OWL:Heard calling nightly and tape recorded at Nabú(H23). Known previously in the Cordillera Orien-tal in Colombia only as far south as the latitudeof Bogotá: this record helps fill a large gap as itis also known from the eastern slope of theAndes in Ecuador, south to Bolivia.

Ciccaba nigrolineata, BLACK-AND-WHITE

OWL: One adult heard and seen repeatedly atclose range (<10 m) at Mámbita (800 m) ongrounds of the Corpoguavio base camp (andnext to a military base, making collectionimpossible), where it hunted large insects andbats drawn to bright streetlights adjoining adeep wooded ravine. Its call of “hoof, HOWW”was typical of nigrolineata from both Colom-bia and Costa Rica (FGS), although thisspecies and C. huhula have exceptionallyvariable vocalizations, with similar repertoires(R. S. Ridgely, pers comm.). Apparently this isthe first definite record on the Andean EastSlope.

Nyctibius maculosus, ANDEAN POTOO: Heard(tape-recorded) and seen from dusk at Tatauíand El Dorón (H24-25). Previously recordedin Colombia from “Bogotá” skins and, on theAndean East Slope, from Dpto Nariño by theEcuadorian border and in Dpto. Norte deSantander on the Venezuelan border. Formerlyconsidered a race of White-winged Potoo,recently separated because of its very distinctvoice and plumage (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990).

Aeronautes montivagus, WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT:Single birds and pairs were observed feedingfairly low over forested valleys below AltoCagadero at Villa Iguana (H22) on 16 Aug 1998;individuals appeared to fly into the cliffs,suggesting nesting. The only previousrecords for the Andean East Slope came fromsightings above Villavicencio (Hilty & Brown1986); also recorded in the Sierra deChiribiquete (Stiles et al. 1995). The speciesappears to be much more widespread thanpreviously thought in Colombia, in highlandforested areas near cliffs.

Phaethornis guy, GREEN HERMIT: Individualswere caught at La Esperanza (1) and Cerro LaMica (4, 3 collected; to 1750 m), Fragua (10, 1collected), at Río Nabúeno, Alto RíoHornoyaco and Villa Iguana (H20-22: 3,9 and2, respectively) and at Río Rumiyaco (6, 3collected). Leks were observed and tape-recorded at Cerro La Mica and Río Rumiyaco(1000 and 1460 m). Previously known (raceapicalis) on the Andean East Slope only southto ca. 3° (Serranía de la Macarena) in Colom-bia, although recorded from this slope in Ecua-dor.

Phaethornis syrmatophorus, TAWNY-BELLIED

HERMIT: The very distinctive, contrastinglycolored race columbianus was captured at1850-2000 m on the Monterredondo-El Calva-rio road (2, 1 collected), Río Gazaunta (6, 2collected), Cerro La Mica (3, collected; alsotape recorded), Villa Iguana (9, 1 collected),

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Nabú (20) and El Dorón (3). This race had notbeen recorded previously on the Andean EastSlope in Colombia, with the closest recordsbeing from the head of the Magdalena valleyin Dpto. Huila and on the Andean east slopeof Ecuador. It appears to be continuouslydistributed along this slope N at least to Dpto.Cundinamarca.

Eutoxeres condamini, BUFF-TAILED

SICKLEBILL: Individuals were caught at Puer-to Bello (9), Río Nabúeno (18) and Alto RíoHornoyaco (3); these latter records, at 1100m, represent an altitudinal increase in Colom-bia from 400 m in Colombia (although it isknown up to 1300 m in Ecuador; R. S. Ridgely,pers. comm.). At Puerto Bello, a nest was beingconstructed on the underside of a palm leafca. 5 m above the ground. Interestingly, thisand the following species were sympatric atRío Nabúeno and Alto Río Hornoyaco.

Eutoxeres aquila, WHITE-TIPPED SICKLEBILL:Caught at La Almenara (2), Río Gazaunta (5, 1collected), Serranía de Aguas Claras (4), LaEsperanza (1, collected), Cerro La Mica (3),Fragua (2 collected), Río Nabúeno (6), AltoRío Hornoyaco (5), Villa Iguana (3), Nabú (4),and Río Rumiyaco (1 at 1050 m). Previouslyknown on the Andean East Slope from onerecord each from Dpto Cundinamarca andDpto. Caquetá: the present records indicatethat the species is probably continuouslydistributed along this slope from 5°Nsouthwards.

Doryfera ludovicae, GREEN-FRONTED

LANCEBILL: A specimen taken by FGS at 650m by the Río Guayuriba, Acacías just southof Villavicencio (fairly close toMonterredondo) on 1 Oct 1995 represents anunusually low elevation record, previousrecords falling between 1400-2700 m accordingto Hilty & Brown (1986), but once recorded to700 m in eastern Ecuador (R. S. Ridgely, pers.comm.).

Popelairia popelairii, WIRE-CRESTED

THORNTAIL: A female was observed insecondary forest at 1600 m on Cerro La Mica(F17) by CIB, and a male was observed at 800m beside the Pasto-Mocoa road below El Mi-rador (I26) by PS in Mar 1999. The onlyprevious definite records on the Andean EastSlope in Colombia were from Medina, Dpto.Cundinamarca and Villavicencio, Dpto. Meta.

Campylopterus villaviscensio, NAPO

SABREWING: Individuals were caught at Fra-gua (1, collected), Alto Río Hornoyaco (9, 1collected), Villa Iguana (6), and Río Rumiyaco(1 collected, 950 m) in primary forest. Notably,one male caught and marked at Alto RíoHornoyaco was recaptured two days later atVilla Iguana (ca. 3 km distant and 300 m higher),showing that individuals may range over wideareas. This species, an endemic of the Ecua-dor-Peru East Andes EBA, was previouslyknown in Colombia from a single report fromPutumayo (Salaman & Mazariegos 1998). Thepresent records include the first Colombianspecimens and a small northward rangeextension.

Urosticte ruficrissa, RUFOUS-VENTED

WHITETIP: Individuals were captured at CerroLa Mica (3, 2 collected), Fragua (3), Villa Igua-na (7) and El Dorón (8, 1 collected). Thisspecies was previously known only from SENariño on the Andean East Slope, such thatthe records from Cerro La Mica represent a250 km northwards range extension; the Fra-gua and Los Churumbelos records alsobroaden its known elevation range in Colom-bia from 1600-2300 to 1000-2450 m.

Phlogophilus hemileucurus, ECUADORIAN

PIEDTAIL: Two individuals caught andcollected at 1000 m at Fragua represent thenorthernmost for this species, which was alsocaught at Alto Río Hornoyaco (3); commonon the Río Rumiyaco (J28) with 4 collected inOct 1998 (MAR). This little-known, Near-

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threatened species, an endemic of the Ecua-dor-Peru East Andes EBA (Collar et al. 1994),was previously known in Colombia from threespecimens in Dpto Putumayo (Fitzpatrick &Willard 1982).

Heliodoxa aurescens, GOULD’S JEWELFRONT:Individuals were captured at Puerto Bello (1),Río Nabúeno (6), and Río Rumiyaco at 700and 1000 m (2, collected). The species hasbeen recorded widely but sparsely in thelowlands (to 400 m) of Amazonian Colombia,but not previously on the Andean East Slope.

Heliodoxa schreibersii, BLACK-THROATED

BRILLIANT: Individuals were caught at Fra-gua (2, collected), Río Nabúeno (4), Alto RíoHornoyaco (2), and Río Rumiyaco (5, 4collected between 1350 and 1460 m). Thespecies was previously known in Colombiafrom scattered sites in the Amazonianlowlands, and the Andean East Slope inNariño (Hilty & Brown 1986, Willis 1988). Thepresent records extend the range northwardin the Cordillera Oriental, and upwards from1000 m.

Heliodoxa gularis, PINK-THROATED

BRILLIANT: Three individuals were caught atRío Nabúeno (H20), where they weresympatric with H. schreibersii. Known in Co-lombia only from a specimen collected in 1971at Estación de Bombeo Guamués (H26)(Fitzpatrick & Willard 1982). The presentreport represents a small (70 km) northwardsrange extension and an elevational extensiondown to 700 m for this Threatened foothillspecies, endemic to the Ecuador-Peru EastAndes EBA from 900-1050 m (Stattersfield etal. 1997), although collected down to 350 m inNE Ecuador (UKMNH; R. S. Ridgely, pers.comm.).

Coeligena coeligena, BRONZY INCA:Individuals were captured at La Almenara (B4;1, collected), Río Gazaunta, Medina (B8; 1,

collected, 1500m, Fragua (2, collected) and atVilla Iguana (3, 1 collected), Nabú (18), Tatauí(7) and El Dorón (3) in the Serranía de losChurumbelos (H22-25). Additional obser-vations come from the Monterredondo-ElCalvario road (1900 m on 11 Jan 1991), VeredaCampo Hermoso (B5) at 1900-1950m and Ce-rro La Mica (F17) at 1800-1900 m. Previouslyunrecorded south of Norte de Santander onthe Andean East Slope, this species ratherappears to be continuously distributedthereon and by no means rare.

Boissonneaua flavescens, BUFF-TAILED

CORONET: Two captured, one collected at 1400-1900 m in the Río Gazaunta watershed aboveMedina; commonly observed and caught atEl Dorón (H25; 20). Also seen once at 1580 m(MAR), and twice at 1800-2200m by CIB atCerro La Mica. Previously unrecorded on theAndean East Slope in Colombia south of ca.6°N in Dpto. Casanare, this species alsoappears to be continuously distributed overmost of its length.

Eriocnemis alinae, EMERALD-BELLIED

PUFFLEG: Observed and caught at Cerro LaMica (2 collected), and common in the Serra-nía de los Churumbelos highlands at Tatauí(19) and El Dorón (41; 1 collected); 1 alsocaught and collected at 1000 m in the upperpart of the Bosque de Bavaria (D13) by S.Córdoba, CIB et al. Also common at El Mira-dor (I26) (Salaman & Mazariegos 1998), where3 captured, 2 collected by MAR and AMU.Previously known from a very few scatteredlocalities in the Colombian Andes, none onthe Andean East Slope (which now appearsto represent the center of the species’distribution in Colombia), the nearest beingthe head of the Magdalena valley. The Bos-que de Bavaria record represents an unusuallylow elevation for this species that appears tofavor oak-dominated montane forest at1700-2800 m.

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Ocreatus underwoodii, BOOTED RACKET-TAIL:Several individuals of the distinctive addaesubspecies-group (ssp. peruanus),characterized by buffy rather than white leg-puffs, were caught and photographed at ElMirador at 1600 m in Mar 1998 by PS and L.Mazariegos. Considered by some authors torepresent a separate species, the O. addaegroup was previously unrecorded from Co-lombia, being known from the Andean EastSlope from NE Ecuador southwards.Interestingly, just 50 km north on the AndeanEast Slope, three white-booted O. underwoodiiambiguus were caught in the Serranía de losChurumbelos at Tatauí (1) and El Dorón (2).

Opisthoprora euryptera, MOUNTAIN

AVOCETBILL: A male with enlarged testescaught and collected in subpáramo at 2900 mat Finca Cárpatos (C9) on 19 May 1991represents the first record for the CordilleraOriental and a 500 km northwards rangeextension (from SE Nariño) on the AndeanEast Slope in Colombia.

Schistes geoffroyi, WEDGE-BILLED

HUMMINGBIRD: Single individuals werecaptured and collected at the Río Gazaunta(B8) by S. Córdoba and MAR, La Esperanza(F16; 1350m) by CIB, Fragua (G18; 1400 m)by AMU, El Mirador (I26; 1900 m) by MARand AMU, and Nabú (H23). An additionalbird was captured at El Mirador (I26; 1600 m)in Mar 1999 by PS et al. This elusive andrarely observed species was previouslyunknown from the Andean East Slope inColombia, but is probably distributed alongits entire length.

Acestrura heliodor, GORGETED WOODSTAR:Caught at Cerro La Mica (F17, 1, collected)and El Dorón (1); previously unrecorded southof Medina, Dpto. Cundinamarca (vicinity oflocality B8) on the Andean East Slope.

Galbula pastazae, COPPERY-CHESTED

JACAMAR: A male was observed foraging in

the understory of secondary forest,associated with a mixed-species foraging flockat Estación de Bombeo Guamués (H26) on 27August 1993 (PS). A Threatened species (Co-llar et al. 1992) that is restricted to premontaneforest of eastern Ecuador and in Colombiaknown from four specimens collected at ElCarmen, SE Nariño (1600 m) in 1970 (Fitzpatrick& Willard 1982). This record is the secondlocality for Colombia and 50 km northwardsrange extension.

Notharchus tectus, PIED PUFFBIRD: Twoindividuals were observed singing in theupper branches of a tall roadside tree at Puer-to Bello on 19 Jul 1998. East of the Andes thisspecies was known from only three lowlandlocalities, one near the NW base of the Serra-nía de la Macarena (Alvarez et al. 1993). Thisrecord represents a significant southwesterlyrange extension for eastern Colombia.

Malacoptila fulvogularis, BLACK-STREAKED

PUFFBIRD: Several birds were observed at 1700m on the Monterredondo-El Calvario road(D10) on 1 Oct 1997 by PS; one was seen at1050 m on the Serranía de Aguas Claras (E15)accompanying a mixed flock in forestunderstory by FGS on 23 Nov 1995. At LaEsperanza (F16) a female was captured andcollected at 1390 m. Two individuals wereobserved and one captured in primary forestat Alto Río Hornoyaco (H21) on 5 Aug 1998.Previously known on the Andean East Slopefrom an old specimen labeled “Villavicencio”that probably came from higher elevations, aswell as “Bogotá” skins; the present recordssuggest that the species is distributedcontinuously over at least the southern part.

Micromonacha lanceolata, LANCEOLATED

MONKLET: A pair was captured at Río Nabúeno(H20) in primary forest. This Near-threatenedspecies was previously recorded on theAndean East Slope only from SE Nariño,although also in the Serranía de la Macarenaat 400 m (Hilty & Brown 1986).

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Eubucco bourcierii, RED-HEADED BARBET:Observed, often in pairs attending mixed-species foraging flocks, at Pajarito (A1), LaAlmenara (B4, where tape recorded Apr 1998),Río Gazaunta (B8), Serranía de Aguas Clarasand El Vergel (E14-15), La Esperanza (F16, 1collected at 1390 m), Alto Río Hornoyaco(H21), El Mirador (I26, 1 collected by MAR)and Río Rumiyaco (tape recorded, 1 capturedand collected at 1000 m). These recordsindicate that this species is continuouslydistributed along most or all of the AndeanEast Slope, where previously known only fromDptos. Meta (4°40’N) and Caquetá (2°30’N).

Aulacorhynchus haematopygius, CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET: A group of 3-4 birds seenat ca. 900 m at Serranía de Aguas Claras (E15);also one captured at Villa Iguana, severalobserved at Nabú (H22-23); observed andtape-recorded at Río Rumiyaco (J28). Thisspecies had not been observed south of Dpto.Cundinamarca in the Cordillera Oriental (Hilty& Brown 1986).

Picumnus squamulatus, SCALED PICULET:One individual was caught in youngsecondary growth around a clearing at AltoRío Hornoyaco (H21); also observed twice insecondary forest (850 m) at La Esperanza (F16).These records and a sighting above Florencia,Dpto Caquetá (Pearman 1993) indicate thatthis species of open drier woodland of theLlanos Orientales Hilty & Brown 1986) isextending its range southwards into wetterregions response to forest clearance, as hasoccurred with other open-country specieselsewhere in Colombia (e. g., Stiles et al. 1999)and Central America (Stiles & Skutch 1989).

Veniliornis kirkii, RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER:One to three birds were seen on severaloccasions (the red rump clearly noted) indisturbed forest at 500-550 m in the Bosquede Bavaria (D13) in Oct 1994, Apr 1995 andOct 1996. These represent the first records for

the Andean East Slope in Colombia, althoughthe species is known from this slope in Vene-zuela (Phelps & Meyer de Schauensee 1981).

Piculus leucolaemus, WHITE-THROATED

WOODPECKER: Two separate individuals wereobserved for prolonged periods at Alto RíoHornoyaco (H21) on 5-7 Aug 1998 in mixed-species foraging flocks on the edge of primaryforest (PS, AMC). Individuals foragedbetween 5 to 10 m up on outer limbs of tallsecond growth trees and on variousoccasions gave a distinctive harsh “piissh”similar to P. litae (PS pers. obs). The P.leucolaemus superspecies was recently split(Winkler et al. 1995), with only LitáWoodpeaker P. litae of the Pacific coastalforest (Chocó) previously known to occur inColombia. Nominate P. leucolaemus, althoughdistributed throughout Amazonia, includingquite widely in eastern Ecuador to within afew km of the Colombian border (R. S. Ridgely,pers comm.), had not been recorded in Co-lombia. We should note that the illustration(plate 21 #6) of Piculus leucolaemus in Hilty& Brown (1986), which should be of litae fromthe text, is in reality P. (l.) leucolaemus.

Campephilus haematogaster, CRIMSON-BELLIED WOODPECKER: Observed at 1400 and1700 m in the Río Gazaunta watershed (B8), 1collected (MAR & S. Córdoba). A pair wascaught and photographed at 1800 m at El Mi-rador (I26) in March 1998 by PS, one wasobserved and tape-recorded at 1500 m at Ce-rro La Mica (F17) by MAR, and a pair wasobserved in the subcanopy of forest at 1100m at Río Rumiyaco (J28) by MAR & CIB. Theonly previous record for the Andean EastSlope in Colombia was from Río Negro, Dpto.Casanare (6°10’N); these records fill a 900 kmgap to populations on this slope in Ecuador.

Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus, STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER: A pair was caught atPuerto Bello, one of which was collected. The

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lowland Orinoquian-Amazonian form (ssp.orenocensis) is known from SE Nariño andmight have been expected at the base of theAndean East Slope; however, the specimenappears indistinguishable from specimens ofX. p. virgatus in the ICN collection taken at1800 m or higher in the Andes of Dpto. Cauca.This suggests that the lowland and highlandforms may not be disjunct, as previouslysupposed (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Campyloramphus pucherani, GREATER

SCYTHEBILL: One was seen accompanying amixed flock in cloud forest at 2400 m on theMonterredondo-El Calvario road on 20 May1990 by P. G. Kaestner and FGS. Also, there isan unsexed specimen in the ICN collectiontaken at Hda. Comijoque near locality A2 at2080 m on 7 Mar 1980 by H. Romero.Previously unrecorded from the Andean EastSlope in Colombia.

Campylorhamphus pusillus, BROWN-BILLED

SCYTHEBILL: Individuals were captured indense vegetation by an overgrown treefall gapat Villa Iguana (1) and at Nabú (1). Also, onewas observed at 1075 m in the Serranía deAguas Claras (E15). The Los Churumbelosrecords extend the species’ known range onthe Andean East Slope south from N Boyacá(ca. 7° N) in Colombia (cf. Hilty & Brown 1986).

Siptornis striaticollis, SPECTACLED

PRICKLETAL: One was caught at Nabú (H23)and collected. This little-known species waspreviously reported on the Andean East Slopefrom a sighting in 1978 above Florencia,Caquetá (Hilty and Brown 1986). The specimenappears to represent the nominate subspeciesand not S. s. nortoni of the Andean East Slopeof Ecuador and northeastern Peru: evidentlythe subspecies replace one other on thisslope.

Premnornis guttuligera, RUSTY-WINGED

BARBTAIL: Seen and captured frequently at

Nabú (H23; 9, 1 collected); also two captured,one collected at El Mirador I26; AMU, MAR).Known from the head of the Magdalena Valley,but not previously recorded south of Dpto.Cundinamarca on the Cordillera Oriental oron the Andean East Slope.

Premnoplex brunnescens, SPOTTED

BARBTAIL: Solitary birds were frequently seenand captured at most of our study sitesbetween 1000 and 1800 m; records from ElMirador (I26, 1 collected) and Río Rumiyaco(J28, tape recorded and collected 1000-1400m) extend the species’ previously knownrange on the Andean East Slope southwardsfrom ca. 2°N (cf. Hilty & Brown 1986) to theEcuador border.

Thripadectes flammulatus, FLAMMULATED

TREEHUNTER: One was caught at Tatauí (H24)and collected. This record represents a 300km southwards range extension along theCordillera Oriental, where previously knownonly south to Dpto. Cundinamarca (where seenregularly and captured at Finca Cárpatos (C9).

Thripadectes holosticus, STRIPED

TREEHUNTER: Three individuals caught at 700m at Río Nabueno (H20) represent a 400 kmrange extension southwards along theAndean East Slope from Dpto. Cundinamarca,as well as a significant downwards altitudeextension from ca. 1500 on this slope(although the species has been recorded aslow as 900 m on the Pacific slope).

Thripadectes melanorhynchus, BLACK-BILLED TREEHUNTER: Individuals wereobserved and caught in the understory withmixed-species foraging flocks at various sites:Cerro Comijoque (A1), Río Gazaunta (1collected, recordings from 1400m), Serranía deAguas Claras (2 seen, 1 collected, 1050 m); LaEsperanza (1 collected at 1400 m), Fragua (2captured, 1 collected), Alto Río Hornoyaco(1), Villa Iguana (seen twice, 5 captured), Nabú

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(1), El Mirador (seen and tape-recorded at 1600m on 13 Oct 1997 by Todd Mark et al.; 1collected at 1800m by MAR), and RíoRumiyaco (5 captured, 4 collected at 1000-1400m). In addition there are two specimens in theICN collection taken by P. Bernal at 1640 m atFinca El Descanso (ca. 5º21’N, 72º39’W), Mpo.Pajarito near Cerro Comijoque (A2), in Sept1981. This species had been known in Colom-bia only from a specimen taken by Chapmanin 1910 at Buenavista above Villavicencio, buthas proved to be continuously distributedover at least the southern two-thirds of theAndean East Slope, and is by no means rareat appropriate elevations.

Sclerurus albigularis, GRAY-THROATED

LEAFTOSSER: One bird caught at Alto RíoHornoyaco (H21) represents thesouthernmost Colombian record and anextension along the Andean East Slopesouthwards from near Villavicencio, thoughthe species has also been recorded from inand around the Serranía de la Macarena (Hilty& Brown 1986, Alvarez et al. 1993).

Sclerurus mexicanus, TAWNY-THROATED

LEAFTOSSER: Caught at Alto Río Hornoyaco(1) and observed at Villa Iguana, with bothindividuals in primary forest. Althoughsuspected to be continuously distributedalong the Andean East Slope south into Ecua-dor, the only previous record was from Dpto.Meta (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Lochmias nematura, SHARP-TAILED

STREAMCREEPER: Single individuals werecaught at 1390 m at La Esperanza (F16;collected) and Villa Iguana (H22). The presentrecords represent a significant southwardrange extension on the Andean East Slope,whence previously recorded only from Dptos.Meta and Cundinamarca.

Dysithamnus leucostictus, WHITE-STREAKED

ANTVIREO: Caught, tape-recorded and 2

collected at 1400 m on the Río Gazaunta (B8);a pair was captured and the male collected atLa Esperanza (F16) and the species was tape-recorded at Cerro La Mica (1600-1800 m;MAR); three were captured and collected atFragua (G18); a female was captured at AltoRío Hornoyaco (H21), and a female wascollected at 1370 m on the Río Rumiyaco (J28).A female was also observed at Villa Iguana byTMD in an understory mixed-species foragingflock. This poorly known species, an endemicof the Ecuador-Peru East Andes EBA, wasrecently split from D. plumbeus (Ridgely andTudor 1994). It was known in Colombia fromBuenavista, Dpto. Meta and El Carmen, DptoPutumayo (Hilty & Brown 1986); the presentrecords fill this 500 km gap and suggest thatthe species is continuously distributed alongthe Andean East Slope from Ecuador north toat least 5°N in Colombia.

Myrmotherula spodionota, FOOTHILL

ANTWREN: Ten birds were caught (onecollected) in both primary and secondarygrowth at Alto Río Hornoyaco; five werecaptured and collected at Fragua (1000-1400m); one female and 3 males were caught andcollected at 1000-1460 m on the Río Rumiyaco.These are the first specimen records fromColombia; Willis (1988) reported sightings atEl Paraíso, Dpto Huila in Apr 1962. Thespecies is otherwise known from the AndeanEast Slope of Ecuador and Peru from 600-1300m (Hilty & Brown 1986). Interestingly,extensive data from Ecuador indicate anelevational segregation of M. spodionota fromits close relative, the Stipple-throatedAntwren M. haematonota (Krabbe et al.1999). However, both were captured in thesame mist-nets at 1100 m at Alto RíoHornoyaco although they were not observedforaging together.

Rhegmatorhina melanosticta, HAIRY-CRESTED ANTBIRD: One male was caught atRío Nabueno (H20), another at 1000m on the

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Río Rumiyaco (J28). These are the first recordsfor the Andean East Slope, and extend thespecies’ known elevation range in Colombiaupwards from 400 m.

Chamaeza turdina, SCALLOPED (SCHWARTZ’S)ANTTHRUSH: Observed and tape-recorded at1400-1800 m, 2 collected at Cerro La Mica; tape-recorded at Río Gazaunta (B8) by MAR; caughtand collected at Nabú (H23). These are the firstAndean East Slope records, although thespecies was known from the head of the Mag-dalena valley in Dpto. Huila. At lowerelevations in the Serranía de los Churumbelosthis species was replaced by the by Short-tailedAntthrush Chamaeza campanisona, capturedat Alto Río Hornoyaco (5) and Villa Iguana (6).

Grallaria hypoleuca, WHITE-BELLIED

ANTPITTA: Heard daily and consideredcommon in primary forest at Cerro La Mica(tape-recorded) and at all sites above 1400 m(H22-25) in the Serranía de los Churumbelos(tape-recorded and observed at El Dorón). Onebird was also heard far to the north at 2100 mon Cerro Comijoque (A1), another observedand tape-recorded at El Mirador (MAR).These records are the first from the AndeanEast Slope, the closest previous records beingfrom the head of the Magdalena valley. Therecords at Villa Iguana (1400 m) and El Dorón(2450 m) also broaden the known altitudinallimits of this species in Colombia (cf. Hilty &Brown 1986).

Grallaricula flavirostris, OCHRE-BREASTED

ANTPITTA: Five individuals were caught at Vi-lla Iguana, where the species was seen onseveral occasions perched on elevatedbranches 0.5 to 1 m above the ground in den-se mossy forest. One also collected at CerroLa Mica (F17). These records fill a gap on theAndean East Slope between Dptos. Putumayoand Meta (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Grallaricula nana, SLATE-CROWNED

ANTPITTA: Three were caught and collected at2000 m on Cerro La Mica (F17), which extendsthe known range on the Andean East Slopeca. 250 km southwards from Dpto.Cundinamarca, where it had been recordedby FGS and P. G. Kaestner at 2400 m on theMonterredondo-El Calvario road on 20 May1990, by FGS & L. Rosselli at Finca Cárpatos(C9) where a pair was seen repeatedly and ayoung bird banded at 2800 m, as well as atnearby Reserva Biológica Carpanta (4°35’N73°43’W) (Andrade & Lozano 1997).

Grallaricula cucullata, HOODED ANTPITTA:One was seen and another collected inridgetop forest at 2000 m at Vereda CampoHermoso (B5) on 4 Jul 1998; one was caughtand collected at 1900 m on Cerro La Mica, andtwo were caught, 1 collected at Nabú (H23).These are the first records from the AndeanEast Slope in Colombia for this Endangeredspecies, otherwise known from the head ofthe Magdalena valley and three otherscattered Andean localities, and suggest thatit might not be as rare as previously thought.

Conopophaga castaneiceps, CHESTNUT-CROWNED GNATEATER: To the single previousrecord for this species on the Andean East Slopein Dpto. Cundinamarca (ca. 4°N) may be addedthe following: one female collected at 1250 m atPajarito (A2), several seen and one collected at1000 m at Serranía de Aguas Claras (E15),several seen and captured, 2 collected at 1350m at La Esperanza (F16), one collected at CerroLa Mica (F17), two caught and collected andseveral observed and tape-recorded at Fragua(G18) and four caught, one collected 1350-1460m at Río Rumiyaco (J28). The record for Pajari-to is the northernmost for the species, whichevidently is continuously distributed along thisslope, although it was unrecorded in LosChurumbelos.

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Scytalopus micropterus, EQUATORIAL

RUFOUS-VENTED TAPACULO: Tape-recorded andcaught at 1400 m on Río Gazaunta, femalecollected; at Villa Iguana (2 males collected)and at 1600 m on Cerro La Mica (femalecollected). Vocalizations verified by NielsKrabbe. At both sites, encountered in swampyareas in primary forest, and replaced on steepslopes at Villa Iguana by Northern White-crowned Tapaculo S. atratus. Following thetaxonomic revision and data presented byKrabbe and Schulenberg (1997), this specieshad not previously been confirmed north ofsoutheastern Dpto Nariño (0°25’N); thepresent records extend the species’distribution a further 640 km northwards.

Acropternyx orthonyx, OCELLATED

TAPACULO: This elusive species was quitecommon by voice at Finca Cárpatos (C9) andadjacent areas, with six sightings, numerousauditory records including tape recordings,between Nov 1991 and Jul 1992. The species’preference for the densest bamboo-chokedunderstory and impenetrable bamboo thicketsin clearings, landslide scars, etc. make it almostimpossible to see except by imitating its loud,emphatic WHEEUW! whistle and waitingpatiently for up to ½ hr. Also observed onceat El Dorón (H25) by AMC. These are the firstrecords for the Andean East Slope; in theCordillera Oriental previously only known fromthe west slope in Dpto. Cundinamarca.

Pipra isidorei, BLUE-RUMPED MANAKIN: Thisspecies was found at many of our localitiesfrom Boyacá southwards: One captured at1250 m on Cerro Comijoque (A1); twocaptured, one collected at 1250 m at La Alme-nara (B4); several captured, 2 collected at Se-rranía de Aguas Claras (E15) and a lekobserved in forest understory at El Vergel Alto(E14); captured (5), collected (2) and taperecorded at La Esperanza (F16); 15 captured,4 collected at Fragua (G18); a lek observedand four collected between 1000 and 1400 m

at Río Rumiyaco (I27). Especially abundant inthe Serranía de los Churumbelos, with a totalof 27 individuals caught at Puerto Bello (1),Río Nabúeno (6) and Alto Río Hornoyaco (20,1 collected). Previously known from oldspecimens above Villavicencio, Dpto Meta(Hilty & Brown 1986), we present thenorthernmost locality for this species, whichappears continuously distributed and locallycommon along the Andean East Slope in Co-lombia. At most of the aforementioned sites,P. isidorei was sympatric with the White-crowned Manakin P. pipra; in fact, capturesof the two species at the three LosChurumbelos sites were positively correlated.Thus, it does not appear that P. isidorei“partially replaces” P. pipra (Hilty & Brown1986); the two species differ markedly inbehavior.

Pipra erythrocephala, GOLDEN-HEADED

MANAKIN: Captures at 1315 m at CerroComijoque (A1) and at 1450 m at Villa Iguana(H22) extend the species’ known elevationrange upwards from 500 m in Colombia (cf.Hilty & Brown 1986); elsewhere it is known to1100 m, rarely higher (Ridgely & Tudor 1994).

Masius chrysopterus, GOLDEN-WINGED

MANAKIN: Previously unreported N of SENariño on the Andean East Slope, this speciesis another that appears to be widespreadthereon, though its distribution presentscertain peculiar features. Observed on theMonterredondo-El Calvario road. Birds caughtat Mámbita (B6; 3, 1 collected), Río Gazaunta(B8; 12, 4 collected), Cerro La Mica (F17; 4captured, 3 collected) and in the Serranía delos Churumbelos (32 in all, at all sites exceptPuerto Bello, with the largest numbers –14, 2collected – at Nabú) all appear to representthe race pax in which the nape feathers of themales are orange-red; this race was previouslyknown only from SE Nariño. A previouslyunreported male specimen in the ICN collectionfrom Pajarito (near A1) with pale orange nape

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feathers, by contrast, represents nominatechrysopterus which ranges N and E into theVenezuelan Andes. Curiously, male birds fromBoyacá and Santander on the W slope (ICN,IAVH) have red-orange napes like pax, whilebirds from further S on this slope inCundinamarca have pale orange napes andhave been assigned to the nominate race – amost unusual “checkerboard” distributionpattern! The record at Río Nabueno (700 m)also extends the known elevation range onthis slope downwards from 1200 m (cf. Hilty& Brown 1986).

Schiffornis turdinus, THRUSH-LIKE MANAKIN:Three individuals were caught in primaryforest at 1000 m at Río Rumiyaco (J28).Although widely if sparsely recorded in thelowlands of eastern Colombia, this species hadnot previously been recorded above ca. 500 min the foothills on the Andean East Slope.

Pipreola arcuata, BARRED FRUITEATER: Seenand heard fairly regularly in the forest canopybetween 2800 and 3100 m at Finca Cárpatos(C9) between Oct 1991 and Jun 1992; one alsoseen in the canopy at forest edge at ca. 2500m on the Monterredondo-El Calvario road byFGS on 20 May 1990. These records extendthe known distribution on the Andean EastSlope south some 120 km from Dpto. Boyacá.

Pipreola chlorolepidota, FIERY-THROATED

FRUITEATER: Individuals and pairs in mixed-species foraging flocks or alone fed on smallfruits of shrubs and herbaceous plants (1-5m) on forest borders with Orange-belliedEuphonia Euphonia xanthogaster and otherspecies at Alto Río Hornoyaco and Villa Igua-na (H21-22). One male was observed very lowin secondary growth near a clearing and callinga high-pitched “pitch” at the former site on 8August 1998). Also observed on 17 Augustby D. Davison, ca. 5 m up in bushes on theedge of a landslide gap at the base of AltoCagadero (1500 m). One individual was also

observed at ca. 900 m at Río Rumiyaco (J28)by R. Schiele. Previously recorded in Colom-bia from sight records near Florencia, Caquetá(Hilty & Brown 1986), and at El Paraíso, DptoHuila in 1962 (Willis 1988). Although specimenor photographic confirmation remains elusive,the large number of sight records of thishighly distinctive, Near-threatened (Collar etal. 1992) foothill species goes far towardsestablishing its presence in Colombia.

Ampelioides tschudii, SCALED FRUITEATER:At Villa Iguana (H22) one individual wascaptured and photographed and a pair wasseen along the transect and a female wasclosely observed when, disturbed from theground, it flew to a low perch (ca. 2 m) indense understory. At 1400 m at Río RumiyacoMAR observed an individual feeding on aFicus sp. and tape-recorded vocalizations.These represent the first records from the entireAndean East Slope south of Norte de Santander,although this Near-threatened species (Collaret al. 1992) has been recorded in the Serranía dela Macarena (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Lipaugus subalaris, GRAY-TAILED PIHA: Fourbirds were caught and several observed inthe upper understorey / midstorey at RíoNabueno (H20), with birds calling “peeep”reminiscent of a baby chicken peeping (asWillis 1988). Also one collected at RíoRumiyaco (J28) and observed at Estación deBombeo Guamués (I27), where two individualswere lekking in the central branches of anemergent tree in tall secondary forest on 28August 1993 (PS). Birds flitted betweenbranches in the open lower canopy, andfanned their tails very wide to reveal the paleouter tail feathers, then irregularly moved thetail from side to side. This species is a recentaddition to the Colombian list following thediscovery of two 1960s specimens from theMocoa area, Dpto. Putumayo (Dick 1991) andobservations from El Paraíso, Dpto Huila(Willis 1988).

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Tityra semifasciata, MASKED TITYRA:Observed on several occasions in semi-openareas of La Esperanza (F16); previously knownon the Andean East Slope only from thevicinity of Villavicencio, Dpto Meta. As it iswidespread along the east base of the Andesin Ecuador (N to Sucumbíos), it seems likelyto be so in Colombia as well (R. S. Ridgely,pers. comm.).

Pachyramphus albogriseus, BLACK-AND-WHITE BECARD: One male was observed atlength at Río Nabueno (H20) on 28 Jul 1998by PS in a large mixed-species foraging flock(35 species) feeding on small fruits of acanopy tree. Also collected at 1600 m on theRío Gazaunta (B8). These records help to fill ahuge gap (from N Boyacá to SE Nariño) onthe Andean East Slope.

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus, CINNAMON

BECARD: Observed, captured and collected atRío Gazaunta (B8); frequently seen, onecaptured in second growth at 1000 m in theSerranía de Aguas Claras (E15); also observedat Santa María (B3) and Vereda La Soya (B7).Previously recorded on the Andean East Slopeonly in Norte de Santander and atVillavicencio, Meta; the present records showthat this species occurs regularly S to at least4º N on this slope.

Mecocerculus minor, SULPHUR-BELLIED

TYRANNULET: A total of 12 were captured inthe Serranía de los Churumbelos at elevationsof 1100 m (Alto Río Hornoyaco) to 2450 m (ElDorón). Previously recorded on the AndeanEast Slope only in SE Nariño and in Norte deSantander and northern Boyacá, and notbelow 1600 m (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Mionectes olivaceus, OLIVE-STRIPED

FLYCATCHER: In the Serranía de losChurumbelos this was the most frequentlycaptured species with 229 (1 collected) at thefour lower-elevation sites; 16 captured at La

Esperanza, 23 (2 collected at Fragua and 7 (1collected) at Río Rumiyaco. Althoughwidespread and common in the subtropicalzone over much of the Colombian Andes, thisspecies’ presence on the Andean East Slopesouth of Villavicencio had been based upon asingle sighting in Caquetá (Hilty & Brown1986); evidently it is common the length ofthis slope.

Mionectes striaticollis, STREAK-NECKED

FLYCATCHER: Like the preceding one, thisspecies, while recorded widely in theColombian Andes, was little known on theAndean East Slope with records only fromthe latitude of Bogotá (ca. 4° N) and SE Nariño.A total of 182 was captured in the four upper-elevation sites of the Serranía de losChurumbelos and additional captures at Ce-rro Comijoque, Río Gazaunta, Vereda CampoHermoso, Finca Cárpatos, at 2000 m on theMonterredondo-El Calvario road, La Esperan-za, Cerro La Mica (7, including 4 collected),and El Mirador indicate that this species aswell is continuously distributed along thisslope.

Pseudotriccus pelzelni, BRONZE-OLIVE

PYGMY-TYRANT: Four were captured andcollected at 1400-1600 m on the Río Gazaunta(B8); two were collected at 2000 m on Cerro LaMica (F17), and four were captured at AltoRío Hornoyaco and Villa Iguana (H21-22), allin dense understory vegetation, where thespecies was much more regularly heard callingthan captured in mist nets. Previously knownon the Andean East Slope only fromBuenavista, above Villavicencio (Hilty &Brown 1986).

Pseudotriccus ruficeps, RUFOUS-HEADED

PYGMY-TYRANT: A pair with enlarged gonadswas collected at 2100 m on Cerro La Mica(F17); also collected at 2000 m on theMonterredondo-El Calvario road (D10),regularly seen with one captured at 2800 m at

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Finca Cárpatos (C9); a total of 11 captured atthe three highest sites in the Serranía de losChurumbelos (H23-25); five captured, 3collected at Río Gazaunta (B8), and oneobserved at 2100 m on Cerro Comijoque (A1).Previously unrecorded north of Dpto Caquetáon the Andean East Slope, this is anotherspecies that evidently occurs over its wholelength.

Hemitriccus zosterops, WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT: One was caught at Puerto Bello (H19);at Río Nabúeno (H20) six were captured and itwas commonly heard singing from thesubcanopy. PS estimated that at least six ma-les were holding territories and singing atdawn along a ridgetop transect of 500 m.Previously known on the Andean East Slopeonly from a record at 500 m in Caquetá.

Todirostrum calopterum, GOLDEN-WINGED

TODY-FLYCATCHER: One individual was caughtin dense secondary forest at Alto RíoHornoyaco (H21). Previously recorded fromlowlands and foothills near the Ecuador borderin Dpto Putumayo and Dpto Nariño (Hilty &Brown 1986). This record represents the thirdlocality for Colombia and the northernmostrecord of this species, endemic to the UpperAmazon-Napo lowlands EBA (Stattersfield etal. 1997).

Tolmomyias sulphurescens, YELLOW-OLIVE

FLYCATCHER: Records of this widespreadspecies east of the Andes in Colombia arescattered northwards from Dpto. Caquetá, andapparently the subtropical-inhabiting confusussubspecies had not been recorded from theAndean East Slope of Colombia (cf. Hilty &Brown 1986). We recorded the species fromseveral sites at elevations between 600 andca. 1000 m: Pajarito (A2, collected), SantaMaría (B3, collected), Vereda La Soya (B7,collected), Mámbita (B6), CREAD-Restrepo(collected) and from two sites in LosChurumbelos: Puerto Bello and Alto Río

Hornoyaco (H19,21). The latter are also thesouthernmost records for eastern Colombiaand links to the confusus population in easternEcuador (Sucumbíos and Napo) (R. S. Ridgely,pers comm.).

Platyrinchus mystaceus, WHITE-THROATED

SPADEBILL: This species was common in den-se wet forest undergrowth at Pajarito (A2; 1),Santa María (B3; 3 captured, 1 collected), Se-rranía de Aguas Claras (E15; 5 captured, 1collected), La Esperanza (F16; 3 captured, 2collected), Fragua (G18; 2 collected), Villa Igua-na (H22; 13 captured, 2 collected), El Mirador(I26; 1 collected) and Río Rumiyaco (J28; 1collected at 1000 m). Previously known on theAndean East S1ope only from Dpto. Araucaand from the Serranía de la Macarena (cf. Hilty& Brown 1986), this is another species that isevidently common the length of this slope.

Platyrinchus flavigularis, YELLOW-THROATED

SPADEBILL: Four were captured, two collectedat 1370 m on the Río Rumiyaco (J28), includingmales in breeding condition. Previouslyunknown on the Andean East Slope of Co-lombia, although recorded from this slope inEcuador, the head of the Magdalena valleyand Serranía de la Macarena.

Neopipo cinnamomea, CINNAMON NEOPIPO:An adult male caught at Puerto Bello, and amale and two females at Río Nabueno (H20-21), represent the first records for this specieson the Andean East Slope in Colombia; thefew other records from eastern Colombia arescattered over the Amazonian lowlands.

Myiobius villosus, TAWNY-BREASTED

FLYCATCHER: Four birds were caught at Ce-rro La Mica (F17; 1 collected) and one at AltoRío Hornoyaco (H21, collected), the firstrecords from the Andean East Slope southof its extreme northern end in Arauca,although the species is known from thisslope in Ecuador.

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Myiophobus phoenicomitra, ORANGE-CRESTED FLYCATCHER: Individuals caught atAlto Río Hornoyaco and Villa Iguana (H21-22) are the first records for the Andean EastSlope in Colombia; these presumablyrepresent the nominate subspecies, for whichthey constitute a 150 km northwards rangeextension from E Ecuador (Ridgely & Tudor1994).

Myiophobus pulcher, HANDSOME FLYCATCHER:One was seen in tall brush at forest edge at2100 m on the Monterredondo-El Calvario roadon 20 May 1990 by P. Kaestner and FGS; thespecies was also observed frequently at Nabú(H23; 1 collected), El Dorón (H25) and El Mi-rador (I26). M. p. bellus (Beautiful Flycatcher)of the Andean East slope may be a separatespecies from the Pacific slope M. p. pulcher,averaging morphometrically larger (e.g. >13%greater wing chord) and with distinctiveplumage differences (TMD, unpublisheddata). Previously known on the Andean EastSlope from sightings in W Caquetá andPutumayo (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Knipolegus poecilurus, RUFOUS-TAILED

TYRANT: Caught and photographed at 1900 mabove Salinas de Upín (D12) on 31 Oct 1995;single birds were observed daily at Villa Igua-na (H22) perched on exposed canopybranches at 1600 m close to cliffs near AltoCagadero. These represent the first recordsfor the Andean East Slope in Colombia,although the species has been recorded fromthe head of the Magdalena valley.

Hirundinea ferruginea, CLIFF FLYCATCHER:Several individuals observed hawking abovethe canopy for insects from the cliffs of themesetas at Alto Río Hornoyaco and Villa Igua-na presumably represent the race sclateri,known from the Andean East Slope of Colom-bia (south to Dpto. Meta) and the Serranía dela Macarena, helping to close the gap to otherpopulations of this race on this slope in Ecua-

dor. Interestingly, the nominate race ofOrinoquia is found in the Sierra de Chiribiqueteat the same latitude as the Serranía de losChurumbelos (Stiles et al. 1995).

Attila spadiceus, BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA:Common and frequently heard at Bosque deBavaria (D13), where one was mist-netted at1050 m on 17 Nov 1995; another was collectedat 1100 m above Salinas de Upín on 4 Apr1995; several were seen, one mist-netted inforest patches between 800 and 1000 m at Ve-reda El Vergel Alto (E14), one was captured at700 m at Río Nabueno; several observed insecondary forest at 900-1000 m at RíoRumiyaco. Although widespread in thelowlands of eastern Colombia, this specieshad not been recorded on the Andean EastSlope, along which it appears to ascendregularly to 1000 m or more.

Neochelidon tibialis, WHITE-THIGHED

SWALLOW: Two or three birds were seen dailyhawking over forest and around a small clea-ring at 1100 m at Alto Río Hornoyaco.Previously known from scattered lowlandrecords east of the Andes, but not on theAndean East Slope (Hilty & Brown 1986).

Odontorchilus branickii, GRAY-MANTLED

WREN: Several individuals were observed inmixed-species foraging flocks at forest edgeand in secondary forest at La Esperanza (F16).Otherwise known on the Andean East Slopeonly from two records in western Dpto.Caquetá, 150 km to the south.

Thryothorus rutilus, RUFOUS-BREASTED

WREN: Heard and observed on severaloccasions, one captured and collected inforest edges and second growth at La Espe-ranza (F16). Previously reported on theAndean East Slope only from Dpto. Meta, 150km to the north.

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Myadestes ralloides, ANDEAN SOLITAIRE:Birds were seen, heard or caught at severalsites; of greatest interest are a juvenile and anadult captured at 350 m at Puerto Bello (H19),representing an altitudinal extension of 850 m(down from ca. 1200 m) on the Andean EastSlope (cf. Hilty & Brown 1986, Ridgely & Tudor1989). This suggests that this species mightmake pronounced post-breeding altitudinalmovements, such as have been reported forrelated species like M. melanops in Costa Rica(Stiles & Skutch 1989) and Entomodestescoracinus in Colombia (Hilty 1977).

Platycichla leucops, PALE-EYED THRUSH: Twowere caught at 700 m at Río Nabúeno some200 m below the previously known lowerelevation limit (Ridgely & Tudor 1989);observations by MAR and one collected at1460 m at Río Rumiyaco (J28) represents a 120km range extension southwards.

Turdus fulviventris, CHESTNUT-BELLIED

THRUSH: Observed and captured at Villa Igua-na (2), Nabú (5), Tatauí (2) and La Esperanza(F16) where a male was collected; this recordextends the known range on the Andean EastSlope northwards some 150 km from Dptos.Nariño and Putumayo.

Polioptila plumbea, TROPICAL GNATCATCHER:Observed frequently, including pairs, insecondary and primary forest up to 1000 m inthe Serranía de los Churumbelos, with 5 caughtat Puerto Bello, 2 at Río Nabueno and 3 atAlto Río Hornoyaco. Although there arescattered records of this species in thelowlands of eastern Colombia, these are thefirst reports from the Andean East Slope.

Vireolanius eximius, YELLOW-BROWED

SHRIKE-VIREO: Observed or heard on virtuallyall visits to Bosque de Bavaria (D13), where L.Rosselli et al. captured one on 8 Dec 1996 at900 m.; heard singing regularly in forest at800-1100 m above Salinas de Upín (D12) in

Mar 1994; commonly observed and tape-recorded at 550-950 m on the Serranía de AguasClaras (E15), 22-23 Nov 1995. These recordsextend the known distribution on the AndeanEast Slope some 400 km southwards from NDpto. Boyacá.

Psarocolius angustifrons, RUSSET-BACKED

OROPENDOLA: Detailed observations of thisspecies, mostly by FGS, suggest that theyellow-browed, yellow-billed highlandneglectus and the plain-headed, black-billedlowland angustifrons, may behave as “good”species in the region from S Boyacá to S Metaon the Andean East Slope. All breedingcolonies of neglectus were above 900-1000 m,e.g. Cerro Comijoque (1200-1800m), Santa Ma-ría (1100-1300m), the Monterredondo-El Cal-vario road (700-1800 m), above Acacías, just Sof Villavicencio (1000-1200 m), El Vergel Altoand Serranía de Aguas Claras (900-1200 m), inwhich no black-billed birds were seen in a totalof perhaps 75-100 birds. Conversely, all coloniesof angustifrons found were at or below 750 m,e.g. Cumaral N of Villavicencio (350 m), nearAcacías (450-600 m), near the Bosque deBavaria (550 m) and above Cubarral below theSerranía de Aguas Claras and El Vergel Alto(600-750 m), etc., with no neglectus-type birdsrecorded (again, out of perhaps 100 birds inall). Away from colonies and outside thebreeding season these birds move in flocks ofca. 10-50+. At Acacías flocks of angustifronswere regularly seen to as high as 650m and,higher on the same mountain, flocks ofneglectus as low as 900m with no mixing. Allflocks seen above ca. 850-900m at CerroComijoque, Santa María and Vereda CampoHermoso were neglectus, one flock each Vere-da La Soya (500-650 m) and below Mámbita(ca. 750 m) were pure angustifrons. However,the most interesting data are from Vereda ElVergel Alto (C14) in Jun 1996, where three flocks(ca. 65-75 birds) of pure angustifrons wereobserved between 600-1090 m, while four flocks(total 50+) of pure neglectus were observed

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between 1000-1300m (plus a breeding colonyof perhaps 20 pairs at 1300 m). One flock of ca.30 neglectus at 950 m included two individualswith faint brow markings and pale bills withdusky tips, possibly juveniles or hybrids withangustifrons (we are unsure if the pale bill ispresent from hatching). Even if hybrids, theproportion of such individuals is strikingly low(<1%), especially considering that there is somealtitudinal overlap between the two forms atleast in foraging flocks, although perhaps notin breeding colonies. More detailed data areneeded from other areas where members of theyellow- and black-billed forms may come intocontact, especially to the south where theproblematical and possibly intermediate formalfredi occurs.

Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster, RED-BELLIED

GRACKLE: Several flocks were observed atCerro La Mica (F17) foraging in fruitingbamboo (Chusquea spp.). A pair wasobserved at close quarters at 1740 m, Km 121at El Mirador (I26) on 4 Mar 1997 by PS andRalf Strewe, and a male was observed singingat the same locality on 21 Mar 1998 by PS,associated with a large flock of Scarlet-rumpedCacique Cacicus uropygialis and Red-ruffedFruitcrow Pyroderus scutatus. These recordsextend this Colombian endemic, globallyThreatened species’ known range on theAndean East Slope both north and south andinclude the southernmost reports for thespecies as a whole.

Cacicus haemorrhous, RED-RUMPED CACIQUE:This species was fairly common in forest andalong the roadside at Puerto Bello, foragingalone or with Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicuscela. This report extends the knowndistribution on the Andean East Slopesouthwards from W Dpto. Caquetá.

Cacicus uropygialis, SUBTROPICAL CACIQUE:A flock of at least 10 birds was observed atlength at 1900-2000 m at Vereda Campo Her-

moso (B5), associating with a larger flock ofPsarocolius angustifrons in very wet cloudforest; three were seen at forest edge on theRío Gazaunta (MAR); and a flock wasobserved and tape-recorded in forest bordersat El Dorón (H25), associating withPsarocolius angustifrons, Mountain CaciqueCacicus leucoramphus, Cyanolycaviridicyana and Green Jay Cyanocoraxyncas. Probably this species was alsoobserved in a mixed-species foraging flock atCerro Comijoque (A1). Previously known onthe Andean East Slope only from its northern(Dpto. Norte de Santander) and southern(Dpto. Putumayo) extremes, these recordshelp to fill this huge gap; that from El Dorónalso extends the known altitudinal rangeupwards from 2300 to 2450 m (cf. Jaramilloand Burke 1999). We also note that thevocalizations of these birds are very differentfrom those of pacificus and microrhynchus,two smaller lowland forms usually consideredconspecific with uropygialis. For example, onecommon flock call was more reminiscent ofthat of a frantic Great Thrush Turdus fuscaterthan of an Icterid (FGS). The differences insize, elevation range and vocalizations (callnotes) convince us that uropygialis(Subtropical Cacique) is indeed specificallydistinct from pacificus (Pacific Cacique) andmicrorhynchus (Scarlet-rumped Cacique), assuggested by Ridgely & Tudor (1989), andadopted by Jaramillo and Burke (1999).

Icterus chrysocephalus, MORICHE ORIOLE: Apair was observed in a small banana plantationat 1050 m above Acacías, just south ofVillavicencio, on 29 Sep 1995 by FGS; one birdwas seen in bushes in the pasture clearing at1100 m at Alto Río Hornoyaco on 7 Aug 1998by D. Davison. Although widespread in theeastern lowlands to 500m (Hilty & Brown1986), this species had not been reported onthe Andean East Slope; interestingly, it wasalso recently found to 900 m in Sucumbios,NE Ecuador (R. S. Ridgely, pers comm.).

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Gymnomystax mexicanus, ORIOLE

BLACKBIRD: Small flocks were observed inwetlands around the Río Fragua at PuertoBello (H19). This species is locally common inthe Llanos of NE Colombia and along theAmazon at Leticia (Hilty & Brown 1986); thepresent record represents a 400 km south-westerly range extension within Colombia andperhaps is a recent range expansion inresponse to forest clearance.

Parula pitiayumi, TROPICAL PARULA:Observed commonly in secondary forest andforest edges at El Vergel Alto, Serranía deAguas Claras (E14-15), La Esperanza (F16) andRío Rumiyaco, extending the species’ knowndistribution on the Andean East Slopesouthwards from Dpto. Cundinamarca.

Basileuterus coronatus, RUSSET-CROWNED

WARBLER: Like the preceding species,formerly recorded south on the Andean EastSlope only to Cundinamarca (Andrade et al.1993); found to be fairly common at La Espe-ranza (6 caught, 3 collected), Nabú (14 caught)and El Dorón (4).

Diglossa glauca, DEEP-BLUE FLOWER-PIERCER: A male caught and collected at LaEsperanza (F16) extends the known range onthe Andean East Slope northward from Dpto.Caquetá.

Cyanerpes caeruleus, PURPLE HONEYCREEPER:The species was common in primary forest andforest borders in the Serranía de losChurumbelos as high as Villa Iguana (ca. 1450m); on an exposed ridge above Tatauí at 2300m, a male was observed foraging on terrestrialbromeliad flowers in páramo-like habitat, anextension of 700 m upslope from its previouslyreported upper limit (cf. Hilty & Brown 1986).

Conirostrum speciosum, CHESTNUT-VENTED

CONEBILL: FGS observed a male foraging forinsects in the foliage of Albizzia trees,

associating with a group of migrantDendroica striata, at the CREAD station atRestrepo (D11) on 22 Oct 1994, and sawanother seen briefly in Albizzia trees insecondary woodland below the Bosque deBavaria (D13) on 2 Apr 1995. A male wasobserved repeatedly and collected by MARin similar habitat below the Río Gazaunta (B8)near Medina in Mar 1997. Previously knownin Colombia from a “Bogotá” skin and sightrecords from the Río Amazonas above Leticia;the present records confirm the occurrence ofthis species to the base of the Andes,representing an extension of ca.750 km fromthe nearest population in the Venezuelan Lla-nos.

Chlorophonia cyanea, BLUE-NAPED

CHLOROPHONIA: A pair with nesting materialwas observed in trees bordering a pasture at1800 m on the Monterredondo-El Calvario roadby FGS and P. G. Kaestner on 19-20 May 1990;FGS saw several visiting Miconia trees forfruit in an overgrown pasture adjoining forestat 1010 m above the Bosque de Bavaria on 4Oct 1995; two were observed in secondarygrowth at Salto Candelas at 1800 m, near Ce-rro Comijoque on 8 Jun 1997 by A. Repizzo;CIB saw a pair building a nest with moss highin a tree at Cerro La Mica (F17) in November1997; and MAR observed the species at 1000and 1450 m at Río Rumiyaco in October 1998.These, the first records for Andean East Slope,suggest that this is yet another speciesdistributed along its entire length.

Euphonia musica, BLUE-HOODED EUPHONIA:A female caught and collected at Cerro LaMica (F17) extends the known distribution ofthis species on the Andean East Slopesouthwards from Dpto. Cundinamarca.

Euphonia mesochrysa, BRONZE-GREEN

EUPHONIA: A male of this poorly known specieswas captured and collected at 1250 m at LaAlmenara (B4) on 5 Sep 2000 by S. Córdoba,

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the third record for the Andean East Slopeand extending its known distribution N fromVillavicencio.

Tangara guttata, SPECKLED TANAGER: Oneindividual caught at Río Nabúeno (H20)represents a southwards range extension fromFlorencia, Dpto. Caquetá (Hilty & Brown 1986)for this subtropical species, and its rangeapproaches more closely that of the similarbut presumably allopatric Spotted Tanager T.punctata, known from just south of theColombia-Ecuador border (Ridgely & Tudor1989).

Tangara ruficervix, GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER:Observed in mixed-species foraging flocks at1700-1900 m at Vereda Campo Hermoso (B5),at 1850-2000 m on the Monterredondo-El Cal-vario road (D10) in May 1990 and Jan 1991,and 1250-1600 m at La Esperanza and Cerro LaMica (where observed to feed on fruits ofCoussapoa by MAR). Previously unrecordednorth of Florencia, Dpto. Caquetá on theAndean East Slope.

Tangara xanthocephala, SAFFRON-CROWNED

TANAGER: Observed regularly in mixed-species foraging flocks at Pajarito (A2), 1850-2200 m on the Monterredondo-El Calvario road(D10), 1700 m at Cerro La Mica (F17), and inthe Serranía de los Churumbelos at Villa Igua-na, Nabú and El Dorón (H22,23,25). Previouslyunrecorded on the Andean East Slope,although known from Serranía de la Macarena.

Tangara vitríolina, SCRUB TANAGER: Severalwere observed around a small isolated clea-ring at Alto Río Hornoyaco (H21). Althoughwidely distributed in the Colombian Andes,this species had not been recorded on theAndean East Slope, where it is replaced (uplocally to ca. 1000 m, as above Villavicencioand Acacías) by the closely related T. cayana,Burnished-buff Tanager. Evidently thisspecies had crossed from the head of the

Magdalena valley with forest clearance, andmay soon enter into contact with T. cayana.

Tangara parzudakii, FLAME-FACED TANAGER:Seen several times in mixed-species foragingflocks at 1850-2200 m on the Monterredondo-El Calvario road (D10) and at 1450 m on theRío Gazaunta (MAR); two birds observed inthe subcanopy at 1650 m at Cerro La Mica(CIB). Previously unrecorded north of Dpto.Caquetá on the Andean East Slope.

Tangara heinei, BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER:Observed in mixed-species foraging flocks at1700-1900 m at Vereda Campo Hermoso (B5),at 1850-2200 m on the Monterredondo-El Cal-vario road (D10), and in secondary forest atLa Esperanza (F16). Previously unrecorded onthe eastern slope of the Cordillera Oriental, oron the Andean East Slope north of Dpto.Cauca.

Iridosornis analis, YELLOW-THROATED

TANAGER: To the single probable sighting ofthis species in Colombia in W Dpto. Putumayo(Hilty & Brown 1986), we can add thefollowing: one seen at Villa Iguana (H22) on16 August 1998 in a flock including GoldenTanager Tangara arthus and Orange-earedTanager Chlorochrysa calliparaea (AMC),one observed alone in canopy trees beside alarge landslide the following day by D.Davison, and one observed in a mixed-speciesforaging flock on a forest border on 13 Oct1997 by PS et al. at Km 123 near El Mirador(I26). The present records help to establishthe species’ presence in Colombia, butspecimen or photographic confirmation is stilllacking.

Piranga leucoptera, WHITE-WINGED

TANAGER: Observed frequently, femalecollected in canopy-subcanopy of forest at800-1050 m at Serranía de Aguas Claras (E15),and seen on several occasions at Cerro LaMica (CIB). A pair was observed in a

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secondary forest border with a mixed-speciesforaging flock containing Vermilion TanagerCalochaetes coccineus and Barred BecardPachyramphus versicolor at Alto RíoHornoyaco (H21); two males and threefemales were observed feeding on Ficus fruitsat 1370-1450 m at Río Rumiyaco (J28). Noprevious records on the Andean East Slopebetween Dpto. Norte de Santander andTungurahua, Ecuador, a 1300 km gap.

Creurgops verticalis, RUFOUS-CRESTED

TANAGER: Several observed with a mixed-species foraging flock at 2000 m on CerroComijoque (A1) by CIB; two captured andcollected at 1700m, observed at 1850 m (MAR)in the Río Gazaunta watershed, also seen atCerro La Mica (F17) and Villa Iguana (H22),with one captured at Nabú (H23). Previouslyknown on the Andean East Slope only in SDpto. Putumayo and above 1500 m. Theserecords represent a slight altitudinal decreaseto 1400 m in Colombia and 600 km rangeextension northward.

Hemithraupis guira, GUIRA TANAGER:Several pairs were observed foraging in thecanopy of ridgetop forest at 1250 m at Pajarito(A2); observed and two collected at 850 m atRío Gazaunta (MAR). Previously known onthe Andean East Slope only 180 km to thenorth in Dpto. Norte de Santander, althoughrecorded on this slope in Venezuela (Phelps& Meyer de Schauensee 1981).

Hemispingus frontalis, OLEAGINOUS

HEMISPINGUS: Uncommon in the understoryof primary forest at Cerro La Mica (F17; onecollected), aso small parties were observedfrequently at Nabú (12 captured, onecollected). Not previously recorded on theAndean East Slope south of Dpto.Cundinamarca (ca. 4°N).

Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus, DUSKY-HEADED

BRUSH-FINCH: Observed twice briefly at El

Dorón (H25) in secondary growth in mixed-species flocks that also included White-sidedFlower-piercer Diglossa albilatera andCommon Bush-Tanager Chlorospingusophthalmicus. This Near-threatened species,endemic to the head of the Magdalena Valleyin Colombia, had not previously been foundon the Andean East Slope.

Cyanocompsa cyanoides, BLUE-BLACK

GROSBEAK: Eleven were caught at Puerto Be-llo and Río Nabueno (H19-20). Known ineastern Colombia from records scattered overthe Amazonian lowlands and presumed tooccur throughout SE Colombia by Hilty &Brown (1986), but records lacking for theAndean East Slope S of Villavicencio; this re-cord represents a 350 km southwards rangeextension on this slope.

Lysurus castaneiceps, OLIVE FINCH: Fiveindividuals, including adults and immatures,were captured at Alto Río Hornoyaco (H21)near streams, and several individuals wereobserved in mossy forest at both Cerro LaMica (F17) and Villa Iguana (H22). Recordedon the Andean East Slope only in SE Nariño,and also at El Paraíso at the head of the Mag-dalena valley (Willis 1988).

Sporophila schistacea, SLATE-COLORED

SEEDEATER: Several flocks were observedfeeding on seeding bamboo (Chusquea spp.)in primary forest at Cerro La Mica and two,including a male with enlarged testes, werecollected; also observed at forest edge at 850m at Río Gazaunta. No previous record for theAndean East Slope, although reported oncefrom the Serranía de la Macarena.

Haplospiza rustica, SLATY FINCH: Two werecaught, one collected at Villa Iguana (H22)and four were captured at Nabú (H23); verycommon at Cerro La Mica between 1600 and2000 m with 17 captured, 4 collected, inassociation with the same bamboo seeding

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event as the preceding species. At 2800-3000m at Finca Cárpatos this species moved intothe study area during such a seeding episodein late 1991-early 1992, reproduced en masseand then disappeared. The first singing maleswere seen in Nov 1991 and in Dec-Jan theirsongs were heard everywhere in an area ofseveral ha. Females with nesting material wereobserved in Dec and Jan, the first juvenilesappeared in Dec, with many present in Jan-Feb (when H. rustica became the mostfrequently-captured passerine). The seed cropwas virtually exhausted and the speciesbecame rare by Mar-Apr, with none recordedthereafter. This species was previouslyunknown from the Andean East Slope.

Tiaris olivacea, YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT:Common in open areas and pastures at bothLa Esperanza (F16) and Mámbita (B6).Previously known on the Andean East Slopeonly from western Caquetá near Florencia, thisspecies appears to be another that is movinginto the area with forest clearance.

DISCUSSION

In all of our studies on the Andean East Slope,we have recorded approximately 600 species(unpublished data). An indication of just howpoorly known is the avifauna of this slope isthe fact that this paper contains significantnew data on distribution or status for 138species, nearly a quarter of this total.Especially indicative is the number of newrecords of Tangara and other tanagers, whichare colorful, favorites of collectors and birdersalike. Also ubiquitous Andean species likePremnoplex brunnescens were confirmedacross the region. In all, for 35 species noprevious records existed for the Andean EastSlope of Colombia, although five had beenrecorded from the adjacent Serranía de laMacarena. Ten lowland species had not beenknown to enter the Andes, and eleven hadbeen recorded in the adjacent upper Magda-

lena valley but not across the divide on theeast slope. For 47 species we presentsignificant southwards range extensions onthe Andean East Slope in Colombia; in eightcases the records help to close gaps topopulations of the same species on this slopein Ecuador. For 20 species, significantnorthward range extensions are presented;extensions in both directions were found forten species. For an additional twelve species,our records help to close major gaps indistribution on the Andean East Slope in Co-lombia. We report significant expansion of thealtitudinal range upwards for eleven species,downwards for eight. Ten species, known fromvery scanty or insufficient data, were foundto be much commoner and more continuouslydistributed than heretofore supposed.

Two taxa sometimes considered specificallydistinct from previously known Colombiantaxa, Ocreatus (underwoodii) addae andPiculus (l.) leucolaemus, are reported for thefirst time, based upon photographs and sightrecords, respectively. Also documentedphotographically is the first Colombian recordof Myiophobus p phoenicomitra, and firstspecimen documentation for Colombia wasobtained for two additional species,Campylopterus villaviscensio andMyrmotherula spodionota. Several additionalsight records were obtained for two speciespreviously known in Colombia from singlesightings (Pipreola chlorolepidota,Iridisornis analis), although permanentdocumentation by specimens or photographsstill eludes us. We obtained the first definitelocality information for Pulsatrix melanota,previously known in Colombia from an oldspecimen without this datum.

Finally, we obtained important information onthe distribution or status of several speciesconsidered to be to greater or lesser degreethreatened with extinction. The Alto Cagaderoarea of the Serranía de los Churumbelos may

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well be an important breeding and foragingsite for the Military Macaw Ara militaris; thisspecies and the Spotted-winged ParrotletTouit stictoptera may have importantpopulations in the Los Picachos area. Possiblyimportant new populations of severalThreatened or Near-threatened species (cf.Collar et al. 1992, Stattersfield et al. 1994)were discovered, including Heliodoxagularis, Phlogophilus hemileucurus,Grallaricula cucullata, Ampelioidestschudii, Pipreola chlorolepidota, Galbulapastazae, Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster andperhaps Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus. Several ofthese are restricted-range endemics of the eastEcuador-Peru EBA (Stattersfield et al. 1994).Because colonization pressure is escalatingespecially across the southern portion of theAndean East Slope, it is important to developclear priorities for conservation and implementthem as soon as possible. The Serranía de losChurumbelos emerges as an important area tobe considered in future conservation plansdue to the large number of restricted-rangeand threatened species found and the region.Protection for several areas nominally withinthe system of national parks, such as Los Pi-cachos and adjacent areas, should be made moreeffective as security considerations permit.Further north, the protection of even relativelysmall areas of forest such as the Bosque deBavaria can be important for some species.

That much remains to be learned about thebirds of the Andean East Slope of Colombiais evidenced by a number of observations orcaptures made for which we have as yet noreliable documentation or identification, andhence did not report in detail here: amysterious female Myrmeciza antbird and thelarge dull Chaetura swifts of the Serranía delos Churumbelos, the strange yellow-eyedfurnariid from Vereda La Soya, among others.Although the data presented here significantlyadvance our knowledge of this avifaunallyrich region, several large areas remain virtually

unexplored and data for many species remaininsufficient to assess their true status. Onecan only hope that the current situation ofinsecurity and conflict in this region will aba-te sufficiently for additional explorations andconservation actions before the fragileecosystems of the Andean slopes areirrevocably damaged.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Fieldwork in Serranía de los Churumbelos wasmade possible by generous financial supportfrom the British Ornithologists’ Union, RoyalGeographical Society with Andrews BequestFund, International Fund for Animal WelfareCT, World Pheasant Association, RoyalSociety for the Protection of Birds, CambridgeExpeditions Fund, Gilchrist Educational Trust,Percy Sladen Memorial Fund and many others.The expedition received institutional supportfrom the Instituto de Ciencias Naturales (Uni-versidad Nacional de Colombia), theCambridge Expeditions Committee, Corpora-ción Autónoma Regional del Cauca (CRC),Universidad del Cauca and Argosy Interna-cional. We especially thank Gonzalo Andrade,Luis Alfonso Ortega, Niels Krabbe, MarkMulligan, William Ørbit, and David Wege fortheir assistance. A detailed list of donors andindividuals will be credited in Salaman &Donegan (in prep.). The IAVH expeditionswere supported by Colciencias. MAR and CIBare grateful for the assistance of fieldworkersSergio Córdoba, Carlos Suárez and SocorroSierra; thanks to the Kofán Indigenouscommunity for collaboration at the RíoRumiyaco study site. CIB thanks especiallyAugusto Repizzo for help and company inthe field. Fieldwork by the Instituto de Cien-cias Naturales was supported throughcontracts with IDEAM, Corpoguavio andCorpochivor, and by the Facultad de Cienciasof the Universidad Nacional. FGS thanks themany colleagues and students from the ICNand the Universidad Nacional for help and

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companionship, and is especially grateful toArturo Rodríguez for aid in field and museum.The study at Finca Cárpatos was carried outby FGS and Loreta Rosselli, and was supportedby the Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarilla-do de Bogotá and CINDEC of the Universi-dad Nacional. Matt Madler at the Library ofNatural Sounds (Cornell Laboratory ofOrnithology) and Paul Coopmans helped pre-pare tapes and identify bird vocalizations. Wethank Chris Feare, Mort Isler, Paul Coopmans,Dan Davison, Luis Mazariegos and LilianaDávalos for kindly reviewing this paper andproviding invaluable comments, and offerspecial thanks to Robert S. Ridgely forextensive comments on the paper. Lastly, wededicate this study to the late Alvaro JoséNegret (Curator of Museo de Historia Natu-ral, Universidad del Cauca), whose untimelydeath deprived Colombia of the services ofan outstanding ornithologist andconservationist.

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Recibido: 19/11/2000Aceptado: 10/08/2001

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NEW AND NOTEWORTHY BIRD - Museum of Natural … of malaria and several other diseases, the pace of deforestation has increased dramatically (Viña & Cavelier 1999). During the last