Diversidad y uso de coberturas de aves asociadas al sector de Puerto Velero , Tubará-Atlántico, Colombia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the composition and structure of birds in Puerto Velero, department of Atlántico, Colombia. Two bird ranges were sampled (mangrove and seashore) conducting bird census using the point count method. The observations were made from 06:00 to 10:00 h and from 15:00 to 18:00 h, local time, and the presence and abundance of all birds observed were recorded. A total of 1,229 individuals belonging to 33 species and 17 families were recorded. Twenty-eight (28) species were reported in the mangrove range and 22 species in the seashore range. The families with the greatest number of representatives were Scolopacidae (5 species), Ardeidae and Charadriidae (4 species each) and Tyrannidae (3 species). The most abundat species in the area of study were: Cathartes aura, Progne tapera, Charadrius wilsonia, Quiscalus mexicanus and Egretta thula. There were not significant differences between composition and abundance of birds per range. Although the composition of species was relatively similar in both ranges (61.26%), Hill's number value indicates that the mangrove range was the most important in relation to richness of species. High distribution range birds predominate in Puerto Velero, but migratory birds (8 families in 4 orders) are an important component of this fauna group as they are species with specific requirements in terms of availability of feeding, resting and refuge resources. Similarly, resident species observed play an important role in terms of ecological functionality and their contribution in the regulatory and support processes within the ecosystem.