The owls of El Salvador

Abstract

Information on 13 nocturnal raptors (Strigiformes) distributed in El Salvador was organized using 900 records from 1912 to 2008. Two hundred and fifty-eight bird studies from El Salvador were revised, of which 72 contain information on the group or on individual owl species (50 unpublished papers and 22 published papers). In addition, 18 habitat types were evaluated and classified as natural ecosystems (costal vegetation, mangroves, secondary vegetation, pastures, alluvial forest, deciduous forest, semi-deciduous forest, riparian forest, pine forest, pine-oak forest, oak forest, cloud forest), agrosystems (agricultural land, livestock areas, coffee plantation, cypress tree plantations), and human settlements. The natural ecosystems with greatest diversity were identified in terms of species evenness. Distribution maps of owl species in the country were obtained and used to define classification categories for the species according to their habitat. We determined that five species are habitat generalist, two are habitat specialist of open habitats, three species are generalists of forest areas (they use diverse type of natural forest), and three are specialists of forest areas (they use specific types of natural forest). The main threats to nocturnal raptors are capture for the illegal pet trade and deforestation caused by changes in land use. In the short term, specific information on nocturnal raptors will be necessary in order to define their distribution status in fragmented landscape and the habitat requirements of each owl species.