First records of the Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) in Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

New records on the distribution of bird species in Mexico help to increase our knowledge of biodiversity, and aid in their conservation. We report the first published records of Prairie Warblers (Setophaga discolor) for the state of Puebla, Mexico. In March 2017 and October 2018 we observed several individuals within the main campus of the “Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla,” Puebla, at 2140 m a.s.l. This location is more than 1,000 km apart from the known, winter range of the species in Mexico; more than 150 km from the winter distribution, and also 1,000 m above the upper elevation limit previously known. These records increase the spatial and altitudinal distribution of the Prairie Warbler in Mexico, and they could reveal a broad ecological tolerance to environmental conditions markedly different to those present in its breeding habitats in North America. More research is needed to establish the species migratory routes, and to determine its habitat preferences during its stay in Mexico.

Keywords

• buap
• migración
• eje neovolcánico transversal
• ecosistemas urbanos