Richness and abundance of diurnal raptors from Fernandez Canyon, Lerdo, Durango

Abstract

Biological monitoring is essential to understand population dynamics, ecological processes and emerging problems. In this study we determine the richness and abundance of diurnal raptors in the Fernandez Canyon State Park in Durango, Mexico. We detected a total of 11 species; five of them are under some risk category according to the Norma Oficial Mexicana 059-2010, Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), Cooper´s hawk (A. cooperii), Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) and Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). The most abundant species were Coragyps atratus, Cathartes aura and Buteo jamaicensis. The habitat where most records were obtained was the gallery forest. Conservation threats for raptors in the area include habitat loss, hunting, and electrocution.

Keywords

• bosque de galería
• conservación
• desierto chihuahuense
• muestreos
• sitio ramsar.