Some exciting news and photos from the Neo-Tropical Bird Club this week.
Best
Alan
(Washington, D.C., September 28, 2010) An expedition in northwestern
Colombia by the conservation organization Fundación ProAves has
discovered two previously unknown colonies of one of the world’s
rarest, most endangered birds – the Baudo Oropenduala (Psarocolius
cassini). The expedition was funded in part by American Bird
Conservancy (ABC), the nation’s leading bird conservation
organization.
Prior to this new discovery of about 70–80 birds near the Western
Cordillera, fewer than a dozen birds were known to exist from a
single, different location about 75 miles away. The find represents a
major expansion of our knowledge of the bird’s range.
“American Bird Conservancy is thrilled to have helped fund the
research expedition that led to this stunning discovery of these two
new colonies of this rare bird. Now we need to work with ProAves to
conserve and protect them. Their work with us on this and many other
projects has advanced the cause of bird conservation enormously,” said
ABC President George Fenwick.
The Baudo Oropenduala is listed as endangered under IUCN-World
Conservation Union criteria. The species is a large, mostly black
bird with brown wings, a pointed gray and orange bill, and a long,
yellow tail. The bird has a pink cheek patch that distinguishes it
from similar-looking birds. These gregarious birds eat large insects
and fruit. They are very vocal, producing a wide range of songs,
sometimes including mimicry.
Unfortunately, the two newly discovered colonies are completely
unprotected. More alarming is that deforestation in this area is
accelerating and urgent conservation measures are required.
Pictures of the bird are available at this site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/proaves/sets/72157624909924430/show/
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Alan McBride, MBO.
Photojournalist | Writer | Traveller | +
Member: Australian Photographic Society
American Writers & Artists Inc.
International Travel Writers & Photographers Alliance
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Travelwriters . com
Travcom New Zealand
Regional Representative Australia: Neotropical Bird Club
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