Rapid adoption of nest boxes by Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) in mesic deciduous forest

Breeding territory selection in Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea (Boddaert, 1783)) is thought to hinge on standing water, with a strong preference for low-lying areas prone to seasonal flooding. However, we have observed this species nesting in much drier areas than previously reported. We recently initiated a study of the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790)) using wooden nest boxes, and nearly 60% of all nests produced in these boxes during the initial study year were produced by Prothonotary Warblers, despite this species being absent from our field site during the year preceding nest-box availability. Most nests were produced in dense, closed-canopy forest with a thick shrub layer >100 m from any water body. There was no difference in the mean distance from water between nests of the Prothonotary Warbler and those of the Carolina Wren, a habitat generalist that does not nest over water. We then observed a 60% increase in the number of Prothonotary Warbler nests the following year, along with significant increases in breeding productivity. Although they nested on sites that they are not thought to prefer, our observations suggest that Prothonotary Warblers may nest in drier areas than usual if appropriate nest cavities are provided.

Primeros registros del Chipe dorado Protonotaria citrea (Aves: Passeriformes) en el estado de Puebla, México

DurinDurante la temporada de reproducción, el Chipe dorado (Protonaria citrea) se puede encontrar desde el este de Estados Unidos y Canadá, mientras que en invierno se extiende desde el sur de México hasta América Central y el Caribe. Se ha reportado a esta especie como transitoria en el Eje Neovolcánico Transversal. En esta nota informamos sobre los dos primeros registros de la especie en el estado de Puebla, México. El 18 de abril de 2017, observamos un macho en la ex Hacienda de Chautla (19°18´55´´ N, 98°28´15´´ O) y una hembra en el Parque Ecológico “Revolución Mexicana” (19°01´47´´ N, 98°11´08´´ O) en la ciudad de Puebla. Nuestros datos, y los registros previos de la especie en la Ciudad de México, podrían sugerir que el Chipe dorado puede aprovechar las condiciones ambientales y/o recursos naturales asociados con los ecosistemas urbanos modernos. Por otro lado, estos registros también podrían ser el resultado del creciente interés por las actividades de observación de aves en entornos urbanos. Se requieren más trabajos de campo para mejorar nuestro conocimiento de la distribución del Chipe dorado en México y determinar si es un migrante transitorio en Puebla o puede considerarse un residente de invierno.

Four new feather mite species of the genus Amerodectes Valim & Hernandes (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from New World warblers (Passeriformes: Parulidae) in the USA

Four new feather mite species of the genus Amerodectes Valim & Hernandes, 2010 (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) are described from New World warblers (Passeriformes: Parulidae) of USA: Amerodectes ischyros sp. nov. from Setophaga caerulescens (Gmelin, 1789), A. charitomenos sp. nov. from S. dominica (Linnaeus, 1766), A. protonotaria sp. nov. from Protonotaria citrea (Boddaert, 1783), and A. jonesborensis sp. nov. from Parkesia noveboracensis (Gmelin, 1789). Information on the DNA barcode sequence of these four species was also analyzed.

New records and distribution extensions of some bird species in the Colombian Andean-Orinoco, department of Meta

Here we present new records for four bird species to the Andean foothills of the department of Meta in Colombia, and we confirm the occurrence and document range extensions for these in the basin of the Orinoco river. These species are the Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (Linnaeus 1758), the Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Certhiaxis cinnamomeus (Gmelin 1788), the Yellow-browed Tyrant, Satrapa icterophrys (Viellot 1818), and the Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus 1766). We also report new sightings of the Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea (Boddaert 1783), Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus (Linnaeus 1766), Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis (Humboldt 1817) and Epaulet Oriole, Icterus cayanensis (Linnaeus 1766) in the Colombian Andean-Orinoco (Meta department).