No. 69 (2024)

Review of knowledge of the Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) in Argentina: an elusive shadow that irrupts in quebracho and palm forests of the Argentinean eastern Chaco

Abstract

The Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) is a species with minimal information on distribution and natural history, and one of the least known rallids in the Americas. In Argentina, for most of the 20th century, it was indicated only in the northwest corner of the country. Factors such as cryptic habits, poorly known, voices and a short period of vocal activity present challenges to its detection and study. We compiled information about its presence in Argentina from fieldwork, bibliographic searches, and a review of digital citizen science platforms. In the last 40 years, sporadic records in the northeast, center, and south of the country suggest that the distribution is much broader than previously assumed. Based on recordings, we discuss five vocalizations and the context in which they are emitted. We postulate that the Paint-billed Crake presents irruptions of a notable number of individuals that vocalize in very short time cycles. This phenomenon seems to be linked to the supply of slightly flooded habitats after intense rains in sectors of the oriental or humid Chaco.

References

How to cite

Alejandro Bodrati, Facundo G. Di Sallo (2024). Review of knowledge of the Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) in Argentina: an elusive shadow that irrupts in quebracho and palm forests of the Argentinean eastern Chaco. Nuestras Aves, No. 69 (2024), 23-39. https://doi.org/10.56178/na.vi69.1031

Downloads

1751Full-text views
1Formats
CC

License: CC BY-NC 4.0