Abstract

SAGGESE, Miguel D.  and  MONTERO, Román. ASSESSING THE PRESENCE OF A BURROWING OWL (ATHENE CUNICULARIA) POPULATION AT THE SOUTHERN CONTINENTAL LIMIT OF ITS DISTRIBUTION, SANTA CRUZ PROVINCE, PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA. Hornero [online]. 2021, vol.36, n.1, pp.31-40. ISSN 0073-3407.

The historical continental distribution of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in Argentina in- cluded Santa Cruz province. However, for almost a century its presence there was hypothetical, based on a few, sometimes even erroneous, published records. Its precise distribution and status were unknown. In the present study, using a combination of personal observations and surveys, critical literature review, searches in online databases (EcoRegistros and eBird), scrutiny of Facebook pages and group posts focused on Argentine and Patagonian birds and wildlife photography, and information provided by citizen scientists and ornitholo- gists, we confirmed the current Burrowing Owl’s presence in Santa Cruz province. The species appears to be mostly localized to the city of Caleta Olivia and nearby open areas, Deseado Department, northeastern Santa Cruz province, within the Patagonian Steppe and, along the Atlantic coast, in the Mar Argentino ecoregions. Burrowing Owl breeds locally there, and individuals are seen yearlong. Although there are a few recent records of Burrowing Owl at other localities of Santa Cruz, we did not find evidence of a current broader distribution in this province, as most general bird guides and general ornithology books indicated in their distribution maps for the species. The southernmost known population of Burrowing Owls, restricted to northeastern Santa Cruz, provides a unique opportunity to monitor its progress. Furthermore, it could allow us to investigate the limiting factors and dynamics of its population in urban and natural areas of the Patagonian steppe and the Atlantic coast of Santa Cruz province.

Keywords : Argentina; breeding; citizen science; distribution; Patagonia; population; status; Strigiformes..

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