Estado del conocimiento de la avifauna del Huila, Colombia: vacíos de información e investigaciones futuras

Abstract

In order to identify the current state of knowledge of the avifauna of the Huila department (Colombia), we made a selection and compilation of documents whose study area included regions of this territory. We obtained an overall of 957 species registered in Huila, of which 27 are endemic, 88 almost endemic, 96 migratory and 41 present some degree of national threat and 35 global threat. In addition, we report an increase in geographic distribution range for 278 species to the higher Magdalena Valley. The most studied areas correspond to the arid upper Magdalena valley, up to the Betania and the El Quimbo hydropower dams, and the rural area of the Pitalito municipality, while the least explored correspond to the eastern slope of the Central Cordillera and the high mountain of the Eastern Cordillera. Our reports highlight the importance of Huila, especially in the Magdalena Valley dry forest ecoregion, as a center of endemism and in general the entire Magdalena Valley as a relevant sector for the conservation of birds in the tropical Andes. Thus, this document presents a compilation of species that includes information not published in specialized or scientific media. Our compilation makes it possible to identify the least studied areas where sampling efforts can be focused, as well as those sectors with the potential for monitoring and establishing conservation measures.